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Economy of Bhutan vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 170/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Bhutan vs Sudan GDP by year

Bhutan
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Sudan
2024 - $49,672,435,513
2023 $3,012,896,789 $39,898,289,821
2022 $2,898,227,744 $51,666,875,363
2021 $2,768,802,960 $34,229,513,775
2020 $2,457,604,334 $27,034,593,750
2019 $2,735,683,570 $32,338,079,165
2018 $2,583,335,722 $32,333,780,383
2017 $2,591,358,009 $41,283,617,976
2016 $2,357,504,761 $42,630,376,000
2015 $2,187,815,803 $51,726,758,677
2014 $2,089,079,571 $49,516,748,618
2013 $1,943,696,952 $43,024,018,082
2012 $1,973,387,228 $37,632,919,967
2011 $1,977,728,659 $55,018,567,211
2010 $1,708,880,730 $58,962,978,034
2009 $1,331,343,798 $51,621,044,077
2008 $1,317,517,835 $64,833,083,257
2007 $1,255,767,964 $59,440,139,775
2006 $942,879,879 $45,263,831,634
2005 $860,391,000 $35,182,711,988
2004 $735,348,490 $26,646,007,251
2003 $651,935,430 $21,355,298,460
2002 $559,345,264 $18,137,128,388
2001 $496,110,226 $15,716,361,792
2000 $460,733,418 $12,257,299,147
1999 $399,311,200 $10,682,028,340
1998 $363,458,381 $11,250,221,537
1997 $352,229,077 $11,681,175,864
1996 $303,408,346 $9,018,300,725
1995 $290,490,984 $13,830,363,900
1994 $258,954,708 $12,793,794,737
1993 $225,973,693 $8,881,005,436
1992 $240,233,531 $7,031,933,492
1991 $240,294,286 $44,171,194,366
1990 $287,765,007 $33,641,222,222
1989 $264,798,626 $21,408,111,111
1988 $272,298,067 $14,372,555,556
1987 $242,742,766 $12,093,333,333
1986 $191,218,115 $10,092,200,000
1985 $163,288,815 $8,075,259,600
1984 $160,423,494 $10,447,615,385
1983 $156,704,290 $8,230,153,846
1982 $141,439,317 $8,732,542,274
1981 $139,174,178 $10,753,888,154
1980 $128,669,201 $8,951,800,000
1979 $105,377,995 $8,418,407,787
1978 $94,086,228 $8,128,719,315
1977 $97,884,434 $7,499,005,639
1976 $88,461,263 $6,013,210,816
1975 $86,820,762 $4,823,090,192
1974 $92,901,784 $3,958,931,660
1973 $78,900,289 $3,077,254,460
1972 $70,139,867 $2,483,055,722
1971 $66,289,450 $2,288,340,041
1970 $61,812,113 $2,100,229,759
1969 - $1,847,501,441
1968 - $1,677,771,401
1967 - $1,607,409,539
1966 - $1,484,491,676
1965 - $1,446,869,619
1964 - $1,388,282,600
1963 - $1,351,234,926
1962 - $1,328,259,625
1961 - $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Sudan by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $985 $2,116
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $797 $2,421
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $712 $3,249
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $578 $3,349
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $710 $3,914
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $731 $4,199
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $967 $4,252
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $872 $3,215
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $714 $3,058
2002 $896 $3,663 $621 $2,898
2001 $812 $3,338 $551 $2,769
2000 $772 $3,113 $441 $2,616
1999 $685 $3,017 $394 $2,475
1998 $638 $2,819 $425 $2,428
1997 $630 $2,683 $453 $2,358
1996 $553 $2,548 $357 $2,006
1995 $530 $2,374 $561 $1,902
1994 $467 $2,146 $532 $1,805
1993 $407 $2,001 $379 $1,794
1992 $416 $1,840 $307 $1,710
1991 $401 $1,657 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $488 $1,638 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $462 - $992 -
1988 $489 - $680 -
1987 $449 - $584 -
1986 $365 - $497 -
1985 $321 - $406 -
1984 $326 - $534 -
1983 $328 - $431 -
1982 $306 - $472 -
1981 $311 - $605 -
1980 $296.9 - $525 -
1979 $251.4 - $515 -
1978 $232.2 - $518 -
1977 $249.9 - $497 -
1976 $233.7 - $413 -
1975 $237.4 - $343 -
1974 $262.8 - $291.5 -
1973 $230.9 - $235.8 -
1972 $212.4 - $198.2 -
1971 $207.7 - $189 -
1970 $200.3 - $179.6 -
1969 - - $163.5 -
1968 - - $153.7 -
1967 - - $152.4 -
1966 - - $145.6 -
1965 - - $146.8 -
1964 - - $145.7 -
1963 - - $146.6 -
1962 - - $148.9 -
1961 - - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/sudan | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Sudan
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
170/197
2023
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
185/197
2024
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
803385
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 28.8% 117.1% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 30.9% 116% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 30.5% 103% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 39.3% 61% 18.8% 71%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 31% 76% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 43% 44% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 31.1% 36.4% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 37.8% 33% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 37.9% 36.8% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 38.6% 38.7% 12.9% 239%
1994 37.9% 53.2% 19.6% 386%
1993 35.2% 60.2% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 34.5% 35.6% 50.4% 495%
1991 30.8% 33.5% 45.7% -
1990 35.8% 27.4% 31% -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 17/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Sudan
2024 -0.17% -3.46%
2023 -4.73% -3.7%
2022 -6.95% -2.15%
2021 -5.76% -0.29%
2020 -1.81% -6.03%
2019 -1.49% -10.8%
2018 -1.52% -7.92%
2017 -4.49% -6.07%
2016 -2.31% -3.92%
2015 -0.49% -3.87%
2014 2.46% -4.72%
2013 -4.55% -5.76%
2012 -2.1% -7.37%
2011 -3.02% -2.33%
2010 1.92% 0.11%
2009 -0.8% -3.8%
2008 -2.57% 0.49%
2007 0.79% -2.84%
2006 -0.07% -1.32%
2005 -6.96% -1.88%
2004 1.8% 0.16%
2003 -10.2% 0.77%
2002 -4.33% -0.69%
2001 -12.2% -0.77%
2000 -3.39% -0.7%
1999 -1.28% -0.8%
1998 1.28% -0.56%
1997 -1.92% -0.59%
1996 2.55% -2.61%
1995 -0.88% -3.48%
1994 -0.13% -3.03%
1993 4.71% -8.04%
1992 -3.47% -24.5%
1991 -0.48% -26.5%
1990 -7.21% -16.2%
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/sudan | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $142M, equivalent to 4.73% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.47B, or 3.7% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.76% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Sudan
2024 4.3% -
2023 4.5% -
2022 5.9% 138.8%
2021 8.2% 359%
2020 3% 163.3%
2019 2.8% 51%
2018 3.6% 63.3%
2017 4.3% 32.4%
2016 3.3% 17.8%
2015 6.7% 16.9%
2014 9.6% 36.9%
2013 8.1% 36.5%
2012 10.1% 35.6%
2011 8.6% 18.1%
2010 4.8% 13%
2009 7.1% 11.3%
2008 6.3% 14.3%
2007 5.2% 14.8%
2006 4.9% 7.2%
2005 4.8% 8.51%
2004 3.3% 9.66%
2003 2.5% 6.49%
2002 2.9% 22.2%
2001 3.7% 1.94%
2000 7.2% 7.12%
1999 9.1% 17.2%
1998 7.6% 24.6%
1997 8.6% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/sudan | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.85%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 138.8% in Sudan.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Sudan
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$228M
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$288M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Sudan
Economic freedom 57.5 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 191/197
Property rights 69.2 6.5
Government integrity 72.2 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 2.4
Tax burden 83.4 84.7
Government spending 74.1 96.5
Fiscal health 25.8 64.6
Business freedom 67.8 27.3
Labor freedom 60.1 33.6
Monetary freedom 71.6 6.2
Trade freedom 63.4 29.6
Investment freedom 20 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Sudan
2026 57.5 32.5
2025 57.5 35.3
2024 55.4 33.9
2023 59 32.8
2022 59.3 32
2021 58.3 39.1
2020 62.1 45
2019 62.9 47.7
2018 61.8 49.4
2017 58.4 48.8
2016 59.5 -
2015 57.4 -
2014 56.7 -
2013 55 -
2012 56.6 -
2011 57.6 -
2010 57 -
2009 57.7 -
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 - 47.2
1999 - 39.6
1998 - 38.3
1997 - 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/sudan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Sudan
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
2.89%
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/bhutan/sudan | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.