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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 18/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Saudi Arabia vs Tanzania GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Tanzania
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $78,844,405,385
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $79,030,935,627
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $75,749,121,843
2021 $982,661,066,667 $70,655,628,148
2020 $767,951,200,000 $66,068,737,786
2019 $888,890,133,333 $61,026,731,926
2018 $886,564,800,000 $57,003,712,892
2017 $741,266,133,333 $53,274,884,533
2016 $689,279,466,667 $49,774,409,374
2015 $693,414,400,000 $47,413,919,817
2014 $787,153,066,667 $49,986,726,461
2013 $769,755,733,333 $45,648,857,242
2012 $751,921,333,333 $39,650,394,363
2011 $680,660,800,000 $34,657,140,096
2010 $528,207,466,667 $32,012,892,919
2009 $429,097,866,667 $29,400,573,554
2008 $519,796,800,000 $27,947,821,398
2007 $415,964,509,673 $21,860,434,823
2006 $376,900,133,511 $18,619,859,795
2005 $328,459,608,764 $18,395,383,647
2004 $258,742,133,333 $16,673,062,473
2003 $215,807,733,333 $15,211,487,709
2002 $189,605,866,667 $14,129,651,896
2001 $184,137,600,000 $13,563,990,022
2000 $189,514,933,333 $13,371,767,082
1999 $161,717,066,667 $12,704,334,196
1998 $146,775,466,667 $12,172,790,056
1997 $165,963,684,913 $11,158,197,942
1996 $158,662,483,311 $9,433,528,150
1995 $143,343,124,166 $7,631,431,840
1994 $135,174,899,866 $6,550,480,484
1993 $132,967,957,276 $6,182,872,708
1992 $137,087,850,467 $6,681,997,469
1991 $132,223,230,975 $7,197,768,159
1990 $117,630,173,565 $6,184,384,225
1989 $95,344,459,279 $6,418,799,007
1988 $88,256,074,766 $7,406,614,407
1987 $85,695,861,148 $7,824,193,222
1986 $86,961,922,765 $10,840,864,521
1985 $103,897,846,494 $15,328,295,175
1984 $119,624,858,116 $12,906,635,133
1983 $129,171,635,311 $14,049,883,809
1982 $153,240,313,858 $13,927,383,240
1981 $184,291,360,139 $13,161,540,378
1980 $164,539,660,725 $11,409,228,087
1979 $111,858,444,786 $9,804,637,491
1978 $80,266,516,687 $9,261,675,710
1977 $74,188,986,586 $7,732,598,995
1976 $64,005,665,722 $6,472,511,988
1975 $46,773,208,643 $5,729,917,840
1974 $45,412,957,746 $4,977,337,978
1973 $14,947,435,499 $4,144,104,535
1972 $9,664,267,087 $3,472,787,266
1971 $7,184,806,909 $3,050,673,517
1970 $5,377,333,333 $2,851,419,386
1969 $4,485,777,644 $5,142,066,811
1968 $4,187,777,711 $4,895,251,824
1967 $3,257,022,223 $4,565,132,048
1966 $2,920,555,557 $4,377,998,825
1965 $2,647,955,558 $3,817,226,546
1964 $2,371,808,713 $3,748,840,925
1963 $2,207,393,172 $3,456,579,293
1962 $2,130,606,532 $3,101,589,993
1961 $1,920,811,284 $2,826,179,031
1960 $1,748,124,064 $2,651,729,807

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/tanzania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Tanzania by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $992 $2,728
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $957 $2,472
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $925 $2,435
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $911 $2,317
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $993 $2,221
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $935 $2,176
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $837 $2,083
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $753 $2,211
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $715 $2,069
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $674 $1,972
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $657 $1,908
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $528 $1,820
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $462 $1,707
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $469 $1,598
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $438 $1,482
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $410 $1,379
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $391 $1,302
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $385 $1,229
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $390 $1,164
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $382 $1,120
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $375 $1,082
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $353 $1,059
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $305 $1,026
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $251.2 $981
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $222.5 $958
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $218.2 $959
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $243.4 $955
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $268.8 $952
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $236.9 $925
1989 $9,414 - $252.3 -
1988 $9,165 - $299 -
1987 $9,386 - $326 -
1986 $10,078 - $466 -
1985 $12,745 - $681 -
1984 $15,541 - $593 -
1983 $17,810 - $667 -
1982 $22,454 - $683 -
1981 $28,703 - $665 -
1980 $27,206 - $595 -
1979 $19,612 - $527 -
1978 $14,914 - $515 -
1977 $14,595 - $446 -
1976 $13,313 - $387 -
1975 $10,266 - $355 -
1974 $10,503 - $320 -
1973 $3,640 - $276.1 -
1972 $2,474 - $239.8 -
1971 $1,929 - $218.4 -
1970 $1,509 - $211.3 -
1969 $1,313 - $394 -
1968 $1,276 - $388 -
1967 $1,032 - $374 -
1966 $961 - $370 -
1965 $904 - $333 -
1964 $840 - $337 -
1963 $812 - $320 -
1962 $813 - $295.7 -
1961 $760 - $277.4 -
1960 $718 - $267.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/tanzania | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2025
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
2.43%
2024
Population
36734925
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 28.3% 23% 19% 47.8%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 17.3% 42%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 19.6% 30%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 19% 28.4%
2010 33% 8.43% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 37.1% 14% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 17% 44.5%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 30.3% 103% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 16.8% 126%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 39.3% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/tanzania | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 163/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Tanzania
2024 -2.49% -3.03%
2023 -1.77% -3.67%
2022 2.24% -3.92%
2021 -1.99% -3.55%
2020 -10.2% -2.56%
2019 -3.96% -2.06%
2018 -5.21% -2.01%
2017 -8.57% -1.14%
2016 -13.2% -2.08%
2015 -14.9% -3.17%
2014 -3.4% -2.91%
2013 5.47% -3.76%
2012 11.7% -4%
2011 11.4% -3.51%
2010 4.39% -4.74%
2009 -5.38% -4.46%
2008 29.8% -1.92%
2007 11.8% -1.44%
2006 20.8% -3.38%
2005 18% -3.28%
2004 9.72% -2.43%
2003 1.2% -1.77%
2002 -5.91% -0.73%
2001 -3.91% -0.41%
2000 3.18% -0.73%
1999 -5.99% -1.14%
1998 -8.88% 0.13%
1997 -2.51% -0.03%
1996 -3.25% 1.57%
1995 -5.12% -2.12%
1994 -8.31% -3.74%
1993 -9.33% -2.02%
1992 -8.12% -4.96%
1991 -3.28% 0.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/tanzania | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.49% of GDP. This compares to Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Tanzania
2024 1.69% 3.06%
2023 2.33% 3.8%
2022 2.47% 4.35%
2021 3.06% 3.69%
2020 3.37% 3.29%
2019 -1.19% 3.46%
2018 2.47% 3.49%
2017 -0.83% 5.32%
2016 2.05% 5.17%
2015 1.22% 5.59%
2014 2.24% 6.13%
2013 3.51% 7.87%
2012 2.87% 16%
2011 5.83% 12.7%
2010 5.34% 6.2%
2009 5.06% 12.1%
2008 9.87% 10.3%
2007 4.17% 7.03%
2006 2.21% 7.25%
2005 0.48% 5.03%
2004 0.52% 4.74%
2003 0.61% 5.3%
2002 0.25% 5.32%
2001 -1.12% 5.15%
2000 -1.12% 5.92%
1999 -1.33% 7.89%
1998 -0.37% 12.8%
1997 0.06% 16.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $302M
Chemicals & pharma $94.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $47M
Textiles & consumer goods $10.1M
Animal & marine products $1.36M
Metals $1.27M
Raw agricultural goods $1.15M
Wood & paper products $1.13M
Machinery & equipment $226K
Miscellaneous $32K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $9.34M
Machinery & equipment $4.18M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.86M
Raw materials & minerals $1.83M
Raw agricultural goods $1.46M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $452K
Chemicals & pharma $45K
Wood & paper products $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Miscellaneous $6K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Tanzania
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Tanzania
Economic freedom 65.4 59
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 106/197
Property rights 51.4 45.2
Government integrity 52.7 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 29.6
Tax burden 99.2 80.4
Government spending 77 89.1
Fiscal health 97.9 75
Business freedom 71.2 48.1
Labor freedom 41.8 62.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 73.4
Trade freedom 73.8 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Tanzania
2026 65.4 59
2025 64.4 59.3
2024 61.9 59.1
2023 58.3 60
2022 55.5 59.5
2021 66 61.3
2020 62.4 61.7
2019 60.7 60.2
2018 59.6 59.9
2017 64.4 58.6
2016 62.1 58.5
2015 62.1 57.5
2014 62.2 57.8
2013 60.6 57.9
2012 62.5 57
2011 66.2 57
2010 64.1 58.3
2009 64.3 58.3
2008 62.5 56.5
2007 60.9 56.8
2006 63 58.5
2005 63 56.3
2004 60.4 60.1
2003 63.2 56.9
2002 65.3 58.3
2001 62.2 54.9
2000 66.5 56
1999 65.5 60
1998 69.3 59.6
1997 68.7 59.3
1996 68.3 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/tanzania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
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/saudi-arabia/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 (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. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.