Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank

Iceland has a GDP of $38.6B compared to $981M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 105/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $21.6B in government debt (56.1% of GDP), compared to $546M (55.7% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Iceland vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Sao Tome
2025 $38,582,528,789 $981,293,587
2024 $33,186,621,855 $824,992,558
2023 $31,701,996,434 $690,456,807
2022 $29,176,227,825 $540,809,499
2021 $26,234,872,402 $524,402,456
2020 $22,034,665,041 $471,229,485
2019 $24,985,687,022 $412,976,083
2018 $26,677,652,544 $383,717,328
2017 $25,060,086,488 $322,002,845
2016 $21,083,713,310 $292,267,272
2015 $17,700,486,957 $259,999,643
2014 $18,052,183,515 $293,119,143
2013 $16,244,319,959 $267,041,748
2012 $14,943,757,823 $229,371,348
2011 $15,394,005,872 $226,455,001
2010 $13,922,711,577 $190,021,192
2009 $13,212,543,838 $200,668,065
2008 $18,247,921,360 $188,021,165
2007 $21,960,110,030 $149,146,919
2006 $17,671,649,843 $142,775,104
2005 $17,146,410,561 $136,450,662
2004 $13,963,943,244 $114,582,284
2003 $11,564,687,742 $102,085,769
2002 $9,416,199,700 $85,171,074
2001 $8,323,401,820 $75,951,133
2000 $9,140,168,922 $76,198,395
1999 $9,107,644,691 $77,302,212
1998 $8,637,732,542 $72,285,404
1997 $7,716,781,803 $91,920,274
1996 $7,686,566,105 $135,188,166
1995 $7,372,640,169 $103,695,237
1994 $6,612,804,056 $131,338,415
1993 $6,435,952,174 $125,742,229
1992 $7,328,497,599 $94,861,781
1991 $7,151,260,062 $107,484,143
1990 $6,694,851,159 $119,297,933
1989 $5,870,854,233 $98,545,367
1988 $6,320,093,411 $99,000,764
1987 $5,713,281,235 $115,952,925
1986 $4,129,080,094 $115,928,907
1985 $3,088,359,967 $82,733,069
1984 $2,964,568,006 $78,213,796
1983 $2,862,634,164 $75,110,289
1982 $3,318,714,326 $80,307,763
1981 $3,615,094,820 $83,499,264
1980 $3,499,616,683 $81,662,231
1979 $2,953,176,971 $65,755,928
1978 $2,599,627,089 $55,044,563
1977 $2,285,707,749 $49,207,692
1976 $1,727,845,419 $52,039,421
1975 $1,456,052,700 $60,101,710
1974 $1,568,154,077 $57,817,591
1973 $1,194,794,186 $56,011,245
1972 $869,002,946 $41,430,257
1971 $693,679,545 $37,288,845
1970 $545,115,909 $37,211,826
1969 $435,659,610 -
1968 $498,365,200 -
1967 $652,609,076 -
1966 $660,663,763 -
1965 $550,150,988 -
1964 $456,206,299 -
1963 $357,240,896 -
1962 $299,309,938 -
1961 $266,711,460 -
1960 $260,984,499 -

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

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

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

Iceland
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $98,323 - $4,084 -
2024 $85,863 $84,257 $3,503 $6,242
2023 $82,201 $81,608 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $76,377 $75,333 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $1,211 $2,653
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $879 $2,650
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $862 $2,551
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $844 $2,329
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $727 $2,171
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $664 $2,094
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $568 $1,945
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $519 $1,898
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $529 $1,830
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $543 $1,802
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $514 $1,754
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $662 $1,714
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $987 $1,693
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $769 $1,663
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $990 $1,623
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $964 $1,581
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $740 $1,556
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $855 $1,540
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $970 $1,504
1989 $23,219 - $821 -
1988 $25,307 - $847 -
1987 $23,238 - $1,018 -
1986 $16,980 - $1,043 -
1985 $12,793 - $761 -
1984 $12,378 - $735 -
1983 $12,080 - $720 -
1982 $14,191 - $783 -
1981 $15,666 - $830 -
1980 $15,340 - $829 -
1979 $13,082 - $683 -
1978 $11,630 - $587 -
1977 $10,305 - $539 -
1976 $7,848 - $585 -
1975 $6,680 - $693 -
1974 $7,287 - $683 -
1973 $5,627 - $676 -
1972 $4,155 - $511 -
1971 $3,366 - $470 -
1970 $2,666 - $479 -
1969 $2,142 - - -
1968 $2,473 - - -
1967 $3,284 - - -
1966 $3,378 - - -
1965 $2,861 - - -
1964 $2,414 - - -
1963 $1,924 - - -
1962 $1,641 - - -
1961 $1,490 - - -
1960 $1,486 - - -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $98,323, ranking 8/197, compared to $4,084 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Iceland Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$38.6B
2025
$981M
2025
GDP rank
105/197
2025
189/197
2025
GDP growth
1.28%
2024-2025
1.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$98,323
2025
$4,084
2025
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$21.6B
2025
$546M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
56.1%
2025
55.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$55,165
2025
$2,275
2025
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2025
115/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$54,153
2026
$3,249
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
45%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.09%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.5%
2025
6.66%
2017
Population
398674
247495

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 45% 56.1% 21.2% 55.7%
2024 47.1% 60.4% 23.8% 65.2%
2023 45.2% 61.5% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 46.2% 66.4% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 50.4% 76.1% 23.2% 91%
2019 43% 65.7% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 43.4% 62.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 43% 96.3% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 45.3% 114.1% 36% 92.5%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 47.2% 132.2% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 50% 136.6% 53.4% 86%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 51.7% 83%
2009 53.4% 128.2% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 44.2% 67.4% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 43.7% 334%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 60.6% 354%
2003 47.3% 84.1% 51.9% 329%
2002 45% 81.3% 44.3% 367%
2001 47% 82.5% 52.8% 418%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 10.7% -
1999 44.8% 75.5% - -
1998 40.3% 43.3% - -
1997 41.4% 51.1% - -
1996 42.5% 53.7% - -
1995 43% 56.1% - -
1994 43.6% 53% - -
1993 43.7% 50.6% - -
1992 43.3% 43.9% - -
1991 41.6% 36.4% - -
1990 41.4% 34.4% - -
1989 42.9% 35.3% - -
1988 41.4% 30.6% - -
1987 36.5% 27.3% - -
1986 39.5% 29.9% - -
1985 37% 32% - -
1984 34.7% 32.4% - -
1983 37.8% 30.8% - -
1982 36% 28.9% - -
1981 35.3% 22.4% - -
1980 33.9% 24.8% - -
1979 32.4% 21.1% - -
1978 31.9% 19.8% - -
1977 31.7% 18.4% - -
1976 32.1% 17.2% - -
1975 36.9% 16.4% - -
1974 36.6% 12.5% - -
1973 33.7% 11.5% - -
1972 33.3% 14.5% - -
1971 32.5% 11.7% - -
1970 29.9% 11.4% - -
1969 30.3% 14.6% - -
1968 33.3% 14.2% - -
1967 31.6% 8.8% - -
1966 28.3% 5.56% - -
1965 28.3% 7.78% - -
1964 28.2% 7.97% - -
1963 26.2% 7.89% - -
1962 24.9% 7.47% - -
1961 25.3% 8.49% - -
1960 33.2% 13.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government spending was $17.4B, accounting for 45% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $208M, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 56.1% in Iceland and 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 86/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Sao Tome
2025 -2.77% -2.53%
2024 -3.71% 0.92%
2023 -2.32% -2.13%
2022 -3.82% -2.24%
2021 -7.96% -1.52%
2020 -8.81% 2.94%
2019 -1.45% -0.07%
2018 1.04% -2.02%
2017 1.28% -3.11%
2016 12.7% -5.01%
2015 -0.14% -7.6%
2014 0.59% -6.27%
2013 -0.88% 2.13%
2012 -2.59% -12.3%
2011 -6.42% -13%
2010 -6.56% -12.1%
2009 -8.5% -18%
2008 -12% 13.6%
2007 5.57% 125.1%
2006 6.42% 18%
2005 4.96% 26.8%
2004 0.33% -25.1%
2003 -2.25% -15.9%
2002 -2.21% -10.4%
2001 -0.27% -13.5%
2000 1.43% 51.5%
1999 1.3% -
1998 -0.55% -
1997 0.05% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.77% -
1994 -4.44% -
1993 -4.21% -
1992 -1.8% -
1991 -0.63% -
1990 -3.06% -
1989 -4.29% -
1988 -1.93% -
1987 -0.79% -
1986 -3.93% -
1985 -1.56% -
1984 2.25% -
1983 -1.96% -
1982 1.72% -
1981 1.32% -
1980 1.37% -
1979 -0.07% -
1978 -0.9% -
1977 -1.2% -
1976 0.02% -
1975 -3.87% -
1974 -3.64% -
1973 -0.74% -
1972 0.05% -
1971 -0.69% -
1970 0.27% -
1969 -0.88% -
1968 -0.89% -
1967 0.78% -
1966 1.69% -
1965 0.15% -
1964 -0.41% -
1963 1.8% -
1962 2.25% -
1961 1.64% -
1960 2.38% -
1959 2.44% -
1958 2.16% -
1957 1.2% -
1956 -0.09% -
1955 1.57% -
1954 1.25% -
1953 0.34% -
1952 3.33% -
1951 2.73% -
1950 1.23% -
1949 -0.3% -
1948 0.67% -
1947 -1.95% -
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -3.45% -
1926 -2.43% -
1925 0.43% -
1924 -1.78% -
1923 -4.99% -
1922 -4.67% -
1921 -6.12% -
1920 -7.45% -
1919 -2.5% -
1918 -7.43% -
1917 -11.3% -
1916 -2.53% -
1915 -2.06% -
1914 -3.21% -
1913 -2.3% -
1912 -2.93% -
1911 -3.06% -
1910 -1.27% -
1909 -2.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.07B, equivalent to 2.77% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's deficit of $24.8M, or 2.53% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.47% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.39% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Sao Tome
2025 4.09% 0.9%
2024 5.86% 14.4%
2023 8.74% 21.1%
2022 8.31% 18.1%
2021 4.44% 8.1%
2020 2.85% 9.8%
2019 3.01% 7.7%
2018 2.68% 7.9%
2017 1.76% 5.7%
2016 1.7% 5.4%
2015 1.63% 6.1%
2014 2.04% 7%
2013 3.87% 8.1%
2012 5.19% 10.6%
2011 4% 14.3%
2010 5.4% 13.3%
2009 12% 17%
2008 12.7% 32%
2007 5.05% 18.6%
2006 6.69% 23.1%
2005 3.99% 17.2%
2004 3.16% 13.3%
2003 2.06% 9.8%
2002 5.2% 10.1%
2001 6.41% 9.2%
2000 5.14% 11%
1999 3.23% 11%
1998 1.66% 42.1%
1997 1.82% 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.64%, compared with 15.2% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2025, inflation was 4.09% in Iceland and 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Iceland Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.34B
2025
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2025
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.48%
2025
+5.03%
2024
Goods imports
$10.4B
2025
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$7.4B
2025
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$5.98B
2025
$83M
2024
Service exports
$8.16B
2025
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.4%
2025
33.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Iceland Sao Tome
Economic freedom 75 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 93/197
Property rights 94.9 55.2
Government integrity 85 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 60.8
Tax burden 72.2 88.6
Government spending 37 80.6
Fiscal health 76.2 89.5
Business freedom 86.8 59.9
Labor freedom 59.3 40.8
Monetary freedom 73.5 59.4
Trade freedom 79.8 65
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Sao Tome
2026 75 60.6
2025 72.8 60.4
2024 70.5 60.5
2023 72.2 61.5
2022 77 60.3
2021 77.4 55.9
2020 77.1 56.2
2019 77.1 54
2018 77 53.6
2017 74.4 55.4
2016 73.3 56.7
2015 72 53.3
2014 72.4 48.8
2013 72.1 48
2012 70.9 50.2
2011 68.2 49.5
2010 73.7 48.8
2009 75.9 43.8
2008 75.8 -
2007 76 -
2006 75.8 -
2005 76.6 -
2004 72.1 -
2003 73.5 -
2002 73.1 -
2001 73.4 -
2000 74 -
1999 71.4 -
1998 71.2 -
1997 70.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, 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

Iceland Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
66.2%
2025
81.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
2.23%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.65%
2025
12.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$35B
2025
$913M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$83,250
2025
$6,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$7.73B
2025
$58.8M
2024
Total reserves ranking
88/177
2025
175/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$650M
2025
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.83B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$300M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.6%
2025
8.74%
2025

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.