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Economy of China vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 2/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

China vs Sudan GDP by year

China
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Sudan
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $49,672,435,513
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $39,898,289,821
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $51,666,875,363
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $34,229,513,775
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $27,034,593,750
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $32,338,079,165
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $32,333,780,383
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $41,283,617,976
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $42,630,376,000
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $51,726,758,677
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $49,516,748,618
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $43,024,018,082
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $37,632,919,967
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $55,018,567,211
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $58,962,978,034
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $51,621,044,077
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $64,833,083,257
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $59,440,139,775
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $45,263,831,634
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $35,182,711,988
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $26,646,007,251
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $21,355,298,460
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $18,137,128,388
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $15,716,361,792
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $12,257,299,147
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $10,682,028,340
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $11,250,221,537
1997 $967,753,570,435 $11,681,175,864
1996 $868,523,936,530 $9,018,300,725
1995 $738,190,896,228 $13,830,363,900
1994 $566,929,539,493 $12,793,794,737
1993 $446,557,291,212 $8,881,005,436
1992 $428,502,354,788 $7,031,933,492
1991 $384,510,452,962 $44,171,194,366
1990 $361,560,229,446 $33,641,222,222
1989 $348,380,566,802 $21,408,111,111
1988 $312,888,888,889 $14,372,555,556
1987 $273,455,156,951 $12,093,333,333
1986 $301,310,144,928 $10,092,200,000
1985 $310,064,625,850 $8,075,259,600
1984 $260,442,857,143 $10,447,615,385
1983 $231,130,268,199 $8,230,153,846
1982 $205,480,916,031 $8,732,542,274
1981 $196,218,253,968 $10,753,888,154
1980 $191,487,500,000 $8,951,800,000
1979 $178,573,913,043 $8,418,407,787
1978 $149,788,617,886 $8,128,719,315
1977 $175,226,595,860 $7,499,005,639
1976 $154,196,810,059 $6,013,210,816
1975 $163,687,619,736 $4,823,090,192
1974 $144,418,433,058 $3,958,931,660
1973 $138,764,340,892 $3,077,254,460
1972 $113,871,930,714 $2,483,055,722
1971 $99,959,013,880 $2,288,340,041
1970 $92,752,930,873 $2,100,229,759
1969 $79,847,786,729 $1,847,501,441
1968 $70,980,323,819 $1,677,771,401
1967 $73,011,350,596 $1,607,409,539
1966 $76,854,053,259 $1,484,491,676
1965 $70,565,994,356 $1,446,869,619
1964 $59,821,862,703 $1,388,282,600
1963 $50,812,227,919 $1,351,234,926
1962 $47,310,737,754 $1,328,259,625
1961 $50,162,299,350 $1,222,860,429
1960 $59,846,235,025 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Sudan by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $985 $2,116
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $797 $2,421
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $712 $3,249
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $578 $3,349
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $710 $3,914
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $731 $4,199
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $967 $4,252
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $872 $3,215
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $714 $3,058
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $621 $2,898
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $551 $2,769
2000 $969 $2,964 $441 $2,616
1999 $881 $2,690 $394 $2,475
1998 $835 $2,483 $425 $2,428
1997 $787 $2,297 $453 $2,358
1996 $713 $2,088 $357 $2,006
1995 $613 $1,884 $561 $1,902
1994 $476 $1,680 $532 $1,805
1993 $379 $1,471 $379 $1,794
1992 $368 $1,276 $307 $1,710
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $319 $991 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $311 - $992 -
1988 $284 - $680 -
1987 $252.3 - $584 -
1986 $282.4 - $497 -
1985 $295 - $406 -
1984 $251.2 - $534 -
1983 $225.9 - $431 -
1982 $203.7 - $472 -
1981 $197.4 - $605 -
1980 $195.1 - $525 -
1979 $184.3 - $515 -
1978 $156.7 - $518 -
1977 $185.7 - $497 -
1976 $165.7 - $413 -
1975 $178.6 - $343 -
1974 $160.4 - $291.5 -
1973 $157.3 - $235.8 -
1972 $132.1 - $198.2 -
1971 $118.8 - $189 -
1970 $113.3 - $179.6 -
1969 $100.3 - $163.5 -
1968 $91.6 - $153.7 -
1967 $96.8 - $152.4 -
1966 $104.5 - $145.6 -
1965 $98.7 - $146.8 -
1964 $85.7 - $145.7 -
1963 $74.5 - $146.6 -
1962 $71.1 - $148.9 -
1961 $76 - $141.6 -
1960 $89.7 - $134.7 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

China Sudan
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
7.53%
2022
Population
1402578808
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 32.7% 82% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 34.8% 69% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 32% 53.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 31% 40.8% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 25.2% 34% 18.8% 71%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 18% 25.9% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 17.6% 26% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 18% 26.4% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 11% 21.2% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 12.9% 239%
1994 12.4% - 19.6% 386%
1993 13.4% - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 14.6% - 50.4% 495%
1991 16.5% - 45.7% -
1990 18.2% - 31% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 34/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Sudan
2024 -7.34% -3.46%
2023 -6.71% -3.7%
2022 -7.32% -2.15%
2021 -5.9% -0.29%
2020 -9.56% -6.03%
2019 -6% -10.8%
2018 -4.2% -7.92%
2017 -3.34% -6.07%
2016 -3.33% -3.92%
2015 -2.5% -3.87%
2014 -0.67% -4.72%
2013 -0.82% -5.76%
2012 -0.3% -7.37%
2011 -0.1% -2.33%
2010 -0.36% 0.11%
2009 -1.72% -3.8%
2008 -0.02% 0.49%
2007 0.06% -2.84%
2006 -1.13% -1.32%
2005 -1.38% -1.88%
2004 -1.49% 0.16%
2003 -2.36% 0.77%
2002 -2.84% -0.69%
2001 -2.56% -0.77%
2000 -2.81% -0.7%
1999 -2.3% -0.8%
1998 -1.08% -0.56%
1997 -0.73% -0.59%
1996 -0.73% -2.61%
1995 -0.94% -3.48%
1994 -1.68% -3.03%
1993 -0.89% -8.04%
1992 -1.22% -24.5%
1991 -1.04% -26.5%
1990 -0.72% -16.2%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Sudan
2024 0.2% -
2023 0.2% -
2022 2% 138.8%
2021 0.9% 359%
2020 2.5% 163.3%
2019 2.9% 51%
2018 2.1% 63.3%
2017 1.6% 32.4%
2016 2% 17.8%
2015 1.5% 16.9%
2014 2% 36.9%
2013 2.7% 36.5%
2012 2.6% 35.6%
2011 5.4% 18.1%
2010 3.3% 13%
2009 -0.7% 11.3%
2008 5.9% 14.3%
2007 4.7% 14.8%
2006 1.5% 7.2%
2005 1.8% 8.51%
2004 3.9% 9.66%
2003 1.1% 6.49%
2002 -0.8% 22.2%
2001 0.7% 1.94%
2000 0.4% 7.12%
1999 -1.4% 17.2%
1998 -0.8% 24.6%
1997 2.8% 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/china/sudan | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 0.2% in China and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $337M
Textiles & consumer goods $216M
Metals $106M
Chemicals & pharma $55.7M
Raw materials & minerals $42.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30.8M
Wood & paper products $15.7M
Miscellaneous $15.4M
Raw agricultural goods $13.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.54M
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $432M
Raw agricultural goods $223M
Textiles & consumer goods $46.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $30.4M
Animal & marine products $1.93M
Chemicals & pharma $1.53M
Wood & paper products $1.18M
Metals $21K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

China Sudan
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$613B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$384B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Sudan
Economic freedom 48.3 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 191/197
Property rights 40.9 6.5
Government integrity 42.3 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 2.4
Tax burden 69.3 84.7
Government spending 67.8 96.5
Fiscal health 4.4 64.6
Business freedom 68.7 27.3
Labor freedom 57.9 33.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 6.2
Trade freedom 73.4 29.6
Investment freedom 20 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Sudan
2026 48.3 32.5
2025 49 35.3
2024 48.5 33.9
2023 48.3 32.8
2022 48 32
2021 58.4 39.1
2020 59.5 45
2019 58.4 47.7
2018 57.8 49.4
2017 57.4 48.8
2016 52 -
2015 52.7 -
2014 52.5 -
2013 51.9 -
2012 51.2 -
2011 52 -
2010 51 -
2009 53.2 -
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 47.2
1999 54.8 39.6
1998 53.1 38.3
1997 51.7 39.9
1996 51.3 39.2
1995 52 39.4

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

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

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

China Sudan
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
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/china/sudan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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)
  9. 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.