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Economy of Eswatini vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eswatini has a GDP of $4.86B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 162/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $1.93B in government debt (39.8% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Eswatini vs Gabon GDP by year

Eswatini
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini Gabon
2024 $4,858,885,841 $20,895,684,426
2023 $4,621,191,262 $19,388,372,071
2022 $4,746,660,274 $20,440,655,695
2021 $4,807,069,277 $19,444,935,097
2020 $4,134,677,810 $15,342,236,164
2019 $4,617,018,959 $16,874,405,465
2018 $4,643,751,059 $16,867,326,402
2017 $4,462,640,651 $14,929,487,485
2016 $3,722,306,117 $14,023,890,265
2015 $3,908,217,914 $14,383,107,763
2014 $4,285,065,665 $18,203,966,896
2013 $4,463,396,204 $17,595,744,798
2012 $4,747,813,067 $17,170,464,016
2011 $4,722,912,047 $18,210,307,744
2010 $4,360,714,359 $14,372,593,020
2009 $3,525,213,502 $12,113,699,068
2008 $3,235,921,171 $15,571,348,344
2007 $3,391,122,887 $12,455,409,587
2006 $3,215,307,901 $10,327,598,306
2005 $3,097,946,371 $9,582,783,991
2004 $2,710,331,785 $7,770,219,008
2003 $2,149,632,433 $6,511,903,365
2002 $1,393,945,031 $5,335,451,100
2001 $1,502,870,486 $5,023,265,413
2000 $1,697,161,558 $5,080,483,629
1999 $1,547,888,496 $4,662,992,036
1998 $1,576,908,856 $4,483,417,310
1997 $1,716,714,070 $5,326,817,115
1996 $1,602,741,834 $5,694,040,003
1995 $1,698,989,464 $4,958,845,648
1994 $1,419,294,254 $4,190,819,344
1993 $1,357,189,552 $4,378,645,081
1992 $1,284,759,928 $5,592,390,827
1991 $1,156,135,718 $5,402,919,785
1990 $1,114,694,041 $5,952,293,765
1989 $696,921,542 $4,186,411,464
1988 $692,026,455 $3,834,503,376
1987 $584,126,092 $3,281,797,043
1986 $449,140,318 $3,403,638,189
1985 $360,079,419 $3,339,914,757
1984 $494,483,409 $3,561,451,561
1983 $555,336,146 $3,391,275,732
1982 $537,568,059 $3,618,007,841
1981 $570,774,825 $3,862,269,121
1980 $541,976,853 $4,279,637,942
1979 $412,093,134 $3,030,251,120
1978 $340,630,085 $2,389,479,272
1977 $304,060,076 $2,809,349,069
1976 $272,550,068 $3,009,409,974
1975 $288,299,789 $2,157,592,940
1974 $264,320,941 $1,544,216,002
1973 $221,915,128 $722,780,701
1972 $146,736,479 $430,508,359
1971 $136,462,081 $381,687,073
1970 $112,139,955 $323,802,476
1969 $105,419,958 $318,124,701
1968 $79,799,968 $294,468,564
1967 $74,759,970 $271,543,680
1966 $76,859,969 $245,849,781
1965 $70,279,972 $226,474,286
1964 $64,980,554 $215,679,855
1963 $54,129,438 $154,480,244
1962 $45,927,962 $182,796,536
1961 $43,026,043 $167,637,907
1960 $35,076,846 $141,468,978

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs Gabon by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $832 - $4,374 -
1988 $865 - $4,119 -
1987 $765 - $3,624 -
1986 $611 - $3,865 -
1985 $510 - $3,898 -
1984 $726 - $4,273 -
1983 $843 - $4,182 -
1982 $843 - $4,584 -
1981 $925 - $5,026 -
1980 $908 - $5,718 -
1979 $714 - $4,155 -
1978 $610 - $3,360 -
1977 $563 - $4,048 -
1976 $521 - $4,441 -
1975 $568 - $3,258 -
1974 $536 - $2,384 -
1973 $463 - $1,140 -
1972 $315 - $693 -
1971 $301 - $627 -
1970 $254.2 - $543 -
1969 $245.2 - $545 -
1968 $190.4 - $515 -
1967 $182.8 - $482 -
1966 $192.7 - $443 -
1965 $181 - $415 -
1964 $171.6 - $400 -
1963 $146.4 - $290.7 -
1962 $127.1 - $348 -
1961 $121.8 - $323 -
1960 $101.6 - $276.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $3,910, ranking 131/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Eswatini Gabon
Gross domestic product
$4.86B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
162/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,910
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$1.93B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.8%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,554
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
130/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,913
2026
$5,368
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.3%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
1.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
34.6%
2023
20.4%
2010
Population
1273390
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.3% 39.8% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 32% 40% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 29.6% 40.5% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 30.1% 38.4% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 32.7% 38.2% 19.8% 83%
2019 32.9% 30.7% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 32.2% 27% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 33.9% 21.9% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 34.7% 20.5% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 35.3% 16.4% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 33.3% 14.3% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 29.4% 15.5% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 27.8% 15.2% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 26% 15.1% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 31.6% 14.5% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 34.5% 10.8% 22.6% 26%
2008 34.4% 15% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 31.2% 16.6% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 28.2% 15% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 29.7% 13.9% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 32% 15.5% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 26.4% 18% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 27.2% 17.6% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 26.4% 22.4% 27.8% 81%
2000 25.3% 18.7% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 26.5% 17.2% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 22.5% 15.9% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 21.2% 13% 29.7% 57%
1996 23.3% 12% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 20.5% 12.9% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 24.7% 13.8% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 24% 15.6% 26.9% 90.1%
1992 26% 16.6% 26.5% 87.9%
1991 20.3% 20.1% 25.1% 89.3%
1990 18.7% 20.4% 22.6% 90%
1989 15.8% 26.8% - -
1988 15.6% 27.5% - -
1987 17% 36.1% - -
1986 19.8% 44% - -
1985 22.3% 45.5% - -
1984 22.2% 29.7% - -
1983 23.2% 28.7% - -
1982 24% 29.2% - -
1981 23.8% 24.3% - -
1980 19.6% 27.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, Eswatini's government spending was $1.62B, accounting for 33.3% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.8% in Eswatini and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 134/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini Gabon
2024 -1.36% -3.84%
2023 -0.67% 1.79%
2022 -5.4% -0.89%
2021 -4.68% -1.93%
2020 -4.27% -2.19%
2019 -6.26% 2.13%
2018 -6.72% -0.21%
2017 -5.68% -1.7%
2016 -8.54% -4.71%
2015 -6.03% -1.12%
2014 -1.18% 5.98%
2013 0.59% -3.07%
2012 3.48% 6.2%
2011 -4.02% 1.41%
2010 -9.52% 2.7%
2009 -3.06% 6.77%
2008 1.63% 11%
2007 2.44% 8.06%
2006 8.88% 8.67%
2005 -1.7% 7.98%
2004 -4.1% 6.99%
2003 -2.15% 7.75%
2002 -3.78% 3.72%
2001 -2.31% 4.07%
2000 -1.22% 11.1%
1999 -1.27% 1.11%
1998 1.07% -13.1%
1997 2.11% 1.41%
1996 -1% 2.12%
1995 0.9% 2.64%
1994 -3.61% -1.53%
1993 -3.29% -5.35%
1992 -2.9% -4.9%
1991 3.4% -2.03%
1990 5.61% -3.83%
1989 5.82% -
1988 3.23% -
1987 2.03% -
1986 -2.41% -
1985 -1.33% -
1984 1.25% -
1983 -0.6% -
1982 0.11% -
1981 -4.29% -
1980 6.55% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, Eswatini's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $66.2M, equivalent to 1.36% of GDP. This compares to Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 1.85% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.52% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini Gabon
2024 - 1.17%
2023 - 3.63%
2022 - 4.23%
2021 - 1.09%
2020 - 1.35%
2019 2.6% 2.46%
2018 4.82% 4.75%
2017 6.22% 2.65%
2016 7.85% 2.11%
2015 4.95% -0.34%
2014 5.68% 4.69%
2013 5.62% 0.51%
2012 8.94% 2.65%
2011 6.11% 1.26%
2010 4.51% 1.46%
2009 7.45% 1.89%
2008 12.7% 5.26%
2007 8.08% 5.03%
2006 5.3% -1.41%
2005 4.77% 3.71%
2004 3.45% 0.41%
2003 7.29% 2.24%
2002 12% 0.04%
2001 5.94% 2.14%
2000 12.2% 0.5%
1999 6.09% -1.94%
1998 8.11% 1.45%
1997 7.13% 3.97%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.86%, compared with 1.98% in Gabon. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Eswatini
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $46K
Gabon
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Eswatini Gabon
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
69/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$542M
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$234M
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eswatini Gabon
Economic freedom 57.5 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 120/197
Property rights 42.5 30
Government integrity 29.7 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 19.9
Tax burden 78.6 76.5
Government spending 71 85.5
Fiscal health 87.5 87.9
Business freedom 49.9 63.6
Labor freedom 55.2 55.4
Monetary freedom 76.8 80.9
Trade freedom 73.6 57.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eswatini
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eswatini Gabon
2026 57.5 56.6
2025 56.4 56.3
2024 55.6 56.9
2023 54.9 56.1
2022 51.4 55.8
2021 55.1 58.1
2020 55.3 56.7
2019 54.7 56.3
2018 55.9 58
2017 61.1 58.6
2016 59.7 59
2015 59.9 58.3
2014 61.2 57.8
2013 57.2 57.8
2012 57.2 56.4
2011 59.1 56.7
2010 57.4 55.4
2009 59.1 55
2008 58.4 54.2
2007 60.1 54.8
2006 61.4 56.1
2005 59.4 54.8
2004 58.6 57.1
2003 59.6 58.7
2002 60.9 58
2001 63.6 55
2000 62.6 58.2
1999 62.1 60.5
1998 62 59.2
1997 59.4 58.8
1996 58.6 55.7
1995 63.3 57.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eswatini is 57.5, ranking 116/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eswatini Gabon
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.7%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.48%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.46B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,760
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$479M
2023
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
159/177
2023
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.68%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
2024
19.1%
2024

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/eswatini/gabon | CC BY

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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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.