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Economy of Samoa vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 186/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Samoa vs Vietnam GDP by year

Samoa
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Vietnam
2025 $1,287,936,622 $514,697,215,165
2024 $1,175,749,786 $476,324,572,784
2023 $1,044,909,500 $433,805,036,898
2022 $889,554,712 $413,445,230,669
2021 $859,724,936 $366,474,752,771
2020 $868,884,903 $346,615,738,538
2019 $912,950,466 $334,365,270,497
2018 $878,448,433 $310,106,478,395
2017 $884,844,384 $281,353,605,987
2016 $843,924,797 $257,096,001,178
2015 $824,150,499 $239,258,328,382
2014 $796,683,520 $233,451,469,643
2013 $797,736,334 $213,708,811,665
2012 $773,141,661 $195,590,661,129
2011 $744,097,050 $172,595,049,184
2010 $680,260,907 $147,201,173,197
2009 $628,006,115 $106,014,659,565
2008 $641,346,192 $99,130,304,099
2007 $573,548,460 $77,414,425,532
2006 $499,923,758 $66,371,664,817
2005 $476,801,793 $57,633,255,738
2004 $407,747,565 $45,427,854,693
2003 $333,426,188 $39,552,513,232
2002 $281,790,134 $35,064,105,501
2001 $266,299,591 $32,685,198,809
2000 $258,856,140 $31,172,518,403
1999 $255,408,060 $28,683,659,007
1998 $269,485,244 $27,209,602,050
1997 $285,475,592 $26,843,700,442
1996 $249,907,869 $24,657,470,575
1995 $224,865,731 $20,736,164,459
1994 $221,098,107 $16,286,433,533
1993 $133,122,897 $13,180,953,598
1992 $132,303,041 $9,866,990,236
1991 $125,597,205 $9,613,369,520
1990 $125,766,270 $6,471,740,806
1989 $122,888,610 $6,293,304,975
1988 $133,016,065 $25,423,812,649
1987 $111,713,922 $36,658,108,850
1986 $100,947,849 $26,336,616,250
1985 $95,572,173 $14,094,687,821
1984 $109,200,934 -
1983 $111,862,824 -
1982 $121,221,652 -
1981 $118,190,655 -
1980 $125,747,038 -
1979 $122,257,393 -
1978 $108,223,444 -
1977 $98,295,671 -
1976 $85,003,078 -
1975 $93,489,283 -
1974 $93,549,611 -
1973 $82,452,985 -
1972 $62,566,116 -
1971 $53,719,569 -
1970 $45,208,338 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Samoa vs Vietnam by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,873 - $5,066 -
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $926 $4,581
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $808 $4,237
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $711 $3,894
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $565 $3,543
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $497 $3,240
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $445 $3,002
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $419 $2,809
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $404 $2,614
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $376 $2,421
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $361 $2,308
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $362 $2,189
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $337 $2,019
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $775 $2,323 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $777 $2,198 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $742 $2,166 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $744 $2,148 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $728 - $98.1 -
1988 $790 - $405 -
1987 $666 - $595 -
1986 $604 - $436 -
1985 $573 - $238.6 -
1984 $655 - - -
1983 $671 - - -
1982 $728 - - -
1981 $713 - - -
1980 $765 - - -
1979 $751 - - -
1978 $671 - - -
1977 $615 - - -
1976 $541 - - -
1975 $610 - - -
1974 $626 - - -
1973 $563 - - -
1972 $433 - - -
1971 $377 - - -
1970 $322 - - -

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

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

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Samoa Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
186/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
1.53%
2024
Population
221158
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 26.3% 25.2% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 31.1% 41% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 19.8% 41%
2018 30% 49.4% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 27.3% 49% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 25% 36.2%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 21.4% 31%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 27.3% 39.8% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 28.5% 42.8% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 30.7% 50.3% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 30% 53.8% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 30.4% 55.8% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 33.8% 59.4% 16.7% -
1998 28.1% 58.9% 16% -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 172/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Vietnam
2025 4.68% -2.2%
2024 9.29% -1.54%
2023 2.7% -1.72%
2022 5.03% 0.67%
2021 1.71% -1.43%
2020 5.41% -2.86%
2019 1.51% -0.4%
2018 0.06% -1.02%
2017 -1.98% -1.96%
2016 -0.35% -3.16%
2015 -3.79% -4.98%
2014 -5.38% -5.02%
2013 -3.82% -5.96%
2012 -7.43% -5.46%
2011 -5.25% -0.9%
2010 -5.49% -2.25%
2009 -2.98% -4.82%
2008 -0.36% -0.45%
2007 0.55% -1.74%
2006 -0.44% 0.2%
2005 0.23% -0.95%
2004 -0.74% -0.15%
2003 -0.51% -2.56%
2002 -1.77% -1.85%
2001 -1.96% -2.19%
2000 -0.62% -1.61%
1999 0.27% -1.25%
1998 1.64% -0.1%
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 0.35% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Vietnam
2025 2.21% 3.3%
2024 2.17% 3.6%
2023 7.92% 3.3%
2022 11% 3.2%
2021 3.13% 1.8%
2020 -1.57% 3.2%
2019 0.98% 2.8%
2018 4.2% 3.5%
2017 1.75% 3.5%
2016 1.3% 2.7%
2015 0.72% 0.6%
2014 -0.41% 4.1%
2013 0.61% 6.6%
2012 2.05% 9.1%
2011 5.24% 18.7%
2010 0.78% 10.5%
2009 6.32% 6.7%
2008 11.6% 23.1%
2007 5.58% 8.3%
2006 3.7% 7.5%
2005 1.86% 8.4%
2004 16.3% 7.9%
2003 0.12% 3.3%
2002 8.05% 4.1%
2001 3.84% -0.3%
2000 0.97% -1.8%
1999 0.27% 4.1%
1998 2.22% 7.2%
1997 6.86% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.78%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Balance of trade

Samoa Vietnam
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$407B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2025
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$328M
2025
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa Vietnam
Economic freedom 68 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 73/197
Property rights 77.1 47.3
Government integrity 64.1 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 31.3
Tax burden 79.3 80.9
Government spending 75.2 89.5
Fiscal health 98.7 96.9
Business freedom 63.7 70
Labor freedom 73.7 54.7
Monetary freedom 69.4 73.2
Trade freedom 67.2 79.8
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Samoa
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Samoa Vietnam
2026 68 64.4
2025 66.6 65.2
2024 67.2 62.8
2023 68.3 61.8
2022 68.3 60.6
2021 61.9 61.7
2020 62.1 58.8
2019 62.2 55.3
2018 61.5 53.1
2017 58.4 52.4
2016 63.5 54
2015 61.9 51.7
2014 61.1 50.8
2013 57.1 51
2012 60.5 51.3
2011 60.6 51.6
2010 60.4 49.8
2009 59.5 51
2008 - 50.4
2007 - 49.8
2006 - 50.5
2005 - 48.1
2004 - 46.1
2003 - 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 63.1 44.3
2000 60.8 43.7
1999 58.7 42.7
1998 49.9 40.4
1997 51.5 38.6
1996 47.6 40.2
1995 - 41.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Samoa is 68, ranking 52/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Samoa Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
30.8%
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/vietnam | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.