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Economy of Namibia vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $291B for Nigeria, ranking 146/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $103B (35.5% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Namibia vs Nigeria GDP by year

Namibia
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Nigeria
2025 $15,080,340,654 $290,794,361,542
2024 $13,641,190,683 $252,261,880,140
2023 $12,522,012,874 $487,387,801,878
2022 $12,569,449,123 $646,950,257,575
2021 $12,402,486,184 $609,147,716,965
2020 $10,583,748,542 $598,586,817,817
2019 $12,541,928,303 $668,219,992,687
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $4,876 - $1,224 -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $4,226 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $1,224 in Nigeria, ranking 172/197. 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
$15.1B
2025
$291B
2025
GDP rank
146/197
2025
50/197
2025
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
4.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$1,224
2025
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
172/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$103B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
35.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$434
2025
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
170/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$768
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$86.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2026
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
11.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
23%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
26.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
3.45%
2024
Population
3185686
245016045

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
2025 39.4% 70.2% 11.7% 35.5%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 12% 39.3%
2023 37% 67.9% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 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% 15.8%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $34.1B, or 11.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 35.5% in Nigeria, ranking 57/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Nigeria
2025 -6.46% -1.76%
2024 -3.84% -1.27%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $974M, equivalent to 6.46% of GDP. This compares to Nigeria's deficit of $5.12B, or 1.76% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.98% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Nigeria
2025 3.5% 23%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.2%, compared with 13.7% in Nigeria. In 2025, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 23% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $6.67M
Machinery & equipment $928K
Raw agricultural goods $177K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $121K
Textiles & consumer goods $109K
Metals $82K
Animal & marine products $52K
Chemicals & pharma $27K
Miscellaneous $26K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $58M
Raw materials & minerals $6.2M
Metals $801K
Chemicals & pharma $51K

Balance of trade

Namibia Nigeria
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
$14B
2025
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
21/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
+4.83%
2025
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$43B
2025
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$57.5B
2025
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$19.6B
2025
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$5.06B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
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 2026-07-08).

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
55%
2025
58.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
16.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$324B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$9,230
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$46B
2025
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
52/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
-$2.82B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$1.61B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.46%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
n/a

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/namibia/nigeria | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.