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Economy of Nigeria vs Taiwan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nigeria has a GDP of $291B compared to $802B for Taiwan, ranking 50/197 and 22/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $103B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $215B (22.4% of GDP) in Taiwan.

Nigeria vs Taiwan GDP by year

Nigeria
Taiwan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Taiwan
2025 $290,794,361,542 -
2024 $252,261,880,140 $801,529,000,000
2023 $487,387,801,878 $757,328,000,000
2022 $646,950,257,575 $765,529,000,000
2021 $609,147,716,965 $777,062,000,000
2020 $598,586,817,817 $676,935,000,000
2019 $668,219,992,687 $613,453,000,000
2018 $421,739,251,509 $610,744,000,000
2017 $375,745,731,053 $591,734,000,000
2016 $404,649,125,252 $543,002,000,000
2015 $493,026,682,801 $534,474,000,000
2014 $574,183,763,412 $535,332,000,000
2013 $520,117,180,314 $512,957,000,000
2012 $463,971,018,239 $495,536,000,000
2011 $414,466,676,831 $483,957,000,000
2010 $366,990,417,129 $444,245,000,000
2009 $295,008,835,381 $390,788,000,000
2008 $339,476,276,258 $415,824,000,000
2007 $278,260,846,800 $406,940,000,000
2006 $238,454,997,161 $386,492,000,000
2005 $175,670,569,969 $374,042,000,000
2004 $135,764,731,646 $346,881,000,000
2003 $104,738,954,264 $317,374,000,000
2002 $95,054,059,303 $307,429,000,000
2001 $73,557,840,064 $299,303,000,000
2000 $69,171,451,627 $330,725,000,000
1999 $59,145,077,039 $303,827,000,000
1998 $218,416,200,673 $279,926,000,000
1997 $200,850,397,618 $303,315,000,000
1996 $185,730,236,700 $292,473,000,000
1995 $140,919,776,986 $279,013,000,000
1994 $80,399,613,064 $256,213,000,000
1993 $56,721,051,402 $234,943,000,000
1992 $52,058,181,854 $222,947,000,000
1991 $59,526,833,412 $187,100,000,000
1990 $54,035,795,388 $166,392,000,000
1989 $44,003,061,108 $152,687,000,000
1988 $49,648,470,440 $126,378,000,000
1987 $52,676,041,931 $104,956,000,000
1986 $54,805,852,581 $78,347,000,000
1985 $73,745,821,158 $63,599,000,000
1984 $73,484,359,521 $61,036,000,000
1983 $97,094,911,792 $54,155,000,000
1982 $142,769,363,314 $49,540,000,000
1981 $164,475,209,516 $49,047,000,000
1980 $64,201,788,123 $42,292,000,000
1979 $47,259,911,894 $33,875,000,000
1978 $36,527,862,209 $27,373,000,000
1977 $36,035,407,725 $22,252,000,000
1976 $36,308,883,249 $18,988,000,000
1975 $27,778,934,625 $15,836,000,000
1974 $24,846,641,318 $14,739,000,000
1973 $15,162,871,287 $10,940,000,000
1972 $12,274,416,018 $8,063,000,000
1971 $9,181,769,912 $6,727,000,000
1970 $12,546,094,982 $5,785,000,000
1969 $6,634,317,346 $5,017,000,000
1968 $5,200,997,920 $4,325,000,000
1967 $5,203,237,919 $3,709,000,000
1966 $6,366,917,453 $3,207,000,000
1965 $5,874,537,650 $2,869,000,000
1964 $5,552,931,319 $2,592,000,000
1963 $5,165,590,254 $2,218,000,000
1962 $4,909,399,176 $1,960,000,000
1961 $4,467,287,893 $1,778,000,000
1960 $4,196,174,502 $1,743,000,000
1959 - $1,444,000,000
1958 - $1,836,000,000
1957 - $1,636,000,000
1956 - $1,399,000,000
1955 - $1,940,000,000
1954 - $1,628,000,000
1953 - $1,481,000,000
1952 - $1,677,000,000
1951 - $1,197,000,000

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Taiwan by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Taiwan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,224 - - -
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $34,238 -
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $32,444 -
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $32,827 -
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $33,111 -
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $28,705 -
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $25,998 -
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $25,901 -
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $25,121 $50,500
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $23,091 -
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $22,780 $46,800
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $22,874 -
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $21,973 $39,600
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $21,295 $39,400
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $20,866 $38,200
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $19,197 $35,700
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $16,933 $32,000
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $18,081 $31,100
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $17,757 $30,100
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $16,934 $29,500
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $16,456 $27,500
2004 $962 $4,381 $15,317 $25,300
2003 $763 $4,015 $14,066 $23,400
2002 $712 $3,770 $13,686 $18,000
2001 $566 $3,309 $13,397 $17,200
2000 $547 $3,139 $14,908 $17,400
1999 $481 $3,002 $13,804 $16,100
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $12,820 -
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $14,020 -
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $13,641 -
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $13,119 -
1994 $745 $2,853 $12,150 -
1993 $540 $2,921 $11,242 -
1992 $509 $2,991 $10,768 -
1991 $597 $2,870 $9,125 -
1990 $556 $2,840 $8,205 -
1989 $465 - $7,613 -
1988 $540 - $6,370 -
1987 $588 - $5,350 -
1986 $628 - $4,036 -
1985 $869 - $3,314 -
1984 $890 - $3,224 -
1983 $1,207 - $2,903 -
1982 $1,822 - $2,699 -
1981 $2,162 - $2,720 -
1980 $870 - $2,389 -
1979 $661 - $1,950 -
1978 $527 - $1,606 -
1977 $536 - $1,330 -
1976 $556 - $1,158 -
1975 $438 - $985 -
1974 $403 - $934 -
1973 $252.4 - $706 -
1972 $209.5 - $530 -
1971 $160.5 - $451 -
1970 $224.5 - $397 -
1969 $121.4 - $357 -
1968 $97.3 - $319 -
1967 $99.5 - $280.8 -
1966 $124.4 - $249.1 -
1965 $117.3 - $229.3 -
1964 $113.3 - $213.6 -
1963 $107.7 - $188.6 -
1962 $104.5 - $172 -
1961 $97.1 - $161.2 -
1960 $93.1 - $163.4 -
1959 - - $140.4 -
1958 - - $185.1 -
1957 - - $170.5 -
1956 - - $150.6 -
1955 - - $216.3 -
1954 - - $188.3 -
1953 - - $177.7 -
1952 - - $208.4 -
1951 - - $154.3 -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,224, ranking 172/197, compared to $34,238 in Taiwan, ranking 38/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Taiwan
Gross domestic product
$291B
2025
$802B
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2025
22/197
2024
GDP growth
4.01%
2024-2025
2.16%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,224
2025
$34,238
2024
GDP per capita rank
172/197
2025
38/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$50,500
2017
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
44/197
2017
Government debt
$103B
2025
$215B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2025
22.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$434
2025
$9,170
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2025
64/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$768
2026
$18,863
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$86.9B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires n/a
772,000
2026
Number of billionaires
4
2026
66
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
15.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
23%
2024-2025
1.7%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
26.5%
2026
2%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
3.35%
2025
Population
245016045
23229461

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Taiwan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Taiwan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 11.7% 35.5% - 22.4%
2024 12% 39.3% 15.8% 26.8%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 17.1% 29%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 16% 29.5%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 15.4% 30.1%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 16.2% 32%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 15.3% 32.6%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 15.4% 33.8%
2017 8.51% 18% 15.4% 34.5%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 15.6% 35.4%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 15.5% 35.9%
2014 9.49% 15.8% - 37.5%
2013 10% 13% - 38.9%
2012 10.5% 12.5% - 39.2%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 18.3% 38.3%
2010 11.8% 6.67% - 36.9%
2009 11% 6.12% - 36.7%
2008 10.2% 5.17% - 33.4%
2007 12.9% 5.76% - 32.2%
2006 8.75% 6.68% - 33.3%
2005 12.6% 13.4% - 34.1%
2004 13% 25.2% - 33.4%
2003 16.5% 29.9% - 32.1%
2002 13.8% 30.7% - 29.8%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 22.4% 30.1%
2000 17.6% 40.9% - 26.2%
1999 14.9% 46.1% - 23.7%
1998 11.2% 15.8% - 23.7%
1997 9.68% 17.1% - 25%
1996 7.87% 17.9% - -
1995 8.87% 24.2% - -
1994 12.1% 39.7% - -
1993 20% 50.4% - -
1992 15.9% 49.8% - -
1991 13.6% 53.2% 25.4% -
1990 14.2% 50.9% - -
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - 23.6% -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - -
1976 - - 20.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nigeria's government spending was $34.1B, accounting for 11.7% of its GDP, while Taiwan spent $127B, or 15.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Nigeria and 22.4% in Taiwan, ranking 143/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Taiwan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Taiwan
2025 -1.76% -
2024 -1.27% 0.43%
2023 -3.12% -0.61%
2022 -4% 0.17%
2021 -3.97% -0.18%
2020 -4.03% -1.03%
2019 -3.31% 0.11%
2018 -3.06% 0.02%
2017 -3.85% -0.14%
2016 -3.3% -0.31%
2015 -2.7% 0.1%
2014 -1.72% -
2013 -1.89% -
2012 -0.09% -
2011 0.31% -2.15%
2010 -2.96% -
2009 -3.78% -
2008 4.05% -
2007 -0.79% -
2006 6.22% -
2005 3.49% -
2004 3.9% -
2003 -1.56% -
2002 0.95% -
2001 -2.29% -3.7%
2000 2.89% -
1999 -1.39% -
1998 -3.47% -
1997 1.14% -
1996 3.37% -
1995 2.52% -
1994 -2.96% -
1993 -6.07% -
1992 0.94% -
1991 -1.18% -4.5%
1990 -0.48% -
1989 - -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -0.78%
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - 1.32%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.21B, equivalent to 1.27% of GDP. This compares to Taiwan's surplus of $3.45B, or 0.43% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Taiwan ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.91% of GDP for Taiwan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Taiwan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Taiwan
2025 23% 1.7%
2024 33.2% 2.2%
2023 24.7% 2.5%
2022 18.8% 2.9%
2021 17% 2%
2020 13.2% -0.2%
2019 11.4% 0.6%
2018 12.1% 1.4%
2017 16.5% 0.6%
2016 15.7% 1.4%
2015 9.01% -0.3%
2014 8.05% 1.2%
2013 8.5% 0.8%
2012 12.2% 1.9%
2011 10.8% 1.4%
2010 13.7% 1%
2009 12.5% -0.9%
2008 11.6% 3.5%
2007 5.39% 1.8%
2006 8.23% 0.6%
2005 17.9% 2.3%
2004 15% 1.6%
2003 14% -0.3%
2002 12.9% -0.2%
2001 18.9% 0%
2000 6.93% 1.2%
1999 6.62% 0.2%
1998 10% 1.7%
1997 8.53% 0.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.7%, compared with 1.16% in Taiwan. In 2025, inflation was 23% in Nigeria and 1.7% in Taiwan.

Balance of trade

Nigeria Taiwan
Current account balance
$14B
2025
$113B
2024
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2025
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2025
+14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$43B
2025
n/a
Goods exports
$57.5B
2025
n/a
Service imports
$19.6B
2025
n/a
Service exports
$5.06B
2025
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
54.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
73.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Taiwan
Economic freedom 54.8 79.8
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 6/197
Property rights 29.7 83.4
Government integrity 23.5 74.3
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 94.3
Tax burden 84.6 78.9
Government spending 96.3 90
Fiscal health 83.5 92.9
Business freedom 50.3 78.6
Labor freedom 75.4 69
Monetary freedom 56.1 80.3
Trade freedom 64.4 86
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Taiwan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Taiwan
2026 54.8 79.8
2025 53.4 79.7
2024 53.1 80
2023 53.9 80.7
2022 54.4 80.1
2021 58.7 78.6
2020 57.2 77.1
2019 57.3 77.3
2018 58.5 76.6
2017 57.1 76.5
2016 57.5 74.7
2015 55.6 75.1
2014 54.3 73.9
2013 55.1 72.7
2012 56.3 71.9
2011 56.7 70.8
2010 56.8 70.4
2009 55.1 69.5
2008 55.1 70.3
2007 55.6 69.4
2006 48.7 69.7
2005 48.4 71.3
2004 49.2 69.6
2003 49.5 71.7
2002 50.9 71.3
2001 49.6 72.8
2000 53.1 72.5
1999 55.7 71.5
1998 52.3 70.4
1997 52.8 70
1996 47.4 74.1
1995 47.3 74.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 79.8 for Taiwan, ranking 6/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Taiwan
Services, % of GDP
58.2%
2025
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.4%
2025
40.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23%
2025
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$324B
2025
$832B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,230
2025
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$46B
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
52/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82B
2025
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.61B
2024
n/a
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
n/a
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.46%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
1.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
26.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.