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Economy of Samoa vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $1.04T for Switzerland, ranking 186/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $411B (39.4% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Samoa vs Switzerland GDP by year

Samoa
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Switzerland
2025 $1,287,936,622 $1,043,529,899,251
2024 $1,175,749,786 $969,919,786,395
2023 $1,044,909,500 $928,435,275,852
2022 $889,554,712 $858,479,038,994
2021 $859,724,936 $840,710,023,481
2020 $868,884,903 $756,096,180,222
2019 $912,950,466 $736,384,764,157
2018 $878,448,433 $740,766,531,454
2017 $884,844,384 $706,660,443,624
2016 $843,924,797 $698,607,778,795
2015 $824,150,499 $706,199,008,879
2014 $796,683,520 $741,168,119,617
2013 $797,736,334 $718,748,402,260
2012 $773,141,661 $697,882,536,677
2011 $744,097,050 $727,231,637,102
2010 $680,260,907 $609,999,593,542
2009 $628,006,115 $563,659,557,945
2008 $641,346,192 $574,703,945,157
2007 $573,548,460 $498,993,845,385
2006 $499,923,758 $448,364,681,767
2005 $476,801,793 $424,511,048,024
2004 $407,747,565 $409,012,909,530
2003 $333,426,188 $366,563,952,625
2002 $281,790,134 $313,930,961,761
2001 $266,299,591 $290,160,142,214
2000 $258,856,140 $282,327,351,966
1999 $255,408,060 $301,911,268,140
1998 $269,485,244 $306,907,741,068
1997 $285,475,592 $298,868,250,534
1996 $249,907,869 $345,373,647,249
1995 $224,865,731 $358,152,520,085
1994 $221,098,107 $305,916,331,798
1993 $133,122,897 $276,339,744,180
1992 $132,303,041 $284,139,428,246
1991 $125,597,205 $272,953,645,746
1990 $125,766,270 $269,768,238,555
1989 $122,888,610 $211,241,694,480
1988 $133,016,065 $218,788,504,066
1987 $111,713,922 $202,238,567,597
1986 $100,947,849 $161,487,171,049
1985 $95,572,173 $112,652,623,418
1984 $109,200,934 $111,104,641,869
1983 $111,862,824 $116,361,728,836
1982 $121,221,652 $116,776,899,473
1981 $118,190,655 $113,936,168,924
1980 $125,747,038 $124,404,609,417
1979 $122,257,393 $116,702,524,208
1978 $108,223,444 $103,821,687,919
1977 $98,295,671 $74,237,819,014
1976 $85,003,078 $69,508,364,538
1975 $93,489,283 $66,452,559,176
1974 $93,549,611 $57,963,469,607
1973 $82,452,985 $50,296,651,921
1972 $62,566,116 $37,399,508,287
1971 $53,719,569 $30,492,832,676
1970 $45,208,338 $25,374,750,743
1969 - $22,780,211,812
1968 - $21,024,203,656
1967 - $19,689,329,510
1966 - $18,290,928,227
1965 - $17,033,079,428
1964 - $16,071,715,835
1963 - $14,499,109,270
1962 - $13,185,384,691
1961 - $11,889,851,950
1960 - $10,569,129,806

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

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

GDP per capita in Samoa vs Switzerland by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,873 - $114,769 -
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $107,702 $96,498
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $104,450 $95,142
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $97,809 $94,421
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $96,583 $81,001
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $87,530 $72,998
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $85,873 $73,732
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $87,002 $70,689
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $83,610 $68,194
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $83,432 $67,351
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $85,265 $65,265
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $90,512 $63,417
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $88,851 $61,656
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $87,270 $59,441
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $91,910 $57,494
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $77,956 $54,426
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $72,788 $52,999
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $75,148 $53,809
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $66,082 $50,928
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $59,910 $46,266
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $57,080 $41,525
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $55,350 $40,171
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $49,947 $38,732
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $43,094 $38,705
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $40,134 $37,819
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $39,298 $36,703
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $42,261 $34,743
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $43,166 $33,860
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $42,160 $32,736
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $48,838 $31,509
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $50,869 $30,842
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $43,741 $30,265
1993 $775 $2,323 $39,828 $29,495
1992 $777 $2,198 $41,327 $29,113
1991 $742 $2,166 $40,140 $28,792
1990 $744 $2,148 $40,171 $28,461
1989 $728 - $31,780 -
1988 $790 - $33,183 -
1987 $666 - $30,899 -
1986 $604 - $24,828 -
1985 $573 - $17,411 -
1984 $655 - $17,247 -
1983 $671 - $18,128 -
1982 $728 - $18,271 -
1981 $713 - $17,931 -
1980 $765 - $19,686 -
1979 $751 - $18,541 -
1978 $671 - $16,528 -
1977 $615 - $11,819 -
1976 $541 - $11,029 -
1975 $610 - $10,484 -
1974 $626 - $9,140 -
1973 $563 - $7,974 -
1972 $433 - $5,973 -
1971 $377 - $4,908 -
1970 $322 - $4,105 -
1969 - - $3,712 -
1968 - - $3,465 -
1967 - - $3,286 -
1966 - - $3,091 -
1965 - - $2,908 -
1964 - - $2,776 -
1963 - - $2,546 -
1962 - - $2,366 -
1961 - - $2,188 -
1960 - - $1,984 -

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

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

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $114,769 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

Samoa Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$1.04T
2025
GDP rank
186/197
2025
20/197
2025
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$114,769
2025
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$411B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
39.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$45,239
2025
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
12/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$89,347
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.51T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
944,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
31.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
0.15%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
4.84%
2025
Population
221158
9155878

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% 31.2% 39.4%
2024 26.3% 25.2% 31.3% 40.5%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 30.9% 37.3%
2022 31.1% 41% 30.5% 35.9%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 33.4% 39.7%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 36.3% 42.4%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 31.3% 38.8%
2018 30% 49.4% 31.1% 39%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 31.9% 41.1%
2016 27.3% 49% 31.9% 40.3%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 31.9% 41.4%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 31.5% 41.2%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 32% 41.2%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 31.1% 41.9%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 31% 41.2%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 30.9% 40.7%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 31.2% 42.4%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 29.6% 44.2%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 29% 44%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 30.1% 47.7%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 31.9% 54.1%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 32.6% 57.1%
2003 28.5% 42.8% 32.8% 56.2%
2002 30.7% 50.3% 33.6% 56.9%
2001 30% 53.8% 31.2% 50.5%
2000 30.4% 55.8% 31.9% 51.7%
1999 33.8% 59.4% 32.8% 52%
1998 28.1% 58.9% 32.3% 55.3%
1997 31% - 32.5% 52.9%
1996 38.9% - 32.5% 50.6%
1995 42.2% - 32% 49.3%
1994 54.1% - 32% 46.4%
1993 49.5% - 31.9% 43.7%
1992 43.4% - 30.8% 38.9%
1991 - - 29% 34.6%
1990 - - 27.2% 32.8%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $326B, or 31.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 39.4% in Switzerland, ranking 172/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Switzerland
2025 4.68% 0.45%
2024 9.29% 0.53%
2023 2.7% 0.12%
2022 5.03% 1.15%
2021 1.71% -0.28%
2020 5.41% -2.96%
2019 1.51% 1.31%
2018 0.06% 1.26%
2017 -1.98% 1.11%
2016 -0.35% 0.23%
2015 -3.79% 0.54%
2014 -5.38% -0.24%
2013 -3.82% -0.42%
2012 -7.43% 0.23%
2011 -5.25% 0.67%
2010 -5.49% 0.35%
2009 -2.98% 0.49%
2008 -0.36% 1.91%
2007 0.55% 1.55%
2006 -0.44% 0.83%
2005 0.23% -0.64%
2004 -0.74% -1.37%
2003 -0.51% -1.34%
2002 -1.77% -1.72%
2001 -1.96% 0.2%
2000 -0.62% 0.28%
1999 0.27% -1.55%
1998 1.64% -1.29%
1997 1.92% -2.3%
1996 1.21% -1.98%
1995 -5.82% -1.83%
1994 -9.51% -2.55%
1993 -13.2% -3.1%
1992 -9.89% -2.92%
1991 - -1.82%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Samoa's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $60.3M, equivalent to 4.68% of GDP. This compares to Switzerland's surplus of $4.71B, or 0.45% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 1.32% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.39% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Switzerland
2025 2.21% 0.15%
2024 2.17% 1.06%
2023 7.92% 2.14%
2022 11% 2.84%
2021 3.13% 0.58%
2020 -1.57% -0.73%
2019 0.98% 0.36%
2018 4.2% 0.94%
2017 1.75% 0.53%
2016 1.3% -0.43%
2015 0.72% -1.14%
2014 -0.41% -0.01%
2013 0.61% -0.22%
2012 2.05% -0.69%
2011 5.24% 0.23%
2010 0.78% 0.69%
2009 6.32% -0.48%
2008 11.6% 2.43%
2007 5.58% 0.73%
2006 3.7% 1.06%
2005 1.86% 1.17%
2004 16.3% 0.8%
2003 0.12% 0.64%
2002 8.05% 0.64%
2001 3.84% 0.99%
2000 0.97% 1.56%
1999 0.27% 0.81%
1998 2.22% 0.02%
1997 6.86% 0.52%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.78%, compared with 0.59% in Switzerland. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and 0.15% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Samoa
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $170K
Raw materials & minerals $57K
Animal & marine products $47K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $1.5M
Machinery & equipment $265K
Textiles & consumer goods $179K
Metals $21K
Chemicals & pharma $18K

Balance of trade

Samoa Switzerland
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$72.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
11/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
+6.98%
2025
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$508B
2025
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$617B
2025
Service imports
$108M
2025
$214B
2025
Service exports
$328M
2025
$195B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
69.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
78.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa Switzerland
Economic freedom 68 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 2/197
Property rights 77.1 94.4
Government integrity 64.1 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 98.3
Tax burden 79.3 70.9
Government spending 75.2 69.5
Fiscal health 98.7 97.2
Business freedom 63.7 86.3
Labor freedom 73.7 60
Monetary freedom 69.4 82.3
Trade freedom 67.2 87
Investment freedom 40 85
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Samoa
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Samoa Switzerland
2026 68 83.7
2025 66.6 83.7
2024 67.2 83
2023 68.3 83.8
2022 68.3 84.2
2021 61.9 81.9
2020 62.1 82
2019 62.2 81.9
2018 61.5 81.7
2017 58.4 81.5
2016 63.5 81
2015 61.9 80.5
2014 61.1 81.6
2013 57.1 81
2012 60.5 81.1
2011 60.6 81.9
2010 60.4 81.1
2009 59.5 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 63.1 76
2000 60.8 76.8
1999 58.7 79.1
1998 49.9 79
1997 51.5 78.6
1996 47.6 76.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Samoa is 68, ranking 52/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Samoa Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
71.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
25%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$1T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$101,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
$1.08T
2025
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
4/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
$37.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
29.5%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.