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Economy of Nigeria vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 54/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Nigeria vs Senegal GDP by year

Nigeria
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Senegal
2024 $252,261,880,141 $32,808,056,601
2023 $487,387,801,881 $30,696,331,296
2022 $646,950,257,578 $27,783,332,223
2021 $609,147,716,973 $27,520,784,130
2020 $598,586,817,819 $24,530,513,038
2019 $668,219,992,691 $23,403,995,992
2018 $421,739,251,509 $23,116,701,556
2017 $375,745,731,053 $20,996,562,944
2016 $404,649,125,252 $19,040,312,333
2015 $493,026,682,801 $17,774,766,696
2014 $574,183,763,412 $19,797,253,440
2013 $520,117,180,314 $18,918,667,725
2012 $463,971,018,239 $17,660,870,412
2011 $414,466,676,831 $17,814,283,639
2010 $366,990,417,129 $16,121,315,909
2009 $295,008,835,381 $16,145,867,495
2008 $339,476,276,258 $16,853,989,628
2007 $278,260,846,800 $13,994,218,413
2006 $238,454,997,161 $11,697,918,243
2005 $175,670,569,969 $11,009,033,438
2004 $135,764,731,646 $10,076,816,667
2003 $104,738,954,264 $8,768,721,563
2002 $95,054,059,303 $7,006,402,320
2001 $73,557,840,064 $6,507,824,829
2000 $69,171,451,627 $6,013,185,004
1999 $59,145,077,039 $6,592,834,933
1998 $218,416,200,673 $6,505,607,909
1997 $200,850,397,618 $6,041,478,726
1996 $185,730,236,700 $6,559,712,166
1995 $140,919,776,986 $6,326,342,633
1994 $80,399,613,064 $5,034,588,196
1993 $56,721,051,402 $7,367,986,241
1992 $52,058,181,854 $7,769,817,840
1991 $59,526,833,412 $7,255,210,470
1990 $54,035,795,388 $7,390,967,360
1989 $44,003,061,108 $6,366,039,373
1988 $49,648,470,440 $6,418,419,389
1987 $52,676,041,931 $6,487,353,103
1986 $54,805,852,581 $5,392,093,446
1985 $73,745,821,158 $3,818,944,918
1984 $73,484,359,521 $3,485,165,432
1983 $97,094,911,792 $3,569,356,125
1982 $142,769,363,314 $4,013,951,443
1981 $164,475,209,516 $4,095,892,781
1980 $64,201,788,123 $4,510,108,291
1979 $47,259,911,894 $4,084,877,823
1978 $36,527,862,209 $3,280,354,921
1977 $36,035,407,725 $2,938,046,463
1976 $36,308,883,249 $2,869,777,884
1975 $27,778,934,625 $2,830,388,405
1974 $24,846,641,318 $2,099,325,229
1973 $15,162,871,287 $1,863,398,590
1972 $12,274,416,018 $1,620,857,104
1971 $9,181,769,912 $1,339,549,033
1970 $12,546,094,982 $1,297,407,655
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,245,234,931
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,309,384,862
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,246,480,766
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,246,908,186
1965 $5,874,537,650 $1,210,058,228
1964 $5,552,931,319 $1,188,930,645
1963 $5,165,590,254 $1,122,139,862
1962 $4,909,399,176 $1,085,475,791
1961 $4,467,287,893 $1,058,975,257
1960 $4,196,174,502 $1,003,692,370

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Senegal by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $980 $2,350
2004 $962 $4,381 $918 $2,236
2003 $763 $4,015 $818 $2,131
2002 $712 $3,770 $669 $2,027
2001 $566 $3,309 $637 $2,044
2000 $547 $3,139 $603 $1,963
1999 $481 $3,002 $678 $1,893
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $685 $1,798
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $651 $1,719
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $723 $1,679
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $715 $1,656
1994 $745 $2,853 $584 $1,578
1993 $540 $2,921 $878 $1,588
1992 $509 $2,991 $951 $1,573
1991 $597 $2,870 $913 $1,561
1990 $556 $2,840 $957 $1,513
1989 $465 - $849 -
1988 $540 - $880 -
1987 $588 - $916 -
1986 $628 - $784 -
1985 $869 - $571 -
1984 $890 - $536 -
1983 $1,207 - $564 -
1982 $1,822 - $652 -
1981 $2,162 - $683 -
1980 $870 - $772 -
1979 $661 - $716 -
1978 $527 - $589 -
1977 $536 - $540 -
1976 $556 - $541 -
1975 $438 - $547 -
1974 $403 - $417 -
1973 $252.4 - $381 -
1972 $209.5 - $342 -
1971 $160.5 - $291.1 -
1970 $224.5 - $290.5 -
1969 $121.4 - $287.3 -
1968 $97.3 - $311 -
1967 $99.5 - $305 -
1966 $124.4 - $315 -
1965 $117.3 - $314 -
1964 $113.3 - $318 -
1963 $107.7 - $309 -
1962 $104.5 - $307 -
1961 $97.1 - $308 -
1960 $93.1 - $300 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Senegal
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$2,194
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
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
5.78%
2024
Population
243824469
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 36.2% 105%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 8.51% 18% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 24% 47.5%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 10% 13% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 23% 34.5%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 11% 6.12% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 22.2% 19%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 13% 25.2% 18.1% 38%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 15.5% 52%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 14% 57.5%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 14.6% 15%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 13.5% 18.8%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 14.1% 67.8%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 15.4% 0.07%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 14.4% 65.3%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 15.9% 77.3%
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 135/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Senegal
2024 -1.57% -13.4%
2023 -3.12% -14.8%
2022 -4% -16.1%
2021 -3.97% -13.7%
2020 -4.03% -9.64%
2019 -3.31% -13.9%
2018 -3.06% -3.66%
2017 -3.85% -2.97%
2016 -3.3% -3.27%
2015 -2.7% -3.66%
2014 -1.72% -3.9%
2013 -1.89% -4.34%
2012 -0.09% -4.18%
2011 0.31% -4.92%
2010 -2.96% -3.94%
2009 -3.78% -3.66%
2008 4.05% -3.53%
2007 -0.79% -2.8%
2006 6.22% -3.67%
2005 3.49% -0.26%
2004 3.9% 0.18%
2003 -1.56% -0.52%
2002 0.95% 0.19%
2001 -2.29% -1.44%
2000 2.89% 0.78%
1999 -1.39% -0.62%
1998 -3.47% 0.93%
1997 1.14% 0.98%
1996 3.37% 0.92%
1995 2.52% 2.41%
1994 -2.96% 5.9%
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/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.89% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Senegal
2024 33.2% 0.8%
2023 24.7% 5.94%
2022 18.8% 9.7%
2021 17% 2.18%
2020 13.2% 2.54%
2019 11.4% 1.76%
2018 12.1% 0.46%
2017 16.5% 1.32%
2016 15.7% 0.84%
2015 9.01% 0.14%
2014 8.05% -1.09%
2013 8.5% 0.71%
2012 12.2% 1.42%
2011 10.8% 3.4%
2010 13.7% 1.23%
2009 12.5% -2.25%
2008 11.6% 7.35%
2007 5.39% 5.85%
2006 8.23% 2.11%
2005 17.9% 1.71%
2004 15% 0.51%
2003 14% -0.05%
2002 12.9% 2.34%
2001 18.9% 2.97%
2000 6.93% 0.73%
1999 6.62% 0.83%
1998 10% 1.16%
1997 8.53% 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 2.01% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $806M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $25.2M
Metals $5.61M
Machinery & equipment $4.89M
Raw agricultural goods $2.13M
Chemicals & pharma $1.94M
Textiles & consumer goods $897K
Wood & paper products $339K
Animal & marine products $86K
Miscellaneous $41K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $14.9M
Chemicals & pharma $5.74M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.33M
Machinery & equipment $1.55M
Raw materials & minerals $829K
Textiles & consumer goods $270K
Wood & paper products $139K
Raw agricultural goods $99K
Miscellaneous $16K
Metals $13K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Senegal
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Senegal
Economic freedom 54.8 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 140/197
Property rights 29.7 57.4
Government integrity 23.5 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 50.5
Tax burden 84.6 68.8
Government spending 96.3 63.1
Fiscal health 83.5 0
Business freedom 50.3 55.2
Labor freedom 75.4 54.4
Monetary freedom 56.1 74.3
Trade freedom 64.4 67
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Senegal
2026 54.8 53.2
2025 53.4 56.4
2024 53.1 55.4
2023 53.9 57.7
2022 54.4 60
2021 58.7 58
2020 57.2 58
2019 57.3 56.3
2018 58.5 55.7
2017 57.1 55.9
2016 57.5 58.1
2015 55.6 57.8
2014 54.3 55.4
2013 55.1 55.5
2012 56.3 55.4
2011 56.7 55.7
2010 56.8 54.6
2009 55.1 56.3
2008 55.1 58.3
2007 55.6 58.1
2006 48.7 56.2
2005 48.4 57.9
2004 49.2 58.9
2003 49.5 58.1
2002 50.9 58.6
2001 49.6 58.7
2000 53.1 58.9
1999 55.7 60.6
1998 52.3 59.7
1997 52.8 58.1
1996 47.4 58.2
1995 47.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Senegal
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
37.5%
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/senegal | 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.