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

Updated on by Georank team

Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $822M compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 189/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sao Tome and Principe has $533M in government debt (64.8% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Sao Tome and Principe vs Uruguay GDP by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sao Tome Uruguay
2024 $822,154,621 $80,961,511,074
2023 $690,456,807 $77,991,666,838
2022 $540,809,499 $70,594,110,920
2021 $524,402,456 $60,739,084,241
2020 $471,229,485 $53,559,359,262
2019 $412,976,083 $62,222,313,619
2018 $383,717,328 $65,344,577,416
2017 $322,002,845 $65,005,997,963
2016 $292,267,272 $57,480,787,465
2015 $259,999,643 $57,680,327,999
2014 $293,119,143 $61,496,186,974
2013 $267,041,748 $61,337,621,934
2012 $225,815,132 $54,232,266,359
2011 $226,455,001 $50,342,406,067
2010 $190,021,192 $41,950,361,212
2009 $200,668,065 $32,708,319,078
2008 $188,021,165 $31,119,602,539
2007 $149,146,919 $23,797,773,024
2006 $142,775,104 $19,741,420,740
2005 $136,450,662 $17,362,857,684
2004 $114,582,284 $13,686,329,890
2003 $102,085,769 $12,045,638,352
2002 $85,171,074 $13,606,515,723
2001 $75,951,133 $20,898,761,742
2000 $76,198,395 $22,823,270,892
1999 $77,302,212 $23,983,945,191
1998 $72,285,404 $25,385,886,978
1997 $91,920,274 $23,969,739,234
1996 $135,188,166 $20,515,458,114
1995 $103,695,237 $19,297,663,097
1994 $131,338,415 $17,474,588,896
1993 $125,742,229 $15,002,136,971
1992 $94,861,781 $12,878,148,791
1991 $107,484,143 $11,206,176,651
1990 $119,297,933 $9,298,807,850
1989 $98,545,367 $8,438,951,476
1988 $99,000,764 $8,213,538,369
1987 $115,952,925 $7,367,494,080
1986 $115,928,907 $5,880,112,788
1985 $82,733,069 $4,732,017,873
1984 $78,213,796 $4,850,238,550
1983 $75,110,289 $5,102,276,308
1982 $80,307,763 $9,178,780,077
1981 $83,499,264 $11,048,301,421
1980 $81,662,231 $10,163,020,116
1979 $65,755,928 $7,181,182,224
1978 $55,044,563 $4,910,254,566
1977 $49,207,692 $4,114,670,014
1976 $52,039,421 $3,667,161,241
1975 $60,101,710 $3,538,278,047
1974 $57,817,591 $4,090,209,682
1973 $56,011,245 $3,964,296,443
1972 $41,430,257 $2,189,418,689
1971 $37,288,845 $2,807,258,065
1970 $37,211,826 $2,137,096,774
1969 - $2,004,435,484
1968 - $1,593,674,185
1967 - $1,597,713,469
1966 - $1,809,185,094
1965 - $1,890,767,156
1964 - $1,975,701,816
1963 - $1,539,681,491
1962 - $1,710,004,407
1961 - $1,547,388,781
1960 - $1,242,289,239

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

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sao Tome Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,491 $6,242 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $2,991 $6,150 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $2,390 $6,034 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $2,363 $5,733 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $2,167 $5,145 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $1,935 $4,655 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $1,826 $3,941 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $1,556 $3,436 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $1,435 $3,320 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $1,298 $3,172 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $1,490 $3,233 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $1,383 $2,946 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $1,192 $2,653 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $1,220 $2,914 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $1,045 $2,859 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $1,128 $2,846 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $1,082 $2,802 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $879 $2,650 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $862 $2,551 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $844 $2,329 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $727 $2,171 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $664 $2,094 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $568 $1,945 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $519 $1,898 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $529 $1,830 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $543 $1,802 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $514 $1,754 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $662 $1,714 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $987 $1,693 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $769 $1,663 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $990 $1,623 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $964 $1,581 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $740 $1,556 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $855 $1,540 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $970 $1,504 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $821 - $2,734 -
1988 $847 - $2,677 -
1987 $1,018 - $2,416 -
1986 $1,043 - $1,939 -
1985 $761 - $1,568 -
1984 $735 - $1,615 -
1983 $720 - $1,707 -
1982 $783 - $3,085 -
1981 $830 - $3,728 -
1980 $829 - $3,443 -
1979 $683 - $2,443 -
1978 $587 - $1,678 -
1977 $539 - $1,414 -
1976 $585 - $1,268 -
1975 $693 - $1,232 -
1974 $683 - $1,433 -
1973 $676 - $1,397 -
1972 $511 - $776 -
1971 $470 - $1,000 -
1970 $479 - $766 -
1969 - - $723 -
1968 - - $579 -
1967 - - $585 -
1966 - - $668 -
1965 - - $705 -
1964 - - $745 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $659 -
1961 - - $604 -
1960 - - $491 -

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe's GDP per capita is $3,491, ranking 134/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Sao Tome Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$822M
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
189/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
1.1%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,491
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
134/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,242
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
151/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$533M
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.8%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,262
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
116/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,111
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
32.8%
2017
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.4%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.66%
2017
8.21%
2024
Population
246362
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sao Tome Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.7% 64.8% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 23.9% 73.2% 30.5% 64%
2022 27.7% 86.8% 30% 59.9%
2021 25.6% 85.1% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 23.2% 91% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 22.8% 98.6% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 28% 95.9% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 31.9% 92.3% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 38.3% 104.6% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 41.6% 101.1% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 36% 92.5% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 35.5% 76.8% 28.8% 50%
2012 50.5% 59.6% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 53.4% 86% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 51.7% 83% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 48.6% 70.3% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 30.4% 60.7% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 38.9% 110.1% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 32.5% 283.2% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 43.7% 334% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 60.6% 354% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 51.9% 329% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 44.3% 367% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 52.8% 418% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 10.7% - 26.6% 30.5%
1999 - - 27.2% 24.1%
1998 - - 27.3% 19.4%
1997 - - 27.6% 18.8%
1996 - - 26.5% 18.3%
1995 - - 26.2% 18.5%
1994 - - 29.5% 19.3%
1993 - - 27.7% 20%
1992 - - 23.6% 22.2%
1991 - - 22.2% 20.4%
1990 - - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe's government spending was $203M, accounting for 24.7% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 69/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sao Tome and Principe

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sao Tome Uruguay
2024 0.92% -3.22%
2023 -2.13% -3.13%
2022 -2.24% -2.52%
2021 -1.52% -2.61%
2020 2.94% -4.64%
2019 -0.07% -2.71%
2018 -2.02% -1.89%
2017 -3.11% -2.51%
2016 -5.01% -2.68%
2015 -7.6% -1.86%
2014 -6.27% -2.6%
2013 2.13% -1.72%
2012 -12.3% -2.17%
2011 -13% -0.33%
2010 -12.1% -0.39%
2009 -18% -1.39%
2008 13.6% -1.31%
2007 125.1% -0.16%
2006 18% -0.64%
2005 26.8% -0.28%
2004 -25.1% -0.87%
2003 -15.9% -2.19%
2002 -10.4% -3.19%
2001 -13.5% -2.85%
2000 51.5% -2.76%
1999 - -2.76%
1998 - -0.76%
1997 - -0.97%
1996 - -1.32%
1995 - -1.08%
1994 - -2.37%
1993 - -0.47%
1992 - 0.6%
1991 - 0.88%
1990 - 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Uruguay 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 2.02% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sao Tome and Principe

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sao Tome Uruguay
2024 14.4% 4.85%
2023 21.2% 5.87%
2022 18% 9.1%
2021 8.1% 7.75%
2020 9.8% 9.76%
2019 7.7% 7.88%
2018 7.9% 7.61%
2017 5.7% 6.22%
2016 5.4% 9.64%
2015 6.1% 8.67%
2014 7% 8.88%
2013 8.1% 8.58%
2012 10.6% 8.1%
2011 14.3% 8.09%
2010 13.3% 6.7%
2009 17% 7.06%
2008 32% 7.88%
2007 18.6% 8.11%
2006 23.1% 6.4%
2005 17.2% 4.7%
2004 13.3% 9.16%
2003 9.8% 19.4%
2002 10.1% 14%
2001 9.2% 4.36%
2000 11% 4.76%
1999 11% 5.66%
1998 42.1% 10.8%
1997 69% 19.8%

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/uruguay | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sao Tome and Principe has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.8%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Sao Tome
Export category Export value
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Animal & marine products $46K

Balance of trade

Sao Tome Uruguay
Current account balance
$41.5M
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
74/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.05%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$153M
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$29.3M
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$83M
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$88.2M
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10%
2025
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sao Tome Uruguay
Economic freedom 60.6 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 93/197 39/197
Property rights 55.2 87.4
Government integrity 47.2 79
Judicial effectiveness 60.8 80.9
Tax burden 88.6 73.3
Government spending 80.6 72
Fiscal health 89.5 76.6
Business freedom 59.9 83.8
Labor freedom 40.8 61.7
Monetary freedom 59.4 70.2
Trade freedom 65 73.2
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sao Tome Uruguay
2026 60.6 69.8
2025 60.4 70.2
2024 60.5 69.8
2023 61.5 70.2
2022 60.3 70
2021 55.9 69.3
2020 56.2 69.1
2019 54 68.6
2018 53.6 69.2
2017 55.4 69.7
2016 56.7 68.8
2015 53.3 68.6
2014 48.8 69.3
2013 48 69.7
2012 50.2 69.9
2011 49.5 70
2010 48.8 69.8
2009 43.8 69.1
2008 - 67.9
2007 - 68.4
2006 - 65.3
2005 - 66.9
2004 - 66.7
2003 - 69.8
2002 - 68.7
2001 - 70.7
2000 - 69.3
1999 - 68.5
1998 - 68.6
1997 - 67.5
1996 - 63.7
1995 - 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sao Tome and Principe is 60.6, ranking 93/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sao Tome Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
80.3%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
12.5%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$671M
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,240
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$46.2M
2023
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
176/177
2023
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$20.5M
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$16.7M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.83M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
66.2%
2020
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
15.6%
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/uruguay | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.