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Economy of Samoa vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Samoa has a GDP of $1.18B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 185/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $296M in government debt (25.2% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Samoa vs United States GDP by year

Samoa
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa United States
2024 $1,175,749,786 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $1,044,909,500 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $889,554,712 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $859,724,936 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $868,884,903 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $912,950,466 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $878,448,433 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $884,844,384 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $843,924,797 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $824,150,499 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $796,683,520 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $797,736,334 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $773,141,661 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $744,097,050 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $680,260,907 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $628,006,115 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $641,346,192 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $573,548,460 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $499,923,758 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $476,801,793 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $407,747,565 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $333,426,188 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $281,790,134 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $266,299,591 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $258,856,140 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $255,408,060 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $269,485,244 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $285,475,592 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $249,907,869 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $224,865,731 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $221,098,107 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $133,122,897 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $132,303,041 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $125,597,205 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $125,766,270 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $122,888,610 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $133,016,065 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $111,713,922 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $100,947,849 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $95,572,173 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $109,200,934 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $111,862,824 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $121,221,652 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $118,190,655 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $125,747,038 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $122,257,393 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $108,223,444 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $98,295,671 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $85,003,078 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $93,489,283 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $93,549,611 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $82,452,985 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $62,566,116 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $53,719,569 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $45,208,338 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Samoa vs United States by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $775 $2,323 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $777 $2,198 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $742 $2,166 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $744 $2,148 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $728 - $22,857 -
1988 $790 - $21,417 -
1987 $666 - $20,039 -
1986 $604 - $19,071 -
1985 $573 - $18,237 -
1984 $655 - $17,121 -
1983 $671 - $15,544 -
1982 $728 - $14,434 -
1981 $713 - $13,976 -
1980 $765 - $12,613 -
1979 $751 - $11,674 -
1978 $671 - $10,565 -
1977 $615 - $9,453 -
1976 $541 - $8,592 -
1975 $610 - $7,801 -
1974 $626 - $7,226 -
1973 $563 - $6,726 -
1972 $433 - $6,094 -
1971 $377 - $5,609 -
1970 $322 - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/united-states | CC BY

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,393, ranking 117/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Samoa United States
Gross domestic product
$1.18B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
185/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
4.75%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,393
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
117/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$296M
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
25.2%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,357
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
135/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,750
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.17%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
0.37%
2024
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
4.02%
2024
Population
220932
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 25.2% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 31.1% 41% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 43.2% 125%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 30% 49.4% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 27.3% 49% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 35% 105.4%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 35.8% 105%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 38.8% 100%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 28.5% 42.8% 34% 59%
2002 30.7% 50.3% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 30% 53.8% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 30.4% 55.8% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 33.8% 59.4% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 28.1% 58.9% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 31% - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 38.9% - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 42.2% - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 54.1% - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 49.5% - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 43.4% - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Samoa's government spending was $310M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 25.2% in Samoa and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 165/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa United States
2024 9.29% -8.03%
2023 2.7% -7.8%
2022 5.03% -3.72%
2021 1.71% -11.4%
2020 5.41% -14.1%
2019 1.51% -5.81%
2018 0.06% -5.33%
2017 -1.98% -4.79%
2016 -0.35% -4.36%
2015 -3.79% -3.53%
2014 -5.38% -4.03%
2013 -3.82% -4.56%
2012 -7.43% -8.11%
2011 -5.25% -9.72%
2010 -5.49% -11%
2009 -2.98% -13.2%
2008 -0.36% -6.61%
2007 0.55% -2.91%
2006 -0.44% -2.04%
2005 0.23% -3.07%
2004 -0.74% -4.24%
2003 -0.51% -4.77%
2002 -1.77% -3.82%
2001 -1.96% -0.54%
2000 -0.62% 3.62%
1999 0.27% 2.71%
1998 1.64% 2.18%
1997 1.92% 0.88%
1996 1.21% -0.46%
1995 -5.82% -1.7%
1994 -9.51% -2.05%
1993 -13.2% -3.35%
1992 -9.89% -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 1.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.54% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa United States
2024 2.17% 2.95%
2023 7.92% 4.12%
2022 11% 8%
2021 3.13% 4.7%
2020 -1.57% 1.23%
2019 0.98% 1.81%
2018 4.2% 2.44%
2017 1.75% 2.13%
2016 1.3% 1.26%
2015 0.72% 0.12%
2014 -0.41% 1.62%
2013 0.61% 1.46%
2012 2.05% 2.07%
2011 5.24% 3.16%
2010 0.78% 1.64%
2009 6.32% -0.36%
2008 11.6% 3.84%
2007 5.58% 2.85%
2006 3.7% 3.23%
2005 1.86% 3.39%
2004 16.3% 2.68%
2003 0.12% 2.27%
2002 8.05% 1.59%
2001 3.84% 2.83%
2000 0.97% 3.38%
1999 0.27% 2.19%
1998 2.22% 1.55%
1997 6.86% 2.34%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.84%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 2.17% in Samoa and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Samoa
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.62M
Raw materials & minerals $1.13M
Raw agricultural goods $863K
Precious metals & jewellery $116K
Metals $54K
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Wood & paper products $11K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Miscellaneous $5K
United States
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $22.7M
Machinery & equipment $21.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.49M
Miscellaneous $2.25M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.01M
Chemicals & pharma $981K
Raw materials & minerals $585K
Raw agricultural goods $179K
Metals $144K
Wood & paper products $144K

Balance of trade

Samoa United States
Current account balance
$65.6M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
72/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.58%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$448M
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$42.2M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$128M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$327M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa United States
Economic freedom 68 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 27/197
Property rights 77.1 91.6
Government integrity 64.1 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 76.4
Tax burden 79.3 75.3
Government spending 75.2 57.9
Fiscal health 98.7 18.5
Business freedom 63.7 88.6
Labor freedom 73.7 76.3
Monetary freedom 69.4 84.2
Trade freedom 67.2 67.6
Investment freedom 40 80
Financial freedom 30 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Samoa
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Samoa United States
2026 68 72.8
2025 66.6 70.2
2024 67.2 70.1
2023 68.3 70.6
2022 68.3 72.1
2021 61.9 74.8
2020 62.1 76.6
2019 62.2 76.8
2018 61.5 75.7
2017 58.4 75.1
2016 63.5 75.4
2015 61.9 76.2
2014 61.1 75.5
2013 57.1 76
2012 60.5 76.3
2011 60.6 77.8
2010 60.4 78
2009 59.5 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 63.1 79.1
2000 60.8 76.4
1999 58.7 75.5
1998 49.9 75.4
1997 51.5 75.6
1996 47.6 76.7
1995 - 76.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/samoa/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Samoa is 68, ranking 52/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Samoa United States
Services, % of GDP
69.4%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.8%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.1B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,620
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$508M
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
155/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.69M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.