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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 18/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Saudi Arabia vs Thailand GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Thailand
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $526,517,658,842
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $515,906,283,941
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $495,644,697,588
2021 $982,661,066,667 $506,194,668,790
2020 $767,951,200,000 $500,461,898,480
2019 $888,890,133,333 $543,976,691,794
2018 $886,564,800,000 $506,754,208,404
2017 $741,266,133,333 $456,356,813,537
2016 $689,279,466,667 $413,366,349,748
2015 $693,414,400,000 $401,296,238,228
2014 $787,153,066,667 $407,339,040,198
2013 $769,755,733,333 $420,333,654,593
2012 $751,921,333,333 $397,558,325,279
2011 $680,660,800,000 $370,818,739,624
2010 $528,207,466,667 $341,104,766,329
2009 $429,097,866,667 $281,710,630,187
2008 $519,796,800,000 $291,382,982,431
2007 $415,964,509,673 $262,942,621,455
2006 $376,900,133,511 $221,758,296,022
2005 $328,459,608,764 $189,318,408,469
2004 $258,742,133,333 $172,895,685,155
2003 $215,807,733,333 $152,280,615,246
2002 $189,605,866,667 $134,300,904,400
2001 $184,137,600,000 $120,296,476,180
2000 $189,514,933,333 $126,392,224,254
1999 $161,717,066,667 $126,669,211,779
1998 $146,775,466,667 $113,675,596,788
1997 $165,963,684,913 $150,180,456,566
1996 $158,662,483,311 $183,035,237,429
1995 $143,343,124,166 $169,278,916,593
1994 $135,174,899,866 $146,683,778,959
1993 $132,967,957,276 $128,889,262,951
1992 $137,087,850,467 $111,452,746,518
1991 $132,223,230,975 $98,234,714,971
1990 $117,630,173,565 $85,343,190,719
1989 $95,344,459,279 $72,250,748,100
1988 $88,256,074,766 $61,667,253,471
1987 $85,695,861,148 $50,535,446,555
1986 $86,961,922,765 $43,096,773,981
1985 $103,897,846,494 $38,900,711,333
1984 $119,624,858,116 $41,797,647,776
1983 $129,171,635,311 $40,042,798,388
1982 $153,240,313,858 $36,589,772,404
1981 $184,291,360,139 $34,846,039,194
1980 $164,539,660,725 $32,353,514,989
1979 $111,858,444,786 $27,371,650,825
1978 $80,266,516,687 $24,006,566,637
1977 $74,188,986,586 $19,779,312,261
1976 $64,005,665,722 $16,985,208,648
1975 $46,773,208,643 $14,882,770,594
1974 $45,412,957,746 $13,702,998,512
1973 $14,947,435,499 $10,838,587,358
1972 $9,664,267,087 $8,177,873,151
1971 $7,184,806,909 $7,375,000,024
1970 $5,377,333,333 $7,086,538,438
1969 $4,485,777,644 $6,695,336,567
1968 $4,187,777,711 $6,081,009,428
1967 $3,257,022,223 $5,638,461,442
1966 $2,920,555,557 $5,279,230,817
1965 $2,647,955,558 $4,388,937,649
1964 $2,371,808,713 $3,889,129,942
1963 $2,207,393,172 $3,540,403,457
1962 $2,130,606,532 $3,308,912,797
1961 $1,920,811,284 $3,034,037,811
1960 $1,748,124,064 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Thailand by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $9,414 - $1,342 -
1988 $9,165 - $1,164 -
1987 $9,386 - $970 -
1986 $10,078 - $842 -
1985 $12,745 - $774 -
1984 $15,541 - $847 -
1983 $17,810 - $827 -
1982 $22,454 - $770 -
1981 $28,703 - $748 -
1980 $27,206 - $709 -
1979 $19,612 - $612 -
1978 $14,914 - $548 -
1977 $14,595 - $462 -
1976 $13,313 - $405 -
1975 $10,266 - $364 -
1974 $10,503 - $343 -
1973 $3,640 - $278.3 -
1972 $2,474 - $215.6 -
1971 $1,929 - $199.7 -
1970 $1,509 - $197.1 -
1969 $1,313 - $191.4 -
1968 $1,276 - $178.8 -
1967 $1,032 - $170.7 -
1966 $961 - $164.5 -
1965 $904 - $140.9 -
1964 $840 - $128.6 -
1963 $812 - $120.7 -
1962 $813 - $116.2 -
1961 $760 - $109.7 -
1960 $718 - $102.8 -

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

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

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Thailand
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires
15
2025
25
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
0.78%
2024
Population
36734925
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 28.3% 23% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 33% 8.43% 22% 39.8%
2009 37.1% 14% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 20% 36%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 19.3% 57.8%
1999 30.3% 103% 26.5% 56.6%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 23.9% 49.9%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 21.6% 40.5%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 18% 15.2%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 17.2% 5.12%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 16% 6.69%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 18.8% 9.14%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 17.8% 11.4%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 17% 14.1%
1990 39.3% - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 163/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Thailand
2024 -2.49% -1.29%
2023 -1.77% -1.98%
2022 2.24% -4.61%
2021 -1.99% -6.74%
2020 -10.2% -4.47%
2019 -3.96% 0.43%
2018 -5.21% 0.2%
2017 -8.57% -0.42%
2016 -13.2% 0.41%
2015 -14.9% 0.19%
2014 -3.4% -0.7%
2013 5.47% 0.6%
2012 11.7% -0.86%
2011 11.4% 0.09%
2010 4.39% -1.07%
2009 -5.38% -2.21%
2008 29.8% 0.8%
2007 11.8% 0.22%
2006 20.8% 1.87%
2005 18% 2.17%
2004 9.72% 1.11%
2003 1.2% 1.98%
2002 -5.91% -6.72%
2001 -3.91% -1.77%
2000 3.18% -1.79%
1999 -5.99% -9.02%
1998 -8.88% -6.29%
1997 -2.51% -1.68%
1996 -3.25% 2.75%
1995 -5.12% 3.05%
1994 -8.31% 2.78%
1993 -9.33% 6.67%
1992 -8.12% -0.18%
1991 -3.28% 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.73% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Thailand
2024 1.69% 1.37%
2023 2.33% 8.48%
2022 2.47% -1.61%
2021 3.06% 1.23%
2020 3.37% -0.85%
2019 -1.19% 0.71%
2018 2.47% 1.06%
2017 -0.83% 0.67%
2016 2.05% 0.19%
2015 1.22% -0.9%
2014 2.24% 1.9%
2013 3.51% 2.18%
2012 2.87% 3.01%
2011 5.83% 3.81%
2010 5.34% 3.25%
2009 5.06% -0.85%
2008 9.87% 5.47%
2007 4.17% 2.24%
2006 2.21% 4.64%
2005 0.48% 4.54%
2004 0.52% 2.76%
2003 0.61% 1.8%
2002 0.25% 0.7%
2001 -1.12% 1.63%
2000 -1.12% 1.59%
1999 -1.33% 0.28%
1998 -0.37% 7.99%
1997 0.06% 5.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.78B
Chemicals & pharma $258M
Metals $89.2M
Precious metals & jewellery $22.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $14.9M
Machinery & equipment $4.09M
Wood & paper products $1.34M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $252K
Raw agricultural goods $252K
Animal & marine products $191K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.97B
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $230M
Wood & paper products $205M
Raw materials & minerals $180M
Chemicals & pharma $80.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $46.3M
Metals $43.4M
Raw agricultural goods $42M
Precious metals & jewellery $38.6M
Miscellaneous $4.98M

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Thailand
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Thailand
Economic freedom 65.4 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 88/197
Property rights 51.4 41.8
Government integrity 52.7 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 35
Tax burden 99.2 80.8
Government spending 77 83.6
Fiscal health 97.9 81
Business freedom 71.2 69.9
Labor freedom 41.8 56.4
Monetary freedom 81.2 73.3
Trade freedom 73.8 70.2
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Thailand
2026 65.4 62.2
2025 64.4 60.6
2024 61.9 59
2023 58.3 60.6
2022 55.5 63.2
2021 66 69.7
2020 62.4 69.4
2019 60.7 68.3
2018 59.6 67.1
2017 64.4 66.2
2016 62.1 63.9
2015 62.1 62.4
2014 62.2 63.3
2013 60.6 64.1
2012 62.5 64.9
2011 66.2 64.7
2010 64.1 64.1
2009 64.3 63
2008 62.5 62.3
2007 60.9 63.5
2006 63 63.3
2005 63 62.5
2004 60.4 63.7
2003 63.2 65.8
2002 65.3 69.1
2001 62.2 68.9
2000 66.5 66.6
1999 65.5 66.9
1998 69.3 67.3
1997 68.7 66.1
1996 68.3 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Thailand
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
21.6%
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/saudi-arabia/thailand | 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 (1948–1995, 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 (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.