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Economy of Nigeria vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 54/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Nigeria vs Tanzania GDP by year

Nigeria
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Tanzania
2024 $252,261,880,141 $78,844,405,385
2023 $487,387,801,881 $79,030,935,627
2022 $646,950,257,578 $75,749,121,843
2021 $609,147,716,973 $70,655,628,148
2020 $598,586,817,819 $66,068,737,786
2019 $668,219,992,691 $61,026,731,926
2018 $421,739,251,509 $57,003,712,892
2017 $375,745,731,053 $53,274,884,533
2016 $404,649,125,252 $49,774,409,374
2015 $493,026,682,801 $47,413,919,817
2014 $574,183,763,412 $49,986,726,461
2013 $520,117,180,314 $45,648,857,242
2012 $463,971,018,239 $39,650,394,363
2011 $414,466,676,831 $34,657,140,096
2010 $366,990,417,129 $32,012,892,919
2009 $295,008,835,381 $29,400,573,554
2008 $339,476,276,258 $27,947,821,398
2007 $278,260,846,800 $21,860,434,823
2006 $238,454,997,161 $18,619,859,795
2005 $175,670,569,969 $18,395,383,647
2004 $135,764,731,646 $16,673,062,473
2003 $104,738,954,264 $15,211,487,709
2002 $95,054,059,303 $14,129,651,896
2001 $73,557,840,064 $13,563,990,022
2000 $69,171,451,627 $13,371,767,082
1999 $59,145,077,039 $12,704,334,196
1998 $218,416,200,673 $12,172,790,056
1997 $200,850,397,618 $11,158,197,942
1996 $185,730,236,700 $9,433,528,150
1995 $140,919,776,986 $7,631,431,840
1994 $80,399,613,064 $6,550,480,484
1993 $56,721,051,402 $6,182,872,708
1992 $52,058,181,854 $6,681,997,469
1991 $59,526,833,412 $7,197,768,159
1990 $54,035,795,388 $6,184,384,225
1989 $44,003,061,108 $6,418,799,007
1988 $49,648,470,440 $7,406,614,407
1987 $52,676,041,931 $7,824,193,222
1986 $54,805,852,581 $10,840,864,521
1985 $73,745,821,158 $15,328,295,175
1984 $73,484,359,521 $12,906,635,133
1983 $97,094,911,792 $14,049,883,809
1982 $142,769,363,314 $13,927,383,240
1981 $164,475,209,516 $13,161,540,378
1980 $64,201,788,123 $11,409,228,087
1979 $47,259,911,894 $9,804,637,491
1978 $36,527,862,209 $9,261,675,710
1977 $36,035,407,725 $7,732,598,995
1976 $36,308,883,249 $6,472,511,988
1975 $27,778,934,625 $5,729,917,840
1974 $24,846,641,318 $4,977,337,978
1973 $15,162,871,287 $4,144,104,535
1972 $12,274,416,018 $3,472,787,266
1971 $9,181,769,912 $3,050,673,517
1970 $12,546,094,982 $2,851,419,386
1969 $6,634,317,346 $5,142,066,811
1968 $5,200,997,920 $4,895,251,824
1967 $5,203,237,919 $4,565,132,048
1966 $6,366,917,453 $4,377,998,825
1965 $5,874,537,650 $3,817,226,546
1964 $5,552,931,319 $3,748,840,925
1963 $5,165,590,254 $3,456,579,293
1962 $4,909,399,176 $3,101,589,993
1961 $4,467,287,893 $2,826,179,031
1960 $4,196,174,502 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Tanzania by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $992 $2,728
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $957 $2,472
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $925 $2,435
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $911 $2,317
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $993 $2,221
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $935 $2,176
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $837 $2,083
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $753 $2,211
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $715 $2,069
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $674 $1,972
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $657 $1,908
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $528 $1,820
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $462 $1,707
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $469 $1,598
2004 $962 $4,381 $438 $1,482
2003 $763 $4,015 $410 $1,379
2002 $712 $3,770 $391 $1,302
2001 $566 $3,309 $385 $1,229
2000 $547 $3,139 $390 $1,164
1999 $481 $3,002 $382 $1,120
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $375 $1,082
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $353 $1,059
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $305 $1,026
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $251.2 $981
1994 $745 $2,853 $222.5 $958
1993 $540 $2,921 $218.2 $959
1992 $509 $2,991 $243.4 $955
1991 $597 $2,870 $268.8 $952
1990 $556 $2,840 $236.9 $925
1989 $465 - $252.3 -
1988 $540 - $299 -
1987 $588 - $326 -
1986 $628 - $466 -
1985 $869 - $681 -
1984 $890 - $593 -
1983 $1,207 - $667 -
1982 $1,822 - $683 -
1981 $2,162 - $665 -
1980 $870 - $595 -
1979 $661 - $527 -
1978 $527 - $515 -
1977 $536 - $446 -
1976 $556 - $387 -
1975 $438 - $355 -
1974 $403 - $320 -
1973 $252.4 - $276.1 -
1972 $209.5 - $239.8 -
1971 $160.5 - $218.4 -
1970 $224.5 - $211.3 -
1969 $121.4 - $394 -
1968 $97.3 - $388 -
1967 $99.5 - $374 -
1966 $124.4 - $370 -
1965 $117.3 - $333 -
1964 $113.3 - $337 -
1963 $107.7 - $320 -
1962 $104.5 - $295.7 -
1961 $97.1 - $277.4 -
1960 $93.1 - $267.8 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
243824469
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 19% 47.8%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 17.3% 42%
2017 8.51% 18% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 10% 13% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 19.6% 30%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 19% 28.4%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 11% 6.12% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 13% 25.2% 17% 44.5%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 16.8% 126%
1993 20% 50.4% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 135/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Tanzania
2024 -1.57% -3.03%
2023 -3.12% -3.67%
2022 -4% -3.92%
2021 -3.97% -3.55%
2020 -4.03% -2.56%
2019 -3.31% -2.06%
2018 -3.06% -2.01%
2017 -3.85% -1.14%
2016 -3.3% -2.08%
2015 -2.7% -3.17%
2014 -1.72% -2.91%
2013 -1.89% -3.76%
2012 -0.09% -4%
2011 0.31% -3.51%
2010 -2.96% -4.74%
2009 -3.78% -4.46%
2008 4.05% -1.92%
2007 -0.79% -1.44%
2006 6.22% -3.38%
2005 3.49% -3.28%
2004 3.9% -2.43%
2003 -1.56% -1.77%
2002 0.95% -0.73%
2001 -2.29% -0.41%
2000 2.89% -0.73%
1999 -1.39% -1.14%
1998 -3.47% 0.13%
1997 1.14% -0.03%
1996 3.37% 1.57%
1995 2.52% -2.12%
1994 -2.96% -3.74%
1993 -6.07% -2.02%
1992 0.94% -4.96%
1991 -1.18% 0.6%
1990 -0.48% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Tanzania
2024 33.2% 3.06%
2023 24.7% 3.8%
2022 18.8% 4.35%
2021 17% 3.69%
2020 13.2% 3.29%
2019 11.4% 3.46%
2018 12.1% 3.49%
2017 16.5% 5.32%
2016 15.7% 5.17%
2015 9.01% 5.59%
2014 8.05% 6.13%
2013 8.5% 7.87%
2012 12.2% 16%
2011 10.8% 12.7%
2010 13.7% 6.2%
2009 12.5% 12.1%
2008 11.6% 10.3%
2007 5.39% 7.03%
2006 8.23% 7.25%
2005 17.9% 5.03%
2004 15% 4.74%
2003 14% 5.3%
2002 12.9% 5.32%
2001 18.9% 5.15%
2000 6.93% 5.92%
1999 6.62% 7.89%
1998 10% 12.8%
1997 8.53% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.32M
Machinery & equipment $1.04M
Chemicals & pharma $336K
Animal & marine products $119K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $70K
Textiles & consumer goods $48K
Metals $45K
Raw materials & minerals $19K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $14.7M
Animal & marine products $2.78M
Machinery & equipment $2.52M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.45M
Raw agricultural goods $244K
Chemicals & pharma $229K
Metals $106K
Wood & paper products $68K
Raw materials & minerals $55K
Precious metals & jewellery $16K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Tanzania
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Tanzania
Economic freedom 54.8 59
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 106/197
Property rights 29.7 45.2
Government integrity 23.5 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 29.6
Tax burden 84.6 80.4
Government spending 96.3 89.1
Fiscal health 83.5 75
Business freedom 50.3 48.1
Labor freedom 75.4 62.3
Monetary freedom 56.1 73.4
Trade freedom 64.4 58.8
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Tanzania
2026 54.8 59
2025 53.4 59.3
2024 53.1 59.1
2023 53.9 60
2022 54.4 59.5
2021 58.7 61.3
2020 57.2 61.7
2019 57.3 60.2
2018 58.5 59.9
2017 57.1 58.6
2016 57.5 58.5
2015 55.6 57.5
2014 54.3 57.8
2013 55.1 57.9
2012 56.3 57
2011 56.7 57
2010 56.8 58.3
2009 55.1 58.3
2008 55.1 56.5
2007 55.6 56.8
2006 48.7 58.5
2005 48.4 56.3
2004 49.2 60.1
2003 49.5 56.9
2002 50.9 58.3
2001 49.6 54.9
2000 53.1 56
1999 55.7 60
1998 52.3 59.6
1997 52.8 59.3
1996 47.4 57.5
1995 47.3 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1991–2000, 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.