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Economy of Bahamas vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 145/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.7B in government debt (73.8% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Bahamas vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Bahamas
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Sierra Leone
2025 - $7,464,157,904
2024 $15,832,800,000 $6,971,127,234
2023 $15,271,300,000 $6,415,852,766
2022 $13,896,800,000 $7,121,125,277
2021 $12,037,000,000 $7,166,931,483
2020 $10,363,200,000 $6,688,307,706
2019 $13,277,000,000 $6,523,577,590
2018 $12,819,200,000 $6,390,514,689
2017 $12,446,900,000 $5,749,846,528
2016 $11,880,900,000 $6,084,297,211
2015 $11,837,600,000 $6,788,352,975
2014 $11,139,100,000 $7,686,138,791
2013 $10,475,300,000 $7,502,762,863
2012 $10,720,400,000 $6,141,666,509
2011 $10,070,450,000 $4,861,632,885
2010 $10,095,760,000 $4,262,805,967
2009 $9,981,960,000 $3,953,403,098
2008 $10,526,000,000 $4,157,895,298
2007 $10,618,340,000 $3,632,957,611
2006 $10,167,250,000 $3,263,697,467
2005 $9,836,200,000 $2,545,275,313
2004 $9,055,290,000 $2,237,350,687
2003 $8,870,090,000 $2,142,618,046
2002 $8,881,160,000 $1,933,863,911
2001 $8,317,830,000 $1,681,473,894
2000 $8,076,470,000 $635,866,404
1999 $7,683,870,000 $669,386,624
1998 $6,833,220,000 $672,368,187
1997 $6,332,360,000 $850,232,760
1996 $3,609,000,000 $941,709,423
1995 $3,429,000,000 $870,740,292
1994 $3,259,000,000 $911,853,802
1993 $3,092,000,000 $768,867,883
1992 $3,109,000,000 $679,940,814
1991 $3,111,160,000 $779,981,987
1990 $3,166,000,000 $649,644,098
1989 $3,062,000,000 $932,974,420
1988 $2,817,900,000 $1,055,083,933
1987 $2,713,999,900 $660,106,336
1986 $2,472,500,000 $490,181,457
1985 $2,320,699,900 $856,890,459
1984 $2,041,100,000 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,732,800,000 $995,104,305
1982 $1,578,300,000 $1,295,361,886
1981 $1,426,500,000 $1,114,830,472
1980 $1,335,300,000 $1,100,685,845
1979 $1,139,800,100 $1,109,374,911
1978 $832,400,000 $960,728,339
1977 $713,000,000 $691,777,584
1976 $642,100,000 $594,895,942
1975 $596,200,000 $679,336,344
1974 $632,400,000 $648,590,643
1973 $670,900,000 $575,230,724
1972 $590,900,000 $465,381,340
1971 $573,400,000 $419,549,305
1970 $539,500,000 $434,410,974
1969 $538,700,000 $408,690,163
1968 $453,800,000 $329,859,732
1967 $398,000,000 $348,795,303
1966 $346,800,000 $375,479,850
1965 $300,272,048 $359,379,856
1964 $266,560,043 $371,847,461
1963 $237,650,038 $348,547,279
1962 $212,170,034 $342,721,416
1961 $190,022,030 $327,834,191
1960 $169,736,027 $322,009,962

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Sierra Leone by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $846 -
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $807 $3,522
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $758 $3,368
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $860 $3,144
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $885 $2,849
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $845 $2,719
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $844 $2,704
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $846 $2,640
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $779 $2,501
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $844 $2,635
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $965 $2,560
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $938 $2,317
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $761 $2,043
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $685 $1,900
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $653 $1,814
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $705 $1,824
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $632 $1,770
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $580 $1,698
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $463 $1,615
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $418 $1,541
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $414 $1,458
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $389 $1,360
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $358 $1,121
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $155 $1,167
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $185 $1,269
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $11,291 - $231.3 -
1988 $10,576 - $268.2 -
1987 $10,361 - $172.4 -
1986 $9,601 - $131.5 -
1985 $9,167 - $235.5 -
1984 $8,202 - $306 -
1983 $7,081 - $285.8 -
1982 $6,559 - $380 -
1981 $6,029 - $334 -
1980 $5,743 - $336 -
1979 $4,994 - $346 -
1978 $3,720 - $305 -
1977 $3,253 - $224.2 -
1976 $2,993 - $196.4 -
1975 $2,841 - $228.4 -
1974 $3,080 - $222.1 -
1973 $3,341 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,014 - $165.4 -
1971 $3,004 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,916 - $160.2 -
1969 $3,027 - $153.6 -
1968 $2,668 - $126.3 -
1967 $2,453 - $136.1 -
1966 $2,239 - $149.3 -
1965 $2,030 - $145.6 -
1964 $1,883 - $153.4 -
1963 $1,759 - $146.3 -
1962 $1,651 - $146.3 -
1961 $1,555 - $142.3 -
1960 $1,459 - $142 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
145/197
2024
160/197
2025
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$11.7B
2024
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.8%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$29,123
2024
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,621
2026
$1,418
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
21.5%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.3%
2023
1.65%
2018
Population
405486
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 21.5% 73.8% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 21% 73.8% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 23.2% 78.3% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 25.6% 84.7% 16.7% 54%
2021 28.9% 90.7% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 24.8% 71.9% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 20.3% 60.3% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 19.4% 61.5% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 23.1% 54.6% 15% 44.2%
2016 19.4% 51.1% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 18.4% 49.9% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 18.1% 47.7% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 18.1% 44.2% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 17% 37.6% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 15.4% 33.9% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 15.2% 30.1% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 14.3% 25.3% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 13.6% 23.5% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 13.2% 23.2% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 12.9% 23% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 12.5% 21.6% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 11.8% 20.8% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 11.6% 19.4% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 11.4% 18.5% 12% 113.5%
2000 11.6% 19.2% 10.3% -
1999 9.3% 19.8% - -
1998 12% 20.8% - -
1997 12.9% 21.5% - -
1996 11.5% 20.7% - -
1995 11.5% 21% - -
1994 11.7% 20.9% - -
1993 11.5% 19.7% - -
1992 11.8% 17.9% - -
1991 11.9% 15.3% - -
1990 11.4% 13.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.32B, accounting for 21.5% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.8% in the Bahamas and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 52/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Sierra Leone
2025 -0.49% -4.2%
2024 -1.2% -5.16%
2023 -3.65% -4.99%
2022 -5.53% -5.93%
2021 -11.9% -4.35%
2020 -7.11% -3.5%
2019 -1.68% -1.95%
2018 -3.28% -3.57%
2017 -6.05% -5.61%
2016 -2.61% -5.41%
2015 -3.34% -2.86%
2014 -4.51% -2.77%
2013 -5.1% -1.74%
2012 -3.25% -3.41%
2011 -2.87% -2.78%
2010 -2.57% -3.09%
2009 -2.39% -1.51%
2008 -0.82% -2.22%
2007 -0.77% 12.6%
2006 -0.44% -0.93%
2005 -1.16% -1.17%
2004 -1.95% -1.46%
2003 -1.63% -2.78%
2002 -1.67% -3.03%
2001 0.3% -3.22%
2000 0.09% -1.94%
1999 1.78% -
1998 -0.43% -
1997 -1.6% -
1996 -0.15% -
1995 0.18% -
1994 -0.4% -
1993 -1.05% -
1992 -2.23% -
1991 -2.27% -
1990 -2.64% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $190M, equivalent to 1.2% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $359M, or 5.16% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.51% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Sierra Leone
2025 - 7.6%
2024 0.41% 28.4%
2023 3.05% 47.7%
2022 5.61% 27.2%
2021 2.9% 11.9%
2020 0.04% 13.4%
2019 2.49% 14.8%
2018 2.27% 16%
2017 1.52% 18.2%
2016 -0.35% 10.9%
2015 1.86% 6.7%
2014 1.51% 4.6%
2013 0.72% 5.5%
2012 1.97% 6.6%
2011 3.2% 6.8%
2010 1.34% 7.2%
2009 2.06% 7.5%
2008 4.49% 8.2%
2007 2.49% 17%
2006 2.39% 10.5%
2005 1.59% 13.7%
2004 0.98% 12.9%
2003 3.03% 4%
2002 2.17% 0.1%
2001 2.04% 2.6%
2000 1.61% -0.9%
1999 1.25% 34.1%
1998 1.34% 36%
1997 0.54% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Balance of trade

Bahamas Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
120/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$514M
2024
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 65.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 165/197
Property rights 62.7 32.9
Government integrity 67.1 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 42
Tax burden 96.1 88.2
Government spending 83.8 92.4
Fiscal health 9.1 54.1
Business freedom 69.4 44.8
Labor freedom 66.5 38.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 53.6
Trade freedom 59.4 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Sierra Leone
2026 65.1 49.6
2025 63.2 48
2024 62.5 44.6
2023 62.6 50.2
2022 68.7 52
2021 64.6 51.7
2020 64.5 48
2019 62.9 47.5
2018 63.3 51.8
2017 61.1 52.6
2016 70.9 52.3
2015 68.7 51.7
2014 69.8 50.5
2013 70.1 48.3
2012 68 49.1
2011 68 49.6
2010 67.3 47.9
2009 70.3 47.8
2008 71.1 48.3
2007 72 47
2006 72.3 45.2
2005 72.6 44.8
2004 72.1 43.6
2003 73.5 42.2
2002 74.4 -
2001 74.8 -
2000 73.9 44.2
1999 74.7 47.2
1998 74.5 47.7
1997 74.5 45
1996 74 52.3
1995 71.8 49.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, 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

Bahamas Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,610
2024
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$2.63B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
23.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.