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Economy of Nigeria vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 54/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Nigeria vs Uganda GDP by year

Nigeria
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Uganda
2024 $252,261,880,141 $53,911,907,086
2023 $487,387,801,881 $48,768,955,863
2022 $646,950,257,578 $45,565,333,211
2021 $609,147,716,973 $40,529,788,749
2020 $598,586,817,819 $37,600,368,242
2019 $668,219,992,691 $35,353,061,003
2018 $421,739,251,509 $32,927,025,620
2017 $375,745,731,053 $30,744,473,841
2016 $404,649,125,252 $29,203,988,696
2015 $493,026,682,801 $32,387,183,730
2014 $574,183,763,412 $32,612,397,257
2013 $520,117,180,314 $28,915,786,517
2012 $463,971,018,239 $27,305,915,911
2011 $414,466,676,831 $27,871,725,241
2010 $366,990,417,129 $26,673,441,431
2009 $295,008,835,381 $25,127,805,567
2008 $339,476,276,258 $14,440,404,132
2007 $278,260,846,800 $11,902,564,495
2006 $238,454,997,161 $9,977,647,683
2005 $175,670,569,969 $9,239,221,763
2004 $135,764,731,646 $7,939,487,548
2003 $104,738,954,264 $6,606,884,275
2002 $95,054,059,303 $6,178,563,591
2001 $73,557,840,064 $5,840,503,869
2000 $69,171,451,627 $6,193,246,837
1999 $59,145,077,039 $5,998,563,258
1998 $218,416,200,673 $6,584,815,847
1997 $200,850,397,618 $6,269,333,313
1996 $185,730,236,700 $6,044,585,327
1995 $140,919,776,986 $5,755,818,842
1994 $80,399,613,064 $3,990,430,447
1993 $56,721,051,402 $3,220,439,044
1992 $52,058,181,854 $2,857,457,762
1991 $59,526,833,412 $3,321,729,160
1990 $54,035,795,388 $4,304,399,310
1989 $44,003,061,108 $5,276,480,799
1988 $49,648,470,440 $6,508,931,652
1987 $52,676,041,931 $6,269,522,042
1986 $54,805,852,581 $3,923,244,050
1985 $73,745,821,158 $3,519,695,444
1984 $73,484,359,521 $3,615,647,477
1983 $97,094,911,792 $2,240,333,333
1982 $142,769,363,314 $2,177,500,000
1981 $164,475,209,516 $1,337,300,000
1980 $64,201,788,123 $1,244,610,000
1979 $47,259,911,894 $2,139,025,000
1978 $36,527,862,209 $2,420,260,870
1977 $36,035,407,725 $2,936,470,588
1976 $36,308,883,249 $2,447,300,000
1975 $27,778,934,625 $2,359,555,556
1974 $24,846,641,318 $2,098,944,967
1973 $15,162,871,287 $1,701,829,789
1972 $12,274,416,018 $1,490,970,181
1971 $9,181,769,912 $1,417,191,656
1970 $12,546,094,982 $1,259,554,809
1969 $6,634,317,346 $1,168,556,629
1968 $5,200,997,920 $1,037,379,252
1967 $5,203,237,919 $967,240,655
1966 $6,366,917,453 $925,381,492
1965 $5,874,537,650 $884,502,310
1964 $5,552,931,319 $589,247,687
1963 $5,165,590,254 $516,315,231
1962 $4,909,399,176 $449,158,233
1961 $4,467,287,893 $441,667,335
1960 $4,196,174,502 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Uganda by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $2,139 $8,705 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $2,899 $8,305 $963 $2,919
2021 $2,787 $7,588 $883 $2,685
2020 $2,797 $7,415 $846 $2,532
2019 $3,190 $7,551 $822 $2,441
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $792 $2,312
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $765 $2,158
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $753 $2,165
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $863 $2,190
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $896 $2,134
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $818 $2,045
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $795 $2,032
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $836 $2,268
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $823 $2,092
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $799 $2,015
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $473 $1,931
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $401 $1,795
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $347 $1,660
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $330 $1,497
2004 $962 $4,381 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $763 $4,015 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $712 $3,770 $242 $1,255
2001 $566 $3,309 $236 $1,173
2000 $547 $3,139 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $481 $3,002 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $284.7 $969
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $278.5 $897
1994 $745 $2,853 $198.4 $809
1993 $540 $2,921 $165.6 $770
1992 $509 $2,991 $152.1 $719
1991 $597 $2,870 $183 $703
1990 $556 $2,840 $245 $666
1989 $465 - $310 -
1988 $540 - $395 -
1987 $588 - $393 -
1986 $628 - $253.6 -
1985 $869 - $234.3 -
1984 $890 - $247.5 -
1983 $1,207 - $157.5 -
1982 $1,822 - $157 -
1981 $2,162 - $98.6 -
1980 $870 - $93.8 -
1979 $661 - $164.5 -
1978 $527 - $190.7 -
1977 $536 - $237.6 -
1976 $556 - $203.3 -
1975 $438 - $201.2 -
1974 $403 - $183.7 -
1973 $252.4 - $152.7 -
1972 $209.5 - $137 -
1971 $160.5 - $133.5 -
1970 $224.5 - $122 -
1969 $121.4 - $116.7 -
1968 $97.3 - $106.9 -
1967 $99.5 - $102.8 -
1966 $124.4 - $101.4 -
1965 $117.3 - $100 -
1964 $113.3 - $68.6 -
1963 $107.7 - $62 -
1962 $104.5 - $55.5 -
1961 $97.1 - $56.2 -
1960 $93.1 - $55.4 -

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

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

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Uganda
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
54/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$1,466
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
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
3.42%
2021
Population
243824469
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 22% 50.3%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 8.51% 18% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 14.9% 28%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 10% 13% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 13.2% 18%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 11% 6.12% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 13.2% 17%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 13% 25.2% 15.6% 49%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 14% 45.1%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 13.9% 44.2%
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/uganda | CC BY

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 135/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Uganda
2024 -1.57% -3.99%
2023 -3.12% -4.87%
2022 -4% -5.45%
2021 -3.97% -7.76%
2020 -4.03% -7.76%
2019 -3.31% -4.82%
2018 -3.06% -3.02%
2017 -3.85% -3.83%
2016 -3.3% -2.64%
2015 -2.7% -2.59%
2014 -1.72% -2.74%
2013 -1.89% -3.19%
2012 -0.09% -2.39%
2011 0.31% -2.04%
2010 -2.96% -4.64%
2009 -3.78% -1.61%
2008 4.05% -1.99%
2007 -0.79% -0.82%
2006 6.22% -0.64%
2005 3.49% -0.17%
2004 3.9% 0.34%
2003 -1.56% -0.97%
2002 0.95% -2.07%
2001 -2.29% -0.99%
2000 2.89% -0.62%
1999 -1.39% -1.24%
1998 -3.47% -0.7%
1997 1.14% -0.83%
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/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Uganda
2024 33.2% 3.3%
2023 24.7% 5.4%
2022 18.8% 7.2%
2021 17% 2.2%
2020 13.2% 2.8%
2019 11.4% 2.1%
2018 12.1% 2.5%
2017 16.5% 5.6%
2016 15.7% 5.2%
2015 9.01% 3.7%
2014 8.05% 4.3%
2013 8.5% 5.5%
2012 12.2% 14%
2011 10.8% 18.7%
2010 13.7% 4%
2009 12.5% 13%
2008 11.6% 12%
2007 5.39% 6.1%
2006 8.23% 7.2%
2005 17.9% 8.6%
2004 15% 3.7%
2003 14% 8.7%
2002 12.9% -0.3%
2001 18.9% 1.9%
2000 6.93% 3.4%
1999 6.62% 5.8%
1998 10% 5.8%
1997 8.53% 7.7%

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/uganda | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $361K
Machinery & equipment $333K
Raw materials & minerals $161K
Textiles & consumer goods $81K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K
Uganda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.99M
Animal & marine products $3.66M
Machinery & equipment $868K
Raw agricultural goods $804K
Metals $413K
Textiles & consumer goods $339K
Chemicals & pharma $290K
Raw materials & minerals $125K
Wood & paper products $123K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Nigeria Uganda
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Uganda
Economic freedom 54.8 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 149/197
Property rights 29.7 42.2
Government integrity 23.5 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 29.4
Tax burden 84.6 73.4
Government spending 96.3 89
Fiscal health 83.5 58.3
Business freedom 50.3 50.2
Labor freedom 75.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 56.1 77.1
Trade freedom 64.4 58
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Uganda
2026 54.8 52.4
2025 53.4 51.3
2024 53.1 50.7
2023 53.9 51.4
2022 54.4 54.2
2021 58.7 58.6
2020 57.2 59.5
2019 57.3 59.7
2018 58.5 62
2017 57.1 60.9
2016 57.5 59.3
2015 55.6 59.7
2014 54.3 59.9
2013 55.1 61.1
2012 56.3 61.9
2011 56.7 61.7
2010 56.8 62.2
2009 55.1 63.5
2008 55.1 63.8
2007 55.6 63.1
2006 48.7 63.9
2005 48.4 62.9
2004 49.2 64.1
2003 49.5 60.1
2002 50.9 61
2001 49.6 60.4
2000 53.1 58.2
1999 55.7 64.8
1998 52.3 64.7
1997 52.8 66.6
1996 47.4 66.2
1995 47.3 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Uganda
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
22.4%
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/uganda | 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 (2022–2024, 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.