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Economy of Sao Tome and Principe vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $822M compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 189/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sao Tome and Principe has $533M in government debt (64.8% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Sao Tome and Principe vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sao Tome Sri Lanka
2024 $822,154,621 $98,963,185,510
2023 $690,456,807 $83,716,142,582
2022 $540,809,499 $74,143,020,263
2021 $524,402,456 $88,556,698,938
2020 $471,229,485 $84,335,574,582
2019 $412,976,083 $88,998,706,297
2018 $383,717,328 $94,450,015,983
2017 $322,002,845 $94,369,350,286
2016 $292,267,272 $88,000,211,172
2015 $259,999,643 $85,090,301,052
2014 $293,119,143 $82,531,125,191
2013 $267,041,748 $76,976,203,829
2012 $225,815,132 $70,447,217,164
2011 $226,455,001 $67,753,285,897
2010 $190,021,192 $58,636,049,434
2009 $200,668,065 $42,066,224,093
2008 $188,021,165 $40,713,826,215
2007 $149,146,919 $32,350,238,760
2006 $142,775,104 $28,267,410,543
2005 $136,450,662 $24,405,791,045
2004 $114,582,284 $20,662,525,941
2003 $102,085,769 $18,881,765,437
2002 $85,171,074 $16,536,535,647
2001 $75,951,133 $15,749,753,805
2000 $76,198,395 $16,595,882,819
1999 $77,302,212 $15,711,933,513
1998 $72,285,404 $15,760,736,956
1997 $91,920,274 $15,091,913,884
1996 $135,188,166 $13,897,738,375
1995 $103,695,237 $13,029,697,561
1994 $131,338,415 $11,717,604,209
1993 $125,742,229 $10,338,679,636
1992 $94,861,781 $9,703,011,636
1991 $107,484,143 $9,000,362,582
1990 $119,297,933 $8,032,551,173
1989 $98,545,367 $6,987,267,684
1988 $99,000,764 $6,978,371,581
1987 $115,952,925 $6,682,167,120
1986 $115,928,907 $6,405,210,564
1985 $82,733,069 $5,978,460,972
1984 $78,213,796 $6,043,474,843
1983 $75,110,289 $5,167,913,302
1982 $80,307,763 $4,768,765,017
1981 $83,499,264 $4,415,844,156
1980 $81,662,231 $4,024,621,900
1979 $65,755,928 $3,364,611,432
1978 $55,044,563 $2,733,183,857
1977 $49,207,692 $4,104,509,583
1976 $52,039,421 $3,591,319,857
1975 $60,101,710 $3,791,298,146
1974 $57,817,591 $3,574,586,466
1973 $56,011,245 $2,875,625,000
1972 $41,430,257 $2,553,936,348
1971 $37,288,845 $2,369,308,600
1970 $37,211,826 $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sao Tome and Principe vs Sri Lanka by year

Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sao Tome Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,491 $6,242 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $2,991 $6,150 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $2,390 $6,034 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $2,363 $5,733 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $2,167 $5,145 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $1,935 $4,655 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $1,826 $3,941 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $1,556 $3,436 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $1,435 $3,320 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $1,298 $3,172 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $1,490 $3,233 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $1,383 $2,946 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $1,192 $2,653 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $1,220 $2,914 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $1,045 $2,859 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $1,128 $2,846 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $1,082 $2,802 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $879 $2,650 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $862 $2,551 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $844 $2,329 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $727 $2,171 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $664 $2,094 $946 $4,850
2002 $568 $1,945 $835 $4,522
2001 $519 $1,898 $804 $4,328
2000 $529 $1,830 $860 $4,368
1999 $543 $1,802 $829 $4,103
1998 $514 $1,754 $848 $3,952
1997 $662 $1,714 $827 $3,804
1996 $987 $1,693 $776 $3,582
1995 $769 $1,663 $742 $3,454
1994 $990 $1,623 $678 $3,260
1993 $964 $1,581 $607 $3,067
1992 $740 $1,556 $580 $2,851
1991 $855 $1,540 $546 $2,713
1990 $970 $1,504 $491 $2,527
1989 $821 - $430 -
1988 $847 - $434 -
1987 $1,018 - $420 -
1986 $1,043 - $407 -
1985 $761 - $385 -
1984 $735 - $391 -
1983 $720 - $336 -
1982 $783 - $312 -
1981 $830 - $292.5 -
1980 $829 - $271.1 -
1979 $683 - $230.8 -
1978 $587 - $191 -
1977 $539 - $292.1 -
1976 $585 - $260.3 -
1975 $693 - $279.8 -
1974 $683 - $268.7 -
1973 $676 - $220.2 -
1972 $511 - $199.4 -
1971 $470 - $188.8 -
1970 $479 - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | CC BY

Sao Tome and Principe's GDP per capita is $3,491, ranking 134/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Sao Tome Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$822M
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
189/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
1.1%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,491
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
134/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,242
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
151/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$533M
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.8%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,262
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
116/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,111
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.8%
2017
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.4%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.66%
2017
4.67%
2023
Population
246362
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sao Tome Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.7% 64.8% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 23.9% 73.2% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 27.7% 86.8% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 25.6% 85.1% 20% 102.7%
2020 23.2% 91% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 22.8% 98.6% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 28% 95.9% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 31.9% 92.3% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 38.3% 104.6% 18.2% 75%
2015 41.6% 101.1% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 36% 92.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 35.5% 76.8% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 50.5% 59.6% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 53.4% 86% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 51.7% 83% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 48.6% 70.3% 21% 72.8%
2008 30.4% 60.7% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 38.9% 110.1% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 32.5% 283.2% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 43.7% 334% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 60.6% 354% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 51.9% 329% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 44.3% 367% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 52.8% 418% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 10.7% - 21.7% 79.2%
1999 - - 20.5% 77.7%
1998 - - 21.4% 74.2%
1997 - - 21.4% 70.1%
1996 - - 23.1% 76.2%
1995 - - 24.8% 77.8%
1994 - - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 - - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 - - 23% 77.9%
1991 - - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 - - 25.4% 78.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe's government spending was $203M, accounting for 24.7% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 69/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sao Tome and Principe

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sao Tome Sri Lanka
2024 0.92% -5.64%
2023 -2.13% -8.32%
2022 -2.24% -10.2%
2021 -1.52% -11.7%
2020 2.94% -13.4%
2019 -0.07% -7.52%
2018 -2.02% -4.96%
2017 -3.11% -5.1%
2016 -5.01% -5%
2015 -7.6% -6.64%
2014 -6.27% -5.99%
2013 2.13% -5%
2012 -12.3% -5.44%
2011 -13% -6.01%
2010 -12.1% -6.73%
2009 -18% -8.33%
2008 13.6% -5.93%
2007 125.1% -5.81%
2006 18% -5.91%
2005 26.8% -5.93%
2004 -25.1% -6.32%
2003 -15.9% -6.15%
2002 -10.4% -6.9%
2001 -13.5% -8.48%
2000 51.5% -7.78%
1999 - -5.58%
1998 - -6.79%
1997 - -5.71%
1996 - -6.89%
1995 - -7.11%
1994 - -7.41%
1993 - -5.77%
1992 - -4.95%
1991 - -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $7.57M, equivalent to 0.92% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Sao Tome and Principe posted an annual surplus equal to 3.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.01% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sao Tome and Principe

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sao Tome Sri Lanka
2024 14.4% -0.43%
2023 21.2% 16.5%
2022 18% 49.7%
2021 8.1% 7.01%
2020 9.8% 6.15%
2019 7.7% 3.53%
2018 7.9% 2.14%
2017 5.7% 7.7%
2016 5.4% 3.96%
2015 6.1% 3.77%
2014 7% 3.18%
2013 8.1% 6.91%
2012 10.6% 7.54%
2011 14.3% 6.72%
2010 13.3% 6.22%
2009 17% 3.46%
2008 32% 22.6%
2007 18.6% 15.8%
2006 23.1% 10%
2005 17.2% 11.6%
2004 13.3% 7.58%
2003 9.8% 6.31%
2002 10.1% 9.55%
2001 9.2% 14.2%
2000 11% 6.18%
1999 11% 4.69%
1998 42.1% 9.36%
1997 69% 9.57%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sao Tome and Principe has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.8%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Sao Tome Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$41.5M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.05%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$153M
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$29.3M
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$83M
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$88.2M
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10%
2025
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sao Tome Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 60.6 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 93/197 162/197
Property rights 55.2 47.3
Government integrity 47.2 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 60.8 47.2
Tax burden 88.6 77
Government spending 80.6 89
Fiscal health 89.5 0
Business freedom 59.9 60.1
Labor freedom 40.8 54.3
Monetary freedom 59.4 65.9
Trade freedom 65 65.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sao Tome Sri Lanka
2026 60.6 50.3
2025 60.4 49.4
2024 60.5 49.2
2023 61.5 52.2
2022 60.3 53.3
2021 55.9 55.7
2020 56.2 57.4
2019 54 56.4
2018 53.6 57.8
2017 55.4 57.4
2016 56.7 59.9
2015 53.3 58.6
2014 48.8 60
2013 48 60.7
2012 50.2 58.3
2011 49.5 57.1
2010 48.8 54.6
2009 43.8 56
2008 - 58.4
2007 - 59.4
2006 - 58.7
2005 - 61
2004 - 61.6
2003 - 62.5
2002 - 64
2001 - 66
2000 - 63.2
1999 - 64
1998 - 64.6
1997 - 65.5
1996 - 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sao Tome and Principe is 60.6, ranking 93/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sao Tome Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
80.3%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
12.5%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$671M
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,240
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.2M
2023
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
176/177
2023
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$20.5M
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$16.7M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.83M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66.2%
2020
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
27%
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/sao-tome-and-principe/sri-lanka | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.