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

Updated on by Georank team

Mexico has a GDP of $1.86T compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 13/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Mexico has $1.08T in government debt (58.3% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Mexico vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Mexico
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Mexico Sao Tome
2024 $1,856,365,616,166 $822,154,621
2023 $1,798,317,581,487 $690,456,807
2022 $1,466,934,724,293 $540,809,499
2021 $1,316,569,466,686 $524,402,456
2020 $1,121,064,767,308 $471,229,485
2019 $1,304,106,203,902 $412,976,083
2018 $1,256,300,182,880 $383,717,328
2017 $1,190,721,475,906 $322,002,845
2016 $1,112,233,497,453 $292,267,272
2015 $1,213,294,467,717 $259,999,643
2014 $1,364,507,717,614 $293,119,143
2013 $1,327,436,290,283 $267,041,748
2012 $1,255,110,424,818 $225,815,132
2011 $1,229,013,703,417 $226,455,001
2010 $1,105,424,238,731 $190,021,192
2009 $943,437,415,025 $200,668,065
2008 $1,161,553,459,715 $188,021,165
2007 $1,102,355,554,972 $149,146,919
2006 $1,020,265,057,882 $142,775,104
2005 $917,571,853,529 $136,450,662
2004 $819,459,227,375 $114,582,284
2003 $765,549,967,703 $102,085,769
2002 $810,666,116,402 $85,171,074
2001 $796,064,590,549 $75,951,133
2000 $742,061,329,749 $76,198,395
1999 $631,249,359,702 $77,302,212
1998 $557,461,102,631 $72,285,404
1997 $523,449,530,464 $91,920,274
1996 $432,157,945,024 $135,188,166
1995 $380,157,469,867 $103,695,237
1994 $553,618,247,901 $131,338,415
1993 $530,160,763,663 $125,742,229
1992 $363,157,832,924 $94,861,781
1991 $313,139,656,146 $107,484,143
1990 $261,253,675,693 $119,297,933
1989 $221,403,098,267 $98,545,367
1988 $181,611,150,497 $99,000,764
1987 $147,542,558,209 $115,952,925
1986 $134,556,034,673 $115,928,907
1985 $195,241,069,482 $82,733,069
1984 $184,230,754,105 $78,213,796
1983 $156,167,000,433 $75,110,289
1982 $184,602,611,610 $80,307,763
1981 $263,797,827,860 $83,499,264
1980 $205,577,055,466 $81,662,231
1979 $134,531,900,899 $65,755,928
1978 $102,648,570,299 $55,044,563
1977 $81,912,018,784 $49,207,692
1976 $88,875,923,765 $52,039,421
1975 $88,000,000,000 $60,101,710
1974 $72,000,000,000 $57,817,591
1973 $55,280,000,000 $56,011,245
1972 $45,200,000,000 $41,430,257
1971 $39,200,000,000 $37,288,845
1970 $35,520,000,000 $37,211,826
1969 $32,480,000,000 -
1968 $29,360,000,000 -
1967 $26,560,000,000 -
1966 $24,320,000,000 -
1965 $21,840,000,000 -
1964 $20,080,000,000 -
1963 $16,960,000,000 -
1962 $15,200,000,000 -
1961 $14,160,000,000 -
1960 $13,040,000,000 -

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

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

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

Mexico
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Mexico Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $14,186 $26,185 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $13,861 $25,243 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $11,406 $23,135 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $10,314 $20,783 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $8,841 $19,354 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $10,370 $20,964 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $10,085 $20,921 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $9,649 $20,489 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $9,098 $20,105 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $10,021 $19,071 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $11,391 $18,821 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $11,217 $18,170 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $10,744 $18,005 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $10,664 $17,267 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $9,729 $15,909 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $8,424 $15,191 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $10,524 $15,681 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $10,134 $15,032 $879 $2,650
2006 $9,513 $14,540 $862 $2,551
2005 $8,672 $13,260 $844 $2,329
2004 $7,850 $12,658 $727 $2,171
2003 $7,434 $12,066 $664 $2,094
2002 $7,983 $11,762 $568 $1,945
2001 $7,953 $11,739 $519 $1,898
2000 $7,524 $11,705 $529 $1,830
1999 $6,500 $11,031 $543 $1,802
1998 $5,833 $10,756 $514 $1,754
1997 $5,567 $10,182 $662 $1,714
1996 $4,674 $9,496 $987 $1,693
1995 $4,184 $8,933 $769 $1,663
1994 $6,202 $9,466 $990 $1,623
1993 $6,048 $9,041 $964 $1,581
1992 $4,221 $9,470 $740 $1,556
1991 $3,709 $9,079 $855 $1,540
1990 $3,154 $8,578 $970 $1,504
1989 $2,725 - $821 -
1988 $2,279 - $847 -
1987 $1,888 - $1,018 -
1986 $1,757 - $1,043 -
1985 $2,602 - $761 -
1984 $2,506 - $735 -
1983 $2,170 - $720 -
1982 $2,621 - $783 -
1981 $3,829 - $830 -
1980 $3,055 - $829 -
1979 $2,049 - $683 -
1978 $1,604 - $587 -
1977 $1,315 - $539 -
1976 $1,465 - $585 -
1975 $1,492 - $693 -
1974 $1,256 - $683 -
1973 $993 - $676 -
1972 $837 - $511 -
1971 $748 - $470 -
1970 $699 - $479 -
1969 $660 - - -
1968 $616 - - -
1967 $576 - - -
1966 $545 - - -
1965 $506 - - -
1964 $481 - - -
1963 $420 - - -
1962 $388 - - -
1961 $374 - - -
1960 $355 - - -

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

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

Mexico's GDP per capita is $14,186, ranking 69/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Mexico Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$1.86T
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
13/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
1.43%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$14,186
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
69/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$26,185
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
80/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$1.08T
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
58.3%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$8,272
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
63/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,231
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$418B
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
399,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
22
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
34.4%
2022
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2022
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.72%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.62%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
133323134
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Mexico
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Mexico Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 30.3% 58.3% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 28.5% 52.6% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 28.5% 53.8% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 26.7% 56.7% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 27.8% 58.5% 23.2% 91%
2019 25.3% 51.9% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 25% 52.2% 28% 95.9%
2017 25% 52.5% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 26.5% 55% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 26.6% 51% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 26.9% 47.1% 36% 92.5%
2013 26.7% 44.1% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 27% 40.8% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 26.6% 41.2% 53.4% 86%
2010 26.5% 40.2% 51.7% 83%
2009 26.5% 41.7% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 26.5% 40.6% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 22.5% 35.5% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 21.6% 35.8% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 21.2% 36.8% 43.7% 334%
2004 20.5% 38.9% 60.6% 354%
2003 21.5% 42.1% 51.9% 329%
2002 19.8% 39.9% 44.3% 367%
2001 19.5% 37.3% 52.8% 418%
2000 19.4% 38.5% 10.7% -
1999 20.1% 41.7% - -
1998 19.5% 39.7% - -
1997 20.7% 39.1% - -
1996 20.8% 42.5% - -
1995 18.9% 30.7% - -
1994 18.9% 26.8% - -
1993 18.2% 19.2% - -
1992 19% 21.5% - -
1991 20.1% 29.2% - -
1990 22.9% 35.7% - -
1989 19.2% 36% - -
1988 23.6% 36.5% - -
1987 26.7% 52.7% - -
1986 25.1% 47.8% - -
1985 21.4% 30.4% - -
1984 19.8% 25.2% - -
1983 21.6% 25.3% - -
1982 24.7% 29.8% - -
1981 20.1% 41.7% - -
1980 17.5% 31.4% - -
1979 16.5% 35.8% - -
1978 15.7% 39% - -
1977 15.5% 41.5% - -
1976 15.5% 31.3% - -
1975 14.7% 24.4% - -
1974 13.8% 21.7% - -
1973 12.7% 20% - -
1972 11.9% 17.9% - -
1971 10.6% 17% - -
1970 10.9% 17.1% - -
1969 11.8% 10.7% - -
1968 10.9% 7.85% - -
1967 10.4% 8.22% - -
1966 11.6% 5.14% - -
1965 10.7% 9.99% - -
1964 9.21% 6.22% - -
1963 8.51% 4.13% - -
1962 8.26% 4.2% - -
1961 8.01% 4.38% - -
1960 9.5% 4.58% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mexico's government spending was $563B, accounting for 30.3% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 58.3% in Mexico and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 84/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Mexico

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Mexico Sao Tome
2024 -5.73% 0.92%
2023 -4.29% -2.13%
2022 -4.32% -2.24%
2021 -3.75% -1.52%
2020 -4.29% 2.94%
2019 -2.27% -0.07%
2018 -2.14% -2.02%
2017 -1.03% -3.11%
2016 -2.68% -5.01%
2015 -3.86% -7.6%
2014 -4.37% -6.27%
2013 -3.56% 2.13%
2012 -3.57% -12.3%
2011 -3.2% -13%
2010 -3.8% -12.1%
2009 -3.94% -18%
2008 -0.68% 13.6%
2007 -1.46% 125.1%
2006 -1.23% 18%
2005 -1.43% 26.8%
2004 -1.35% -25.1%
2003 -2.24% -15.9%
2002 -2.18% -10.4%
2001 -2.57% -13.5%
2000 -2.69% 51.5%
1999 -4.49% -
1998 -4.49% -
1997 -3.48% -
1996 -3.66% -
1995 -2.28% -
1994 -2.25% -
1993 -1.51% -
1992 2.26% -
1991 1.49% -
1990 -3.11% -
1989 -4.75% -
1988 -8.76% -
1987 -11.6% -
1986 -11.2% -
1985 -7.2% -
1984 -5.79% -
1983 -6.03% -
1982 -11.4% -
1981 -4.9% -
1980 -1.75% -
1979 -2.15% -
1978 -1.88% -
1977 -2.43% -
1976 -3.14% -
1975 -2.64% -
1974 -3.33% -
1973 -2.75% -
1972 -2.3% -
1971 -1.43% -
1970 -1.71% -
1969 -2.74% -
1968 -2.06% -
1967 -2.12% -
1966 -3.2% -
1965 -2.51% -
1964 -1.44% -
1963 -0.92% -
1962 -0.79% -
1961 -0.88% -
1960 -1.36% -
1959 -0.73% -
1958 0.24% -
1957 -0.03% -
1956 0.52% -
1955 0.6% -
1954 -0.94% -
1953 -0.58% -
1952 0.42% -
1951 -0.26% -
1950 -0.2% -
1949 0.44% -
1948 -1.55% -
1947 -0.93% -
1946 0.66% -
1945 -1.11% -
1944 -1.12% -
1943 0.05% -
1942 -0.93% -
1941 -0.26% -
1940 -0.4% -
1939 -0.06% -
1938 -0.91% -
1937 -0.41% -
1936 -0.39% -
1935 0.26% -
1934 0.72% -
1933 -0.58% -
1932 0% -
1931 0.71% -
1930 0.21% -
1929 0.95% -
1928 0.24% -
1927 -0.3% -
1926 -0.29% -
1925 0.46% -
1924 1.34% -
1923 1.02% -
1922 1.13% -
1921 0.64% -
1920 0.91% -
1919 0.41% -
1918 -0.19% -
1917 0.63% -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 0.28% -
1912 -0.79% -
1911 -0.31% -
1910 0.1% -
1909 0.15% -
1908 -0.08% -
1907 0.43% -
1906 0.72% -
1905 0.35% -
1904 1.09% -
1903 3.82% -
1902 0.42% -
1901 0.62% -
1900 0.76% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Mexico's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $106B, equivalent to 5.73% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Mexico recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Mexico posted an annual deficit equal to 2.9% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Mexico

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Mexico Sao Tome
2024 4.72% 14.4%
2023 5.53% 21.2%
2022 7.9% 18%
2021 5.69% 8.1%
2020 3.4% 9.8%
2019 3.64% 7.7%
2018 4.9% 7.9%
2017 6.04% 5.7%
2016 2.82% 5.4%
2015 2.72% 6.1%
2014 4.02% 7%
2013 3.81% 8.1%
2012 4.11% 10.6%
2011 3.41% 14.3%
2010 4.16% 13.3%
2009 5.3% 17%
2008 5.12% 32%
2007 3.97% 18.6%
2006 3.63% 23.1%
2005 3.99% 17.2%
2004 4.69% 13.3%
2003 4.55% 9.8%
2002 5.03% 10.1%
2001 6.37% 9.2%
2000 9.49% 11%
1999 16.6% 11%
1998 15.9% 42.1%
1997 20.6% 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/mexico/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Mexico has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.15%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 4.72% in Mexico and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Mexico Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$16.7B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
181/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.9%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$637B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$618B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$72B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$63B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Mexico Sao Tome
Economic freedom 59.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 102/197 93/197
Property rights 37.6 55.2
Government integrity 28.8 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 40.4 60.8
Tax burden 75.4 88.6
Government spending 74.6 80.6
Fiscal health 56.7 89.5
Business freedom 67 59.9
Labor freedom 57.3 40.8
Monetary freedom 70.6 59.4
Trade freedom 74.2 65
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Mexico
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Mexico Sao Tome
2026 59.8 60.6
2025 61.3 60.4
2024 62 60.5
2023 63.2 61.5
2022 63.7 60.3
2021 65.5 55.9
2020 66 56.2
2019 64.7 54
2018 64.8 53.6
2017 63.6 55.4
2016 65.2 56.7
2015 66.4 53.3
2014 66.8 48.8
2013 67 48
2012 65.3 50.2
2011 67.8 49.5
2010 68.3 48.8
2009 65.8 43.8
2008 66.2 -
2007 66 -
2006 64.7 -
2005 65.2 -
2004 66 -
2003 65.3 -
2002 63 -
2001 60.6 -
2000 59.3 -
1999 58.5 -
1998 57.9 -
1997 57.1 -
1996 61.2 -
1995 63.1 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Mexico is 59.8, ranking 102/197, 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

Mexico Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.8%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.72%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.68T
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$25,460
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$232B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
16/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$32.3B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$45.5B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.71%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
29.6%
2024
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
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/mexico/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1995, 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. 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.