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

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 110/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Papua New Guinea vs Samoa GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Samoa
2024 $31,800,428,266 $1,175,749,786
2023 $30,816,367,067 $1,044,909,500
2022 $31,653,185,953 $889,554,712
2021 $26,109,413,521 $859,724,936
2020 $23,848,447,850 $868,884,903
2019 $24,750,626,030 $912,950,466
2018 $24,109,780,708 $878,448,433
2017 $22,742,699,138 $884,844,384
2016 $20,758,876,953 $843,924,797
2015 $21,723,437,010 $824,150,499
2014 $23,210,823,987 $796,683,520
2013 $21,261,338,065 $797,736,334
2012 $21,295,168,666 $773,141,661
2011 $17,985,138,066 $744,097,050
2010 $14,250,786,675 $680,260,907
2009 $11,619,456,449 $628,006,115
2008 $11,670,892,801 $641,346,192
2007 $9,545,028,944 $573,548,460
2006 $8,354,911,041 $499,923,758
2005 $4,865,892,972 $476,801,793
2004 $3,927,157,867 $407,747,565
2003 $3,536,411,824 $333,426,188
2002 $2,999,511,040 $281,790,134
2001 $3,081,024,212 $266,299,591
2000 $3,521,339,699 $258,856,140
1999 $3,477,038,204 $255,408,060
1998 $3,789,443,015 $269,485,244
1997 $4,936,615,299 $285,475,592
1996 $5,155,311,077 $249,907,869
1995 $4,636,057,476 $224,865,731
1994 $5,502,786,070 $221,098,107
1993 $4,974,550,286 $133,122,897
1992 $4,377,980,510 $132,303,041
1991 $3,787,394,958 $125,597,205
1990 $3,219,729,083 $125,766,270
1989 $3,546,472,566 $122,888,610
1988 $3,656,177,881 $133,016,065
1987 $3,143,851,794 $111,713,922
1986 $2,647,995,602 $100,947,849
1985 $2,423,339,172 $95,572,173
1984 $2,552,662,617 $109,200,934
1983 $2,562,351,551 $111,862,824
1982 $2,368,719,683 $121,221,652
1981 $2,498,190,847 $118,190,655
1980 $2,545,808,456 $125,747,038
1979 $2,293,760,511 $122,257,393
1978 $1,947,878,831 $108,223,444
1977 $1,640,746,619 $98,295,671
1976 $1,511,843,235 $85,003,078
1975 $1,356,603,608 $93,489,283
1974 $1,467,417,672 $93,549,611
1973 $1,299,079,410 $82,452,985
1972 $858,761,926 $62,566,116
1971 $717,750,278 $53,719,569
1970 $645,568,215 $45,208,338
1969 $551,263,864 -
1968 $485,184,190 -
1967 $441,728,183 -
1966 $390,992,063 -
1965 $344,176,055 -
1964 $305,312,049 -
1963 $275,968,044 -
1962 $261,184,042 -
1961 $244,832,039 -
1960 $230,496,037 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Samoa by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $744 $2,322 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $621 $2,187 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $577 $2,142 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $506 $2,125 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $538 $2,168 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $636 $2,196 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $650 $2,280 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $733 $2,285 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $990 $2,432 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $998 $2,436 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $775 $2,323
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $777 $2,198
1991 $942 $1,869 $742 $2,166
1990 $826 $1,703 $744 $2,148
1989 $934 - $728 -
1988 $985 - $790 -
1987 $865 - $666 -
1986 $745 - $604 -
1985 $697 - $573 -
1984 $750 - $655 -
1983 $769 - $671 -
1982 $726 - $728 -
1981 $781 - $713 -
1980 $813 - $765 -
1979 $748 - $751 -
1978 $648 - $671 -
1977 $558 - $615 -
1976 $525 - $541 -
1975 $482 - $610 -
1974 $533 - $626 -
1973 $483 - $563 -
1972 $327 - $433 -
1971 $279.7 - $377 -
1970 $257.6 - $322 -
1969 $225.3 - - -
1968 $202.9 - - -
1967 $189 - - -
1966 $171.1 - - -
1965 $153.9 - - -
1964 $139.5 - - -
1963 $128.9 - - -
1962 $124.7 - - -
1961 $119.7 - - -
1960 $115.5 - - -

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

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

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Samoa
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
110/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$3,750
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
5.05%
2022
Population
11002753
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 31.1% 41%
2021 22% 52.6% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 30% 49.4%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 27.3% 49%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 18% 22.2% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 19.4% 26% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 30% 53.8%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 20% 45.7% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 31% -
1996 17.6% 37.8% 38.9% -
1995 17.1% 36.6% 42.2% -
1994 19.3% 40.1% 54.1% -
1993 23.5% 30% 49.5% -
1992 22.8% 30.4% 43.4% -
1991 22.4% - - -
1990 24.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 100/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Samoa
2024 -3.23% 9.29%
2023 -4.34% 2.7%
2022 -5.25% 5.03%
2021 -6.84% 1.71%
2020 -8.85% 5.41%
2019 -4.98% 1.51%
2018 -2.58% 0.06%
2017 -2.47% -1.98%
2016 -4.75% -0.35%
2015 -4.55% -3.79%
2014 -6.27% -5.38%
2013 -6.87% -3.82%
2012 -1.19% -7.43%
2011 2.22% -5.25%
2010 3.06% -5.49%
2009 -5.48% -2.98%
2008 2.73% -0.36%
2007 6.9% 0.55%
2006 5.34% -0.44%
2005 2.85% 0.23%
2004 2.03% -0.74%
2003 0.19% -0.51%
2002 -1.75% -1.77%
2001 -1.33% -1.96%
2000 0.3% -0.62%
1999 -1.94% 0.27%
1998 -0.16% 1.64%
1997 0.67% 1.92%
1996 2.05% 1.21%
1995 1.08% -5.82%
1994 -1.01% -9.51%
1993 -4.9% -13.2%
1992 -4.33% -9.89%
1991 -0.62% -
1990 -2.04% -

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

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

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.03B, equivalent to 3.23% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Samoa
2024 0.6% 2.17%
2023 2.3% 7.92%
2022 5.25% 11%
2021 4.48% 3.13%
2020 4.87% -1.57%
2019 3.93% 0.98%
2018 4.37% 4.2%
2017 5.42% 1.75%
2016 6.67% 1.3%
2015 6% 0.72%
2014 5.22% -0.41%
2013 4.96% 0.61%
2012 4.54% 2.05%
2011 4.44% 5.24%
2010 6.01% 0.78%
2009 6.92% 6.32%
2008 10.8% 11.6%
2007 0.91% 5.58%
2006 2.37% 3.7%
2005 1.78% 1.86%
2004 2.16% 16.3%
2003 14.7% 0.12%
2002 11.8% 8.05%
2001 9.3% 3.84%
2000 15.6% 0.97%
1999 14.9% 0.27%
1998 13.6% 2.22%
1997 3.96% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.35%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 2.17% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $373K
Miscellaneous $146K
Machinery & equipment $24K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Metals $1K
Samoa
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $65K
Miscellaneous $24K
Metals $14K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Samoa
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Papua New Guinea Samoa
Economic freedom 54.3 68
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 52/197
Property rights 45 77.1
Government integrity 30.8 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 77.6
Tax burden 70.9 79.3
Government spending 86.1 75.2
Fiscal health 65.3 98.7
Business freedom 34.2 63.7
Labor freedom 65.1 73.7
Monetary freedom 77.4 69.4
Trade freedom 80.2 67.2
Investment freedom 25 40
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Samoa
2026 54.3 68
2025 52.5 66.6
2024 49.4 67.2
2023 51.7 68.3
2022 54.6 68.3
2021 58.9 61.9
2020 58.4 62.1
2019 58.4 62.2
2018 55.7 61.5
2017 50.9 58.4
2016 53.2 63.5
2015 53.1 61.9
2014 53.9 61.1
2013 53.6 57.1
2012 53.8 60.5
2011 52.6 60.6
2010 53.5 60.4
2009 54.8 59.5
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 57.2 63.1
2000 55.8 60.8
1999 56.3 58.7
1998 55.2 49.9
1997 56.7 51.5
1996 58.6 47.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Papua New Guinea Samoa
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
29%
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/papua-new-guinea/samoa | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.