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Economy of Australia vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Australia has a GDP of $1.76T compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 14/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Australia has $891B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Australia vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Australia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Australia Sierra Leone
2024 $1,757,022,451,653 $6,971,127,235
2023 $1,734,451,264,656 $6,415,852,767
2022 $1,695,627,535,476 $7,121,125,278
2021 $1,560,617,493,203 $7,166,931,485
2020 $1,333,336,461,648 $6,688,307,703
2019 $1,398,349,602,956 $6,523,577,594
2018 $1,433,144,978,762 $6,390,514,689
2017 $1,330,890,554,614 $5,749,846,528
2016 $1,211,588,128,418 $6,084,297,211
2015 $1,356,805,839,936 $6,788,352,975
2014 $1,474,677,007,566 $7,686,138,791
2013 $1,583,737,461,925 $7,502,762,863
2012 $1,552,728,401,402 $6,141,666,509
2011 $1,402,939,868,653 $4,861,632,885
2010 $1,152,566,632,022 $4,262,805,967
2009 $931,761,689,771 $3,953,403,098
2008 $1,058,448,244,064 $4,157,895,298
2007 $856,603,595,823 $3,632,957,611
2006 $749,708,370,333 $3,263,697,467
2005 $696,811,489,613 $2,545,275,313
2004 $615,643,050,221 $2,237,350,687
2003 $468,517,181,130 $2,142,618,046
2002 $396,436,967,263 $1,933,863,911
2001 $380,360,222,861 $1,681,473,894
2000 $416,901,962,163 $635,866,404
1999 $390,347,787,943 $669,386,624
1998 $400,361,527,505 $672,368,187
1997 $436,321,902,767 $850,232,760
1996 $401,962,517,479 $941,709,423
1995 $368,725,126,225 $870,740,292
1994 $323,269,456,935 $911,853,802
1993 $312,568,858,910 $768,867,883
1992 $325,982,966,981 $679,940,814
1991 $326,416,407,861 $779,981,987
1990 $311,840,666,465 $649,644,098
1989 $300,264,309,002 $932,974,420
1988 $236,461,079,970 $1,055,083,933
1987 $189,726,707,253 $660,106,336
1986 $182,707,050,923 $490,181,457
1985 $180,861,108,959 $856,890,459
1984 $193,749,932,078 $1,087,471,862
1983 $177,523,719,680 $995,104,305
1982 $194,323,071,831 $1,295,361,886
1981 $177,151,979,566 $1,114,830,472
1980 $150,200,557,103 $1,100,685,845
1979 $135,093,718,051 $1,109,374,911
1978 $118,660,813,780 $960,728,339
1977 $110,504,702,914 $691,777,584
1976 $105,209,354,856 $594,895,942
1975 $97,440,939,506 $679,336,344
1974 $89,086,219,602 $648,590,643
1973 $63,923,126,201 $575,230,724
1972 $52,117,990,654 $465,381,340
1971 $45,283,847,245 $419,549,305
1970 $41,395,206,623 $434,410,974
1969 $36,738,245,878 $408,690,163
1968 $32,763,365,242 $329,859,732
1967 $30,487,524,878 $348,795,303
1966 $27,349,284,376 $375,479,850
1965 $26,014,244,162 $359,379,856
1964 $23,835,843,814 $371,847,461
1963 $21,573,443,452 $348,547,279
1962 $19,953,923,193 $342,721,416
1961 $19,713,123,154 $327,834,191
1960 $18,635,682,982 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Australia vs Sierra Leone by year

Australia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Australia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $64,604 $72,111 $807 $3,522
2023 $65,058 $72,273 $758 $3,368
2022 $65,170 $66,103 $860 $3,144
2021 $60,759 $58,327 $885 $2,849
2020 $51,983 $54,184 $845 $2,719
2019 $55,195 $52,886 $844 $2,704
2018 $57,410 $50,371 $846 $2,640
2017 $54,118 $48,565 $779 $2,501
2016 $50,084 $47,446 $844 $2,635
2015 $56,970 $46,465 $965 $2,560
2014 $62,817 $47,109 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $68,477 $46,123 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $68,301 $43,007 $938 $2,317
2011 $62,799 $42,153 $761 $2,043
2010 $52,314 $39,504 $685 $1,900
2009 $42,955 $40,434 $653 $1,814
2008 $49,811 $37,616 $705 $1,824
2007 $41,128 $36,708 $632 $1,770
2006 $36,659 $34,890 $580 $1,698
2005 $34,535 $33,090 $463 $1,615
2004 $30,886 $31,815 $418 $1,541
2003 $23,758 $30,167 $414 $1,458
2002 $20,335 $29,080 $389 $1,360
2001 $19,734 $27,688 $358 $1,121
2000 $21,909 $26,585 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $20,750 $25,531 $155 $1,167
1998 $21,516 $24,386 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $23,683 $23,142 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $22,056 $22,134 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $20,479 $21,050 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $18,156 $20,174 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $17,725 $19,220 $185 $1,269
1992 $18,650 $18,259 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $18,885 $17,839 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $18,274 $17,385 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $17,858 - $231.3 -
1988 $14,303 - $268.2 -
1987 $11,666 - $172.4 -
1986 $11,406 - $131.5 -
1985 $11,455 - $235.5 -
1984 $12,436 - $306 -
1983 $11,532 - $285.8 -
1982 $12,798 - $380 -
1981 $11,871 - $334 -
1980 $10,223 - $336 -
1979 $9,308 - $346 -
1978 $8,264 - $305 -
1977 $7,786 - $224.2 -
1976 $7,497 - $196.4 -
1975 $7,014 - $228.4 -
1974 $6,492 - $222.1 -
1973 $4,778 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,955 - $165.4 -
1971 $3,500 - $151.8 -
1970 $3,310 - $160.2 -
1969 $2,996 - $153.6 -
1968 $2,728 - $126.3 -
1967 $2,584 - $136.1 -
1966 $2,347 - $149.3 -
1965 $2,284 - $145.6 -
1964 $2,134 - $153.4 -
1963 $1,970 - $146.3 -
1962 $1,858 - $146.3 -
1961 $1,880 - $142.3 -
1960 $1,813 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Australia's GDP per capita is $64,604, ranking 14/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Australia ranks 22nd at $72,111, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Australia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$1.76T
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
14/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
1.37%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$64,604
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
14/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$72,111
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
22/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$891B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$32,764
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
22/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$49,463
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$1.74T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
1,904,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
47
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2020
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.7%
2020
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.9%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.16%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.6%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
27799169
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Australia
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Australia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.9% 50.7% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 37.6% 49.6% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 37.6% 50.2% 16.7% 54%
2021 41.8% 55.5% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 44.4% 57.1% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 38.9% 46.7% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 36.9% 41.8% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 36.8% 41.2% 15% 44.2%
2016 37.3% 40.6% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 37.3% 37.7% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 36.7% 34% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 36.4% 30.5% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 36.5% 27.5% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 36.3% 24% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 37% 20.3% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 37.8% 16.6% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 35.1% 11.7% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 34.3% 9.67% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 34.5% 9.94% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 34.6% 10.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 34.8% 11.9% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 34.9% 13.2% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 34.9% 15% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 35.6% 17.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 35.2% 19.5% 10.3% -
1999 36.2% 22.5% - -
1998 34.6% 23.7% - -
1997 32.8% 25.9% - -
1996 33.5% 29.3% - -
1995 33.7% 31.1% - -
1994 33.7% 31.7% - -
1993 34.1% 30.7% - -
1992 34.1% 27.6% - -
1991 33.1% 21.6% - -
1990 30.5% 16.4% - -
1989 34.5% 17% - -
1988 34.6% 20.5% - -
1987 36% 25.2% - -
1986 38.4% 25.5% - -
1985 38.7% 24% - -
1984 38.4% 22.3% - -
1983 37% 21% - -
1982 36.7% 16.8% - -
1981 33.4% 19.1% - -
1980 33.2% 21.2% - -
1979 32.5% 22.8% - -
1978 33.2% 24.7% - -
1977 34.1% 23.6% - -
1976 33.3% 22.9% - -
1975 33% 23.6% - -
1974 30.9% 22.3% - -
1973 26.6% 27.3% - -
1972 27% 30.7% - -
1971 26.1% 32.2% - -
1970 25.3% 34.9% - -
1969 24.7% 36.7% - -
1968 25.3% 39.4% - -
1967 26.4% 40.5% - -
1966 25.6% 42.4% - -
1965 25.8% 43.7% - -
1964 23.5% 44.9% - -
1963 23% 47.5% - -
1962 22.7% 50.2% - -
1961 23.3% 49.3% - -
1960 21.8% 48.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government spending was $684B, accounting for 38.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in Australia and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 104/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Australia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Australia Sierra Leone
2024 -2.25% -4.53%
2023 -1.27% -4.99%
2022 -2.21% -5.93%
2021 -6.37% -4.35%
2020 -8.73% -3.5%
2019 -4.41% -1.95%
2018 -1.26% -3.57%
2017 -1.72% -5.61%
2016 -2.42% -5.41%
2015 -2.79% -2.86%
2014 -2.92% -2.77%
2013 -2.81% -1.74%
2012 -3.51% -3.41%
2011 -4.53% -2.78%
2010 -5.12% -3.09%
2009 -4.56% -1.51%
2008 -1.1% -2.22%
2007 1.47% 12.6%
2006 1.77% -0.93%
2005 1.71% -1.17%
2004 1.32% -1.46%
2003 1.05% -2.78%
2002 0.19% -3.03%
2001 -0.03% -3.22%
2000 1.25% -1.94%
1999 0.67% -
1998 -0.25% -
1997 -0.49% -
1996 -1.46% -
1995 -2.6% -
1994 -3.79% -
1993 -4.73% -
1992 -4.74% -
1991 -2.79% -
1990 -0.23% -
1989 -1.29% -
1988 -0.77% -
1987 -1.66% -
1986 -3.5% -
1985 -5.24% -
1984 -5.48% -
1983 -5.66% -
1982 -5.19% -
1981 -3.25% -
1980 -2.87% -
1979 -2.32% -
1978 -4.19% -
1977 -4.39% -
1976 -3.44% -
1975 -3.47% -
1974 -2.46% -
1973 0.16% -
1972 -0.97% -
1971 -0.23% -
1970 -0.23% -
1969 0.53% -
1968 -0.7% -
1967 -1.65% -
1966 -1.77% -
1965 -1.46% -
1964 0.19% -
1963 -0.26% -
1962 -0.38% -
1961 -0.78% -
1960 0.47% -
1959 0.06% -
1958 -0.25% -
1957 -0.33% -
1956 1% -
1955 0.08% -
1954 -0.27% -
1953 -0.86% -
1952 -0.44% -
1951 1.85% -
1950 4.29% -
1949 0.72% -
1948 2% -
1947 -0.45% -
1946 -4.09% -
1945 -8.87% -
1944 -11.8% -
1943 -12.4% -
1942 -5.17% -
1941 -2.14% -
1940 0.51% -
1939 0.77% -
1938 0.24% -
1937 0.28% -
1936 0.17% -
1935 0.24% -
1934 0.28% -
1933 0.28% -
1932 0.02% -
1931 -0.8% -
1930 -1% -
1929 -0.53% -
1928 -0.69% -
1927 -0.5% -
1926 -0.31% -
1925 -0.26% -
1924 -0.5% -
1923 -0.33% -
1922 -0.94% -
1921 -2% -
1920 -2.43% -
1919 -4.8% -
1918 -4.36% -
1917 -4.99% -
1916 -3.47% -
1915 -1.11% -
1914 -0.29% -
1913 0% -
1912 0.12% -
1911 0.39% -
1910 0.39% -
1909 0.37% -
1908 -0.15% -
1907 0.41% -
1906 0.23% -
1905 0.11% -
1904 -0.13% -
1903 -0.02% -
1902 0.16% -
1901 1.46% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1901–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Australia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.5B, equivalent to 2.25% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Australia recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Australia posted an annual deficit equal to 1.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Australia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Australia Sierra Leone
2024 3.16% 28.4%
2023 5.6% 47.7%
2022 6.59% 27.2%
2021 2.86% 11.9%
2020 0.85% 13.4%
2019 1.61% 14.8%
2018 1.91% 16%
2017 1.95% 18.2%
2016 1.28% 10.9%
2015 1.51% 6.7%
2014 2.49% 4.6%
2013 2.45% 5.5%
2012 1.76% 6.6%
2011 3.3% 6.8%
2010 2.92% 7.2%
2009 1.77% 7.5%
2008 4.35% 8.2%
2007 2.33% 17%
2006 3.56% 10.5%
2005 2.69% 13.7%
2004 2.34% 12.9%
2003 2.73% 4%
2002 2.98% 0.1%
2001 4.41% 2.6%
2000 4.46% -0.9%
1999 1.48% 34.1%
1998 0.86% 36%
1997 0.22% 14.6%

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/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Australia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 3.16% in Australia and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Australia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $12.9M
Machinery & equipment $2.47M
Miscellaneous $805K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $533K
Metals $187K
Animal & marine products $120K
Textiles & consumer goods $109K
Chemicals & pharma $63K
Precious metals & jewellery $26K
Raw agricultural goods $13K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $28K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Australia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$34.8B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
187/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.98%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$297B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$341B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$109B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$84.1B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Australia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 80.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 5/197 165/197
Property rights 88.2 32.9
Government integrity 88.1 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 96.3 42
Tax burden 61.8 88.2
Government spending 56.6 92.4
Fiscal health 89 54.1
Business freedom 92.3 44.8
Labor freedom 61.5 38.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 53.6
Trade freedom 89.8 63.6
Investment freedom 80 30
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Australia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Australia Sierra Leone
2026 80.1 49.6
2025 79.3 48
2024 76.2 44.6
2023 74.8 50.2
2022 77.7 52
2021 82.4 51.7
2020 82.6 48
2019 80.9 47.5
2018 80.9 51.8
2017 81 52.6
2016 80.3 52.3
2015 81.4 51.7
2014 82 50.5
2013 82.6 48.3
2012 83.1 49.1
2011 82.5 49.6
2010 82.6 47.9
2009 82.6 47.8
2008 82.2 48.3
2007 81.1 47
2006 79.9 45.2
2005 79 44.8
2004 77.9 43.6
2003 77.4 42.2
2002 77.3 -
2001 77.4 -
2000 77.1 44.2
1999 76.4 47.2
1998 75.6 47.7
1997 75.5 45
1996 74 52.3
1995 74.1 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/australia/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Australia is 80.1, ranking 5/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Australia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
66.1%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.04%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.7T
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$69,600
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$60.4B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
39/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39.2B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$53.4B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.9B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
24.3%
2024
20.5%
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/australia/sierra-leone | 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 (1901–1989, 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 (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.