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

Updated on by Georank team

Mauritius has a GDP of $14.9B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 143/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mauritius has $13.6B in government debt (91.1% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Mauritius vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Mauritius
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mauritius Sao Tome
2024 $14,937,861,786 $822,154,621
2023 $14,072,212,290 $690,456,807
2022 $12,936,444,123 $540,809,499
2021 $11,622,048,697 $524,402,456
2020 $11,566,111,138 $471,229,485
2019 $14,645,235,205 $412,976,083
2018 $14,957,535,716 $383,717,328
2017 $13,896,938,315 $322,002,845
2016 $12,757,680,847 $292,267,272
2015 $12,162,211,503 $259,999,643
2014 $13,230,490,082 $293,119,143
2013 $12,434,596,541 $267,041,748
2012 $11,832,323,837 $225,815,132
2011 $11,677,718,382 $226,455,001
2010 $10,144,716,155 $190,021,192
2009 $9,264,513,545 $200,668,065
2008 $10,127,777,060 $188,021,165
2007 $8,277,442,915 $149,146,919
2006 $7,137,710,413 $142,775,104
2005 $6,576,108,447 $136,450,662
2004 $6,667,418,752 $114,582,284
2003 $5,894,873,920 $102,085,769
2002 $4,906,494,249 $85,171,074
2001 $4,675,755,867 $75,951,133
2000 $4,726,108,622 $76,198,395
1999 $4,402,193,195 $77,302,212
1998 $4,225,813,976 $72,285,404
1997 $4,243,755,308 $91,920,274
1996 $4,481,489,762 $135,188,166
1995 $4,094,741,652 $103,695,237
1994 $3,606,050,873 $131,338,415
1993 $3,307,302,126 $125,742,229
1992 $3,267,677,814 $94,861,781
1991 $2,895,354,736 $107,484,143
1990 $2,689,212,760 $119,297,933
1989 $2,211,312,823 $98,545,367
1988 $2,163,252,449 $99,000,764
1987 $1,906,174,438 $115,952,925
1986 $1,482,601,552 $115,928,907
1985 $1,090,611,325 $82,733,069
1984 $1,054,564,759 $78,213,796
1983 $1,104,956,573 $75,110,289
1982 $1,092,923,636 $80,307,763
1981 $1,157,769,444 $83,499,264
1980 $1,147,027,924 $81,662,231
1979 $1,227,446,632 $65,755,928
1978 $1,029,040,323 $55,044,563
1977 $834,722,972 $49,207,692
1976 $713,510,052 $52,039,421
1975 $673,311,287 $60,101,710
1974 $669,894,030 $57,817,591
1973 $404,285,775 $56,011,245
1972 $318,664,900 $41,430,257
1971 $251,437,338 $37,288,845
1970 $224,125,805 $37,211,826
1969 $221,553,613 -
1968 $206,576,631 -
1967 $238,439,291 -
1966 $227,534,083 -
1965 $230,024,161 -
1964 $218,914,569 -
1963 $253,839,558 -
1962 $197,738,208 -
1961 $191,757,729 -
1960 $162,089,564 -

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

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

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

Mauritius
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mauritius Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,991 $31,840 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $11,270 $29,561 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $10,247 $26,874 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $9,178 $23,010 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $9,136 $21,622 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $11,568 $24,375 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $11,819 $23,416 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $10,987 $22,898 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $10,095 $21,952 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $9,631 $20,270 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $10,490 $19,294 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $9,877 $18,435 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $9,422 $17,259 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $9,324 $16,884 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $8,113 $15,920 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $7,427 $15,105 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $8,141 $14,569 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $6,677 $13,612 $879 $2,650
2006 $5,784 $12,593 $862 $2,551
2005 $5,354 $11,703 $844 $2,329
2004 $5,461 $11,216 $727 $2,171
2003 $4,858 $10,535 $664 $2,094
2002 $4,073 $9,824 $568 $1,945
2001 $3,909 $9,586 $519 $1,898
2000 $3,982 $9,143 $529 $1,830
1999 $3,746 $8,344 $543 $1,802
1998 $3,642 $8,121 $514 $1,754
1997 $3,696 $7,651 $662 $1,714
1996 $3,952 $7,206 $987 $1,693
1995 $3,648 $6,771 $769 $1,663
1994 $3,240 $6,414 $990 $1,623
1993 $3,014 $6,116 $964 $1,581
1992 $3,013 $5,753 $740 $1,556
1991 $2,705 $5,351 $855 $1,540
1990 $2,540 $5,010 $970 $1,504
1989 $2,103 - $821 -
1988 $2,074 - $847 -
1987 $1,840 - $1,018 -
1986 $1,442 - $1,043 -
1985 $1,069 - $761 -
1984 $1,042 - $735 -
1983 $1,103 - $720 -
1982 $1,101 - $783 -
1981 $1,181 - $830 -
1980 $1,187 - $829 -
1979 $1,292 - $683 -
1978 $1,102 - $587 -
1977 $906 - $539 -
1976 $787 - $585 -
1975 $755 - $693 -
1974 $763 - $683 -
1973 $467 - $676 -
1972 $374 - $511 -
1971 $299.6 - $470 -
1970 $271.3 - $479 -
1969 $272.7 - - -
1968 $258.7 - - -
1967 $304 - - -
1966 $296 - - -
1965 $305 - - -
1964 $297.3 - - -
1963 $353 - - -
1962 $282.3 - - -
1961 $281.7 - - -
1960 $238.3 - - -

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

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

Mauritius' GDP per capita is $11,991, ranking 78/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mauritius ranks 71st at $31,840, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Mauritius Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$14.9B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
143/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
4.93%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,991
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
78/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$31,840
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
71/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$13.6B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
91.1%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,929
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
54/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$7,203
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$9.12B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.9%
2017
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2017
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.6%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.21%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
1240121
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mauritius
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mauritius Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.7% 91.1% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 29.9% 85.6% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 29.4% 86.9% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 30.8% 93.8% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 32.6% 93.4% 23.2% 91%
2019 27.8% 74.6% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 24.3% 64.1% 28% 95.9%
2017 24.3% 63% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 24% 64.3% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 24.5% 65% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 23% 60.6% 36% 92.5%
2013 24.1% 58.2% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 22.5% 55.9% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 23.7% 56.5% 53.4% 86%
2010 24% 56.4% 51.7% 83%
2009 25.2% 58.4% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 22.7% 49.4% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 21.5% 51.6% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 22.2% 59.3% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 23% 61.7% 43.7% 334%
2004 22.6% 61.1% 60.6% 354%
2003 23.4% 70.8% 51.9% 329%
2002 23.3% 66.7% 44.3% 367%
2001 22.4% 60.5% 52.8% 418%
2000 22.2% 59.7% 10.7% -
1999 27.5% - - -
1998 26.6% - - -
1997 27.5% - - -
1996 27.4% - - -
1995 27.3% - - -
1994 27.5% - - -
1993 24.5% - - -
1992 26.8% - - -
1991 27.2% - - -
1990 30.2% - - -

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

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

In 2024, Mauritius' government spending was $5.03B, accounting for 33.7% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 91.1% in Mauritius and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 30/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mauritius

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mauritius Sao Tome
2024 -7.47% 0.92%
2023 -4.7% -2.13%
2022 -3.34% -2.24%
2021 -4.45% -1.52%
2020 -10.6% 2.94%
2019 -7.53% -0.07%
2018 -2.19% -2.02%
2017 -1.66% -3.11%
2016 -2.81% -5.01%
2015 -3.59% -7.6%
2014 -3.13% -6.27%
2013 -3.4% 2.13%
2012 -1.78% -12.3%
2011 -3.09% -13%
2010 -3.07% -12.1%
2009 -3.41% -18%
2008 -2.66% 13.6%
2007 -3.09% 125.1%
2006 -4.14% 18%
2005 -4.44% 26.8%
2004 -4.34% -25.1%
2003 -4.82% -15.9%
2002 -5.18% -10.4%
2001 -5.53% -13.5%
2000 -4.4% 51.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mauritius' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.12B, equivalent to 7.47% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Mauritius recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Mauritius posted an annual deficit equal to 4.19% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mauritius

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mauritius Sao Tome
2024 3.6% 14.4%
2023 7.05% 21.2%
2022 10.8% 18%
2021 4.03% 8.1%
2020 2.58% 9.8%
2019 0.41% 7.7%
2018 3.22% 7.9%
2017 3.67% 5.7%
2016 0.98% 5.4%
2015 1.29% 6.1%
2014 3.22% 7%
2013 3.54% 8.1%
2012 3.85% 10.6%
2011 6.52% 14.3%
2010 2.93% 13.3%
2009 2.52% 17%
2008 9.73% 32%
2007 8.83% 18.6%
2006 8.91% 23.1%
2005 4.94% 17.2%
2004 4.71% 13.3%
2003 3.92% 9.8%
2002 6.42% 10.1%
2001 5.39% 9.2%
2000 4.2% 11%
1999 6.91% 11%
1998 6.81% 42.1%
1997 6.83% 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/mauritius/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mauritius has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.92%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 3.6% in Mauritius and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Mauritius
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $12K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Mauritius Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
126/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.03%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$6.35B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$2.37B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$2.28B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$4.19B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
78.3%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
67.1%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Mauritius Sao Tome
Economic freedom 73 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 26/197 93/197
Property rights 83.9 55.2
Government integrity 53.4 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 80.7 60.8
Tax burden 89.6 88.6
Government spending 73.8 80.6
Fiscal health 45.5 89.5
Business freedom 81.5 59.9
Labor freedom 69.6 40.8
Monetary freedom 70.7 59.4
Trade freedom 87 65
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mauritius
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mauritius Sao Tome
2026 73 60.6
2025 75 60.4
2024 71.5 60.5
2023 70.6 61.5
2022 70.9 60.3
2021 77 55.9
2020 74.9 56.2
2019 73 54
2018 75.1 53.6
2017 74.7 55.4
2016 74.7 56.7
2015 76.4 53.3
2014 76.5 48.8
2013 76.9 48
2012 77 50.2
2011 76.2 49.5
2010 76.3 48.8
2009 74.3 43.8
2008 72.6 -
2007 69.4 -
2006 67.4 -
2005 67.2 -
2004 64.3 -
2003 64.4 -
2002 67.7 -
2001 66.4 -
2000 67.2 -
1999 68.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mauritius is 73, ranking 26/197, 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

Mauritius Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
64.4%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.8%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.23%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.2B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$35,100
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$8.51B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
83/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$963M
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$681M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$38.3M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
10.1%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.4%
2023
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.2%
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/mauritius/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 (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.