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Economy of Colombia vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Colombia has a GDP of $419B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 39/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Colombia has $256B in government debt (61.2% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Colombia vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Colombia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Colombia Sierra Leone
2024 $418,818,154,879 $6,971,127,235
2023 $366,291,836,138 $6,415,852,767
2022 $345,632,492,851 $7,121,125,278
2021 $318,524,633,225 $7,166,931,485
2020 $270,348,342,541 $6,688,307,703
2019 $323,031,701,193 $6,523,577,594
2018 $334,198,218,098 $6,390,514,689
2017 $311,866,875,157 $5,749,846,528
2016 $282,720,100,286 $6,084,297,211
2015 $293,492,370,193 $6,788,352,975
2014 $381,240,864,422 $7,686,138,791
2013 $382,093,697,078 $7,502,762,863
2012 $370,691,143,018 $6,141,666,509
2011 $334,966,134,805 $4,861,632,885
2010 $286,498,534,095 $4,262,805,967
2009 $232,468,663,110 $3,953,403,098
2008 $242,504,150,473 $4,157,895,298
2007 $206,229,540,926 $3,632,957,611
2006 $161,792,958,905 $3,263,697,467
2005 $145,600,529,606 $2,545,275,313
2004 $117,092,416,666 $2,237,350,687
2003 $94,644,969,157 $2,142,618,046
2002 $97,945,812,803 $1,933,863,911
2001 $98,200,641,203 $1,681,473,894
2000 $99,875,074,951 $635,866,404
1999 $86,186,158,685 $669,386,624
1998 $98,443,739,941 $672,368,187
1997 $106,659,508,271 $850,232,760
1996 $97,160,109,278 $941,709,423
1995 $92,507,279,383 $870,740,292
1994 $81,703,500,846 $911,853,802
1993 $66,446,804,803 $768,867,883
1992 $58,418,985,443 $679,940,814
1991 $49,175,565,911 $779,981,987
1990 $47,844,090,710 $649,644,098
1989 $39,540,080,200 $932,974,420
1988 $39,212,550,050 $1,055,083,933
1987 $36,373,307,085 $660,106,336
1986 $34,942,489,684 $490,181,457
1985 $34,894,411,352 $856,890,459
1984 $38,253,120,738 $1,087,471,862
1983 $38,729,822,782 $995,104,305
1982 $38,968,039,722 $1,295,361,886
1981 $36,388,366,869 $1,114,830,472
1980 $33,400,735,644 $1,100,685,845
1979 $27,940,411,250 $1,109,374,911
1978 $23,263,511,958 $960,728,339
1977 $19,470,960,619 $691,777,584
1976 $15,341,403,660 $594,895,942
1975 $13,098,633,902 $679,336,344
1974 $12,370,029,584 $648,590,643
1973 $10,315,760,000 $575,230,724
1972 $8,671,358,733 $465,381,340
1971 $7,820,380,971 $419,549,305
1970 $7,198,360,460 $434,410,974
1969 $6,450,175,214 $408,690,163
1968 $5,960,212,869 $329,859,732
1967 $5,825,170,438 $348,795,303
1966 $5,428,518,519 $375,479,850
1965 $5,760,761,905 $359,379,856
1964 $5,973,366,667 $371,847,461
1963 $4,836,166,667 $348,547,279
1962 $4,955,543,963 $342,721,416
1961 $4,540,447,761 $327,834,191
1960 $4,031,152,977 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Colombia vs Sierra Leone by year

Colombia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Colombia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,919 $22,349 $807 $3,522
2023 $7,001 $21,246 $758 $3,368
2022 $6,680 $20,854 $860 $3,144
2021 $6,223 $17,383 $885 $2,849
2020 $5,340 $15,519 $845 $2,719
2019 $6,473 $16,182 $844 $2,704
2018 $6,817 $15,239 $846 $2,640
2017 $6,480 $14,401 $779 $2,501
2016 $5,960 $14,027 $844 $2,635
2015 $6,249 $13,332 $965 $2,560
2014 $8,187 $13,355 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $8,279 $12,780 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $8,109 $12,093 $938 $2,317
2011 $7,401 $11,707 $761 $2,043
2010 $6,398 $10,841 $685 $1,900
2009 $5,251 $10,367 $653 $1,814
2008 $5,542 $10,307 $705 $1,824
2007 $4,770 $9,909 $632 $1,770
2006 $3,790 $9,154 $580 $1,698
2005 $3,456 $8,432 $463 $1,615
2004 $2,819 $7,909 $418 $1,541
2003 $2,312 $7,420 $414 $1,458
2002 $2,429 $7,109 $389 $1,360
2001 $2,473 $6,935 $358 $1,121
2000 $2,555 $6,776 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $2,241 $6,544 $155 $1,167
1998 $2,605 $6,854 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $2,873 $6,861 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $2,665 $6,639 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $2,584 $6,506 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $2,326 $6,174 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $1,929 $5,826 $185 $1,269
1992 $1,730 $5,509 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $1,486 $5,281 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $1,475 $5,109 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $1,244 - $231.3 -
1988 $1,260 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,193 - $172.4 -
1986 $1,169 - $131.5 -
1985 $1,192 - $235.5 -
1984 $1,336 - $306 -
1983 $1,384 - $285.8 -
1982 $1,425 - $380 -
1981 $1,362 - $334 -
1980 $1,280 - $336 -
1979 $1,095 - $346 -
1978 $932 - $305 -
1977 $798 - $224.2 -
1976 $643 - $196.4 -
1975 $561 - $228.4 -
1974 $542 - $222.1 -
1973 $462 - $200.6 -
1972 $397 - $165.4 -
1971 $367 - $151.8 -
1970 $346 - $160.2 -
1969 $318 - $153.6 -
1968 $302 - $126.3 -
1967 $303 - $136.1 -
1966 $290.3 - $149.3 -
1965 $317 - $145.6 -
1964 $339 - $153.4 -
1963 $282.6 - $146.3 -
1962 $298.5 - $146.3 -
1961 $282.1 - $142.3 -
1960 $258.3 - $142 -

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

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

Colombia's GDP per capita is $7,919, ranking 94/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Colombia ranks 87th at $22,349, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Colombia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$419B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
39/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
1.6%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,919
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
94/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$22,349
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
87/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$256B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
61.2%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,849
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
82/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,722
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$72.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
4
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
42.7%
2023
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.1%
2023
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
34.6%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
6.61%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
9.62%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
54105437
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Colombia
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Colombia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 34.6% 61.2% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 35.1% 55.5% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 34.1% 61.3% 16.7% 54%
2021 34.5% 64.4% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 33.7% 65.3% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 32.9% 51% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 34.7% 51.8% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 29.3% 49.4% 15% 44.2%
2016 30% 49.9% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 31.3% 50.4% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 31.3% 43.3% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 30% 37.6% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 29.1% 34% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 30.2% 35.8% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 30.4% 36.5% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 30.9% 35.4% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 28.4% 32.4% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 28.2% 32.7% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 28.4% 36% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 25.9% 38.5% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 26.6% 41.5% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 28% 45% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 28.1% 47.5% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 27.5% 41.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 26.6% 38% 10.3% -
1999 28.2% 34% - -
1998 26.3% 27.4% - -
1997 26.2% 25.3% - -
1996 25.1% 23.3% - -
1995 22.2% 13.8% - -
1994 20.6% 12.5% - -
1993 20% 14.2% - -
1992 18.4% 16.1% - -
1991 17.7% 14.5% - -
1990 17.4% 16.7% - -
1989 10.3% 17.3% - -
1988 10.3% 17.9% - -
1987 9.7% 18.9% - -
1986 9.8% 20.2% - -
1985 10.5% 19.3% - -
1984 10.3% 15.5% - -
1983 10.2% 10.8% - -
1982 10.6% 8.8% - -
1981 9.9% 8.5% - -
1980 9.6% 8% - -
1979 8.6% 7.7% - -
1978 8.1% 7.6% - -
1977 7.7% 9.2% - -
1976 8% 12.2% - -
1975 9.4% 14.6% - -
1974 8.8% 15.9% - -
1973 9.4% 16.3% - -
1972 10.3% 16.9% - -
1971 10.3% 16.2% - -
1970 10% 16.7% - -
1969 9.2% 17% - -
1968 8.9% 16.2% - -
1967 8.2% 15.8% - -
1966 8% 15.3% - -
1965 7% 15.2% - -
1964 8.1% 13.1% - -
1963 8.6% 13.9% - -
1962 7.8% 14.8% - -
1961 8.6% 8.7% - -
1960 6.7% 7.2% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government spending was $145B, accounting for 34.6% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 61.2% in Colombia and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 75/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Colombia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Colombia Sierra Leone
2024 -6.25% -4.53%
2023 -2.92% -4.99%
2022 -6.34% -5.93%
2021 -7.26% -4.35%
2020 -7.12% -3.5%
2019 -3.48% -1.95%
2018 -4.67% -3.57%
2017 -2.5% -5.61%
2016 -2.27% -5.41%
2015 -3.52% -2.86%
2014 -1.74% -2.77%
2013 -1.02% -1.74%
2012 0.15% -3.41%
2011 -1.99% -2.78%
2010 -3.3% -3.09%
2009 -2.67% -1.51%
2008 0.04% -2.22%
2007 -0.82% 12.6%
2006 -0.99% -0.93%
2005 -0.02% -1.17%
2004 -1.31% -1.46%
2003 -2.7% -2.78%
2002 -3.45% -3.03%
2001 -2.71% -3.22%
2000 -2.94% -1.94%
1999 -5.37% -
1998 -3.86% -
1997 -3.23% -
1996 -2.49% -
1995 -1% -
1994 -0.14% -
1993 -0.24% -
1992 -0.07% -
1991 0.35% -
1990 -0.41% -
1989 -1.4% -
1988 -1.3% -
1987 -0.4% -
1986 -1.4% -
1985 -2.4% -
1984 -3.3% -
1983 -3.1% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.8% -
1980 -2.2% -
1979 -0.7% -
1978 0.3% -
1977 0.5% -
1976 0.6% -
1975 -0.5% -
1974 -1.2% -
1973 -1.1% -
1972 -1.7% -
1971 -1% -
1970 -0.7% -
1969 -0.5% -
1968 0% -
1967 -0.2% -
1966 0.1% -
1965 -0.6% -
1964 -1.1% -
1963 -1.7% -
1962 -1.6% -
1961 -1.5% -
1960 1.2% -
1959 2% -
1958 1.7% -
1957 1.4% -
1956 -0.2% -
1955 0.7% -
1954 1.3% -
1953 1.3% -
1952 1.6% -
1951 2.1% -
1950 0.9% -
1949 0.5% -
1948 -0.1% -
1947 0.2% -
1946 -0.5% -
1945 0.1% -
1944 -0.2% -
1943 -0.7% -
1942 -1.5% -
1941 0% -
1940 -1.5% -
1939 0.8% -
1938 0.5% -
1937 1.4% -
1936 1.1% -
1935 1.3% -
1934 0.2% -
1933 -0.4% -
1932 -0.8% -
1931 -0.2% -
1930 0.3% -
1929 0.4% -
1928 -0.4% -
1927 -0.6% -
1926 0% -
1925 1% -
1924 0.5% -
1923 0.3% -
1922 -0.7% -
1921 -1.6% -
1920 0.4% -
1919 -0.8% -
1918 -2.1% -
1917 -0.5% -
1916 0.2% -
1915 -0.2% -
1914 -0.5% -
1913 0.5% -
1912 -0.3% -
1911 -0.1% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -3.3% -
1908 -2.7% -
1907 -2.7% -
1906 0.2% -
1905 -0.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Colombia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $26.2B, equivalent to 6.25% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Colombia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Colombia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Colombia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Colombia Sierra Leone
2024 6.61% 28.4%
2023 11.7% 47.7%
2022 10.2% 27.2%
2021 3.5% 11.9%
2020 2.53% 13.4%
2019 3.52% 14.8%
2018 3.24% 16%
2017 4.31% 18.2%
2016 7.51% 10.9%
2015 4.99% 6.7%
2014 2.9% 4.6%
2013 2.02% 5.5%
2012 3.17% 6.6%
2011 3.42% 6.8%
2010 2.27% 7.2%
2009 4.2% 7.5%
2008 7% 8.2%
2007 5.54% 17%
2006 4.29% 10.5%
2005 5.05% 13.7%
2004 5.9% 12.9%
2003 7.13% 4%
2002 6.35% 0.1%
2001 7.97% 2.6%
2000 9.23% -0.9%
1999 10.9% 34.1%
1998 18.7% 36%
1997 18.5% 14.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Colombia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.52%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 6.61% in Colombia and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Colombia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $566K
Animal & marine products $65K
Machinery & equipment $39K
Miscellaneous $3K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Colombia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$6.88B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
172/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.64%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$60.2B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$51.1B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$18.5B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$18.1B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.1%
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.

Colombia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 59.8 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 101/197 165/197
Property rights 43.1 32.9
Government integrity 41.6 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 57.4 42
Tax burden 68.6 88.2
Government spending 64 92.4
Fiscal health 49.8 54.1
Business freedom 71.2 44.8
Labor freedom 59.1 38.2
Monetary freedom 71.9 53.6
Trade freedom 71.4 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Colombia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Colombia Sierra Leone
2026 59.8 49.6
2025 59.8 48
2024 59.2 44.6
2023 63.1 50.2
2022 65.1 52
2021 68.1 51.7
2020 69.2 48
2019 67.3 47.5
2018 68.9 51.8
2017 69.7 52.6
2016 70.8 52.3
2015 71.7 51.7
2014 70.7 50.5
2013 69.6 48.3
2012 68 49.1
2011 68 49.6
2010 65.5 47.9
2009 62.3 47.8
2008 62.2 48.3
2007 59.9 47
2006 60.4 45.2
2005 59.6 44.8
2004 61.2 43.6
2003 64.2 42.2
2002 64.2 -
2001 65.6 -
2000 63.3 44.2
1999 65.3 47.2
1998 65.5 47.7
1997 66.4 45
1996 64.3 52.3
1995 64.5 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Colombia is 59.8, ranking 101/197, 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

Colombia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
58.1%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.28%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$372B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$21,890
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$61.9B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
38/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$9.17B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$13.7B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.51B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.25%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
31.8%
2024
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/colombia/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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1905–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.