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Economy of Qatar vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 56/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Qatar vs Samoa GDP by year

Qatar
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Samoa
2024 $219,162,637,363 $1,175,749,786
2023 $217,308,516,484 $1,044,909,500
2022 $235,709,340,659 $889,554,712
2021 $179,732,142,857 $859,724,936
2020 $144,411,538,462 $868,884,903
2019 $176,371,428,571 $912,950,466
2018 $183,335,164,835 $878,448,433
2017 $161,099,175,824 $884,844,384
2016 $151,732,142,857 $843,924,797
2015 $161,739,835,165 $824,150,499
2014 $206,224,725,275 $796,683,520
2013 $198,727,747,253 $797,736,334
2012 $186,833,516,484 $773,141,661
2011 $167,775,274,725 $744,097,050
2010 $123,627,197,802 $680,260,907
2009 $97,798,351,648 $628,006,115
2008 $115,270,054,945 $641,346,192
2007 $79,712,087,912 $573,548,460
2006 $60,882,142,857 $499,923,758
2005 $44,530,494,505 $476,801,793
2004 $31,734,065,934 $407,747,565
2003 $23,533,791,209 $333,426,188
2002 $19,363,736,264 $281,790,134
2001 $17,538,461,538 $266,299,591
2000 $17,759,890,110 $258,856,140
1999 $12,393,131,868 $255,408,060
1998 $10,255,495,027 $269,485,244
1997 $11,297,802,115 $285,475,592
1996 $9,059,340,385 $249,907,869
1995 $8,137,911,978 $224,865,731
1994 $7,374,450,769 $221,098,107
1993 $7,156,593,654 $133,122,897
1992 $7,646,153,984 $132,303,041
1991 $6,883,516,484 $125,597,205
1990 $7,360,439,423 $125,766,270
1989 $6,487,912,088 $122,888,610
1988 $6,038,187,033 $133,016,065
1987 $5,446,428,681 $111,713,922
1986 $5,053,021,951 $100,947,849
1985 $6,153,296,456 $95,572,173
1984 $6,704,395,824 $109,200,934
1983 $6,467,582,308 $111,862,824
1982 $7,596,703,214 $121,221,652
1981 $8,661,263,764 $118,190,655
1980 $7,829,165,262 $125,747,038
1979 $5,632,962,997 $122,257,393
1978 $4,052,000,413 $108,223,444
1977 $3,617,564,638 $98,295,671
1976 $3,284,273,987 $85,003,078
1975 $2,512,773,166 $93,489,283
1974 $2,401,403,227 $93,549,611
1973 $793,885,560 $82,452,985
1972 $510,262,500 $62,566,116
1971 $387,703,106 $53,719,569
1970 $301,791,302 $45,208,338

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Samoa by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $775 $2,323
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $777 $2,198
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $742 $2,166
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $744 $2,148
1989 $15,243 - $728 -
1988 $14,682 - $790 -
1987 $13,719 - $666 -
1986 $13,213 - $604 -
1985 $16,815 - $573 -
1984 $19,272 - $655 -
1983 $19,616 - $671 -
1982 $24,385 - $728 -
1981 $29,505 - $713 -
1980 $28,375 - $765 -
1979 $21,777 - $751 -
1978 $16,757 - $671 -
1977 $16,058 - $615 -
1976 $15,710 - $541 -
1975 $13,014 - $610 -
1974 $13,540 - $626 -
1973 $4,905 - $563 -
1972 $3,483 - $433 -
1971 $2,952 - $377 -
1970 $2,594 - $322 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/samoa | CC BY

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Qatar Samoa
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$3,750
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
5.05%
2022
Population
2999260
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 31.1% 41%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 30% 49.4%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 27.3% 49%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 31% 32.1% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 32% 30.4% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 36.4% 36% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 29% 19.1% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 30% 53.8%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 31% -
1996 55.2% 57.8% 38.9% -
1995 52.2% 50.2% 42.2% -
1994 59.8% 54.8% 54.1% -
1993 62.8% 46.3% 49.5% -
1992 54.2% 19.9% 43.4% -
1991 57.5% 21.8% - -
1990 50% 12.6% - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 130/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Samoa
2024 0.69% 9.29%
2023 5.56% 2.7%
2022 10.4% 5.03%
2021 0.24% 1.71%
2020 -2.13% 5.41%
2019 1% 1.51%
2018 2.26% 0.06%
2017 -6.82% -1.98%
2016 -9.2% -0.35%
2015 18.4% -3.79%
2014 13.4% -5.38%
2013 19.3% -3.82%
2012 8.55% -7.43%
2011 5.24% -5.25%
2010 4.6% -5.49%
2009 14.1% -2.98%
2008 9.49% -0.36%
2007 10.3% 0.55%
2006 8.39% -0.44%
2005 9.8% 0.23%
2004 17.7% -0.74%
2003 6.71% -0.51%
2002 7.89% -1.77%
2001 4.48% -1.96%
2000 4.62% -0.62%
1999 -4.35% 0.27%
1998 -7% 1.64%
1997 -9.4% 1.92%
1996 -8.73% 1.21%
1995 -5.78% -5.82%
1994 -11.8% -9.51%
1993 -9.53% -13.2%
1992 -2.74% -9.89%
1991 -2.57% -
1990 3.23% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.2% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Samoa
2024 1.27% 2.17%
2023 3.03% 7.92%
2022 5% 11%
2021 2.3% 3.13%
2020 -2.54% -1.57%
2019 -0.67% 0.98%
2018 0.26% 4.2%
2017 0.39% 1.75%
2016 2.68% 1.3%
2015 1.81% 0.72%
2014 3.35% -0.41%
2013 3.22% 0.61%
2012 2.32% 2.05%
2011 1.14% 5.24%
2010 -2.43% 0.78%
2009 -4.86% 6.32%
2008 15.1% 11.6%
2007 13.8% 5.58%
2006 11.8% 3.7%
2005 8.81% 1.86%
2004 6.8% 16.3%
2003 2.26% 0.12%
2002 0.24% 8.05%
2001 1.47% 3.84%
2000 1.65% 0.97%
1999 2.18% 0.27%
1998 2.95% 2.22%
1997 4.83% 6.86%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 2.17% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Qatar Samoa
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Samoa
Economic freedom 70.2 68
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 52/197
Property rights 66.2 77.1
Government integrity 53.5 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 77.6
Tax burden 99.9 79.3
Government spending 79.9 75.2
Fiscal health 96.6 98.7
Business freedom 68 63.7
Labor freedom 58.5 73.7
Monetary freedom 76 69.4
Trade freedom 81.8 67.2
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Samoa
2026 70.2 68
2025 70.2 66.6
2024 68.8 67.2
2023 68.6 68.3
2022 67.7 68.3
2021 72 61.9
2020 72.3 62.1
2019 72.6 62.2
2018 72.6 61.5
2017 73.1 58.4
2016 70.7 63.5
2015 70.8 61.9
2014 71.2 61.1
2013 71.3 57.1
2012 71.3 60.5
2011 70.5 60.6
2010 69 60.4
2009 65.8 59.5
2008 62.2 -
2007 62.9 -
2006 62.4 -
2005 63.5 -
2004 66.5 -
2003 65.9 -
2002 61.9 -
2001 60 63.1
2000 62 60.8
1999 62 58.7
1998 - 49.9
1997 - 51.5
1996 - 47.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/samoa | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Qatar Samoa
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
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/qatar/samoa | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.