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Economy of Samoa vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $25.9B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 186/197 and 122/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $21.8B (84.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Samoa vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Samoa
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Trinidad
2025 $1,287,936,622 $25,942,749,718
2024 $1,175,749,786 $25,633,544,529
2023 $1,044,909,500 $25,036,993,423
2022 $889,554,712 $28,341,164,301
2021 $859,724,936 $24,222,963,263
2020 $868,884,903 $20,888,515,184
2019 $912,950,466 $23,477,745,792
2018 $878,448,433 $23,883,058,083
2017 $884,844,384 $23,830,750,901
2016 $843,924,797 $23,624,322,193
2015 $824,150,499 $26,841,141,793
2014 $796,683,520 $29,474,180,005
2013 $797,736,334 $28,560,537,057
2012 $773,141,661 $27,147,349,937
2011 $744,097,050 $25,433,007,437
2010 $680,260,907 $22,157,920,592
2009 $628,006,115 $19,172,165,226
2008 $641,346,192 $27,871,587,350
2007 $573,548,460 $21,641,620,050
2006 $499,923,758 $18,369,361,094
2005 $476,801,793 $15,982,389,018
2004 $407,747,565 $13,280,291,990
2003 $333,426,188 $11,305,459,802
2002 $281,790,134 $9,008,298,229
2001 $266,299,591 $8,824,849,191
2000 $258,856,140 $8,154,342,116
1999 $255,408,060 $6,808,982,521
1998 $269,485,244 $6,043,686,654
1997 $285,475,592 $5,737,771,523
1996 $249,907,869 $5,759,570,336
1995 $224,865,731 $5,329,217,747
1994 $221,098,107 $4,947,181,646
1993 $133,122,897 $4,669,491,134
1992 $132,303,041 $5,439,552,941
1991 $125,597,205 $5,307,905,882
1990 $125,766,270 $5,068,000,000
1989 $122,888,610 $4,323,058,824
1988 $133,016,065 $4,496,910,569
1987 $111,713,922 $4,797,777,778
1986 $100,947,849 $4,794,444,444
1985 $95,572,173 $7,375,918,367
1984 $109,200,934 $7,757,083,333
1983 $111,862,824 $7,763,750,000
1982 $121,221,652 $8,140,416,667
1981 $118,190,655 $6,992,083,333
1980 $125,747,038 $6,235,833,333
1979 $122,257,393 $4,602,416,625
1978 $108,223,444 $3,562,333,458
1977 $98,295,671 $3,138,666,667
1976 $85,003,078 $2,500,424,955
1975 $93,489,283 $2,442,669,825
1974 $93,549,611 $2,042,001,071
1973 $82,452,985 $1,308,785,431
1972 $62,566,116 $1,083,391,758
1971 $53,719,569 $896,765,215
1970 $45,208,338 $821,850,000
1969 - $779,200,000
1968 - $758,899,950
1967 - $761,981,912
1966 - $723,739,857
1965 - $736,573,159
1964 - $711,897,520
1963 - $678,239,329
1962 - $619,322,810
1961 - $584,964,621
1960 - $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Samoa vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,873 - $18,967 -
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $775 $2,323 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $777 $2,198 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $742 $2,166 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $744 $2,148 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $728 - $3,482 -
1988 $790 - $3,656 -
1987 $666 - $3,941 -
1986 $604 - $3,985 -
1985 $573 - $6,212 -
1984 $655 - $6,613 -
1983 $671 - $6,690 -
1982 $728 - $7,091 -
1981 $713 - $6,160 -
1980 $765 - $5,559 -
1979 $751 - $4,155 -
1978 $671 - $3,258 -
1977 $615 - $2,907 -
1976 $541 - $2,345 -
1975 $610 - $2,319 -
1974 $626 - $1,962 -
1973 $563 - $1,273 -
1972 $433 - $1,067 -
1971 $377 - $894 -
1970 $322 - $829 -
1969 - - $795 -
1968 - - $783 -
1967 - - $797 -
1966 - - $768 -
1965 - - $793 -
1964 - - $780 -
1963 - - $756 -
1962 - - $704 -
1961 - - $678 -
1960 - - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $18,967 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 65/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Samoa Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$25.9B
2025
GDP rank
186/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
-0.79%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$18,967
2025
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
65/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$21.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
84.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$15,965
2025
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
43/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$10,176
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
0.99%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
4.01%
2024
Population
221158
1370916

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% 32.4% 84.2%
2024 26.3% 25.2% 32.2% 81.8%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 32.4% 78.2%
2022 31.1% 41% 28.3% 69.9%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 31.4% 80.2%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 35.1% 81.6%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 31% 62.9%
2018 30% 49.4% 30.2% 58.1%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 30.9% 57.2%
2016 27.3% 49% 31.2% 53.3%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 34.1% 43.2%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 33% 37.1%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 31.7% 32.9%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 29.9% 32.9%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 30.4% 39.2%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 31.5% 28.9%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 33.4% 34.2%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 28.2% 24.6%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 26.8% 29.4%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 34.6% 32.7%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 29.5% 36.6%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 23.3% 43.3%
2003 28.5% 42.8% 23.5% 52.4%
2002 30.7% 50.3% 24.6% 58.2%
2001 30% 53.8% 25.2% 54.2%
2000 30.4% 55.8% 24.1% 52.3%
1999 33.8% 59.4% 24.8% 55.2%
1998 28.1% 58.9% 27.3% 47.4%
1997 31% - 27.4% 51.3%
1996 38.9% - 28.2% 51.9%
1995 42.2% - 26.7% 57.3%
1994 54.1% - 26.5% 64.8%
1993 49.5% - 27.3% 59.6%
1992 43.4% - 28.8% 49.5%
1991 - - 30% 50%
1990 - - 27.9% 49.5%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.39B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 84.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 172/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Trinidad
2025 4.68% -5.46%
2024 9.29% -5.92%
2023 2.7% -1.2%
2022 5.03% 0.96%
2021 1.71% -8.39%
2020 5.41% -11.8%
2019 1.51% -3.72%
2018 0.06% -5.89%
2017 -1.98% -10.5%
2016 -0.35% -9.84%
2015 -3.79% -7.37%
2014 -5.38% -4.34%
2013 -3.82% -2.7%
2012 -7.43% -1.28%
2011 -5.25% -0.69%
2010 -5.49% 0.14%
2009 -2.98% -4.88%
2008 -0.36% 5.7%
2007 0.55% 3.24%
2006 -0.44% -0.3%
2005 0.23% 0.84%
2004 -0.74% 1.91%
2003 -0.51% 1.9%
2002 -1.77% -0.2%
2001 -1.96% 0.62%
2000 -0.62% 0.18%
1999 0.27% -0.9%
1998 1.64% -1.83%
1997 1.92% 0.11%
1996 1.21% -0.46%
1995 -5.82% 0.17%
1994 -9.51% -0.02%
1993 -13.2% 0.24%
1992 -9.89% -2.76%
1991 - -0.21%
1990 - -1.32%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.42B, or 5.46% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 1.32% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.19% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Trinidad
2025 2.21% 0.99%
2024 2.17% 0.53%
2023 7.92% 4.63%
2022 11% 5.83%
2021 3.13% 2.06%
2020 -1.57% 0.6%
2019 0.98% 1%
2018 4.2% 1.02%
2017 1.75% 1.88%
2016 1.3% 3.07%
2015 0.72% 4.66%
2014 -0.41% 5.68%
2013 0.61% 5.2%
2012 2.05% 9.26%
2011 5.24% 5.11%
2010 0.78% 10.5%
2009 6.32% 6.98%
2008 11.6% 12%
2007 5.58% 7.89%
2006 3.7% 8.33%
2005 1.86% 6.87%
2004 16.3% 3.72%
2003 0.12% 3.81%
2002 8.05% 4.15%
2001 3.84% 5.54%
2000 0.97% 3.56%
1999 0.27% 3.44%
1998 2.22% 5.61%
1997 6.86% 3.63%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.78%, compared with 4.75% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and 0.99% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Balance of trade

Samoa Trinidad
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$1.25B
2025
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
48/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
+4.81%
2025
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$6.83B
2025
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$10.2B
2025
Service imports
$108M
2025
$2.8B
2025
Service exports
$328M
2025
$1.27B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
45%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa Trinidad
Economic freedom 68 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 87/197
Property rights 77.1 47.3
Government integrity 64.1 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 58.8
Tax burden 79.3 76.1
Government spending 75.2 71.1
Fiscal health 98.7 86.3
Business freedom 63.7 67.1
Labor freedom 73.7 57.2
Monetary freedom 69.4 81
Trade freedom 67.2 68.8
Investment freedom 40 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Samoa
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Samoa Trinidad
2026 68 62.4
2025 66.6 63.6
2024 67.2 60.4
2023 68.3 59.5
2022 68.3 58.8
2021 61.9 59
2020 62.1 58.3
2019 62.2 57
2018 61.5 57.7
2017 58.4 61.2
2016 63.5 62.9
2015 61.9 64.1
2014 61.1 62.7
2013 57.1 62.3
2012 60.5 64.4
2011 60.6 66.5
2010 60.4 65.7
2009 59.5 68
2008 - 69.5
2007 - 70.6
2006 - 70.4
2005 - 71.5
2004 - 71.3
2003 - 68.8
2002 - 70.1
2001 63.1 71.8
2000 60.8 74.5
1999 58.7 72.4
1998 49.9 72
1997 51.5 71.3
1996 47.6 69.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Samoa is 68, ranking 52/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Samoa Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$25.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$36,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
99/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
$404M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
19%
2023

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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.