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

Updated on by Georank team

Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $822M compared to $10.7B for Togo, ranking 189/197 and 154/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sao Tome and Principe has $533M in government debt (64.8% of GDP), compared to $7.68B (72.1% of GDP) in Togo.

Sao Tome and Principe vs Togo GDP by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Togo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sao Tome Togo
2024 $822,154,621 $10,651,180,147
2023 $690,456,807 $9,816,236,303
2022 $540,809,499 $8,646,453,099
2021 $524,402,456 $8,541,668,141
2020 $471,229,485 $7,486,031,562
2019 $412,976,083 $6,992,654,019
2018 $383,717,328 $7,029,215,766
2017 $322,002,845 $6,387,424,240
2016 $292,267,272 $6,071,167,584
2015 $259,999,643 $5,755,457,836
2014 $293,119,143 $6,393,314,708
2013 $267,041,748 $6,021,729,630
2012 $225,815,132 $5,413,541,649
2011 $226,455,001 $5,422,439,152
2010 $190,021,192 $4,746,386,893
2009 $200,668,065 $4,721,888,275
2008 $188,021,165 $4,578,847,113
2007 $149,146,919 $3,759,962,853
2006 $142,775,104 $3,320,907,722
2005 $136,450,662 $3,221,910,408
2004 $114,582,284 $3,191,561,509
2003 $102,085,769 $2,987,984,051
2002 $85,171,074 $2,410,199,032
2001 $75,951,133 $2,093,498,674
2000 $76,198,395 $2,106,848,752
1999 $77,302,212 $2,226,577,204
1998 $72,285,404 $2,241,650,112
1997 $91,920,274 $2,116,818,623
1996 $135,188,166 $2,069,506,014
1995 $103,695,237 $1,849,110,468
1994 $131,338,415 $1,387,662,121
1993 $125,742,229 $1,741,944,426
1992 $94,861,781 $2,390,796,916
1991 $107,484,143 $2,262,767,860
1990 $119,297,933 $2,299,665,506
1989 $98,545,367 $1,910,635,575
1988 $99,000,764 $1,947,208,354
1987 $115,952,925 $1,763,978,066
1986 $115,928,907 $1,498,219,579
1985 $82,733,069 $1,076,604,520
1984 $78,213,796 $1,014,170,069
1983 $75,110,289 $1,081,387,265
1982 $80,307,763 $1,160,337,039
1981 $83,499,264 $1,359,026,709
1980 $81,662,231 $1,604,836,916
1979 $65,755,928 $1,259,365,712
1978 $55,044,563 $1,164,025,637
1977 $49,207,692 $1,097,893,826
1976 $52,039,421 $874,681,612
1975 $60,101,710 $871,781,687
1974 $57,817,591 $791,450,308
1973 $56,011,245 $574,030,984
1972 $41,430,257 $474,043,922
1971 $37,288,845 $404,648,368
1970 $37,211,826 $358,665,754
1969 - $378,091,810
1968 - $341,691,567
1967 - $327,215,844
1966 - $305,227,595
1965 - $264,505,506
1964 - $234,572,186
1963 - $202,305,865
1962 - $186,745,758
1961 - $178,497,098
1960 - $171,057,069

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

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Togo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sao Tome Togo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,491 $6,242 $1,119 $3,365
2023 $2,991 $6,150 $1,055 $3,154
2022 $2,390 $6,034 $951 $2,935
2021 $2,363 $5,733 $962 $2,639
2020 $2,167 $5,145 $863 $2,384
2019 $1,935 $4,655 $826 $2,215
2018 $1,826 $3,941 $851 $2,067
2017 $1,556 $3,436 $793 $1,986
2016 $1,435 $3,320 $773 $1,933
2015 $1,298 $3,172 $751 $1,880
2014 $1,490 $3,233 $856 $1,803
2013 $1,383 $2,946 $827 $1,715
2012 $1,192 $2,653 $762 $1,645
2011 $1,220 $2,914 $784 $1,616
2010 $1,045 $2,859 $705 $1,537
2009 $1,128 $2,846 $721 $1,474
2008 $1,082 $2,802 $719 $1,429
2007 $879 $2,650 $608 $1,387
2006 $862 $2,551 $553 $1,407
2005 $844 $2,329 $551 $1,368
2004 $727 $2,171 $560 $1,427
2003 $664 $2,094 $538 $1,440
2002 $568 $1,945 $445 $1,357
2001 $519 $1,898 $397 $1,320
2000 $529 $1,830 $410 $1,315
1999 $543 $1,802 $445 $1,332
1998 $514 $1,754 $461 $1,318
1997 $662 $1,714 $448 $1,373
1996 $987 $1,693 $452 $1,218
1995 $769 $1,663 $419 $1,140
1994 $990 $1,623 $329 $1,082
1993 $964 $1,581 $414 $925
1992 $740 $1,556 $565 $1,057
1991 $855 $1,540 $550 $1,107
1990 $970 $1,504 $575 $1,110
1989 $821 - $492 -
1988 $847 - $517 -
1987 $1,018 - $482 -
1986 $1,043 - $422 -
1985 $761 - $313 -
1984 $735 - $304 -
1983 $720 - $336 -
1982 $783 - $372 -
1981 $830 - $451 -
1980 $829 - $549 -
1979 $683 - $443 -
1978 $587 - $421 -
1977 $539 - $406 -
1976 $585 - $332 -
1975 $693 - $339 -
1974 $683 - $315 -
1973 $676 - $234.4 -
1972 $511 - $198.8 -
1971 $470 - $174.6 -
1970 $479 - $159.8 -
1969 - - $174.7 -
1968 - - $164.3 -
1967 - - $163.9 -
1966 - - $159.1 -
1965 - - $142.7 -
1964 - - $130.1 -
1963 - - $114.6 -
1962 - - $107.8 -
1961 - - $104.8 -
1960 - - $102.2 -

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe's GDP per capita is $3,491, ranking 134/197, compared to $1,119 in Togo, ranking 172/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242, while Togo ranks 173rd at $3,365.

Economic indicators

Sao Tome Togo
Gross domestic product
$822M
2024
$10.7B
2024
GDP rank
189/197
2024
154/197
2024
GDP growth
1.1%
2023-2024
6.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,491
2024
$1,119
2024
GDP per capita rank
134/197
2024
172/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,242
2024
$3,365
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
151/197
2024
173/197
2024
Government debt
$533M
2024
$7.68B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.8%
2024
72.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,262
2024
$807
2024
Government debt per person rank
116/185
2024
149/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,111
2026
$1,661
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.8%
2017
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
26.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.4%
2023-2024
2.86%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
6.66%
2017
1.97%
2022
Population
246362
9990340

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
Togo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sao Tome Togo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.7% 64.8% 26.4% 72.1%
2023 23.9% 73.2% 26.6% 68.6%
2022 27.7% 86.8% 26% 67%
2021 25.6% 85.1% 21.8% 64.9%
2020 23.2% 91% 23.7% 62.2%
2019 22.8% 98.6% 16.6% 54.9%
2018 28% 95.9% 18.8% 58%
2017 31.9% 92.3% 16.3% 57.1%
2016 38.3% 104.6% 22.9% 59.9%
2015 41.6% 101.1% 22.9% 52.4%
2014 36% 92.5% 21.9% 44.9%
2013 35.5% 76.8% 20.5% 41.1%
2012 50.5% 59.6% 19.1% 34.3%
2011 53.4% 86% 18.2% 37%
2010 51.7% 83% 15.1% 33.5%
2009 48.6% 70.3% 14.3% 57.6%
2008 30.4% 60.7% 12.4% 67.3%
2007 38.9% 110.1% 13.7% 70.5%
2006 32.5% 283.2% 14.7% 67.7%
2005 43.7% 334% 13.3% 63.1%
2004 60.6% 354% 10.6% 48.7%
2003 51.9% 329% 8.88% 50%
2002 44.3% 367% 8.42% 54.8%
2001 52.8% 418% 10.9% 68.5%
2000 10.7% - 11.9% 66.5%
1999 - - 11.9% 59.9%
1998 - - 12.8% 62.8%
1997 - - 10.6% 54.4%
1996 - - 12.4% 60.4%
1995 - - 12.7% 64.8%
1994 - - 13.2% 79%
1993 - - 14.8% 58.3%
1992 - - 12.6% 45%
1991 - - 14.6% 46.9%
1990 - - 16.8% 44.7%
1989 - - 16.9% 46.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–2004, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe's government spending was $203M, accounting for 24.7% of its GDP, while Togo spent $2.81B, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe and 72.1% in Togo, ranking 69/185 and 54/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sao Tome and Principe

Togo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sao Tome Togo
2024 0.92% -7.43%
2023 -2.13% -6.73%
2022 -2.24% -8.33%
2021 -1.52% -4.65%
2020 2.94% -7.05%
2019 -0.07% 1.67%
2018 -2.02% -0.59%
2017 -3.11% -0.21%
2016 -5.01% -7.02%
2015 -7.6% -7.04%
2014 -6.27% -7.11%
2013 2.13% -5.08%
2012 -12.3% -4.63%
2011 -13% -4.48%
2010 -12.1% -1.66%
2009 -18% -2.63%
2008 13.6% -0.59%
2007 125.1% -1.83%
2006 18% -1.94%
2005 26.8% -1.67%
2004 -25.1% 0.61%
2003 -15.9% 1.43%
2002 -10.4% -0.28%
2001 -13.5% -0.72%
2000 51.5% -3.45%
1999 - -1.76%
1998 - -3.25%
1997 - -0.98%
1996 - -3.26%
1995 - -2.97%
1994 - -5.37%
1993 - -8.46%
1992 - -2.27%
1991 - -3.52%
1990 - -1.65%
1989 - -2.18%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/togo | 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 Togo's deficit of $791M, or 7.43% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Togo ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Sao Tome and Principe posted an annual surplus equal to 3.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.26% of GDP for Togo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sao Tome and Principe

Togo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sao Tome Togo
2024 14.4% 2.86%
2023 21.2% 5.49%
2022 18% 7.97%
2021 8.1% 4.19%
2020 9.8% 1.7%
2019 7.7% 0.67%
2018 7.9% 0.93%
2017 5.7% -0.98%
2016 5.4% 1.29%
2015 6.1% 2.59%
2014 7% 0.19%
2013 8.1% 1.83%
2012 10.6% 2.58%
2011 14.3% 3.56%
2010 13.3% 1.45%
2009 17% 3.71%
2008 32% 8.69%
2007 18.6% 0.95%
2006 23.1% 2.23%
2005 17.2% 6.78%
2004 13.3% 0.39%
2003 9.8% -0.93%
2002 10.1% 3.06%
2001 9.2% 3.92%
2000 11% 1.86%
1999 11% -0.05%
1998 42.1% 0.98%
1997 69% 8.25%

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/togo | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sao Tome and Principe has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.8%, compared with 2.72% in Togo. In 2024, inflation was 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe and 2.86% in Togo.

Top exports between countries

Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Togo
Export category Export value
Metals $332K
Raw agricultural goods $313K
Machinery & equipment $150K
Textiles & consumer goods $143K
Chemicals & pharma $96K
Miscellaneous $76K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $59K
Raw materials & minerals $46K
Weapons & explosives $4K

Balance of trade

Sao Tome Togo
Current account balance
$41.5M
2024
-$20.7M
2020
Current account balance ranking
74/190
2024
79/190
2020
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.05%
2024
-0.28%
2020
Goods imports
$153M
2024
$1.95B
2020
Goods exports
$29.3M
2024
$1.21B
2020
Service imports
$83M
2024
$438M
2020
Service exports
$88.2M
2024
$514M
2020
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
38.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10%
2025
24.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sao Tome Togo
Economic freedom 60.6 51.6
Economic freedom ranking 93/197 153/197
Property rights 55.2 43.6
Government integrity 47.2 33.3
Judicial effectiveness 60.8 34
Tax burden 88.6 68.9
Government spending 80.6 79.2
Fiscal health 89.5 9.6
Business freedom 59.9 60.1
Labor freedom 40.8 51.9
Monetary freedom 59.4 72.5
Trade freedom 65 65.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Togo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sao Tome Togo
2026 60.6 51.6
2025 60.4 52.3
2024 60.5 50.9
2023 61.5 55.3
2022 60.3 57.2
2021 55.9 57.5
2020 56.2 54.1
2019 54 50.3
2018 53.6 47.8
2017 55.4 53.2
2016 56.7 53.6
2015 53.3 53
2014 48.8 49.9
2013 48 48.8
2012 50.2 48.3
2011 49.5 49.1
2010 48.8 47.1
2009 43.8 48.7
2008 - 48.9
2007 - 49.7
2006 - 47.3
2005 - 48.2
2004 - 47
2003 - 46.8
2002 - 45.2
2001 - 45.3
2000 - 46.4
1999 - 48.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sao Tome and Principe is 60.6, ranking 93/197, compared to 51.6 for Togo, ranking 153/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sao Tome Togo
Services, % of GDP
80.3%
2024
49.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
20.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
12.5%
2024
21.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$671M
2024
$10.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,240
2024
$3,380
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.2M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
176/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$20.5M
2024
-$53.1M
2020
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$16.7M
2024
$83.8M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.83M
2024
-$73.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
3.21%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66.2%
2020
43.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
20.8%
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/togo | 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 (1999–2026, 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 (1989–2004, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.