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

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a GDP of $120B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 64/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $81B in government debt (67.3% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Kenya vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Kenya
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Sao Tome
2024 $120,339,557,906 $822,154,621
2023 $107,500,884,685 $690,456,807
2022 $114,448,978,153 $540,809,499
2021 $109,703,658,905 $524,402,456
2020 $100,657,505,751 $471,229,485
2019 $100,378,436,207 $412,976,083
2018 $92,202,979,985 $383,717,328
2017 $82,036,510,877 $322,002,845
2016 $74,815,144,164 $292,267,272
2015 $70,120,446,897 $259,999,643
2014 $68,285,796,514 $293,119,143
2013 $61,671,440,408 $267,041,748
2012 $56,396,704,672 $225,815,132
2011 $46,869,473,151 $226,455,001
2010 $45,405,615,064 $190,021,192
2009 $42,347,217,913 $200,668,065
2008 $35,895,153,328 $188,021,165
2007 $31,958,195,182 $149,146,919
2006 $25,825,512,284 $142,775,104
2005 $18,737,895,513 $136,450,662
2004 $16,095,337,094 $114,582,284
2003 $14,904,517,650 $102,085,769
2002 $13,147,736,899 $85,171,074
2001 $12,986,007,426 $75,951,133
2000 $12,705,350,098 $76,198,395
1999 $12,896,010,459 $77,302,212
1998 $14,093,998,844 $72,285,404
1997 $13,115,764,358 $91,920,274
1996 $12,045,865,396 $135,188,166
1995 $9,046,320,255 $103,695,237
1994 $7,148,148,564 $131,338,415
1993 $5,751,786,643 $125,742,229
1992 $8,209,120,763 $94,861,781
1991 $8,151,488,783 $107,484,143
1990 $8,572,359,038 $119,297,933
1989 $8,283,114,514 $98,545,367
1988 $8,355,380,879 $99,000,764
1987 $7,970,820,369 $115,952,925
1986 $7,239,126,568 $115,928,907
1985 $6,135,034,214 $82,733,069
1984 $6,191,437,070 $78,213,796
1983 $5,979,198,314 $75,110,289
1982 $6,431,579,357 $80,307,763
1981 $6,854,491,706 $83,499,264
1980 $7,265,315,820 $81,662,231
1979 $6,234,391,113 $65,755,928
1978 $5,303,735,111 $55,044,563
1977 $4,494,378,764 $49,207,692
1976 $3,474,542,392 $52,039,421
1975 $3,259,345,083 $60,101,710
1974 $2,969,958,812 $57,817,591
1973 $2,509,001,324 $56,011,245
1972 $2,107,279,157 $41,430,257
1971 $1,778,391,289 $37,288,845
1970 $1,603,447,359 $37,211,826
1969 $1,458,379,417 -
1968 $1,353,295,459 -
1967 $1,232,559,507 -
1966 $1,164,519,674 -
1965 $997,919,321 -
1964 $998,759,334 -
1963 $926,589,349 -
1962 $868,111,401 -
1961 $792,959,473 -
1960 $791,265,459 -

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

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

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

Kenya
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,132 $6,644 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $916 $2,459 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $840 $2,481 $879 $2,650
2006 $700 $2,330 $862 $2,551
2005 $523 $2,189 $844 $2,329
2004 $464 $2,066 $727 $2,171
2003 $443 $1,975 $664 $2,094
2002 $403 $1,940 $568 $1,945
2001 $411 $1,961 $519 $1,898
2000 $415 $1,907 $529 $1,830
1999 $434 $1,910 $543 $1,802
1998 $488 $1,895 $514 $1,754
1997 $467 $1,865 $662 $1,714
1996 $441 $1,875 $987 $1,693
1995 $340 $1,818 $769 $1,663
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $990 $1,623
1993 $229 $1,723 $964 $1,581
1992 $337 $1,728 $740 $1,556
1991 $345 $1,756 $855 $1,540
1990 $374 $1,729 $970 $1,504
1989 $374 - $821 -
1988 $391 - $847 -
1987 $387 - $1,018 -
1986 $364 - $1,043 -
1985 $320 - $761 -
1984 $334 - $735 -
1983 $335 - $720 -
1982 $374 - $783 -
1981 $413 - $830 -
1980 $454 - $829 -
1979 $403 - $683 -
1978 $355 - $587 -
1977 $311 - $539 -
1976 $248.9 - $585 -
1975 $241.2 - $693 -
1974 $227.2 - $683 -
1973 $198.6 - $676 -
1972 $172.6 - $511 -
1971 $150.9 - $470 -
1970 $141 - $479 -
1969 $133.3 - - -
1968 $128.7 - - -
1967 $121.9 - - -
1966 $119.8 - - -
1965 $106.9 - - -
1964 $111.3 - - -
1963 $107.4 - - -
1962 $104.6 - - -
1961 $99.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,132, ranking 154/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Kenya Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
64/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
4.72%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$81B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.49%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
6.66%
2017
Population
58955623
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.3% 67.3% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 22.7% 73.4% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 23.2% 67.8% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 24% 68.2% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 24.8% 68% 23.2% 91%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 28% 95.9%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 25.4% 50.4% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 36% 92.5%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 53.4% 86%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 51.7% 83%
2009 20.3% 36% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 43.7% 334%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 60.6% 354%
2003 16% 43.8% 51.9% 329%
2002 15.7% 42% 44.3% 367%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 52.8% 418%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 10.7% -
1999 13.7% 38.4% - -
1998 15.3% 38.5% - -
1997 15.6% 36% - -
1996 15.2% 40.5% - -
1995 17.3% 52.1% - -
1994 18.8% 57% - -
1993 18.9% 61.6% - -
1992 17.6% 41.2% - -
1991 16.4% 43% - -
1990 17.2% 37.6% - -
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government spending was $28B, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.3% in Kenya and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 64/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Sao Tome
2024 -5.77% 0.92%
2023 -5.71% -2.13%
2022 -6.06% -2.24%
2021 -7.2% -1.52%
2020 -8.13% 2.94%
2019 -7.42% -0.07%
2018 -6.94% -2.02%
2017 -7.4% -3.11%
2016 -7.47% -5.01%
2015 -6.68% -7.6%
2014 -5.75% -6.27%
2013 -5.25% 2.13%
2012 -5.29% -12.3%
2011 -3.64% -13%
2010 -3.67% -12.1%
2009 -3.12% -18%
2008 -1.95% 13.6%
2007 -0.95% 125.1%
2006 -0.43% 18%
2005 -0.19% 26.8%
2004 0.5% -25.1%
2003 -0.73% -15.9%
2002 -1.29% -10.4%
2001 -0.53% -13.5%
2000 0.38% 51.5%
1999 0.84% -
1998 -0.03% -
1997 -0.91% -
1996 -0.49% -
1995 -0.23% -
1994 -4.14% -
1993 -8.57% -
1992 -8.28% -
1991 -6.56% -
1990 -3.28% -
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.94B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 4.03% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Sao Tome
2024 4.49% 14.4%
2023 7.67% 21.2%
2022 7.66% 18%
2021 6.11% 8.1%
2020 5.41% 9.8%
2019 5.24% 7.7%
2018 4.69% 7.9%
2017 8.01% 5.7%
2016 6.3% 5.4%
2015 6.58% 6.1%
2014 6.88% 7%
2013 5.72% 8.1%
2012 9.38% 10.6%
2011 14% 14.3%
2010 3.96% 13.3%
2009 9.23% 17%
2008 26.2% 32%
2007 9.76% 18.6%
2006 14.5% 23.1%
2005 10.3% 17.2%
2004 11.6% 13.3%
2003 9.82% 9.8%
2002 1.96% 10.1%
2001 5.74% 9.2%
2000 9.98% 11%
1999 5.74% 11%
1998 6.72% 42.1%
1997 11.4% 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/kenya/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.39%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 4.49% in Kenya and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Kenya Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Sao Tome
Economic freedom 55.5 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 93/197
Property rights 40.2 55.2
Government integrity 32.7 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 47 60.8
Tax burden 76.3 88.6
Government spending 84.1 80.6
Fiscal health 36.2 89.5
Business freedom 61.5 59.9
Labor freedom 56.5 40.8
Monetary freedom 75.1 59.4
Trade freedom 52 65
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Sao Tome
2026 55.5 60.6
2025 54.8 60.4
2024 53.6 60.5
2023 52.5 61.5
2022 52.6 60.3
2021 54.9 55.9
2020 55.3 56.2
2019 55.1 54
2018 54.7 53.6
2017 53.5 55.4
2016 57.5 56.7
2015 55.6 53.3
2014 57.1 48.8
2013 55.9 48
2012 57.5 50.2
2011 57.4 49.5
2010 57.5 48.8
2009 58.7 43.8
2008 59.3 -
2007 59.6 -
2006 59.7 -
2005 57.9 -
2004 57.7 -
2003 58.6 -
2002 58.2 -
2001 57.6 -
2000 59.7 -
1999 58.2 -
1998 58.4 -
1997 60.1 -
1996 56.4 -
1995 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, 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

Kenya Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,540
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
75/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.79%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/kenya/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, 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.