Skip to content

Economy of Nigeria vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 54/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Nigeria vs Poland GDP by year

Nigeria
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Poland
2024 $252,261,880,141 $917,767,106,147
2023 $487,387,801,881 $812,451,193,396
2022 $646,950,257,578 $695,607,470,875
2021 $609,147,716,973 $689,170,230,665
2020 $598,586,817,819 $605,914,237,904
2019 $668,219,992,691 $602,683,770,145
2018 $421,739,251,509 $594,616,687,350
2017 $375,745,731,053 $528,356,676,667
2016 $404,649,125,252 $473,259,583,970
2015 $493,026,682,801 $480,054,118,583
2014 $574,183,763,412 $542,134,167,179
2013 $520,117,180,314 $518,179,836,405
2012 $463,971,018,239 $498,148,649,703
2011 $414,466,676,831 $527,848,543,023
2010 $366,990,417,129 $478,111,630,684
2009 $295,008,835,381 $440,891,472,247
2008 $339,476,276,258 $535,612,030,672
2007 $278,260,846,800 $429,715,132,138
2006 $238,454,997,161 $345,897,630,736
2005 $175,670,569,969 $306,999,913,151
2004 $135,764,731,646 $256,268,656,145
2003 $104,738,954,264 $218,561,225,998
2002 $95,054,059,303 $199,694,463,256
2001 $73,557,840,064 $191,823,200,371
2000 $69,171,451,627 $172,953,527,033
1999 $59,145,077,039 $170,704,452,715
1998 $218,416,200,673 $175,282,269,667
1997 $200,850,397,618 $159,893,964,917
1996 $185,730,236,700 $160,813,026,223
1995 $140,919,776,986 $142,838,527,115
1994 $80,399,613,064 $110,803,635,288
1993 $56,721,051,402 $96,043,157,273
1992 $52,058,181,854 $94,337,050,693
1991 $59,526,833,412 $85,500,935,935
1990 $54,035,795,388 $65,977,748,211
1989 $44,003,061,108 -
1988 $49,648,470,440 -
1987 $52,676,041,931 -
1986 $54,805,852,581 -
1985 $73,745,821,158 -
1984 $73,484,359,521 -
1983 $97,094,911,792 -
1982 $142,769,363,314 -
1981 $164,475,209,516 -
1980 $64,201,788,123 -
1979 $47,259,911,894 -
1978 $36,527,862,209 -
1977 $36,035,407,725 -
1976 $36,308,883,249 -
1975 $27,778,934,625 -
1974 $24,846,641,318 -
1973 $15,162,871,287 -
1972 $12,274,416,018 -
1971 $9,181,769,912 -
1970 $12,546,094,982 -
1969 $6,634,317,346 -
1968 $5,200,997,920 -
1967 $5,203,237,919 -
1966 $6,366,917,453 -
1965 $5,874,537,650 -
1964 $5,552,931,319 -
1963 $5,165,590,254 -
1962 $4,909,399,176 -
1961 $4,467,287,893 -
1960 $4,196,174,502 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Poland by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $25,104 $51,263
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $22,145 $48,473
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $18,891 $46,778
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $18,636 $41,060
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $16,151 $37,089
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $15,875 $35,882
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $15,658 $32,345
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $13,913 $30,170
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $12,464 $28,360
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $12,638 $26,988
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $14,262 $25,460
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $13,622 $24,434
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $13,087 $23,728
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $962 $4,381 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $763 $4,015 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $712 $3,770 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $566 $3,309 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $547 $3,139 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $481 $3,002 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $745 $2,853 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $540 $2,921 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $509 $2,991 $2,459 $6,193
1991 $597 $2,870 $2,236 $5,925
1990 $556 $2,840 $1,731 $6,185
1989 $465 - - -
1988 $540 - - -
1987 $588 - - -
1986 $628 - - -
1985 $869 - - -
1984 $890 - - -
1983 $1,207 - - -
1982 $1,822 - - -
1981 $2,162 - - -
1980 $870 - - -
1979 $661 - - -
1978 $527 - - -
1977 $536 - - -
1976 $556 - - -
1975 $438 - - -
1974 $403 - - -
1973 $252.4 - - -
1972 $209.5 - - -
1971 $160.5 - - -
1970 $224.5 - - -
1969 $121.4 - - -
1968 $97.3 - - -
1967 $99.5 - - -
1966 $124.4 - - -
1965 $117.3 - - -
1964 $113.3 - - -
1963 $107.7 - - -
1962 $104.5 - - -
1961 $97.1 - - -
1960 $93.1 - - -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Poland
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$918B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
43/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
10
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
2.81%
2024
Population
243824469
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 49.4% 55.3%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 46.9% 49.5%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 43.2% 48.8%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 43.6% 53%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 47.7% 56.6%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 41% 48.2%
2017 8.51% 18% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 10% 13% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 46% 53.7%
2009 11% 6.12% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 44% 46.6%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 13% 25.2% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 42.5% 39.4%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 44% 38.7%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 46.1% 42.7%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 50.7% 43.2%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 47.5% 48.7%
1994 12.1% 39.7% - 64.3%
1993 20% 50.4% - 83.9%
1992 15.9% 49.8% - 81.9%
1991 13.6% 53.2% - 76.9%
1990 14.2% 50.9% - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 135/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Poland
2024 -1.57% -6.59%
2023 -3.12% -5.27%
2022 -4% -3.44%
2021 -3.97% -1.75%
2020 -4.03% -6.85%
2019 -3.31% -0.73%
2018 -3.06% -0.24%
2017 -3.85% -1.49%
2016 -3.3% -2.38%
2015 -2.7% -2.59%
2014 -1.72% -3.66%
2013 -1.89% -4.25%
2012 -0.09% -3.8%
2011 0.31% -4.97%
2010 -2.96% -7.43%
2009 -3.78% -7.24%
2008 4.05% -3.6%
2007 -0.79% -1.88%
2006 6.22% -3.53%
2005 3.49% -3.93%
2004 3.9% -4.99%
2003 -1.56% -6.02%
2002 0.95% -4.8%
2001 -2.29% -4.73%
2000 2.89% -4%
1999 -1.39% -2.3%
1998 -3.47% -4.25%
1997 1.14% -4.61%
1996 3.37% -4.84%
1995 2.52% -4.39%
1994 -2.96% -
1993 -6.07% -
1992 0.94% -
1991 -1.18% -
1990 -0.48% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $60.4B, or 6.59% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Poland
2024 33.2% 3.78%
2023 24.7% 11.5%
2022 18.8% 14.4%
2021 17% 5.06%
2020 13.2% 3.37%
2019 11.4% 2.23%
2018 12.1% 1.81%
2017 16.5% 2.08%
2016 15.7% -0.66%
2015 9.01% -0.87%
2014 8.05% 0.05%
2013 8.5% 0.99%
2012 12.2% 3.56%
2011 10.8% 4.24%
2010 13.7% 2.58%
2009 12.5% 3.8%
2008 11.6% 4.16%
2007 5.39% 2.46%
2006 8.23% 1.28%
2005 17.9% 2.18%
2004 15% 3.38%
2003 14% 0.68%
2002 12.9% 1.91%
2001 18.9% 5.41%
2000 6.93% 9.9%
1999 6.62% 7.15%
1998 10% 11.6%
1997 8.53% 14.9%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 4.39% in Poland. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $686M
Raw agricultural goods $7.45M
Metals $2.89M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $470K
Wood & paper products $390K
Chemicals & pharma $229K
Textiles & consumer goods $210K
Animal & marine products $62K
Poland
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $226M
Machinery & equipment $30.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.52M
Chemicals & pharma $8.38M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.21M
Animal & marine products $5.16M
Raw materials & minerals $2.7M
Wood & paper products $1.47M
Metals $1.21M
IT & IP services $1.14M

Balance of trade

Nigeria Poland
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$361B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Poland
Economic freedom 54.8 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 46/197
Property rights 29.7 71.8
Government integrity 23.5 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 62.5
Tax burden 84.6 72.7
Government spending 96.3 35.1
Fiscal health 83.5 74.8
Business freedom 50.3 77.5
Labor freedom 75.4 53.7
Monetary freedom 56.1 73.8
Trade freedom 64.4 79.4
Investment freedom 30 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Poland
2026 54.8 68.5
2025 53.4 67.1
2024 53.1 66
2023 53.9 67.7
2022 54.4 68.7
2021 58.7 69.7
2020 57.2 69.1
2019 57.3 67.8
2018 58.5 68.5
2017 57.1 68.3
2016 57.5 69.3
2015 55.6 68.6
2014 54.3 67
2013 55.1 66
2012 56.3 64.2
2011 56.7 64.1
2010 56.8 63.2
2009 55.1 60.3
2008 55.1 60.3
2007 55.6 58.1
2006 48.7 59.3
2005 48.4 59.6
2004 49.2 58.7
2003 49.5 61.8
2002 50.9 65
2001 49.6 61.8
2000 53.1 60
1999 55.7 59.6
1998 52.3 59.2
1997 52.8 56.8
1996 47.4 57.8
1995 47.3 50.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Poland
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
17.8%
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/nigeria/poland | 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 (1960–2024, 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.