Skip to content

Economy of Nigeria vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 54/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Nigeria vs Tonga GDP by year

Nigeria
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Tonga
2024 $252,261,880,141 -
2023 $487,387,801,881 $591,139,749
2022 $646,950,257,578 $556,514,555
2021 $609,147,716,973 $519,306,353
2020 $598,586,817,819 $506,571,468
2019 $668,219,992,691 $506,031,239
2018 $421,739,251,509 $493,530,783
2017 $375,745,731,053 $459,976,850
2016 $404,649,125,252 $420,828,262
2015 $493,026,682,801 $437,525,514
2014 $574,183,763,412 $440,997,738
2013 $520,117,180,314 $451,788,498
2012 $463,971,018,239 $471,122,971
2011 $414,466,676,831 $414,143,828
2010 $366,990,417,129 $366,887,375
2009 $295,008,835,381 $312,415,028
2008 $339,476,276,258 $344,438,844
2007 $278,260,846,800 $298,519,623
2006 $238,454,997,161 $292,232,703
2005 $175,670,569,969 $261,823,805
2004 $135,764,731,646 $230,678,011
2003 $104,738,954,264 $202,246,591
2002 $95,054,059,303 $182,764,281
2001 $73,557,840,064 $181,117,230
2000 $69,171,451,627 $204,848,488
1999 $59,145,077,039 $199,208,718
1998 $218,416,200,673 $191,504,893
1997 $200,850,397,618 $214,991,452
1996 $185,730,236,700 $222,100,576
1995 $140,919,776,986 $208,871,666
1994 $80,399,613,064 $195,990,986
1993 $56,721,051,402 $138,489,884
1992 $52,058,181,854 $137,066,291
1991 $59,526,833,412 $132,201,141
1990 $54,035,795,388 $113,563,822
1989 $44,003,061,108 $106,344,855
1988 $49,648,470,440 $106,657,267
1987 $52,676,041,931 $81,667,133
1986 $54,805,852,581 $68,195,856
1985 $73,745,821,158 $60,058,663
1984 $73,484,359,521 $64,248,355
1983 $97,094,911,792 $60,863,964
1982 $142,769,363,314 $62,068,161
1981 $164,475,209,516 $62,242,013
1980 $64,201,788,123 $53,260,077
1979 $47,259,911,894 $44,667,002
1978 $36,527,862,209 $41,567,472
1977 $36,035,407,725 $34,139,388
1976 $36,308,883,249 $30,036,417
1975 $27,778,934,625 $32,506,742
1974 $24,846,641,318 -
1973 $15,162,871,287 -
1972 $12,274,416,018 -
1971 $9,181,769,912 -
1970 $12,546,094,982 -
1969 $6,634,317,346 -
1968 $5,200,997,920 -
1967 $5,203,237,919 -
1966 $6,366,917,453 -
1965 $5,874,537,650 -
1964 $5,552,931,319 -
1963 $5,165,590,254 -
1962 $4,909,399,176 -
1961 $4,467,287,893 -
1960 $4,196,174,502 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Tonga by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 - -
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $962 $4,381 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $763 $4,015 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $712 $3,770 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $566 $3,309 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $547 $3,139 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $481 $3,002 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $745 $2,853 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $540 $2,921 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $509 $2,991 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $556 $2,840 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $465 - $1,070 -
1988 $540 - $1,078 -
1987 $588 - $830 -
1986 $628 - $696 -
1985 $869 - $613 -
1984 $890 - $656 -
1983 $1,207 - $621 -
1982 $1,822 - $633 -
1981 $2,162 - $636 -
1980 $870 - $545 -
1979 $661 - $458 -
1978 $527 - $428 -
1977 $536 - $353 -
1976 $556 - $315 -
1975 $438 - $349 -
1974 $403 - - -
1973 $252.4 - - -
1972 $209.5 - - -
1971 $160.5 - - -
1970 $224.5 - - -
1969 $121.4 - - -
1968 $97.3 - - -
1967 $99.5 - - -
1966 $124.4 - - -
1965 $117.3 - - -
1964 $113.3 - - -
1963 $107.7 - - -
1962 $104.5 - - -
1961 $97.1 - - -
1960 $93.1 - - -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Tonga
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
54/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$3,886
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
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
243824469
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 51.3% 37%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 44.6% 43%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 8.51% 18% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 10% 13% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 32% 60%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 11% 6.12% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 24% 34%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 13% 25.2% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 20% 56.2%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 20% 43.6%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 18.8% 38.4%
1998 11.2% 15.8% - -
1997 9.68% 17.1% - -
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% - -
1990 14.2% 50.9% - -

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 37% in Tonga, ranking 135/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Tonga
2024 -1.57% 4.17%
2023 -3.12% 6.14%
2022 -4% -0.1%
2021 -3.97% -0.87%
2020 -4.03% 5.25%
2019 -3.31% 3.28%
2018 -3.06% 2.92%
2017 -3.85% 3.58%
2016 -3.3% 1.47%
2015 -2.7% -2.75%
2014 -1.72% 6.38%
2013 -1.89% -1.3%
2012 -0.09% -1.74%
2011 0.31% -6.02%
2010 -2.96% -1.22%
2009 -3.78% 6.85%
2008 4.05% 2.14%
2007 -0.79% 5.39%
2006 6.22% 1.34%
2005 3.49% 4.23%
2004 3.9% 4.23%
2003 -1.56% 2.37%
2002 0.95% 2.59%
2001 -2.29% 2.23%
2000 2.89% 1.35%
1999 -1.39% 1.55%
1998 -3.47% -
1997 1.14% -
1996 3.37% -
1995 2.52% -
1994 -2.96% -
1993 -6.07% -
1992 0.94% -
1991 -1.18% -
1990 -0.48% -

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

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

In 2023, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $15.2B, equivalent to 3.12% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Tonga
2024 33.2% 3.18%
2023 24.7% 6.35%
2022 18.8% 11%
2021 17% 5.64%
2020 13.2% -0.35%
2019 11.4% 1.18%
2018 12.1% 5.03%
2017 16.5% 7.52%
2016 15.7% 2.58%
2015 9.01% -1.05%
2014 8.05% 2.51%
2013 8.5% 0.78%
2012 12.2% 1.15%
2011 10.8% 6.27%
2010 13.7% 3.53%
2009 12.5% 1.43%
2008 11.6% 10.4%
2007 5.39% 5.84%
2006 8.23% 6.15%
2005 17.9% 8.67%
2004 15% 11%
2003 14% 11.6%
2002 12.9% 10.4%
2001 18.9% 8.29%
2000 6.93% 6.33%
1999 6.62% 4.46%
1998 10% 3.27%
1997 8.53% 2.12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Nigeria Tonga
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Tonga
Economic freedom 54.8 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 107/197
Property rights 29.7 71.1
Government integrity 23.5 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 64.9
Tax burden 84.6 85.6
Government spending 96.3 31
Fiscal health 83.5 97.3
Business freedom 50.3 59.2
Labor freedom 75.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 56.1 61
Trade freedom 64.4 75.4
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Tonga
2026 54.8 58.9
2025 53.4 58.5
2024 53.1 59.2
2023 53.9 60
2022 54.4 60.8
2021 58.7 57.5
2020 57.2 58.8
2019 57.3 57.7
2018 58.5 63.1
2017 57.1 63
2016 57.5 59.6
2015 55.6 59.3
2014 54.3 58.2
2013 55.1 56
2012 56.3 57
2011 56.7 55.8
2010 56.8 53.4
2009 55.1 54.1
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 -
1999 55.7 -
1998 52.3 -
1997 52.8 -
1996 47.4 -
1995 47.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Tonga
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.