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Economy of Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a GDP of $29.6B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 111/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has $8.74B in government debt (29.5% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bosnia Sierra Leone
2024 $29,613,572,023 $6,971,127,235
2023 $27,592,361,498 $6,415,852,767
2022 $24,534,663,636 $7,121,125,278
2021 $23,672,712,121 $7,166,931,485
2020 $20,226,038,370 $6,688,307,703
2019 $20,482,608,984 $6,523,577,594
2018 $20,484,058,033 $6,390,514,689
2017 $18,326,373,136 $5,749,846,528
2016 $17,116,926,554 $6,084,297,211
2015 $16,404,348,361 $6,788,352,975
2014 $18,558,734,107 $7,686,138,791
2013 $18,179,109,209 $7,502,762,863
2012 $17,226,735,996 $6,141,666,509
2011 $18,644,233,537 $4,861,632,885
2010 $17,176,315,804 $4,262,805,967
2009 $17,613,949,091 $3,953,403,098
2008 $19,112,796,623 $4,157,895,298
2007 $15,778,734,264 $3,632,957,611
2006 $12,864,841,906 $3,263,697,467
2005 $11,222,796,337 $2,545,275,313
2004 $10,156,541,221 $2,237,350,687
2003 $8,498,894,359 $2,142,618,046
2002 $6,728,220,983 $1,933,863,911
2001 $5,800,615,375 $1,681,473,894
2000 $5,567,772,769 $635,866,404
1999 $4,686,256,363 $669,386,624
1998 $4,116,774,301 $672,368,187
1997 $3,671,909,673 $850,232,760
1996 $2,786,045,322 $941,709,423
1995 $1,866,572,954 $870,740,292
1994 $1,255,802,469 $911,853,802
1993 $3,630,668,950 $768,867,883
1992 $4,735,044,707 $679,940,814
1991 $6,122,959,184 $779,981,987
1990 $7,753,478,261 $649,644,098
1989 - $932,974,420
1988 - $1,055,083,933
1987 - $660,106,336
1986 - $490,181,457
1985 - $856,890,459
1984 - $1,087,471,862
1983 - $995,104,305
1982 - $1,295,361,886
1981 - $1,114,830,472
1980 - $1,100,685,845
1979 - $1,109,374,911
1978 - $960,728,339
1977 - $691,777,584
1976 - $594,895,942
1975 - $679,336,344
1974 - $648,590,643
1973 - $575,230,724
1972 - $465,381,340
1971 - $419,549,305
1970 - $434,410,974
1969 - $408,690,163
1968 - $329,859,732
1967 - $348,795,303
1966 - $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bosnia and Herzegovina vs Sierra Leone by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bosnia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $9,359 $25,043 $807 $3,522
2023 $8,663 $23,376 $758 $3,368
2022 $7,656 $21,651 $860 $3,144
2021 $7,295 $18,287 $885 $2,849
2020 $6,130 $16,370 $845 $2,719
2019 $6,122 $16,429 $844 $2,704
2018 $6,048 $14,859 $846 $2,640
2017 $5,345 $13,627 $779 $2,501
2016 $4,929 $12,899 $844 $2,635
2015 $4,662 $11,845 $965 $2,560
2014 $5,206 $11,168 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $5,035 $10,808 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $4,694 $10,121 $938 $2,317
2011 $4,983 $9,761 $761 $2,043
2010 $4,506 $9,086 $685 $1,900
2009 $4,540 $8,698 $653 $1,814
2008 $4,842 $8,587 $705 $1,824
2007 $3,931 $7,686 $632 $1,770
2006 $3,166 $6,869 $580 $1,698
2005 $2,740 $5,956 $463 $1,615
2004 $2,453 $5,407 $418 $1,541
2003 $2,034 $4,917 $414 $1,458
2002 $1,607 $4,665 $389 $1,360
2001 $1,388 $4,307 $358 $1,121
2000 $1,338 $4,148 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $1,135 $3,875 $155 $1,167
1998 $1,007 $3,524 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $914 $3,041 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $719 $2,269 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $502 $1,507 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $337 $1,269 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $930 $1,067 $185 $1,269
1992 $1,118 $982 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $1,373 $975 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $1,743 $1,043 $154.8 $1,382
1989 - - $231.3 -
1988 - - $268.2 -
1987 - - $172.4 -
1986 - - $131.5 -
1985 - - $235.5 -
1984 - - $306 -
1983 - - $285.8 -
1982 - - $380 -
1981 - - $334 -
1980 - - $336 -
1979 - - $346 -
1978 - - $305 -
1977 - - $224.2 -
1976 - - $196.4 -
1975 - - $228.4 -
1974 - - $222.1 -
1973 - - $200.6 -
1972 - - $165.4 -
1971 - - $151.8 -
1970 - - $160.2 -
1969 - - $153.6 -
1968 - - $126.3 -
1967 - - $136.1 -
1966 - - $149.3 -
1965 - - $145.6 -
1964 - - $153.4 -
1963 - - $146.3 -
1962 - - $146.3 -
1961 - - $142.3 -
1960 - - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/sierra-leone | CC BY

Bosnia and Herzegovina's GDP per capita is $9,359, ranking 87/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bosnia and Herzegovina ranks 83rd at $25,043, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Bosnia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$29.6B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
111/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
2.97%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$9,359
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
87/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$25,043
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
83/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$8.74B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
29.5%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,763
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
107/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,501
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
25.1%
2011
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2011
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
43.3%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.7%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
10.7%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
3116111
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bosnia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 43.3% 29.5% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 41.7% 29% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 39.4% 31.2% 16.7% 54%
2021 40.6% 35.8% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 45.4% 37.2% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 39.9% 32.8% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 40.4% 34.5% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 40% 38.6% 15% 44.2%
2016 41.5% 44.9% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 42.7% 46.4% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 46.2% 47.1% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 44.5% 43.8% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 46.9% 43.6% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 46.4% 40.9% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 48.7% 42.2% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 49% 36.4% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 48.4% 30.3% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 45.2% 18.2% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 44.2% 20.6% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 44.5% 24.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 45.6% 25.5% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 47.3% 27.6% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 47.4% 31.1% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 50.2% 35.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 56.2% 34.6% 10.3% -
1999 57.5% 56% - -
1998 54.4% 54.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government spending was $12.8B, accounting for 43.3% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 29.5% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 159/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bosnia Sierra Leone
2024 -1.88% -4.53%
2023 -1.67% -4.99%
2022 0.15% -5.93%
2021 -0.18% -4.35%
2020 -4.5% -3.5%
2019 1.37% -1.95%
2018 1.63% -3.57%
2017 1.79% -5.61%
2016 0.34% -5.41%
2015 -0.19% -2.86%
2014 -2.87% -2.77%
2013 -1.28% -1.74%
2012 -2.68% -3.41%
2011 -2.73% -2.78%
2010 -4.06% -3.09%
2009 -5.34% -1.51%
2008 -3.82% -2.22%
2007 0.17% 12.6%
2006 2.08% -0.93%
2005 0.74% -1.17%
2004 -0.18% -1.46%
2003 -0.44% -2.78%
2002 -2.99% -3.03%
2001 -3.44% -3.22%
2000 -4.63% -1.94%
1999 -2.78% -
1998 -0.98% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Bosnia and Herzegovina's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $557M, equivalent to 1.88% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Bosnia and Herzegovina posted an annual deficit equal to 1.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bosnia and Herzegovina

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bosnia Sierra Leone
2024 1.7% 28.4%
2023 6.1% 47.7%
2022 14% 27.2%
2021 2% 11.9%
2020 -1.1% 13.4%
2019 0.6% 14.8%
2018 1.4% 16%
2017 0.8% 18.2%
2016 -1.6% 10.9%
2015 -1% 6.7%
2014 -0.9% 4.6%
2013 -0.1% 5.5%
2012 2.1% 6.6%
2011 4% 6.8%
2010 2.1% 7.2%
2009 -0.4% 7.5%
2008 7.4% 8.2%
2007 1.5% 17%
2006 6.1% 10.5%
2005 3.6% 13.7%
2004 0.3% 12.9%
2003 0.5% 4%
2002 0.3% 0.1%
2001 3.2% 2.6%
2000 5% -0.9%
1999 2.8% 34.1%
1998 -0.3% 36%
1997 5.7% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bosnia and Herzegovina has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.35%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 1.7% in Bosnia and Herzegovina and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Bosnia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $42K
Wood & paper products $22K
Machinery & equipment $16K
Metals $5K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Bosnia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$1.03B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
123/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.47%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$14.8B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$8.36B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$1.27B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$3.74B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
54.3%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
40.9%
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.

Bosnia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 63.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 83/197 165/197
Property rights 46.9 32.9
Government integrity 36.8 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 36.1 42
Tax burden 93.9 88.2
Government spending 48.4 92.4
Fiscal health 96.2 54.1
Business freedom 65.1 44.8
Labor freedom 62.7 38.2
Monetary freedom 77.5 53.6
Trade freedom 69 63.6
Investment freedom 65 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bosnia and Herzegovina
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bosnia Sierra Leone
2026 63.1 49.6
2025 63.5 48
2024 62 44.6
2023 62.9 50.2
2022 63.4 52
2021 62.9 51.7
2020 62.6 48
2019 61.9 47.5
2018 61.4 51.8
2017 60.2 52.6
2016 58.6 52.3
2015 59 51.7
2014 58.4 50.5
2013 57.3 48.3
2012 57.3 49.1
2011 57.5 49.6
2010 56.2 47.9
2009 53.1 47.8
2008 53.9 48.3
2007 54.4 47
2006 55.6 45.2
2005 48.8 44.8
2004 44.7 43.6
2003 40.6 42.2
2002 37.4 -
2001 36.6 -
2000 45.1 44.2
1999 29.4 47.2
1998 29.4 47.7
1997 - 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bosnia-and-herzegovina/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bosnia and Herzegovina is 63.1, ranking 83/197, 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

Bosnia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
4.53%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$27.8B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$24,990
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.42B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
79/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$885M
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$119M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.93%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
16.9%
2015
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27.5%
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/bosnia-and-herzegovina/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 (1998–2024, 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.