Skip to content

Economy of Nigeria vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nigeria has a GDP of $291B compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 50/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $103B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Nigeria vs Pakistan GDP by year

Nigeria
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Pakistan
2025 $290,794,361,542 $407,307,214,476
2024 $252,261,880,140 $371,747,087,751
2023 $487,387,801,878 $336,686,348,609
2022 $646,950,257,575 $374,890,295,667
2021 $609,147,716,965 $348,516,647,445
2020 $598,586,817,817 $300,425,609,818
2019 $668,219,992,687 $320,909,472,771
2018 $421,739,251,509 $356,128,166,705
2017 $375,745,731,053 $339,205,534,861
2016 $404,649,125,252 $313,630,000,130
2015 $493,026,682,801 $299,963,590,535
2014 $574,183,763,412 $271,390,474,858
2013 $520,117,180,314 $258,657,231,672
2012 $463,971,018,239 $250,106,966,105
2011 $414,466,676,831 $230,586,581,060
2010 $366,990,417,129 $196,709,621,850
2009 $295,008,835,381 $187,337,783,856
2008 $339,476,276,258 $202,203,748,584
2007 $278,260,846,800 $184,140,869,997
2006 $238,454,997,161 $161,871,385,506
2005 $175,670,569,969 $145,208,562,961
2004 $135,764,731,646 $132,216,048,339
2003 $104,738,954,264 $112,371,913,741
2002 $95,054,059,303 $97,923,302,809
2001 $73,557,840,064 $97,145,618,480
2000 $69,171,451,627 $99,484,802,345
1999 $59,145,077,039 $62,973,857,069
1998 $218,416,200,673 $62,191,955,814
1997 $200,850,397,618 $62,433,340,468
1996 $185,730,236,700 $63,320,170,084
1995 $140,919,776,986 $60,636,071,684
1994 $80,399,613,064 $52,293,470,813
1993 $56,721,051,402 $51,809,999,353
1992 $52,058,181,854 $48,884,671,947
1991 $59,526,833,412 $45,625,336,680
1990 $54,035,795,388 $40,010,423,970
1989 $44,003,061,108 $40,171,106,279
1988 $49,648,470,440 $38,472,742,808
1987 $52,676,041,931 $33,351,529,275
1986 $54,805,852,581 $31,899,070,056
1985 $73,745,821,158 $31,144,920,844
1984 $73,484,359,521 $31,151,825,467
1983 $97,094,911,792 $28,691,889,764
1982 $142,769,363,314 $30,725,971,564
1981 $164,475,209,516 $28,100,606,061
1980 $64,201,788,123 $23,654,444,444
1979 $47,259,911,894 $19,688,383,838
1978 $36,527,862,209 $17,811,515,152
1977 $36,035,407,725 $15,126,060,606
1976 $36,308,883,249 $13,168,080,808
1975 $27,778,934,625 $11,230,606,061
1974 $24,846,641,318 $8,899,191,919
1973 $15,162,871,287 $6,383,429,490
1972 $12,274,416,018 $9,415,016,360
1971 $9,181,769,912 $10,665,896,682
1970 $12,546,094,982 $10,027,509,450
1969 $6,634,317,346 $8,683,116,338
1968 $5,200,997,920 $8,041,999,160
1967 $5,203,237,919 $7,464,510,710
1966 $6,366,917,453 $6,561,108,778
1965 $5,874,537,650 $5,929,231,415
1964 $5,552,931,319 $5,204,955,901
1963 $5,165,590,254 $4,630,827,383
1962 $4,909,399,176 $4,310,163,797
1961 $4,467,287,893 $4,118,647,627
1960 $4,196,174,502 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Pakistan by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,224 - $1,596 -
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $987 $3,786
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $964 $3,777
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $998 $3,672
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $901 $3,515
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $828 $3,293
2004 $962 $4,381 $772 $3,048
2003 $763 $4,015 $672 $2,822
2002 $712 $3,770 $600 $2,688
2001 $566 $3,309 $610 $2,644
2000 $547 $3,139 $642 $2,565
1999 $481 $3,002 $418 $2,475
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $424 $2,419
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $438 $2,398
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $457 $2,401
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $451 $2,315
1994 $745 $2,853 $400 $2,224
1993 $540 $2,921 $408 $2,160
1992 $509 $2,991 $396 $2,132
1991 $597 $2,870 $380 $1,992
1990 $556 $2,840 $344 $1,895
1989 $465 - $358 -
1988 $540 - $354 -
1987 $588 - $317 -
1986 $628 - $314 -
1985 $869 - $317 -
1984 $890 - $327 -
1983 $1,207 - $311 -
1982 $1,822 - $345 -
1981 $2,162 - $328 -
1980 $870 - $287.4 -
1979 $661 - $249.2 -
1978 $527 - $233.4 -
1977 $536 - $204.7 -
1976 $556 - $183.9 -
1975 $438 - $161.7 -
1974 $403 - $132 -
1973 $252.4 - $97.5 -
1972 $209.5 - $148.1 -
1971 $160.5 - $172.5 -
1970 $224.5 - $166.7 -
1969 $121.4 - $148.5 -
1968 $97.3 - $141.6 -
1967 $99.5 - $135.2 -
1966 $124.4 - $122.2 -
1965 $117.3 - $113.6 -
1964 $113.3 - $102.5 -
1963 $107.7 - $93.7 -
1962 $104.5 - $89.5 -
1961 $97.1 - $87.8 -
1960 $93.1 - $82 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,224, ranking 172/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$291B
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
50/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
4.01%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,224
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
172/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$103B
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$434
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$768
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$86.9B
2025
$70.3B
2025
Number of billionaires
4
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
11.7%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
23%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
26.5%
2026
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
245016045
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 11.7% 35.5% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 12% 39.3% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 20% 77.3%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 8.51% 18% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 9.49% 15.8% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 10% 13% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 11% 6.12% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 18% 49.5%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 13% 47.9%
2004 13% 25.2% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 15% 52.5%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 14% 52.3%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 20% 50.4% 17% 57.9%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nigeria's government spending was $34.1B, accounting for 11.7% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Nigeria and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 143/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Pakistan
2025 -1.76% -5.37%
2024 -1.27% -6.79%
2023 -3.12% -7.76%
2022 -4% -7.84%
2021 -3.97% -6.04%
2020 -4.03% -7.03%
2019 -3.31% -7.79%
2018 -3.06% -5.67%
2017 -3.85% -5.17%
2016 -3.3% -3.92%
2015 -2.7% -4.74%
2014 -1.72% -4.37%
2013 -1.89% -7.48%
2012 -0.09% -7.74%
2011 0.31% -6.23%
2010 -2.96% -5.42%
2009 -3.78% -4.53%
2008 4.05% -5.94%
2007 -0.79% -4.23%
2006 6.22% -2.79%
2005 3.49% -2.29%
2004 3.9% -1.29%
2003 -1.56% -0.12%
2002 0.95% -2.64%
2001 -2.29% -2.45%
2000 2.89% -3.21%
1999 -1.39% -3.07%
1998 -3.47% -4.46%
1997 1.14% -3.87%
1996 3.37% -4.33%
1995 2.52% -3.9%
1994 -2.96% -3.63%
1993 -6.07% -5.53%
1992 0.94% -11.3%
1991 -1.18% -10.8%
1990 -0.48% -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/nigeria/pakistan | CC BY

In 2025, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.12B, equivalent to 1.76% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.32% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Pakistan
2025 23% 3.55%
2024 33.2% 12.6%
2023 24.7% 30.8%
2022 18.8% 19.9%
2021 17% 9.5%
2020 13.2% 9.74%
2019 11.4% 10.6%
2018 12.1% 5.08%
2017 16.5% 4.09%
2016 15.7% 3.77%
2015 9.01% 2.53%
2014 8.05% 7.19%
2013 8.5% 7.69%
2012 12.2% 9.68%
2011 10.8% 11.9%
2010 13.7% 12.9%
2009 12.5% 13.6%
2008 11.6% 20.3%
2007 5.39% 7.6%
2006 8.23% 7.92%
2005 17.9% 9.06%
2004 15% 7.44%
2003 14% 2.91%
2002 12.9% 3.29%
2001 18.9% 3.15%
2000 6.93% 4.37%
1999 6.62% 4.14%
1998 10% 6.23%
1997 8.53% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.7%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 23% in Nigeria and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $370M
Raw agricultural goods $100M
Textiles & consumer goods $8.94M
Metals $740K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $504K
Animal & marine products $304K
Chemicals & pharma $132K
Machinery & equipment $88K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $19.8M
Machinery & equipment $16.8M
Chemicals & pharma $11.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.38M
Raw materials & minerals $2.2M
Weapons & explosives $819K
Wood & paper products $402K
Raw agricultural goods $339K
Miscellaneous $200K
Metals $68K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Pakistan
Current account balance
$14B
2025
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2025
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2025
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$43B
2025
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$57.5B
2025
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$19.6B
2025
$12B
2025
Service exports
$5.06B
2025
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Pakistan
Economic freedom 54.8 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 168/197
Property rights 29.7 25.7
Government integrity 23.5 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 27.6
Tax burden 84.6 78.2
Government spending 96.3 88.5
Fiscal health 83.5 10.1
Business freedom 50.3 54.4
Labor freedom 75.4 51.7
Monetary freedom 56.1 54.1
Trade freedom 64.4 70.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Pakistan
2026 54.8 48.9
2025 53.4 49.1
2024 53.1 49.5
2023 53.9 49.4
2022 54.4 48.8
2021 58.7 51.7
2020 57.2 54.8
2019 57.3 55
2018 58.5 54.4
2017 57.1 52.8
2016 57.5 55.9
2015 55.6 55.6
2014 54.3 55.2
2013 55.1 55.1
2012 56.3 54.7
2011 56.7 55.1
2010 56.8 55.2
2009 55.1 57
2008 55.1 55.6
2007 55.6 57.2
2006 48.7 57.9
2005 48.4 53.3
2004 49.2 54.9
2003 49.5 55
2002 50.9 55.8
2001 49.6 56
2000 53.1 56.4
1999 55.7 53
1998 52.3 53.2
1997 52.8 56
1996 47.4 58.4
1995 47.3 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, 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

Nigeria Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
58.2%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.4%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$324B
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,230
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$46B
2025
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
52/177
2025
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82B
2025
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.61B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.46%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
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/nigeria/pakistan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (2023–2025, 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.