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Economy of Nepal vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nepal has a GDP of $42.9B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 101/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nepal has $20.7B in government debt (48.3% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Nepal vs United States GDP by year

Nepal
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nepal United States
2024 $42,914,268,287 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $41,047,772,331 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $41,182,939,601 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $36,924,841,394 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $33,433,659,301 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $34,186,180,699 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $33,111,525,237 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $28,971,588,940 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $24,524,109,484 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $24,360,801,287 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $22,731,612,922 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $22,162,204,925 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $21,703,100,877 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $21,573,872,421 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $16,002,656,434 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $12,854,985,464 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $12,545,438,605 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $10,325,618,017 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $9,043,715,356 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $8,130,258,378 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $7,273,938,315 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $6,330,473,097 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $6,050,875,807 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $6,007,055,042 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $5,494,252,208 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $5,033,642,384 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $4,856,255,044 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $4,918,691,917 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $4,521,580,381 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $4,401,104,418 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $4,066,775,510 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $3,660,041,667 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $3,401,211,581 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $3,921,476,085 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $3,627,560,239 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $3,525,225,787 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $3,487,009,748 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $2,957,255,380 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $2,850,782,044 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $2,619,913,956 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $2,581,207,388 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $2,447,174,803 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $2,395,423,742 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $2,275,583,317 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $1,945,916,583 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $1,851,250,008 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $1,604,162,497 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $1,382,400,000 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $1,452,788,985 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $1,575,789,254 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $1,217,953,547 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $972,101,725 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $1,024,098,400 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $882,765,472 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $865,975,309 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $788,641,965 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $772,231,387 $940,225,000,000
1967 $841,974,025 $859,620,034,483
1966 $906,811,944 $813,032,758,621
1965 $735,267,082 $741,904,862,069
1964 $496,098,775 $684,144,620,690
1963 $496,947,904 $637,058,551,724
1962 $574,091,101 $603,639,413,793
1961 $531,959,562 $561,940,310,345
1960 $508,334,414 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nepal vs United States by year

Nepal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nepal United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,447 $5,737 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $1,382 $5,395 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $1,386 $5,103 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $1,253 $4,546 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $1,154 $4,236 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $1,203 $4,261 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $1,179 $3,956 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $1,034 $3,605 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $877 $2,976 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $876 $2,957 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $821 $2,901 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $803 $2,658 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $788 $2,466 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $786 $2,248 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $585 $2,139 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $473 $2,029 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $465 $1,942 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $385 $1,809 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $340 $1,718 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $309 $1,628 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $279.6 $1,542 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $246.4 $1,453 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $238.9 $1,390 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $240.8 $1,388 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $223.8 $1,317 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $208.6 $1,234 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $205.1 $1,187 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $211.8 $1,162 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $198.8 $1,110 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $197.8 $1,058 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $187.3 $1,026 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $172.8 $952 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $165 $920 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $195.7 $889 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $185.8 $830 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $185 - $22,857 -
1988 $187.1 - $21,417 -
1987 $162 - $20,039 -
1986 $159.5 - $19,071 -
1985 $149.9 - $18,237 -
1984 $151.1 - $17,121 -
1983 $146.6 - $15,544 -
1982 $147 - $14,434 -
1981 $142.9 - $13,976 -
1980 $125.1 - $12,613 -
1979 $121.9 - $11,674 -
1978 $108.1 - $10,565 -
1977 $95.3 - $9,453 -
1976 $102.5 - $8,592 -
1975 $113.6 - $7,801 -
1974 $89.8 - $7,226 -
1973 $73.2 - $6,726 -
1972 $78.8 - $6,094 -
1971 $69.5 - $5,609 -
1970 $69.6 - $5,234 -
1969 $64.8 - $5,020 -
1968 $64.9 - $4,685 -
1967 $72.3 - $4,326 -
1966 $79.5 - $4,136 -
1965 $65.8 - $3,818 -
1964 $45.3 - $3,565 -
1963 $46.3 - $3,366 -
1962 $54.6 - $3,236 -
1961 $51.6 - $3,059 -
1960 $50.2 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/united-states | CC BY

Nepal's GDP per capita is $1,447, ranking 164/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nepal ranks 155th at $5,737, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Nepal United States
Gross domestic product
$42.9B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
101/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
3.67%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,447
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
164/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,737
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
155/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$20.7B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.3%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$700
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
154/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,170
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires
2
2025
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2022
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.1%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.69%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2017
4.02%
2024
Population
29596762
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nepal
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nepal United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.1% 48.3% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 25.1% 47% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 26.1% 42.7% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 27.2% 43.3% 43.2% 125%
2020 28.5% 43.3% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 27.1% 34% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 28% 31.1% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 23.6% 25% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 19% 25% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 17.7% 25.7% 35% 105.4%
2014 16.6% 27.6% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 15.5% 31.9% 35.8% 105%
2012 16.8% 34.5% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 16.3% 32.4% 38.8% 100%
2010 16.5% 35.4% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 17% 39.5% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 13.4% 36.8% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 13.1% 37.9% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 11.2% 42.9% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 12% 45.1% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 11.8% 51.3% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 12% 53% 34% 59%
2002 13% 51.8% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 12.9% 50.8% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 11.4% 50.8% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 - - 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Nepal's government spending was $9.5B, accounting for 22.1% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.3% in Nepal and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 112/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nepal

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nepal United States
2024 -2.76% -8.03%
2023 -5.81% -7.8%
2022 -3.12% -3.72%
2021 -3.98% -11.4%
2020 -7.47% -14.1%
2019 -4.27% -5.81%
2018 -5.83% -5.33%
2017 -2.69% -4.79%
2016 1.2% -4.36%
2015 0.46% -3.53%
2014 1.36% -4.03%
2013 1.57% -4.56%
2012 -1.18% -8.11%
2011 -0.72% -9.72%
2010 -0.67% -11%
2009 -2.24% -13.2%
2008 -0.29% -6.61%
2007 -0.67% -2.91%
2006 0.24% -2.04%
2005 0.24% -3.07%
2004 -0.14% -4.24%
2003 -0.34% -4.77%
2002 -2.46% -3.82%
2001 -2.35% -0.54%
2000 -1.48% 3.62%
1999 - 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Nepal recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Nepal posted an annual deficit equal to 1.74% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.76% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nepal

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nepal United States
2024 4.69% 2.95%
2023 7.12% 4.12%
2022 7.67% 8%
2021 4.13% 4.7%
2020 5.06% 1.23%
2019 5.57% 1.81%
2018 4.41% 2.44%
2017 2.78% 2.13%
2016 8.79% 1.26%
2015 7.87% 0.12%
2014 8.36% 1.62%
2013 9.04% 1.46%
2012 9.46% 2.07%
2011 9.23% 3.16%
2010 9.33% 1.64%
2009 11.1% -0.36%
2008 9.91% 3.84%
2007 2.27% 2.85%
2006 6.92% 3.23%
2005 6.84% 3.39%
2004 2.84% 2.68%
2003 5.71% 2.27%
2002 3.03% 1.59%
2001 2.69% 2.83%
2000 2.48% 3.38%
1999 7.45% 2.19%
1998 11.2% 1.55%
1997 4.01% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nepal has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.43%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 4.69% in Nepal and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Nepal
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $106M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.4M
Precious metals & jewellery $8.33M
Wood & paper products $3.35M
Chemicals & pharma $2.47M
Metals $1.26M
Raw agricultural goods $895K
Animal & marine products $823K
Machinery & equipment $316K
Weapons & explosives $35K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $44.3M
Machinery & equipment $38.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.9M
Miscellaneous $9.28M
Chemicals & pharma $7.26M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.85M
Weapons & explosives $4.77M
Wood & paper products $1.77M
Animal & marine products $1.22M
Raw materials & minerals $440K

Balance of trade

Nepal United States
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
50/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.91%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$12.1B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$1.54B
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$2.27B
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$1.9B
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
7.62%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nepal United States
Economic freedom 52.9 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 144/197 27/197
Property rights 38.8 91.6
Government integrity 38.9 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 42.9 76.4
Tax burden 84.3 75.3
Government spending 82.1 57.9
Fiscal health 71 18.5
Business freedom 60.8 88.6
Labor freedom 48.2 76.3
Monetary freedom 69.4 84.2
Trade freedom 58.6 67.6
Investment freedom 10 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nepal
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nepal United States
2026 52.9 72.8
2025 52.5 70.2
2024 52.1 70.1
2023 51.4 70.6
2022 49.7 72.1
2021 50.7 74.8
2020 54.2 76.6
2019 53.8 76.8
2018 54.1 75.7
2017 55.1 75.1
2016 50.9 75.4
2015 51.3 76.2
2014 50.1 75.5
2013 50.4 76
2012 50.2 76.3
2011 50.1 77.8
2010 52.7 78
2009 53.2 80.7
2008 54.1 81
2007 54.4 81.2
2006 53.7 81.2
2005 51.4 79.9
2004 51.2 78.7
2003 51.5 78.2
2002 52.3 78.4
2001 51.6 79.1
2000 51.3 76.4
1999 53.1 75.5
1998 53.5 75.4
1997 53.6 75.6
1996 50.3 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nepal/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nepal is 52.9, ranking 144/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nepal United States
Services, % of GDP
55.2%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.4%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.9%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$43.7B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,830
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$12.5B
2023
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
74/177
2023
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$56.9M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$56.9M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2022
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.4%
2024
21.8%
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/nepal/united-states | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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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.