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

Updated on by Georank team

Ireland has a GDP of $609B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 25/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ireland has $236B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Ireland vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Ireland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ireland Sao Tome
2024 $609,157,459,747 $822,154,621
2023 $567,372,737,459 $690,456,807
2022 $548,341,794,599 $540,809,499
2021 $530,394,123,830 $524,402,456
2020 $436,009,027,819 $471,229,485
2019 $407,211,793,801 $412,976,083
2018 $395,780,319,817 $383,717,328
2017 $348,355,212,569 $322,002,845
2016 $305,431,252,709 $292,267,272
2015 $302,101,388,556 $259,999,643
2014 $266,490,442,124 $293,119,143
2013 $242,924,245,719 $267,041,748
2012 $226,921,827,888 $225,815,132
2011 $240,975,871,047 $226,455,001
2010 $221,732,824,603 $190,021,192
2009 $236,443,115,854 $200,668,065
2008 $275,447,471,451 $188,021,165
2007 $270,079,279,420 $149,146,919
2006 $232,180,617,162 $142,775,104
2005 $211,876,989,656 $136,450,662
2004 $194,372,115,041 $114,582,284
2003 $164,670,771,260 $102,085,769
2002 $128,596,035,288 $85,171,074
2001 $109,346,669,230 $75,951,133
2000 $100,207,610,430 $76,198,395
1999 $98,893,958,263 $77,302,212
1998 $90,199,410,116 $72,285,404
1997 $82,856,648,758 $91,920,274
1996 $75,790,786,290 $135,188,166
1995 $69,139,823,232 $103,695,237
1994 $57,097,656,066 $131,338,415
1993 $52,417,477,614 $125,742,229
1992 $55,918,538,121 $94,861,781
1991 $49,787,501,584 $107,484,143
1990 $49,305,632,408 $119,297,933
1989 $39,238,392,678 $98,545,367
1988 $37,772,896,221 $99,000,764
1987 $33,920,518,493 $115,952,925
1986 $28,714,571,852 $115,928,907
1985 $21,270,013,326 $82,733,069
1984 $20,106,648,455 $78,213,796
1983 $20,766,047,764 $75,110,289
1982 $21,474,752,962 $80,307,763
1981 $20,670,190,138 $83,499,264
1980 $21,747,855,640 $81,662,231
1979 $18,319,334,300 $65,755,928
1978 $14,647,996,074 $55,044,563
1977 $11,248,340,431 $49,207,692
1976 $9,453,756,015 $52,039,421
1975 $9,483,808,362 $60,101,710
1974 $7,896,860,615 $57,817,591
1973 $7,481,173,066 $56,011,245
1972 $6,318,060,582 $41,430,257
1971 $5,098,250,287 $37,288,845
1970 $4,395,995,086 $37,211,826
1969 $3,902,721,632 -
1968 $3,378,701,147 -
1967 $3,445,739,915 -
1966 $3,198,820,904 -
1965 $3,035,655,794 -
1964 $2,851,091,646 -
1963 $2,505,073,358 -
1962 $2,329,372,972 -
1961 $2,151,772,980 -
1960 $1,998,550,222 -

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

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

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

Ireland
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ireland Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $112,895 $133,437 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $106,819 $129,683 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $105,191 $138,523 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $103,783 $116,904 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $86,514 $97,800 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $81,828 $92,023 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $80,804 $86,299 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $72,161 $80,450 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $64,130 $73,013 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $64,250 $71,588 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $57,215 $52,641 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $52,538 $48,839 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $49,336 $46,726 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $52,614 $45,526 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $48,624 $43,212 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $52,133 $41,491 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $61,353 $44,169 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $61,396 $46,782 $879 $2,650
2006 $54,329 $44,223 $862 $2,551
2005 $50,933 $40,466 $844 $2,329
2004 $47,754 $38,729 $727 $2,171
2003 $41,204 $36,280 $664 $2,094
2002 $32,705 $35,222 $568 $1,945
2001 $28,282 $32,573 $519 $1,898
2000 $26,335 $30,216 $529 $1,830
1999 $26,338 $27,041 $543 $1,802
1998 $24,295 $25,094 $514 $1,754
1997 $22,551 $22,637 $662 $1,714
1996 $20,836 $20,482 $987 $1,693
1995 $19,158 $18,944 $769 $1,663
1994 $15,903 $17,011 $990 $1,623
1993 $14,657 $15,811 $964 $1,581
1992 $15,714 $15,116 $740 $1,556
1991 $14,087 $14,399 $855 $1,540
1990 $14,031 $13,743 $970 $1,504
1989 $11,176 - $821 -
1988 $10,716 - $847 -
1987 $9,582 - $1,018 -
1986 $8,112 - $1,043 -
1985 $6,012 - $761 -
1984 $5,692 - $735 -
1983 $5,915 - $720 -
1982 $6,161 - $783 -
1981 $5,986 - $830 -
1980 $6,372 - $829 -
1979 $5,430 - $683 -
1978 $4,400 - $587 -
1977 $3,427 - $539 -
1976 $2,920 - $585 -
1975 $2,973 - $693 -
1974 $2,517 - $683 -
1973 $2,424 - $676 -
1972 $2,080 - $511 -
1971 $1,704 - $470 -
1970 $1,487 - $479 -
1969 $1,331 - - -
1968 $1,159 - - -
1967 $1,187 - - -
1966 $1,107 - - -
1965 $1,055 - - -
1964 $995 - - -
1963 $878 - - -
1962 $821 - - -
1961 $762 - - -
1960 $707 - - -

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

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

Ireland's GDP per capita is $112,895, ranking 4/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Ireland Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$609B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
25/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$112,895
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
4/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$133,437
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
4/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$236B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,766
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
11/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$47,851
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$110B
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
11
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.1%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.3%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.11%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
4.27%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
5518360
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ireland
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ireland Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.3% 38.8% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 22.1% 42.1% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 20.6% 43.2% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 23.6% 52.7% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 26.7% 57.1% 23.2% 91%
2019 23.9% 55.9% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 24.7% 61.4% 28% 95.9%
2017 25.3% 65.3% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 27.5% 72.7% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 28.1% 74% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 36.6% 101.4% 36% 92.5%
2013 39.8% 117.7% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 42.3% 118.9% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 46.9% 109.6% 53.4% 86%
2010 64.9% 86.2% 51.7% 83%
2009 46.9% 61.8% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 41.6% 42.5% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 35.6% 23.9% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 33.6% 23.7% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 33% 26.1% 43.7% 334%
2004 32.8% 28.1% 60.6% 354%
2003 32.7% 29.8% 51.9% 329%
2002 32.9% 30.9% 44.3% 367%
2001 32.2% 33.6% 52.8% 418%
2000 30.6% 36.4% 10.7% -
1999 32.5% 46.6% - -
1998 34.2% 51.4% - -
1997 36.1% 61.6% - -
1996 38.5% 69.8% - -
1995 40.3% 78.5% - -
1994 44.2% 88% - -
1993 44.6% 93.4% - -
1992 46.8% 90.6% - -
1991 46.1% 93.8% - -
1990 44.6% 92.7% - -
1989 42.5% 97.9% - -
1988 48.2% 106.5% - -
1987 51.4% 108.3% - -
1986 52.9% 107.2% - -
1985 53.2% 93% - -
1984 52.7% 90.2% - -
1983 55.6% 86.1% - -
1982 56.7% 73.5% - -
1981 54.1% 68.8% - -
1980 53.7% 64.6% - -
1979 48.7% 63.5% - -
1978 46.2% 50.6% - -
1977 44.6% 49.2% - -
1976 47.8% 51.7% - -
1975 48.2% 48.3% - -
1974 44.3% 43.5% - -
1973 40.3% 35.1% - -
1972 41.5% 37.3% - -
1971 45.3% 39.8% - -
1970 44.1% 41.7% - -
1969 42.5% 42.6% - -
1968 40% 44.7% - -
1967 39.3% 47.1% - -
1966 36.9% 47.7% - -
1965 35.8% 44.6% - -
1964 34.8% 43.1% - -
1963 33.6% 45.2% - -
1962 31.7% 44.5% - -
1961 31.4% 44.3% - -
1960 29.1% 44.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government spending was $136B, accounting for 22.3% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Ireland and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 138/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ireland

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ireland Sao Tome
2024 4.09% 0.92%
2023 1.52% -2.13%
2022 1.67% -2.24%
2021 -1.37% -1.52%
2020 -4.87% 2.94%
2019 0.41% -0.07%
2018 0.09% -2.02%
2017 -0.3% -3.11%
2016 -0.76% -5.01%
2015 -1.97% -7.6%
2014 -3.52% -6.27%
2013 -6.28% 2.13%
2012 -8.42% -12.3%
2011 -13.5% -13%
2010 -32.1% -12.1%
2009 -13.9% -18%
2008 -7.03% 13.6%
2007 0.27% 125.1%
2006 2.78% 18%
2005 1.57% 26.8%
2004 1.3% -25.1%
2003 0.35% -15.9%
2002 -0.52% -10.4%
2001 0.96% -13.5%
2000 4.86% 51.5%
1999 3.54% -
1998 2.07% -
1997 1.37% -
1996 -0.2% -
1995 -2.07% -
1994 -1.82% -
1993 -2.62% -
1992 -2.84% -
1991 -2.8% -
1990 -2.69% -
1989 -2.64% -
1988 -4.62% -
1987 -8.47% -
1986 -10.5% -
1985 -10.7% -
1984 -9.43% -
1983 -11.5% -
1982 -13.1% -
1981 -12.1% -
1980 -11.1% -
1979 -10% -
1978 -8.27% -
1977 -6.44% -
1976 -7.34% -
1975 -11.1% -
1974 -6.96% -
1973 -3.84% -
1972 -3.23% -
1971 -3.5% -
1970 -3.64% -
1969 -3.4% -
1968 -2.72% -
1967 -2.69% -
1966 -2.26% -
1965 -3.5% -
1964 -3.35% -
1963 -2.92% -
1962 -2.91% -
1961 -2.6% -
1960 -1.97% -
1959 -2.16% -
1958 -4.3% -
1957 -5.19% -
1956 -3.23% -
1955 -5.06% -
1954 -5.28% -
1953 -5.77% -
1952 -7.84% -
1951 -4.62% -
1950 -5.21% -
1949 -2.17% -
1948 -1.29% -
1947 -1.8% -
1946 -0.43% -
1945 -0.43% -
1944 0.39% -
1943 -1.18% -
1942 -2.48% -
1941 -1.42% -
1940 -0.15% -
1939 -7.31% -
1938 -0.92% -
1937 -0.77% -
1936 -0.19% -
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 2.97% -
1932 - -
1931 -1.63% -
1930 - -
1929 -3.41% -
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 -1.95% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ireland's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.9B, equivalent to 4.09% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ireland recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Ireland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ireland

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ireland Sao Tome
2024 2.11% 14.4%
2023 6.3% 21.2%
2022 7.83% 18%
2021 2.34% 8.1%
2020 -0.33% 9.8%
2019 0.94% 7.7%
2018 0.47% 7.9%
2017 0.36% 5.7%
2016 0.02% 5.4%
2015 -0.33% 6.1%
2014 0.19% 7%
2013 0.52% 8.1%
2012 1.69% 10.6%
2011 2.55% 14.3%
2010 -0.92% 13.3%
2009 -4.45% 17%
2008 4.04% 32%
2007 4.89% 18.6%
2006 3.94% 23.1%
2005 2.46% 17.2%
2004 2.18% 13.3%
2003 3.49% 9.8%
2002 4.63% 10.1%
2001 4.85% 9.2%
2000 5.58% 11%
1999 1.63% 11%
1998 2.41% 42.1%
1997 1.54% 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/ireland/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ireland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.18%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 2.11% in Ireland and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $67K
Machinery & equipment $62K
Animal & marine products $35K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ireland Sao Tome
Current account balance
$106B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
6/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.4%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$165B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$356B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$467B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$526B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
102.2%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
144%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ireland Sao Tome
Economic freedom 83.3 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 3/197 93/197
Property rights 94.4 55.2
Government integrity 84 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 95.4 60.8
Tax burden 77.7 88.6
Government spending 85.9 80.6
Fiscal health 97 89.5
Business freedom 85.5 59.9
Labor freedom 61.3 40.8
Monetary freedom 79.3 59.4
Trade freedom 79.4 65
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ireland
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ireland Sao Tome
2026 83.3 60.6
2025 83.1 60.4
2024 82.6 60.5
2023 82 61.5
2022 82 60.3
2021 81.4 55.9
2020 80.9 56.2
2019 80.5 54
2018 80.4 53.6
2017 76.7 55.4
2016 77.3 56.7
2015 76.6 53.3
2014 76.2 48.8
2013 75.7 48
2012 76.9 50.2
2011 78.7 49.5
2010 81.3 48.8
2009 82.2 43.8
2008 82.5 -
2007 82.6 -
2006 82.2 -
2005 80.8 -
2004 80.3 -
2003 80.9 -
2002 80.5 -
2001 81.2 -
2000 76.1 -
1999 74.6 -
1998 73.7 -
1997 72.6 -
1996 68.5 -
1995 68.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ireland is 83.3, ranking 3/197, 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

Ireland Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
60.6%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.6%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
1.02%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$435B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$101,180
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.7B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
73/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$62.3B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.82B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.1B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14%
2021
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.2%
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/ireland/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, 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 (2022–2024, 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)

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.