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

Updated on by Georank team

Saint Vincent has a GDP of $1.16B compared to $822M for Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 186/197 and 189/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saint Vincent has $1.07B in government debt (92.7% of GDP), compared to $533M (64.8% of GDP) in Sao Tome and Principe.

Saint Vincent vs Sao Tome and Principe GDP by year

Saint Vincent
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saint Vincent Sao Tome
2024 $1,157,207,407 $822,154,621
2023 $1,072,237,037 $690,456,807
2022 $989,188,889 $540,809,499
2021 $888,677,778 $524,402,456
2020 $864,566,667 $471,229,485
2019 $910,481,481 $412,976,083
2018 $884,329,630 $383,717,328
2017 $844,040,741 $322,002,845
2016 $814,303,704 $292,267,272
2015 $786,555,556 $259,999,643
2014 $770,900,000 $293,119,143
2013 $764,781,259 $267,041,748
2012 $730,032,593 $225,815,132
2011 $713,796,370 $226,455,001
2010 $720,447,889 $190,021,192
2009 $714,300,259 $200,668,065
2008 $732,663,259 $188,021,165
2007 $713,596,667 $149,146,919
2006 $643,501,148 $142,775,104
2005 $579,948,926 $136,450,662
2004 $549,900,185 $114,582,284
2003 $509,090,889 $102,085,769
2002 $487,763,852 $85,171,074
2001 $462,072,333 $75,951,133
2000 $427,946,037 $76,198,395
1999 $390,718,519 $77,302,212
1998 $373,618,519 $72,285,404
1997 $347,770,370 $91,920,274
1996 $331,488,889 $135,188,166
1995 $316,007,407 $103,695,237
1994 $289,437,037 $131,338,415
1993 $286,307,407 $125,742,229
1992 $277,955,556 $94,861,781
1991 $254,829,630 $107,484,143
1990 $240,366,667 $119,297,933
1989 $214,745,002 $98,545,367
1988 $200,726,713 $99,000,764
1987 $175,580,647 $115,952,925
1986 $160,846,657 $115,928,907
1985 $145,641,705 $82,733,069
1984 $135,024,988 $78,213,796
1983 $122,255,350 $75,110,289
1982 $113,759,203 $80,307,763
1981 $102,086,539 $83,499,264
1980 $82,340,340 $81,662,231
1979 $71,096,360 $65,755,928
1978 $60,844,771 $55,044,563
1977 $49,353,162 $49,207,692
1976 $32,792,845 $52,039,421
1975 $33,237,226 $60,101,710
1974 $32,923,703 $57,817,591
1973 $30,165,081 $56,011,245
1972 $27,585,805 $41,430,257
1971 $20,051,922 $37,288,845
1970 $18,450,000 $37,211,826
1969 $16,650,000 -
1968 $15,350,000 -
1967 $15,835,106 -
1966 $16,099,960 -
1965 $15,108,296 -
1964 $14,758,296 -
1963 $13,708,299 -
1962 $14,524,964 -
1961 $13,999,965 -
1960 $13,066,634 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Saint Vincent vs Sao Tome and Principe by year

Saint Vincent
GDP per capita

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

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saint Vincent Sao Tome
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $11,501 $21,272 $3,491 $6,242
2023 $10,582 $19,820 $2,991 $6,150
2022 $9,694 $18,035 $2,390 $6,034
2021 $8,641 $16,201 $2,363 $5,733
2020 $8,351 $15,337 $2,167 $5,145
2019 $8,741 $15,340 $1,935 $4,655
2018 $8,428 $14,690 $1,826 $3,941
2017 $7,988 $13,575 $1,556 $3,436
2016 $7,657 $13,493 $1,435 $3,320
2015 $7,354 $12,379 $1,298 $3,172
2014 $7,169 $12,136 $1,490 $3,233
2013 $7,072 $11,625 $1,383 $2,946
2012 $6,714 $10,989 $1,192 $2,653
2011 $6,528 $10,774 $1,220 $2,914
2010 $6,552 $10,561 $1,045 $2,859
2009 $6,464 $10,869 $1,128 $2,846
2008 $6,599 $10,902 $1,082 $2,802
2007 $6,398 $10,604 $879 $2,650
2006 $5,745 $9,949 $862 $2,551
2005 $5,157 $8,986 $844 $2,329
2004 $4,873 $8,472 $727 $2,171
2003 $4,500 $7,903 $664 $2,094
2002 $4,303 $7,250 $568 $1,945
2001 $4,071 $6,768 $519 $1,898
2000 $3,769 $6,503 $529 $1,830
1999 $3,447 $6,266 $543 $1,802
1998 $3,301 $6,026 $514 $1,754
1997 $3,074 $5,726 $662 $1,714
1996 $2,930 $5,440 $987 $1,693
1995 $2,795 $5,277 $769 $1,663
1994 $2,563 $4,802 $990 $1,623
1993 $2,540 $4,769 $964 $1,581
1992 $2,471 $4,477 $740 $1,556
1991 $2,271 $4,126 $855 $1,540
1990 $2,150 $3,960 $970 $1,504
1989 $1,930 - $821 -
1988 $1,814 - $847 -
1987 $1,596 - $1,018 -
1986 $1,472 - $1,043 -
1985 $1,342 - $761 -
1984 $1,254 - $735 -
1983 $1,144 - $720 -
1982 $1,074 - $783 -
1981 $972 - $830 -
1980 $790 - $829 -
1979 $687 - $683 -
1978 $592 - $587 -
1977 $484 - $539 -
1976 $324 - $585 -
1975 $331 - $693 -
1974 $331 - $683 -
1973 $306 - $676 -
1972 $282.1 - $511 -
1971 $207 - $470 -
1970 $192.3 - $479 -
1969 $175.2 - - -
1968 $163.1 - - -
1967 $170 - - -
1966 $174.9 - - -
1965 $166.2 - - -
1964 $164.4 - - -
1963 $154.9 - - -
1962 $166.5 - - -
1961 $163 - - -
1960 $154.8 - - -

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

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

Saint Vincent's GDP per capita is $11,501, ranking 81/197, compared to $3,491 in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 134/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saint Vincent ranks 92nd at $21,272, while Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242.

Economic indicators

Saint Vincent Sao Tome
Gross domestic product
$1.16B
2024
$822M
2024
GDP rank
186/197
2024
189/197
2024
GDP growth
4.06%
2023-2024
1.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$11,501
2024
$3,491
2024
GDP per capita rank
81/197
2024
134/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,272
2024
$6,242
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
92/197
2024
151/197
2024
Government debt
$1.07B
2024
$533M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
92.7%
2024
64.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,659
2024
$2,262
2024
Government debt per person rank
56/185
2024
116/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$12,573
2026
$3,111
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
32.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.63%
2023-2024
14.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
18.8%
2008
6.66%
2017
Population
99237
246362

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saint Vincent
Spending

Debt
Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saint Vincent Sao Tome
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.1% 92.7% 24.7% 64.8%
2023 38.9% 89.4% 23.9% 73.2%
2022 36.6% 86.3% 27.7% 86.8%
2021 37.2% 88.4% 25.6% 85.1%
2020 32.9% 80.2% 23.2% 91%
2019 29.2% 68.2% 22.8% 98.6%
2018 26.3% 69.4% 28% 95.9%
2017 26.6% 69% 31.9% 92.3%
2016 27.1% 79.4% 38.3% 104.6%
2015 27.6% 75.1% 41.6% 101.1%
2014 30.4% 75% 36% 92.5%
2013 29.4% 69.9% 35.5% 76.8%
2012 26.5% 68.1% 50.5% 59.6%
2011 29.4% 64% 53.4% 86%
2010 31.1% 61.1% 51.7% 83%
2009 31% 57.2% 48.6% 70.3%
2008 28.4% 50.3% 30.4% 60.7%
2007 27.1% 48.5% 38.9% 110.1%
2006 26.1% 44.7% 32.5% 283.2%
2005 26.7% 50.5% 43.7% 334%
2004 24.9% 58.6% 60.6% 354%
2003 26% 55.3% 51.9% 329%
2002 25.7% 53.2% 44.3% 367%
2001 24.4% 52% 52.8% 418%
2000 23.8% 54.3% 10.7% -
1999 25.2% 52.9% - -
1998 25.2% 39.5% - -
1997 26% 38.8% - -
1996 20.9% 40.7% - -
1995 19.9% 46.8% - -
1994 22.4% 52.8% - -
1993 22.3% 48.1% - -
1992 25.4% 49.6% - -
1991 25.5% 52.1% - -
1990 23.1% 53.9% - -
1989 27.6% - - -
1988 24.8% - - -
1987 23.7% - - -
1986 22.3% - - -
1985 21.4% - - -
1984 23.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1984–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Saint Vincent's government spending was $453M, accounting for 39.1% of its GDP, while Sao Tome and Principe spent $203M, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 92.7% in Saint Vincent and 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe, ranking 29/185 and 69/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saint Vincent

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saint Vincent Sao Tome
2024 -12.9% 0.92%
2023 -12% -2.13%
2022 -9.35% -2.24%
2021 -7.19% -1.52%
2020 -5.92% 2.94%
2019 -3.45% -0.07%
2018 -1.65% -2.02%
2017 -1.56% -3.11%
2016 0.04% -5.01%
2015 -2.01% -7.6%
2014 -2.82% -6.27%
2013 -5.81% 2.13%
2012 -1.81% -12.3%
2011 -3.5% -13%
2010 -3.7% -12.1%
2009 -2.85% -18%
2008 -1.3% 13.6%
2007 -3.07% 125.1%
2006 -3.13% 18%
2005 -4.3% 26.8%
2004 -2.71% -25.1%
2003 -2.51% -15.9%
2002 -2% -10.4%
2001 -1.6% -13.5%
2000 -0.82% 51.5%
1999 -1.93% -
1998 -1.81% -
1997 -2.77% -
1996 1.57% -
1995 1.08% -
1994 0.12% -
1993 -1.46% -
1992 -3.25% -
1991 -0.47% -
1990 1.69% -
1989 -1.92% -
1988 0.59% -
1987 1.1% -
1986 2.32% -
1985 4.23% -
1984 2.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1984–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Saint Vincent's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $149M, equivalent to 12.9% of GDP. This compares to Sao Tome and Principe's surplus of $7.57M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Saint Vincent recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sao Tome and Principe ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Saint Vincent posted an annual deficit equal to 3.91% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.63% of GDP for Sao Tome and Principe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saint Vincent

Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saint Vincent Sao Tome
2024 3.63% 14.4%
2023 4.56% 21.2%
2022 5.66% 18%
2021 1.57% 8.1%
2020 -0.63% 9.8%
2019 0.91% 7.7%
2018 2.32% 7.9%
2017 2.15% 5.7%
2016 -0.15% 5.4%
2015 -1.73% 6.1%
2014 0.19% 7%
2013 0.81% 8.1%
2012 2.6% 10.6%
2011 3.19% 14.3%
2010 0.75% 13.3%
2009 0.42% 17%
2008 10.1% 32%
2007 7.24% 18.6%
2006 2.74% 23.1%
2005 3.73% 17.2%
2004 2.96% 13.3%
2003 0.21% 9.8%
2002 1.86% 10.1%
2001 0.9% 9.2%
2000 0.17% 11%
1999 1.01% 11%
1998 2.14% 42.1%
1997 0.44% 69%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Saint Vincent has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.13%, compared with 15.8% in Sao Tome and Principe. In 2024, inflation was 3.63% in Saint Vincent and 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe.

Balance of trade

Saint Vincent Sao Tome
Current account balance
-$157M
2024
$41.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
93/190
2024
74/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.5%
2024
+5.05%
2024
Goods imports
$445M
2024
$153M
2024
Goods exports
$59.2M
2024
$29.3M
2024
Service imports
$196M
2024
$83M
2024
Service exports
$366M
2024
$88.2M
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.3%
2025
10%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Saint Vincent Sao Tome
Economic freedom 60 60.6
Economic freedom ranking 98/197 93/197
Property rights 65.2 55.2
Government integrity 63.3 47.2
Judicial effectiveness 76.9 60.8
Tax burden 82 88.6
Government spending 56.2 80.6
Fiscal health 2.8 89.5
Business freedom 67.3 59.9
Labor freedom 60.1 40.8
Monetary freedom 77.3 59.4
Trade freedom 58.8 65
Investment freedom 70 50
Financial freedom 40 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saint Vincent
Sao Tome and Principe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saint Vincent Sao Tome
2026 60 60.6
2025 60.1 60.4
2024 59.8 60.5
2023 63.5 61.5
2022 65.7 60.3
2021 66.3 55.9
2020 66.8 56.2
2019 65.8 54
2018 67.7 53.6
2017 65.2 55.4
2016 68.8 56.7
2015 68 53.3
2014 67 48.8
2013 66.7 48
2012 66.5 50.2
2011 66.9 49.5
2010 66.9 48.8
2009 64.3 43.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Saint Vincent is 60, ranking 98/197, 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

Saint Vincent Sao Tome
Services, % of GDP
66.4%
2024
80.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.4%
2024
2.83%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.55%
2024
12.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.11B
2024
$671M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,150
2024
$6,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$317M
2024
$46.2M
2023
Total reserves ranking
167/177
2024
176/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$74M
2024
$20.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$139M
2024
-$16.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$1.92M
2024
$3.83M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.84%
2024
0.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
66.2%
2020

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/saint-vincent/sao-tome-and-principe | 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 (2009–2026, 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 (1984–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.