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Economy of Nepal vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nepal has a GDP of $45.5B compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 102/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nepal has $21.9B in government debt (48.1% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Nepal vs Pakistan GDP by year

Nepal
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nepal Pakistan
2025 $45,489,810,283 $407,307,214,476
2024 $43,298,911,700 $371,747,087,751
2023 $41,049,329,851 $336,686,348,609
2022 $41,182,939,520 $374,890,295,667
2021 $36,924,841,394 $348,516,647,445
2020 $33,433,659,301 $300,425,609,818
2019 $34,186,180,699 $320,909,472,771
2018 $33,111,525,237 $356,128,166,705
2017 $28,971,588,940 $339,205,534,861
2016 $24,524,109,484 $313,630,000,130
2015 $24,360,801,287 $299,963,590,535
2014 $22,731,612,922 $271,390,474,858
2013 $22,162,204,925 $258,657,231,672
2012 $21,703,100,877 $250,106,966,105
2011 $21,573,872,421 $230,586,581,060
2010 $16,002,656,434 $196,709,621,850
2009 $12,854,985,464 $187,337,783,856
2008 $12,545,438,605 $202,203,748,584
2007 $10,325,618,017 $184,140,869,997
2006 $9,043,715,356 $161,871,385,506
2005 $8,130,258,378 $145,208,562,961
2004 $7,273,938,315 $132,216,048,339
2003 $6,330,473,097 $112,371,913,741
2002 $6,050,875,807 $97,923,302,809
2001 $6,007,055,042 $97,145,618,480
2000 $5,494,252,208 $99,484,802,345
1999 $5,033,642,384 $62,973,857,069
1998 $4,856,255,044 $62,191,955,814
1997 $4,918,691,917 $62,433,340,468
1996 $4,521,580,381 $63,320,170,084
1995 $4,401,104,418 $60,636,071,684
1994 $4,066,775,510 $52,293,470,813
1993 $3,660,041,667 $51,809,999,353
1992 $3,401,211,581 $48,884,671,947
1991 $3,921,476,085 $45,625,336,680
1990 $3,627,560,239 $40,010,423,970
1989 $3,525,225,787 $40,171,106,279
1988 $3,487,009,748 $38,472,742,808
1987 $2,957,255,380 $33,351,529,275
1986 $2,850,782,044 $31,899,070,056
1985 $2,619,913,956 $31,144,920,844
1984 $2,581,207,388 $31,151,825,467
1983 $2,447,174,803 $28,691,889,764
1982 $2,395,423,742 $30,725,971,564
1981 $2,275,583,317 $28,100,606,061
1980 $1,945,916,583 $23,654,444,444
1979 $1,851,250,008 $19,688,383,838
1978 $1,604,162,497 $17,811,515,152
1977 $1,382,400,000 $15,126,060,606
1976 $1,452,788,985 $13,168,080,808
1975 $1,575,789,254 $11,230,606,061
1974 $1,217,953,547 $8,899,191,919
1973 $972,101,725 $6,383,429,490
1972 $1,024,098,400 $9,415,016,360
1971 $882,765,472 $10,665,896,682
1970 $865,975,309 $10,027,509,450
1969 $788,641,965 $8,683,116,338
1968 $772,231,387 $8,041,999,160
1967 $841,974,025 $7,464,510,710
1966 $906,811,944 $6,561,108,778
1965 $735,267,082 $5,929,231,415
1964 $496,098,775 $5,204,955,901
1963 $496,947,904 $4,630,827,383
1962 $574,091,101 $4,310,163,797
1961 $531,959,562 $4,118,647,627
1960 $508,334,414 $3,749,265,015

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/pakistan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nepal vs Pakistan by year

Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nepal Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,536 - $1,596 -
2024 $1,460 $5,737 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $1,382 $5,395 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $1,386 $5,103 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $1,253 $4,546 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $1,154 $4,236 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $1,203 $4,261 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $1,179 $3,956 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $1,034 $3,605 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $877 $2,976 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $876 $2,957 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $821 $2,901 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $803 $2,658 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $788 $2,466 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $786 $2,248 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $585 $2,139 $987 $3,786
2009 $473 $2,029 $964 $3,777
2008 $465 $1,942 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $385 $1,809 $998 $3,672
2006 $340 $1,718 $901 $3,515
2005 $309 $1,628 $828 $3,293
2004 $279.6 $1,542 $772 $3,048
2003 $246.4 $1,453 $672 $2,822
2002 $238.9 $1,390 $600 $2,688
2001 $240.8 $1,388 $610 $2,644
2000 $223.8 $1,317 $642 $2,565
1999 $208.6 $1,234 $418 $2,475
1998 $205.1 $1,187 $424 $2,419
1997 $211.8 $1,162 $438 $2,398
1996 $198.8 $1,110 $457 $2,401
1995 $197.8 $1,058 $451 $2,315
1994 $187.3 $1,026 $400 $2,224
1993 $172.8 $952 $408 $2,160
1992 $165 $920 $396 $2,132
1991 $195.7 $889 $380 $1,992
1990 $185.8 $830 $344 $1,895
1989 $185 - $358 -
1988 $187.1 - $354 -
1987 $162 - $317 -
1986 $159.5 - $314 -
1985 $149.9 - $317 -
1984 $151.1 - $327 -
1983 $146.6 - $311 -
1982 $147 - $345 -
1981 $142.9 - $328 -
1980 $125.1 - $287.4 -
1979 $121.9 - $249.2 -
1978 $108.1 - $233.4 -
1977 $95.3 - $204.7 -
1976 $102.5 - $183.9 -
1975 $113.6 - $161.7 -
1974 $89.8 - $132 -
1973 $73.2 - $97.5 -
1972 $78.8 - $148.1 -
1971 $69.5 - $172.5 -
1970 $69.6 - $166.7 -
1969 $64.8 - $148.5 -
1968 $64.9 - $141.6 -
1967 $72.3 - $135.2 -
1966 $79.5 - $122.2 -
1965 $65.8 - $113.6 -
1964 $45.3 - $102.5 -
1963 $46.3 - $93.7 -
1962 $54.6 - $89.5 -
1961 $51.6 - $87.8 -
1960 $50.2 - $82 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/pakistan | CC BY

Nepal's GDP per capita is $1,536, ranking 165/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Nepal Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$45.5B
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
102/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
4.43%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,536
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
165/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,737
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
155/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$21.9B
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.1%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$740
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
154/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,743
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.3B
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2022
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.8%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.65%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2017
6.96%
2025
Population
29619950
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nepal
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nepal Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.8% 48.1% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 21.8% 48.3% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 25.1% 47% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 26.1% 42.7% 20% 77.3%
2021 27.2% 43.3% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 28.5% 43.3% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 27.1% 34% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 28% 31.1% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 23.6% 25% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 19% 25% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 17.7% 25.7% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 16.6% 27.6% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 15.5% 31.9% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 16.8% 34.5% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 16.3% 32.4% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 16.5% 35.4% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 17% 39.5% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 13.4% 36.8% 18% 49.5%
2007 13.1% 37.9% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 11.2% 42.9% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 12% 45.1% 13% 47.9%
2004 11.8% 51.3% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 12% 53% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 13% 51.8% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 12.9% 50.8% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 11.4% 50.8% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 - - 13.2% 60.7%
1998 - - 14.1% 53.8%
1997 - - 13.7% 52.8%
1996 - - 15% 52.5%
1995 - - 14% 52.3%
1994 - - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 - - 17% 57.9%
1992 - - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 - - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 - - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/pakistan | CC BY

In 2025, Nepal's government spending was $9.93B, accounting for 21.8% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.1% in Nepal and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 110/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nepal

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nepal Pakistan
2025 -1.86% -5.37%
2024 -2.46% -6.79%
2023 -5.81% -7.76%
2022 -3.12% -7.84%
2021 -3.98% -6.04%
2020 -7.47% -7.03%
2019 -4.27% -7.79%
2018 -5.83% -5.67%
2017 -2.69% -5.17%
2016 1.2% -3.92%
2015 0.46% -4.74%
2014 1.36% -4.37%
2013 1.57% -7.48%
2012 -1.18% -7.74%
2011 -0.72% -6.23%
2010 -0.67% -5.42%
2009 -2.24% -4.53%
2008 -0.29% -5.94%
2007 -0.67% -4.23%
2006 0.24% -2.79%
2005 0.24% -2.29%
2004 -0.14% -1.29%
2003 -0.34% -0.12%
2002 -2.46% -2.64%
2001 -2.35% -2.45%
2000 -1.48% -3.21%
1999 - -3.07%
1998 - -4.46%
1997 - -3.87%
1996 - -4.33%
1995 - -3.9%
1994 - -3.63%
1993 - -5.53%
1992 - -11.3%
1991 - -10.8%
1990 - -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/pakistan | CC BY

In 2025, Nepal's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $845M, equivalent to 1.86% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Nepal recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Nepal posted an annual deficit equal to 1.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.96% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nepal

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nepal Pakistan
2025 2.65% 3.55%
2024 4.69% 12.6%
2023 7.12% 30.8%
2022 7.67% 19.9%
2021 4.13% 9.5%
2020 5.06% 9.74%
2019 5.57% 10.6%
2018 4.41% 5.08%
2017 2.78% 4.09%
2016 8.79% 3.77%
2015 7.87% 2.53%
2014 8.36% 7.19%
2013 9.04% 7.69%
2012 9.46% 9.68%
2011 9.23% 11.9%
2010 9.33% 12.9%
2009 11.1% 13.6%
2008 9.91% 20.3%
2007 2.27% 7.6%
2006 6.92% 7.92%
2005 6.84% 9.06%
2004 2.84% 7.44%
2003 5.71% 2.91%
2002 3.03% 3.29%
2001 2.69% 3.15%
2000 2.48% 4.37%
1999 7.45% 4.14%
1998 11.2% 6.23%
1997 4.01% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/pakistan | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Nepal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.3%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 2.65% in Nepal and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Nepal
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $491K
Machinery & equipment $274K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $127K
Textiles & consumer goods $61K
Chemicals & pharma $39K
Metals $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.06M
Machinery & equipment $1.01M
Chemicals & pharma $222K
Textiles & consumer goods $220K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $135K
Raw materials & minerals $42K
Miscellaneous $20K
Animal & marine products $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K

Balance of trade

Nepal Pakistan
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
47/190
2024
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.88%
2024
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$12.1B
2024
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$1.54B
2024
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$2.27B
2024
$12B
2025
Service exports
$1.9B
2024
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.7%
2025
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.83%
2025
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nepal Pakistan
Economic freedom 52.9 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 144/197 168/197
Property rights 38.8 25.7
Government integrity 38.9 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 42.9 27.6
Tax burden 84.3 78.2
Government spending 82.1 88.5
Fiscal health 71 10.1
Business freedom 60.8 54.4
Labor freedom 48.2 51.7
Monetary freedom 69.4 54.1
Trade freedom 58.6 70.4
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nepal
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nepal Pakistan
2026 52.9 48.9
2025 52.5 49.1
2024 52.1 49.5
2023 51.4 49.4
2022 49.7 48.8
2021 50.7 51.7
2020 54.2 54.8
2019 53.8 55
2018 54.1 54.4
2017 55.1 52.8
2016 50.9 55.9
2015 51.3 55.6
2014 50.1 55.2
2013 50.4 55.1
2012 50.2 54.7
2011 50.1 55.1
2010 52.7 55.2
2009 53.2 57
2008 54.1 55.6
2007 54.4 57.2
2006 53.7 57.9
2005 51.4 53.3
2004 51.2 54.9
2003 51.5 55
2002 52.3 55.8
2001 51.6 56
2000 51.3 56.4
1999 53.1 53
1998 53.5 53.2
1997 53.6 56
1996 50.3 58.4
1995 - 57.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/pakistan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nepal is 52.9, ranking 144/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nepal Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
54.4%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
12.1%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$46.5B
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,250
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$21.1B
2025
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
65/177
2025
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$56.9M
2024
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$56.9M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2022
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.4%
2025
14.3%
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/nepal/pakistan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.