Equatorial Guinea: public finances

How much debt does Equatorial Guinea have?

Equatorial Guinea's total public debt was 35.8% of GDP at the end of 2025, according to the BEAC's September 2026 dashboard, down from 52.5% in 2020. External debt was 11.7% of GDP. The IMF puts gross government debt at 35.4% of GDP for 2025 and projects 32.9% for 2026.

The BEAC's base scenario has external debt rising each year, to 25.5% of GDP in 2030, while total debt stays near 34%. Debt service took 10.6% of budget revenue in 2025. The Ministry of Finance's debt pages were empty on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: BEAC: Monetary Policy Committee dashboard, September 2026 (PDF, French) · IMF: General government gross debt, Equatorial Guinea

Does Equatorial Guinea have a budget deficit?

Equatorial Guinea ran a budget deficit of 4.8% of GDP in 2025, according to the BEAC's September 2026 dashboard, after a near balance of -0.1% in 2024 and a surplus of 11.8% in 2022. The BEAC's base scenario has a surplus of 1.2% for 2026. The IMF records a deficit of 0.6% of GDP for 2025 and 2026.

The two sets of figures use different definitions. In the BEAC's figures, revenue fell to 14.1% of GDP in 2025 from 26.5% in 2022, as oil revenue fell, while spending was 18.9% of GDP. The non-oil primary balance, which leaves out oil revenue and interest, was a deficit of 16.9% of GDP.

Official sources: BEAC: Monetary Policy Committee dashboard, September 2026 (PDF, French) · IMF: General government net lending/borrowing, Equatorial Guinea

Where does Equatorial Guinea's government revenue come from?

Oil revenue made up 11.7% of GDP in 2025, out of total government revenue of 14.1% of GDP, according to the BEAC's September 2026 dashboard. Non-oil revenue, mainly taxes, was 2.3% of GDP.

Total revenue fell by 24.9% in 2025, and oil revenue by 22.7%. The base scenario has non-oil revenue rising to 3.8% of GDP in 2026 and 4.0% from 2027. The Ministry of Finance's budget page links the budget law for 2020; no newer budget document was found there on 15 October 2026.

Official sources: BEAC: Monetary Policy Committee dashboard, September 2026 (PDF, French) · Ministry of Finance: State budget page (Spanish)

What is Equatorial Guinea's government debt?

The IMF puts general government gross debt in Equatorial Guinea at 35.4% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 49.4% of GDP in 2020 and the low 0.5% of GDP in 2008. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 53.0% of GDP, and Equatorial Guinea placed 42nd highest of 46. World rank, highest first: 140th of 185.

What is Equatorial Guinea's fiscal deficit?

In 2025, general government net lending or borrowing in Equatorial Guinea was -0.6% of GDP, according to the IMF, a deficit. The peak was 21.8% of GDP in 2006 and the low -15.1% of GDP in 2015. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was -3.0% of GDP, and Equatorial Guinea placed 9th highest of 47. Of 188 countries with 2025 data, 48th highest.

How much does Equatorial Guinea's government take in?

According to the IMF, general government revenue in Equatorial Guinea was 16.3% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 39.9% of GDP; its low point was 2020, at 14.4% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 18.4% of GDP, and Equatorial Guinea placed 30th highest of 47. Of 187 countries with 2025 data, 156th highest.

How much does Equatorial Guinea's government spend?

16.9% of GDP: that is general government spending in Equatorial Guinea for 2025, according to the IMF. Since 2005 it has ranged from 12.7% of GDP (2021) to 41.6% of GDP (2015). It is 38th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 20.8% of GDP. Worldwide: 169th of 186.

How much tax does Equatorial Guinea collect?

6.6% of GDP: that is central government tax revenue in Equatorial Guinea for 2022, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2006 was 2009, at 12.8% of GDP; its low point was 2021, at 5.4% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.3% of GDP; Equatorial Guinea is 22nd highest of 24. Worldwide: 114th of 117.

How much does Equatorial Guinea spend on its military?

According to SIPRI, military spending in Equatorial Guinea was 0.9% of GDP in 2025. Its high point since 2007 was 2009, at 2.5% of GDP; its low point was 2014, at 0.8% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 1.3% of GDP; Equatorial Guinea is 31st highest of 44. Of 149 countries with 2025 data, 114th highest.