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Economy of Samoa vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $109B for Sri Lanka, ranking 186/197 and 71/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $100B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Samoa vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Samoa
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Sri Lanka
2025 $1,287,936,622 $108,825,231,671
2024 $1,175,749,786 $99,616,111,266
2023 $1,044,909,500 $84,080,307,356
2022 $889,554,712 $74,143,020,304
2021 $859,724,936 $88,556,699,052
2020 $868,884,903 $84,335,574,372
2019 $912,950,466 $88,998,706,178
2018 $878,448,433 $94,450,015,983
2017 $884,844,384 $94,369,350,439
2016 $843,924,797 $88,000,210,878
2015 $824,150,499 $85,090,300,896
2014 $796,683,520 $82,531,125,462
2013 $797,736,334 $76,976,204,075
2012 $773,141,661 $70,447,216,891
2011 $744,097,050 $67,753,285,882
2010 $680,260,907 $58,636,049,581
2009 $628,006,115 $42,066,224,093
2008 $641,346,192 $40,713,826,215
2007 $573,548,460 $32,350,238,760
2006 $499,923,758 $28,267,410,543
2005 $476,801,793 $24,405,791,045
2004 $407,747,565 $20,662,525,941
2003 $333,426,188 $18,881,765,437
2002 $281,790,134 $16,536,535,647
2001 $266,299,591 $15,749,753,805
2000 $258,856,140 $16,595,882,819
1999 $255,408,060 $15,711,933,513
1998 $269,485,244 $15,760,736,956
1997 $285,475,592 $15,091,913,884
1996 $249,907,869 $13,897,738,375
1995 $224,865,731 $13,029,697,561
1994 $221,098,107 $11,717,604,209
1993 $133,122,897 $10,338,679,636
1992 $132,303,041 $9,703,011,636
1991 $125,597,205 $9,000,362,582
1990 $125,766,270 $8,032,551,173
1989 $122,888,610 $6,987,267,684
1988 $133,016,065 $6,978,371,581
1987 $111,713,922 $6,682,167,120
1986 $100,947,849 $6,405,210,564
1985 $95,572,173 $5,978,460,972
1984 $109,200,934 $6,043,474,843
1983 $111,862,824 $5,167,913,302
1982 $121,221,652 $4,768,765,017
1981 $118,190,655 $4,415,844,156
1980 $125,747,038 $4,024,621,900
1979 $122,257,393 $3,364,611,432
1978 $108,223,444 $2,733,183,857
1977 $98,295,671 $4,104,509,583
1976 $85,003,078 $3,591,319,857
1975 $93,489,283 $3,791,298,146
1974 $93,549,611 $3,574,586,466
1973 $82,452,985 $2,875,625,000
1972 $62,566,116 $2,553,936,348
1971 $53,719,569 $2,369,308,600
1970 $45,208,338 $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Samoa vs Sri Lanka by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,873 - $5,002 -
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $4,545 $15,633
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $3,815 $14,456
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $946 $4,850
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $835 $4,522
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $804 $4,328
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $860 $4,368
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $829 $4,103
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $848 $3,952
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $827 $3,804
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $776 $3,582
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $742 $3,454
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $678 $3,260
1993 $775 $2,323 $607 $3,067
1992 $777 $2,198 $580 $2,851
1991 $742 $2,166 $546 $2,713
1990 $744 $2,148 $491 $2,527
1989 $728 - $430 -
1988 $790 - $434 -
1987 $666 - $420 -
1986 $604 - $407 -
1985 $573 - $385 -
1984 $655 - $391 -
1983 $671 - $336 -
1982 $728 - $312 -
1981 $713 - $292.5 -
1980 $765 - $271.1 -
1979 $751 - $230.8 -
1978 $671 - $191 -
1977 $615 - $292.1 -
1976 $541 - $260.3 -
1975 $610 - $279.8 -
1974 $626 - $268.7 -
1973 $563 - $220.2 -
1972 $433 - $199.4 -
1971 $377 - $188.8 -
1970 $322 - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/sri-lanka | CC BY

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $5,002 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Samoa Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$109B
2025
GDP rank
186/197
2025
71/197
2025
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
4.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$5,002
2025
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
124/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$100B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$4,584
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$2,830
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$26.1B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
-4.76%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
4.32%
2024
Population
221158
21926160

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% - -
2024 26.3% 25.2% 19.1% 100.8%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 31.1% 41% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 20% 102.7%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 30% 49.4% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 27.3% 49% 18.2% 75%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 21% 72.8%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 28.5% 42.8% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 30.7% 50.3% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 30% 53.8% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 30.4% 55.8% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 33.8% 59.4% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 28.1% 58.9% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 31% - 21.4% 70.1%
1996 38.9% - 23.1% 76.2%
1995 42.2% - 24.8% 77.8%
1994 54.1% - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 49.5% - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 43.4% - 23% 77.9%
1991 - - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 - - 25.4% 78.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 172/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Sri Lanka
2025 4.68% -
2024 9.29% -5.43%
2023 2.7% -8.32%
2022 5.03% -10.2%
2021 1.71% -11.7%
2020 5.41% -13.4%
2019 1.51% -7.52%
2018 0.06% -4.96%
2017 -1.98% -5.1%
2016 -0.35% -5%
2015 -3.79% -6.64%
2014 -5.38% -5.99%
2013 -3.82% -5%
2012 -7.43% -5.44%
2011 -5.25% -6.01%
2010 -5.49% -6.73%
2009 -2.98% -8.33%
2008 -0.36% -5.93%
2007 0.55% -5.81%
2006 -0.44% -5.91%
2005 0.23% -5.93%
2004 -0.74% -6.32%
2003 -0.51% -6.15%
2002 -1.77% -6.9%
2001 -1.96% -8.48%
2000 -0.62% -7.78%
1999 0.27% -5.58%
1998 1.64% -6.79%
1997 1.92% -5.71%
1996 1.21% -6.89%
1995 -5.82% -7.11%
1994 -9.51% -7.41%
1993 -13.2% -5.77%
1992 -9.89% -4.95%
1991 - -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Samoa's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $109M, equivalent to 9.29% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.4B, or 5.43% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.82% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Sri Lanka
2025 2.21% -4.76%
2024 2.17% -0.43%
2023 7.92% 16.5%
2022 11% 49.7%
2021 3.13% 7.01%
2020 -1.57% 6.15%
2019 0.98% 3.53%
2018 4.2% 2.14%
2017 1.75% 7.7%
2016 1.3% 3.96%
2015 0.72% 3.77%
2014 -0.41% 3.18%
2013 0.61% 6.91%
2012 2.05% 7.54%
2011 5.24% 6.72%
2010 0.78% 6.22%
2009 6.32% 3.46%
2008 11.6% 22.6%
2007 5.58% 15.8%
2006 3.7% 10%
2005 1.86% 11.6%
2004 16.3% 7.58%
2003 0.12% 6.31%
2002 8.05% 9.55%
2001 3.84% 14.2%
2000 0.97% 6.18%
1999 0.27% 4.69%
1998 2.22% 9.36%
1997 6.86% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.78%, compared with 8.86% in Sri Lanka. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and -4.76% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Samoa
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $837K
Wood & paper products $500K
Textiles & consumer goods $113K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $99K
Chemicals & pharma $73K
Raw agricultural goods $64K
Machinery & equipment $38K
Miscellaneous $9K

Balance of trade

Samoa Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2025
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$328M
2025
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
22.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 68 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 162/197
Property rights 77.1 47.3
Government integrity 64.1 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 47.2
Tax burden 79.3 77
Government spending 75.2 89
Fiscal health 98.7 0
Business freedom 63.7 60.1
Labor freedom 73.7 54.3
Monetary freedom 69.4 65.9
Trade freedom 67.2 65.6
Investment freedom 40 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Samoa
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Samoa Sri Lanka
2026 68 50.3
2025 66.6 49.4
2024 67.2 49.2
2023 68.3 52.2
2022 68.3 53.3
2021 61.9 55.7
2020 62.1 57.4
2019 62.2 56.4
2018 61.5 57.8
2017 58.4 57.4
2016 63.5 59.9
2015 61.9 58.6
2014 61.1 60
2013 57.1 60.7
2012 60.5 58.3
2011 60.6 57.1
2010 60.4 54.6
2009 59.5 56
2008 - 58.4
2007 - 59.4
2006 - 58.7
2005 - 61
2004 - 61.6
2003 - 62.5
2002 - 64
2001 63.1 66
2000 60.8 63.2
1999 58.7 64
1998 49.9 64.6
1997 51.5 65.5
1996 47.6 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Samoa is 68, ranking 52/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Samoa Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
54.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
25.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
8.36%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$102B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$16,750
2025
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
96/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
4.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
29.6%
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/samoa/sri-lanka | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.