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Economy of Nigeria vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 54/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Nigeria vs Pakistan GDP by year

Nigeria
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Pakistan
2024 $252,261,880,141 $371,570,000,121
2023 $487,387,801,881 $336,686,348,609
2022 $646,950,257,578 $374,890,295,667
2021 $609,147,716,973 $348,516,647,445
2020 $598,586,817,819 $300,425,609,818
2019 $668,219,992,691 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. 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
$252B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$52.1B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
6.96%
2025
Population
243824469
260356147

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
2024 12.3% 39.3% 19.5% 70.4%
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% 12.9% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 135/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Pakistan
2024 -1.57% -6.81%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.95B, equivalent to 1.57% of GDP. This compares to Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% 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
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $209M
Raw agricultural goods $108M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.5M
Metals $2.49M
Animal & marine products $100K
Machinery & equipment $88K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $21.2M
Machinery & equipment $11.1M
Raw materials & minerals $6.18M
Chemicals & pharma $6.08M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.47M
Weapons & explosives $819K
Miscellaneous $265K
Raw agricultural goods $195K
Wood & paper products $185K
Metals $48K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Pakistan
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
10.4%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
53.7%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
13.2%
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/nigeria/pakistan | 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 (1950–1993, 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 (2021–2024, 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.