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Economy of Nigeria vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 54/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Nigeria vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Nigeria
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2024 $252,261,880,141 $98,963,185,510
2023 $487,387,801,881 $83,716,142,582
2022 $646,950,257,578 $74,143,020,263
2021 $609,147,716,973 $88,556,698,938
2020 $598,586,817,819 $84,335,574,582
2019 $668,219,992,691 $88,998,706,297
2018 $421,739,251,509 $94,450,015,983
2017 $375,745,731,053 $94,369,350,286
2016 $404,649,125,252 $88,000,211,172
2015 $493,026,682,801 $85,090,301,052
2014 $574,183,763,412 $82,531,125,191
2013 $520,117,180,314 $76,976,203,829
2012 $463,971,018,239 $70,447,217,164
2011 $414,466,676,831 $67,753,285,897
2010 $366,990,417,129 $58,636,049,434
2009 $295,008,835,381 $42,066,224,093
2008 $339,476,276,258 $40,713,826,215
2007 $278,260,846,800 $32,350,238,760
2006 $238,454,997,161 $28,267,410,543
2005 $175,670,569,969 $24,405,791,045
2004 $135,764,731,646 $20,662,525,941
2003 $104,738,954,264 $18,881,765,437
2002 $95,054,059,303 $16,536,535,647
2001 $73,557,840,064 $15,749,753,805
2000 $69,171,451,627 $16,595,882,819
1999 $59,145,077,039 $15,711,933,513
1998 $218,416,200,673 $15,760,736,956
1997 $200,850,397,618 $15,091,913,884
1996 $185,730,236,700 $13,897,738,375
1995 $140,919,776,986 $13,029,697,561
1994 $80,399,613,064 $11,717,604,209
1993 $56,721,051,402 $10,338,679,636
1992 $52,058,181,854 $9,703,011,636
1991 $59,526,833,412 $9,000,362,582
1990 $54,035,795,388 $8,032,551,173
1989 $44,003,061,108 $6,987,267,684
1988 $49,648,470,440 $6,978,371,581
1987 $52,676,041,931 $6,682,167,120
1986 $54,805,852,581 $6,405,210,564
1985 $73,745,821,158 $5,978,460,972
1984 $73,484,359,521 $6,043,474,843
1983 $97,094,911,792 $5,167,913,302
1982 $142,769,363,314 $4,768,765,017
1981 $164,475,209,516 $4,415,844,156
1980 $64,201,788,123 $4,024,621,900
1979 $47,259,911,894 $3,364,611,432
1978 $36,527,862,209 $2,733,183,857
1977 $36,035,407,725 $4,104,509,583
1976 $36,308,883,249 $3,591,319,857
1975 $27,778,934,625 $3,791,298,146
1974 $24,846,641,318 $3,574,586,466
1973 $15,162,871,287 $2,875,625,000
1972 $12,274,416,018 $2,553,936,348
1971 $9,181,769,912 $2,369,308,600
1970 $12,546,094,982 $2,296,470,588
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,965,546,218
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,801,344,538
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,859,465,021
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,751,470,588
1965 $5,874,537,650 $1,698,319,328
1964 $5,552,931,319 $1,309,747,899
1963 $5,165,590,254 $1,240,672,269
1962 $4,909,399,176 $1,434,156,379
1961 $4,467,287,893 $1,444,327,731
1960 $4,196,174,502 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Sri Lanka by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $962 $4,381 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $763 $4,015 $946 $4,850
2002 $712 $3,770 $835 $4,522
2001 $566 $3,309 $804 $4,328
2000 $547 $3,139 $860 $4,368
1999 $481 $3,002 $829 $4,103
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $848 $3,952
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $827 $3,804
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $776 $3,582
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $742 $3,454
1994 $745 $2,853 $678 $3,260
1993 $540 $2,921 $607 $3,067
1992 $509 $2,991 $580 $2,851
1991 $597 $2,870 $546 $2,713
1990 $556 $2,840 $491 $2,527
1989 $465 - $430 -
1988 $540 - $434 -
1987 $588 - $420 -
1986 $628 - $407 -
1985 $869 - $385 -
1984 $890 - $391 -
1983 $1,207 - $336 -
1982 $1,822 - $312 -
1981 $2,162 - $292.5 -
1980 $870 - $271.1 -
1979 $661 - $230.8 -
1978 $527 - $191 -
1977 $536 - $292.1 -
1976 $556 - $260.3 -
1975 $438 - $279.8 -
1974 $403 - $268.7 -
1973 $252.4 - $220.2 -
1972 $209.5 - $199.4 -
1971 $160.5 - $188.8 -
1970 $224.5 - $186.9 -
1969 $121.4 - $163.6 -
1968 $97.3 - $153.5 -
1967 $99.5 - $162.3 -
1966 $124.4 - $156.6 -
1965 $117.3 - $155.6 -
1964 $113.3 - $122.9 -
1963 $107.7 - $119.4 -
1962 $104.5 - $141.4 -
1961 $97.1 - $145.9 -
1960 $93.1 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
4.67%
2023
Population
243824469
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 20% 102.7%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 8.51% 18% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 18.2% 75%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 10% 13% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 11% 6.12% 21% 72.8%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 13% 25.2% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 20% 50.4% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 23% 77.9%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 25.4% 78.9%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 135/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2024 -1.57% -5.64%
2023 -3.12% -8.32%
2022 -4% -10.2%
2021 -3.97% -11.7%
2020 -4.03% -13.4%
2019 -3.31% -7.52%
2018 -3.06% -4.96%
2017 -3.85% -5.1%
2016 -3.3% -5%
2015 -2.7% -6.64%
2014 -1.72% -5.99%
2013 -1.89% -5%
2012 -0.09% -5.44%
2011 0.31% -6.01%
2010 -2.96% -6.73%
2009 -3.78% -8.33%
2008 4.05% -5.93%
2007 -0.79% -5.81%
2006 6.22% -5.91%
2005 3.49% -5.93%
2004 3.9% -6.32%
2003 -1.56% -6.15%
2002 0.95% -6.9%
2001 -2.29% -8.48%
2000 2.89% -7.78%
1999 -1.39% -5.58%
1998 -3.47% -6.79%
1997 1.14% -5.71%
1996 3.37% -6.89%
1995 2.52% -7.11%
1994 -2.96% -7.41%
1993 -6.07% -5.77%
1992 0.94% -4.95%
1991 -1.18% -7.97%
1990 -0.48% -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2024 33.2% -0.43%
2023 24.7% 16.5%
2022 18.8% 49.7%
2021 17% 7.01%
2020 13.2% 6.15%
2019 11.4% 3.53%
2018 12.1% 2.14%
2017 16.5% 7.7%
2016 15.7% 3.96%
2015 9.01% 3.77%
2014 8.05% 3.18%
2013 8.5% 6.91%
2012 12.2% 7.54%
2011 10.8% 6.72%
2010 13.7% 6.22%
2009 12.5% 3.46%
2008 11.6% 22.6%
2007 5.39% 15.8%
2006 8.23% 10%
2005 17.9% 11.6%
2004 15% 7.58%
2003 14% 6.31%
2002 12.9% 9.55%
2001 18.9% 14.2%
2000 6.93% 6.18%
1999 6.62% 4.69%
1998 10% 9.36%
1997 8.53% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.12M
Raw agricultural goods $713K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.26M
Raw materials & minerals $600K
Chemicals & pharma $581K
Machinery & equipment $184K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $145K
Wood & paper products $129K
Textiles & consumer goods $108K
Animal & marine products $89K
Metals $3K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 54.8 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 162/197
Property rights 29.7 47.3
Government integrity 23.5 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 47.2
Tax burden 84.6 77
Government spending 96.3 89
Fiscal health 83.5 0
Business freedom 50.3 60.1
Labor freedom 75.4 54.3
Monetary freedom 56.1 65.9
Trade freedom 64.4 65.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Sri Lanka
2026 54.8 50.3
2025 53.4 49.4
2024 53.1 49.2
2023 53.9 52.2
2022 54.4 53.3
2021 58.7 55.7
2020 57.2 57.4
2019 57.3 56.4
2018 58.5 57.8
2017 57.1 57.4
2016 57.5 59.9
2015 55.6 58.6
2014 54.3 60
2013 55.1 60.7
2012 56.3 58.3
2011 56.7 57.1
2010 56.8 54.6
2009 55.1 56
2008 55.1 58.4
2007 55.6 59.4
2006 48.7 58.7
2005 48.4 61
2004 49.2 61.6
2003 49.5 62.5
2002 50.9 64
2001 49.6 66
2000 53.1 63.2
1999 55.7 64
1998 52.3 64.6
1997 52.8 65.5
1996 47.4 62.5
1995 47.3 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
27%
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/sri-lanka | 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 (2023–2024, 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.