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Economy of Nigeria vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Nigeria has a GDP of $291B compared to $679M for Tonga, ranking 50/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $103B in government debt (35.5% of GDP), compared to $186M (27.4% of GDP) in Tonga.

Nigeria vs Tonga GDP by year

Nigeria
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Tonga
2025 $290,794,361,542 $679,218,219
2024 $252,261,880,140 $647,488,244
2023 $487,387,801,878 $591,139,734
2022 $646,950,257,575 $556,514,556
2021 $609,147,716,965 $519,306,339
2020 $598,586,817,817 $506,571,487
2019 $668,219,992,687 $506,031,248
2018 $421,739,251,509 $493,530,767
2017 $375,745,731,053 $459,976,847
2016 $404,649,125,252 $420,828,255
2015 $493,026,682,801 $437,525,539
2014 $574,183,763,412 $440,997,735
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $1,224 - $6,547 -
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $6,215 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,224, ranking 172/197, compared to $6,547 in Tonga, ranking 110/197. 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
$291B
2025
$679M
2025
GDP rank
50/197
2025
191/197
2025
GDP growth
4.01%
2024-2025
2.8%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,224
2025
$6,547
2025
GDP per capita rank
172/197
2025
110/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$103B
2025
$186M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
35.5%
2025
27.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$434
2025
$1,793
2025
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2025
123/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$768
2026
$4,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$86.9B
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2026
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
11.7%
2025
46.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
23%
2024-2025
5.59%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
26.5%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
1.65%
2023
Population
245016045
103283

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
2025 11.7% 35.5% 46.8% 27.4%
2024 12% 39.3% 44.3% 31.9%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 41.5% 37.2%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 41.3% 40.2%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 44.5% 43%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 37.1% 41.7%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 39% 41.8%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 39.3% 45.5%
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% 15.8% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nigeria's government spending was $34.1B, accounting for 11.7% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $318M, or 46.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 35.5% in Nigeria and 27.4% in Tonga, ranking 143/185 and 162/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Tonga
2025 -1.76% 4.86%
2024 -1.27% 3.6%
2023 -3.12% 5.28%
2022 -4% -0.09%
2021 -3.97% -0.87%
2020 -4.03% 5.15%
2019 -3.31% 3.2%
2018 -3.06% 2.9%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.12B, equivalent to 1.76% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $33M, or 4.86% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.08% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.1% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Tonga
2025 23% 5.59%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.7%, compared with 5.2% in Tonga. In 2025, inflation was 23% in Nigeria and 5.59% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Nigeria Tonga
Current account balance
$14B
2025
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
21/190
2025
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.83%
2025
-6.72%
2024
Goods imports
$43B
2025
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$57.5B
2025
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$19.6B
2025
$161M
2024
Service exports
$5.06B
2025
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
60.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
16.9%
2024

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 2026-07-08).

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
58.2%
2025
49.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.4%
2025
17.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23%
2025
18.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$324B
2025
$709M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,230
2025
$9,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$46B
2025
$413M
2025
Total reserves ranking
52/177
2025
162/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82B
2025
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.61B
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.46%
2024
6.33%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
26.4%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

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

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.