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Economy of Samoa vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Samoa has a GDP of $1.29B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 186/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Samoa has $273M in government debt (21.2% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Samoa vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Samoa
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Samoa Zimbabwe
2025 $1,287,936,622 $51,215,643,906
2024 $1,175,749,786 $41,521,975,830
2023 $1,044,909,500 $35,871,781,303
2022 $889,554,712 $40,757,585,309
2021 $859,724,936 $41,287,852,524
2020 $868,884,903 $31,979,753,645
2019 $912,950,466 $33,360,632,553
2018 $878,448,433 $34,141,666,667
2017 $884,844,384 $51,035,657,371
2016 $843,924,797 $20,559,250,000
2015 $824,150,499 $19,973,250,000
2014 $796,683,520 $19,505,500,000
2013 $797,736,334 $19,100,750,000
2012 $773,141,661 $17,123,500,000
2011 $744,097,050 $14,109,000,000
2010 $680,260,907 $12,047,750,000
2009 $628,006,115 $9,670,750,000
2008 $641,346,192 $4,418,000,000
2007 $573,548,460 $5,294,750,000
2006 $499,923,758 $5,446,750,000
2005 $476,801,793 $5,758,250,000
2004 $407,747,565 $5,808,500,000
2003 $333,426,188 $5,730,500,000
2002 $281,790,134 $6,345,250,000
2001 $266,299,591 $6,780,750,000
2000 $258,856,140 $6,693,250,000
1999 $255,408,060 $6,861,500,000
1998 $269,485,244 $6,405,250,000
1997 $285,475,592 $8,534,000,000
1996 $249,907,869 $8,557,500,000
1995 $224,865,731 $7,115,000,000
1994 $221,098,107 $6,894,250,000
1993 $133,122,897 $6,567,250,000
1992 $132,303,041 $6,755,000,000
1991 $125,597,205 $8,646,000,000
1990 $125,766,270 $8,788,301,546
1989 $122,888,610 $8,290,553,535
1988 $133,016,065 $7,818,774,177
1987 $111,713,922 $6,744,657,033
1986 $100,947,849 $6,220,698,247
1985 $95,572,173 $5,640,137,575
1984 $109,200,934 $6,355,369,172
1983 $111,862,824 $7,768,031,182
1982 $121,221,652 $8,544,060,905
1981 $118,190,655 $8,015,464,252
1980 $125,747,038 $6,682,278,300
1979 $122,257,393 $5,180,102,910
1978 $108,223,444 $4,353,822,343
1977 $98,295,671 $4,366,610,469
1976 $85,003,078 $4,320,576,877
1975 $93,489,283 $4,373,532,601
1974 $93,549,611 $3,984,194,614
1973 $82,452,985 $3,311,043,292
1972 $62,566,116 $2,679,096,597
1971 $53,719,569 $2,179,828,710
1970 $45,208,338 $1,885,168,339
1969 - $1,748,891,294
1968 - $1,480,355,355
1967 - $1,397,715,282
1966 - $1,282,403,936
1965 - $1,312,105,394
1964 - $1,217,759,447
1963 - $1,160,103,724
1962 - $1,118,172,226
1961 - $1,097,206,526
1960 - $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Samoa vs Zimbabwe by year

Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Samoa Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,873 - $3,021 -
2024 $5,393 $8,737 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $4,823 $8,195 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $4,132 $6,909 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $4,022 $6,350 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $4,100 $6,451 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $4,352 $6,638 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $4,232 $6,318 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $4,308 $6,280 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $4,147 $6,141 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $4,084 $5,682 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $3,983 $5,468 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $4,024 $5,387 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $3,935 $5,339 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $3,822 $5,494 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $3,524 $5,229 $902 $2,661
2009 $3,279 $4,906 $736 $2,233
2008 $3,374 $4,939 $341 $1,987
2007 $3,039 $4,713 $414 $2,396
2006 $2,663 $4,592 $431 $2,454
2005 $2,550 $4,379 $461 $2,496
2004 $2,189 $3,997 $470 $2,591
2003 $1,798 $3,792 $468 $2,708
2002 $1,528 $3,553 $525 $3,238
2001 $1,454 $3,335 $566 $3,533
2000 $1,425 $3,062 $563 $3,429
1999 $1,417 $2,871 $582 $3,491
1998 $1,506 $2,792 $552 $3,527
1997 $1,608 $2,722 $751 $3,457
1996 $1,419 $2,681 $767 $3,372
1995 $1,288 $2,478 $648 $3,051
1994 $1,277 $2,294 $634 $3,012
1993 $775 $2,323 $605 $2,703
1992 $777 $2,198 $631 $2,651
1991 $742 $2,166 $831 $2,930
1990 $744 $2,148 $867 $2,757
1989 $728 - $840 -
1988 $790 - $816 -
1987 $666 - $726 -
1986 $604 - $693 -
1985 $573 - $649 -
1984 $655 - $757 -
1983 $671 - $959 -
1982 $728 - $1,096 -
1981 $713 - $1,069 -
1980 $765 - $949 -
1979 $751 - $779 -
1978 $671 - $665 -
1977 $615 - $677 -
1976 $541 - $687 -
1975 $610 - $717 -
1974 $626 - $674 -
1973 $563 - $579 -
1972 $433 - $483 -
1971 $377 - $406 -
1970 $322 - $361 -
1969 - - $346 -
1968 - - $302 -
1967 - - $294.4 -
1966 - - $278.7 -
1965 - - $294.3 -
1964 - - $281.9 -
1963 - - $277.1 -
1962 - - $275.7 -
1961 - - $279.2 -
1960 - - $276.6 -

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

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

Samoa's GDP per capita is $5,873, ranking 115/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Samoa Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$1.29B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
186/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
4.2%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,873
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
115/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,737
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
137/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
21.2%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,246
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,918
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.3%
2013
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2013
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.4%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.21%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
2.95%
2026
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.05%
2022
12.1%
2024
Population
221158
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Samoa
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Samoa Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 26.4% 21.2% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 26.3% 25.2% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 28.8% 31.8% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 31.1% 41% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 34.1% 45.4% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 30.5% 43.2% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 31.8% 44.3% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 30% 49.4% 14.6% 33%
2017 30.9% 46.7% 21.1% 49%
2016 27.3% 49% 17% 35.1%
2015 30.5% 56.4% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 35.3% 54.9% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 30.7% 54.1% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 33.6% 50.9% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 33.7% 41.5% 16.5% 30%
2010 29.4% 40.3% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 31.5% 33.3% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 27.7% 28.2% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 31.1% 31.5% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 27.7% 33.5% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 30.6% 34.2% 10.6% 22.4%
2004 27.3% 39.8% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, Samoa's government spending was $340M, accounting for 26.4% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 21.2% in Samoa and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 172/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Samoa

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Samoa Zimbabwe
2025 4.68% 0.08%
2024 9.29% -0.76%
2023 2.7% -9.45%
2022 5.03% -1%
2021 1.71% -1.83%
2020 5.41% 0.53%
2019 1.51% -0.06%
2018 0.06% -4.55%
2017 -1.98% -8.68%
2016 -0.35% -4.99%
2015 -3.79% -1.61%
2014 -5.38% -0.87%
2013 -3.82% -1.21%
2012 -7.43% -0.35%
2011 -5.25% -1.98%
2010 -5.49% -0.4%
2009 -2.98% -1.48%
2008 -0.36% -1.22%
2007 0.55% -1.71%
2006 -0.44% -1.46%
2005 0.23% -3.58%
2004 -0.74% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Samoa recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Samoa posted an annual deficit equal to 0.29% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Samoa

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Samoa Zimbabwe
2025 2.21% 81.4%
2024 2.17% 736%
2023 7.92% 667%
2022 11% 193.4%
2021 3.13% 98.5%
2020 -1.57% 557%
2019 0.98% 255.3%
2018 4.2% 10.6%
2017 1.75% 0.9%
2016 1.3% -1.6%
2015 0.72% -2.4%
2014 -0.41% -0.2%
2013 0.61% 1.6%
2012 2.05% 3.7%
2011 5.24% 3.5%
2010 0.78% 3%
2009 6.32% 6.2%
2008 11.6% -
2007 5.58% -
2006 3.7% -
2005 1.86% -
2004 16.3% -
2003 0.12% -
2002 8.05% -
2001 3.84% -
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 (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Samoa has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.85%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 2.21% in Samoa and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Balance of trade

Samoa Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$89.3M
2025
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
64/190
2025
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+6.93%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$440M
2025
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$24.2M
2025
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$108M
2025
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$328M
2025
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.6%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Samoa Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 68 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 52/197 190/197
Property rights 77.1 19.4
Government integrity 64.1 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 77.6 16.8
Tax burden 79.3 73.6
Government spending 75.2 93.9
Fiscal health 98.7 52.4
Business freedom 63.7 42
Labor freedom 73.7 33.3
Monetary freedom 69.4 0
Trade freedom 67.2 50.4
Investment freedom 40 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Samoa
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Samoa Zimbabwe
2026 68 35.2
2025 66.6 35.1
2024 67.2 38.2
2023 68.3 39
2022 68.3 33.1
2021 61.9 39.5
2020 62.1 43.1
2019 62.2 40.4
2018 61.5 44
2017 58.4 44
2016 63.5 38.2
2015 61.9 37.6
2014 61.1 35.5
2013 57.1 28.6
2012 60.5 26.3
2011 60.6 22.1
2010 60.4 21.4
2009 59.5 22.7
2008 - 29.5
2007 - 32
2006 - 33.5
2005 - 35.2
2004 - 34.4
2003 - 36.7
2002 - 36.7
2001 63.1 38.8
2000 60.8 48.7
1999 58.7 47.2
1998 49.9 44.6
1997 51.5 48
1996 47.6 46.7
1995 - 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Samoa is 68, ranking 52/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Samoa Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
72.1%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.2%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.09%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.24B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,300
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$598M
2025
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
153/177
2025
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.83M
2025
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.74M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.05M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.15%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
21.9%
2018
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30%
2025
8.85%
2024

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/zimbabwe | 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 (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.