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

Updated on by Georank team

Pakistan has a GDP of $372B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 43/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Pakistan has $262B in government debt (70.4% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Pakistan vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Pakistan
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Pakistan Sao Tome
2024 $371,570,000,121 $822,154,621
2023 $336,686,348,609 $690,456,807
2022 $374,890,295,667 $540,809,499
2021 $348,516,647,445 $524,402,456
2020 $300,425,609,818 $471,229,485
2019 $320,909,472,771 $412,976,083
2018 $356,128,166,705 $383,717,328
2017 $339,205,534,861 $322,002,845
2016 $313,630,000,130 $292,267,272
2015 $299,963,590,535 $259,999,643
2014 $271,390,474,858 $293,119,143
2013 $258,657,231,672 $267,041,748
2012 $250,106,966,105 $225,815,132
2011 $230,586,581,060 $226,455,001
2010 $196,709,621,850 $190,021,192
2009 $187,337,783,856 $200,668,065
2008 $202,203,748,584 $188,021,165
2007 $184,140,869,997 $149,146,919
2006 $161,871,385,506 $142,775,104
2005 $145,208,562,961 $136,450,662
2004 $132,216,048,339 $114,582,284
2003 $112,371,913,741 $102,085,769
2002 $97,923,302,809 $85,171,074
2001 $97,145,618,480 $75,951,133
2000 $99,484,802,345 $76,198,395
1999 $62,973,857,069 $77,302,212
1998 $62,191,955,814 $72,285,404
1997 $62,433,340,468 $91,920,274
1996 $63,320,170,084 $135,188,166
1995 $60,636,071,684 $103,695,237
1994 $52,293,470,813 $131,338,415
1993 $51,809,999,353 $125,742,229
1992 $48,884,671,947 $94,861,781
1991 $45,625,336,680 $107,484,143
1990 $40,010,423,970 $119,297,933
1989 $40,171,106,279 $98,545,367
1988 $38,472,742,808 $99,000,764
1987 $33,351,529,275 $115,952,925
1986 $31,899,070,056 $115,928,907
1985 $31,144,920,844 $82,733,069
1984 $31,151,825,467 $78,213,796
1983 $28,691,889,764 $75,110,289
1982 $30,725,971,564 $80,307,763
1981 $28,100,606,061 $83,499,264
1980 $23,654,444,444 $81,662,231
1979 $19,688,383,838 $65,755,928
1978 $17,811,515,152 $55,044,563
1977 $15,126,060,606 $49,207,692
1976 $13,168,080,808 $52,039,421
1975 $11,230,606,061 $60,101,710
1974 $8,899,191,919 $57,817,591
1973 $6,383,429,490 $56,011,245
1972 $9,415,016,360 $41,430,257
1971 $10,665,896,682 $37,288,845
1970 $10,027,509,450 $37,211,826
1969 $8,683,116,338 -
1968 $8,041,999,160 -
1967 $7,464,510,710 -
1966 $6,561,108,778 -
1965 $5,929,231,415 -
1964 $5,204,955,901 -
1963 $4,630,827,383 -
1962 $4,310,163,797 -
1961 $4,118,647,627 -
1960 $3,749,265,015 -

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

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

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

Pakistan
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Pakistan Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,479 $6,252 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $1,360 $6,014 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $1,538 $5,920 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $1,455 $5,367 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $1,278 $5,048 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $1,390 $5,038 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $1,569 $4,979 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $1,519 $4,790 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $1,425 $4,631 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $1,380 $4,480 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $1,267 $4,313 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $1,225 $4,174 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $1,204 $4,047 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $1,132 $3,880 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $987 $3,786 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $964 $3,777 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $1,067 $3,721 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $998 $3,672 $879 $2,650
2006 $901 $3,515 $862 $2,551
2005 $828 $3,293 $844 $2,329
2004 $772 $3,048 $727 $2,171
2003 $672 $2,822 $664 $2,094
2002 $600 $2,688 $568 $1,945
2001 $610 $2,644 $519 $1,898
2000 $642 $2,565 $529 $1,830
1999 $418 $2,475 $543 $1,802
1998 $424 $2,419 $514 $1,754
1997 $438 $2,398 $662 $1,714
1996 $457 $2,401 $987 $1,693
1995 $451 $2,315 $769 $1,663
1994 $400 $2,224 $990 $1,623
1993 $408 $2,160 $964 $1,581
1992 $396 $2,132 $740 $1,556
1991 $380 $1,992 $855 $1,540
1990 $344 $1,895 $970 $1,504
1989 $358 - $821 -
1988 $354 - $847 -
1987 $317 - $1,018 -
1986 $314 - $1,043 -
1985 $317 - $761 -
1984 $327 - $735 -
1983 $311 - $720 -
1982 $345 - $783 -
1981 $328 - $830 -
1980 $287.4 - $829 -
1979 $249.2 - $683 -
1978 $233.4 - $587 -
1977 $204.7 - $539 -
1976 $183.9 - $585 -
1975 $161.7 - $693 -
1974 $132 - $683 -
1973 $97.5 - $676 -
1972 $148.1 - $511 -
1971 $172.5 - $470 -
1970 $166.7 - $479 -
1969 $148.5 - - -
1968 $141.6 - - -
1967 $135.2 - - -
1966 $122.2 - - -
1965 $113.6 - - -
1964 $102.5 - - -
1963 $93.7 - - -
1962 $89.5 - - -
1961 $87.8 - - -
1960 $82 - - -

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

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

Pakistan's GDP per capita is $1,479, ranking 163/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Pakistan Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$372B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
43/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
3.05%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,479
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
163/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,252
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
150/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$262B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.4%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,041
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
140/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,668
2026
$3,111
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$52.1B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2018
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2018
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
12.6%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.96%
2025
6.66%
2017
Population
260356147
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Pakistan
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Pakistan Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.5% 70.4% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 19.3% 78.5% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 20% 77.3% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 18.5% 74.7% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 20.3% 80.8% 23.2% 91%
2019 19.1% 78.7% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 19.1% 66.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 19.1% 62.1% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 17.7% 62.1% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 17.8% 59.1% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 18.1% 58.8% 36% 92.5%
2013 19.5% 59.2% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 19.4% 58.4% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 17.9% 56.2% 53.4% 86%
2010 18.3% 56.7% 51.7% 83%
2009 17.3% 54.6% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 18% 49.5% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 16.1% 44.2% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 14.5% 46.2% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 13% 47.9% 43.7% 334%
2004 12.1% 50.6% 60.6% 354%
2003 12.9% 56.3% 51.9% 329%
2002 14.4% 60.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 12.9% 65.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 13.8% 61.7% 10.7% -
1999 13.2% 60.7% - -
1998 14.1% 53.8% - -
1997 13.7% 52.8% - -
1996 15% 52.5% - -
1995 14% 52.3% - -
1994 14.5% 58.5% - -
1993 17% 57.9% - -
1992 22.6% 53.3% - -
1991 21.4% 55.8% - -
1990 23.9% 48.3% - -
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 (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Pakistan's government spending was $72.4B, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.4% in Pakistan and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 56/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Pakistan

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Pakistan Sao Tome
2024 -6.81% 0.92%
2023 -7.76% -2.13%
2022 -7.84% -2.24%
2021 -6.04% -1.52%
2020 -7.03% 2.94%
2019 -7.79% -0.07%
2018 -5.67% -2.02%
2017 -5.17% -3.11%
2016 -3.92% -5.01%
2015 -4.74% -7.6%
2014 -4.37% -6.27%
2013 -7.48% 2.13%
2012 -7.74% -12.3%
2011 -6.23% -13%
2010 -5.42% -12.1%
2009 -4.53% -18%
2008 -5.94% 13.6%
2007 -4.23% 125.1%
2006 -2.79% 18%
2005 -2.29% 26.8%
2004 -1.29% -25.1%
2003 -0.12% -15.9%
2002 -2.64% -10.4%
2001 -2.45% -13.5%
2000 -3.21% 51.5%
1999 -3.07% -
1998 -4.46% -
1997 -3.87% -
1996 -4.33% -
1995 -3.9% -
1994 -3.63% -
1993 -5.53% -
1992 -11.3% -
1991 -10.8% -
1990 -11.9% -
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/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Pakistan recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Pakistan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.94% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Pakistan

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Pakistan Sao Tome
2024 12.6% 14.4%
2023 30.8% 21.2%
2022 19.9% 18%
2021 9.5% 8.1%
2020 9.74% 9.8%
2019 10.6% 7.7%
2018 5.08% 7.9%
2017 4.09% 5.7%
2016 3.77% 5.4%
2015 2.53% 6.1%
2014 7.19% 7%
2013 7.69% 8.1%
2012 9.68% 10.6%
2011 11.9% 14.3%
2010 12.9% 13.3%
2009 13.6% 17%
2008 20.3% 32%
2007 7.6% 18.6%
2006 7.92% 23.1%
2005 9.06% 17.2%
2004 7.44% 13.3%
2003 2.91% 9.8%
2002 3.29% 10.1%
2001 3.15% 9.2%
2000 4.37% 11%
1999 4.14% 11%
1998 6.23% 42.1%
1997 11.4% 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/pakistan/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Pakistan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.26%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 12.6% in Pakistan and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Top exports between countries

Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $486K
Machinery & equipment $163K
Metals $46K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Sao Tome
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Pakistan Sao Tome
Current account balance
$496M
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.13%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$55.6B
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$32.1B
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$11.2B
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$8.1B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.4%
2024
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Pakistan Sao Tome
Economic freedom 48.9 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 168/197 93/197
Property rights 25.7 55.2
Government integrity 26.3 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 27.6 60.8
Tax burden 78.2 88.6
Government spending 88.5 80.6
Fiscal health 10.1 89.5
Business freedom 54.4 59.9
Labor freedom 51.7 40.8
Monetary freedom 54.1 59.4
Trade freedom 70.4 65
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Pakistan
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Pakistan Sao Tome
2026 48.9 60.6
2025 49.1 60.4
2024 49.5 60.5
2023 49.4 61.5
2022 48.8 60.3
2021 51.7 55.9
2020 54.8 56.2
2019 55 54
2018 54.4 53.6
2017 52.8 55.4
2016 55.9 56.7
2015 55.6 53.3
2014 55.2 48.8
2013 55.1 48
2012 54.7 50.2
2011 55.1 49.5
2010 55.2 48.8
2009 57 43.8
2008 55.6 -
2007 57.2 -
2006 57.9 -
2005 53.3 -
2004 54.9 -
2003 55 -
2002 55.8 -
2001 56 -
2000 56.4 -
1999 53 -
1998 53.2 -
1997 56 -
1996 58.4 -
1995 57.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Pakistan is 48.9, ranking 168/197, 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

Pakistan Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.7%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$358B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,100
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18.4B
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
63/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.58B
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.66B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$84M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.5%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13.2%
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/pakistan/sao-tome-and-principe | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2023–2024, 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.