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Economy of Namibia vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 147/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Namibia vs Samoa GDP by year

Namibia
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Samoa
2024 $13,372,354,512 $1,175,749,786
2023 $12,408,271,449 $1,044,909,500
2022 $12,569,449,123 $889,554,712
2021 $12,402,486,184 $859,724,936
2020 $10,583,748,542 $868,884,903
2019 $12,541,928,303 $912,950,466
2018 $13,682,019,076 $878,448,433
2017 $12,895,153,371 $884,844,384
2016 $10,722,018,732 $843,924,797
2015 $11,335,161,084 $824,150,499
2014 $12,435,430,970 $796,683,520
2013 $12,043,307,277 $797,736,334
2012 $13,042,053,592 $773,141,661
2011 $12,523,359,441 $744,097,050
2010 $11,431,412,421 $680,260,907
2009 $8,938,847,189 $628,006,115
2008 $8,607,431,497 $641,346,192
2007 $8,839,536,476 $573,548,460
2006 $8,001,779,551 $499,923,758
2005 $7,248,374,838 $476,801,793
2004 $6,609,205,995 $407,747,565
2003 $4,926,439,384 $333,426,188
2002 $3,349,169,826 $281,790,134
2001 $3,557,341,215 $266,299,591
2000 $3,922,232,165 $258,856,140
1999 $3,868,551,730 $255,408,060
1998 $3,873,109,866 $269,485,244
1997 $4,154,989,950 $285,475,592
1996 $3,989,163,197 $249,907,869
1995 $3,978,514,206 $224,865,731
1994 $3,666,503,530 $221,098,107
1993 $3,251,188,833 $133,122,897
1992 $3,429,521,699 $132,303,041
1991 $2,996,869,281 $125,597,205
1990 $2,789,921,854 $125,766,270
1989 $2,535,135,798 $122,888,610
1988 $2,495,094,746 $133,016,065
1987 $2,300,068,217 $111,713,922
1986 $1,809,048,527 $100,947,849
1985 $1,608,237,350 $95,572,173
1984 $1,951,260,038 $109,200,934
1983 $2,297,400,688 $111,862,824
1982 $2,118,710,248 $121,221,652
1981 $2,249,908,578 $118,190,655
1980 $2,421,990,338 $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/namibia/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Samoa by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $775 $2,323
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $777 $2,198
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $742 $2,166
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $744 $2,148
1989 $1,967 - $728 -
1988 $2,063 - $790 -
1987 $1,969 - $666 -
1986 $1,599 - $604 -
1985 $1,466 - $573 -
1984 $1,830 - $655 -
1983 $2,214 - $671 -
1982 $2,097 - $728 -
1981 $2,267 - $713 -
1980 $2,468 - $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/namibia/samoa | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Namibia Samoa
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$3,750
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
5.05%
2022
Population
3173089
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 37% 67.2% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 31.1% 41%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 30% 49.4%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 27.3% 49%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 35% 24.6% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 32% 15.9% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 30% 53.8%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 31% -
1996 30.4% 18.7% 38.9% -
1995 29.6% 18% 42.2% -
1994 28.7% 16.4% 54.1% -
1993 32.4% 17.2% 49.5% -
1992 32.8% 14.1% 43.4% -
1991 33% 11.8% - -
1990 30.2% 12.9% - -

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/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 61/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Samoa
2024 -3.59% 9.29%
2023 -3.14% 2.7%
2022 -6.33% 5.03%
2021 -8.68% 1.71%
2020 -8.07% 5.41%
2019 -5.49% 1.51%
2018 -5.09% 0.06%
2017 -4.99% -1.98%
2016 -9.3% -0.35%
2015 -8.3% -3.79%
2014 -6.44% -5.38%
2013 -4.69% -3.82%
2012 -3.1% -7.43%
2011 -7.09% -5.25%
2010 -4.98% -5.49%
2009 -0.4% -2.98%
2008 3.48% -0.36%
2007 6.01% 0.55%
2006 3.41% -0.44%
2005 -0.31% 0.23%
2004 -2.67% -0.74%
2003 -4.47% -0.51%
2002 -1.38% -1.77%
2001 -2.01% -1.96%
2000 -0.79% -0.62%
1999 -1.88% 0.27%
1998 -2.76% 1.64%
1997 -2.38% 1.92%
1996 -3.7% 1.21%
1995 -1.74% -5.82%
1994 -0.57% -9.51%
1993 -2.73% -13.2%
1992 -2.55% -9.89%
1991 -1.59% -
1990 1.08% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.23% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Samoa
2024 4.2% 2.17%
2023 5.9% 7.92%
2022 6.1% 11%
2021 3.6% 3.13%
2020 2.2% -1.57%
2019 3.7% 0.98%
2018 4.3% 4.2%
2017 6.1% 1.75%
2016 6.7% 1.3%
2015 3.4% 0.72%
2014 5.3% -0.41%
2013 5.6% 0.61%
2012 6.7% 2.05%
2011 5% 5.24%
2010 4.9% 0.78%
2009 9.5% 6.32%
2008 9.1% 11.6%
2007 6.5% 5.58%
2006 5% 3.7%
2005 2.3% 1.86%
2004 4.1% 16.3%
2003 7.2% 0.12%
2002 12.7% 8.05%
2001 10.2% 3.84%
2000 10.2% 0.97%
1999 9.4% 0.27%
1998 6.6% 2.22%
1997 9.7% 6.86%

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/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 2.17% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3K
Samoa
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Namibia Samoa
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

Namibia Samoa
Economic freedom 60.2 68
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 52/197
Property rights 63.1 77.1
Government integrity 51.5 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 77.6
Tax burden 66.4 79.3
Government spending 57.1 75.2
Fiscal health 60.5 98.7
Business freedom 58 63.7
Labor freedom 62.7 73.7
Monetary freedom 76.1 69.4
Trade freedom 69.8 67.2
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Samoa
2026 60.2 68
2025 58.7 66.6
2024 57.5 67.2
2023 57.7 68.3
2022 59.2 68.3
2021 62.6 61.9
2020 60.9 62.1
2019 58.7 62.2
2018 58.5 61.5
2017 62.5 58.4
2016 61.9 63.5
2015 59.6 61.9
2014 59.4 61.1
2013 60.3 57.1
2012 61.9 60.5
2011 62.7 60.6
2010 62.2 60.4
2009 62.4 59.5
2008 61.4 -
2007 63.5 -
2006 60.7 -
2005 61.4 -
2004 62.4 -
2003 67.3 -
2002 65.1 -
2001 64.8 63.1
2000 66.7 60.8
1999 66.1 58.7
1998 66.1 49.9
1997 61.6 51.5
1996 - 47.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Samoa
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2021, 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.