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Economy of Samoa vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 186/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Samoa vs South Sudan GDP by year

Samoa
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa South Sudan
2025 $1,287,936,622 -
2024 $1,175,749,786 -
2023 $1,044,909,500 -
2022 $889,554,712 -
2021 $859,724,936 -
2020 $868,884,903 -
2019 $912,950,466 -
2018 $878,448,433 -
2017 $884,844,384 -
2016 $843,924,797 -
2015 $824,150,499 $11,997,800,760
2014 $796,683,520 $13,962,212,847
2013 $797,736,334 $18,426,469,017
2012 $773,141,661 $11,931,472,169
2011 $744,097,050 $14,907,308,933
2010 $680,260,907 $14,602,072,411
2009 $628,006,115 $12,231,264,525
2008 $641,346,192 $14,586,253,383
2007 $573,548,460 -
2006 $499,923,758 -
2005 $476,801,793 -
2004 $407,747,565 -
2003 $333,426,188 -
2002 $281,790,134 -
2001 $266,299,591 -
2000 $258,856,140 -
1999 $255,408,060 -
1998 $269,485,244 -
1997 $285,475,592 -
1996 $249,907,869 -
1995 $224,865,731 -
1994 $221,098,107 -
1993 $133,122,897 -
1992 $132,303,041 -
1991 $125,597,205 -
1990 $125,766,270 -
1989 $122,888,610 -
1988 $133,016,065 -
1987 $111,713,922 -
1986 $100,947,849 -
1985 $95,572,173 -
1984 $109,200,934 -
1983 $111,862,824 -
1982 $121,221,652 -
1981 $118,190,655 -
1980 $125,747,038 -
1979 $122,257,393 -
1978 $108,223,444 -
1977 $98,295,671 -
1976 $85,003,078 -
1975 $93,489,283 -
1974 $93,549,611 -
1973 $82,452,985 -
1972 $62,566,116 -
1971 $53,719,569 -
1970 $45,208,338 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Samoa vs South Sudan by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,873 - - -
2024 $5,393 $8,737 - -
2023 $4,823 $8,195 - -
2022 $4,132 $6,909 - -
2021 $4,022 $6,350 - -
2020 $4,100 $6,451 - -
2019 $4,352 $6,638 - -
2018 $4,232 $6,318 - -
2017 $4,308 $6,280 - -
2016 $4,147 $6,141 - -
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $3,039 $4,713 - -
2006 $2,663 $4,592 - -
2005 $2,550 $4,379 - -
2004 $2,189 $3,997 - -
2003 $1,798 $3,792 - -
2002 $1,528 $3,553 - -
2001 $1,454 $3,335 - -
2000 $1,425 $3,062 - -
1999 $1,417 $2,871 - -
1998 $1,506 $2,792 - -
1997 $1,608 $2,722 - -
1996 $1,419 $2,681 - -
1995 $1,288 $2,478 - -
1994 $1,277 $2,294 - -
1993 $775 $2,323 - -
1992 $777 $2,198 - -
1991 $742 $2,166 - -
1990 $744 $2,148 - -
1989 $728 - - -
1988 $790 - - -
1987 $666 - - -
1986 $604 - - -
1985 $573 - - -
1984 $655 - - -
1983 $671 - - -
1982 $728 - - -
1981 $713 - - -
1980 $765 - - -
1979 $751 - - -
1978 $671 - - -
1977 $615 - - -
1976 $541 - - -
1975 $610 - - -
1974 $626 - - -
1973 $563 - - -
1972 $433 - - -
1971 $377 - - -
1970 $322 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/south-sudan | CC BY

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Samoa South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
186/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$273M
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$1,514
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
12.3%
2008
Population
221158
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 26.3% 25.2% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 21.3% 62%
2022 31.1% 41% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 30% 49.4% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 27.3% 49% 52% 128.9%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 20.8% 0%
2010 29.4% 40.3% - -
2009 31.5% 33.3% - -
2008 27.7% 28.2% - -
2007 31.1% 31.5% - -
2006 27.7% 33.5% - -
2005 30.6% 34.2% - -
2004 27.3% 39.8% - -
2003 28.5% 42.8% - -
2002 30.7% 50.3% - -
2001 30% 53.8% - -
2000 30.4% 55.8% - -
1999 33.8% 59.4% - -
1998 28.1% 58.9% - -
1997 31% - - -
1996 38.9% - - -
1995 42.2% - - -
1994 54.1% - - -
1993 49.5% - - -
1992 43.4% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 172/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa South Sudan
2025 4.68% 3.45%
2024 9.29% 11.5%
2023 2.7% 9.12%
2022 5.03% 4.43%
2021 1.71% -9.3%
2020 5.41% -5.5%
2019 1.51% 0.04%
2018 0.06% -1.15%
2017 -1.98% 4.16%
2016 -0.35% -15.5%
2015 -3.79% -16.3%
2014 -5.38% -9.53%
2013 -3.82% -3.45%
2012 -7.43% -14.8%
2011 -5.25% 4.57%
2010 -5.49% -
2009 -2.98% -
2008 -0.36% -
2007 0.55% -
2006 -0.44% -
2005 0.23% -
2004 -0.74% -
2003 -0.51% -
2002 -1.77% -
2001 -1.96% -
2000 -0.62% -
1999 0.27% -
1998 1.64% -
1997 1.92% -
1996 1.21% -
1995 -5.82% -
1994 -9.51% -
1993 -13.2% -
1992 -9.89% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Samoa's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $31.2M, equivalent to 3.79% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 5.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa South Sudan
2025 2.21% -
2024 2.17% 91.4%
2023 7.92% 2.38%
2022 11% -6.69%
2021 3.13% 10.5%
2020 -1.57% 29.7%
2019 0.98% 87.2%
2018 4.2% 83.5%
2017 1.75% 187.9%
2016 1.3% 380%
2015 0.72% 52.8%
2014 -0.41% 1.67%
2013 0.61% -0.06%
2012 2.05% 45.5%
2011 5.24% 46.9%
2010 0.78% 1.17%
2009 6.32% 5.01%
2008 11.6% -
2007 5.58% -
2006 3.7% -
2005 1.86% -
2004 16.3% -
2003 0.12% -
2002 8.05% -
2001 3.84% -
2000 0.97% -
1999 0.27% -
1998 2.22% -
1997 6.86% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.89%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Samoa South Sudan
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$108M
2025
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$328M
2025
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa South Sudan
Economic freedom 68 41
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 186/197
Property rights 77.1 n/a
Government integrity 64.1 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 n/a
Tax burden 79.3 n/a
Government spending 75.2 n/a
Fiscal health 98.7 n/a
Business freedom 63.7 n/a
Labor freedom 73.7 n/a
Monetary freedom 69.4 n/a
Trade freedom 67.2 n/a
Investment freedom 40 n/a
Financial freedom 30 n/a

Other economic metrics

Samoa South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
5.75%
2015

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/samoa/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.