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Economy of Moldova vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Moldova has a GDP of $18.2B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 134/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Moldova has $7.06B in government debt (38.8% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Moldova vs Samoa GDP by year

Moldova
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Moldova Samoa
2024 $18,200,340,854 $1,175,749,786
2023 $16,711,906,746 $1,044,909,500
2022 $14,525,337,524 $889,554,712
2021 $13,691,869,264 $859,724,936
2020 $11,530,746,234 $868,884,903
2019 $11,736,797,055 $912,950,466
2018 $11,252,353,421 $878,448,433
2017 $9,514,404,016 $884,844,384
2016 $7,980,917,076 $843,924,797
2015 $7,797,667,197 $824,150,499
2014 $9,402,090,138 $796,683,520
2013 $9,496,717,876 $797,736,334
2012 $8,709,138,635 $773,141,661
2011 $8,414,352,020 $744,097,050
2010 $6,974,982,370 $680,260,907
2009 $5,439,434,272 $628,006,115
2008 $6,054,824,248 $641,346,192
2007 $4,401,173,152 $573,548,460
2006 $3,408,255,451 $499,923,758
2005 $2,988,342,907 $476,801,793
2004 $2,598,249,556 $407,747,565
2003 $1,980,907,435 $333,426,188
2002 $1,661,818,168 $281,790,134
2001 $1,480,673,594 $266,299,591
2000 $1,288,429,392 $258,856,140
1999 $1,170,782,957 $255,408,060
1998 $1,698,717,505 $269,485,244
1997 $1,930,081,169 $285,475,592
1996 $1,695,122,174 $249,907,869
1995 $1,752,999,370 $224,865,731
1994 $1,702,314,268 $221,098,107
1993 $2,371,813,324 $133,122,897
1992 $2,319,243,436 $132,303,041
1991 $3,094,565,871 $125,597,205
1990 $3,592,857,043 $125,766,270
1989 - $122,888,610
1988 - $133,016,065
1987 - $111,713,922
1986 - $100,947,849
1985 - $95,572,173
1984 - $109,200,934
1983 - $111,862,824
1982 - $121,221,652
1981 - $118,190,655
1980 - $125,747,038
1979 - $122,257,393
1978 - $108,223,444
1977 - $98,295,671
1976 - $85,003,078
1975 - $93,489,283
1974 - $93,549,611
1973 - $82,452,985
1972 - $62,566,116
1971 - $53,719,569
1970 - $45,208,338

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/moldova/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Moldova vs Samoa by year

Moldova
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Moldova Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,576 $18,615 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $6,800 $17,747 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $5,744 $16,453 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $5,275 $15,682 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $4,376 $13,527 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $4,405 $13,413 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $4,156 $11,868 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $3,453 $11,252 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $2,847 $10,326 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $2,750 $9,198 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $3,290 $8,643 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $3,321 $8,233 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $3,045 $7,255 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $2,941 $6,833 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $2,437 $6,323 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $1,898 $5,827 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $2,111 $6,153 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $1,531 $5,590 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $1,183 $5,271 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $1,034 $4,866 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $897 $4,378 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $682 $3,960 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $571 $3,633 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $507 $3,311 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $441 $3,045 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $399 $2,910 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $579 $2,965 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $657 $3,136 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $575 $3,021 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $594 $3,146 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $574 $3,111 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $797 $4,394 $775 $2,323
1992 $778 $4,337 $777 $2,198
1991 $1,038 $5,980 $742 $2,166
1990 $1,207 $6,895 $744 $2,148
1989 - - $728 -
1988 - - $790 -
1987 - - $666 -
1986 - - $604 -
1985 - - $573 -
1984 - - $655 -
1983 - - $671 -
1982 - - $728 -
1981 - - $713 -
1980 - - $765 -
1979 - - $751 -
1978 - - $671 -
1977 - - $615 -
1976 - - $541 -
1975 - - $610 -
1974 - - $626 -
1973 - - $563 -
1972 - - $433 -
1971 - - $377 -
1970 - - $322 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/moldova/samoa | CC BY

Moldova's GDP per capita is $7,576, ranking 99/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Moldova ranks 100th at $18,615, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Moldova Samoa
Gross domestic product
$18.2B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
134/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
0.1%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,576
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
99/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$18,615
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
100/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$7.06B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.8%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,938
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
102/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,291
2026
$3,750
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2023
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
4.3%
2023
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.68%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.43%
2024
5.05%
2022
Population
2341166
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Moldova
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Moldova Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38% 38.8% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 38.8% 34.9% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 36.6% 35% 31.1% 41%
2021 34.6% 33.6% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 36.7% 36.6% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 32% 28.8% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 31.5% 31.8% 30% 49.4%
2017 31% 34.9% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 30.5% 39.7% 27.3% 49%
2015 31.7% 42.1% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 33.8% 35.4% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 32.4% 30% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 33.7% 31.3% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 32.6% 24.2% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 34.1% 25.5% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 45.3% 32.6% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 41.5% 22.2% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 42.7% 28.3% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 40.3% 35% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 37.1% 40.4% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 34.8% 49.3% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 33.5% 68.1% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 30.7% 80.3% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 29.5% 85.4% 30% 53.8%
2000 34% 89.1% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 33% 150.7% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 39.1% 159.4% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 46% 89% 31% -
1996 43.3% 87.5% 38.9% -
1995 42% 79.5% 42.2% -
1994 - - 54.1% -
1993 - - 49.5% -
1992 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/moldova/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Moldova's government spending was $6.91B, accounting for 38% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.8% in Moldova and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 137/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Moldova

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Moldova Samoa
2024 -3.88% 9.29%
2023 -5.13% 2.7%
2022 -3.24% 5.03%
2021 -2.62% 1.71%
2020 -5.32% 5.41%
2019 -1.47% 1.51%
2018 -0.85% 0.06%
2017 -0.65% -1.98%
2016 -1.56% -0.35%
2015 -1.93% -3.79%
2014 -1.6% -5.38%
2013 -1.57% -3.82%
2012 -1.93% -7.43%
2011 -2.05% -5.25%
2010 -2.18% -5.49%
2009 -6.38% -2.98%
2008 -0.87% -0.36%
2007 0.15% 0.55%
2006 -0.42% -0.44%
2005 1.44% 0.23%
2004 0.59% -0.74%
2003 0.47% -0.51%
2002 -1.18% -1.77%
2001 -0.34% -1.96%
2000 -3.55% -0.62%
1999 -2.64% 0.27%
1998 -1.52% 1.64%
1997 -7.47% 1.92%
1996 -7.42% 1.21%
1995 -2.58% -5.82%
1994 - -9.51%
1993 - -13.2%
1992 - -9.89%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/moldova/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Moldova's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $707M, equivalent to 3.88% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Moldova recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Moldova posted an annual deficit equal to 2.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Moldova

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Moldova Samoa
2024 4.68% 2.17%
2023 13.4% 7.92%
2022 28.7% 11%
2021 5.11% 3.13%
2020 3.77% -1.57%
2019 4.84% 0.98%
2018 3.05% 4.2%
2017 6.57% 1.75%
2016 6.36% 1.3%
2015 9.68% 0.72%
2014 5.09% -0.41%
2013 4.6% 0.61%
2012 4.55% 2.05%
2011 7.69% 5.24%
2010 7.48% 0.78%
2009 -0.06% 6.32%
2008 12.8% 11.6%
2007 12.4% 5.58%
2006 12.8% 3.7%
2005 12% 1.86%
2004 12.5% 16.3%
2003 11.7% 0.12%
2002 5.3% 8.05%
2001 9.76% 3.84%
2000 31.3% 0.97%
1999 39.3% 0.27%
1998 7.7% 2.22%
1997 11.8% 6.86%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/moldova/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Moldova has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.5%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 4.68% in Moldova and 2.17% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Moldova
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Samoa
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Moldova Samoa
Current account balance
-$3.01B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
156/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-16.6%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$8.63B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$3.01B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$1.8B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$2.73B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
57.3%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.4%
2024
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Moldova Samoa
Economic freedom 58.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 112/197 52/197
Property rights 40.4 77.1
Government integrity 45.1 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 32.4 77.6
Tax burden 87.9 79.3
Government spending 57.2 75.2
Fiscal health 70.3 98.7
Business freedom 68.3 63.7
Labor freedom 48.1 73.7
Monetary freedom 66 69.4
Trade freedom 76.8 67.2
Investment freedom 55 40
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Moldova
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Moldova Samoa
2026 58.1 68
2025 58.3 66.6
2024 57.1 67.2
2023 58.5 68.3
2022 61.3 68.3
2021 62.5 61.9
2020 62 62.1
2019 59.1 62.2
2018 58.4 61.5
2017 58 58.4
2016 57.4 63.5
2015 57.5 61.9
2014 57.3 61.1
2013 55.5 57.1
2012 54.4 60.5
2011 55.7 60.6
2010 53.7 60.4
2009 54.9 59.5
2008 57.9 -
2007 58.7 -
2006 58 -
2005 57.4 -
2004 57.1 -
2003 60 -
2002 57.4 -
2001 54.9 63.1
2000 59.6 60.8
1999 56.1 58.7
1998 53.5 49.9
1997 48.9 51.5
1996 52.5 47.6
1995 33 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/moldova/samoa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Moldova is 58.1, ranking 112/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Moldova Samoa
Services, % of GDP
62.3%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.11%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.5B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,710
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$5.48B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
96/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$360M
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$458M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$98.4M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
6.22%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.6%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
21.1%
2024
29%
2024

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/moldova/samoa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.