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Economy of Samoa vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Samoa has a GDP of $1.18B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 185/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $296M in government debt (25.2% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

Samoa vs Switzerland GDP by year

Samoa
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Switzerland
2024 $1,175,749,786 $936,564,198,049
2023 $1,044,909,500 $894,424,821,645
2022 $889,554,712 $828,508,926,958
2021 $859,724,936 $815,309,330,987
2020 $868,884,903 $741,999,406,006
2019 $912,950,466 $721,369,112,727
2018 $878,448,433 $725,568,717,468
2017 $884,844,384 $695,200,833,086
2016 $843,924,797 $687,895,460,903
2015 $824,150,499 $694,118,186,380
2014 $796,683,520 $726,537,808,338
2013 $797,736,334 $706,234,937,371
2012 $773,141,661 $686,420,221,558
2011 $744,097,050 $715,888,126,682
2010 $680,260,907 $598,851,028,907
2009 $628,006,115 $554,212,916,092
2008 $641,346,192 $567,267,767,519
2007 $573,548,460 $490,740,715,595
2006 $499,923,758 $441,634,672,197
2005 $476,801,793 $418,284,865,885
2004 $407,747,565 $403,912,891,033
2003 $333,426,188 $362,075,086,508
2002 $281,790,134 $309,301,422,430
2001 $266,299,591 $286,582,672,434
2000 $258,856,140 $279,216,033,870
1999 $255,408,060 $297,873,643,323
1998 $269,485,244 $303,459,014,347
1997 $285,475,592 $294,788,198,856
1996 $249,907,869 $340,103,959,547
1995 $224,865,731 $352,835,806,342
1994 $221,098,107 $301,375,055,202
1993 $133,122,897 $272,237,527,071
1992 $132,303,041 $279,921,425,828
1991 $125,597,205 $268,901,693,863
1990 $125,766,270 $265,763,573,999
1989 $122,888,610 $208,105,846,934
1988 $133,016,065 $215,540,625,299
1987 $111,713,922 $199,236,370,038
1986 $100,947,849 $159,089,921,063
1985 $95,572,173 $110,980,314,192
1984 $109,200,934 $109,455,312,168
1983 $111,862,824 $114,634,358,535
1982 $121,221,652 $115,043,365,512
1981 $118,190,655 $112,244,805,519
1980 $125,747,038 $122,557,843,886
1979 $122,257,393 $114,970,094,425
1978 $108,223,444 $102,280,472,036
1977 $98,295,671 $73,135,771,167
1976 $85,003,078 $68,476,524,644
1975 $93,489,283 $65,466,081,819
1974 $93,549,611 $57,103,011,446
1973 $82,452,985 $49,550,006,320
1972 $62,566,116 $36,844,318,854
1971 $53,719,569 $30,040,171,751
1970 $45,208,338 $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

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
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $775 $2,323 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $777 $2,198 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $742 $2,166 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $744 $2,148 $39,575 $28,461
1989 $728 - $31,309 -
1988 $790 - $32,690 -
1987 $666 - $30,441 -
1986 $604 - $24,460 -
1985 $573 - $17,152 -
1984 $655 - $16,991 -
1983 $671 - $17,859 -
1982 $728 - $18,000 -
1981 $713 - $17,665 -
1980 $765 - $19,394 -
1979 $751 - $18,266 -
1978 $671 - $16,282 -
1977 $615 - $11,644 -
1976 $541 - $10,865 -
1975 $610 - $10,328 -
1974 $626 - $9,005 -
1973 $563 - $7,856 -
1972 $433 - $5,885 -
1971 $377 - $4,835 -
1970 $322 - $4,044 -
1969 - - $3,657 -
1968 - - $3,413 -
1967 - - $3,237 -
1966 - - $3,045 -
1965 - - $2,865 -
1964 - - $2,735 -
1963 - - $2,508 -
1962 - - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

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

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

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,393, ranking 117/197, compared to $103,998 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
$1.18B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
185/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
4.75%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,393
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$296M
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.2%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,357
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
135/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,750
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
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
26.3%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.17%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.37%
2024
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
4.34%
2024
Population
220932
9107866

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
2024 26.3% 25.2% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 31.1% 41% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 34.4% 41%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 37% 43.2%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 32% 39.6%
2018 30% 49.4% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 27.3% 49% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 30% 44.8%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 28.5% 42.8% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 30.7% 50.3% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 30% 53.8% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 30.4% 55.8% 32.2% 52.2%
1999 33.8% 59.4% 33.2% 52.7%
1998 28.1% 58.9% 32.7% 55.9%
1997 31% - 32.9% 53.7%
1996 38.9% - 33% 51.3%
1995 42.2% - 32.4% 50%
1994 54.1% - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 49.5% - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 43.4% - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Samoa's government spending was $310M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.2% in Samoa and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 165/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Switzerland
2024 9.29% 0.58%
2023 2.7% 0.12%
2022 5.03% 1.19%
2021 1.71% -0.29%
2020 5.41% -3.01%
2019 1.51% 1.34%
2018 0.06% 1.29%
2017 -1.98% 1.13%
2016 -0.35% 0.24%
2015 -3.79% 0.55%
2014 -5.38% -0.25%
2013 -3.82% -0.43%
2012 -7.43% 0.24%
2011 -5.25% 0.68%
2010 -5.49% 0.35%
2009 -2.98% 0.5%
2008 -0.36% 1.93%
2007 0.55% 1.57%
2006 -0.44% 0.85%
2005 0.23% -0.65%
2004 -0.74% -1.39%
2003 -0.51% -1.36%
2002 -1.77% -1.75%
2001 -1.96% 0.21%
2000 -0.62% 0.28%
1999 0.27% -1.57%
1998 1.64% -1.31%
1997 1.92% -2.33%
1996 1.21% -2.01%
1995 -5.82% -1.86%
1994 -9.51% -2.59%
1993 -13.2% -3.15%
1992 -9.89% -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 33 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 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.42% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Switzerland
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.84%, compared with 0.61% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 2.17% in Samoa and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

Samoa
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $254K
Raw materials & minerals $132K
Animal & marine products $47K
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $61K
Metals $21K
Chemicals & pharma $18K
Machinery & equipment $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K

Balance of trade

Samoa Switzerland
Current account balance
$65.6M
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
72/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.58%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$448M
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$42.2M
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$128M
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$327M
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
72.2%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
69.4%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.8%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.1B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,620
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$508M
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
155/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.69M
2024
$59.7B
2024
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
29%
2024
27%
2024

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/samoa/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.