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Economy of East Timor vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 181/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

East Timor vs South Sudan GDP by year

East Timor
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor South Sudan
2024 $1,865,608,515 -
2023 $2,079,767,170 -
2022 $3,208,599,889 -
2021 $3,625,024,341 -
2020 $2,162,619,241 -
2019 $2,032,550,389 -
2018 $1,555,988,614 -
2017 $1,584,878,440 -
2016 $1,640,464,612 -
2015 $1,590,282,371 $11,997,800,760
2014 $1,447,535,183 $13,962,212,847
2013 $1,395,727,421 $18,426,469,017
2012 $1,160,555,040 $11,931,472,169
2011 $1,042,534,598 $14,907,308,933
2010 $881,909,347 $14,602,072,411
2009 $726,937,836 $12,231,264,525
2008 $648,523,571 $14,586,253,383
2007 $542,795,447 -
2006 $453,792,415 -
2005 $462,267,954 -
2004 $440,771,962 -
2003 $490,439,116 -
2002 $469,455,491 -
2001 $477,359,253 -
2000 $366,924,277 -
1999 $225,357,600 -
1998 $325,729,800 -
1997 $319,972,700 -
1996 $306,956,900 -
1995 $262,819,900 -
1994 $239,040,500 -
1993 $216,914,400 -
1992 $187,891,500 -
1991 $147,713,000 -
1990 $128,210,142 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs South Sudan by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 - -
2023 $1,502 $4,807 - -
2022 $2,343 $5,730 - -
2021 $2,685 $6,825 - -
2020 $1,631 $6,132 - -
2019 $1,562 $4,557 - -
2018 $1,219 $3,561 - -
2017 $1,266 $3,463 - -
2016 $1,336 $3,391 - -
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $939 $2,066 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $813 $1,955 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $687 $1,810 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $628 $1,675 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $540 $1,516 - -
2006 $465 $1,377 - -
2005 $487 $1,435 - -
2004 $474 $1,379 - -
2003 $535 $1,355 - -
2002 $534 $1,417 - -
2001 $588 $1,619 - -
2000 $492 $1,483 - -
1999 $270 $819 - -
1998 $346 $1,108 - -
1997 $349 $1,149 - -
1996 $344 $1,116 - -
1995 $303 $1,043 - -
1994 $283.1 $985 - -
1993 $264.1 $925 - -
1992 $235.1 $843 - -
1991 $189.8 $766 - -
1990 $168.6 $685 - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/south-sudan | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

East Timor South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
181/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$249M
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$1,305
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
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
1.54%
2022
12.3%
2008
Population
1441764
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 34.1% 49%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 97% 178.3%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 34% 58.6%
2014 111% 1.52% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 133.3% 0% 20.8% -
2010 121.3% 0% - -
2009 121.8% 0% - -
2008 122.4% 0% - -
2007 75.8% 0% - -
2006 59.8% 0% - -
2005 58.3% 0% - -
2004 74.2% 0% - -
2003 80.1% 0% - -
2002 93.5% 0% - -
2001 95.7% 0% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 178/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor South Sudan
2024 -43.5% 11.7%
2023 -34.7% 8.04%
2022 -29.5% 4.48%
2021 -20.1% -9.3%
2020 -18.9% -5.5%
2019 -25.4% 0.04%
2018 -26.9% -1.06%
2017 -33.8% 9.56%
2016 -55.7% -19.8%
2015 -33.2% -16.4%
2014 -37.5% -9.07%
2013 -14.4% -3.45%
2012 -38.7% -14.8%
2011 -25.4% 4.57%
2010 -19.8% -
2009 -17.2% -
2008 -18.6% -
2007 -29.9% -
2006 41% -
2005 -10.5% -
2004 -7.48% -
2003 -8.24% -
2002 -7.64% -
2001 3.24% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $528M, equivalent to 33.2% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 29.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor South Sudan
2024 2.1% 91.4%
2023 8.4% 2.38%
2022 7% -6.69%
2021 3.8% 10.5%
2020 0.5% 29.7%
2019 0.9% 87.2%
2018 2.3% 83.5%
2017 0.5% 187.9%
2016 -1.5% 380%
2015 0.6% 52.8%
2014 0.8% 1.67%
2013 9.5% -0.06%
2012 10.9% 45.5%
2011 13.2% 46.9%
2010 5.2% 1.17%
2009 -0.2% 5.01%
2008 7.4% -
2007 8.6% -
2006 5.2% -
2005 1.6% -
2004 2.2% -
2003 8% -
2002 4.1% -
2001 3.6% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

East Timor South Sudan
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$432M
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
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.

East Timor South Sudan
Economic freedom 47.9 41
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 186/197
Property rights 43.5 n/a
Government integrity 43.9 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 n/a
Tax burden 97.1 n/a
Government spending 0 n/a
Fiscal health 19.6 n/a
Business freedom 62.7 n/a
Labor freedom 56.5 n/a
Monetary freedom 72.2 n/a
Trade freedom 79.8 n/a
Investment freedom 45 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

East Timor South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
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/east-timor/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. 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.