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Economy of China vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $7.46B for Sierra Leone, ranking 2/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $3.38B (45.2% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

China vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

China
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Sierra Leone
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $7,464,157,904
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $6,971,127,234
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $6,415,852,766
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $7,121,125,277
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $7,166,931,483
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $6,688,307,706
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $6,523,577,590
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $6,390,514,689
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $5,749,846,528
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $6,084,297,211
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $6,788,352,975
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $7,686,138,791
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $7,502,762,863
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $6,141,666,509
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $4,861,632,885
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $4,262,805,967
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $3,953,403,098
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $4,157,895,298
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $3,632,957,611
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $3,263,697,467
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $2,545,275,313
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $2,237,350,687
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $2,142,618,046
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $1,933,863,911
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $1,681,473,894
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $635,866,404
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $669,386,624
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $672,368,187
1997 $967,753,570,435 $850,232,760
1996 $868,523,936,530 $941,709,423
1995 $738,190,896,228 $870,740,292
1994 $566,929,539,493 $911,853,802
1993 $446,557,291,212 $768,867,883
1992 $428,502,354,788 $679,940,814
1991 $384,510,452,962 $779,981,987
1990 $361,560,229,446 $649,644,098
1989 $348,380,566,802 $932,974,420
1988 $312,888,888,889 $1,055,083,933
1987 $273,455,156,951 $660,106,336
1986 $301,310,144,928 $490,181,457
1985 $310,064,625,850 $856,890,459
1984 $260,442,857,143 $1,087,471,862
1983 $231,130,268,199 $995,104,305
1982 $205,480,916,031 $1,295,361,886
1981 $196,218,253,968 $1,114,830,472
1980 $191,487,500,000 $1,100,685,845
1979 $178,573,913,043 $1,109,374,911
1978 $149,788,617,886 $960,728,339
1977 $175,226,595,860 $691,777,584
1976 $154,196,810,059 $594,895,942
1975 $163,687,619,736 $679,336,344
1974 $144,418,433,058 $648,590,643
1973 $138,764,340,892 $575,230,724
1972 $113,871,930,714 $465,381,340
1971 $99,959,013,880 $419,549,305
1970 $92,752,930,873 $434,410,974
1969 $79,847,786,729 $408,690,163
1968 $70,980,323,819 $329,859,732
1967 $73,011,350,596 $348,795,303
1966 $76,854,053,259 $375,479,850
1965 $70,565,994,356 $359,379,856
1964 $59,821,862,703 $371,847,461
1963 $50,812,227,919 $348,547,279
1962 $47,310,737,754 $342,721,416
1961 $50,162,299,350 $327,834,191
1960 $59,846,235,025 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Sierra Leone by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $846 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $807 $3,522
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $758 $3,368
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $860 $3,144
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $885 $2,849
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $845 $2,719
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $844 $2,704
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $846 $2,640
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $779 $2,501
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $844 $2,635
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $965 $2,560
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $938 $2,317
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $761 $2,043
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $685 $1,900
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $653 $1,814
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $705 $1,824
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $632 $1,770
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $580 $1,698
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $463 $1,615
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $418 $1,541
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $414 $1,458
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $389 $1,360
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $358 $1,121
2000 $969 $2,964 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $881 $2,690 $155 $1,167
1998 $835 $2,483 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $787 $2,297 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $713 $2,088 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $613 $1,884 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $476 $1,680 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $379 $1,471 $185 $1,269
1992 $368 $1,276 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $334 $1,105 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $319 $991 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $311 - $231.3 -
1988 $284 - $268.2 -
1987 $252.3 - $172.4 -
1986 $282.4 - $131.5 -
1985 $295 - $235.5 -
1984 $251.2 - $306 -
1983 $225.9 - $285.8 -
1982 $203.7 - $380 -
1981 $197.4 - $334 -
1980 $195.1 - $336 -
1979 $184.3 - $346 -
1978 $156.7 - $305 -
1977 $185.7 - $224.2 -
1976 $165.7 - $196.4 -
1975 $178.6 - $228.4 -
1974 $160.4 - $222.1 -
1973 $157.3 - $200.6 -
1972 $132.1 - $165.4 -
1971 $118.8 - $151.8 -
1970 $113.3 - $160.2 -
1969 $100.3 - $153.6 -
1968 $91.6 - $126.3 -
1967 $96.8 - $136.1 -
1966 $104.5 - $149.3 -
1965 $98.7 - $145.6 -
1964 $85.7 - $153.4 -
1963 $74.5 - $146.3 -
1962 $71.1 - $146.3 -
1961 $76 - $142.3 -
1960 $89.7 - $142 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $846 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

China Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$7.46B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
4.61%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$846
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$3.38B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
45.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$383
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
173/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$1,418
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
16.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
7.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
16.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
1.65%
2018
Population
1403335670
9090531

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 16.5% 45.2%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 17.6% 46.7%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 15.4% 49.4%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 16.7% 54%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 32% 53.9% 15% 44.2%
2016 31.7% 50% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 31% 40.8% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 25.2% 34% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 18% 25.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 17.6% 26% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 18% 26.4% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 12% 113.5%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 10.3% -
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.23B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 45.2% in Sierra Leone, ranking 26/185 and 115/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Sierra Leone
2025 -7.87% -4.2%
2024 -7.11% -5.16%
2023 -6.71% -4.99%
2022 -7.32% -5.93%
2021 -5.9% -4.35%
2020 -9.56% -3.5%
2019 -6% -1.95%
2018 -4.2% -3.57%
2017 -3.34% -5.61%
2016 -3.33% -5.41%
2015 -2.5% -2.86%
2014 -0.67% -2.77%
2013 -0.82% -1.74%
2012 -0.3% -3.41%
2011 -0.1% -2.78%
2010 -0.36% -3.09%
2009 -1.72% -1.51%
2008 -0.02% -2.22%
2007 0.06% 12.6%
2006 -1.13% -0.93%
2005 -1.38% -1.17%
2004 -1.49% -1.46%
2003 -2.36% -2.78%
2002 -2.84% -3.03%
2001 -2.56% -3.22%
2000 -2.81% -1.94%
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $313M, or 4.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.58% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Sierra Leone
2025 0% 7.6%
2024 0.2% 28.4%
2023 0.2% 47.7%
2022 2% 27.2%
2021 0.9% 11.9%
2020 2.5% 13.4%
2019 2.9% 14.8%
2018 2.1% 16%
2017 1.6% 18.2%
2016 2% 10.9%
2015 1.4% 6.7%
2014 2% 4.6%
2013 2.6% 5.5%
2012 2.6% 6.6%
2011 5.4% 6.8%
2010 3.3% 7.2%
2009 -0.7% 7.5%
2008 5.8% 8.2%
2007 4.8% 17%
2006 1.5% 10.5%
2005 1.8% 13.7%
2004 3.9% 12.9%
2003 1.2% 4%
2002 -0.8% 0.1%
2001 0.7% 2.6%
2000 0.4% -0.9%
1999 -1.4% 34.1%
1998 -0.8% 36%
1997 2.8% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 13.6% in Sierra Leone. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 7.6% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $421M
Textiles & consumer goods $169M
Metals $131M
Chemicals & pharma $92.5M
Raw materials & minerals $46.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30.2M
Raw agricultural goods $20.3M
Miscellaneous $18.5M
Wood & paper products $8.46M
Animal & marine products $1.74M
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $20.3M
Raw materials & minerals $12.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.26M
Animal & marine products $1.68M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $327K
Metals $108K
Machinery & equipment $19K

Balance of trade

China Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$984M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$2.4B
2024
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$1.55B
2024
Service imports
$623B
2025
$514M
2024
Service exports
$385B
2025
$49.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
20.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

China Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 48.3 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 165/197
Property rights 40.9 32.9
Government integrity 42.3 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 42
Tax burden 69.3 88.2
Government spending 67.8 92.4
Fiscal health 4.4 54.1
Business freedom 68.7 44.8
Labor freedom 57.9 38.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 53.6
Trade freedom 73.4 63.6
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Sierra Leone
2026 48.3 49.6
2025 49 48
2024 48.5 44.6
2023 48.3 50.2
2022 48 52
2021 58.4 51.7
2020 59.5 48
2019 58.4 47.5
2018 57.8 51.8
2017 57.4 52.6
2016 52 52.3
2015 52.7 51.7
2014 52.5 50.5
2013 51.9 48.3
2012 51.2 49.1
2011 52 49.6
2010 51 47.9
2009 53.2 47.8
2008 53.1 48.3
2007 52 47
2006 53.6 45.2
2005 53.7 44.8
2004 52.5 43.6
2003 52.6 42.2
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 44.2
1999 54.8 47.2
1998 53.1 47.7
1997 51.7 45
1996 51.3 52.3
1995 52 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
41.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
25.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
29.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$7.34B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$3,690
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
161/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$122M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
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/china/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.