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Economy of Nigeria vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 54/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Nigeria vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Nigeria
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 $252,261,880,141 $31,800,428,266
2023 $487,387,801,881 $30,816,367,067
2022 $646,950,257,578 $31,653,185,953
2021 $609,147,716,973 $26,109,413,521
2020 $598,586,817,819 $23,848,447,850
2019 $668,219,992,691 $24,750,626,030
2018 $421,739,251,509 $24,109,780,708
2017 $375,745,731,053 $22,742,699,138
2016 $404,649,125,252 $20,758,876,953
2015 $493,026,682,801 $21,723,437,010
2014 $574,183,763,412 $23,210,823,987
2013 $520,117,180,314 $21,261,338,065
2012 $463,971,018,239 $21,295,168,666
2011 $414,466,676,831 $17,985,138,066
2010 $366,990,417,129 $14,250,786,675
2009 $295,008,835,381 $11,619,456,449
2008 $339,476,276,258 $11,670,892,801
2007 $278,260,846,800 $9,545,028,944
2006 $238,454,997,161 $8,354,911,041
2005 $175,670,569,969 $4,865,892,972
2004 $135,764,731,646 $3,927,157,867
2003 $104,738,954,264 $3,536,411,824
2002 $95,054,059,303 $2,999,511,040
2001 $73,557,840,064 $3,081,024,212
2000 $69,171,451,627 $3,521,339,699
1999 $59,145,077,039 $3,477,038,204
1998 $218,416,200,673 $3,789,443,015
1997 $200,850,397,618 $4,936,615,299
1996 $185,730,236,700 $5,155,311,077
1995 $140,919,776,986 $4,636,057,476
1994 $80,399,613,064 $5,502,786,070
1993 $56,721,051,402 $4,974,550,286
1992 $52,058,181,854 $4,377,980,510
1991 $59,526,833,412 $3,787,394,958
1990 $54,035,795,388 $3,219,729,083
1989 $44,003,061,108 $3,546,472,566
1988 $49,648,470,440 $3,656,177,881
1987 $52,676,041,931 $3,143,851,794
1986 $54,805,852,581 $2,647,995,602
1985 $73,745,821,158 $2,423,339,172
1984 $73,484,359,521 $2,552,662,617
1983 $97,094,911,792 $2,562,351,551
1982 $142,769,363,314 $2,368,719,683
1981 $164,475,209,516 $2,498,190,847
1980 $64,201,788,123 $2,545,808,456
1979 $47,259,911,894 $2,293,760,511
1978 $36,527,862,209 $1,947,878,831
1977 $36,035,407,725 $1,640,746,619
1976 $36,308,883,249 $1,511,843,235
1975 $27,778,934,625 $1,356,603,608
1974 $24,846,641,318 $1,467,417,672
1973 $15,162,871,287 $1,299,079,410
1972 $12,274,416,018 $858,761,926
1971 $9,181,769,912 $717,750,278
1970 $12,546,094,982 $645,568,215
1969 $6,634,317,346 $551,263,864
1968 $5,200,997,920 $485,184,190
1967 $5,203,237,919 $441,728,183
1966 $6,366,917,453 $390,992,063
1965 $5,874,537,650 $344,176,055
1964 $5,552,931,319 $305,312,049
1963 $5,165,590,254 $275,968,044
1962 $4,909,399,176 $261,184,042
1961 $4,467,287,893 $244,832,039
1960 $4,196,174,502 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Papua New Guinea by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $744 $2,322
2004 $962 $4,381 $621 $2,187
2003 $763 $4,015 $577 $2,142
2002 $712 $3,770 $506 $2,125
2001 $566 $3,309 $538 $2,168
2000 $547 $3,139 $636 $2,196
1999 $481 $3,002 $650 $2,280
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $733 $2,285
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $990 $2,432
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $998 $2,436
1994 $745 $2,853 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $540 $2,921 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $509 $2,991 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $597 $2,870 $942 $1,869
1990 $556 $2,840 $826 $1,703
1989 $465 - $934 -
1988 $540 - $985 -
1987 $588 - $865 -
1986 $628 - $745 -
1985 $869 - $697 -
1984 $890 - $750 -
1983 $1,207 - $769 -
1982 $1,822 - $726 -
1981 $2,162 - $781 -
1980 $870 - $813 -
1979 $661 - $748 -
1978 $527 - $648 -
1977 $536 - $558 -
1976 $556 - $525 -
1975 $438 - $482 -
1974 $403 - $533 -
1973 $252.4 - $483 -
1972 $209.5 - $327 -
1971 $160.5 - $279.7 -
1970 $224.5 - $257.6 -
1969 $121.4 - $225.3 -
1968 $97.3 - $202.9 -
1967 $99.5 - $189 -
1966 $124.4 - $171.1 -
1965 $117.3 - $153.9 -
1964 $113.3 - $139.5 -
1963 $107.7 - $128.9 -
1962 $104.5 - $124.7 -
1961 $97.1 - $119.7 -
1960 $93.1 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
2.69%
2022
Population
243824469
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 22% 52.6%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 8.51% 18% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 10% 13% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 11% 6.12% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 18% 22.2%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 19.4% 26%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 13% 25.2% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 20% 45.7%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 20% 50.4% 23.5% 30%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 22.4% -
1990 14.2% 50.9% 24.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 135/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 -1.57% -3.23%
2023 -3.12% -4.34%
2022 -4% -5.25%
2021 -3.97% -6.84%
2020 -4.03% -8.85%
2019 -3.31% -4.98%
2018 -3.06% -2.58%
2017 -3.85% -2.47%
2016 -3.3% -4.75%
2015 -2.7% -4.55%
2014 -1.72% -6.27%
2013 -1.89% -6.87%
2012 -0.09% -1.19%
2011 0.31% 2.22%
2010 -2.96% 3.06%
2009 -3.78% -5.48%
2008 4.05% 2.73%
2007 -0.79% 6.9%
2006 6.22% 5.34%
2005 3.49% 2.85%
2004 3.9% 2.03%
2003 -1.56% 0.19%
2002 0.95% -1.75%
2001 -2.29% -1.33%
2000 2.89% 0.3%
1999 -1.39% -1.94%
1998 -3.47% -0.16%
1997 1.14% 0.67%
1996 3.37% 2.05%
1995 2.52% 1.08%
1994 -2.96% -1.01%
1993 -6.07% -4.9%
1992 0.94% -4.33%
1991 -1.18% -0.62%
1990 -0.48% -2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2024 33.2% 0.6%
2023 24.7% 2.3%
2022 18.8% 5.25%
2021 17% 4.48%
2020 13.2% 4.87%
2019 11.4% 3.93%
2018 12.1% 4.37%
2017 16.5% 5.42%
2016 15.7% 6.67%
2015 9.01% 6%
2014 8.05% 5.22%
2013 8.5% 4.96%
2012 12.2% 4.54%
2011 10.8% 4.44%
2010 13.7% 6.01%
2009 12.5% 6.92%
2008 11.6% 10.8%
2007 5.39% 0.91%
2006 8.23% 2.37%
2005 17.9% 1.78%
2004 15% 2.16%
2003 14% 14.7%
2002 12.9% 11.8%
2001 18.9% 9.3%
2000 6.93% 15.6%
1999 6.62% 14.9%
1998 10% 13.6%
1997 8.53% 3.96%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Balance of trade

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 54.8 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 134/197
Property rights 29.7 45
Government integrity 23.5 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 41.1
Tax burden 84.6 70.9
Government spending 96.3 86.1
Fiscal health 83.5 65.3
Business freedom 50.3 34.2
Labor freedom 75.4 65.1
Monetary freedom 56.1 77.4
Trade freedom 64.4 80.2
Investment freedom 30 25
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Papua New Guinea
2026 54.8 54.3
2025 53.4 52.5
2024 53.1 49.4
2023 53.9 51.7
2022 54.4 54.6
2021 58.7 58.9
2020 57.2 58.4
2019 57.3 58.4
2018 58.5 55.7
2017 57.1 50.9
2016 57.5 53.2
2015 55.6 53.1
2014 54.3 53.9
2013 55.1 53.6
2012 56.3 53.8
2011 56.7 52.6
2010 56.8 53.5
2009 55.1 54.8
2008 55.1 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 48.4 -
2004 49.2 -
2003 49.5 -
2002 50.9 -
2001 49.6 57.2
2000 53.1 55.8
1999 55.7 56.3
1998 52.3 55.2
1997 52.8 56.7
1996 47.4 58.6
1995 47.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.