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

Updated on by Georank team

Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $822M compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 189/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sao Tome and Principe has $533M in government debt (64.8% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Sao Tome and Principe vs Tanzania GDP by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sao Tome Tanzania
2024 $822,154,621 $78,844,405,385
2023 $690,456,807 $79,030,935,627
2022 $540,809,499 $75,749,121,843
2021 $524,402,456 $70,655,628,148
2020 $471,229,485 $66,068,737,786
2019 $412,976,083 $61,026,731,926
2018 $383,717,328 $57,003,712,892
2017 $322,002,845 $53,274,884,533
2016 $292,267,272 $49,774,409,374
2015 $259,999,643 $47,413,919,817
2014 $293,119,143 $49,986,726,461
2013 $267,041,748 $45,648,857,242
2012 $225,815,132 $39,650,394,363
2011 $226,455,001 $34,657,140,096
2010 $190,021,192 $32,012,892,919
2009 $200,668,065 $29,400,573,554
2008 $188,021,165 $27,947,821,398
2007 $149,146,919 $21,860,434,823
2006 $142,775,104 $18,619,859,795
2005 $136,450,662 $18,395,383,647
2004 $114,582,284 $16,673,062,473
2003 $102,085,769 $15,211,487,709
2002 $85,171,074 $14,129,651,896
2001 $75,951,133 $13,563,990,022
2000 $76,198,395 $13,371,767,082
1999 $77,302,212 $12,704,334,196
1998 $72,285,404 $12,172,790,056
1997 $91,920,274 $11,158,197,942
1996 $135,188,166 $9,433,528,150
1995 $103,695,237 $7,631,431,840
1994 $131,338,415 $6,550,480,484
1993 $125,742,229 $6,182,872,708
1992 $94,861,781 $6,681,997,469
1991 $107,484,143 $7,197,768,159
1990 $119,297,933 $6,184,384,225
1989 $98,545,367 $6,418,799,007
1988 $99,000,764 $7,406,614,407
1987 $115,952,925 $7,824,193,222
1986 $115,928,907 $10,840,864,521
1985 $82,733,069 $15,328,295,175
1984 $78,213,796 $12,906,635,133
1983 $75,110,289 $14,049,883,809
1982 $80,307,763 $13,927,383,240
1981 $83,499,264 $13,161,540,378
1980 $81,662,231 $11,409,228,087
1979 $65,755,928 $9,804,637,491
1978 $55,044,563 $9,261,675,710
1977 $49,207,692 $7,732,598,995
1976 $52,039,421 $6,472,511,988
1975 $60,101,710 $5,729,917,840
1974 $57,817,591 $4,977,337,978
1973 $56,011,245 $4,144,104,535
1972 $41,430,257 $3,472,787,266
1971 $37,288,845 $3,050,673,517
1970 $37,211,826 $2,851,419,386
1969 - $5,142,066,811
1968 - $4,895,251,824
1967 - $4,565,132,048
1966 - $4,377,998,825
1965 - $3,817,226,546
1964 - $3,748,840,925
1963 - $3,456,579,293
1962 - $3,101,589,993
1961 - $2,826,179,031
1960 - $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Sao Tome and Principe vs Tanzania by year

Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sao Tome Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,491 $6,242 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $2,991 $6,150 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $2,390 $6,034 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $2,363 $5,733 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $2,167 $5,145 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $1,935 $4,655 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $1,826 $3,941 $992 $2,728
2017 $1,556 $3,436 $957 $2,472
2016 $1,435 $3,320 $925 $2,435
2015 $1,298 $3,172 $911 $2,317
2014 $1,490 $3,233 $993 $2,221
2013 $1,383 $2,946 $935 $2,176
2012 $1,192 $2,653 $837 $2,083
2011 $1,220 $2,914 $753 $2,211
2010 $1,045 $2,859 $715 $2,069
2009 $1,128 $2,846 $674 $1,972
2008 $1,082 $2,802 $657 $1,908
2007 $879 $2,650 $528 $1,820
2006 $862 $2,551 $462 $1,707
2005 $844 $2,329 $469 $1,598
2004 $727 $2,171 $438 $1,482
2003 $664 $2,094 $410 $1,379
2002 $568 $1,945 $391 $1,302
2001 $519 $1,898 $385 $1,229
2000 $529 $1,830 $390 $1,164
1999 $543 $1,802 $382 $1,120
1998 $514 $1,754 $375 $1,082
1997 $662 $1,714 $353 $1,059
1996 $987 $1,693 $305 $1,026
1995 $769 $1,663 $251.2 $981
1994 $990 $1,623 $222.5 $958
1993 $964 $1,581 $218.2 $959
1992 $740 $1,556 $243.4 $955
1991 $855 $1,540 $268.8 $952
1990 $970 $1,504 $236.9 $925
1989 $821 - $252.3 -
1988 $847 - $299 -
1987 $1,018 - $326 -
1986 $1,043 - $466 -
1985 $761 - $681 -
1984 $735 - $593 -
1983 $720 - $667 -
1982 $783 - $683 -
1981 $830 - $665 -
1980 $829 - $595 -
1979 $683 - $527 -
1978 $587 - $515 -
1977 $539 - $446 -
1976 $585 - $387 -
1975 $693 - $355 -
1974 $683 - $320 -
1973 $676 - $276.1 -
1972 $511 - $239.8 -
1971 $470 - $218.4 -
1970 $479 - $211.3 -
1969 - - $394 -
1968 - - $388 -
1967 - - $374 -
1966 - - $370 -
1965 - - $333 -
1964 - - $337 -
1963 - - $320 -
1962 - - $295.7 -
1961 - - $277.4 -
1960 - - $267.8 -

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe's GDP per capita is $3,491, ranking 134/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Sao Tome Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$822M
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
189/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
1.1%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,491
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
134/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,242
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
151/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$533M
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.8%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,262
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
116/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,111
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.8%
2017
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.4%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
6.66%
2017
2.43%
2024
Population
246362
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sao Tome Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.7% 64.8% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 23.9% 73.2% 19% 47.8%
2022 27.7% 86.8% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 25.6% 85.1% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 23.2% 91% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 22.8% 98.6% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 28% 95.9% 17.3% 42%
2017 31.9% 92.3% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 38.3% 104.6% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 41.6% 101.1% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 36% 92.5% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 35.5% 76.8% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 50.5% 59.6% 19.6% 30%
2011 53.4% 86% 19% 28.4%
2010 51.7% 83% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 48.6% 70.3% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 30.4% 60.7% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 38.9% 110.1% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 32.5% 283.2% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 43.7% 334% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 60.6% 354% 17% 44.5%
2003 51.9% 329% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 44.3% 367% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 52.8% 418% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 10.7% - 12.3% 55.4%
1999 - - 12.8% 62.9%
1998 - - 11.4% 62.2%
1997 - - 12.8% 73.4%
1996 - - 13.4% 89.6%
1995 - - 15.6% 111.1%
1994 - - 16.8% 126%
1993 - - 16.4% 129.2%
1992 - - 17.6% 117.6%
1991 - - 14.2% 106.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe's government spending was $203M, accounting for 24.7% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 69/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sao Tome and Principe

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sao Tome Tanzania
2024 0.92% -3.03%
2023 -2.13% -3.67%
2022 -2.24% -3.92%
2021 -1.52% -3.55%
2020 2.94% -2.56%
2019 -0.07% -2.06%
2018 -2.02% -2.01%
2017 -3.11% -1.14%
2016 -5.01% -2.08%
2015 -7.6% -3.17%
2014 -6.27% -2.91%
2013 2.13% -3.76%
2012 -12.3% -4%
2011 -13% -3.51%
2010 -12.1% -4.74%
2009 -18% -4.46%
2008 13.6% -1.92%
2007 125.1% -1.44%
2006 18% -3.38%
2005 26.8% -3.28%
2004 -25.1% -2.43%
2003 -15.9% -1.77%
2002 -10.4% -0.73%
2001 -13.5% -0.41%
2000 51.5% -0.73%
1999 - -1.14%
1998 - 0.13%
1997 - -0.03%
1996 - 1.57%
1995 - -2.12%
1994 - -3.74%
1993 - -2.02%
1992 - -4.96%
1991 - 0.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Tanzania 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 2.67% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sao Tome and Principe

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sao Tome Tanzania
2024 14.4% 3.06%
2023 21.2% 3.8%
2022 18% 4.35%
2021 8.1% 3.69%
2020 9.8% 3.29%
2019 7.7% 3.46%
2018 7.9% 3.49%
2017 5.7% 5.32%
2016 5.4% 5.17%
2015 6.1% 5.59%
2014 7% 6.13%
2013 8.1% 7.87%
2012 10.6% 16%
2011 14.3% 12.7%
2010 13.3% 6.2%
2009 17% 12.1%
2008 32% 10.3%
2007 18.6% 7.03%
2006 23.1% 7.25%
2005 17.2% 5.03%
2004 13.3% 4.74%
2003 9.8% 5.3%
2002 10.1% 5.32%
2001 9.2% 5.15%
2000 11% 5.92%
1999 11% 7.89%
1998 42.1% 12.8%
1997 69% 16.1%

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/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sao Tome and Principe has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.8%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Balance of trade

Sao Tome Tanzania
Current account balance
$41.5M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.05%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$153M
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$29.3M
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$83M
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$88.2M
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10%
2025
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sao Tome Tanzania
Economic freedom 60.6 59
Economic freedom ranking 93/197 106/197
Property rights 55.2 45.2
Government integrity 47.2 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 60.8 29.6
Tax burden 88.6 80.4
Government spending 80.6 89.1
Fiscal health 89.5 75
Business freedom 59.9 48.1
Labor freedom 40.8 62.3
Monetary freedom 59.4 73.4
Trade freedom 65 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sao Tome Tanzania
2026 60.6 59
2025 60.4 59.3
2024 60.5 59.1
2023 61.5 60
2022 60.3 59.5
2021 55.9 61.3
2020 56.2 61.7
2019 54 60.2
2018 53.6 59.9
2017 55.4 58.6
2016 56.7 58.5
2015 53.3 57.5
2014 48.8 57.8
2013 48 57.9
2012 50.2 57
2011 49.5 57
2010 48.8 58.3
2009 43.8 58.3
2008 - 56.5
2007 - 56.8
2006 - 58.5
2005 - 56.3
2004 - 60.1
2003 - 56.9
2002 - 58.3
2001 - 54.9
2000 - 56
1999 - 60
1998 - 59.6
1997 - 59.3
1996 - 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sao Tome and Principe is 60.6, ranking 93/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sao Tome Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
80.3%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
12.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$671M
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,240
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.2M
2023
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
176/177
2023
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$20.5M
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$16.7M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.83M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66.2%
2020
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
39.8%
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/sao-tome-and-principe/tanzania | 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 (1991–2024, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.