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Economy of Nigeria vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 54/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Nigeria vs Singapore GDP by year

Nigeria
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Singapore
2024 $252,261,880,141 $547,386,645,892
2023 $487,387,801,881 $505,439,514,078
2022 $646,950,257,578 $509,017,841,147
2021 $609,147,716,973 $436,591,382,250
2020 $598,586,817,819 $349,165,858,545
2019 $668,219,992,691 $376,161,998,830
2018 $421,739,251,509 $377,123,710,561
2017 $375,745,731,053 $343,673,334,902
2016 $404,649,125,252 $319,646,468,521
2015 $493,026,682,801 $307,998,545,269
2014 $574,183,763,412 $314,863,580,758
2013 $520,117,180,314 $307,576,360,585
2012 $463,971,018,239 $295,092,888,077
2011 $414,466,676,831 $279,356,499,090
2010 $366,990,417,129 $239,807,980,591
2009 $295,008,835,381 $194,150,283,772
2008 $339,476,276,258 $193,617,323,539
2007 $278,260,846,800 $180,941,701,358
2006 $238,454,997,161 $148,627,286,361
2005 $175,670,569,969 $127,807,848,728
2004 $135,764,731,646 $115,033,593,101
2003 $104,738,954,264 $97,646,401,096
2002 $95,054,059,303 $92,538,372,870
2001 $73,557,840,064 $89,793,790,670
2000 $69,171,451,627 $96,076,539,926
1999 $59,145,077,039 $86,286,849,755
1998 $218,416,200,673 $85,728,207,782
1997 $200,850,397,618 $100,123,787,215
1996 $185,730,236,700 $96,293,086,513
1995 $140,919,776,986 $87,812,540,788
1994 $80,399,613,064 $73,688,724,431
1993 $56,721,051,402 $60,603,815,716
1992 $52,058,181,854 $52,131,320,033
1991 $59,526,833,412 $45,466,164,978
1990 $54,035,795,388 $36,144,336,769
1989 $44,003,061,108 $30,465,364,739
1988 $49,648,470,440 $25,371,462,488
1987 $52,676,041,931 $20,919,215,578
1986 $54,805,852,581 $18,586,746,057
1985 $73,745,821,158 $19,156,532,746
1984 $73,484,359,521 $19,749,361,098
1983 $97,094,911,792 $17,784,112,150
1982 $142,769,363,314 $16,084,252,378
1981 $164,475,209,516 $14,175,228,844
1980 $64,201,788,123 $11,896,256,783
1979 $47,259,911,894 $9,296,921,724
1978 $36,527,862,209 $7,517,176,355
1977 $36,035,407,725 $6,618,585,074
1976 $36,308,883,249 $6,327,077,974
1975 $27,778,934,625 $5,633,673,930
1974 $24,846,641,318 $5,221,534,956
1973 $15,162,871,287 $3,696,213,333
1972 $12,274,416,018 $2,721,440,981
1971 $9,181,769,912 $2,263,785,444
1970 $12,546,094,982 $1,920,574,150
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,659,893,768
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,425,706,091
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,238,035,816
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,096,425,608
1965 $5,874,537,650 $974,644,096
1964 $5,552,931,319 $894,153,311
1963 $5,165,590,254 $917,608,012
1962 $4,909,399,176 $826,239,212
1961 $4,467,287,893 $764,629,788
1960 $4,196,174,502 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Singapore by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $962 $4,381 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $763 $4,015 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $712 $3,770 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $566 $3,309 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $547 $3,139 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $481 $3,002 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $745 $2,853 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $540 $2,921 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $509 $2,991 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $597 $2,870 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $556 $2,840 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $465 - $10,395 -
1988 $540 - $8,914 -
1987 $588 - $7,539 -
1986 $628 - $6,800 -
1985 $869 - $7,002 -
1984 $890 - $7,228 -
1983 $1,207 - $6,633 -
1982 $1,822 - $6,078 -
1981 $2,162 - $5,597 -
1980 $870 - $4,928 -
1979 $661 - $3,901 -
1978 $527 - $3,194 -
1977 $536 - $2,846 -
1976 $556 - $2,759 -
1975 $438 - $2,490 -
1974 $403 - $2,342 -
1973 $252.4 - $1,685 -
1972 $209.5 - $1,264 -
1971 $160.5 - $1,071 -
1970 $224.5 - $926 -
1969 $121.4 - $813 -
1968 $97.3 - $709 -
1967 $99.5 - $626 -
1966 $124.4 - $567 -
1965 $117.3 - $517 -
1964 $113.3 - $486 -
1963 $107.7 - $511 -
1962 $104.5 - $472 -
1961 $97.1 - $449 -
1960 $93.1 - $428 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Singapore
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires
4
2025
49
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
2.74%
2024
Population
243824469
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 15% 154.3%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 14% 127.9%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 8.51% 18% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 10% 13% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 11% 6.12% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 14% 97.9%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 13% 25.2% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 20% 50.4% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 14.5% 79%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 15.1% 73.5%

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 135/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Singapore
2024 -1.57% 4.44%
2023 -3.12% 3.47%
2022 -4% 1.21%
2021 -3.97% 1.13%
2020 -4.03% -6.73%
2019 -3.31% 3.77%
2018 -3.06% 3.68%
2017 -3.85% 5.24%
2016 -3.3% 3.25%
2015 -2.7% 2.86%
2014 -1.72% 4.6%
2013 -1.89% 5.96%
2012 -0.09% 7.34%
2011 0.31% 7.96%
2010 -2.96% 5.68%
2009 -3.78% -0.09%
2008 4.05% 3.59%
2007 -0.79% 7.12%
2006 6.22% 2.16%
2005 3.49% 2.56%
2004 3.9% 2.06%
2003 -1.56% 0.68%
2002 0.95% 2.23%
2001 -2.29% 1.2%
2000 2.89% 4.59%
1999 -1.39% 5.2%
1998 -3.47% 2.41%
1997 1.14% 5.66%
1996 3.37% 1.98%
1995 2.52% 4.8%
1994 -2.96% 7.9%
1993 -6.07% 4.36%
1992 0.94% 2.7%
1991 -1.18% 0.68%
1990 -0.48% 1.97%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Singapore
2024 33.2% 2.39%
2023 24.7% 4.83%
2022 18.8% 6.13%
2021 17% 2.32%
2020 13.2% -0.17%
2019 11.4% 0.57%
2018 12.1% 0.44%
2017 16.5% 0.58%
2016 15.7% -0.53%
2015 9.01% -0.52%
2014 8.05% 1.03%
2013 8.5% 2.36%
2012 12.2% 4.58%
2011 10.8% 5.25%
2010 13.7% 2.83%
2009 12.5% 0.59%
2008 11.6% 6.64%
2007 5.39% 2.11%
2006 8.23% 0.97%
2005 17.9% 0.43%
2004 15% 1.66%
2003 14% 0.51%
2002 12.9% -0.39%
2001 18.9% 1%
2000 6.93% 1.36%
1999 6.62% 0.02%
1998 10% -0.27%
1997 8.53% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $286M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.75M
Chemicals & pharma $3.04M
Raw agricultural goods $2.83M
Machinery & equipment $2.48M
Wood & paper products $1.37M
Metals $1.03M
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $83.8M
Chemicals & pharma $16.6M
Raw materials & minerals $11.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.42M
Wood & paper products $7.67M
Miscellaneous $6.77M
Metals $5.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.88M
Raw agricultural goods $1.21M
Weapons & explosives $575K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Singapore
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$583B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$351B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Singapore
Economic freedom 54.8 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 1/197
Property rights 29.7 89.2
Government integrity 23.5 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 58.3
Tax burden 84.6 89.5
Government spending 96.3 93.4
Fiscal health 83.5 80
Business freedom 50.3 90.6
Labor freedom 75.4 77
Monetary freedom 56.1 83.5
Trade freedom 64.4 95
Investment freedom 30 90
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Singapore
2026 54.8 84.4
2025 53.4 84.1
2024 53.1 83.5
2023 53.9 83.9
2022 54.4 84.4
2021 58.7 89.7
2020 57.2 89.4
2019 57.3 89.4
2018 58.5 88.8
2017 57.1 88.6
2016 57.5 87.8
2015 55.6 89.4
2014 54.3 89.4
2013 55.1 88
2012 56.3 87.5
2011 56.7 87.2
2010 56.8 86.1
2009 55.1 87.1
2008 55.1 87.3
2007 55.6 87.1
2006 48.7 88
2005 48.4 88.6
2004 49.2 88.9
2003 49.5 88.2
2002 50.9 87.4
2001 49.6 87.8
2000 53.1 87.7
1999 55.7 86.9
1998 52.3 87
1997 52.8 87.3
1996 47.4 86.5
1995 47.3 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Singapore
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$55.3B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
22.2%
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/singapore | 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. 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.