Skip to content

Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 148/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Equatorial Guinea vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
2024 $12,765,777,677 $31,800,428,266
2023 $12,337,550,584 $30,816,367,067
2022 $13,687,643,436 $31,653,185,953
2021 $12,215,878,033 $26,109,413,521
2020 $9,893,816,008 $23,848,447,850
2019 $11,364,133,550 $24,750,626,030
2018 $13,097,012,134 $24,109,780,708
2017 $12,200,913,879 $22,742,699,138
2016 $11,240,808,848 $20,758,876,953
2015 $13,185,496,881 $21,723,437,010
2014 $21,765,453,082 $23,210,823,987
2013 $21,948,834,284 $21,261,338,065
2012 $22,388,344,144 $21,295,168,666
2011 $21,357,343,669 $17,985,138,066
2010 $16,314,443,436 $14,250,786,675
2009 $15,027,795,173 $11,619,456,449
2008 $19,749,893,536 $11,670,892,801
2007 $13,071,718,759 $9,545,028,944
2006 $10,086,528,699 $8,354,911,041
2005 $8,217,369,093 $4,865,892,972
2004 $4,410,764,339 $3,927,157,867
2003 $2,484,745,935 $3,536,411,824
2002 $1,806,742,742 $2,999,511,040
2001 $1,461,139,022 $3,081,024,212
2000 $1,045,998,496 $3,521,339,699
1999 $621,117,886 $3,477,038,204
1998 $370,687,634 $3,789,443,015
1997 $442,337,871 $4,936,615,299
1996 $232,463,023 $5,155,311,077
1995 $141,853,361 $4,636,057,476
1994 $100,807,003 $5,502,786,070
1993 $136,047,906 $4,974,550,286
1992 $134,707,184 $4,377,980,510
1991 $110,906,029 $3,787,394,958
1990 $112,119,411 $3,219,729,083
1989 $88,265,975 $3,546,472,566
1988 $100,534,657 $3,656,177,881
1987 $93,345,860 $3,143,851,794
1986 $76,407,396 $2,647,995,602
1985 $62,118,570 $2,423,339,172
1984 $50,320,914 $2,552,662,617
1983 $44,442,457 $2,562,351,551
1982 $44,294,648 $2,368,719,683
1981 $36,731,423 $2,498,190,847
1980 $50,642,881 $2,545,808,456
1979 - $2,293,760,511
1978 - $1,947,878,831
1977 $103,987,520 $1,640,746,619
1976 $103,653,050 $1,511,843,235
1975 $104,295,643 $1,356,603,608
1974 $94,159,863 $1,467,417,672
1973 $81,203,227 $1,299,079,410
1972 $65,429,198 $858,761,926
1971 $64,946,955 $717,750,278
1970 $66,331,429 $645,568,215
1969 $67,225,714 $551,263,864
1968 $67,514,286 $485,184,190
1967 $72,317,447 $441,728,183
1966 $69,110,000 $390,992,063
1965 $64,748,333 $344,176,055
1964 $51,915,000 $305,312,049
1963 $44,266,667 $275,968,044
1962 $37,253,333 $261,184,042
1961 - $244,832,039
1960 - $230,496,037

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Papua New Guinea by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $744 $2,322
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $621 $2,187
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $577 $2,142
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $506 $2,125
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $538 $2,168
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $636 $2,196
1999 $931 $6,470 $650 $2,280
1998 $578 $5,280 $733 $2,285
1997 $717 $4,387 $990 $2,432
1996 $392 $1,793 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $998 $2,436
1994 $183.2 $951 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $256.7 $828 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $263.7 $756 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $225.3 $569 $942 $1,869
1990 $236.4 $577 $826 $1,703
1989 $193.2 - $934 -
1988 $228.7 - $985 -
1987 $220.9 - $865 -
1986 $188.8 - $745 -
1985 $161.1 - $697 -
1984 $137.9 - $750 -
1983 $129.4 - $769 -
1982 $137.5 - $726 -
1981 $121.1 - $781 -
1980 $175.5 - $813 -
1979 - - $748 -
1978 - - $648 -
1977 $376 - $558 -
1976 $369 - $525 -
1975 $362 - $482 -
1974 $319 - $533 -
1973 $268.6 - $483 -
1972 $211.4 - $327 -
1971 $205.6 - $279.7 -
1970 $206.8 - $257.6 -
1969 $208.4 - $225.3 -
1968 $211.7 - $202.9 -
1967 $231.9 - $189 -
1966 $226.7 - $171.1 -
1965 $217.1 - $153.9 -
1964 $177.8 - $139.5 -
1963 $154.8 - $128.9 -
1962 $132.9 - $124.7 -
1961 - - $119.7 -
1960 - - $115.5 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
2.69%
2022
Population
1998075
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 22% 52.6%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 18% 22.2%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 19.4% 26%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 20% 45.7%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 510% 216% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 23.5% 30%
1992 595% 136.9% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 22.4% -
1990 212.9% 157% 24.5% -
1989 116.8% 187% - -
1988 227.9% 154.5% - -
1987 183% 141.3% - -
1986 119% 152.5% - -
1985 115.4% 183.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 143/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
2024 -0.55% -3.23%
2023 2.39% -4.34%
2022 11.7% -5.25%
2021 2.65% -6.84%
2020 -1.77% -8.85%
2019 1.82% -4.98%
2018 0.52% -2.58%
2017 -2.59% -2.47%
2016 -10.9% -4.75%
2015 -15.1% -4.55%
2014 -7.54% -6.27%
2013 -4.4% -6.87%
2012 -7.24% -1.19%
2011 0.83% 2.22%
2010 -4.53% 3.06%
2009 -6.47% -5.48%
2008 14.6% 2.73%
2007 17.2% 6.9%
2006 21.8% 5.34%
2005 18.5% 2.85%
2004 9.22% 2.03%
2003 9.99% 0.19%
2002 17.6% -1.75%
2001 14.9% -1.33%
2000 -2.67% 0.3%
1999 -0.19% -1.94%
1998 -7.65% -0.16%
1997 3.21% 0.67%
1996 -6.36% 2.05%
1995 -123.4% 1.08%
1994 -487% -1.01%
1993 -217.9% -4.9%
1992 -557% -4.33%
1991 -236% -0.62%
1990 -160.2% -2.04%
1989 -76.2% -
1988 -208.5% -
1987 -158% -
1986 -97.3% -
1985 -89.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $70.8M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
2024 3.4% 0.6%
2023 2.4% 2.3%
2022 4.9% 5.25%
2021 -0.1% 4.48%
2020 4.8% 4.87%
2019 1.2% 3.93%
2018 1.3% 4.37%
2017 0.7% 5.42%
2016 1.4% 6.67%
2015 1.7% 6%
2014 4.3% 5.22%
2013 3.2% 4.96%
2012 3.4% 4.54%
2011 4.8% 4.44%
2010 5.3% 6.01%
2009 5.7% 6.92%
2008 4.7% 10.8%
2007 2.8% 0.91%
2006 4.5% 2.37%
2005 5.6% 1.78%
2004 4.2% 2.16%
2003 7.3% 14.7%
2002 7.6% 11.8%
2001 8.7% 9.3%
2000 4.8% 15.6%
1999 0.4% 14.9%
1998 7.9% 13.6%
1997 3% 3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 47.4 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 134/197
Property rights 16.9 45
Government integrity 6.9 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 41.1
Tax burden 81 70.9
Government spending 90.8 86.1
Fiscal health 97.3 65.3
Business freedom 35.9 34.2
Labor freedom 45.2 65.1
Monetary freedom 73.5 77.4
Trade freedom 43.6 80.2
Investment freedom 40 25
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
2026 47.4 54.3
2025 47.7 52.5
2024 47.7 49.4
2023 48.3 51.7
2022 47.2 54.6
2021 49.2 58.9
2020 48.3 58.4
2019 41 58.4
2018 42 55.7
2017 45 50.9
2016 43.7 53.2
2015 40.4 53.1
2014 44.4 53.9
2013 42.3 53.6
2012 42.8 53.8
2011 47.5 52.6
2010 48.6 53.5
2009 51.3 54.8
2008 51.6 -
2007 53.2 -
2006 51.5 -
2005 53.3 -
2004 53.3 -
2003 53.1 -
2002 46.4 -
2001 47.9 57.2
2000 45.6 55.8
1999 45.1 56.3
1998 - 55.2
1997 - 56.7
1996 - 58.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Equatorial Guinea Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
2024
20%
2004

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.