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

Updated on by Georank team

Germany has a GDP of $4.69T compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 3/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Germany has $2.97T in government debt (63.5% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Germany vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Germany
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Germany Sao Tome
2024 $4,685,592,577,805 $822,154,621
2023 $4,562,207,532,490 $690,456,807
2022 $4,201,021,706,479 $540,809,499
2021 $4,355,251,953,411 $524,402,456
2020 $3,941,398,957,074 $471,229,485
2019 $3,959,894,794,039 $412,976,083
2018 $4,055,433,215,302 $383,717,328
2017 $3,765,351,626,106 $322,002,845
2016 $3,536,787,895,179 $292,267,272
2015 $3,425,099,578,746 $259,999,643
2014 $3,964,870,735,761 $293,119,143
2013 $3,807,023,797,051 $267,041,748
2012 $3,596,483,233,406 $225,815,132
2011 $3,823,575,803,794 $226,455,001
2010 $3,467,093,769,667 $190,021,192
2009 $3,478,545,516,684 $200,668,065
2008 $3,808,197,720,125 $188,021,165
2007 $3,484,056,680,855 $149,146,919
2006 $3,046,308,753,671 $142,775,104
2005 $2,893,393,187,362 $136,450,662
2004 $2,852,317,768,062 $114,582,284
2003 $2,534,715,518,349 $102,085,769
2002 $2,102,350,798,306 $85,171,074
2001 $1,966,381,496,642 $75,951,133
2000 $1,966,980,701,145 $76,198,395
1999 $2,213,873,468,587 $77,302,212
1998 $2,247,760,364,566 $72,285,404
1997 $2,218,790,886,533 $91,920,274
1996 $2,506,576,553,158 $135,188,166
1995 $2,593,053,091,306 $103,695,237
1994 $2,215,282,632,277 $131,338,415
1993 $2,078,954,217,438 $125,742,229
1992 $2,141,377,582,968 $94,861,781
1991 $1,875,792,575,133 $107,484,143
1990 $1,778,162,195,860 $119,297,933
1989 $1,404,092,925,205 $98,545,367
1988 $1,406,367,016,372 $99,000,764
1987 $1,302,932,318,825 $115,952,925
1986 $1,050,092,624,516 $115,928,907
1985 $735,218,723,093 $82,733,069
1984 $727,767,760,979 $78,213,796
1983 $773,507,930,295 $75,110,289
1982 $779,421,633,755 $80,307,763
1981 $803,404,797,058 $83,499,264
1980 $953,772,499,462 $81,662,231
1979 $884,574,218,333 $65,755,928
1978 $743,182,891,918 $55,044,563
1977 $602,698,323,086 $49,207,692
1976 $521,658,712,133 $52,039,421
1975 $492,434,094,920 $60,101,710
1974 $446,934,971,657 $57,817,591
1973 $399,833,571,167 $56,011,245
1972 $300,899,944,795 $41,430,257
1971 $250,900,942,397 $37,288,845
1970 $216,629,229,947 $37,211,826
1969 $177,733,486,326 -
1968 $156,527,292,653 -
1967 $145,100,667,773 -
1966 $143,304,275,684 -
1965 $134,774,688,191 -
1964 $123,330,404,665 -
1963 $112,232,503,744 -
1962 $105,895,435,234 -
1961 $96,558,204,043 -
1960 $84,619,845,881 -

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

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

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

Germany
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Germany Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $56,104 $73,552 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $54,777 $71,684 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $50,507 $69,049 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $52,349 $62,531 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $47,395 $58,686 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $47,656 $59,271 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $48,916 $56,273 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $45,554 $54,110 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $42,949 $51,570 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $41,930 $48,545 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $48,960 $47,939 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $47,207 $45,889 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $44,718 $44,229 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $47,631 $43,398 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $42,397 $39,726 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $42,472 $37,574 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $46,379 $38,444 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $42,351 $36,914 $879 $2,650
2006 $36,980 $34,741 $862 $2,551
2005 $35,084 $32,314 $844 $2,329
2004 $34,567 $31,753 $727 $2,171
2003 $30,711 $30,301 $664 $2,094
2002 $25,487 $29,514 $568 $1,945
2001 $23,878 $28,674 $519 $1,898
2000 $23,926 $27,474 $529 $1,830
1999 $26,965 $26,518 $543 $1,802
1998 $27,396 $25,446 $514 $1,754
1997 $27,047 $24,649 $662 $1,714
1996 $30,600 $24,169 $987 $1,693
1995 $31,747 $23,631 $769 $1,663
1994 $27,202 $22,869 $990 $1,623
1993 $25,617 $21,900 $964 $1,581
1992 $26,560 $21,746 $740 $1,556
1991 $23,443 $21,001 $855 $1,540
1990 $22,386 $19,468 $970 $1,504
1989 $17,829 - $821 -
1988 $17,997 - $847 -
1987 $16,739 - $1,018 -
1986 $13,511 - $1,043 -
1985 $9,464 - $761 -
1984 $9,347 - $735 -
1983 $9,900 - $720 -
1982 $9,950 - $783 -
1981 $10,246 - $830 -
1980 $12,183 - $829 -
1979 $11,322 - $683 -
1978 $9,517 - $587 -
1977 $7,711 - $539 -
1976 $6,659 - $585 -
1975 $6,259 - $693 -
1974 $5,660 - $683 -
1973 $5,065 - $676 -
1972 $3,824 - $511 -
1971 $3,204 - $470 -
1970 $2,771 - $479 -
1969 $2,281 - - -
1968 $2,025 - - -
1967 $1,886 - - -
1966 $1,871 - - -
1965 $1,774 - - -
1964 $1,637 - - -
1963 $1,502 - - -
1962 $1,431 - - -
1961 $1,316 - - -
1960 $1,162 - - -

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

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

Germany's GDP per capita is $56,104, ranking 19/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Germany ranks 20th at $73,552, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Germany Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$4.69T
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
3/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.5%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$56,104
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
19/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$73,552
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
20/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$2.97T
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
63.5%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$35,606
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
21/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$41,775
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.04T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
2,675,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
171
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25%
2020
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2020
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
49.4%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.26%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.37%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
82575542
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Germany
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Germany Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 49.4% 63.5% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 48.1% 62.4% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 48.6% 64.4% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 50.7% 68% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 51.1% 68% 23.2% 91%
2019 45.5% 58.7% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 44.7% 60.8% 28% 95.9%
2017 44.5% 64% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 44.7% 68.3% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 44.5% 71.2% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 44.5% 74.5% 36% 92.5%
2013 45.2% 77.5% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 45.1% 79.8% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 45.3% 78.5% 53.4% 86%
2010 48.1% 81% 51.7% 83%
2009 48.3% 72.4% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 44.4% 65.2% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 43.5% 63.7% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 45.3% 66.4% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 46.9% 67.1% 43.7% 334%
2004 47% 65% 60.6% 354%
2003 48.5% 63.3% 51.9% 329%
2002 48.2% 59.8% 44.3% 367%
2001 47.7% 58.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 48.1% 59.2% 10.7% -
1999 48.5% 60.3% - -
1998 48.3% 59.4% - -
1997 48.8% 58.8% - -
1996 49.6% 57.7% - -
1995 55.2% 54.9% - -
1994 48.3% 47.5% - -
1993 48.3% 45.1% - -
1992 47.4% 41.4% - -
1991 46.5% 39% - -
1990 44.7% 40.7% - -
1989 44.3% 39.2% - -
1988 45.6% 40.5% - -
1987 46% 40.1% - -
1986 45.7% 39.1% - -
1985 46.6% 39.2% - -
1984 47.2% 38.7% - -
1983 47.9% 38% - -
1982 49.1% 36.4% - -
1981 49% 33.6% - -
1980 48.2% 30.1% - -
1979 47.4% 28.2% - -
1978 47.7% 27.4% - -
1977 49% 26% - -
1976 49.4% 25.1% - -
1975 50.3% 23.7% - -
1974 46% 18.5% - -
1973 42.4% 17.3% - -
1972 41.8% 18% - -
1971 40.9% 17.7% - -
1970 39.5% 17.7% - -
1969 29.7% 20.3% - -
1968 28.5% 22.5% - -
1967 28.8% 22.5% - -
1966 28.3% 19.8% - -
1965 28.4% 18.7% - -
1964 29% 18.2% - -
1963 29.1% 18.1% - -
1962 29.2% 17.6% - -
1961 28.8% 18.7% - -
1960 22.9% 18.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government spending was $2.32T, accounting for 49.4% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 63.5% in Germany and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 72/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Germany

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Germany Sao Tome
2024 -2.66% 0.92%
2023 -2.49% -2.13%
2022 -1.91% -2.24%
2021 -3.17% -1.52%
2020 -4.38% 2.94%
2019 1.33% -0.07%
2018 1.88% -2.02%
2017 1.34% -3.11%
2016 1.13% -5.01%
2015 0.91% -7.6%
2014 0.73% -6.27%
2013 0.12% 2.13%
2012 -0.05% -12.3%
2011 -0.84% -13%
2010 -4.42% -12.1%
2009 -3.18% -18%
2008 -0.26% 13.6%
2007 0.15% 125.1%
2006 -1.76% 18%
2005 -3.37% 26.8%
2004 -3.42% -25.1%
2003 -3.83% -15.9%
2002 -4.09% -10.4%
2001 -3.12% -13.5%
2000 -1.71% 51.5%
1999 -1.87% -
1998 -2.65% -
1997 -3.03% -
1996 -3.64% -
1995 -9.44% -
1994 -2.54% -
1993 -3.11% -
1992 -2.63% -
1991 -3.21% -
1990 -1.94% -
1989 0.08% -
1988 -2.02% -
1987 -1.85% -
1986 -1.18% -
1985 -1.18% -
1984 -2.04% -
1983 -2.95% -
1982 -3.56% -
1981 -4.03% -
1980 -3.02% -
1979 -2.71% -
1978 -2.62% -
1977 -2.56% -
1976 -3.5% -
1975 -5.78% -
1974 -1.69% -
1973 1.14% -
1972 -0.37% -
1971 0.16% -
1970 0.53% -
1969 -0.43% -
1968 1.39% -
1967 2.73% -
1966 1.76% -
1965 2.26% -
1964 1.49% -
1963 1.43% -
1962 0.49% -
1961 -0.12% -
1960 -0.34% -
1959 0.77% -
1958 1.77% -
1957 1.99% -
1956 0.59% -
1955 -1.41% -
1954 -0.37% -
1953 -0.13% -
1952 0% -
1951 1.15% -
1950 1.81% -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -
1934 -0.64% -
1933 -0.43% -
1932 -1.11% -
1931 -1.03% -
1930 -1.52% -
1929 -0.9% -
1928 -1.47% -
1927 -0.44% -
1926 -1.3% -
1925 0.34% -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.007% -
1912 -0.26% -
1911 0.06% -
1910 -0.21% -
1909 0.11% -
1908 -0.11% -
1907 -0.14% -
1906 0.76% -
1905 1.21% -
1904 0.41% -
1903 0.88% -
1902 0.08% -
1901 0.91% -
1900 0.27% -
1899 0.6% -
1898 0.47% -
1897 0.39% -
1896 0.63% -
1895 0.47% -
1894 0.44% -
1893 0.42% -
1892 -0.24% -
1891 1.18% -
1890 0.12% -
1889 1.16% -
1888 0.62% -
1887 0.88% -
1886 0.23% -
1885 0.21% -
1884 0.23% -
1883 0.55% -
1882 0.41% -
1881 0.12% -
1880 -0.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Germany's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $125B, equivalent to 2.66% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Germany recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Germany posted an annual deficit equal to 1.48% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Germany

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Germany Sao Tome
2024 2.26% 14.4%
2023 5.95% 21.2%
2022 6.87% 18%
2021 3.07% 8.1%
2020 0.14% 9.8%
2019 1.45% 7.7%
2018 1.73% 7.9%
2017 1.51% 5.7%
2016 0.49% 5.4%
2015 0.51% 6.1%
2014 0.91% 7%
2013 1.5% 8.1%
2012 2.01% 10.6%
2011 2.08% 14.3%
2010 1.1% 13.3%
2009 0.31% 17%
2008 2.63% 32%
2007 2.3% 18.6%
2006 1.58% 23.1%
2005 1.55% 17.2%
2004 1.67% 13.3%
2003 1.03% 9.8%
2002 1.42% 10.1%
2001 1.98% 9.2%
2000 1.44% 11%
1999 0.59% 11%
1998 0.91% 42.1%
1997 1.94% 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/germany/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Germany has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 2.26% in Germany and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Germany
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $275K
Miscellaneous $269K
Animal & marine products $232K
Machinery & equipment $214K
Chemicals & pharma $48K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Wood & paper products $8K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $532K
Raw agricultural goods $9K

Balance of trade

Germany Sao Tome
Current account balance
$270B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
2/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.77%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$1.21T
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$1.47T
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$548B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$470B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Germany Sao Tome
Economic freedom 71.7 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 30/197 93/197
Property rights 95.5 55.2
Government integrity 84.5 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 94.6 60.8
Tax burden 60.5 88.6
Government spending 28.8 80.6
Fiscal health 83.1 89.5
Business freedom 79.8 59.9
Labor freedom 52.2 40.8
Monetary freedom 72.5 59.4
Trade freedom 79.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Germany
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Germany Sao Tome
2026 71.7 60.6
2025 71.6 60.4
2024 72.1 60.5
2023 73.7 61.5
2022 76.1 60.3
2021 72.5 55.9
2020 73.5 56.2
2019 73.5 54
2018 74.2 53.6
2017 73.8 55.4
2016 74.4 56.7
2015 73.8 53.3
2014 73.4 48.8
2013 72.8 48
2012 71 50.2
2011 71.8 49.5
2010 71.1 48.8
2009 70.5 43.8
2008 70.6 -
2007 70.8 -
2006 70.8 -
2005 68.1 -
2004 69.5 -
2003 69.7 -
2002 70.4 -
2001 69.5 -
2000 65.7 -
1999 65.6 -
1998 64.3 -
1997 67.5 -
1996 69.1 -
1995 69.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Germany is 71.7, ranking 30/197, 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

Germany Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
64%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.91%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.6T
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$76,180
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$378B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
10/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$32.6B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$47.6B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$80.2B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.8%
2021
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.5%
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/germany/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 (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.