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Economy of Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nigeria has a GDP of $291B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 50/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $103B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Saudi Arabia
2025 $290,794,361,542 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $252,261,880,140 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $487,387,801,878 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $646,950,257,575 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $609,147,716,965 $982,661,066,667
2020 $598,586,817,817 $767,951,200,000
2019 $668,219,992,687 $888,890,133,333
2018 $421,739,251,509 $886,564,800,000
2017 $375,745,731,053 $741,266,133,333
2016 $404,649,125,252 $689,279,466,667
2015 $493,026,682,801 $693,414,400,000
2014 $574,183,763,412 $787,153,066,667
2013 $520,117,180,314 $769,755,733,333
2012 $463,971,018,239 $751,921,333,333
2011 $414,466,676,831 $680,660,800,000
2010 $366,990,417,129 $528,207,466,667
2009 $295,008,835,381 $429,097,866,667
2008 $339,476,276,258 $519,796,800,000
2007 $278,260,846,800 $415,964,509,673
2006 $238,454,997,161 $376,900,133,511
2005 $175,670,569,969 $328,459,608,764
2004 $135,764,731,646 $258,742,133,333
2003 $104,738,954,264 $215,807,733,333
2002 $95,054,059,303 $189,605,866,667
2001 $73,557,840,064 $184,137,600,000
2000 $69,171,451,627 $189,514,933,333
1999 $59,145,077,039 $161,717,066,667
1998 $218,416,200,673 $146,775,466,667
1997 $200,850,397,618 $165,963,684,913
1996 $185,730,236,700 $158,662,483,311
1995 $140,919,776,986 $143,343,124,166
1994 $80,399,613,064 $135,174,899,866
1993 $56,721,051,402 $132,967,957,276
1992 $52,058,181,854 $137,087,850,467
1991 $59,526,833,412 $132,223,230,975
1990 $54,035,795,388 $117,630,173,565
1989 $44,003,061,108 $95,344,459,279
1988 $49,648,470,440 $88,256,074,766
1987 $52,676,041,931 $85,695,861,148
1986 $54,805,852,581 $86,961,922,765
1985 $73,745,821,158 $103,897,846,494
1984 $73,484,359,521 $119,624,858,116
1983 $97,094,911,792 $129,171,635,311
1982 $142,769,363,314 $153,240,313,858
1981 $164,475,209,516 $184,291,360,139
1980 $64,201,788,123 $164,539,660,725
1979 $47,259,911,894 $111,858,444,786
1978 $36,527,862,209 $80,266,516,687
1977 $36,035,407,725 $74,188,986,586
1976 $36,308,883,249 $64,005,665,722
1975 $27,778,934,625 $46,773,208,643
1974 $24,846,641,318 $45,412,957,746
1973 $15,162,871,287 $14,947,435,499
1972 $12,274,416,018 $9,664,267,087
1971 $9,181,769,912 $7,184,806,909
1970 $12,546,094,982 $5,377,333,333
1969 $6,634,317,346 $4,485,777,644
1968 $5,200,997,920 $4,187,777,711
1967 $5,203,237,919 $3,257,022,223
1966 $6,366,917,453 $2,920,555,557
1965 $5,874,537,650 $2,647,955,558
1964 $5,552,931,319 $2,371,808,713
1963 $5,165,590,254 $2,207,393,172
1962 $4,909,399,176 $2,130,606,532
1961 $4,467,287,893 $1,920,811,284
1960 $4,196,174,502 $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Saudi Arabia by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,224 - $34,537 -
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $962 $4,381 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $763 $4,015 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $712 $3,770 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $566 $3,309 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $547 $3,139 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $481 $3,002 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $745 $2,853 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $540 $2,921 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $509 $2,991 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $597 $2,870 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $556 $2,840 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $465 - $9,414 -
1988 $540 - $9,165 -
1987 $588 - $9,386 -
1986 $628 - $10,078 -
1985 $869 - $12,745 -
1984 $890 - $15,541 -
1983 $1,207 - $17,810 -
1982 $1,822 - $22,454 -
1981 $2,162 - $28,703 -
1980 $870 - $27,206 -
1979 $661 - $19,612 -
1978 $527 - $14,914 -
1977 $536 - $14,595 -
1976 $556 - $13,313 -
1975 $438 - $10,266 -
1974 $403 - $10,503 -
1973 $252.4 - $3,640 -
1972 $209.5 - $2,474 -
1971 $160.5 - $1,929 -
1970 $224.5 - $1,509 -
1969 $121.4 - $1,313 -
1968 $97.3 - $1,276 -
1967 $99.5 - $1,032 -
1966 $124.4 - $961 -
1965 $117.3 - $904 -
1964 $113.3 - $840 -
1963 $107.7 - $812 -
1962 $104.5 - $813 -
1961 $97.1 - $760 -
1960 $93.1 - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,224, ranking 172/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$291B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
50/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
4.01%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,224
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
172/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$103B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$434
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$768
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$86.9B
2025
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires
4
2026
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
11.7%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
23%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
26.5%
2026
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
3.24%
2025
Population
245016045
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 11.7% 35.5% 29% 31.7%
2024 12% 39.3% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 28.3% 23%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 8.51% 18% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 9.49% 15.8% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 10% 13% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 33% 8.43%
2009 11% 6.12% 37.1% 14%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 13% 25.2% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 30.3% 103%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 20% 50.4% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Nigeria's government spending was $34.1B, accounting for 11.7% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Nigeria and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 143/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Saudi Arabia
2025 -1.76% -5.77%
2024 -1.27% -2.46%
2023 -3.12% -1.77%
2022 -4% 2.24%
2021 -3.97% -1.99%
2020 -4.03% -10.2%
2019 -3.31% -3.96%
2018 -3.06% -5.21%
2017 -3.85% -8.57%
2016 -3.3% -13.2%
2015 -2.7% -14.9%
2014 -1.72% -3.4%
2013 -1.89% 5.47%
2012 -0.09% 11.7%
2011 0.31% 11.4%
2010 -2.96% 4.39%
2009 -3.78% -5.38%
2008 4.05% 29.8%
2007 -0.79% 11.8%
2006 6.22% 20.8%
2005 3.49% 18%
2004 3.9% 9.72%
2003 -1.56% 1.2%
2002 0.95% -5.91%
2001 -2.29% -3.91%
2000 2.89% 3.18%
1999 -1.39% -5.99%
1998 -3.47% -8.88%
1997 1.14% -2.51%
1996 3.37% -3.25%
1995 2.52% -5.12%
1994 -2.96% -8.31%
1993 -6.07% -9.33%
1992 0.94% -8.12%
1991 -1.18% -3.28%
1990 -0.48% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.12B, equivalent to 1.76% of GDP. This compares to Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Saudi Arabia
2025 23% 2.08%
2024 33.2% 1.69%
2023 24.7% 2.33%
2022 18.8% 2.47%
2021 17% 3.06%
2020 13.2% 3.37%
2019 11.4% -1.19%
2018 12.1% 2.47%
2017 16.5% -0.83%
2016 15.7% 2.05%
2015 9.01% 1.22%
2014 8.05% 2.24%
2013 8.5% 3.51%
2012 12.2% 2.87%
2011 10.8% 5.83%
2010 13.7% 5.34%
2009 12.5% 5.06%
2008 11.6% 9.87%
2007 5.39% 4.17%
2006 8.23% 2.21%
2005 17.9% 0.48%
2004 15% 0.52%
2003 14% 0.61%
2002 12.9% 0.25%
2001 18.9% -1.12%
2000 6.93% -1.12%
1999 6.62% -1.33%
1998 10% -0.37%
1997 8.53% 0.06%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.7%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 23% in Nigeria and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $61.9M
Metals $4M
Textiles & consumer goods $566K
Raw agricultural goods $512K
Wood & paper products $400K
Machinery & equipment $398K
Chemicals & pharma $191K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $31K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K
Animal & marine products $7K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $520M
Chemicals & pharma $303M
Machinery & equipment $143M
Metals $5.62M
Wood & paper products $4.74M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.84M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.32M
Animal & marine products $1.13M
Raw agricultural goods $852K
Miscellaneous $657K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$14B
2025
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2025
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2025
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$43B
2025
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$57.5B
2025
$311B
2025
Service imports
$19.6B
2025
$129B
2025
Service exports
$5.06B
2025
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 54.8 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 65/197
Property rights 29.7 51.4
Government integrity 23.5 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 38.2
Tax burden 84.6 99.2
Government spending 96.3 77
Fiscal health 83.5 97.9
Business freedom 50.3 71.2
Labor freedom 75.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 56.1 81.2
Trade freedom 64.4 73.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Saudi Arabia
2026 54.8 65.4
2025 53.4 64.4
2024 53.1 61.9
2023 53.9 58.3
2022 54.4 55.5
2021 58.7 66
2020 57.2 62.4
2019 57.3 60.7
2018 58.5 59.6
2017 57.1 64.4
2016 57.5 62.1
2015 55.6 62.1
2014 54.3 62.2
2013 55.1 60.6
2012 56.3 62.5
2011 56.7 66.2
2010 56.8 64.1
2009 55.1 64.3
2008 55.1 62.5
2007 55.6 60.9
2006 48.7 63
2005 48.4 63
2004 49.2 60.4
2003 49.5 63.2
2002 50.9 65.3
2001 49.6 62.2
2000 53.1 66.5
1999 55.7 65.5
1998 52.3 69.3
1997 52.8 68.7
1996 47.4 68.3
1995 47.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
58.2%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.4%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$324B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,230
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$46B
2025
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
52/177
2025
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82B
2025
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.61B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.46%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
31.6%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/saudi-arabia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.