Skip to content

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

Updated on by Georank team

Papua New Guinea has a GDP of $31.8B compared to $2.17B for the Seychelles, ranking 110/197 and 178/197 by economy size, respectively.

Papua New Guinea has $16.6B in government debt (52.1% of GDP), compared to $1.25B (57.6% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Papua New Guinea vs Seychelles GDP by year

Papua New Guinea
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
Papua New Guinea Seychelles
2024 $31,800,428,266 $2,167,239,562
2023 $30,816,367,067 $2,187,379,755
2022 $31,653,185,953 $2,018,346,589
2021 $26,109,413,521 $1,487,173,795
2020 $23,848,447,850 $1,382,551,752
2019 $24,750,626,030 $1,868,690,097
2018 $24,109,780,708 $1,784,313,927
2017 $22,742,699,138 $1,675,370,641
2016 $20,758,876,953 $1,568,513,348
2015 $21,723,437,010 $1,432,403,352
2014 $23,210,823,987 $1,387,577,870
2013 $21,261,338,065 $1,333,160,407
2012 $21,295,168,666 $1,089,407,839
2011 $17,985,138,066 $1,058,918,707
2010 $14,250,786,675 $981,616,542
2009 $11,619,456,449 $850,901,620
2008 $11,670,892,801 $979,597,394
2007 $9,545,028,944 $1,077,308,814
2006 $8,354,911,041 $1,081,441,283
2005 $4,865,892,972 $977,899,382
2004 $3,927,157,867 $893,012,218
2003 $3,536,411,824 $750,847,230
2002 $2,999,511,040 $742,134,838
2001 $3,081,024,212 $662,064,156
2000 $3,521,339,699 $654,212,394
1999 $3,477,038,204 $662,838,615
1998 $3,789,443,015 $647,287,376
1997 $4,936,615,299 $598,966,982
1996 $5,155,311,077 $535,250,347
1995 $4,636,057,476 $540,733,048
1994 $5,502,786,070 $517,570,058
1993 $4,974,550,286 $504,230,621
1992 $4,377,980,510 $461,409,399
1991 $3,787,394,958 $398,307,170
1990 $3,219,729,083 $392,163,561
1989 $3,546,472,566 $324,333,367
1988 $3,656,177,881 $301,985,618
1987 $3,143,851,794 $265,212,957
1986 $2,647,995,602 $221,147,061
1985 $2,423,339,172 $179,691,483
1984 $2,552,662,617 $160,992,921
1983 $2,562,351,551 $156,098,237
1982 $2,368,719,683 $157,211,790
1981 $2,498,190,847 $163,750,728
1980 $2,545,808,456 $156,783,830
1979 $2,293,760,511 $127,261,099
1978 $1,947,878,831 $85,552,366
1977 $1,640,746,619 $64,526,401
1976 $1,511,843,235 $49,278,982
1975 $1,356,603,608 $47,803,146
1974 $1,467,417,672 $43,134,496
1973 $1,299,079,410 $36,896,280
1972 $858,761,926 $30,645,123
1971 $717,750,278 $21,965,951
1970 $645,568,215 $18,432,032
1969 $551,263,864 $16,452,028
1968 $485,184,190 $16,074,028
1967 $441,728,183 $16,632,032
1966 $390,992,063 $16,443,034
1965 $344,176,055 $15,603,032
1964 $305,312,049 $15,393,032
1963 $275,968,044 $13,923,029
1962 $261,184,042 $12,642,026
1961 $244,832,039 $11,592,024
1960 $230,496,037 $12,012,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Papua New Guinea vs Seychelles by year

Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Papua New Guinea Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,007 $4,875 $17,859 $33,239
2023 $2,966 $4,668 $18,263 $31,781
2022 $3,102 $4,420 $16,837 $29,973
2021 $2,608 $3,977 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $2,430 $3,900 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $2,576 $4,060 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $2,566 $3,910 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $2,478 $3,923 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $2,316 $3,813 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $2,485 $3,670 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $2,723 $3,500 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $2,561 $3,110 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $2,635 $3,026 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $2,288 $2,919 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $1,867 $2,912 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $1,569 $2,692 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $1,625 $2,583 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $1,371 $2,622 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $1,238 $2,444 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $744 $2,322 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $621 $2,187 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $577 $2,142 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $506 $2,125 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $538 $2,168 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $636 $2,196 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $650 $2,280 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $733 $2,285 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $990 $2,432 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $1,071 $2,578 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $998 $2,436 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $1,228 $2,558 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $1,151 $2,451 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $1,051 $2,100 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $942 $1,869 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $826 $1,703 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $934 - $4,689 -
1988 $985 - $4,392 -
1987 $865 - $3,872 -
1986 $745 - $3,368 -
1985 $697 - $2,754 -
1984 $750 - $2,488 -
1983 $769 - $2,426 -
1982 $726 - $2,441 -
1981 $781 - $2,557 -
1980 $813 - $2,478 -
1979 $748 - $2,030 -
1978 $648 - $1,377 -
1977 $558 - $1,044 -
1976 $525 - $814 -
1975 $482 - $806 -
1974 $533 - $745 -
1973 $483 - $649 -
1972 $327 - $547 -
1971 $279.7 - $402 -
1970 $257.6 - $344 -
1969 $225.3 - $314 -
1968 $202.9 - $314 -
1967 $189 - $333 -
1966 $171.1 - $338 -
1965 $153.9 - $328 -
1964 $139.5 - $332 -
1963 $128.9 - $308 -
1962 $124.7 - $287 -
1961 $119.7 - $270.3 -
1960 $115.5 - $288.1 -

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

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

Papua New Guinea's GDP per capita is $3,007, ranking 140/197, compared to $17,859 in the Seychelles, ranking 63/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

Papua New Guinea Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$31.8B
2024
$2.17B
2024
GDP rank
110/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP growth
3.8%
2023-2024
3.47%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,007
2024
$17,859
2024
GDP per capita rank
140/197
2024
63/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,875
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
159/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6B
2024
$1.25B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
52.1%
2024
57.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,566
2024
$10,288
2024
Government debt per person rank
129/185
2024
57/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,362
2026
$10,944
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.68B
2017
$811M
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31%
2009
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2009
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.6%
2023-2024
0.31%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5%
2025
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.69%
2022
2.59%
2024
Population
11002753
126311

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.4% 52.1% 33.8% 57.6%
2023 22.3% 53.9% 32.9% 55.3%
2022 21.9% 48.2% 31.3% 60%
2021 22% 52.6% 38.8% 71%
2020 23.5% 48.7% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 21.3% 38.2% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 20.3% 36.7% 33% 51.3%
2017 18.4% 32.5% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 20.9% 33.7% 34.5% 62.8%
2015 22.8% 29.9% 31.5% 64.7%
2014 27.1% 26.9% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 27.6% 24.9% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 22.4% 19.1% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 19.7% 16.3% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 18.4% 17.3% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 24.7% 21.7% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 19.8% 21.6% 27% 192.1%
2007 18% 22.2% 41.9% 144%
2006 19.4% 26% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 20.6% 31.6% 39% 144.1%
2004 19.4% 37.2% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 18.7% 40.4% 44.6% 177%
2002 20.8% 48.4% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 21.6% 47.7% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 20.5% 42.3% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 21.4% 41.8% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 20% 45.7% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 20.6% 43.9% 54.7% 143%
1996 17.6% 37.8% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 17.1% 36.6% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 19.3% 40.1% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 23.5% 30% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 22.8% 30.4% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 22.4% - 52.1% 89.2%
1990 24.5% - 46.1% 80.4%
1989 - - 51.7% 39.9%
1988 - - 46.7% 41.3%
1987 - - 49.7% 37%
1986 - - 58% 31.5%
1985 - - 53% 26.5%
1984 - - 50.5% 15.3%
1983 - - 47.9% 12.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Papua New Guinea's government spending was $6.48B, accounting for 20.4% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $732M, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 52.1% in Papua New Guinea and 57.6% in the Seychelles, ranking 100/185 and 85/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Papua New Guinea

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Papua New Guinea Seychelles
2024 -3.23% -0.69%
2023 -4.34% -1.14%
2022 -5.25% -0.76%
2021 -6.84% -5.76%
2020 -8.85% -15.7%
2019 -4.98% 0.42%
2018 -2.58% -0.8%
2017 -2.47% -1.67%
2016 -4.75% 0.02%
2015 -4.55% 1.39%
2014 -6.27% 2.87%
2013 -6.87% 0.33%
2012 -1.19% 2.93%
2011 2.22% 3.36%
2010 3.06% 0.52%
2009 -5.48% 4.84%
2008 2.73% 7.88%
2007 6.9% -9.93%
2006 5.34% -2.54%
2005 2.85% 0.42%
2004 2.03% 0.44%
2003 0.19% 3.4%
2002 -1.75% -16.3%
2001 -1.33% -8.93%
2000 0.3% -14.7%
1999 -1.94% -10.3%
1998 -0.16% -16.7%
1997 0.67% -5.91%
1996 2.05% -9.69%
1995 1.08% -2.58%
1994 -1.01% -6.95%
1993 -4.9% -3.62%
1992 -4.33% 6.44%
1991 -0.62% 3.15%
1990 -2.04% 11.9%
1989 - 8.26%
1988 - 11.8%
1987 - 2.77%
1986 - -10.1%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -3.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/papua-new-guinea/seychelles | 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 the Seychelles' deficit of $15M, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Papua New Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Papua New Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.41% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Papua New Guinea

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Papua New Guinea Seychelles
2024 0.6% 0.31%
2023 2.3% -1.04%
2022 5.25% 2.63%
2021 4.48% 9.77%
2020 4.87% 1.2%
2019 3.93% 1.81%
2018 4.37% 3.7%
2017 5.42% 2.86%
2016 6.67% -1.02%
2015 6% 4.04%
2014 5.22% 1.39%
2013 4.96% 4.34%
2012 4.54% 7.11%
2011 4.44% 2.56%
2010 6.01% -2.4%
2009 6.92% 31.8%
2008 10.8% 37%
2007 0.91% 5.32%
2006 2.37% -0.35%
2005 1.78% 0.91%
2004 2.16% 3.86%
2003 14.7% 3.3%
2002 11.8% 0.18%
2001 9.3% 5.97%
2000 15.6% 6.27%
1999 14.9% 6.35%
1998 13.6% 2.58%
1997 3.96% 0.62%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Papua New Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.35%, compared with 5.03% in the Seychelles. In 2024, inflation was 0.6% in Papua New Guinea and 0.31% in the Seychelles.

Top exports between countries

Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $563K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $532K
Seychelles
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Papua New Guinea Seychelles
Current account balance
$4.77B
2024
-$176M
2024
Current account balance ranking
33/190
2024
97/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+15%
2024
-8.11%
2024
Goods imports
$4.69B
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$13.4B
2024
$595M
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$1B
2024
Service exports
$75.2M
2024
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
58.9%
2004
103.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
72.2%
2004
85.2%
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 Seychelles
Economic freedom 54.3 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 134/197 60/197
Property rights 45 82.6
Government integrity 30.8 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 41.1 61.7
Tax burden 70.9 77.3
Government spending 86.1 68
Fiscal health 65.3 92.2
Business freedom 34.2 71.3
Labor freedom 65.1 52
Monetary freedom 77.4 79.8
Trade freedom 80.2 81.2
Investment freedom 25 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Papua New Guinea
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Papua New Guinea Seychelles
2026 54.3 66.5
2025 52.5 66.4
2024 49.4 60.4
2023 51.7 59.5
2022 54.6 61.1
2021 58.9 66.3
2020 58.4 64.3
2019 58.4 61.4
2018 55.7 61.6
2017 50.9 61.8
2016 53.2 62.2
2015 53.1 57.5
2014 53.9 56.2
2013 53.6 54.9
2012 53.8 53
2011 52.6 51.2
2010 53.5 47.9
2009 54.8 47.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 57.2 -
2000 55.8 -
1999 56.3 -
1998 55.2 -
1997 56.7 -
1996 58.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Papua New Guinea is 54.3, ranking 134/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Papua New Guinea Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
65.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.2%
2024
12.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
2.45%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$30.7B
2024
$2.12B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,580
2024
$32,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.9B
2023
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
107/177
2023
145/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$968M
2024
-$262M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$198M
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$770M
2024
-$35.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
19.7%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.9%
2009
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20%
2004
17.2%
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/seychelles | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022, 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.