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Economy of Nigeria vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 54/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Nigeria vs Rwanda GDP by year

Nigeria
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Rwanda
2024 $252,261,880,141 $14,251,642,235
2023 $487,387,801,881 $14,331,722,703
2022 $646,950,257,578 $13,316,161,002
2021 $609,147,716,973 $11,078,787,090
2020 $598,586,817,819 $10,174,386,857
2019 $668,219,992,691 $10,349,300,277
2018 $421,739,251,509 $9,637,904,521
2017 $375,745,731,053 $9,252,833,891
2016 $404,649,125,252 $8,695,272,058
2015 $493,026,682,801 $8,543,760,200
2014 $574,183,763,412 $8,238,966,124
2013 $520,117,180,314 $7,819,964,030
2012 $463,971,018,239 $7,654,761,050
2011 $414,466,676,831 $6,884,913,658
2010 $366,990,417,129 $6,124,756,654
2009 $295,008,835,381 $5,674,476,969
2008 $339,476,276,258 $5,179,854,065
2007 $278,260,846,800 $4,070,507,895
2006 $238,454,997,161 $3,319,784,539
2005 $175,670,569,969 $2,933,819,766
2004 $135,764,731,646 $2,376,496,067
2003 $104,738,954,264 $2,138,237,279
2002 $95,054,059,303 $1,966,003,468
2001 $73,557,840,064 $1,966,600,715
2000 $69,171,451,627 $2,068,836,754
1999 $59,145,077,039 $2,157,108,263
1998 $218,416,200,673 $1,989,343,546
1997 $200,850,397,618 $1,851,558,197
1996 $185,730,236,700 $1,382,334,879
1995 $140,919,776,986 $1,293,535,193
1994 $80,399,613,064 $753,636,370
1993 $56,721,051,402 $1,971,525,712
1992 $52,058,181,854 $2,029,026,962
1991 $59,526,833,412 $1,911,600,237
1990 $54,035,795,388 $2,550,185,679
1989 $44,003,061,108 $2,405,022,593
1988 $49,648,470,440 $2,395,492,687
1987 $52,676,041,931 $2,157,432,668
1986 $54,805,852,581 $1,944,710,684
1985 $73,745,821,158 $1,715,626,331
1984 $73,484,359,521 $1,587,413,084
1983 $97,094,911,792 $1,479,687,587
1982 $142,769,363,314 $1,407,243,139
1981 $164,475,209,516 $1,407,062,527
1980 $64,201,788,123 $1,254,765,642
1979 $47,259,911,894 $1,109,346,131
1978 $36,527,862,209 $905,709,076
1977 $36,035,407,725 $746,650,613
1976 $36,308,883,249 $637,753,853
1975 $27,778,934,625 $571,863,500
1974 $24,846,641,318 $308,458,423
1973 $15,162,871,287 $290,746,157
1972 $12,274,416,018 $246,457,838
1971 $9,181,769,912 $222,952,504
1970 $12,546,094,982 $219,900,006
1969 $6,634,317,346 $188,700,037
1968 $5,200,997,920 $172,200,018
1967 $5,203,237,919 $159,560,018
1966 $6,366,917,453 $124,525,703
1965 $5,874,537,650 $148,799,980
1964 $5,552,931,319 $129,999,994
1963 $5,165,590,254 $128,000,000
1962 $4,909,399,176 $125,000,008
1961 $4,467,287,893 $122,000,016
1960 $4,196,174,502 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Rwanda by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $975 $3,099
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $830 $2,733
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $779 $2,285
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $810 $2,336
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $772 $2,125
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $758 $1,968
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $730 $1,866
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $734 $1,781
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $725 $1,678
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $705 $1,512
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $707 $1,455
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $651 $1,413
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $594 $1,314
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $564 $1,241
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $528 $1,191
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $426 $1,079
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $357 $1,002
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $324 $914
2004 $962 $4,381 $269.5 $832
2003 $763 $4,015 $249 $775
2002 $712 $3,770 $234 $760
2001 $566 $3,309 $237.3 $670
2000 $547 $3,139 $251.9 $609
1999 $481 $3,002 $264.7 $554
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $246.2 $528
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $238.7 $500
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $206 $499
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $228 $514
1994 $745 $2,853 $111 $311
1993 $540 $2,921 $247 $521
1992 $509 $2,991 $264.1 $575
1991 $597 $2,870 $254 $542
1990 $556 $2,840 $346 $549
1989 $465 - $335 -
1988 $540 - $344 -
1987 $588 - $320 -
1986 $628 - $297.7 -
1985 $869 - $271.6 -
1984 $890 - $259.9 -
1983 $1,207 - $250.6 -
1982 $1,822 - $246.4 -
1981 $2,162 - $254.6 -
1980 $870 - $234.4 -
1979 $661 - $213.8 -
1978 $527 - $179.9 -
1977 $536 - $152.7 -
1976 $556 - $134.4 -
1975 $438 - $124.1 -
1974 $403 - $68.9 -
1973 $252.4 - $66.9 -
1972 $209.5 - $58.4 -
1971 $160.5 - $54.4 -
1970 $224.5 - $55.2 -
1969 $121.4 - $48.9 -
1968 $97.3 - $46 -
1967 $99.5 - $44 -
1966 $124.4 - $35.4 -
1965 $117.3 - $43.5 -
1964 $113.3 - $39 -
1963 $107.7 - $39.3 -
1962 $104.5 - $39.2 -
1961 $97.1 - $39.3 -
1960 $93.1 - $39.4 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
11.3%
2024
Population
243824469
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 27% 63.4%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 8.51% 18% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 10% 13% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 11% 6.12% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 13% 25.2% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 20.5% 92%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 19.1% 84%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 18.2% 86%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 17% 72.2%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 18% 100.8%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 13.3% -
1993 20% 50.4% 20.3% -
1992 15.9% 49.8% 21.5% -
1991 13.6% 53.2% - -
1990 14.2% 50.9% - -

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 135/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Rwanda
2024 -1.57% -6.57%
2023 -3.12% -5.04%
2022 -4% -5.74%
2021 -3.97% -7%
2020 -4.03% -9.54%
2019 -3.31% -5.08%
2018 -3.06% -2.57%
2017 -3.85% -2.52%
2016 -3.3% -2.27%
2015 -2.7% -2.68%
2014 -1.72% -3.92%
2013 -1.89% -1.27%
2012 -0.09% -2.38%
2011 0.31% -0.86%
2010 -2.96% -0.64%
2009 -3.78% 0.26%
2008 4.05% 0.83%
2007 -0.79% -1.56%
2006 6.22% -0.03%
2005 3.49% 1.12%
2004 3.9% 2.27%
2003 -1.56% -1.23%
2002 0.95% -2.03%
2001 -2.29% -1.8%
2000 2.89% -0.22%
1999 -1.39% -4.41%
1998 -3.47% -2.59%
1997 1.14% -2.22%
1996 3.37% -5.01%
1995 2.52% -2.04%
1994 -2.96% -9.54%
1993 -6.07% -6.6%
1992 0.94% -7.21%
1991 -1.18% -
1990 -0.48% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Rwanda
2024 33.2% 1.77%
2023 24.7% 19.8%
2022 18.8% 17.7%
2021 17% -0.39%
2020 13.2% 9.85%
2019 11.4% 3.35%
2018 12.1% -0.31%
2017 16.5% 8.28%
2016 15.7% 7.17%
2015 9.01% 2.53%
2014 8.05% 2.35%
2013 8.5% 5.92%
2012 12.2% 10.3%
2011 10.8% 3.08%
2010 13.7% -0.25%
2009 12.5% 12.9%
2008 11.6% 15.4%
2007 5.39% 9.08%
2006 8.23% 8.88%
2005 17.9% 9.01%
2004 15% 12.3%
2003 14% 7.45%
2002 12.9% 1.99%
2001 18.9% 3.34%
2000 6.93% 3.9%
1999 6.62% -2.41%
1998 10% 6.21%
1997 8.53% 12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $102K
Raw agricultural goods $42K
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $557K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $154K
Machinery & equipment $94K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Animal & marine products $8K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Rwanda
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Rwanda
Economic freedom 54.8 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 121/197
Property rights 29.7 60.3
Government integrity 23.5 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 27.5
Tax burden 84.6 80.6
Government spending 96.3 75.7
Fiscal health 83.5 37.5
Business freedom 50.3 60.1
Labor freedom 75.4 49.1
Monetary freedom 56.1 72.3
Trade freedom 64.4 61.8
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Rwanda
2026 54.8 56.5
2025 53.4 54.8
2024 53.1 51.6
2023 53.9 52.2
2022 54.4 57.1
2021 58.7 68.3
2020 57.2 70.9
2019 57.3 71.1
2018 58.5 69.1
2017 57.1 67.6
2016 57.5 63.1
2015 55.6 64.8
2014 54.3 64.7
2013 55.1 64.1
2012 56.3 64.9
2011 56.7 62.7
2010 56.8 59.1
2009 55.1 54.2
2008 55.1 54.2
2007 55.6 52.4
2006 48.7 52.8
2005 48.4 51.7
2004 49.2 53.3
2003 49.5 47.8
2002 50.9 50.4
2001 49.6 45.4
2000 53.1 42.3
1999 55.7 39.8
1998 52.3 39.1
1997 52.8 38.3
1996 47.4 -
1995 47.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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. TradeMap (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.