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Economy of Nigeria vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 54/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Nigeria vs Tunisia GDP by year

Nigeria
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Tunisia
2024 $252,261,880,141 $51,332,285,657
2023 $487,387,801,881 $48,205,328,303
2022 $646,950,257,578 $44,929,920,093
2021 $609,147,716,973 $47,073,234,359
2020 $598,586,817,819 $42,491,780,918
2019 $668,219,992,691 $41,905,642,419
2018 $421,739,251,509 $42,686,504,460
2017 $375,745,731,053 $42,163,530,591
2016 $404,649,125,252 $44,360,072,680
2015 $493,026,682,801 $45,779,494,042
2014 $574,183,763,412 $50,271,812,921
2013 $520,117,180,314 $48,685,446,414
2012 $463,971,018,239 $47,311,401,813
2011 $414,466,676,831 $48,123,325,825
2010 $366,990,417,129 $46,206,091,938
2009 $295,008,835,381 $43,455,740,497
2008 $339,476,276,258 $44,859,439,902
2007 $278,260,846,800 $38,915,353,867
2006 $238,454,997,161 $34,376,664,601
2005 $175,670,569,969 $32,272,186,695
2004 $135,764,731,646 $31,183,885,241
2003 $104,738,954,264 $27,453,902,261
2002 $95,054,059,303 $23,141,616,605
2001 $73,557,840,064 $22,065,832,449
2000 $69,171,451,627 $21,473,528,161
1999 $59,145,077,039 $22,943,202,175
1998 $218,416,200,673 $21,802,893,587
1997 $200,850,397,618 $20,746,210,354
1996 $185,730,236,700 $19,587,161,807
1995 $140,919,776,986 $18,030,876,599
1994 $80,399,613,064 $15,633,174,304
1993 $56,721,051,402 $14,608,335,608
1992 $52,058,181,854 $15,496,708,060
1991 $59,526,833,412 $13,074,782,609
1990 $54,035,795,388 $12,290,568,182
1989 $44,003,061,108 $10,101,851,745
1988 $49,648,470,440 $10,096,245,762
1987 $52,676,041,931 $9,696,715,911
1986 $54,805,852,581 $9,017,806,654
1985 $73,745,821,158 $8,410,226,053
1984 $73,484,359,521 $8,254,541,195
1983 $97,094,911,792 $8,350,582,748
1982 $142,769,363,314 $8,133,580,052
1981 $164,475,209,516 $8,428,445,294
1980 $64,201,788,123 $8,744,134,354
1979 $47,259,911,894 $7,188,863,904
1978 $36,527,862,209 $5,968,460,080
1977 $36,035,407,725 $5,109,324,009
1976 $36,308,883,249 $4,508,191,942
1975 $27,778,934,625 $4,328,965,588
1974 $24,846,641,318 $3,545,868,575
1973 $15,162,871,287 $2,730,813,385
1972 $12,274,416,018 $2,237,556,149
1971 $9,181,769,912 $1,685,162,272
1970 $12,546,094,982 $1,439,238,095
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,289,904,762
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,214,666,667
1967 $5,203,237,919 $1,085,714,286
1966 $6,366,917,453 $1,040,952,381
1965 $5,874,537,650 $991,047,619
1964 $5,552,931,319 $1,025,866,792
1963 $5,165,590,254 $1,026,737,600
1962 $4,909,399,176 $880,027,733
1961 $4,467,287,893 $866,155,429
1960 $4,196,174,502 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Tunisia by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $962 $4,381 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $763 $4,015 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $712 $3,770 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $566 $3,309 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $547 $3,139 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $481 $3,002 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $745 $2,853 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $540 $2,921 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $509 $2,991 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $556 $2,840 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $465 - $1,239 -
1988 $540 - $1,266 -
1987 $588 - $1,245 -
1986 $628 - $1,187 -
1985 $869 - $1,135 -
1984 $890 - $1,143 -
1983 $1,207 - $1,184 -
1982 $1,822 - $1,177 -
1981 $2,162 - $1,247 -
1980 $870 - $1,324 -
1979 $661 - $1,113 -
1978 $527 - $946 -
1977 $536 - $830 -
1976 $556 - $752 -
1975 $438 - $741 -
1974 $403 - $624 -
1973 $252.4 - $493 -
1972 $209.5 - $415 -
1971 $160.5 - $320 -
1970 $224.5 - $280.5 -
1969 $121.4 - $257.7 -
1968 $97.3 - $248.9 -
1967 $99.5 - $228 -
1966 $124.4 - $223.8 -
1965 $117.3 - $217.3 -
1964 $113.3 - $228.5 -
1963 $107.7 - $231.9 -
1962 $104.5 - $201.4 -
1961 $97.1 - $200.7 -
1960 $93.1 - - -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$54.4B
2024
$8.3B
2024
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
26.3%
2022
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
15.1%
2023
Population
243824469
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 35.7% 84%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 36.5% 83%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 8.51% 18% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 10% 13% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 28.3% 49%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 24% 38.8%
2009 11% 6.12% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 23% 50%
2004 13% 25.2% 23% 51.6%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 24% 52.2%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 24% 62.9%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 24% 61.9%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 20% 50.4% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 27.6% 63.3%
1990 14.2% 50.9% - -

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

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 135/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Tunisia
2024 -1.57% -5.92%
2023 -3.12% -7.03%
2022 -4% -6.91%
2021 -3.97% -7.6%
2020 -4.03% -9.06%
2019 -3.31% -3.6%
2018 -3.06% -4.27%
2017 -3.85% -5.61%
2016 -3.3% -5.87%
2015 -2.7% -4.95%
2014 -1.72% -3.11%
2013 -1.89% -7.05%
2012 -0.09% -4.9%
2011 0.31% -3.19%
2010 -2.96% -0.46%
2009 -3.78% -2.59%
2008 4.05% -0.62%
2007 -0.79% -2.47%
2006 6.22% -2.33%
2005 3.49% -2.59%
2004 3.9% -2.1%
2003 -1.56% -2.64%
2002 0.95% -2.55%
2001 -2.29% -2.87%
2000 2.89% -3.22%
1999 -1.39% -3.05%
1998 -3.47% -2.84%
1997 1.14% -3.7%
1996 3.37% -5.18%
1995 2.52% -4.53%
1994 -2.96% -2.87%
1993 -6.07% -3.22%
1992 0.94% -3.45%
1991 -1.18% -5.25%
1990 -0.48% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/nigeria/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Tunisia
2024 33.2% 7%
2023 24.7% 9.3%
2022 18.8% 8.3%
2021 17% 5.7%
2020 13.2% 5.6%
2019 11.4% 6.7%
2018 12.1% 7.3%
2017 16.5% 5.3%
2016 15.7% 3.6%
2015 9.01% 4.4%
2014 8.05% 4.6%
2013 8.5% 5.3%
2012 12.2% 4.6%
2011 10.8% 3.2%
2010 13.7% 4.4%
2009 12.5% 3.5%
2008 11.6% 4.9%
2007 5.39% 3.4%
2006 8.23% 4.1%
2005 17.9% 2%
2004 15% 3.7%
2003 14% 2.7%
2002 12.9% 2.7%
2001 18.9% 1.9%
2000 6.93% 2.8%
1999 6.62% 2.8%
1998 10% 3.1%
1997 8.53% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $33.1M
Raw agricultural goods $145K
Textiles & consumer goods $59K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Metals $1K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $11.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $965K
Chemicals & pharma $942K
Machinery & equipment $174K
Miscellaneous $171K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $113K
Animal & marine products $72K
Metals $39K
Raw agricultural goods $39K
Wood & paper products $34K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Tunisia
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Tunisia
Economic freedom 54.8 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 172/197
Property rights 29.7 55.7
Government integrity 23.5 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 39.7
Tax burden 84.6 68.5
Government spending 96.3 62.5
Fiscal health 83.5 16
Business freedom 50.3 59.4
Labor freedom 75.4 55.8
Monetary freedom 56.1 72.4
Trade freedom 64.4 54.6
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Tunisia
2026 54.8 48.1
2025 53.4 49.1
2024 53.1 48.8
2023 53.9 52.9
2022 54.4 54.2
2021 58.7 56.6
2020 57.2 55.8
2019 57.3 55.4
2018 58.5 58.9
2017 57.1 55.7
2016 57.5 57.6
2015 55.6 57.7
2014 54.3 57.3
2013 55.1 57
2012 56.3 58.6
2011 56.7 58.5
2010 56.8 58.9
2009 55.1 58
2008 55.1 60.1
2007 55.6 60.3
2006 48.7 57.5
2005 48.4 55.4
2004 49.2 58.4
2003 49.5 58.1
2002 50.9 60.2
2001 49.6 60.8
2000 53.1 61.3
1999 55.7 61.1
1998 52.3 63.9
1997 52.8 63.8
1996 47.4 63.9
1995 47.3 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
7.86%
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/tunisia | 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 (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.