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Economy of Nigeria vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Nigeria has a GDP of $252B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 54/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Nigeria has $99.2B in government debt (39.3% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Nigeria vs Yemen GDP by year

Nigeria
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Nigeria Yemen
2024 $252,261,880,141 -
2023 $487,387,801,881 -
2022 $646,950,257,578 -
2021 $609,147,716,973 -
2020 $598,586,817,819 -
2019 $668,219,992,691 -
2018 $421,739,251,509 $21,606,160,663
2017 $375,745,731,053 $26,842,229,045
2016 $404,649,125,252 $31,317,825,274
2015 $493,026,682,801 $42,444,490,074
2014 $574,183,763,412 $43,228,585,321
2013 $520,117,180,314 $40,415,233,436
2012 $463,971,018,239 $35,401,331,610
2011 $414,466,676,831 $32,726,417,878
2010 $366,990,417,129 $30,906,749,533
2009 $295,008,835,381 $25,130,278,213
2008 $339,476,276,258 $26,910,855,807
2007 $278,260,846,800 $21,650,528,674
2006 $238,454,997,161 $19,063,143,370
2005 $175,670,569,969 $16,731,566,717
2004 $135,764,731,646 $13,867,634,371
2003 $104,738,954,264 $11,777,532,662
2002 $95,054,059,303 $10,693,430,511
2001 $73,557,840,064 $9,852,990,693
2000 $69,171,451,627 $9,679,316,770
1999 $59,145,077,039 $7,639,325,296
1998 $218,416,200,673 $6,322,175,566
1997 $200,850,397,618 $6,838,298,531
1996 $185,730,236,700 $6,496,163,616
1995 $140,919,776,986 $12,796,345,679
1994 $80,399,613,064 $28,019,483,764
1993 $56,721,051,402 $21,736,802,664
1992 $52,058,181,854 $17,959,367,194
1991 $59,526,833,412 $14,665,445,462
1990 $54,035,795,388 $12,643,821,569
1989 $44,003,061,108 -
1988 $49,648,470,440 -
1987 $52,676,041,931 -
1986 $54,805,852,581 -
1985 $73,745,821,158 -
1984 $73,484,359,521 -
1983 $97,094,911,792 -
1982 $142,769,363,314 -
1981 $164,475,209,516 -
1980 $64,201,788,123 -
1979 $47,259,911,894 -
1978 $36,527,862,209 -
1977 $36,035,407,725 -
1976 $36,308,883,249 -
1975 $27,778,934,625 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Nigeria vs Yemen by year

Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Nigeria Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,084 $9,087 - -
2023 $2,139 $8,705 - -
2022 $2,899 $8,305 - -
2021 $2,787 $7,588 - -
2020 $2,797 $7,415 - -
2019 $3,190 $7,551 - -
2018 $2,058 $7,158 $634 -
2017 $1,876 $7,037 $811 -
2016 $2,070 $7,072 $975 -
2015 $2,586 $7,308 $1,362 -
2014 $3,089 $7,396 $1,430 -
2013 $2,873 $7,004 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $2,633 $6,671 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $2,418 $6,585 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $2,202 $6,301 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $1,820 $5,927 $969 $3,411
2008 $2,154 $5,607 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $1,816 $5,298 $890 $3,294
2006 $1,600 $4,975 $810 $3,205
2005 $1,211 $4,678 $734 $3,113
2004 $962 $4,381 $628 $2,949
2003 $763 $4,015 $549 $2,844
2002 $712 $3,770 $513 $2,768
2001 $566 $3,309 $487 $2,702
2000 $547 $3,139 $493 $2,624
1999 $481 $3,002 $401 $2,492
1998 $1,822 $3,022 $343 $2,442
1997 $1,720 $2,990 $383 $2,351
1996 $1,633 $2,931 $375 $2,268
1995 $1,272 $2,835 $764 $2,201
1994 $745 $2,853 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $540 $2,921 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $509 $2,991 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $597 $2,870 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $556 $2,840 $910 $1,742
1989 $465 - - -
1988 $540 - - -
1987 $588 - - -
1986 $628 - - -
1985 $869 - - -
1984 $890 - - -
1983 $1,207 - - -
1982 $1,822 - - -
1981 $2,162 - - -
1980 $870 - - -
1979 $661 - - -
1978 $527 - - -
1977 $536 - - -
1976 $556 - - -
1975 $438 - - -
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/yemen | CC BY

Nigeria's GDP per capita is $1,084, ranking 174/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Nigeria Yemen
Gross domestic product
$252B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
54/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$1,084
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
174/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,087
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
136/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$99.2B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
39.3%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$426
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
170/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,104
2026
$1,127
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
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3%
2022
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
33.2%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
27%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.45%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
243824469
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Nigeria
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Nigeria Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12.3% 39.3% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 10.4% 36.3% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 10.6% 29.8% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 9.09% 26.6% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 8.73% 25.7% 10.6% 87%
2019 8.87% 21.4% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 9.1% 20.4% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 8.51% 18% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 6.93% 17.4% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 7.85% 14.9% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 9.49% 12.9% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 10% 13% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 10.5% 12.5% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 12.3% 12.4% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 11.8% 6.67% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 11% 6.12% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 10.2% 5.17% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 12.9% 5.76% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 8.75% 6.68% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 12.6% 13.4% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 13% 25.2% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 16.5% 29.9% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 13.8% 30.7% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 21.9% 37.7% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 17.6% 40.9% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 14.9% 46.1% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 11.2% 15.8% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 9.68% 17.1% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 7.87% 17.9% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 8.87% 24.2% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 12.1% 39.7% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 20% 50.4% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 15.9% 49.8% 24.6% 78%
1991 13.6% 53.2% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 14.2% 50.9% 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Nigeria's government spending was $31.1B, accounting for 12.3% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 39.3% in Nigeria and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 135/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Nigeria

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Nigeria Yemen
2024 -1.57% -2.48%
2023 -3.12% -5.63%
2022 -4% -2.15%
2021 -3.97% -0.89%
2020 -4.03% -4.3%
2019 -3.31% -5.89%
2018 -3.06% -7.85%
2017 -3.85% -4.9%
2016 -3.3% -8.51%
2015 -2.7% -8.75%
2014 -1.72% -4.14%
2013 -1.89% -6.9%
2012 -0.09% -6.32%
2011 0.31% -4.51%
2010 -2.96% -4.06%
2009 -3.78% -10.2%
2008 4.05% -4.53%
2007 -0.79% -7.18%
2006 6.22% 1.19%
2005 3.49% -1.82%
2004 3.9% -2.15%
2003 -1.56% -4.2%
2002 0.95% -0.56%
2001 -2.29% 2.79%
2000 2.89% 6.09%
1999 -1.39% 0.06%
1998 -3.47% -7.77%
1997 1.14% -1.5%
1996 3.37% -0.92%
1995 2.52% -5.74%
1994 -2.96% -14%
1993 -6.07% -12.8%
1992 0.94% -10.9%
1991 -1.18% -5.76%
1990 -0.48% -10.3%

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

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

In 2018, Nigeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $12.9B, equivalent to 3.06% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Nigeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Nigeria posted an annual deficit equal to 0.48% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Nigeria

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Nigeria Yemen
2024 33.2% 33.9%
2023 24.7% 0.9%
2022 18.8% 29.5%
2021 17% 31.5%
2020 13.2% 21.7%
2019 11.4% 15.7%
2018 12.1% 33.6%
2017 16.5% 30.4%
2016 15.7% 21.3%
2015 9.01% 22%
2014 8.05% 8.2%
2013 8.5% 11%
2012 12.2% 9.9%
2011 10.8% 19.5%
2010 13.7% 11.2%
2009 12.5% 3.7%
2008 11.6% 19%
2007 5.39% 7.9%
2006 8.23% 10.8%
2005 17.9% 9.9%
2004 15% 12.5%
2003 14% 10.8%
2002 12.9% 12.2%
2001 18.9% 11.9%
2000 6.93% 11%
1999 6.62% 7.9%
1998 10% 11.5%
1997 8.53% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Nigeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.3%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 33.2% in Nigeria and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Nigeria
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $127K
Chemicals & pharma $78K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Yemen
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Nigeria Yemen
Current account balance
$17.2B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
20/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.82%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$39.8B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$53B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$17.9B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$4.57B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
1960
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
9.24%
1960
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Nigeria Yemen
Economic freedom 54.8 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 132/197 138/197
Property rights 29.7 3.5
Government integrity 23.5 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 34.4 9.9
Tax burden 84.6 93.7
Government spending 96.3 0
Fiscal health 83.5 71.2
Business freedom 50.3 31.3
Labor freedom 75.4 31.2
Monetary freedom 56.1 48.1
Trade freedom 64.4 67.4
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Nigeria
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Nigeria Yemen
2026 54.8 -
2025 53.4 -
2024 53.1 -
2023 53.9 -
2022 54.4 -
2021 58.7 -
2020 57.2 -
2019 57.3 -
2018 58.5 -
2017 57.1 -
2016 57.5 -
2015 55.6 53.7
2014 54.3 55.5
2013 55.1 55.9
2012 56.3 55.3
2011 56.7 54.2
2010 56.8 54.4
2009 55.1 56.9
2008 55.1 53.8
2007 55.6 54.1
2006 48.7 52.6
2005 48.4 53.8
2004 49.2 50.5
2003 49.5 50.3
2002 50.9 48.6
2001 49.6 44.3
2000 53.1 44.5
1999 55.7 43.3
1998 52.3 46.1
1997 52.8 48.4
1996 47.4 49.6
1995 47.3 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Nigeria is 54.8, ranking 132/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Nigeria Yemen
Services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
18.2%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$396B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,850
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$38.6B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
51/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$672M
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.08B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$408M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.48%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.2%
2023
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.