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Economy of Nigeria vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 54/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Nigeria vs Thailand GDP by year

Nigeria
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Thailand
2024 $252,261,880,141 $526,517,658,842
2023 $487,387,801,881 $515,906,283,941
2022 $646,950,257,578 $495,644,697,588
2021 $609,147,716,973 $506,194,668,790
2020 $598,586,817,819 $500,461,898,480
2019 $668,219,992,691 $543,976,691,794
2018 $421,739,251,509 $506,754,208,404
2017 $375,745,731,053 $456,356,813,537
2016 $404,649,125,252 $413,366,349,748
2015 $493,026,682,801 $401,296,238,228
2014 $574,183,763,412 $407,339,040,198
2013 $520,117,180,314 $420,333,654,593
2012 $463,971,018,239 $397,558,325,279
2011 $414,466,676,831 $370,818,739,624
2010 $366,990,417,129 $341,104,766,329
2009 $295,008,835,381 $281,710,630,187
2008 $339,476,276,258 $291,382,982,431
2007 $278,260,846,800 $262,942,621,455
2006 $238,454,997,161 $221,758,296,022
2005 $175,670,569,969 $189,318,408,469
2004 $135,764,731,646 $172,895,685,155
2003 $104,738,954,264 $152,280,615,246
2002 $95,054,059,303 $134,300,904,400
2001 $73,557,840,064 $120,296,476,180
2000 $69,171,451,627 $126,392,224,254
1999 $59,145,077,039 $126,669,211,779
1998 $218,416,200,673 $113,675,596,788
1997 $200,850,397,618 $150,180,456,566
1996 $185,730,236,700 $183,035,237,429
1995 $140,919,776,986 $169,278,916,593
1994 $80,399,613,064 $146,683,778,959
1993 $56,721,051,402 $128,889,262,951
1992 $52,058,181,854 $111,452,746,518
1991 $59,526,833,412 $98,234,714,971
1990 $54,035,795,388 $85,343,190,719
1989 $44,003,061,108 $72,250,748,100
1988 $49,648,470,440 $61,667,253,471
1987 $52,676,041,931 $50,535,446,555
1986 $54,805,852,581 $43,096,773,981
1985 $73,745,821,158 $38,900,711,333
1984 $73,484,359,521 $41,797,647,776
1983 $97,094,911,792 $40,042,798,388
1982 $142,769,363,314 $36,589,772,404
1981 $164,475,209,516 $34,846,039,194
1980 $64,201,788,123 $32,353,514,989
1979 $47,259,911,894 $27,371,650,825
1978 $36,527,862,209 $24,006,566,637
1977 $36,035,407,725 $19,779,312,261
1976 $36,308,883,249 $16,985,208,648
1975 $27,778,934,625 $14,882,770,594
1974 $24,846,641,318 $13,702,998,512
1973 $15,162,871,287 $10,838,587,358
1972 $12,274,416,018 $8,177,873,151
1971 $9,181,769,912 $7,375,000,024
1970 $12,546,094,982 $7,086,538,438
1969 $6,634,317,346 $6,695,336,567
1968 $5,200,997,920 $6,081,009,428
1967 $5,203,237,919 $5,638,461,442
1966 $6,366,917,453 $5,279,230,817
1965 $5,874,537,650 $4,388,937,649
1964 $5,552,931,319 $3,889,129,942
1963 $5,165,590,254 $3,540,403,457
1962 $4,909,399,176 $3,308,912,797
1961 $4,467,287,893 $3,034,037,811
1960 $4,196,174,502 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Thailand by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $962 $4,381 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $763 $4,015 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $712 $3,770 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $566 $3,309 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $547 $3,139 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $481 $3,002 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $745 $2,853 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $540 $2,921 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $509 $2,991 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $556 $2,840 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $465 - $1,342 -
1988 $540 - $1,164 -
1987 $588 - $970 -
1986 $628 - $842 -
1985 $869 - $774 -
1984 $890 - $847 -
1983 $1,207 - $827 -
1982 $1,822 - $770 -
1981 $2,162 - $748 -
1980 $870 - $709 -
1979 $661 - $612 -
1978 $527 - $548 -
1977 $536 - $462 -
1976 $556 - $405 -
1975 $438 - $364 -
1974 $403 - $343 -
1973 $252.4 - $278.3 -
1972 $209.5 - $215.6 -
1971 $160.5 - $199.7 -
1970 $224.5 - $197.1 -
1969 $121.4 - $191.4 -
1968 $97.3 - $178.8 -
1967 $99.5 - $170.7 -
1966 $124.4 - $164.5 -
1965 $117.3 - $140.9 -
1964 $113.3 - $128.6 -
1963 $107.7 - $120.7 -
1962 $104.5 - $116.2 -
1961 $97.1 - $109.7 -
1960 $93.1 - $102.8 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Thailand
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires
4
2025
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
0.78%
2024
Population
243824469
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 8.51% 18% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 10% 13% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 22% 39.8%
2009 11% 6.12% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 20% 36%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 13% 25.2% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 18% 15.2%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 16% 6.69%
1993 20% 50.4% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 17% 14.1%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 135/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Thailand
2024 -1.57% -1.29%
2023 -3.12% -1.98%
2022 -4% -4.61%
2021 -3.97% -6.74%
2020 -4.03% -4.47%
2019 -3.31% 0.43%
2018 -3.06% 0.2%
2017 -3.85% -0.42%
2016 -3.3% 0.41%
2015 -2.7% 0.19%
2014 -1.72% -0.7%
2013 -1.89% 0.6%
2012 -0.09% -0.86%
2011 0.31% 0.09%
2010 -2.96% -1.07%
2009 -3.78% -2.21%
2008 4.05% 0.8%
2007 -0.79% 0.22%
2006 6.22% 1.87%
2005 3.49% 2.17%
2004 3.9% 1.11%
2003 -1.56% 1.98%
2002 0.95% -6.72%
2001 -2.29% -1.77%
2000 2.89% -1.79%
1999 -1.39% -9.02%
1998 -3.47% -6.29%
1997 1.14% -1.68%
1996 3.37% 2.75%
1995 2.52% 3.05%
1994 -2.96% 2.78%
1993 -6.07% 6.67%
1992 0.94% -0.18%
1991 -1.18% 1.6%
1990 -0.48% 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.67% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Thailand
2024 33.2% 1.37%
2023 24.7% 8.48%
2022 18.8% -1.61%
2021 17% 1.23%
2020 13.2% -0.85%
2019 11.4% 0.71%
2018 12.1% 1.06%
2017 16.5% 0.67%
2016 15.7% 0.19%
2015 9.01% -0.9%
2014 8.05% 1.9%
2013 8.5% 2.18%
2012 12.2% 3.01%
2011 10.8% 3.81%
2010 13.7% 3.25%
2009 12.5% -0.85%
2008 11.6% 5.47%
2007 5.39% 2.24%
2006 8.23% 4.64%
2005 17.9% 4.54%
2004 15% 2.76%
2003 14% 1.8%
2002 12.9% 0.7%
2001 18.9% 1.63%
2000 6.93% 1.59%
1999 6.62% 0.28%
1998 10% 7.99%
1997 8.53% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $541M
Metals $5.19M
Raw agricultural goods $997K
Machinery & equipment $85K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $54.1M
Machinery & equipment $48.2M
Raw materials & minerals $31.6M
Metals $26.2M
Raw agricultural goods $20.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $12.5M
Wood & paper products $3.88M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.51M
Animal & marine products $1.28M

Balance of trade

Nigeria Thailand
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Thailand
Economic freedom 54.8 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 88/197
Property rights 29.7 41.8
Government integrity 23.5 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 35
Tax burden 84.6 80.8
Government spending 96.3 83.6
Fiscal health 83.5 81
Business freedom 50.3 69.9
Labor freedom 75.4 56.4
Monetary freedom 56.1 73.3
Trade freedom 64.4 70.2
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Thailand
2026 54.8 62.2
2025 53.4 60.6
2024 53.1 59
2023 53.9 60.6
2022 54.4 63.2
2021 58.7 69.7
2020 57.2 69.4
2019 57.3 68.3
2018 58.5 67.1
2017 57.1 66.2
2016 57.5 63.9
2015 55.6 62.4
2014 54.3 63.3
2013 55.1 64.1
2012 56.3 64.9
2011 56.7 64.7
2010 56.8 64.1
2009 55.1 63
2008 55.1 62.3
2007 55.6 63.5
2006 48.7 63.3
2005 48.4 62.5
2004 49.2 63.7
2003 49.5 65.8
2002 50.9 69.1
2001 49.6 68.9
2000 53.1 66.6
1999 55.7 66.9
1998 52.3 67.3
1997 52.8 66.1
1996 47.4 71
1995 47.3 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Thailand
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
21.6%
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/thailand | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.