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

Updated on by Georank team

Sao Tome and Principe has a GDP of $822M compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 189/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sao Tome and Principe has $533M in government debt (64.8% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Sao Tome and Principe vs Venezuela GDP by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sao Tome Venezuela
2024 $822,154,621 $119,802,963,258
2023 $690,456,807 $102,376,526,556
2022 $540,809,499 $89,013,255,585
2021 $524,402,456 $56,614,976,855
2020 $471,229,485 $42,838,020,721
2019 $412,976,083 $73,014,084,091
2018 $383,717,328 $102,021,093,965
2017 $322,002,845 $115,883,275,163
2016 $292,267,272 $112,915,034,262
2015 $259,999,643 $125,449,241,571
2014 $293,119,143 $214,689,614,733
2013 $267,041,748 $258,930,655,486
2012 $225,815,132 $372,592,062,768
2011 $226,455,001 $316,482,190,800
2010 $190,021,192 $393,192,354,511
2009 $200,668,065 $329,787,628,928
2008 $188,021,165 $315,953,388,511
2007 $149,146,919 $230,364,012,576
2006 $142,775,104 $183,477,522,124
2005 $136,450,662 $145,513,489,652
2004 $114,582,284 $112,451,400,425
2003 $102,085,769 $83,620,628,582
2002 $85,171,074 $92,893,587,734
2001 $75,951,133 $122,911,036,747
2000 $76,198,395 $117,146,466,003
1999 $77,302,212 $97,972,842,462
1998 $72,285,404 $91,336,763,255
1997 $91,920,274 $85,837,678,560
1996 $135,188,166 $70,543,211,119
1995 $103,695,237 $77,389,487,770
1994 $131,338,415 $58,418,666,667
1993 $125,742,229 $60,037,460,783
1992 $94,861,781 $60,416,519,620
1991 $107,484,143 $53,453,444,787
1990 $119,297,933 $48,606,952,195
1989 $98,545,367 $43,536,709,104
1988 $99,000,764 $60,226,413,793
1987 $115,952,925 $48,029,034,483
1986 $115,928,907 $60,516,123,711
1985 $82,733,069 $61,965,466,667
1984 $78,213,796 $59,867,743,468
1983 $75,110,289 $67,556,279,070
1982 $80,307,763 $67,736,744,186
1981 $83,499,264 $66,327,441,860
1980 $81,662,231 $59,116,511,628
1979 $65,755,928 $48,310,930,233
1978 $55,044,563 $39,316,279,070
1977 $49,207,692 $36,210,697,674
1976 $52,039,421 $31,419,534,884
1975 $60,101,710 $27,464,651,163
1974 $57,817,591 $26,100,930,233
1973 $56,011,245 $17,035,581,395
1972 $41,430,257 $13,977,727,273
1971 $37,288,845 $12,986,590,909
1970 $37,211,826 $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sao Tome Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,491 $6,242 $4,218 -
2023 $2,991 $6,150 $3,617 -
2022 $2,390 $6,034 $3,155 -
2021 $2,363 $5,733 $2,005 -
2020 $2,167 $5,145 $1,506 -
2019 $1,935 $4,655 $2,523 -
2018 $1,826 $3,941 $3,423 -
2017 $1,556 $3,436 $3,791 -
2016 $1,435 $3,320 $3,670 -
2015 $1,298 $3,172 $4,103 -
2014 $1,490 $3,233 $7,096 -
2013 $1,383 $2,946 $8,656 -
2012 $1,192 $2,653 $12,607 -
2011 $1,220 $2,914 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $1,045 $2,859 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $1,128 $2,846 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $1,082 $2,802 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $879 $2,650 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $862 $2,551 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $844 $2,329 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $727 $2,171 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $664 $2,094 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $568 $1,945 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $519 $1,898 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $529 $1,830 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $543 $1,802 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $514 $1,754 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $662 $1,714 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $987 $1,693 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $769 $1,663 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $990 $1,623 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $964 $1,581 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $740 $1,556 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $855 $1,540 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $970 $1,504 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $821 - $2,250 -
1988 $847 - $3,191 -
1987 $1,018 - $2,611 -
1986 $1,043 - $3,376 -
1985 $761 - $3,549 -
1984 $735 - $3,520 -
1983 $720 - $4,079 -
1982 $783 - $4,202 -
1981 $830 - $4,228 -
1980 $829 - $3,874 -
1979 $683 - $3,257 -
1978 $587 - $2,727 -
1977 $539 - $2,585 -
1976 $585 - $2,309 -
1975 $693 - $2,078 -
1974 $683 - $2,034 -
1973 $676 - $1,367 -
1972 $511 - $1,155 -
1971 $470 - $1,106 -
1970 $479 - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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

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

Sao Tome and Principe's GDP per capita is $3,491, ranking 134/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sao Tome and Principe ranks 151st at $6,242, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Sao Tome Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$822M
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
189/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
1.1%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,491
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
134/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,242
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
151/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$533M
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
64.8%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,262
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
116/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,111
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.8%
2017
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.7%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.4%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.66%
2017
7.53%
2020
Population
246362
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sao Tome Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.7% 64.8% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 23.9% 73.2% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 27.7% 86.8% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 25.6% 85.1% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 23.2% 91% 11.2% 337%
2019 22.8% 98.6% 21% 206%
2018 28% 95.9% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 31.9% 92.3% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 38.3% 104.6% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 41.6% 101.1% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 36% 92.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 35.5% 76.8% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 50.5% 59.6% 38% 58.4%
2011 53.4% 86% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 51.7% 83% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 48.6% 70.3% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 30.4% 60.7% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 38.9% 110.1% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 32.5% 283.2% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 43.7% 334% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 60.6% 354% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 51.9% 329% 32.2% 56%
2002 44.3% 367% 31% 48.2%
2001 52.8% 418% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 10.7% - 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sao Tome and Principe's government spending was $203M, accounting for 24.7% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 64.8% in Sao Tome and Principe and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 69/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sao Tome and Principe

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sao Tome Venezuela
2024 0.92% -3.6%
2023 -2.13% -1.25%
2022 -2.24% -5.29%
2021 -1.52% -5.85%
2020 2.94% -6.63%
2019 -0.07% -10.9%
2018 -2.02% -31%
2017 -3.11% -13.3%
2016 -5.01% -8.46%
2015 -7.6% -8.06%
2014 -6.27% -9.81%
2013 2.13% -10.4%
2012 -12.3% -9.86%
2011 -13% -8.24%
2010 -12.1% -4.74%
2009 -18% -8.69%
2008 13.6% -3.46%
2007 125.1% -2.82%
2006 18% -1.6%
2005 26.8% 4.09%
2004 -25.1% 2.47%
2003 -15.9% 0.17%
2002 -10.4% -1.48%
2001 -13.5% -4.59%
2000 51.5% 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sao-tome-and-principe/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sao Tome and Principe recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Sao Tome and Principe posted an annual surplus equal to 3.63% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.95% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sao Tome and Principe

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sao Tome Venezuela
2024 14.4% 49%
2023 21.2% 338%
2022 18% 186.5%
2021 8.1% 1,589%
2020 9.8% 2,355%
2019 7.7% 19,906%
2018 7.9% 65,374%
2017 5.7% 438%
2016 5.4% 254.9%
2015 6.1% 121.7%
2014 7% 62.2%
2013 8.1% 40.6%
2012 10.6% 21.1%
2011 14.3% 26.1%
2010 13.3% 28.2%
2009 17% 26%
2008 32% 31.4%
2007 18.6% 18.7%
2006 23.1% 13.7%
2005 17.2% 16%
2004 13.3% 21.7%
2003 9.8% 31.1%
2002 10.1% 22.4%
2001 9.2% 12.5%
2000 11% 16.2%
1999 11% 23.6%
1998 42.1% 35.8%
1997 69% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Sao Tome and Principe has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.8%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 14.4% in Sao Tome and Principe and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Sao Tome Venezuela
Current account balance
$41.5M
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
74/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.05%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$153M
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$29.3M
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$83M
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$88.2M
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10%
2025
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sao Tome Venezuela
Economic freedom 60.6 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 93/197 194/197
Property rights 55.2 0
Government integrity 47.2 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 60.8 5.1
Tax burden 88.6 73.4
Government spending 80.6 93
Fiscal health 89.5 29.1
Business freedom 59.9 31.1
Labor freedom 40.8 35.5
Monetary freedom 59.4 0
Trade freedom 65 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sao Tome and Principe
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sao Tome Venezuela
2026 60.6 27.3
2025 60.4 27.6
2024 60.5 28.1
2023 61.5 25.8
2022 60.3 24.8
2021 55.9 24.7
2020 56.2 25.2
2019 54 25.9
2018 53.6 25.2
2017 55.4 27
2016 56.7 33.7
2015 53.3 34.3
2014 48.8 36.3
2013 48 36.1
2012 50.2 38.1
2011 49.5 37.6
2010 48.8 37.1
2009 43.8 39.9
2008 - 44.7
2007 - 47.9
2006 - 44.6
2005 - 45.2
2004 - 46.7
2003 - 54.8
2002 - 54.7
2001 - 54.6
2000 - 57.4
1999 - 56.1
1998 - 54
1997 - 52.8
1996 - 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sao Tome and Principe is 60.6, ranking 93/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sao Tome Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
80.3%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
2.83%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
12.5%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$671M
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,240
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$46.2M
2023
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
176/177
2023
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$20.5M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$16.7M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$3.83M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.64%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
66.2%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. 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.