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Economy of Nigeria vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 54/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Nigeria vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Nigeria
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Sao Tome
2024 $252,261,880,141 $822,154,621
2023 $487,387,801,881 $690,456,807
2022 $646,950,257,578 $540,809,499
2021 $609,147,716,973 $524,402,456
2020 $598,586,817,819 $471,229,485
2019 $668,219,992,691 $412,976,083
2018 $421,739,251,509 $383,717,328
2017 $375,745,731,053 $322,002,845
2016 $404,649,125,252 $292,267,272
2015 $493,026,682,801 $259,999,643
2014 $574,183,763,412 $293,119,143
2013 $520,117,180,314 $267,041,748
2012 $463,971,018,239 $225,815,132
2011 $414,466,676,831 $226,455,001
2010 $366,990,417,129 $190,021,192
2009 $295,008,835,381 $200,668,065
2008 $339,476,276,258 $188,021,165
2007 $278,260,846,800 $149,146,919
2006 $238,454,997,161 $142,775,104
2005 $175,670,569,969 $136,450,662
2004 $135,764,731,646 $114,582,284
2003 $104,738,954,264 $102,085,769
2002 $95,054,059,303 $85,171,074
2001 $73,557,840,064 $75,951,133
2000 $69,171,451,627 $76,198,395
1999 $59,145,077,039 $77,302,212
1998 $218,416,200,673 $72,285,404
1997 $200,850,397,618 $91,920,274
1996 $185,730,236,700 $135,188,166
1995 $140,919,776,986 $103,695,237
1994 $80,399,613,064 $131,338,415
1993 $56,721,051,402 $125,742,229
1992 $52,058,181,854 $94,861,781
1991 $59,526,833,412 $107,484,143
1990 $54,035,795,388 $119,297,933
1989 $44,003,061,108 $98,545,367
1988 $49,648,470,440 $99,000,764
1987 $52,676,041,931 $115,952,925
1986 $54,805,852,581 $115,928,907
1985 $73,745,821,158 $82,733,069
1984 $73,484,359,521 $78,213,796
1983 $97,094,911,792 $75,110,289
1982 $142,769,363,314 $80,307,763
1981 $164,475,209,516 $83,499,264
1980 $64,201,788,123 $81,662,231
1979 $47,259,911,894 $65,755,928
1978 $36,527,862,209 $55,044,563
1977 $36,035,407,725 $49,207,692
1976 $36,308,883,249 $52,039,421
1975 $27,778,934,625 $60,101,710
1974 $24,846,641,318 $57,817,591
1973 $15,162,871,287 $56,011,245
1972 $12,274,416,018 $41,430,257
1971 $9,181,769,912 $37,288,845
1970 $12,546,094,982 $37,211,826
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $879 $2,650
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $862 $2,551
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $844 $2,329
2004 $962 $4,381 $727 $2,171
2003 $763 $4,015 $664 $2,094
2002 $712 $3,770 $568 $1,945
2001 $566 $3,309 $519 $1,898
2000 $547 $3,139 $529 $1,830
1999 $481 $3,002 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $514 $1,754
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $662 $1,714
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $987 $1,693
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $769 $1,663
1994 $745 $2,853 $990 $1,623
1993 $540 $2,921 $964 $1,581
1992 $509 $2,991 $740 $1,556
1991 $597 $2,870 $855 $1,540
1990 $556 $2,840 $970 $1,504
1989 $465 - $821 -
1988 $540 - $847 -
1987 $588 - $1,018 -
1986 $628 - $1,043 -
1985 $869 - $761 -
1984 $890 - $735 -
1983 $1,207 - $720 -
1982 $1,822 - $783 -
1981 $2,162 - $830 -
1980 $870 - $829 -
1979 $661 - $683 -
1978 $527 - $587 -
1977 $536 - $539 -
1976 $556 - $585 -
1975 $438 - $693 -
1974 $403 - $683 -
1973 $252.4 - $676 -
1972 $209.5 - $511 -
1971 $160.5 - $470 -
1970 $224.5 - $479 -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
243824469
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 23.2% 91%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 28% 95.9%
2017 8.51% 18% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 36% 92.5%
2013 10% 13% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 53.4% 86%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 51.7% 83%
2009 11% 6.12% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 43.7% 334%
2004 13% 25.2% 60.6% 354%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 51.9% 329%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 44.3% 367%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 52.8% 418%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 10.7% -
1999 14.9% 46.1% - -
1998 11.2% 15.8% - -
1997 9.68% 17.1% - -
1996 7.87% 17.9% - -
1995 8.87% 24.2% - -
1994 12.1% 39.7% - -
1993 20% 50.4% - -
1992 15.9% 49.8% - -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 135/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Sao Tome
2024 -1.57% 0.92%
2023 -3.12% -2.13%
2022 -4% -2.24%
2021 -3.97% -1.52%
2020 -4.03% 2.94%
2019 -3.31% -0.07%
2018 -3.06% -2.02%
2017 -3.85% -3.11%
2016 -3.3% -5.01%
2015 -2.7% -7.6%
2014 -1.72% -6.27%
2013 -1.89% 2.13%
2012 -0.09% -12.3%
2011 0.31% -13%
2010 -2.96% -12.1%
2009 -3.78% -18%
2008 4.05% 13.6%
2007 -0.79% 125.1%
2006 6.22% 18%
2005 3.49% 26.8%
2004 3.9% -25.1%
2003 -1.56% -15.9%
2002 0.95% -10.4%
2001 -2.29% -13.5%
2000 2.89% 51.5%
1999 -1.39% -
1998 -3.47% -
1997 1.14% -
1996 3.37% -
1995 2.52% -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.05% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Sao Tome
2024 33.2% 14.4%
2023 24.7% 21.2%
2022 18.8% 18%
2021 17% 8.1%
2020 13.2% 9.8%
2019 11.4% 7.7%
2018 12.1% 7.9%
2017 16.5% 5.7%
2016 15.7% 5.4%
2015 9.01% 6.1%
2014 8.05% 7%
2013 8.5% 8.1%
2012 12.2% 10.6%
2011 10.8% 14.3%
2010 13.7% 13.3%
2009 12.5% 17%
2008 11.6% 32%
2007 5.39% 18.6%
2006 8.23% 23.1%
2005 17.9% 17.2%
2004 15% 13.3%
2003 14% 9.8%
2002 12.9% 10.1%
2001 18.9% 9.2%
2000 6.93% 11%
1999 6.62% 11%
1998 10% 42.1%
1997 8.53% 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $22K
Metals $10K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Sao Tome
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Sao Tome
Economic freedom 54.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 93/197
Property rights 29.7 55.2
Government integrity 23.5 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 60.8
Tax burden 84.6 88.6
Government spending 96.3 80.6
Fiscal health 83.5 89.5
Business freedom 50.3 59.9
Labor freedom 75.4 40.8
Monetary freedom 56.1 59.4
Trade freedom 64.4 65
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Sao Tome
2026 54.8 60.6
2025 53.4 60.4
2024 53.1 60.5
2023 53.9 61.5
2022 54.4 60.3
2021 58.7 55.9
2020 57.2 56.2
2019 57.3 54
2018 58.5 53.6
2017 57.1 55.4
2016 57.5 56.7
2015 55.6 53.3
2014 54.3 48.8
2013 55.1 48
2012 56.3 50.2
2011 56.7 49.5
2010 56.8 48.8
2009 55.1 43.8
2008 55.1 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 48.7 -
2005 48.4 -
2004 49.2 -
2003 49.5 -
2002 50.9 -
2001 49.6 -
2000 53.1 -
1999 55.7 -
1998 52.3 -
1997 52.8 -
1996 47.4 -
1995 47.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
66.2%
2020

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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.