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Economy of Namibia vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 147/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Namibia vs Nigeria GDP by year

Namibia
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Nigeria
2024 $13,372,354,512 $252,261,880,141
2023 $12,408,271,449 $487,387,801,881
2022 $12,569,449,123 $646,950,257,578
2021 $12,402,486,184 $609,147,716,973
2020 $10,583,748,542 $598,586,817,819
2019 $12,541,928,303 $668,219,992,691
2018 $13,682,019,076 $421,739,251,509
2017 $12,895,153,371 $375,745,731,053
2016 $10,722,018,732 $404,649,125,252
2015 $11,335,161,084 $493,026,682,801
2014 $12,435,430,970 $574,183,763,412
2013 $12,043,307,277 $520,117,180,314
2012 $13,042,053,592 $463,971,018,239
2011 $12,523,359,441 $414,466,676,831
2010 $11,431,412,421 $366,990,417,129
2009 $8,938,847,189 $295,008,835,381
2008 $8,607,431,497 $339,476,276,258
2007 $8,839,536,476 $278,260,846,800
2006 $8,001,779,551 $238,454,997,161
2005 $7,248,374,838 $175,670,569,969
2004 $6,609,205,995 $135,764,731,646
2003 $4,926,439,384 $104,738,954,264
2002 $3,349,169,826 $95,054,059,303
2001 $3,557,341,215 $73,557,840,064
2000 $3,922,232,165 $69,171,451,627
1999 $3,868,551,730 $59,145,077,039
1998 $3,873,109,866 $218,416,200,673
1997 $4,154,989,950 $200,850,397,618
1996 $3,989,163,197 $185,730,236,700
1995 $3,978,514,206 $140,919,776,986
1994 $3,666,503,530 $80,399,613,064
1993 $3,251,188,833 $56,721,051,402
1992 $3,429,521,699 $52,058,181,854
1991 $2,996,869,281 $59,526,833,412
1990 $2,789,921,854 $54,035,795,388
1989 $2,535,135,798 $44,003,061,108
1988 $2,495,094,746 $49,648,470,440
1987 $2,300,068,217 $52,676,041,931
1986 $1,809,048,527 $54,805,852,581
1985 $1,608,237,350 $73,745,821,158
1984 $1,951,260,038 $73,484,359,521
1983 $2,297,400,688 $97,094,911,792
1982 $2,118,710,248 $142,769,363,314
1981 $2,249,908,578 $164,475,209,516
1980 $2,421,990,338 $64,201,788,123
1979 - $47,259,911,894
1978 - $36,527,862,209
1977 - $36,035,407,725
1976 - $36,308,883,249
1975 - $27,778,934,625
1974 - $24,846,641,318
1973 - $15,162,871,287
1972 - $12,274,416,018
1971 - $9,181,769,912
1970 - $12,546,094,982
1969 - $6,634,317,346
1968 - $5,200,997,920
1967 - $5,203,237,919
1966 - $6,366,917,453
1965 - $5,874,537,650
1964 - $5,552,931,319
1963 - $5,165,590,254
1962 - $4,909,399,176
1961 - $4,467,287,893
1960 - $4,196,174,502

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Nigeria by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $962 $4,381
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $763 $4,015
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $712 $3,770
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $566 $3,309
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $547 $3,139
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $481 $3,002
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $745 $2,853
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $540 $2,921
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $509 $2,991
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $597 $2,870
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $556 $2,840
1989 $1,967 - $465 -
1988 $2,063 - $540 -
1987 $1,969 - $588 -
1986 $1,599 - $628 -
1985 $1,466 - $869 -
1984 $1,830 - $890 -
1983 $2,214 - $1,207 -
1982 $2,097 - $1,822 -
1981 $2,267 - $2,162 -
1980 $2,468 - $870 -
1979 - - $661 -
1978 - - $527 -
1977 - - $536 -
1976 - - $556 -
1975 - - $438 -
1974 - - $403 -
1973 - - $252.4 -
1972 - - $209.5 -
1971 - - $160.5 -
1970 - - $224.5 -
1969 - - $121.4 -
1968 - - $97.3 -
1967 - - $99.5 -
1966 - - $124.4 -
1965 - - $117.3 -
1964 - - $113.3 -
1963 - - $107.7 -
1962 - - $104.5 -
1961 - - $97.1 -
1960 - - $93.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Namibia Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
3.45%
2024
Population
3173089
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 37% 67.2% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 8.51% 18%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 10% 13%
2012 35% 24.6% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 32% 15.9% 11% 6.12%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 13% 25.2%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 9.68% 17.1%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 7.87% 17.9%
1995 29.6% 18% 8.87% 24.2%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 12.1% 39.7%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 20% 50.4%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 15.9% 49.8%
1991 33% 11.8% 13.6% 53.2%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 14.2% 50.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 61/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Nigeria
2024 -3.59% -1.57%
2023 -3.14% -3.12%
2022 -6.33% -4%
2021 -8.68% -3.97%
2020 -8.07% -4.03%
2019 -5.49% -3.31%
2018 -5.09% -3.06%
2017 -4.99% -3.85%
2016 -9.3% -3.3%
2015 -8.3% -2.7%
2014 -6.44% -1.72%
2013 -4.69% -1.89%
2012 -3.1% -0.09%
2011 -7.09% 0.31%
2010 -4.98% -2.96%
2009 -0.4% -3.78%
2008 3.48% 4.05%
2007 6.01% -0.79%
2006 3.41% 6.22%
2005 -0.31% 3.49%
2004 -2.67% 3.9%
2003 -4.47% -1.56%
2002 -1.38% 0.95%
2001 -2.01% -2.29%
2000 -0.79% 2.89%
1999 -1.88% -1.39%
1998 -2.76% -3.47%
1997 -2.38% 1.14%
1996 -3.7% 3.37%
1995 -1.74% 2.52%
1994 -0.57% -2.96%
1993 -2.73% -6.07%
1992 -2.55% 0.94%
1991 -1.59% -1.18%
1990 1.08% -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.97% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Nigeria
2024 4.2% 33.2%
2023 5.9% 24.7%
2022 6.1% 18.8%
2021 3.6% 17%
2020 2.2% 13.2%
2019 3.7% 11.4%
2018 4.3% 12.1%
2017 6.1% 16.5%
2016 6.7% 15.7%
2015 3.4% 9.01%
2014 5.3% 8.05%
2013 5.6% 8.5%
2012 6.7% 12.2%
2011 5% 10.8%
2010 4.9% 13.7%
2009 9.5% 12.5%
2008 9.1% 11.6%
2007 6.5% 5.39%
2006 5% 8.23%
2005 2.3% 17.9%
2004 4.1% 15%
2003 7.2% 14%
2002 12.7% 12.9%
2001 10.2% 18.9%
2000 10.2% 6.93%
1999 9.4% 6.62%
1998 6.6% 10%
1997 9.7% 8.53%

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/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $9.8M
Machinery & equipment $807K
Raw agricultural goods $259K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $127K
Miscellaneous $117K
Textiles & consumer goods $84K
Metals $45K
Animal & marine products $20K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.74M
Chemicals & pharma $51K

Balance of trade

Namibia Nigeria
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$53B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Nigeria
Economic freedom 60.2 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 132/197
Property rights 63.1 29.7
Government integrity 51.5 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 34.4
Tax burden 66.4 84.6
Government spending 57.1 96.3
Fiscal health 60.5 83.5
Business freedom 58 50.3
Labor freedom 62.7 75.4
Monetary freedom 76.1 56.1
Trade freedom 69.8 64.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Nigeria
2026 60.2 54.8
2025 58.7 53.4
2024 57.5 53.1
2023 57.7 53.9
2022 59.2 54.4
2021 62.6 58.7
2020 60.9 57.2
2019 58.7 57.3
2018 58.5 58.5
2017 62.5 57.1
2016 61.9 57.5
2015 59.6 55.6
2014 59.4 54.3
2013 60.3 55.1
2012 61.9 56.3
2011 62.7 56.7
2010 62.2 56.8
2009 62.4 55.1
2008 61.4 55.1
2007 63.5 55.6
2006 60.7 48.7
2005 61.4 48.4
2004 62.4 49.2
2003 67.3 49.5
2002 65.1 50.9
2001 64.8 49.6
2000 66.7 53.1
1999 66.1 55.7
1998 66.1 52.3
1997 61.6 52.8
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 47.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/nigeria | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.