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Economy of Gambia vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 174/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Gambia vs Nigeria GDP by year

Gambia
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Nigeria
2024 $2,404,888,749 $252,261,880,141
2023 $2,382,262,185 $487,387,801,881
2022 $2,204,734,528 $646,950,257,578
2021 $2,014,158,842 $609,147,716,973
2020 $1,812,170,891 $598,586,817,819
2019 $1,813,609,692 $668,219,992,691
2018 $1,670,671,328 $421,739,251,509
2017 $1,504,909,463 $375,745,731,053
2016 $1,484,578,886 $404,649,125,252
2015 $1,378,176,609 $493,026,682,801
2014 $1,229,461,721 $574,183,763,412
2013 $1,375,609,453 $520,117,180,314
2012 $1,415,004,738 $463,971,018,239
2011 $1,409,693,597 $414,466,676,831
2010 $1,543,294,927 $366,990,417,129
2009 $1,450,142,509 $295,008,835,381
2008 $1,561,766,956 $339,476,276,258
2007 $1,279,703,047 $278,260,846,800
2006 $1,054,112,488 $238,454,997,161
2005 $1,027,701,068 $175,670,569,969
2004 $961,900,651 $135,764,731,646
2003 $487,038,685 $104,738,954,264
2002 $578,235,309 $95,054,059,303
2001 $687,410,645 $73,557,840,064
2000 $782,913,872 $69,171,451,627
1999 $814,724,032 $59,145,077,039
1998 $840,285,265 $218,416,200,673
1997 $803,633,342 $200,850,397,618
1996 $848,239,446 $185,730,236,700
1995 $785,999,865 $140,919,776,986
1994 $746,493,952 $80,399,613,064
1993 $755,040,974 $56,721,051,402
1992 $714,254,256 $52,058,181,854
1991 $690,311,081 $59,526,833,412
1990 $317,083,695 $54,035,795,388
1989 $284,120,329 $44,003,061,108
1988 $266,672,212 $49,648,470,440
1987 $220,626,484 $52,676,041,931
1986 $185,646,987 $54,805,852,581
1985 $225,726,359 $73,745,821,158
1984 $177,340,880 $73,484,359,521
1983 $213,448,585 $97,094,911,792
1982 $216,050,552 $142,769,363,314
1981 $218,767,743 $164,475,209,516
1980 $241,083,090 $64,201,788,123
1979 $207,112,628 $47,259,911,894
1978 $171,833,086 $36,527,862,209
1977 $138,093,099 $36,035,407,725
1976 $112,190,829 $36,308,883,249
1975 $115,179,719 $27,778,934,625
1974 $95,796,022 $24,846,641,318
1973 $75,187,749 $15,162,871,287
1972 $59,160,569 $12,274,416,018
1971 $55,728,663 $9,181,769,912
1970 $52,296,084 $12,546,094,982
1969 $45,168,072 $6,634,317,346
1968 $41,160,066 $5,200,997,920
1967 $46,695,007 $5,203,237,919
1966 $44,212,081 $6,366,917,453
1965 - $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Nigeria by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $883 $3,289 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $836 $3,067 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $782 $2,778 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $720 $2,531 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $738 $2,422 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $696 $2,277 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $643 $2,039 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $650 $2,013 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $620 $1,990 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $568 $1,934 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $654 $2,007 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $693 $2,065 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $711 $2,064 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $801 $2,267 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $775 $2,177 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $859 $2,088 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $725 $1,985 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $615 $1,931 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $616 $1,938 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $593 $1,979 $962 $4,381
2003 $309 $1,850 $763 $4,015
2002 $377 $1,744 $712 $3,770
2001 $460 $1,823 $566 $3,309
2000 $538 $1,731 $547 $3,139
1999 $575 $1,649 $481 $3,002
1998 $610 $1,572 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $600 $1,544 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $652 $1,489 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $622 $1,472 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $608 $1,473 $745 $2,853
1993 $635 $1,487 $540 $2,921
1992 $623 $1,462 $509 $2,991
1991 $628 $1,440 $597 $2,870
1990 $301 $1,409 $556 $2,840
1989 $280.9 - $465 -
1988 $274.9 - $540 -
1987 $237 - $588 -
1986 $207.7 - $628 -
1985 $262.8 - $869 -
1984 $214.8 - $890 -
1983 $268.6 - $1,207 -
1982 $282.1 - $1,822 -
1981 $296 - $2,162 -
1980 $338 - $870 -
1979 $300 - $661 -
1978 $257.6 - $527 -
1977 $213.8 - $536 -
1976 $179.3 - $556 -
1975 $189.8 - $438 -
1974 $162.6 - $403 -
1973 $131.4 - $252.4 -
1972 $106.5 - $209.5 -
1971 $103.3 - $160.5 -
1970 $99.8 - $224.5 -
1969 $88.7 - $121.4 -
1968 $83.1 - $97.3 -
1967 $97 - $99.5 -
1966 $94.4 - $124.4 -
1965 - - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Gambia Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
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%
30.5%
2020
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
3.45%
2024
Population
2902554
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 23.9% 83% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 19% 83.6% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 23.6% 87% 8.51% 18%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 19% 71.1% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 10% 13%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 11% 6.12%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 11.2% 38% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 14% 87.3% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 13% 25.2%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 - - 14.9% 46.1%
1998 - - 11.2% 15.8%
1997 - - 9.68% 17.1%
1996 - - 7.87% 17.9%
1995 - - 8.87% 24.2%
1994 - - 12.1% 39.7%
1993 - - 20% 50.4%
1992 - - 15.9% 49.8%
1991 - - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 - - 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 45/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Nigeria
2024 -4.08% -1.57%
2023 -3.69% -3.12%
2022 -5.72% -4%
2021 -4.77% -3.97%
2020 -2.37% -4.03%
2019 -2.75% -3.31%
2018 -3.92% -3.06%
2017 -4.35% -3.85%
2016 -6.22% -3.3%
2015 -5.38% -2.7%
2014 -3.94% -1.72%
2013 -5.11% -1.89%
2012 -2.85% -0.09%
2011 -3.03% 0.31%
2010 -2.93% -2.96%
2009 -1.65% -3.78%
2008 -0.45% 4.05%
2007 0.27% -0.79%
2006 -3.19% 6.22%
2005 -3.33% 3.49%
2004 -1.77% 3.9%
2003 -1.73% -1.56%
2002 0.06% 0.95%
2001 -2.52% -2.29%
2000 -0.09% 2.89%
1999 - -1.39%
1998 - -3.47%
1997 - 1.14%
1996 - 3.37%
1995 - 2.52%
1994 - -2.96%
1993 - -6.07%
1992 - 0.94%
1991 - -1.18%
1990 - -0.48%

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

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $98.2M, equivalent to 4.08% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.05% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Nigeria
2024 11.6% 33.2%
2023 17% 24.7%
2022 11.5% 18.8%
2021 7.37% 17%
2020 5.93% 13.2%
2019 7.12% 11.4%
2018 6.52% 12.1%
2017 8.03% 16.5%
2016 7.23% 15.7%
2015 6.81% 9.01%
2014 5.95% 8.05%
2013 5.7% 8.5%
2012 4.25% 12.2%
2011 4.8% 10.8%
2010 5.05% 13.7%
2009 4.56% 12.5%
2008 4.44% 11.6%
2007 5.37% 5.39%
2006 2.06% 8.23%
2005 4.84% 17.9%
2004 14.2% 15%
2003 17% 14%
2002 8.61% 12.9%
2001 4.49% 18.9%
2000 0.84% 6.93%
1999 3.81% 6.62%
1998 1.11% 10%
1997 2.78% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.98M
Chemicals & pharma $72K
Miscellaneous $40K
Raw materials & minerals $17K
Metals $15K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Gambia Nigeria
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
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.

Gambia Nigeria
Economic freedom 56.3 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 132/197
Property rights 55.4 29.7
Government integrity 40.5 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 34.4
Tax burden 79.2 84.6
Government spending 81.1 96.3
Fiscal health 54.8 83.5
Business freedom 50.1 50.3
Labor freedom 46.4 75.4
Monetary freedom 57.3 56.1
Trade freedom 64.8 64.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Nigeria
2026 56.3 54.8
2025 56.8 53.4
2024 58.2 53.1
2023 57.9 53.9
2022 58 54.4
2021 58.8 58.7
2020 56.3 57.2
2019 52.4 57.3
2018 52.3 58.5
2017 53.4 57.1
2016 57.1 57.5
2015 57.5 55.6
2014 59.5 54.3
2013 58.8 55.1
2012 58.8 56.3
2011 57.4 56.7
2010 55.1 56.8
2009 55.8 55.1
2008 56.9 55.1
2007 57.7 55.6
2006 57.3 48.7
2005 56.5 48.4
2004 55.3 49.2
2003 56.3 49.5
2002 57.7 50.9
2001 56.6 49.6
2000 52.7 53.1
1999 52.1 55.7
1998 53.4 52.3
1997 52.9 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, 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

Gambia Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
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/gambia/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 (2021–2024, 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.