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Economy of Gabon vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 127/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Gabon vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Gabon
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Sao Tome
2024 $20,895,684,426 $822,154,621
2023 $19,388,372,071 $690,456,807
2022 $20,440,655,695 $540,809,499
2021 $19,444,935,097 $524,402,456
2020 $15,342,236,164 $471,229,485
2019 $16,874,405,465 $412,976,083
2018 $16,867,326,402 $383,717,328
2017 $14,929,487,485 $322,002,845
2016 $14,023,890,265 $292,267,272
2015 $14,383,107,763 $259,999,643
2014 $18,203,966,896 $293,119,143
2013 $17,595,744,798 $267,041,748
2012 $17,170,464,016 $225,815,132
2011 $18,210,307,744 $226,455,001
2010 $14,372,593,020 $190,021,192
2009 $12,113,699,068 $200,668,065
2008 $15,571,348,344 $188,021,165
2007 $12,455,409,587 $149,146,919
2006 $10,327,598,306 $142,775,104
2005 $9,582,783,991 $136,450,662
2004 $7,770,219,008 $114,582,284
2003 $6,511,903,365 $102,085,769
2002 $5,335,451,100 $85,171,074
2001 $5,023,265,413 $75,951,133
2000 $5,080,483,629 $76,198,395
1999 $4,662,992,036 $77,302,212
1998 $4,483,417,310 $72,285,404
1997 $5,326,817,115 $91,920,274
1996 $5,694,040,003 $135,188,166
1995 $4,958,845,648 $103,695,237
1994 $4,190,819,344 $131,338,415
1993 $4,378,645,081 $125,742,229
1992 $5,592,390,827 $94,861,781
1991 $5,402,919,785 $107,484,143
1990 $5,952,293,765 $119,297,933
1989 $4,186,411,464 $98,545,367
1988 $3,834,503,376 $99,000,764
1987 $3,281,797,043 $115,952,925
1986 $3,403,638,189 $115,928,907
1985 $3,339,914,757 $82,733,069
1984 $3,561,451,561 $78,213,796
1983 $3,391,275,732 $75,110,289
1982 $3,618,007,841 $80,307,763
1981 $3,862,269,121 $83,499,264
1980 $4,279,637,942 $81,662,231
1979 $3,030,251,120 $65,755,928
1978 $2,389,479,272 $55,044,563
1977 $2,809,349,069 $49,207,692
1976 $3,009,409,974 $52,039,421
1975 $2,157,592,940 $60,101,710
1974 $1,544,216,002 $57,817,591
1973 $722,780,701 $56,011,245
1972 $430,508,359 $41,430,257
1971 $381,687,073 $37,288,845
1970 $323,802,476 $37,211,826
1969 $318,124,701 -
1968 $294,468,564 -
1967 $271,543,680 -
1966 $245,849,781 -
1965 $226,474,286 -
1964 $215,679,855 -
1963 $154,480,244 -
1962 $182,796,536 -
1961 $167,637,907 -
1960 $141,468,978 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $879 $2,650
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $862 $2,551
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $844 $2,329
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $727 $2,171
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $664 $2,094
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $568 $1,945
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $519 $1,898
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $529 $1,830
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $543 $1,802
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $514 $1,754
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $662 $1,714
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $987 $1,693
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $769 $1,663
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $990 $1,623
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $964 $1,581
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $740 $1,556
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $855 $1,540
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $970 $1,504
1989 $4,374 - $821 -
1988 $4,119 - $847 -
1987 $3,624 - $1,018 -
1986 $3,865 - $1,043 -
1985 $3,898 - $761 -
1984 $4,273 - $735 -
1983 $4,182 - $720 -
1982 $4,584 - $783 -
1981 $5,026 - $830 -
1980 $5,718 - $829 -
1979 $4,155 - $683 -
1978 $3,360 - $587 -
1977 $4,048 - $539 -
1976 $4,441 - $585 -
1975 $3,258 - $693 -
1974 $2,384 - $683 -
1973 $1,140 - $676 -
1972 $693 - $511 -
1971 $627 - $470 -
1970 $543 - $479 -
1969 $545 - - -
1968 $515 - - -
1967 $482 - - -
1966 $443 - - -
1965 $415 - - -
1964 $400 - - -
1963 $290.7 - - -
1962 $348 - - -
1961 $323 - - -
1960 $276.1 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Gabon Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$3,111
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
6.66%
2017
Population
2663339
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 19.8% 83% 23.2% 91%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 36% 92.5%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 53.4% 86%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 51.7% 83%
2009 22.6% 26% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 43.7% 334%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 60.6% 354%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 51.9% 329%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 44.3% 367%
2001 27.8% 81% 52.8% 418%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 10.7% -
1999 25.5% 73.1% - -
1998 45.5% 87.6% - -
1997 29.7% 57% - -
1996 22.2% 64.5% - -
1995 25.1% 73.4% - -
1994 23.9% 71.3% - -
1993 26.9% 90.1% - -
1992 26.5% 87.9% - -
1991 25.1% 89.3% - -
1990 22.6% 90% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 51/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Sao Tome
2024 -3.84% 0.92%
2023 1.79% -2.13%
2022 -0.89% -2.24%
2021 -1.93% -1.52%
2020 -2.19% 2.94%
2019 2.13% -0.07%
2018 -0.21% -2.02%
2017 -1.7% -3.11%
2016 -4.71% -5.01%
2015 -1.12% -7.6%
2014 5.98% -6.27%
2013 -3.07% 2.13%
2012 6.2% -12.3%
2011 1.41% -13%
2010 2.7% -12.1%
2009 6.77% -18%
2008 11% 13.6%
2007 8.06% 125.1%
2006 8.67% 18%
2005 7.98% 26.8%
2004 6.99% -25.1%
2003 7.75% -15.9%
2002 3.72% -10.4%
2001 4.07% -13.5%
2000 11.1% 51.5%
1999 1.11% -
1998 -13.1% -
1997 1.41% -
1996 2.12% -
1995 2.64% -
1994 -1.53% -
1993 -5.35% -
1992 -4.9% -
1991 -2.03% -
1990 -3.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 3.07% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Sao Tome
2024 1.17% 14.4%
2023 3.63% 21.2%
2022 4.23% 18%
2021 1.09% 8.1%
2020 1.35% 9.8%
2019 2.46% 7.7%
2018 4.75% 7.9%
2017 2.65% 5.7%
2016 2.11% 5.4%
2015 -0.34% 6.1%
2014 4.69% 7%
2013 0.51% 8.1%
2012 2.65% 10.6%
2011 1.26% 14.3%
2010 1.46% 13.3%
2009 1.89% 17%
2008 5.26% 32%
2007 5.03% 18.6%
2006 -1.41% 23.1%
2005 3.71% 17.2%
2004 0.41% 13.3%
2003 2.24% 9.8%
2002 0.04% 10.1%
2001 2.14% 9.2%
2000 0.5% 11%
1999 -1.94% 11%
1998 1.45% 42.1%
1997 3.97% 69%

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/gabon/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10.1M
Machinery & equipment $9.03M
Chemicals & pharma $170K
Textiles & consumer goods $72K
Metals $56K
Raw agricultural goods $49K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K
Animal & marine products $8K
Wood & paper products $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $67K
Metals $22K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Gabon Sao Tome
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$83M
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Sao Tome
Economic freedom 56.6 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 93/197
Property rights 30 55.2
Government integrity 22.6 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 60.8
Tax burden 76.5 88.6
Government spending 85.5 80.6
Fiscal health 87.9 89.5
Business freedom 63.6 59.9
Labor freedom 55.4 40.8
Monetary freedom 80.9 59.4
Trade freedom 57.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Sao Tome
2026 56.6 60.6
2025 56.3 60.4
2024 56.9 60.5
2023 56.1 61.5
2022 55.8 60.3
2021 58.1 55.9
2020 56.7 56.2
2019 56.3 54
2018 58 53.6
2017 58.6 55.4
2016 59 56.7
2015 58.3 53.3
2014 57.8 48.8
2013 57.8 48
2012 56.4 50.2
2011 56.7 49.5
2010 55.4 48.8
2009 55 43.8
2008 54.2 -
2007 54.8 -
2006 56.1 -
2005 54.8 -
2004 57.1 -
2003 58.7 -
2002 58 -
2001 55 -
2000 58.2 -
1999 60.5 -
1998 59.2 -
1997 58.8 -
1996 55.7 -
1995 57.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
66.2%
2020
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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.