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Economy of Gabon vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Gabon has a GDP of $21.4B compared to $291B for Nigeria, ranking 132/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $16.9B in government debt (78.9% of GDP), compared to $103B (35.5% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Gabon vs Nigeria GDP by year

Gabon
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Nigeria
2025 $21,427,119,323 $290,794,361,542
2024 $20,895,684,426 $252,261,880,140
2023 $19,388,372,071 $487,387,801,878
2022 $20,440,655,695 $646,950,257,575
2021 $19,444,935,097 $609,147,716,965
2020 $15,342,236,164 $598,586,817,817
2019 $16,874,405,465 $668,219,992,687
2018 $16,867,326,402 $421,739,251,509
2017 $14,929,487,485 $375,745,731,053
2016 $14,023,890,265 $404,649,125,252
2015 $14,383,107,763 $493,026,682,801
2014 $18,203,966,896 $574,183,763,412
2013 $17,595,744,798 $520,117,180,314
2012 $17,170,464,016 $463,971,018,239
2011 $18,210,307,744 $414,466,676,831
2010 $14,372,593,020 $366,990,417,129
2009 $12,113,699,068 $295,008,835,381
2008 $15,571,348,344 $339,476,276,258
2007 $12,455,409,587 $278,260,846,800
2006 $10,327,598,306 $238,454,997,161
2005 $9,582,783,991 $175,670,569,969
2004 $7,770,219,008 $135,764,731,646
2003 $6,511,903,365 $104,738,954,264
2002 $5,335,451,100 $95,054,059,303
2001 $5,023,265,413 $73,557,840,064
2000 $5,080,483,629 $69,171,451,627
1999 $4,662,992,036 $59,145,077,039
1998 $4,483,417,310 $218,416,200,673
1997 $5,326,817,115 $200,850,397,618
1996 $5,694,040,003 $185,730,236,700
1995 $4,958,845,648 $140,919,776,986
1994 $4,190,819,344 $80,399,613,064
1993 $4,378,645,081 $56,721,051,402
1992 $5,592,390,827 $52,058,181,854
1991 $5,402,919,785 $59,526,833,412
1990 $5,952,293,765 $54,035,795,388
1989 $4,186,411,464 $44,003,061,108
1988 $3,834,503,376 $49,648,470,440
1987 $3,281,797,043 $52,676,041,931
1986 $3,403,638,189 $54,805,852,581
1985 $3,339,914,757 $73,745,821,158
1984 $3,561,451,561 $73,484,359,521
1983 $3,391,275,732 $97,094,911,792
1982 $3,618,007,841 $142,769,363,314
1981 $3,862,269,121 $164,475,209,516
1980 $4,279,637,942 $64,201,788,123
1979 $3,030,251,120 $47,259,911,894
1978 $2,389,479,272 $36,527,862,209
1977 $2,809,349,069 $36,035,407,725
1976 $3,009,409,974 $36,308,883,249
1975 $2,157,592,940 $27,778,934,625
1974 $1,544,216,002 $24,846,641,318
1973 $722,780,701 $15,162,871,287
1972 $430,508,359 $12,274,416,018
1971 $381,687,073 $9,181,769,912
1970 $323,802,476 $12,546,094,982
1969 $318,124,701 $6,634,317,346
1968 $294,468,564 $5,200,997,920
1967 $271,543,680 $5,203,237,919
1966 $245,849,781 $6,366,917,453
1965 $226,474,286 $5,874,537,650
1964 $215,679,855 $5,552,931,319
1963 $154,480,244 $5,165,590,254
1962 $182,796,536 $4,909,399,176
1961 $167,637,907 $4,467,287,893
1960 $141,468,978 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Nigeria by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,263 - $1,224 -
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $962 $4,381
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $763 $4,015
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $712 $3,770
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $566 $3,309
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $547 $3,139
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $481 $3,002
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $745 $2,853
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $540 $2,921
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $509 $2,991
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $597 $2,870
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $556 $2,840
1989 $4,374 - $465 -
1988 $4,119 - $540 -
1987 $3,624 - $588 -
1986 $3,865 - $628 -
1985 $3,898 - $869 -
1984 $4,273 - $890 -
1983 $4,182 - $1,207 -
1982 $4,584 - $1,822 -
1981 $5,026 - $2,162 -
1980 $5,718 - $870 -
1979 $4,155 - $661 -
1978 $3,360 - $527 -
1977 $4,048 - $536 -
1976 $4,441 - $556 -
1975 $3,258 - $438 -
1974 $2,384 - $403 -
1973 $1,140 - $252.4 -
1972 $693 - $209.5 -
1971 $627 - $160.5 -
1970 $543 - $224.5 -
1969 $545 - $121.4 -
1968 $515 - $97.3 -
1967 $482 - $99.5 -
1966 $443 - $124.4 -
1965 $415 - $117.3 -
1964 $400 - $113.3 -
1963 $290.7 - $107.7 -
1962 $348 - $104.5 -
1961 $323 - $97.1 -
1960 $276.1 - $93.1 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,263, ranking 96/197, compared to $1,224 in Nigeria, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Gabon Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$21.4B
2025
$291B
2025
GDP rank
132/197
2025
50/197
2025
GDP growth
2.47%
2024-2025
4.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$8,263
2025
$1,224
2025
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$16.9B
2025
$103B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
78.9%
2025
35.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$6,521
2025
$434
2025
Government debt per person rank
74/185
2025
170/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,617
2026
$768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$86.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.6%
2025
11.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2024-2025
23%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
26.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
17.4%
2024
3.45%
2024
Population
2676097
245016045

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 28.6% 78.9% 11.7% 35.5%
2024 24.8% 70.9% 12% 39.3%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 19.8% 83% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 8.51% 18%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 9.49% 15.8%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 10% 13%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 22.6% 26% 11% 6.12%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 13% 25.2%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 27.8% 81% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 29.7% 57% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 20% 50.4%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 22.6% 90% 14.2% 50.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government spending was $6.14B, accounting for 28.6% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $34.1B, or 11.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 78.9% in Gabon and 35.5% in Nigeria, ranking 44/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Nigeria
2025 -8.47% -1.76%
2024 -3.3% -1.27%
2023 1.79% -3.12%
2022 -0.89% -4%
2021 -1.93% -3.97%
2020 -2.19% -4.03%
2019 2.13% -3.31%
2018 -0.21% -3.06%
2017 -1.7% -3.85%
2016 -4.71% -3.3%
2015 -1.12% -2.7%
2014 5.98% -1.72%
2013 -3.07% -1.89%
2012 6.2% -0.09%
2011 1.41% 0.31%
2010 2.7% -2.96%
2009 6.77% -3.78%
2008 11% 4.05%
2007 8.06% -0.79%
2006 8.67% 6.22%
2005 7.98% 3.49%
2004 6.99% 3.9%
2003 7.75% -1.56%
2002 3.72% 0.95%
2001 4.07% -2.29%
2000 11.1% 2.89%
1999 1.11% -1.39%
1998 -13.1% -3.47%
1997 1.41% 1.14%
1996 2.12% 3.37%
1995 2.64% 2.52%
1994 -1.53% -2.96%
1993 -5.35% -6.07%
1992 -4.9% 0.94%
1991 -2.03% -1.18%
1990 -3.83% -0.48%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.82B, equivalent to 8.47% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $5.12B, or 1.76% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.98% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Nigeria
2025 1.77% 23%
2024 1.17% 33.2%
2023 3.63% 24.7%
2022 4.23% 18.8%
2021 1.09% 17%
2020 1.35% 13.2%
2019 2.46% 11.4%
2018 4.75% 12.1%
2017 2.65% 16.5%
2016 2.11% 15.7%
2015 -0.34% 9.01%
2014 4.69% 8.05%
2013 0.51% 8.5%
2012 2.65% 12.2%
2011 1.26% 10.8%
2010 1.46% 13.7%
2009 1.89% 12.5%
2008 5.26% 11.6%
2007 5.03% 5.39%
2006 -1.41% 8.23%
2005 3.71% 17.9%
2004 0.41% 15%
2003 2.24% 14%
2002 0.04% 12.9%
2001 2.14% 18.9%
2000 0.5% 6.93%
1999 -1.94% 6.62%
1998 1.45% 10%
1997 3.97% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 13.7% in Nigeria. In 2025, inflation was 1.77% in Gabon and 23% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17.5M
Chemicals & pharma $2.36M
Raw materials & minerals $454K
Wood & paper products $116K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $113K
Textiles & consumer goods $81K
Metals $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.64M
Metals $1.18M
Raw materials & minerals $719K
Chemicals & pharma $699K
Textiles & consumer goods $566K
Raw agricultural goods $335K
Wood & paper products $88K
Miscellaneous $21K

Balance of trade

Gabon Nigeria
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$14B
2025
Current account balance ranking
61/190
2015
21/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+4.83%
2025
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$43B
2025
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$57.5B
2025
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$19.6B
2025
Service exports
$277M
2015
$5.06B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.5%
2025
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Nigeria
Economic freedom 56.6 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 132/197
Property rights 30 29.7
Government integrity 22.6 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 34.4
Tax burden 76.5 84.6
Government spending 85.5 96.3
Fiscal health 87.9 83.5
Business freedom 63.6 50.3
Labor freedom 55.4 75.4
Monetary freedom 80.9 56.1
Trade freedom 57.4 64.4
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Nigeria
2026 56.6 54.8
2025 56.3 53.4
2024 56.9 53.1
2023 56.1 53.9
2022 55.8 54.4
2021 58.1 58.7
2020 56.7 57.2
2019 56.3 57.3
2018 58 58.5
2017 58.6 57.1
2016 59 57.5
2015 58.3 55.6
2014 57.8 54.3
2013 57.8 55.1
2012 56.4 56.3
2011 56.7 56.7
2010 55.4 56.8
2009 55 55.1
2008 54.2 55.1
2007 54.8 55.6
2006 56.1 48.7
2005 54.8 48.4
2004 57.1 49.2
2003 58.7 49.5
2002 58 50.9
2001 55 49.6
2000 58.2 53.1
1999 60.5 55.7
1998 59.2 52.3
1997 58.8 52.8
1996 55.7 47.4
1995 57.5 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
42.3%
2025
58.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
47.2%
2025
16.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.75%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$21B
2025
$324B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,660
2025
$9,230
2025
Total reserves including gold
$639M
2024
$46B
2025
Total reserves ranking
150/177
2024
52/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$2.82B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$1.61B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.62%
2024
5.46%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
n/a

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/gabon/nigeria | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.