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Economy of Namibia vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 147/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Namibia vs Thailand GDP by year

Namibia
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Thailand
2024 $13,372,354,512 $526,517,658,842
2023 $12,408,271,449 $515,906,283,941
2022 $12,569,449,123 $495,644,697,588
2021 $12,402,486,184 $506,194,668,790
2020 $10,583,748,542 $500,461,898,480
2019 $12,541,928,303 $543,976,691,794
2018 $13,682,019,076 $506,754,208,404
2017 $12,895,153,371 $456,356,813,537
2016 $10,722,018,732 $413,366,349,748
2015 $11,335,161,084 $401,296,238,228
2014 $12,435,430,970 $407,339,040,198
2013 $12,043,307,277 $420,333,654,593
2012 $13,042,053,592 $397,558,325,279
2011 $12,523,359,441 $370,818,739,624
2010 $11,431,412,421 $341,104,766,329
2009 $8,938,847,189 $281,710,630,187
2008 $8,607,431,497 $291,382,982,431
2007 $8,839,536,476 $262,942,621,455
2006 $8,001,779,551 $221,758,296,022
2005 $7,248,374,838 $189,318,408,469
2004 $6,609,205,995 $172,895,685,155
2003 $4,926,439,384 $152,280,615,246
2002 $3,349,169,826 $134,300,904,400
2001 $3,557,341,215 $120,296,476,180
2000 $3,922,232,165 $126,392,224,254
1999 $3,868,551,730 $126,669,211,779
1998 $3,873,109,866 $113,675,596,788
1997 $4,154,989,950 $150,180,456,566
1996 $3,989,163,197 $183,035,237,429
1995 $3,978,514,206 $169,278,916,593
1994 $3,666,503,530 $146,683,778,959
1993 $3,251,188,833 $128,889,262,951
1992 $3,429,521,699 $111,452,746,518
1991 $2,996,869,281 $98,234,714,971
1990 $2,789,921,854 $85,343,190,719
1989 $2,535,135,798 $72,250,748,100
1988 $2,495,094,746 $61,667,253,471
1987 $2,300,068,217 $50,535,446,555
1986 $1,809,048,527 $43,096,773,981
1985 $1,608,237,350 $38,900,711,333
1984 $1,951,260,038 $41,797,647,776
1983 $2,297,400,688 $40,042,798,388
1982 $2,118,710,248 $36,589,772,404
1981 $2,249,908,578 $34,846,039,194
1980 $2,421,990,338 $32,353,514,989
1979 - $27,371,650,825
1978 - $24,006,566,637
1977 - $19,779,312,261
1976 - $16,985,208,648
1975 - $14,882,770,594
1974 - $13,702,998,512
1973 - $10,838,587,358
1972 - $8,177,873,151
1971 - $7,375,000,024
1970 - $7,086,538,438
1969 - $6,695,336,567
1968 - $6,081,009,428
1967 - $5,638,461,442
1966 - $5,279,230,817
1965 - $4,388,937,649
1964 - $3,889,129,942
1963 - $3,540,403,457
1962 - $3,308,912,797
1961 - $3,034,037,811
1960 - $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Thailand by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $1,967 - $1,342 -
1988 $2,063 - $1,164 -
1987 $1,969 - $970 -
1986 $1,599 - $842 -
1985 $1,466 - $774 -
1984 $1,830 - $847 -
1983 $2,214 - $827 -
1982 $2,097 - $770 -
1981 $2,267 - $748 -
1980 $2,468 - $709 -
1979 - - $612 -
1978 - - $548 -
1977 - - $462 -
1976 - - $405 -
1975 - - $364 -
1974 - - $343 -
1973 - - $278.3 -
1972 - - $215.6 -
1971 - - $199.7 -
1970 - - $197.1 -
1969 - - $191.4 -
1968 - - $178.8 -
1967 - - $170.7 -
1966 - - $164.5 -
1965 - - $140.9 -
1964 - - $128.6 -
1963 - - $120.7 -
1962 - - $116.2 -
1961 - - $109.7 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Namibia Thailand
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
0.78%
2024
Population
3173089
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 37% 67.2% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 35% 24.6% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 22% 39.8%
2009 32% 15.9% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 20% 36%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 18% 15.2%
1995 29.6% 18% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 16% 6.69%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 33% 11.8% 17% 14.1%
1990 30.2% 12.9% 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 61/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Thailand
2024 -3.59% -1.29%
2023 -3.14% -1.98%
2022 -6.33% -4.61%
2021 -8.68% -6.74%
2020 -8.07% -4.47%
2019 -5.49% 0.43%
2018 -5.09% 0.2%
2017 -4.99% -0.42%
2016 -9.3% 0.41%
2015 -8.3% 0.19%
2014 -6.44% -0.7%
2013 -4.69% 0.6%
2012 -3.1% -0.86%
2011 -7.09% 0.09%
2010 -4.98% -1.07%
2009 -0.4% -2.21%
2008 3.48% 0.8%
2007 6.01% 0.22%
2006 3.41% 1.87%
2005 -0.31% 2.17%
2004 -2.67% 1.11%
2003 -4.47% 1.98%
2002 -1.38% -6.72%
2001 -2.01% -1.77%
2000 -0.79% -1.79%
1999 -1.88% -9.02%
1998 -2.76% -6.29%
1997 -2.38% -1.68%
1996 -3.7% 2.75%
1995 -1.74% 3.05%
1994 -0.57% 2.78%
1993 -2.73% 6.67%
1992 -2.55% -0.18%
1991 -1.59% 1.6%
1990 1.08% 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.67% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Thailand
2024 4.2% 1.37%
2023 5.9% 8.48%
2022 6.1% -1.61%
2021 3.6% 1.23%
2020 2.2% -0.85%
2019 3.7% 0.71%
2018 4.3% 1.06%
2017 6.1% 0.67%
2016 6.7% 0.19%
2015 3.4% -0.9%
2014 5.3% 1.9%
2013 5.6% 2.18%
2012 6.7% 3.01%
2011 5% 3.81%
2010 4.9% 3.25%
2009 9.5% -0.85%
2008 9.1% 5.47%
2007 6.5% 2.24%
2006 5% 4.64%
2005 2.3% 4.54%
2004 4.1% 2.76%
2003 7.2% 1.8%
2002 12.7% 0.7%
2001 10.2% 1.63%
2000 10.2% 1.59%
1999 9.4% 0.28%
1998 6.6% 7.99%
1997 9.7% 5.63%

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/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $28.7M
Metals $4.1M
Animal & marine products $428K
Raw agricultural goods $33K
Precious metals & jewellery $31K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Machinery & equipment $14K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $34.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.3M
Metals $938K
Machinery & equipment $901K
Textiles & consumer goods $277K
Chemicals & pharma $197K
Raw agricultural goods $109K
Precious metals & jewellery $48K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

Namibia Thailand
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Thailand
Economic freedom 60.2 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 88/197
Property rights 63.1 41.8
Government integrity 51.5 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 35
Tax burden 66.4 80.8
Government spending 57.1 83.6
Fiscal health 60.5 81
Business freedom 58 69.9
Labor freedom 62.7 56.4
Monetary freedom 76.1 73.3
Trade freedom 69.8 70.2
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Thailand
2026 60.2 62.2
2025 58.7 60.6
2024 57.5 59
2023 57.7 60.6
2022 59.2 63.2
2021 62.6 69.7
2020 60.9 69.4
2019 58.7 68.3
2018 58.5 67.1
2017 62.5 66.2
2016 61.9 63.9
2015 59.6 62.4
2014 59.4 63.3
2013 60.3 64.1
2012 61.9 64.9
2011 62.7 64.7
2010 62.2 64.1
2009 62.4 63
2008 61.4 62.3
2007 63.5 63.5
2006 60.7 63.3
2005 61.4 62.5
2004 62.4 63.7
2003 67.3 65.8
2002 65.1 69.1
2001 64.8 68.9
2000 66.7 66.6
1999 66.1 66.9
1998 66.1 67.3
1997 61.6 66.1
1996 - 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Thailand
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.