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Economy of Gabon vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 127/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Gabon vs Nigeria GDP by year

Gabon
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Nigeria
2024 $20,895,684,426 $252,261,880,141
2023 $19,388,372,071 $487,387,801,881
2022 $20,440,655,695 $646,950,257,578
2021 $19,444,935,097 $609,147,716,973
2020 $15,342,236,164 $598,586,817,819
2019 $16,874,405,465 $668,219,992,691
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. 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
$20.9B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
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
24.8%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
3.45%
2024
Population
2663339
243824469

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
2024 24.8% 72.7% 12.3% 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% 12.9%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 51/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Nigeria
2024 -3.84% -1.57%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Nigeria
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 33.2% 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 $15.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.93M
Chemicals & pharma $606K
Metals $419K
Textiles & consumer goods $92K
Raw materials & minerals $68K
Wood & paper products $23K
Miscellaneous $4K

Balance of trade

Gabon Nigeria
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$53B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
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 2026-03-09).

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
36.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
n/a

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/gabon/nigeria | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.