Skip to content

Economy of Djibouti vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 165/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Djibouti vs South Sudan GDP by year

Djibouti
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti South Sudan
2024 $4,152,145,940 -
2023 $3,898,447,007 -
2022 $3,562,814,909 -
2021 $3,392,796,953 -
2020 $3,144,136,197 -
2019 $3,088,851,450 -
2018 $2,913,464,658 -
2017 $2,762,581,334 -
2016 $2,604,955,229 -
2015 $2,424,391,785 $11,997,800,760
2014 $2,220,637,966 $13,962,212,847
2013 $2,044,440,443 $18,426,469,017
2012 $1,353,632,942 $11,931,472,169
2011 $1,239,144,502 $14,907,308,933
2010 $1,128,611,700 $14,602,072,411
2009 $1,049,110,685 $12,231,264,525
2008 $999,105,339 $14,586,253,383
2007 $847,918,929 -
2006 $768,873,684 -
2005 $708,633,195 -
2004 $666,072,102 -
2003 $622,044,666 -
2002 $591,122,040 -
2001 $572,417,441 -
2000 $551,230,862 -
1999 $536,080,148 -
1998 $514,267,869 -
1997 $502,675,542 -
1996 $494,004,648 -
1995 $497,723,961 -
1994 $491,689,221 -
1993 $466,048,469 -
1992 $478,058,305 -
1991 $462,421,999 -
1990 $452,328,087 -
1989 $409,220,087 -
1988 $395,794,539 -
1987 $373,371,738 -
1986 - -
1985 $340,989,528 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs South Sudan by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 - -
2023 $3,381 $7,226 - -
2022 $3,133 $6,621 - -
2021 $3,026 $5,960 - -
2020 $2,845 $5,527 - -
2019 $2,837 $5,398 - -
2018 $2,718 $5,083 - -
2017 $2,619 $4,677 - -
2016 $2,510 $4,432 - -
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $1,400 - $1,109 $1,417
2011 $1,306 - $1,449 $2,718
2010 $1,213 - $1,498 $2,948
2009 $1,151 - $1,323 $2,911
2008 $1,119 - $1,654 $2,887
2007 $970 - - -
2006 $898 - - -
2005 $844 - - -
2004 $806 - - -
2003 $765 - - -
2002 $743 - - -
2001 $742 - - -
2000 $738 - - -
1999 $740 - - -
1998 $735 - - -
1997 $748 - - -
1996 $762 - - -
1995 $786 - - -
1994 $785 - - -
1993 $759 - - -
1992 $764 - - -
1991 $733 - - -
1990 $780 - - -
1989 $782 - - -
1988 $817 - - -
1987 $822 - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 $847 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/south-sudan | CC BY

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Djibouti South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
165/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
2026
$1,305
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
12.3%
2008
Population
1203929
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 21% 38.3% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 34.1% 49%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 23.9% 48% 97% 178.3%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 42% 40.3% 34% 58.6%
2014 29% 26.9% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 26.5% 25% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 20.8% -
2010 26.6% 27.9% - -
2009 31% 29.5% - -
2008 28.8% 59.3% - -
2007 26.6% 56.6% - -
2006 23.8% 58.3% - -
2005 26.2% 60.3% - -
2004 26.7% 65.3% - -
2003 25.8% 66.3% - -
2002 23.4% 63.7% - -
2001 21% 58.1% - -
2000 23.2% 58.1% - -
1999 23.5% 58.5% - -
1998 24% 55.2% - -
1997 25% 56% - -
1996 23.7% 53.1% - -
1995 27% 50.9% - -
1994 30.9% - - -
1993 35.3% - - -
1992 34.9% - - -
1991 27.7% - - -
1990 30.2% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 149/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti South Sudan
2024 -2.6% 11.7%
2023 -3.46% 8.04%
2022 -1.48% 4.48%
2021 -3.05% -9.3%
2020 -2.58% -5.5%
2019 -0.98% 0.04%
2018 -1.98% -1.06%
2017 -0.21% 9.56%
2016 -0.76% -19.8%
2015 -15.5% -16.4%
2014 -6.92% -9.07%
2013 -0.34% -3.45%
2012 -2.04% -14.8%
2011 -1.18% 4.57%
2010 -1.04% -
2009 -3.88% -
2008 0.62% -
2007 -1.88% -
2006 0.26% -
2005 -1.18% -
2004 -3.67% -
2003 -4.13% -
2002 -4.56% -
2001 -3.61% -
2000 -3.97% -
1999 -5.2% -
1998 -3.59% -
1997 -2.86% -
1996 -1.77% -
1995 -5.13% -
1994 -4.97% -
1993 -7.1% -
1992 -6.13% -
1991 -0.86% -
1990 -3.25% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $377M, equivalent to 15.5% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 5.21% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti South Sudan
2024 2.1% 91.4%
2023 1.4% 2.38%
2022 5.2% -6.69%
2021 1.2% 10.5%
2020 1.8% 29.7%
2019 3.3% 87.2%
2018 0.1% 83.5%
2017 0.6% 187.9%
2016 2.4% 380%
2015 -0.5% 52.8%
2014 1.3% 1.67%
2013 1.1% -0.06%
2012 4.2% 45.5%
2011 5.2% 46.9%
2010 2.5% 1.17%
2009 5.6% 5.01%
2008 8.7% -
2007 5.9% -
2006 3.5% -
2005 3.3% -
2004 2.4% -
2003 1.6% -
2002 1.4% -
2001 1.9% -
2000 1.2% -
1999 -0.4% -
1998 2.2% -
1997 2.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.34%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $625K
Machinery & equipment $462K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $28K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
South Sudan
Export category Export value
Metals $5K

Balance of trade

Djibouti South Sudan
Current account balance
$610M
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$730M
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Djibouti South Sudan
Economic freedom 56.3 41
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 186/197
Property rights 30.4 n/a
Government integrity 27.9 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 n/a
Tax burden 83.5 n/a
Government spending 86.7 n/a
Fiscal health 87.7 n/a
Business freedom 52.9 n/a
Labor freedom 57.5 n/a
Monetary freedom 70.6 n/a
Trade freedom 49.8 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Djibouti South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/djibouti/south-sudan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.