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

Updated on by Georank

Paraguay has a GDP of $49.3B compared to $981M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 97/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Paraguay has $18.8B in government debt (38.1% of GDP), compared to $546M (55.7% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Paraguay vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Paraguay
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Paraguay Sao Tome
2025 $49,278,227,554 $981,293,587
2024 $44,738,819,362 $824,992,558
2023 $43,140,465,596 $690,456,807
2022 $41,841,201,627 $540,809,499
2021 $39,937,357,256 $524,402,456
2020 $35,432,178,068 $471,229,485
2019 $37,925,338,329 $412,976,083
2018 $40,225,448,341 $383,717,328
2017 $38,997,129,474 $322,002,845
2016 $36,089,700,223 $292,267,272
2015 $36,211,447,840 $259,999,643
2014 $40,377,929,296 $293,119,143
2013 $38,501,122,141 $267,041,748
2012 $33,271,921,136 $229,371,348
2011 $33,756,238,767 $226,455,001
2010 $27,260,886,405 $190,021,192
2009 $22,355,151,162 $200,668,065
2008 $24,615,267,664 $188,021,165
2007 $17,856,393,235 $149,146,919
2006 $13,429,430,050 $142,775,104
2005 $10,737,500,188 $136,450,662
2004 $9,624,440,836 $114,582,284
2003 $7,691,367,471 $102,085,769
2002 $7,196,260,657 $85,171,074
2001 $8,495,806,432 $75,951,133
2000 $8,855,705,140 $76,198,395
1999 $8,837,070,236 $77,302,212
1998 $9,260,481,572 $72,285,404
1997 $9,965,225,678 $91,920,274
1996 $9,788,391,781 $135,188,166
1995 $9,062,131,475 $103,695,237
1994 $7,870,982,005 $131,338,415
1993 $7,249,533,620 $125,742,229
1992 $7,157,424,031 $94,861,781
1991 $6,984,367,763 $107,484,143
1990 $5,812,114,523 $119,297,933
1989 $4,757,732,200 $98,545,367
1988 $4,255,683,528 $99,000,764
1987 $3,971,044,724 $115,952,925
1986 $3,723,993,943 $115,928,907
1985 $3,282,449,236 $82,733,069
1984 $4,502,462,807 $78,213,796
1983 $5,673,248,726 $75,110,289
1982 $5,419,411,765 $80,307,763
1981 $5,624,515,873 $83,499,264
1980 $4,448,087,302 $81,662,231
1979 $3,416,777,778 $65,755,928
1978 $2,559,857,143 $55,044,563
1977 $2,092,158,730 $49,207,692
1976 $1,698,960,317 $52,039,421
1975 $1,511,420,635 $60,101,710
1974 $1,333,475,397 $57,817,591
1973 $995,531,746 $56,011,245
1972 $769,039,683 $41,430,257
1971 $664,571,429 $37,288,845
1970 $594,611,111 $37,211,826
1969 $556,293,651 -
1968 $517,650,794 -
1967 $492,674,603 -
1966 $465,888,889 -
1965 $443,587,302 -
1964 $408,349,206 -
1963 $383,904,762 -
1962 $360,698,413 -
1961 $322,053,713 -
1960 $288,884,368 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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

Paraguay
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Paraguay Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $7,027 - $4,084 -
2024 $6,457 $18,524 $3,503 $6,242
2023 $6,303 $17,564 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $6,189 $16,347 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $5,975 $15,406 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $5,365 $14,309 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $5,821 $14,150 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $6,258 $14,139 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $6,152 $13,977 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $5,775 $13,329 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $5,879 $12,679 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $6,652 $12,607 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $6,436 $12,137 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $5,642 $10,954 $1,211 $2,653
2011 $5,805 $11,442 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $4,751 $10,893 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $3,942 $9,802 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $4,385 $9,867 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $3,212 $9,179 $879 $2,650
2006 $2,439 $8,561 $862 $2,551
2005 $1,971 $8,007 $844 $2,329
2004 $1,786 $7,686 $727 $2,171
2003 $1,444 $7,276 $664 $2,094
2002 $1,368 $6,924 $568 $1,945
2001 $1,638 $6,916 $519 $1,898
2000 $1,736 $6,937 $529 $1,830
1999 $1,766 $7,080 $543 $1,802
1998 $1,890 $7,227 $514 $1,754
1997 $2,079 $7,299 $662 $1,714
1996 $2,088 $7,040 $987 $1,693
1995 $1,979 $6,966 $769 $1,663
1994 $1,760 $6,542 $990 $1,623
1993 $1,662 $6,234 $964 $1,581
1992 $1,683 $5,952 $740 $1,556
1991 $1,685 $5,873 $855 $1,540
1990 $1,440 $5,637 $970 $1,504
1989 $1,211 - $821 -
1988 $1,114 - $847 -
1987 $1,069 - $1,018 -
1986 $1,031 - $1,043 -
1985 $935 - $761 -
1984 $1,319 - $735 -
1983 $1,710 - $720 -
1982 $1,680 - $783 -
1981 $1,793 - $830 -
1980 $1,457 - $829 -
1979 $1,149 - $683 -
1978 $883 - $587 -
1977 $740 - $539 -
1976 $616 - $585 -
1975 $562 - $693 -
1974 $508 - $683 -
1973 $389 - $676 -
1972 $308 - $511 -
1971 $272.1 - $470 -
1970 $249 - $479 -
1969 $238.2 - - -
1968 $226.8 - - -
1967 $220.9 - - -
1966 $213.9 - - -
1965 $208.7 - - -
1964 $197 - - -
1963 $189.9 - - -
1962 $182.8 - - -
1961 $167.1 - - -
1960 $153.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Paraguay's GDP per capita is $7,027, ranking 105/197, compared to $4,084 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Paraguay ranks 102nd at $18,524, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Paraguay Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$49.3B
2025
$981M
2025
GDP rank
97/197
2025
189/197
2025
GDP growth
6.64%
2024-2025
1.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$7,027
2025
$4,084
2025
GDP per capita rank
105/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$18,524
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
102/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$18.8B
2025
$546M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
38.1%
2025
55.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$2,679
2025
$2,275
2025
Government debt per person rank
111/185
2025
115/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,874
2026
$3,249
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$313M
1999
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
35%
2024
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2%
2024
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.6%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4.04%
2024-2025
0.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.63%
2025
6.66%
2017
Population
7138671
247495

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Paraguay
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Paraguay Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.6% 38.1% 21.2% 55.7%
2024 20.9% 44.6% 23.8% 65.2%
2023 21.5% 41% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 20.2% 40.6% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 20.5% 37.5% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 22.6% 36.9% 23.2% 91%
2019 20.1% 25.8% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 18.5% 22.3% 28% 95.9%
2017 18.1% 19.8% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 17.7% 19.4% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 18% 18.6% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 17.1% 15.6% 36% 92.5%
2013 17.1% 13.5% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 17.6% 12.3% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 14.7% 11.1% 53.4% 86%
2010 13.3% 13% 51.7% 83%
2009 14.3% 14.9% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 11.8% 16% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 13.1% 16.8% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 14.1% 21% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 14% 28.3% 43.7% 334%
2004 14% 36% 60.6% 354%
2003 14.6% 37.5% 51.9% 329%
2002 17.6% 50.5% 44.3% 367%
2001 19% 37.1% 52.8% 418%
2000 19.6% 33.6% 10.7% -
1999 19.2% 32% - -
1998 18% 22.1% - -
1997 18.1% 18% - -
1996 16.9% 16.8% - -
1995 15.7% 17.6% - -
1994 14.5% 18.7% - -
1993 12.9% 26.6% - -
1992 13% 34.4% - -
1991 11.4% 49.4% - -
1990 10.5% 67% - -
1989 11.8% 52.9% - -
1988 9.75% 58.9% - -
1987 10.1% 68.7% - -
1986 9.25% 57.1% - -
1985 11.4% 54.7% - -
1984 13% 31% - -
1983 13% 22.6% - -
1982 13.2% 21.3% - -
1981 13.3% 17.4% - -
1980 11.6% 17.4% - -
1979 11.7% 19.7% - -
1978 11.9% 20.9% - -
1977 11.2% 18.8% - -
1976 9.8% 14.1% - -
1975 10.5% 12.6% - -
1974 9.44% 12.5% - -
1973 11.2% 15.4% - -
1972 12.5% 18.2% - -
1971 12.3% 18.9% - -
1970 13.3% 19.2% - -
1969 14% - - -
1968 13.5% - - -
1967 12.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Paraguay's government spending was $9.66B, accounting for 19.6% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $208M, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 38.1% in Paraguay and 55.7% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 138/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Paraguay

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Paraguay Sao Tome
2025 -1.69% -2.53%
2024 -2.1% 0.92%
2023 -3.81% -2.13%
2022 -2.65% -2.24%
2021 -3.39% -1.52%
2020 -5.72% 2.94%
2019 -2.44% -0.07%
2018 -1.01% -2.02%
2017 -0.44% -3.11%
2016 -0.37% -5.01%
2015 -0.44% -7.6%
2014 -0.27% -6.27%
2013 -1.16% 2.13%
2012 -0.58% -12.3%
2011 1.29% -13%
2010 1.54% -12.1%
2009 0.59% -18%
2008 2.29% 13.6%
2007 1.27% 125.1%
2006 0.91% 18%
2005 0.74% 26.8%
2004 1.33% -25.1%
2003 -0.07% -15.9%
2002 -1.89% -10.4%
2001 0.07% -13.5%
2000 -0.55% 51.5%
1999 2.67% -
1998 4.28% -
1997 3% -
1996 2.43% -
1995 2.78% -
1994 4.59% -
1993 4.27% -
1992 3.1% -
1991 3.41% -
1990 7.56% -
1989 5.48% -
1988 3.01% -
1987 2.68% -
1986 3.08% -
1985 0.85% -
1984 -0.42% -
1983 0.27% -
1982 1.52% -
1981 0.15% -
1980 3.4% -
1979 4.13% -
1978 -3.42% -
1977 -0.19% -
1976 -0.06% -
1975 -1.24% -
1974 1.67% -
1973 -0.91% -
1972 -2.51% -
1971 -1.25% -
1970 -1.26% -
1969 -1.62% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -1.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Paraguay's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $832M, equivalent to 1.69% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's deficit of $24.8M, or 2.53% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Paraguay recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Paraguay posted an annual deficit equal to 0.71% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.39% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Paraguay

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Paraguay Sao Tome
2025 4.04% 0.9%
2024 3.84% 14.4%
2023 4.63% 21.1%
2022 9.77% 18.1%
2021 4.79% 8.1%
2020 1.77% 9.8%
2019 2.76% 7.7%
2018 3.98% 7.9%
2017 3.6% 5.7%
2016 4.09% 5.4%
2015 3.13% 6.1%
2014 5.03% 7%
2013 2.68% 8.1%
2012 3.68% 10.6%
2011 8.25% 14.3%
2010 4.65% 13.3%
2009 2.59% 17%
2008 10.2% 32%
2007 8.13% 18.6%
2006 9.59% 23.1%
2005 6.81% 17.2%
2004 4.32% 13.3%
2003 14.2% 9.8%
2002 10.5% 10.1%
2001 7.27% 9.2%
2000 8.98% 11%
1999 6.75% 11%
1998 11.6% 42.1%
1997 6.95% 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Paraguay has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.16%, compared with 15.2% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2025, inflation was 4.04% in Paraguay and 0.9% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Paraguay Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$1.57B
2025
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
131/190
2025
68/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.18%
2025
+5.03%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$15.4B
2025
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$2.75B
2025
$83M
2024
Service exports
$3.72B
2025
$88.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.3%
2025
33.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.2%
2025
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Paraguay Sao Tome
Economic freedom 66.4 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 61/197 93/197
Property rights 44.2 55.2
Government integrity 27.3 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 38.4 60.8
Tax burden 95.9 88.6
Government spending 86.9 80.6
Fiscal health 83 89.5
Business freedom 72 59.9
Labor freedom 44.1 40.8
Monetary freedom 76.5 59.4
Trade freedom 78.4 65
Investment freedom 80 50
Financial freedom 70 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Paraguay
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Paraguay Sao Tome
2026 66.4 60.6
2025 65.2 60.4
2024 60.1 60.5
2023 61 61.5
2022 62.9 60.3
2021 62.6 55.9
2020 63 56.2
2019 61.8 54
2018 62.1 53.6
2017 62.4 55.4
2016 61.5 56.7
2015 61.1 53.3
2014 62 48.8
2013 61.1 48
2012 61.8 50.2
2011 62.3 49.5
2010 61.3 48.8
2009 61 43.8
2008 60 -
2007 58.3 -
2006 55.6 -
2005 53.4 -
2004 56.7 -
2003 58.2 -
2002 59.6 -
2001 60.3 -
2000 64 -
1999 63.7 -
1998 65.2 -
1997 67.3 -
1996 67.1 -
1995 65.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Paraguay is 66.4, ranking 61/197, 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

Paraguay Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
48.1%
2025
81.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
32.3%
2025
2.23%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.6%
2025
12.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$47.4B
2025
$913M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,390
2025
$6,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$9.57B
2024
$58.8M
2024
Total reserves ranking
82/177
2024
175/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$945M
2025
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$166M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.58%
2024
0.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.1%
2024
66.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.3%
2025
8.74%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1967–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.