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

Updated on by Georank

Montenegro has a GDP of $9.23B compared to $981M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 155/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Montenegro has $6.19B in government debt (67.1% of GDP), compared to $546M (55.7% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Montenegro vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Montenegro
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Montenegro Sao Tome
2025 $9,232,801,465 $981,293,587
2024 $8,274,290,506 $824,992,558
2023 $7,643,318,276 $690,456,807
2022 $6,259,721,790 $540,809,499
2021 $5,822,908,964 $524,402,456
2020 $4,734,192,593 $471,229,485
2019 $5,483,622,632 $412,976,083
2018 $5,433,469,311 $383,717,328
2017 $4,803,964,684 $322,002,845
2016 $4,357,467,226 $292,267,272
2015 $4,010,884,107 $259,999,643
2014 $4,579,635,404 $293,119,143
2013 $4,422,097,042 $267,041,748
2012 $4,071,828,832 $229,371,348
2011 $4,507,127,585 $226,455,001
2010 $4,136,936,244 $190,021,192
2009 $4,159,063,347 $200,668,065
2008 $4,559,410,049 $188,021,165
2007 $3,682,586,459 $149,146,919
2006 $2,719,979,875 $142,775,104
2005 $2,258,016,380 $136,450,662
2004 $2,077,046,942 $114,582,284
2003 $1,708,196,981 $102,085,769
2002 $1,286,314,054 $85,171,074
2001 $1,159,869,246 $75,951,133
2000 $984,293,044 $76,198,395
1999 $828,950,327 $77,302,212
1998 $854,261,161 $72,285,404
1997 $838,288,806 $91,920,274
1996 - $135,188,166
1995 - $103,695,237
1994 - $131,338,415
1993 - $125,742,229
1992 - $94,861,781
1991 - $107,484,143
1990 - $119,297,933
1989 - $98,545,367
1988 - $99,000,764
1987 - $115,952,925
1986 - $115,928,907
1985 - $82,733,069
1984 - $78,213,796
1983 - $75,110,289
1982 - $80,307,763
1981 - $83,499,264
1980 - $81,662,231
1979 - $65,755,928
1978 - $55,044,563
1977 - $49,207,692
1976 - $52,039,421
1975 - $60,101,710
1974 - $57,817,591
1973 - $56,011,245
1972 - $41,430,257
1971 - $37,288,845
1970 - $37,211,826

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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

Montenegro
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Montenegro Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $14,817 - $4,084 -
2024 $13,270 $34,063 $3,503 $6,242
2023 $12,258 $31,863 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $10,038 $28,050 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $9,316 $23,690 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $7,555 $20,625 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $8,749 $23,706 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $8,674 $21,084 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $7,674 $19,357 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $6,968 $18,030 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $6,421 $16,092 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $7,342 $15,276 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $7,103 $14,692 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $6,552 $13,793 $1,211 $2,653
2011 $7,266 $14,347 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $6,679 $13,612 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $6,727 $12,976 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $7,390 $13,802 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $5,979 $12,452 $879 $2,650
2006 $4,423 $10,440 $862 $2,551
2005 $3,676 $8,314 $844 $2,329
2004 $3,386 $7,841 $727 $2,171
2003 $2,790 $7,340 $664 $2,094
2002 $2,109 $7,100 $568 $1,945
2001 $1,910 $6,772 $519 $1,898
2000 $1,627 $6,004 $529 $1,830
1999 $1,368 $5,684 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,406 $6,170 $514 $1,754
1997 $1,375 $5,798 $662 $1,714
1996 - - $987 $1,693
1995 - - $769 $1,663
1994 - - $990 $1,623
1993 - - $964 $1,581
1992 - - $740 $1,556
1991 - - $855 $1,540
1990 - - $970 $1,504
1989 - - $821 -
1988 - - $847 -
1987 - - $1,018 -
1986 - - $1,043 -
1985 - - $761 -
1984 - - $735 -
1983 - - $720 -
1982 - - $783 -
1981 - - $830 -
1980 - - $829 -
1979 - - $683 -
1978 - - $587 -
1977 - - $539 -
1976 - - $585 -
1975 - - $693 -
1974 - - $683 -
1973 - - $676 -
1972 - - $511 -
1971 - - $470 -
1970 - - $479 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Montenegro's GDP per capita is $14,817, ranking 71/197, compared to $4,084 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Montenegro ranks 65th at $34,063, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Montenegro Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$9.23B
2025
$981M
2025
GDP rank
155/197
2025
189/197
2025
GDP growth
2.74%
2024-2025
1.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$14,817
2025
$4,084
2025
GDP per capita rank
71/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$34,063
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
65/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$6.19B
2025
$546M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.1%
2025
55.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$9,942
2025
$2,275
2025
Government debt per person rank
61/185
2025
115/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,768
2026
$3,249
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.79B
2012
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.7%
2021
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.9%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.9%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
11.5%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
613759
247495

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Montenegro
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Montenegro Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 43.9% 67.1% 21.2% 55.7%
2024 44.1% 60.8% 23.8% 65.2%
2023 40.4% 59.6% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 42.2% 70.3% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 45.1% 86.2% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 54.9% 108.4% 23.2% 91%
2019 44.4% 79.6% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 47.8% 72.9% 28% 95.9%
2017 47.6% 66.9% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 47.7% 66.7% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 46.9% 69.5% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 44.3% 63.6% 36% 92.5%
2013 46.3% 59.2% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 45.9% 57.1% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 45.7% 49% 53.4% 86%
2010 46.7% 45.1% 51.7% 83%
2009 51.5% 43.9% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 51.2% 34.2% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 43.9% 31.8% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 42.6% 36.7% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 38.2% 38.6% 43.7% 334%
2004 40% 45.4% 60.6% 354%
2003 43.3% 48.6% 51.9% 329%
2002 37.5% 85.7% 44.3% 367%
2001 - - 52.8% 418%
2000 - - 10.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Montenegro's government spending was $4.05B, accounting for 43.9% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $208M, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.1% in Montenegro and 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 63/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Montenegro

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Montenegro Sao Tome
2025 -3.61% -2.53%
2024 -3.44% 0.92%
2023 0.38% -2.13%
2022 -4.05% -2.24%
2021 -1.37% -1.52%
2020 -10.9% 2.94%
2019 -1.74% -0.07%
2018 -6.3% -2.02%
2017 -6.89% -3.11%
2016 -6.21% -5.01%
2015 -6.03% -7.6%
2014 -0.7% -6.27%
2013 -4.54% 2.13%
2012 -5.87% -12.3%
2011 -6.79% -13%
2010 -4.88% -12.1%
2009 -6.74% -18%
2008 -2.3% 13.6%
2007 8.44% 125.1%
2006 4.34% 18%
2005 -1.42% 26.8%
2004 -2.45% -25.1%
2003 -4.06% -15.9%
2002 -1.44% -10.4%
2001 - -13.5%
2000 - 51.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Montenegro's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $334M, equivalent to 3.61% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's deficit of $24.8M, or 2.53% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Montenegro recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Montenegro posted an annual deficit equal to 3.27% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.09% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Montenegro

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Montenegro Sao Tome
2025 3.9% 0.9%
2024 3.3% 14.4%
2023 8.6% 21.1%
2022 13% 18.1%
2021 2.4% 8.1%
2020 -0.3% 9.8%
2019 0.4% 7.7%
2018 2.6% 7.9%
2017 2.4% 5.7%
2016 -0.3% 5.4%
2015 1.5% 6.1%
2014 -0.7% 7%
2013 2.2% 8.1%
2012 4.1% 10.6%
2011 3.5% 14.3%
2010 0.4% 13.3%
2009 3.6% 17%
2008 9% 32%
2007 3.4% 18.6%
2006 2.1% 23.1%
2005 3.4% 17.2%
2004 3.1% 13.3%
2003 7.5% 9.8%
2002 19.7% 10.1%
2001 23.7% 9.2%
2000 29.9% 11%
1999 - 11%
1998 - 42.1%
1997 - 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 26 years, Montenegro has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.86%, compared with 12.3% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2025, inflation was 3.9% in Montenegro and 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Montenegro Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.88B
2025
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
140/190
2025
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-20.4%
2025
+5.03%
2024
Goods imports
$4.91B
2025
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$663M
2025
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$1.24B
2025
$83M
2024
Service exports
$3.07B
2025
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
65.7%
2025
33.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.1%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Montenegro Sao Tome
Economic freedom 63.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 78/197 93/197
Property rights 60.9 55.2
Government integrity 49.9 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 51.5 60.8
Tax burden 88.7 88.6
Government spending 47.6 80.6
Fiscal health 86.2 89.5
Business freedom 68.4 59.9
Labor freedom 59.4 40.8
Monetary freedom 75.2 59.4
Trade freedom 78.4 65
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Montenegro
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Montenegro Sao Tome
2026 63.8 60.6
2025 63.8 60.4
2024 59.7 60.5
2023 60.9 61.5
2022 57.8 60.3
2021 63.4 55.9
2020 61.5 56.2
2019 60.5 54
2018 64.3 53.6
2017 62 55.4
2016 64.9 56.7
2015 64.7 53.3
2014 63.6 48.8
2013 62.6 48
2012 62.5 50.2
2011 62.5 49.5
2010 63.6 48.8
2009 58.2 43.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 43.5 -
2002 46.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Montenegro is 63.8, ranking 78/197, 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

Montenegro Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
63.4%
2025
81.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
11.3%
2025
2.23%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.37%
2025
12.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$8.82B
2025
$913M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$35,700
2025
$6,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.2B
2025
$58.8M
2024
Total reserves ranking
126/177
2025
175/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$601M
2025
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$599M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
15%
2024
0.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20%
2023
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.9%
2025
8.74%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.