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Economy of Samoa vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 186/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (3.6% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

Samoa vs Tuvalu GDP by year

Samoa
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Tuvalu
2025 $1,287,936,622 -
2024 $1,175,749,786 -
2023 $1,044,909,500 $62,280,312
2022 $889,554,712 $59,065,982
2021 $859,724,936 $60,196,406
2020 $868,884,903 $51,746,594
2019 $912,950,466 $54,123,199
2018 $878,448,433 $48,015,260
2017 $884,844,384 $45,276,595
2016 $843,924,797 $41,629,064
2015 $824,150,499 $36,811,936
2014 $796,683,520 $38,760,983
2013 $797,736,334 $38,615,891
2012 $773,141,661 $39,345,579
2011 $744,097,050 $39,196,957
2010 $680,260,907 $32,105,408
2009 $628,006,115 $28,076,984
2008 $641,346,192 $31,874,435
2007 $573,548,460 $28,450,169
2006 $499,923,758 $24,096,875
2005 $476,801,793 $22,909,980
2004 $407,747,565 $22,798,275
2003 $333,426,188 $19,456,338
2002 $281,790,134 $16,842,673
2001 $266,299,591 $13,964,732
2000 $258,856,140 $15,073,976
1999 $255,408,060 $14,800,503
1998 $269,485,244 $13,795,146
1997 $285,475,592 $13,734,210
1996 $249,907,869 $13,338,597
1995 $224,865,731 $11,922,614
1994 $221,098,107 $11,772,611
1993 $133,122,897 $10,414,400
1992 $132,303,041 $10,535,028
1991 $125,597,205 $10,127,314
1990 $125,766,270 $9,542,901
1989 $122,888,610 $8,454,523
1988 $133,016,065 $7,011,059
1987 $111,713,922 $5,020,513
1986 $100,947,849 $4,574,706
1985 $95,572,173 $3,862,852
1984 $109,200,934 $4,481,978
1983 $111,862,824 $4,152,550
1982 $121,221,652 $4,118,945
1981 $118,190,655 $4,773,018
1980 $125,747,038 $4,206,128
1979 $122,257,393 $4,065,659
1978 $108,223,444 $3,798,782
1977 $98,295,671 $3,669,420
1976 $85,003,078 $3,919,072
1975 $93,489,283 $4,014,748
1974 $93,549,611 $4,122,329
1973 $82,452,985 $3,411,915
1972 $62,566,116 $2,968,458
1971 $53,719,569 $2,716,990
1970 $45,208,338 $2,585,956

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

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

GDP per capita in Samoa vs Tuvalu by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa Tuvalu
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 $6,345 $6,151
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $5,911 $5,661
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $5,905 $5,353
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $4,976 $5,122
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $5,115 $5,210
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $4,466 $4,432
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $4,166 $4,227
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $3,809 $4,031
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $3,088 $3,291
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $2,794 $3,034
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $2,396 $2,787
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $2,305 $2,728
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $2,323 $2,765
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $2,007 $2,770
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $1,750 $2,915
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $1,457 $2,596
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $1,579 $2,597
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $1,559 $2,543
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $1,460 $2,560
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $1,461 $2,204
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $1,428 $1,982
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $1,285 $2,083
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $1,279 $2,165
1993 $775 $2,323 $1,141 $1,939
1992 $777 $2,198 $1,166 $1,837
1991 $742 $2,166 $1,134 $1,769
1990 $744 $2,148 $1,085 $1,676
1989 $728 - $976 -
1988 $790 - $823 -
1987 $666 - $600 -
1986 $604 - $557 -
1985 $573 - $480 -
1984 $655 - $567 -
1983 $671 - $533 -
1982 $728 - $537 -
1981 $713 - $634 -
1980 $765 - $571 -
1979 $751 - $566 -
1978 $671 - $546 -
1977 $615 - $549 -
1976 $541 - $612 -
1975 $610 - $656 -
1974 $626 - $708 -
1973 $563 - $601 -
1972 $433 - $522 -
1971 $377 - $478 -
1970 $322 - $457 -

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

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

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

Samoa Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
186/197
2025
196/197
2023
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
113/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
152/197
2023
Government debt
$273M
2025
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
3.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$4,485
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
105.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
7.32%
2022
Population
221158
9349

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% 105.3% 3.6%
2024 26.3% 25.2% 117.5% 6.96%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 145.9% 6.67%
2022 31.1% 41% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 30% 49.4% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 106.4% 12%
2016 27.3% 49% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 77.2% 19.1%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 93.9% 21.1%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 100% 20.6%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 85.8% 19.8%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 88.6% 32.4%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 98.5% 37.5%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 82.1% 37.4%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 74.1% -
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/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $90.9M, or 105.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 3.6% in Tuvalu, ranking 172/185 and 184/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Tuvalu
2025 4.68% 31.6%
2024 9.29% -3.44%
2023 2.7% 10.1%
2022 5.03% -14.6%
2021 1.71% -13.3%
2020 5.41% 13.7%
2019 1.51% -1.07%
2018 0.06% 30.3%
2017 -1.98% 2.09%
2016 -0.35% 27.5%
2015 -3.79% 14.7%
2014 -5.38% 3.26%
2013 -3.82% 26%
2012 -7.43% 9.58%
2011 -5.25% -8.8%
2010 -5.49% -23.4%
2009 -2.98% -13.5%
2008 -0.36% -17.2%
2007 0.55% -18.6%
2006 -0.44% -36.8%
2005 0.23% -12.8%
2004 -0.74% -3.6%
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/tuvalu | CC BY

In 2023, Samoa's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $28.2M, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP. This compares to Tuvalu's surplus of $6.29M, or 10.1% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Tuvalu
2025 2.21% 2%
2024 2.17% 1.2%
2023 7.92% 7.2%
2022 11% 12.2%
2021 3.13% 6.7%
2020 -1.57% 1.6%
2019 0.98% 3.5%
2018 4.2% 2.2%
2017 1.75% 4.1%
2016 1.3% 3.5%
2015 0.72% 3.1%
2014 -0.41% 1.1%
2013 0.61% 2%
2012 2.05% 1.4%
2011 5.24% 0.5%
2010 0.78% -1.9%
2009 6.32% -0.3%
2008 11.6% 10.4%
2007 5.58% 2.3%
2006 3.7% 4.2%
2005 1.86% 3.2%
2004 16.3% 2.4%
2003 0.12% 2.9%
2002 8.05% 5.1%
2001 3.84% 1.5%
2000 0.97% -
1999 0.27% -
1998 2.22% -
1997 6.86% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 25 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.98%, compared with 3.28% in Tuvalu. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and 2% in Tuvalu.

Top exports between countries

Samoa
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $20K
Tuvalu
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Samoa Tuvalu
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
70/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$184K
2022
Service imports
$108M
2025
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$328M
2025
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
8.22%
2026

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa Tuvalu
Economic freedom 68 60
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 99/197
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 Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$9,850
2023
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
n/a
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
$258K
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
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
n/a

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/tuvalu | 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)
  8. TradeMap (2024, 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.