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Economy of Pakistan vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Pakistan has a GDP of $372B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 43/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

Pakistan has $262B in government debt (70.4% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

Pakistan vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Pakistan Papua New Guinea
2024 $371,570,000,121 $31,800,428,266
2023 $336,686,348,609 $30,816,367,067
2022 $374,890,295,667 $31,653,185,953
2021 $348,516,647,445 $26,109,413,521
2020 $300,425,609,818 $23,848,447,850
2019 $320,909,472,771 $24,750,626,030
2018 $356,128,166,705 $24,109,780,708
2017 $339,205,534,861 $22,742,699,138
2016 $313,630,000,130 $20,758,876,953
2015 $299,963,590,535 $21,723,437,010
2014 $271,390,474,858 $23,210,823,987
2013 $258,657,231,672 $21,261,338,065
2012 $250,106,966,105 $21,295,168,666
2011 $230,586,581,060 $17,985,138,066
2010 $196,709,621,850 $14,250,786,675
2009 $187,337,783,856 $11,619,456,449
2008 $202,203,748,584 $11,670,892,801
2007 $184,140,869,997 $9,545,028,944
2006 $161,871,385,506 $8,354,911,041
2005 $145,208,562,961 $4,865,892,972
2004 $132,216,048,339 $3,927,157,867
2003 $112,371,913,741 $3,536,411,824
2002 $97,923,302,809 $2,999,511,040
2001 $97,145,618,480 $3,081,024,212
2000 $99,484,802,345 $3,521,339,699
1999 $62,973,857,069 $3,477,038,204
1998 $62,191,955,814 $3,789,443,015
1997 $62,433,340,468 $4,936,615,299
1996 $63,320,170,084 $5,155,311,077
1995 $60,636,071,684 $4,636,057,476
1994 $52,293,470,813 $5,502,786,070
1993 $51,809,999,353 $4,974,550,286
1992 $48,884,671,947 $4,377,980,510
1991 $45,625,336,680 $3,787,394,958
1990 $40,010,423,970 $3,219,729,083
1989 $40,171,106,279 $3,546,472,566
1988 $38,472,742,808 $3,656,177,881
1987 $33,351,529,275 $3,143,851,794
1986 $31,899,070,056 $2,647,995,602
1985 $31,144,920,844 $2,423,339,172
1984 $31,151,825,467 $2,552,662,617
1983 $28,691,889,764 $2,562,351,551
1982 $30,725,971,564 $2,368,719,683
1981 $28,100,606,061 $2,498,190,847
1980 $23,654,444,444 $2,545,808,456
1979 $19,688,383,838 $2,293,760,511
1978 $17,811,515,152 $1,947,878,831
1977 $15,126,060,606 $1,640,746,619
1976 $13,168,080,808 $1,511,843,235
1975 $11,230,606,061 $1,356,603,608
1974 $8,899,191,919 $1,467,417,672
1973 $6,383,429,490 $1,299,079,410
1972 $9,415,016,360 $858,761,926
1971 $10,665,896,682 $717,750,278
1970 $10,027,509,450 $645,568,215
1969 $8,683,116,338 $551,263,864
1968 $8,041,999,160 $485,184,190
1967 $7,464,510,710 $441,728,183
1966 $6,561,108,778 $390,992,063
1965 $5,929,231,415 $344,176,055
1964 $5,204,955,901 $305,312,049
1963 $4,630,827,383 $275,968,044
1962 $4,310,163,797 $261,184,042
1961 $4,118,647,627 $244,832,039
1960 $3,749,265,015 $230,496,037

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

GeoRank.org/economy/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Pakistan vs Papua New Guinea by year

Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Pakistan Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,479 $6,252 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $1,360 $6,014 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $1,538 $5,920 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $1,455 $5,367 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $1,278 $5,048 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $1,390 $5,038 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $1,569 $4,979 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $1,519 $4,790 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $1,425 $4,631 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $1,380 $4,480 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $1,267 $4,313 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $1,225 $4,174 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $1,204 $4,047 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $1,132 $3,880 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $987 $3,786 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $964 $3,777 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $1,067 $3,721 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $998 $3,672 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $901 $3,515 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $828 $3,293 $744 $2,322
2004 $772 $3,048 $621 $2,187
2003 $672 $2,822 $577 $2,142
2002 $600 $2,688 $506 $2,125
2001 $610 $2,644 $538 $2,168
2000 $642 $2,565 $636 $2,196
1999 $418 $2,475 $650 $2,280
1998 $424 $2,419 $733 $2,285
1997 $438 $2,398 $990 $2,432
1996 $457 $2,401 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $451 $2,315 $998 $2,436
1994 $400 $2,224 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $408 $2,160 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $396 $2,132 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $380 $1,992 $942 $1,869
1990 $344 $1,895 $826 $1,703
1989 $358 - $934 -
1988 $354 - $985 -
1987 $317 - $865 -
1986 $314 - $745 -
1985 $317 - $697 -
1984 $327 - $750 -
1983 $311 - $769 -
1982 $345 - $726 -
1981 $328 - $781 -
1980 $287.4 - $813 -
1979 $249.2 - $748 -
1978 $233.4 - $648 -
1977 $204.7 - $558 -
1976 $183.9 - $525 -
1975 $161.7 - $482 -
1974 $132 - $533 -
1973 $97.5 - $483 -
1972 $148.1 - $327 -
1971 $172.5 - $279.7 -
1970 $166.7 - $257.6 -
1969 $148.5 - $225.3 -
1968 $141.6 - $202.9 -
1967 $135.2 - $189 -
1966 $122.2 - $171.1 -
1965 $113.6 - $153.9 -
1964 $102.5 - $139.5 -
1963 $93.7 - $128.9 -
1962 $89.5 - $124.7 -
1961 $87.8 - $119.7 -
1960 $82 - $115.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Pakistan's GDP per capita is $1,479, ranking 163/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

Pakistan Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$372B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
43/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
3.05%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,479
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
163/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,252
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
150/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$262B
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.4%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,041
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
140/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,668
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$52.1B
2024
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2018
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2018
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
12.6%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10.5%
2025
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.96%
2025
2.69%
2022
Population
260356147
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Pakistan
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Pakistan Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 70.4% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 19.3% 78.5% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 20% 77.3% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 18.5% 74.7% 22% 52.6%
2020 20.3% 80.8% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 19.1% 78.7% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 19.1% 66.3% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 19.1% 62.1% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 17.7% 62.1% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 17.8% 59.1% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 18.1% 58.8% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 19.5% 59.2% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 19.4% 58.4% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 17.9% 56.2% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 18.3% 56.7% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 17.3% 54.6% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 18% 49.5% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 16.1% 44.2% 18% 22.2%
2006 14.5% 46.2% 19.4% 26%
2005 13% 47.9% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 12.1% 50.6% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 12.9% 56.3% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 14.4% 60.5% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 12.9% 65.1% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 13.8% 61.7% 20.5% 42.3%
1999 13.2% 60.7% 21.4% 41.8%
1998 14.1% 53.8% 20% 45.7%
1997 13.7% 52.8% 20.6% 43.9%
1996 15% 52.5% 17.6% 37.8%
1995 14% 52.3% 17.1% 36.6%
1994 14.5% 58.5% 19.3% 40.1%
1993 17% 57.9% 23.5% 30%
1992 22.6% 53.3% 22.8% 30.4%
1991 21.4% 55.8% 22.4% -
1990 23.9% 48.3% 24.5% -
1989 26.1% 46.6% - -
1988 27.9% 45% - -
1987 29.5% 44.4% - -
1986 27.6% 43.1% - -
1985 28.3% 37% - -
1984 25.4% 33.4% - -
1983 24.8% 33.6% - -
1982 24.5% 33.8% - -
1981 21.6% 29.7% - -
1980 22% 33.3% - -
1979 25.3% 36.8% - -
1978 25.5% 36.1% - -
1977 20.4% 36.4% - -
1976 21% 35.8% - -
1975 20.4% 32.1% - -
1974 15.3% 38% - -
1973 13.9% 43.4% - -
1972 13.5% 88.7% - -
1971 22.1% 33.2% - -
1970 23.6% 31.6% - -
1969 15.6% 29.1% - -
1968 13.7% 27.5% - -
1967 12.9% 25.9% - -
1966 12.2% 25.1% - -
1965 11.2% 22.7% - -
1964 12.1% 21.3% - -
1963 14.7% 19.2% - -
1962 11.8% 16.6% - -
1961 10.6% 19.6% - -
1960 10% 19.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Pakistan's government spending was $72.4B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.4% in Pakistan and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 56/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Pakistan

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Pakistan Papua New Guinea
2024 -6.81% -3.23%
2023 -7.76% -4.34%
2022 -7.84% -5.25%
2021 -6.04% -6.84%
2020 -7.03% -8.85%
2019 -7.79% -4.98%
2018 -5.67% -2.58%
2017 -5.17% -2.47%
2016 -3.92% -4.75%
2015 -4.74% -4.55%
2014 -4.37% -6.27%
2013 -7.48% -6.87%
2012 -7.74% -1.19%
2011 -6.23% 2.22%
2010 -5.42% 3.06%
2009 -4.53% -5.48%
2008 -5.94% 2.73%
2007 -4.23% 6.9%
2006 -2.79% 5.34%
2005 -2.29% 2.85%
2004 -1.29% 2.03%
2003 -0.12% 0.19%
2002 -2.64% -1.75%
2001 -2.45% -1.33%
2000 -3.21% 0.3%
1999 -3.07% -1.94%
1998 -4.46% -0.16%
1997 -3.87% 0.67%
1996 -4.33% 2.05%
1995 -3.9% 1.08%
1994 -3.63% -1.01%
1993 -5.53% -4.9%
1992 -11.3% -4.33%
1991 -10.8% -0.62%
1990 -11.9% -2.04%
1989 -7.01% -
1988 -9.35% -
1987 -11.7% -
1986 -9.79% -
1985 -10.6% -
1984 -8.9% -
1983 -7.55% -
1982 -8.24% -
1981 -5.83% -
1980 -5.32% -
1979 -11.6% -
1978 -12.4% -
1977 -8.74% -
1976 -9.05% -
1975 -8.97% -
1974 -4.45% -
1973 -3.99% -
1972 -3.16% -
1971 -7.45% -
1970 -10.8% -
1969 -7.08% -
1968 -5.56% -
1967 -4.27% -
1966 -4.48% -
1965 -3.28% -
1964 -4.89% -
1963 -6.55% -
1962 -3.39% -
1961 -4.6% -
1960 -3.83% -
1959 -3.71% -
1958 -4.2% -
1957 -2.21% -
1956 -2.36% -
1955 -2% -
1954 -3.18% -
1953 -2.66% -
1952 -0.73% -
1951 0.63% -
1950 -1.24% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Pakistan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $25.3B, equivalent to 6.81% of GDP. This compares to Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Pakistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Pakistan posted an annual deficit equal to 5.32% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.61% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Pakistan

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Pakistan Papua New Guinea
2024 12.6% 0.6%
2023 30.8% 2.3%
2022 19.9% 5.25%
2021 9.5% 4.48%
2020 9.74% 4.87%
2019 10.6% 3.93%
2018 5.08% 4.37%
2017 4.09% 5.42%
2016 3.77% 6.67%
2015 2.53% 6%
2014 7.19% 5.22%
2013 7.69% 4.96%
2012 9.68% 4.54%
2011 11.9% 4.44%
2010 12.9% 6.01%
2009 13.6% 6.92%
2008 20.3% 10.8%
2007 7.6% 0.91%
2006 7.92% 2.37%
2005 9.06% 1.78%
2004 7.44% 2.16%
2003 2.91% 14.7%
2002 3.29% 11.8%
2001 3.15% 9.3%
2000 4.37% 15.6%
1999 4.14% 14.9%
1998 6.23% 13.6%
1997 11.4% 3.96%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Pakistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.26%, compared with 6.35% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 12.6% in Pakistan and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $20.1M
Chemicals & pharma $424K
Textiles & consumer goods $363K
Machinery & equipment $161K
Raw agricultural goods $157K
Miscellaneous $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $847K
Wood & paper products $120K
Metals $105K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Pakistan Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
$496M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.13%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$55.6B
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$32.1B
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$11.2B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$8.1B
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.4%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

Pakistan Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 48.9 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 168/197 134/197
Property rights 25.7 45
Government integrity 26.3 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 27.6 41.1
Tax burden 78.2 70.9
Government spending 88.5 86.1
Fiscal health 10.1 65.3
Business freedom 54.4 34.2
Labor freedom 51.7 65.1
Monetary freedom 54.1 77.4
Trade freedom 70.4 80.2
Investment freedom 60 25
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Pakistan
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Pakistan Papua New Guinea
2026 48.9 54.3
2025 49.1 52.5
2024 49.5 49.4
2023 49.4 51.7
2022 48.8 54.6
2021 51.7 58.9
2020 54.8 58.4
2019 55 58.4
2018 54.4 55.7
2017 52.8 50.9
2016 55.9 53.2
2015 55.6 53.1
2014 55.2 53.9
2013 55.1 53.6
2012 54.7 53.8
2011 55.1 52.6
2010 55.2 53.5
2009 57 54.8
2008 55.6 -
2007 57.2 -
2006 57.9 -
2005 53.3 -
2004 54.9 -
2003 55 -
2002 55.8 -
2001 56 57.2
2000 56.4 55.8
1999 53 56.3
1998 53.2 55.2
1997 56 56.7
1996 58.4 58.6
1995 57.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Pakistan is 48.9, ranking 168/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Pakistan Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$358B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,100
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18.4B
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
63/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.58B
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.66B
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.5%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13.2%
2024
20%
2004

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/pakistan/papua-new-guinea | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.