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Economy of Norway vs Sao Tome and Principe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Norway has a GDP of $484B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 32/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Norway has $207B in government debt (42.7% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Norway vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Norway
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Norway Sao Tome
2024 $483,592,648,313 $822,154,621
2023 $482,949,731,777 $690,456,807
2022 $596,297,651,036 $540,809,499
2021 $503,367,986,030 $524,402,456
2020 $367,633,418,887 $471,229,485
2019 $408,742,840,909 $412,976,083
2018 $439,788,625,884 $383,717,328
2017 $401,745,275,035 $322,002,845
2016 $370,956,547,619 $292,267,272
2015 $388,159,512,246 $259,999,643
2014 $501,736,471,833 $293,119,143
2013 $526,014,468,085 $267,041,748
2012 $512,777,309,841 $225,815,132
2011 $501,360,549,669 $226,455,001
2010 $431,052,143,940 $190,021,192
2009 $387,976,400,617 $200,668,065
2008 $464,917,553,191 $188,021,165
2007 $402,643,260,488 $149,146,919
2006 $346,915,160,682 $142,775,104
2005 $309,978,579,744 $136,450,662
2004 $265,268,662,473 $114,582,284
2003 $229,385,469,337 $102,085,769
2002 $195,914,852,576 $85,171,074
2001 $174,239,354,071 $75,951,133
2000 $171,457,201,936 $76,198,395
1999 $162,383,706,021 $77,302,212
1998 $154,230,295,158 $72,285,404
1997 $161,356,631,888 $91,920,274
1996 $163,520,109,151 $135,188,166
1995 $152,029,612,325 $103,695,237
1994 $127,131,319,429 $131,338,415
1993 $120,579,213,713 $125,742,229
1992 $130,838,040,068 $94,861,781
1991 $121,872,464,483 $107,484,143
1990 $119,791,843,060 $119,297,933
1989 $102,633,934,391 $98,545,367
1988 $101,900,260,856 $99,000,764
1987 $94,229,907,236 $115,952,925
1986 $78,693,118,044 $115,928,907
1985 $65,416,879,914 $82,733,069
1984 $62,057,955,033 $78,213,796
1983 $61,627,240,831 $75,110,289
1982 $62,647,195,538 $80,307,763
1981 $63,596,654,761 $83,499,264
1980 $64,439,382,896 $81,662,231
1979 $53,132,244,624 $65,755,928
1978 $46,522,900,254 $55,044,563
1977 $41,508,030,431 $49,207,692
1976 $35,942,270,686 $52,039,421
1975 $32,877,805,200 $60,101,710
1974 $27,145,693,810 $57,817,591
1973 $22,534,253,703 $56,011,245
1972 $17,358,610,850 $41,430,257
1971 $14,583,114,840 $37,288,845
1970 $12,814,123,115 $37,211,826
1969 $11,136,187,440 -
1968 $10,227,087,165 -
1967 $9,577,383,653 -
1966 $8,753,940,267 -
1965 $8,111,945,661 -
1964 $7,206,522,122 -
1963 $6,553,269,536 -
1962 $6,107,076,929 -
1961 $5,669,689,210 -
1960 $5,197,398,721 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

GDP per capita in Norway vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Norway Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,785 $102,038 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $87,497 $103,638 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $109,270 $125,490 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $93,073 $88,984 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $68,340 $67,111 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $76,431 $70,940 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $82,793 $70,254 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $76,132 $64,590 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $70,867 $59,280 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $74,810 $60,738 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $97,667 $66,332 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $103,554 $67,378 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $102,176 $65,774 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $101,222 $62,460 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $88,163 $58,213 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $80,348 $55,648 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $97,504 $62,073 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $85,502 $56,179 $879 $2,650
2006 $74,434 $54,358 $862 $2,551
2005 $67,047 $47,967 $844 $2,329
2004 $57,769 $42,667 $727 $2,171
2003 $50,250 $38,680 $664 $2,094
2002 $43,171 $38,056 $568 $1,945
2001 $38,602 $37,829 $519 $1,898
2000 $38,178 $36,994 $529 $1,830
1999 $36,393 $30,574 $543 $1,802
1998 $34,803 $28,200 $514 $1,754
1997 $36,629 $28,610 $662 $1,714
1996 $37,322 $26,826 $987 $1,693
1995 $34,876 $24,360 $769 $1,663
1994 $29,316 $23,027 $990 $1,623
1993 $27,964 $21,584 $964 $1,581
1992 $30,524 $20,623 $740 $1,556
1991 $28,597 $19,580 $855 $1,540
1990 $28,243 $18,461 $970 $1,504
1989 $24,281 - $821 -
1988 $24,207 - $847 -
1987 $22,506 - $1,018 -
1986 $18,883 - $1,043 -
1985 $15,754 - $761 -
1984 $14,989 - $735 -
1983 $14,928 - $720 -
1982 $15,225 - $783 -
1981 $15,513 - $830 -
1980 $15,772 - $829 -
1979 $13,047 - $683 -
1978 $11,463 - $587 -
1977 $10,266 - $539 -
1976 $8,927 - $585 -
1975 $8,204 - $693 -
1974 $6,812 - $683 -
1973 $5,690 - $676 -
1972 $4,414 - $511 -
1971 $3,736 - $470 -
1970 $3,306 - $479 -
1969 $2,894 - - -
1968 $2,680 - - -
1967 $2,531 - - -
1966 $2,333 - - -
1965 $2,179 - - -
1964 $1,951 - - -
1963 $1,787 - - -
1962 $1,678 - - -
1961 $1,571 - - -
1960 $1,451 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Norway's GDP per capita is $86,785, ranking 8/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Norway ranks 7th at $102,038, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Norway Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$484B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
32/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
2.1%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,785
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
8/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$102,038
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
7/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$207B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.7%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$37,074
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
17/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,765
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$296B
2019
n/a
Number of millionaires
348,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
17
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
21.6%
2023
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2023
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
48.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.15%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.98%
2024
6.66%
2017
Population
5671119
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Norway
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Norway Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 48.5% 42.7% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 45.9% 44.1% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 37.5% 36.1% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 46.3% 41.6% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 56.7% 46% 23.2% 91%
2019 50.2% 40.5% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 47.7% 39.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 49.2% 38.2% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 50.4% 37.9% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 48.2% 34.3% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 45.2% 29.6% 36% 92.5%
2013 43.5% 31.4% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 42.4% 30.9% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 43.3% 29.6% 53.4% 86%
2010 44.5% 43% 51.7% 83%
2009 45.6% 42.5% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 39.8% 47.5% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 41% 49.5% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 40.5% 52.6% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 41.8% 42.3% 43.7% 334%
2004 44.7% 43.8% 60.6% 354%
2003 47.6% 43.1% 51.9% 329%
2002 46.1% 33.9% 44.3% 367%
2001 43.2% 27.2% 52.8% 418%
2000 41.3% 28.7% 10.7% -
1999 46.4% 25% - -
1998 47.8% 23.6% - -
1997 45.5% 25.8% - -
1996 47% 28.4% - -
1995 49.3% 32.7% - -
1994 49.4% 50.6% - -
1993 50.2% 53.7% - -
1992 51.3% 45% - -
1991 50% 39.2% - -
1990 48.9% 28.9% - -
1989 52.2% 30.4% - -
1988 52.6% 30.5% - -
1987 50.5% 31.3% - -
1986 48.1% 37.8% - -
1985 44% 30.2% - -
1984 44.5% 27.8% - -
1983 46.4% 27.4% - -
1982 46.6% 29.7% - -
1981 46.1% 32.9% - -
1980 46.1% 36.8% - -
1979 47.2% 39.6% - -
1978 47.9% 49.9% - -
1977 46.5% 43.8% - -
1976 45.2% 38.5% - -
1975 43.5% 36.7% - -
1974 42.2% 35.4% - -
1973 42.3% 37.7% - -
1972 42.2% 38.9% - -
1971 40.7% 38.5% - -
1970 38.9% 38.6% - -
1969 38% 22.3% - -
1968 36.2% 22.5% - -
1967 34.9% 22.6% - -
1966 33.5% 22.4% - -
1965 32.9% 23% - -
1964 32% 24.2% - -
1963 31.9% 25.3% - -
1962 30.6% 26.7% - -
1961 20.4% 27.7% - -
1960 18% 29.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government spending was $234B, accounting for 48.5% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.7% in Norway and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 127/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Norway

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Norway Sao Tome
2024 13.2% 0.92%
2023 16.6% -2.13%
2022 25.5% -2.24%
2021 10.3% -1.52%
2020 -2.56% 2.94%
2019 6.52% -0.07%
2018 7.81% -2.02%
2017 4.96% -3.11%
2016 4.04% -5.01%
2015 5.99% -7.6%
2014 8.57% -6.27%
2013 10.6% 2.13%
2012 13.7% -12.3%
2011 13.3% -13%
2010 10.9% -12.1%
2009 10.2% -18%
2008 18.5% 13.6%
2007 17% 125.1%
2006 17.9% 18%
2005 14.7% 26.8%
2004 10.8% -25.1%
2003 7.2% -15.9%
2002 9.03% -10.4%
2001 13.2% -13.5%
2000 15% 51.5%
1999 5.71% -
1998 3.07% -
1997 7.35% -
1996 6.01% -
1995 2.96% -
1994 0.04% -
1993 -1.64% -
1992 -2.07% -
1991 -0.12% -
1990 1.95% -
1989 1.81% -
1988 2.65% -
1987 4.56% -
1986 5.87% -
1985 9.84% -
1984 6.97% -
1983 6.03% -
1982 3.96% -
1981 4.82% -
1980 5.38% -
1979 2.16% -
1978 0.94% -
1977 1.01% -
1976 2.2% -
1975 2.88% -
1974 4.06% -
1973 4.99% -
1972 3.93% -
1971 3.71% -
1970 2.83% -
1969 3.57% -
1968 3.38% -
1967 4.19% -
1966 3.59% -
1965 2.78% -
1964 3.08% -
1963 2.6% -
1962 4% -
1961 -0.7% -
1960 1.42% -
1959 1.89% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.55% -
1956 1.22% -
1955 0.82% -
1954 -0.54% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 2.15% -
1951 1.59% -
1950 -0.89% -
1949 -0.72% -
1948 -0.35% -
1947 -4.66% -
1946 -3.82% -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 -0.54% -
1938 0.03% -
1937 -0.16% -
1936 -0.7% -
1935 -1.1% -
1934 -0.59% -
1933 -1.29% -
1932 -1.14% -
1931 -1.15% -
1930 -0.46% -
1929 -0.83% -
1928 -0.81% -
1927 -0.76% -
1926 -1.59% -
1925 -1.92% -
1924 -2.96% -
1923 -3.58% -
1922 -4.28% -
1921 -5.47% -
1920 -1.15% -
1919 -2.11% -
1918 -1.17% -
1917 0.2% -
1916 -0.36% -
1915 -2.04% -
1914 -1.09% -
1913 -0.9% -
1912 -0.89% -
1911 -0.05% -
1910 0.3% -
1909 -0.52% -
1908 -0.06% -
1907 0.16% -
1906 -0.59% -
1905 -0.52% -
1904 -0.75% -
1903 -1.12% -
1902 -1.52% -
1901 -1.41% -
1900 -1.99% -
1899 -1.35% -
1898 -1.39% -
1897 -0.63% -
1896 -1.57% -
1895 -1.66% -
1894 -1.13% -
1893 -1.25% -
1892 -0.94% -
1891 -0.44% -
1890 -0.2% -
1889 -0.07% -
1888 -0.23% -
1887 -0.17% -
1886 -0.2% -
1885 -0.005% -
1884 -0.08% -
1883 -0.17% -
1882 -0.62% -
1881 -1.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

In 2024, Norway's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $64.1B, equivalent to 13.2% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Norway recorded a fiscal deficit in 1 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Norway posted an annual surplus equal to 11.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Norway

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Norway Sao Tome
2024 3.15% 14.4%
2023 5.52% 21.2%
2022 5.76% 18%
2021 3.48% 8.1%
2020 1.29% 9.8%
2019 2.17% 7.7%
2018 2.76% 7.9%
2017 1.88% 5.7%
2016 3.55% 5.4%
2015 2.17% 6.1%
2014 2.04% 7%
2013 2.12% 8.1%
2012 0.7% 10.6%
2011 1.28% 14.3%
2010 2.42% 13.3%
2009 2.2% 17%
2008 3.75% 32%
2007 0.71% 18.6%
2006 2.33% 23.1%
2005 1.53% 17.2%
2004 0.45% 13.3%
2003 2.49% 9.8%
2002 1.29% 10.1%
2001 3% 9.2%
2000 3.09% 11%
1999 2.37% 11%
1998 2.25% 42.1%
1997 2.57% 69%

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/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Norway has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.44%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 3.15% in Norway and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $110K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Raw materials & minerals $9K
Metals $1K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Norway Sao Tome
Current account balance
$71.6B
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
11/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.8%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$97.5B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$162B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$63.6B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$55.6B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.5%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Norway Sao Tome
Economic freedom 78.8 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 9/197 93/197
Property rights 99.6 55.2
Government integrity 94.3 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 60.8
Tax burden 63.3 88.6
Government spending 42 80.6
Fiscal health 96.4 89.5
Business freedom 91.2 59.9
Labor freedom 69.3 40.8
Monetary freedom 72.4 59.4
Trade freedom 85.6 65
Investment freedom 75 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Norway
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Norway Sao Tome
2026 78.8 60.6
2025 78.3 60.4
2024 77.5 60.5
2023 76.9 61.5
2022 76.9 60.3
2021 73.4 55.9
2020 73.4 56.2
2019 73 54
2018 74.3 53.6
2017 74 55.4
2016 70.8 56.7
2015 71.8 53.3
2014 70.9 48.8
2013 70.5 48
2012 68.8 50.2
2011 70.3 49.5
2010 69.4 48.8
2009 70.2 43.8
2008 68.6 -
2007 67.9 -
2006 67.9 -
2005 64.5 -
2004 66.2 -
2003 67.2 -
2002 67.4 -
2001 67.1 -
2000 70.1 -
1999 68.6 -
1998 68 -
1997 65.1 -
1996 65.4 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Norway is 78.8, ranking 9/197, compared to 60.6 for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 93/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Norway Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
51.8%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.08%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$547B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$106,830
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$81.2B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
32/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$7.83B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.95B
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2021
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.1%
2024
n/a

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/norway/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.