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Economy of Eswatini vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eswatini has a GDP of $5.16B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 163/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eswatini has $2.31B in government debt (44.9% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Eswatini vs Samoa GDP by year

Eswatini
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eswatini Samoa
2025 $5,160,679,613 $1,287,936,622
2024 $4,858,885,841 $1,175,749,786
2023 $4,621,191,262 $1,044,909,500
2022 $4,746,660,274 $889,554,712
2021 $4,807,069,277 $859,724,936
2020 $4,134,677,810 $868,884,903
2019 $4,617,018,959 $912,950,466
2018 $4,643,751,059 $878,448,433
2017 $4,462,640,651 $884,844,384
2016 $3,722,306,117 $843,924,797
2015 $3,908,217,914 $824,150,499
2014 $4,285,065,665 $796,683,520
2013 $4,463,396,204 $797,736,334
2012 $4,747,813,067 $773,141,661
2011 $4,722,912,047 $744,097,050
2010 $4,360,714,359 $680,260,907
2009 $3,525,213,502 $628,006,115
2008 $3,235,921,171 $641,346,192
2007 $3,391,122,887 $573,548,460
2006 $3,215,307,901 $499,923,758
2005 $3,097,946,371 $476,801,793
2004 $2,710,331,785 $407,747,565
2003 $2,149,632,433 $333,426,188
2002 $1,393,945,031 $281,790,134
2001 $1,502,870,486 $266,299,591
2000 $1,697,161,558 $258,856,140
1999 $1,547,888,496 $255,408,060
1998 $1,576,908,856 $269,485,244
1997 $1,716,714,070 $285,475,592
1996 $1,602,741,834 $249,907,869
1995 $1,698,989,464 $224,865,731
1994 $1,419,294,254 $221,098,107
1993 $1,357,189,552 $133,122,897
1992 $1,284,759,928 $132,303,041
1991 $1,156,135,718 $125,597,205
1990 $1,114,694,041 $125,766,270
1989 $696,921,542 $122,888,610
1988 $692,026,455 $133,016,065
1987 $584,126,092 $111,713,922
1986 $449,140,318 $100,947,849
1985 $360,079,419 $95,572,173
1984 $494,483,409 $109,200,934
1983 $555,336,146 $111,862,824
1982 $537,568,059 $121,221,652
1981 $570,774,825 $118,190,655
1980 $541,976,853 $125,747,038
1979 $412,093,134 $122,257,393
1978 $340,630,085 $108,223,444
1977 $304,060,076 $98,295,671
1976 $272,550,068 $85,003,078
1975 $288,299,789 $93,489,283
1974 $264,320,941 $93,549,611
1973 $221,915,128 $82,452,985
1972 $146,736,479 $62,566,116
1971 $136,462,081 $53,719,569
1970 $112,139,955 $45,208,338
1969 $105,419,958 -
1968 $79,799,968 -
1967 $74,759,970 -
1966 $76,859,969 -
1965 $70,279,972 -
1964 $64,980,554 -
1963 $54,129,438 -
1962 $45,927,962 -
1961 $43,026,043 -
1960 $35,076,846 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Eswatini vs Samoa by year

Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eswatini Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,108 - $5,873 -
2024 $3,910 $11,799 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $3,756 $11,300 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $3,894 $10,635 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $3,984 $9,990 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $3,467 $9,329 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $3,913 $9,248 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $3,973 $8,535 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $3,853 $8,584 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $3,238 $8,484 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $3,420 $8,391 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $3,771 $8,366 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $3,950 $8,231 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $4,225 $7,760 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $4,225 $7,571 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $3,923 $7,324 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $3,190 $7,011 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $2,947 $6,914 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $3,109 $6,732 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $2,965 $6,319 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $2,871 $5,773 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $2,526 $5,310 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $2,015 $5,020 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $1,316 $4,742 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $1,430 $4,521 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $1,630 $4,401 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $1,502 $4,272 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $1,547 $4,137 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $1,705 $4,038 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $1,619 $3,916 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $1,751 $3,777 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $1,461 $3,526 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $1,397 $3,371 $775 $2,323
1992 $1,362 $3,289 $777 $2,198
1991 $1,273 $3,236 $742 $2,166
1990 $1,278 $3,202 $744 $2,148
1989 $832 - $728 -
1988 $865 - $790 -
1987 $765 - $666 -
1986 $611 - $604 -
1985 $510 - $573 -
1984 $726 - $655 -
1983 $843 - $671 -
1982 $843 - $728 -
1981 $925 - $713 -
1980 $908 - $765 -
1979 $714 - $751 -
1978 $610 - $671 -
1977 $563 - $615 -
1976 $521 - $541 -
1975 $568 - $610 -
1974 $536 - $626 -
1973 $463 - $563 -
1972 $315 - $433 -
1971 $301 - $377 -
1970 $254.2 - $322 -
1969 $245.2 - - -
1968 $190.4 - - -
1967 $182.8 - - -
1966 $192.7 - - -
1965 $181 - - -
1964 $171.6 - - -
1963 $146.4 - - -
1962 $127.1 - - -
1961 $121.8 - - -
1960 $101.6 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Eswatini's GDP per capita is $4,108, ranking 131/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Eswatini Samoa
Gross domestic product
$5.16B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
163/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
4.19%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,108
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
131/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,799
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
126/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$2.31B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
44.9%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,843
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
121/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,770
2026
$3,918
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$234M
2007
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2016
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
1.4%
2016
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
35.7%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2018-2019
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
34.3%
2023
5.05%
2022
Population
1276995
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eswatini
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eswatini Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 35.7% 44.9% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 33.6% 40.1% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 31.5% 39.4% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 28.9% 39.5% 31.1% 41%
2021 29.3% 37.3% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 32.2% 37.7% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 32.8% 30.5% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 31.6% 26.5% 30% 49.4%
2017 33.6% 21.7% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 34% 20.1% 27.3% 49%
2015 34.5% 16% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 32.7% 14.1% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 28.8% 15.2% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 27.1% 14.8% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 25.1% 14.6% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 31.1% 14.2% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 33.9% 10.6% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 33.4% 14.6% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 30.4% 16.1% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 27.6% 14.7% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 29% 13.6% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 31% 15% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 25.9% 17.7% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 26.5% 17.2% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 25.6% 21.7% 30% 53.8%
2000 24.7% 18.2% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 25.8% 16.7% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 22% 15.6% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 20.7% 12.7% 31% -
1996 22.5% 11.5% 38.9% -
1995 19.9% 12.5% 42.2% -
1994 23.4% 13.1% 54.1% -
1993 23% 15% 49.5% -
1992 24.7% 16.6% 43.4% -
1991 19.6% 20.1% - -
1990 18.2% 20.4% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eswatini's government spending was $1.84B, accounting for 35.7% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.9% in Eswatini and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 118/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eswatini

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eswatini Samoa
2025 -6.14% 4.68%
2024 -1.06% 9.29%
2023 -0.66% 2.7%
2022 -5.27% 5.03%
2021 -4.55% 1.71%
2020 -4.21% 5.41%
2019 -6.23% 1.51%
2018 -6.59% 0.06%
2017 -5.64% -1.98%
2016 -8.36% -0.35%
2015 -5.89% -3.79%
2014 -1.16% -5.38%
2013 0.57% -3.82%
2012 3.39% -7.43%
2011 -3.88% -5.25%
2010 -9.34% -5.49%
2009 -3% -2.98%
2008 1.58% -0.36%
2007 2.37% 0.55%
2006 8.67% -0.44%
2005 -1.66% 0.23%
2004 -3.97% -0.74%
2003 -2.11% -0.51%
2002 -3.69% -1.77%
2001 -2.24% -1.96%
2000 -1.19% -0.62%
1999 -1.23% 0.27%
1998 1.05% 1.64%
1997 2.06% 1.92%
1996 -0.97% 1.21%
1995 0.87% -5.82%
1994 -3.43% -9.51%
1993 -3.15% -13.2%
1992 -2.76% -9.89%
1991 3.28% -
1990 5.47% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eswatini's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $317M, equivalent to 6.14% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Eswatini recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Eswatini posted an annual deficit equal to 2.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eswatini

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eswatini Samoa
2025 - 2.21%
2024 - 2.17%
2023 - 7.92%
2022 - 11%
2021 - 3.13%
2020 - -1.57%
2019 2.6% 0.98%
2018 4.82% 4.2%
2017 6.22% 1.75%
2016 7.85% 1.3%
2015 4.95% 0.72%
2014 5.68% -0.41%
2013 5.62% 0.61%
2012 8.94% 2.05%
2011 6.11% 5.24%
2010 4.51% 0.78%
2009 7.45% 6.32%
2008 12.7% 11.6%
2007 8.08% 5.58%
2006 5.3% 3.7%
2005 4.77% 1.86%
2004 3.45% 16.3%
2003 7.29% 0.12%
2002 12% 8.05%
2001 5.94% 3.84%
2000 12.2% 0.97%
1999 6.09% 0.27%
1998 8.11% 2.22%
1997 7.13% 6.86%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eswatini has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.86%, compared with 3.69% in Samoa. In 2019, inflation was 2.6% in Eswatini and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Eswatini Samoa
Current account balance
$78.3M
2024
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
65/190
2024
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.61%
2024
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$2.07B
2024
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$2.33B
2024
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$542M
2024
$108M
2025
Service exports
$234M
2024
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.8%
2024
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eswatini Samoa
Economic freedom 57.5 68
Economic freedom ranking 116/197 52/197
Property rights 42.5 77.1
Government integrity 29.7 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 35.5 77.6
Tax burden 78.6 79.3
Government spending 71 75.2
Fiscal health 87.5 98.7
Business freedom 49.9 63.7
Labor freedom 55.2 73.7
Monetary freedom 76.8 69.4
Trade freedom 73.6 67.2
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eswatini
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eswatini Samoa
2026 57.5 68
2025 56.4 66.6
2024 55.6 67.2
2023 54.9 68.3
2022 51.4 68.3
2021 55.1 61.9
2020 55.3 62.1
2019 54.7 62.2
2018 55.9 61.5
2017 61.1 58.4
2016 59.7 63.5
2015 59.9 61.9
2014 61.2 61.1
2013 57.2 57.1
2012 57.2 60.5
2011 59.1 60.6
2010 57.4 60.4
2009 59.1 59.5
2008 58.4 -
2007 60.1 -
2006 61.4 -
2005 59.4 -
2004 58.6 -
2003 59.6 -
2002 60.9 -
2001 63.6 63.1
2000 62.6 60.8
1999 62.1 58.7
1998 62 49.9
1997 59.4 51.5
1996 58.6 47.6
1995 63.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eswatini is 57.5, ranking 116/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eswatini Samoa
Services, % of GDP
52.4%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.41%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.69B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,390
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$537M
2024
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
157/177
2024
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$11.8M
2024
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$75.5M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.8M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.88%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
58.9%
2016
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
15%
2024
30%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.