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Economy of Nepal vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nepal has a GDP of $42.9B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 101/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nepal has $20.7B in government debt (48.3% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Nepal vs Qatar GDP by year

Nepal
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nepal Qatar
2024 $42,914,268,287 $219,162,637,363
2023 $41,047,772,331 $217,308,516,484
2022 $41,182,939,601 $235,709,340,659
2021 $36,924,841,394 $179,732,142,857
2020 $33,433,659,301 $144,411,538,462
2019 $34,186,180,699 $176,371,428,571
2018 $33,111,525,237 $183,335,164,835
2017 $28,971,588,940 $161,099,175,824
2016 $24,524,109,484 $151,732,142,857
2015 $24,360,801,287 $161,739,835,165
2014 $22,731,612,922 $206,224,725,275
2013 $22,162,204,925 $198,727,747,253
2012 $21,703,100,877 $186,833,516,484
2011 $21,573,872,421 $167,775,274,725
2010 $16,002,656,434 $123,627,197,802
2009 $12,854,985,464 $97,798,351,648
2008 $12,545,438,605 $115,270,054,945
2007 $10,325,618,017 $79,712,087,912
2006 $9,043,715,356 $60,882,142,857
2005 $8,130,258,378 $44,530,494,505
2004 $7,273,938,315 $31,734,065,934
2003 $6,330,473,097 $23,533,791,209
2002 $6,050,875,807 $19,363,736,264
2001 $6,007,055,042 $17,538,461,538
2000 $5,494,252,208 $17,759,890,110
1999 $5,033,642,384 $12,393,131,868
1998 $4,856,255,044 $10,255,495,027
1997 $4,918,691,917 $11,297,802,115
1996 $4,521,580,381 $9,059,340,385
1995 $4,401,104,418 $8,137,911,978
1994 $4,066,775,510 $7,374,450,769
1993 $3,660,041,667 $7,156,593,654
1992 $3,401,211,581 $7,646,153,984
1991 $3,921,476,085 $6,883,516,484
1990 $3,627,560,239 $7,360,439,423
1989 $3,525,225,787 $6,487,912,088
1988 $3,487,009,748 $6,038,187,033
1987 $2,957,255,380 $5,446,428,681
1986 $2,850,782,044 $5,053,021,951
1985 $2,619,913,956 $6,153,296,456
1984 $2,581,207,388 $6,704,395,824
1983 $2,447,174,803 $6,467,582,308
1982 $2,395,423,742 $7,596,703,214
1981 $2,275,583,317 $8,661,263,764
1980 $1,945,916,583 $7,829,165,262
1979 $1,851,250,008 $5,632,962,997
1978 $1,604,162,497 $4,052,000,413
1977 $1,382,400,000 $3,617,564,638
1976 $1,452,788,985 $3,284,273,987
1975 $1,575,789,254 $2,512,773,166
1974 $1,217,953,547 $2,401,403,227
1973 $972,101,725 $793,885,560
1972 $1,024,098,400 $510,262,500
1971 $882,765,472 $387,703,106
1970 $865,975,309 $301,791,302
1969 $788,641,965 -
1968 $772,231,387 -
1967 $841,974,025 -
1966 $906,811,944 -
1965 $735,267,082 -
1964 $496,098,775 -
1963 $496,947,904 -
1962 $574,091,101 -
1961 $531,959,562 -
1960 $508,334,414 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Nepal vs Qatar by year

Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nepal Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,447 $5,737 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $1,382 $5,395 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $1,386 $5,103 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $1,253 $4,546 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $1,154 $4,236 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $1,203 $4,261 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $1,179 $3,956 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $1,034 $3,605 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $877 $2,976 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $876 $2,957 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $821 $2,901 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $803 $2,658 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $788 $2,466 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $786 $2,248 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $585 $2,139 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $473 $2,029 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $465 $1,942 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $385 $1,809 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $340 $1,718 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $309 $1,628 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $279.6 $1,542 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $246.4 $1,453 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $238.9 $1,390 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $240.8 $1,388 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $223.8 $1,317 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $208.6 $1,234 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $205.1 $1,187 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $211.8 $1,162 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $198.8 $1,110 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $197.8 $1,058 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $187.3 $1,026 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $172.8 $952 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $165 $920 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $195.7 $889 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $185.8 $830 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $185 - $15,243 -
1988 $187.1 - $14,682 -
1987 $162 - $13,719 -
1986 $159.5 - $13,213 -
1985 $149.9 - $16,815 -
1984 $151.1 - $19,272 -
1983 $146.6 - $19,616 -
1982 $147 - $24,385 -
1981 $142.9 - $29,505 -
1980 $125.1 - $28,375 -
1979 $121.9 - $21,777 -
1978 $108.1 - $16,757 -
1977 $95.3 - $16,058 -
1976 $102.5 - $15,710 -
1975 $113.6 - $13,014 -
1974 $89.8 - $13,540 -
1973 $73.2 - $4,905 -
1972 $78.8 - $3,483 -
1971 $69.5 - $2,952 -
1970 $69.6 - $2,594 -
1969 $64.8 - - -
1968 $64.9 - - -
1967 $72.3 - - -
1966 $79.5 - - -
1965 $65.8 - - -
1964 $45.3 - - -
1963 $46.3 - - -
1962 $54.6 - - -
1961 $51.6 - - -
1960 $50.2 - - -

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

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

Nepal's GDP per capita is $1,447, ranking 164/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Nepal Qatar
Gross domestic product
$42.9B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
101/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
3.67%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,447
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
164/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,737
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
155/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$20.7B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.3%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$700
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
154/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,170
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2022
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.1%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.69%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2017
0.13%
2022
Population
29596762
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nepal
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nepal Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.1% 48.3% 26% 41.2%
2023 25.1% 47% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 26.1% 42.7% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 27.2% 43.3% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 28.5% 43.3% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 27.1% 34% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 28% 31.1% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 23.6% 25% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 19% 25% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 17.7% 25.7% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 16.6% 27.6% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 15.5% 31.9% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 16.8% 34.5% 31% 32.1%
2011 16.3% 32.4% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 16.5% 35.4% 32% 30.4%
2009 17% 39.5% 36.4% 36%
2008 13.4% 36.8% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 13.1% 37.9% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 11.2% 42.9% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 12% 45.1% 29% 19.1%
2004 11.8% 51.3% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 12% 53% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 13% 51.8% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 12.9% 50.8% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 11.4% 50.8% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 - - 42.4% 81.8%
1998 - - 55.1% 76.6%
1997 - - 47.6% 54.4%
1996 - - 55.2% 57.8%
1995 - - 52.2% 50.2%
1994 - - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 - - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 - - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 - - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 - - 50% 12.6%

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

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

In 2024, Nepal's government spending was $9.5B, accounting for 22.1% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.3% in Nepal and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 112/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nepal

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nepal Qatar
2024 -2.76% 0.69%
2023 -5.81% 5.56%
2022 -3.12% 10.4%
2021 -3.98% 0.24%
2020 -7.47% -2.13%
2019 -4.27% 1%
2018 -5.83% 2.26%
2017 -2.69% -6.82%
2016 1.2% -9.2%
2015 0.46% 18.4%
2014 1.36% 13.4%
2013 1.57% 19.3%
2012 -1.18% 8.55%
2011 -0.72% 5.24%
2010 -0.67% 4.6%
2009 -2.24% 14.1%
2008 -0.29% 9.49%
2007 -0.67% 10.3%
2006 0.24% 8.39%
2005 0.24% 9.8%
2004 -0.14% 17.7%
2003 -0.34% 6.71%
2002 -2.46% 7.89%
2001 -2.35% 4.48%
2000 -1.48% 4.62%
1999 - -4.35%
1998 - -7%
1997 - -9.4%
1996 - -8.73%
1995 - -5.78%
1994 - -11.8%
1993 - -9.53%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -2.57%
1990 - 3.23%

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

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

In 2024, Nepal's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.19B, equivalent to 2.76% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Nepal recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 3 years. On average, Nepal posted an annual deficit equal to 1.74% of GDP, compared to surplus of 6.6% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nepal

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nepal Qatar
2024 4.69% 1.27%
2023 7.12% 3.03%
2022 7.67% 5%
2021 4.13% 2.3%
2020 5.06% -2.54%
2019 5.57% -0.67%
2018 4.41% 0.26%
2017 2.78% 0.39%
2016 8.79% 2.68%
2015 7.87% 1.81%
2014 8.36% 3.35%
2013 9.04% 3.22%
2012 9.46% 2.32%
2011 9.23% 1.14%
2010 9.33% -2.43%
2009 11.1% -4.86%
2008 9.91% 15.1%
2007 2.27% 13.8%
2006 6.92% 11.8%
2005 6.84% 8.81%
2004 2.84% 6.8%
2003 5.71% 2.26%
2002 3.03% 0.24%
2001 2.69% 1.47%
2000 2.48% 1.65%
1999 7.45% 2.18%
1998 11.2% 2.95%
1997 4.01% 4.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Nepal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.43%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 4.69% in Nepal and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Nepal
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $203K
Textiles & consumer goods $182K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $91K
Chemicals & pharma $65K
Animal & marine products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.25M
Miscellaneous $1.02M
Precious metals & jewellery $35K
Machinery & equipment $21K

Balance of trade

Nepal Qatar
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
50/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$12.1B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$1.54B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$2.27B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$1.9B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Nepal Qatar
Economic freedom 52.9 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 144/197 37/197
Property rights 38.8 66.2
Government integrity 38.9 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 42.9 41.5
Tax burden 84.3 99.9
Government spending 82.1 79.9
Fiscal health 71 96.6
Business freedom 60.8 68
Labor freedom 48.2 58.5
Monetary freedom 69.4 76
Trade freedom 58.6 81.8
Investment freedom 10 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nepal
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nepal Qatar
2026 52.9 70.2
2025 52.5 70.2
2024 52.1 68.8
2023 51.4 68.6
2022 49.7 67.7
2021 50.7 72
2020 54.2 72.3
2019 53.8 72.6
2018 54.1 72.6
2017 55.1 73.1
2016 50.9 70.7
2015 51.3 70.8
2014 50.1 71.2
2013 50.4 71.3
2012 50.2 71.3
2011 50.1 70.5
2010 52.7 69
2009 53.2 65.8
2008 54.1 62.2
2007 54.4 62.9
2006 53.7 62.4
2005 51.4 63.5
2004 51.2 66.5
2003 51.5 65.9
2002 52.3 61.9
2001 51.6 60
2000 51.3 62
1999 53.1 62
1998 53.5 -
1997 53.6 -
1996 50.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nepal is 52.9, ranking 144/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nepal Qatar
Services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.4%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$43.7B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,830
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.5B
2023
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
74/177
2023
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$56.9M
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$56.9M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2022
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.4%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/nepal/qatar | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.