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Economy of Nigeria vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 54/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Nigeria vs Sudan GDP by year

Nigeria
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Sudan
2024 $252,261,880,141 $49,672,435,513
2023 $487,387,801,881 $39,898,289,821
2022 $646,950,257,578 $51,666,875,363
2021 $609,147,716,973 $34,229,513,775
2020 $598,586,817,819 $27,034,593,750
2019 $668,219,992,691 $32,338,079,165
2018 $421,739,251,509 $32,333,780,383
2017 $375,745,731,053 $41,283,617,976
2016 $404,649,125,252 $42,630,376,000
2015 $493,026,682,801 $51,726,758,677
2014 $574,183,763,412 $49,516,748,618
2013 $520,117,180,314 $43,024,018,082
2012 $463,971,018,239 $37,632,919,967
2011 $414,466,676,831 $55,018,567,211
2010 $366,990,417,129 $58,962,978,034
2009 $295,008,835,381 $51,621,044,077
2008 $339,476,276,258 $64,833,083,257
2007 $278,260,846,800 $59,440,139,775
2006 $238,454,997,161 $45,263,831,634
2005 $175,670,569,969 $35,182,711,988
2004 $135,764,731,646 $26,646,007,251
2003 $104,738,954,264 $21,355,298,460
2002 $95,054,059,303 $18,137,128,388
2001 $73,557,840,064 $15,716,361,792
2000 $69,171,451,627 $12,257,299,147
1999 $59,145,077,039 $10,682,028,340
1998 $218,416,200,673 $11,250,221,537
1997 $200,850,397,618 $11,681,175,864
1996 $185,730,236,700 $9,018,300,725
1995 $140,919,776,986 $13,830,363,900
1994 $80,399,613,064 $12,793,794,737
1993 $56,721,051,402 $8,881,005,436
1992 $52,058,181,854 $7,031,933,492
1991 $59,526,833,412 $44,171,194,366
1990 $54,035,795,388 $33,641,222,222
1989 $44,003,061,108 $21,408,111,111
1988 $49,648,470,440 $14,372,555,556
1987 $52,676,041,931 $12,093,333,333
1986 $54,805,852,581 $10,092,200,000
1985 $73,745,821,158 $8,075,259,600
1984 $73,484,359,521 $10,447,615,385
1983 $97,094,911,792 $8,230,153,846
1982 $142,769,363,314 $8,732,542,274
1981 $164,475,209,516 $10,753,888,154
1980 $64,201,788,123 $8,951,800,000
1979 $47,259,911,894 $8,418,407,787
1978 $36,527,862,209 $8,128,719,315
1977 $36,035,407,725 $7,499,005,639
1976 $36,308,883,249 $6,013,210,816
1975 $27,778,934,625 $4,823,090,192
1974 $24,846,641,318 $3,958,931,660
1973 $15,162,871,287 $3,077,254,460
1972 $12,274,416,018 $2,483,055,722
1971 $9,181,769,912 $2,288,340,041
1970 $12,546,094,982 $2,100,229,759
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,847,501,441
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,677,771,401
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,607,409,539
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,484,491,676
1965 $5,874,537,650 $1,446,869,619
1964 $5,552,931,319 $1,388,282,600
1963 $5,165,590,254 $1,351,234,926
1962 $4,909,399,176 $1,328,259,625
1961 $4,467,287,893 $1,222,860,429
1960 $4,196,174,502 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Sudan by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $985 $2,116
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $797 $2,421
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $712 $3,249
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $578 $3,349
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $710 $3,914
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $731 $4,199
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $967 $4,252
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $962 $4,381 $872 $3,215
2003 $763 $4,015 $714 $3,058
2002 $712 $3,770 $621 $2,898
2001 $566 $3,309 $551 $2,769
2000 $547 $3,139 $441 $2,616
1999 $481 $3,002 $394 $2,475
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $425 $2,428
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $453 $2,358
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $357 $2,006
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $561 $1,902
1994 $745 $2,853 $532 $1,805
1993 $540 $2,921 $379 $1,794
1992 $509 $2,991 $307 $1,710
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $556 $2,840 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $465 - $992 -
1988 $540 - $680 -
1987 $588 - $584 -
1986 $628 - $497 -
1985 $869 - $406 -
1984 $890 - $534 -
1983 $1,207 - $431 -
1982 $1,822 - $472 -
1981 $2,162 - $605 -
1980 $870 - $525 -
1979 $661 - $515 -
1978 $527 - $518 -
1977 $536 - $497 -
1976 $556 - $413 -
1975 $438 - $343 -
1974 $403 - $291.5 -
1973 $252.4 - $235.8 -
1972 $209.5 - $198.2 -
1971 $160.5 - $189 -
1970 $224.5 - $179.6 -
1969 $121.4 - $163.5 -
1968 $97.3 - $153.7 -
1967 $99.5 - $152.4 -
1966 $124.4 - $145.6 -
1965 $117.3 - $146.8 -
1964 $113.3 - $145.7 -
1963 $107.7 - $146.6 -
1962 $104.5 - $148.9 -
1961 $97.1 - $141.6 -
1960 $93.1 - $134.7 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Sudan
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$1,704
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
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
243824469
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 8.51% 18% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 10% 13% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 11% 6.12% 18.8% 71%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 13% 25.2% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 12.9% 239%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 19.6% 386%
1993 20% 50.4% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 50.4% 495%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 45.7% -
1990 14.2% 50.9% 31% -

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 135/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Sudan
2024 -1.57% -3.46%
2023 -3.12% -3.7%
2022 -4% -2.15%
2021 -3.97% -0.29%
2020 -4.03% -6.03%
2019 -3.31% -10.8%
2018 -3.06% -7.92%
2017 -3.85% -6.07%
2016 -3.3% -3.92%
2015 -2.7% -3.87%
2014 -1.72% -4.72%
2013 -1.89% -5.76%
2012 -0.09% -7.37%
2011 0.31% -2.33%
2010 -2.96% 0.11%
2009 -3.78% -3.8%
2008 4.05% 0.49%
2007 -0.79% -2.84%
2006 6.22% -1.32%
2005 3.49% -1.88%
2004 3.9% 0.16%
2003 -1.56% 0.77%
2002 0.95% -0.69%
2001 -2.29% -0.77%
2000 2.89% -0.7%
1999 -1.39% -0.8%
1998 -3.47% -0.56%
1997 1.14% -0.59%
1996 3.37% -2.61%
1995 2.52% -3.48%
1994 -2.96% -3.03%
1993 -6.07% -8.04%
1992 0.94% -24.5%
1991 -1.18% -26.5%
1990 -0.48% -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Sudan
2024 33.2% -
2023 24.7% -
2022 18.8% 138.8%
2021 17% 359%
2020 13.2% 163.3%
2019 11.4% 51%
2018 12.1% 63.3%
2017 16.5% 32.4%
2016 15.7% 17.8%
2015 9.01% 16.9%
2014 8.05% 36.9%
2013 8.5% 36.5%
2012 12.2% 35.6%
2011 10.8% 18.1%
2010 13.7% 13%
2009 12.5% 11.3%
2008 11.6% 14.3%
2007 5.39% 14.8%
2006 8.23% 7.2%
2005 17.9% 8.51%
2004 15% 9.66%
2003 14% 6.49%
2002 12.9% 22.2%
2001 18.9% 1.94%
2000 6.93% 7.12%
1999 6.62% 17.2%
1998 10% 24.6%
1997 8.53% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 12.1%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.24M
Chemicals & pharma $364K
Precious metals & jewellery $89K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $2.5M
Precious metals & jewellery $51K
Raw agricultural goods $28K
Machinery & equipment $4K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Sudan
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Sudan
Economic freedom 54.8 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 191/197
Property rights 29.7 6.5
Government integrity 23.5 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 2.4
Tax burden 84.6 84.7
Government spending 96.3 96.5
Fiscal health 83.5 64.6
Business freedom 50.3 27.3
Labor freedom 75.4 33.6
Monetary freedom 56.1 6.2
Trade freedom 64.4 29.6
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Sudan
2026 54.8 32.5
2025 53.4 35.3
2024 53.1 33.9
2023 53.9 32.8
2022 54.4 32
2021 58.7 39.1
2020 57.2 45
2019 57.3 47.7
2018 58.5 49.4
2017 57.1 48.8
2016 57.5 -
2015 55.6 -
2014 54.3 -
2013 55.1 -
2012 56.3 -
2011 56.7 -
2010 56.8 -
2009 55.1 -
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 47.2
1999 55.7 39.6
1998 52.3 38.3
1997 52.8 39.9
1996 47.4 39.2
1995 47.3 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Sudan
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (2018–2023, 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.

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.