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Economy of Rwanda vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Rwanda has a GDP of $16.4B compared to $2.66B for Saint Lucia, ranking 142/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $10.6B in government debt (64.6% of GDP), compared to $2.05B (77.1% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Rwanda vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Rwanda
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Saint Lucia
2025 $16,372,132,990 $2,656,444,444
2024 $15,111,064,182 $2,605,148,148
2023 $14,806,501,437 $2,441,259,259
2022 $13,747,404,814 $2,319,888,889
2021 $11,252,894,910 $1,871,111,111
2020 $10,487,146,253 $1,521,740,741
2019 $10,519,272,170 $2,090,074,074
2018 $9,650,161,136 $2,060,955,556
2017 $9,164,345,443 $1,998,503,704
2016 $8,596,812,241 $1,868,544,444
2015 $8,447,064,079 $1,807,640,741
2014 $8,129,984,484 $1,749,185,185
2013 $7,714,276,920 $1,660,392,593
2012 $7,556,673,276 $1,598,207,407
2011 $6,802,676,034 $1,568,370,370
2010 $6,052,276,078 $1,482,385,185
2009 $5,603,399,015 $1,401,507,889
2008 $5,120,655,375 $1,437,731,111
2007 $4,017,977,507 $1,336,088,815
2006 $3,274,207,945 $1,268,319,185
2005 $2,933,819,766 $1,135,555,556
2004 $2,376,496,067 $1,066,666,667
2003 $2,138,237,279 $987,407,407
2002 $1,966,003,468 $900,000,000
2001 $1,966,600,715 $892,592,593
2000 $2,068,836,754 $932,592,593
1999 $2,157,108,263 $921,851,852
1998 $1,989,343,546 $877,407,407
1997 $1,851,558,197 $805,925,926
1996 $1,382,334,879 $788,888,889
1995 $1,293,535,193 $762,962,963
1994 $753,636,370 $713,703,704
1993 $1,971,525,712 $684,814,815
1992 $2,029,026,962 $674,074,074
1991 $1,911,600,237 $613,703,704
1990 $2,550,185,679 $579,629,630
1989 $2,405,022,593 $486,666,667
1988 $2,395,492,687 $429,629,630
1987 $2,157,432,668 $375,555,556
1986 $1,944,710,684 $340,000,000
1985 $1,715,626,331 $284,444,444
1984 $1,587,413,084 $251,481,481
1983 $1,479,687,587 $197,037,037
1982 $1,407,243,139 $183,333,333
1981 $1,407,062,527 $194,444,444
1980 $1,254,765,642 $170,370,370
1979 $1,109,346,131 -
1978 $905,709,076 -
1977 $746,650,613 -
1976 $637,753,853 -
1975 $571,863,500 -
1974 $308,458,423 -
1973 $290,746,157 -
1972 $246,457,838 -
1971 $222,952,504 -
1970 $219,900,006 -
1969 $188,700,037 -
1968 $172,200,018 -
1967 $159,560,018 -
1966 $124,525,703 -
1965 $148,799,980 -
1964 $129,999,994 -
1963 $128,000,000 -
1962 $125,000,008 -
1961 $122,000,016 -
1960 $119,000,024 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Saint Lucia by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,124 - $14,746 -
2024 $1,060 $3,711 $14,494 $27,567
2023 $1,061 $3,399 $13,617 $25,975
2022 $1,007 $3,099 $12,976 $24,599
2021 $843 $2,733 $10,481 $19,101
2020 $803 $2,285 $8,537 $14,912
2019 $823 $2,336 $11,764 $18,710
2018 $773 $2,125 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $751 $1,968 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $721 $1,866 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $726 $1,781 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $715 $1,678 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $695 $1,512 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $698 $1,455 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $643 $1,413 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $587 $1,314 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $557 $1,241 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $522 $1,191 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $421 $1,079 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $352 $1,002 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $324 $914 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $269.5 $832 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $249 $775 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $234 $760 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $237.3 $670 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $251.9 $609 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $264.7 $554 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $246.2 $528 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $238.7 $500 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $206 $499 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $228 $514 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $111 $311 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $247 $521 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $264.1 $575 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $254 $542 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $346 $549 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $335 - $3,565 -
1988 $344 - $3,182 -
1987 $320 - $2,819 -
1986 $297.7 - $2,591 -
1985 $271.6 - $2,202 -
1984 $259.9 - $1,979 -
1983 $250.6 - $1,576 -
1982 $246.4 - $1,489 -
1981 $254.6 - $1,605 -
1980 $234.4 - $1,428 -
1979 $213.8 - - -
1978 $179.9 - - -
1977 $152.7 - - -
1976 $134.4 - - -
1975 $124.1 - - -
1974 $68.9 - - -
1973 $66.9 - - -
1972 $58.4 - - -
1971 $54.4 - - -
1970 $55.2 - - -
1969 $48.9 - - -
1968 $46 - - -
1967 $44 - - -
1966 $35.4 - - -
1965 $43.5 - - -
1964 $39 - - -
1963 $39.3 - - -
1962 $39.2 - - -
1961 $39.3 - - -
1960 $39.4 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/saint-lucia | CC BY

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,124, ranking 178/197, compared to $14,746 in Saint Lucia, ranking 72/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$16.4B
2025
$2.66B
2025
GDP rank
142/197
2025
173/197
2025
GDP growth
9.38%
2024-2025
-0.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,124
2025
$14,746
2025
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2025
72/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$2.05B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.6%
2025
77.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$726
2025
$11,365
2025
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2025
53/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,614
2026
$12,464
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$3.2B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.1%
2025
25.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
5.91%
2024-2025
2.03%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.36%
2025
7.66%
2025
Population
15062056
180676

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 24.1% 64.6% 25.2% 77.1%
2024 27.1% 63.4% 24.4% 76.7%
2023 26.2% 61.4% 25.3% 75.2%
2022 28.7% 59% 23.8% 73.9%
2021 31% 66.2% 26.7% 81.9%
2020 32.5% 66.7% 33.1% 94.4%
2019 27.7% 52.8% 24.6% 62.1%
2018 26.3% 49.2% 23.2% 60.3%
2017 25.3% 46.1% 23% 59.9%
2016 25.4% 41.5% 22.6% 60.2%
2015 26.9% 33.5% 22.1% 60.6%
2014 27.8% 29.5% 22.6% 61.9%
2013 26.5% 27% 24.3% 61.2%
2012 24.9% 19.3% 27.1% 60.2%
2011 25% 18.9% 26.9% 54.9%
2010 24.1% 19% 25.6% 52.2%
2009 22.6% 18.7% 24.2% 50.2%
2008 22.7% 18.5% 22.3% 46.9%
2007 22.7% 22.4% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 20.9% 22.8% 24.4% 48%
2005 20.2% 59.8% 25.3% 50.4%
2004 18.1% 82.1% 22.5% 48.8%
2003 18.8% 80.7% 22.5% 44.7%
2002 20.7% 93.4% 23% 47.7%
2001 19.3% 85.2% 22% 38%
2000 18.5% 87.2% 20.9% 32.8%
1999 22.7% 79.5% 20.9% 28.8%
1998 16.6% 71.1% 18.6% 29.1%
1997 17.2% 73.3% 19% 26.6%
1996 19.8% 84.6% 18.8% 23.9%
1995 18.3% 102.2% 19% 22.7%
1994 13.5% - 18.7% 23.4%
1993 20.6% - 21.6% 22.7%
1992 21.8% - 18.3% 22.1%
1991 - - 18% 19.3%
1990 - - 16.5% 16.7%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, Rwanda's government spending was $3.95B, accounting for 24.1% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $671M, or 25.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.6% in Rwanda and 77.1% in Saint Lucia, ranking 68/185 and 48/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Saint Lucia
2025 -4.49% -2.88%
2024 -6.19% -1.81%
2023 -4.88% -3.18%
2022 -5.56% -2.48%
2021 -6.89% -5.35%
2020 -9.26% -11.5%
2019 -5% -2.95%
2018 -2.57% -1.22%
2017 -2.54% -2.09%
2016 -2.3% -1.53%
2015 -2.71% -1.18%
2014 -3.97% -2.29%
2013 -1.29% -3.98%
2012 -2.41% -6.93%
2011 -0.87% -5.35%
2010 -0.65% -4.11%
2009 0.26% -2.63%
2008 0.84% -0.72%
2007 -1.58% -1.59%
2006 -0.03% -5.01%
2005 1.14% -6%
2004 2.31% -2.58%
2003 -1.25% -3.17%
2002 -2.06% -3.03%
2001 -1.83% -3.07%
2000 -0.22% -1.17%
1999 -4.48% 1.61%
1998 -2.63% 2.22%
1997 -2.25% -1.1%
1996 -5.08% -0.57%
1995 -2.07% -0.13%
1994 -9.68% -0.02%
1993 -6.7% -0.25%
1992 -7.31% -0.66%
1991 - -0.42%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2025, Rwanda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $736M, equivalent to 4.49% of GDP. This compares to Saint Lucia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.88% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.55% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Saint Lucia
2025 5.91% 2.03%
2024 1.77% -0.67%
2023 19.8% 3.82%
2022 17.7% 9.65%
2021 -0.39% 2.41%
2020 9.85% -1.76%
2019 3.35% 0.54%
2018 -0.31% 1.94%
2017 8.28% 0.1%
2016 7.17% -3.08%
2015 2.53% -0.98%
2014 2.35% 3.52%
2013 5.92% 1.47%
2012 10.3% 4.18%
2011 3.08% 2.77%
2010 -0.25% 3.25%
2009 12.9% -0.16%
2008 15.4% 5.55%
2007 9.08% 2.82%
2006 8.88% 2.4%
2005 9.01% 3.9%
2004 12.3% 1.46%
2003 7.45% 1.03%
2002 1.99% -0.26%
2001 3.34% 5.31%
2000 3.9% 3.71%
1999 -2.41% 3.5%
1998 6.21% 3.2%
1997 12% -0.006%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.8%, compared with 2.13% in Saint Lucia. In 2025, inflation was 5.91% in Rwanda and 2.03% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Rwanda Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
-$166M
2025
Current account balance ranking
136/190
2024
89/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12%
2024
-6.26%
2025
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$834M
2025
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$144M
2025
Service imports
$991M
2024
$672M
2025
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$1.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.6%
2025
19%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 56.5 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 57/197
Property rights 60.3 64.3
Government integrity 53.9 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 77.3
Tax burden 80.6 77.7
Government spending 75.7 82.6
Fiscal health 37.5 80
Business freedom 60.1 71.9
Labor freedom 49.1 65.2
Monetary freedom 72.3 81
Trade freedom 61.8 60
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Saint Lucia
2026 56.5 67.5
2025 54.8 67
2024 51.6 62.2
2023 52.2 60.7
2022 57.1 64.3
2021 68.3 67.5
2020 70.9 68.2
2019 71.1 68.7
2018 69.1 67.6
2017 67.6 65
2016 63.1 70
2015 64.8 70.2
2014 64.7 70.7
2013 64.1 70.4
2012 64.9 71.3
2011 62.7 70.8
2010 59.1 70.5
2009 54.2 68.8
2008 54.2 -
2007 52.4 -
2006 52.8 -
2005 51.7 -
2004 53.3 -
2003 47.8 -
2002 50.4 -
2001 45.4 -
2000 42.3 -
1999 39.8 -
1998 39.1 -
1997 38.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Rwanda Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
52.3%
2025
73.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
22%
2025
10.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
1.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$16.7B
2025
$2.42B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,070
2025
$26,180
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.96B
2025
$447M
2025
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2025
160/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$175M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.91%
2024
3.35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
34.1%
2025
n/a

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/rwanda/saint-lucia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.