Skip to content

Economy of Finland vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Finland has a GDP of $299B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 47/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Finland has $245B in government debt (82.1% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Finland vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Finland
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Finland Sierra Leone
2024 $298,696,961,298 $6,971,127,235
2023 $295,021,982,463 $6,415,852,767
2022 $280,253,099,309 $7,121,125,278
2021 $294,223,210,496 $7,166,931,485
2020 $270,000,311,606 $6,688,307,703
2019 $267,014,821,129 $6,523,577,594
2018 $273,869,255,596 $6,390,514,689
2017 $253,846,138,440 $5,749,846,528
2016 $238,777,818,793 $6,084,297,211
2015 $233,210,733,506 $6,788,352,975
2014 $273,478,528,955 $7,686,138,791
2013 $270,268,036,626 $7,502,762,863
2012 $257,443,384,493 $6,141,666,509
2011 $275,126,915,516 $4,861,632,885
2010 $249,429,613,683 $4,262,805,967
2009 $253,480,783,439 $3,953,403,098
2008 $285,698,662,071 $4,157,895,298
2007 $256,360,251,538 $3,632,957,611
2006 $217,044,068,234 $3,263,697,467
2005 $204,859,368,791 $2,545,275,313
2004 $197,458,297,640 $2,237,350,687
2003 $171,612,867,736 $2,142,618,046
2002 $140,360,963,812 $1,933,863,911
2001 $129,519,672,869 $1,681,473,894
2000 $125,967,821,111 $635,866,404
1999 $135,234,241,918 $669,386,624
1998 $133,990,876,725 $672,368,187
1997 $126,862,902,302 $850,232,760
1996 $131,991,975,149 $941,709,423
1995 $134,060,457,516 $870,740,292
1994 $103,182,697,780 $911,853,802
1993 $89,112,105,756 $768,867,883
1992 $112,537,828,511 $679,940,814
1991 $127,794,441,994 $779,981,987
1990 $141,446,120,355 $649,644,098
1989 $118,991,270,611 $932,974,420
1988 $109,039,090,263 $1,055,083,933
1987 $91,564,993,913 $660,106,336
1986 $73,511,611,541 $490,181,457
1985 $55,856,676,899 $856,890,459
1984 $52,870,993,273 $1,087,471,862
1983 $50,956,447,481 $995,104,305
1982 $52,784,013,815 $1,295,361,886
1981 $52,440,066,134 $1,114,830,472
1980 $53,649,984,061 $1,100,685,845
1979 $44,469,218,440 $1,109,374,911
1978 $36,259,392,058 $960,728,339
1977 $33,502,784,418 $691,777,584
1976 $31,852,352,670 $594,895,942
1975 $29,475,251,333 $679,336,344
1974 $24,851,036,710 $648,590,643
1973 $19,474,098,335 $575,230,724
1972 $14,744,499,570 $465,381,340
1971 $12,528,522,307 $419,549,305
1970 $11,358,529,162 $434,410,974
1969 $10,177,524,839 $408,690,163
1968 $8,916,565,041 $329,859,732
1967 $9,468,272,357 $348,795,303
1966 $9,306,142,172 $375,479,850
1965 $8,680,393,839 $359,379,856
1964 $7,848,987,793 $371,847,461
1963 $6,958,916,548 $348,547,279
1962 $6,407,796,043 $342,721,416
1961 $5,984,433,774 $327,834,191
1960 $5,279,481,824 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Finland vs Sierra Leone by year

Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Finland Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $53,150 $65,378 $807 $3,522
2023 $52,834 $63,415 $758 $3,368
2022 $50,441 $62,133 $860 $3,144
2021 $53,099 $56,790 $885 $2,849
2020 $48,829 $53,297 $845 $2,719
2019 $48,358 $52,276 $844 $2,704
2018 $49,654 $49,249 $846 $2,640
2017 $46,085 $47,235 $779 $2,501
2016 $43,451 $44,562 $844 $2,635
2015 $42,560 $42,258 $965 $2,560
2014 $50,074 $41,547 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $49,691 $41,326 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $47,552 $40,739 $938 $2,317
2011 $51,060 $40,846 $761 $2,043
2010 $46,506 $38,946 $685 $1,900
2009 $47,478 $37,988 $653 $1,814
2008 $53,769 $40,081 $705 $1,824
2007 $48,473 $37,843 $632 $1,770
2006 $41,214 $34,440 $580 $1,698
2005 $39,050 $32,048 $463 $1,615
2004 $37,768 $31,195 $418 $1,541
2003 $32,920 $29,043 $414 $1,458
2002 $26,989 $28,596 $389 $1,360
2001 $24,965 $27,798 $358 $1,121
2000 $24,336 $26,783 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $26,180 $24,762 $155 $1,167
1998 $26,000 $23,570 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $24,682 $21,787 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $25,757 $20,067 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $26,246 $19,568 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $20,278 $18,458 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $17,589 $17,458 $185 $1,269
1992 $22,320 $17,271 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $25,489 $17,563 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $28,366 $18,149 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $23,969 - $231.3 -
1988 $22,044 - $268.2 -
1987 $18,565 - $172.4 -
1986 $14,947 - $131.5 -
1985 $11,394 - $235.5 -
1984 $10,830 - $306 -
1983 $10,494 - $285.8 -
1982 $10,935 - $380 -
1981 $10,925 - $334 -
1980 $11,225 - $336 -
1979 $9,333 - $346 -
1978 $7,629 - $305 -
1977 $7,070 - $224.2 -
1976 $6,740 - $196.4 -
1975 $6,256 - $228.4 -
1974 $5,298 - $222.1 -
1973 $4,174 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,178 - $165.4 -
1971 $2,716 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,466 - $160.2 -
1969 $2,201 - $153.6 -
1968 $1,927 - $126.3 -
1967 $2,056 - $136.1 -
1966 $2,032 - $149.3 -
1965 $1,902 - $145.6 -
1964 $1,726 - $153.4 -
1963 $1,538 - $146.3 -
1962 $1,427 - $146.3 -
1961 $1,341 - $142.3 -
1960 $1,192 - $142 -

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

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

Finland's GDP per capita is $53,150, ranking 23/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Finland ranks 27th at $65,378, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Finland Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$299B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
47/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
0.42%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$53,150
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
23/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$65,378
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
27/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$245B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.1%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,662
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
12/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,394
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.3B
2004
n/a
Number of billionaires
7
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.5%
2023
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.7%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.57%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.34%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
5631965
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Finland
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Finland Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.7% 82.1% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 55.9% 77.5% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 52.6% 74% 16.7% 54%
2021 55.2% 73.2% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 56.5% 75.3% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 52.6% 65.3% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 52.7% 65.3% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 52.8% 66.6% 15% 44.2%
2016 55.1% 68.6% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 55.7% 68.8% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 57.6% 64.8% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 57.1% 60.8% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 55.7% 57.9% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 53.8% 52% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 54% 50.1% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 54.1% 41.5% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 47.9% 32.6% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 46.7% 33.9% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 48.3% 38% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 49.2% 39.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 48.2% 42.6% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 48.3% 42.7% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 47.5% 40.1% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 46.2% 40.9% 12% 113.5%
2000 46.9% 42.4% 10.3% -
1999 49.9% 44% - -
1998 51.3% 46.8% - -
1997 54.9% 52.2% - -
1996 58.5% 55.4% - -
1995 60% 55.2% - -
1994 62.2% 56.2% - -
1993 63.7% 54.2% - -
1992 60.8% 39.3% - -
1991 55.8% 21.9% - -
1990 47.1% 13.9% - -
1989 44.4% 14.3% - -
1988 46.4% 16.5% - -
1987 47.8% 17.6% - -
1986 46.9% 16.4% - -
1985 46.3% 15.8% - -
1984 44.4% 15.2% - -
1983 44.4% 15.4% - -
1982 42.7% 13.9% - -
1981 41% 11.5% - -
1980 40.1% 10.9% - -
1979 40.3% 11% - -
1978 41.3% 10.7% - -
1977 41.7% 8.22% - -
1976 39.8% 7.09% - -
1975 38.6% 6.76% - -
1974 22.9% 2.97% - -
1973 21.8% 4.42% - -
1972 20.4% 6.46% - -
1971 22.8% 7.94% - -
1970 21.9% 9.19% - -
1969 22.2% 10.8% - -
1968 25.5% 13.9% - -
1967 23.5% 14.2% - -
1966 23.3% 13.7% - -
1965 23.2% 13% - -
1964 22.8% 12.5% - -
1963 21.6% 12.2% - -
1962 23.9% 10.3% - -
1961 22.7% 9.12% - -
1960 22.5% 9.96% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Finland's government spending was $172B, accounting for 57.7% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.1% in Finland and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 42/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Finland

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Finland Sierra Leone
2024 -4.41% -4.53%
2023 -2.98% -4.99%
2022 -0.18% -5.93%
2021 -2.69% -4.35%
2020 -5.53% -3.5%
2019 -0.93% -1.95%
2018 -0.87% -3.57%
2017 -0.63% -5.61%
2016 -1.7% -5.41%
2015 -2.43% -2.86%
2014 -2.99% -2.77%
2013 -2.52% -1.74%
2012 -2.15% -3.41%
2011 -1.01% -2.78%
2010 -2.57% -3.09%
2009 -2.48% -1.51%
2008 4.18% -2.22%
2007 5.12% 12.6%
2006 3.93% -0.93%
2005 2.59% -1.17%
2004 2.16% -1.46%
2003 2.34% -2.78%
2002 3.97% -3.03%
2001 4.89% -3.22%
2000 6.73% -1.94%
1999 1.6% -
1998 1.54% -
1997 -1.33% -
1996 -3.37% -
1995 -5.98% -
1994 -6.41% -
1993 -8.09% -
1992 -4.88% -
1991 0.3% -
1990 6.63% -
1989 6.73% -
1988 5.09% -
1987 1.63% -
1986 3.83% -
1985 3.33% -
1984 3.23% -
1983 1.52% -
1982 3.06% -
1981 5.11% -
1980 3.7% -
1979 3.41% -
1978 3.83% -
1977 6.27% -
1976 7.65% -
1975 4.96% -
1974 -0.03% -
1973 1.48% -
1972 -0.18% -
1971 0.15% -
1970 1.06% -
1969 0.94% -
1968 -1.69% -
1967 -0.26% -
1966 -1.08% -
1965 -1.67% -
1964 -1.35% -
1963 -2.5% -
1962 -2.37% -
1961 -3.03% -
1960 -0.52% -
1959 -0.12% -
1958 -1.73% -
1957 0.08% -
1956 -1.14% -
1955 -1% -
1954 -0.17% -
1953 0.02% -
1952 -1.24% -
1951 1.1% -
1950 -0.26% -
1949 -2.77% -
1948 1.88% -
1947 -5.99% -
1946 -15.3% -
1945 -6.35% -
1944 -21.5% -
1943 -14.2% -
1942 -16.4% -
1941 -35.8% -
1940 -36.9% -
1939 -9.76% -
1938 -1.48% -
1937 -4.44% -
1936 -3.75% -
1935 -3.81% -
1934 -2.81% -
1933 -1.63% -
1932 -2.61% -
1931 -2.32% -
1930 -1.94% -
1929 -0.78% -
1928 -2.07% -
1927 -0.32% -
1926 -2.9% -
1925 -2.92% -
1924 0.04% -
1923 -2.3% -
1922 0.62% -
1921 -2.59% -
1920 -2.6% -
1919 -7.49% -
1918 -11.4% -
1917 -1.27% -
1916 1.48% -
1915 -0.29% -
1914 -1.15% -
1913 -0.25% -
1912 0.33% -
1911 -0.14% -
1910 -0.3% -
1909 -2.64% -
1908 -1.92% -
1907 0.24% -
1906 0.86% -
1905 -1.28% -
1904 -1.63% -
1903 -0.3% -
1902 -1.74% -
1901 -2.13% -
1900 -0.52% -
1899 -1% -
1898 -4.55% -
1897 -0.37% -
1896 -0.56% -
1895 -1.21% -
1894 -0.62% -
1893 0% -
1892 0.82% -
1891 0.16% -
1890 0.17% -
1889 0.18% -
1888 -0.59% -
1887 -1.46% -
1886 0% -
1885 -1.2% -
1884 -0.2% -
1883 0% -
1882 0.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Finland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $13.2B, equivalent to 4.41% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Finland recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Finland posted an annual deficit equal to 0.008% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Finland

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Finland Sierra Leone
2024 1.57% 28.4%
2023 6.25% 47.7%
2022 7.12% 27.2%
2021 2.19% 11.9%
2020 0.29% 13.4%
2019 1.02% 14.8%
2018 1.08% 16%
2017 0.75% 18.2%
2016 0.36% 10.9%
2015 -0.21% 6.7%
2014 1.04% 4.6%
2013 1.48% 5.5%
2012 2.81% 6.6%
2011 3.42% 6.8%
2010 1.18% 7.2%
2009 -0% 7.5%
2008 4.07% 8.2%
2007 2.51% 17%
2006 1.57% 10.5%
2005 0.62% 13.7%
2004 0.19% 12.9%
2003 0.88% 4%
2002 1.57% 0.1%
2001 2.58% 2.6%
2000 3.04% -0.9%
1999 1.16% 34.1%
1998 1.4% 36%
1997 1.19% 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/finland/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Finland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.83%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 1.57% in Finland and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Finland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $744K
Textiles & consumer goods $55K
Chemicals & pharma $43K
Wood & paper products $33K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Finland Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$1.99B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$76.6B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$83.1B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$47.4B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$42B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
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.

Finland Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 76.6 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 15/197 165/197
Property rights 99.9 32.9
Government integrity 95.4 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 42
Tax burden 68.4 88.2
Government spending 7.9 92.4
Fiscal health 76.3 54.1
Business freedom 85.3 44.8
Labor freedom 65.4 38.2
Monetary freedom 80.3 53.6
Trade freedom 79.4 63.6
Investment freedom 85 30
Financial freedom 80 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Finland
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Finland Sierra Leone
2026 76.6 49.6
2025 77 48
2024 76.3 44.6
2023 77.1 50.2
2022 78.3 52
2021 76.1 51.7
2020 75.7 48
2019 74.9 47.5
2018 74.1 51.8
2017 74 52.6
2016 72.6 52.3
2015 73.4 51.7
2014 73.4 50.5
2013 74 48.3
2012 72.3 49.1
2011 74 49.6
2010 73.8 47.9
2009 74.5 47.8
2008 74.6 48.3
2007 74 47
2006 72.9 45.2
2005 71 44.8
2004 73.4 43.6
2003 73.7 42.2
2002 73.6 -
2001 69.7 -
2000 64.3 44.2
1999 63.9 47.2
1998 63.5 47.7
1997 65.2 45
1996 63.7 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Finland is 76.6, ranking 15/197, 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

Finland Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
62.2%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$290B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$65,640
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$18B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
65/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$3.28B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.74B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2022
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.3%
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/finland/sierra-leone | 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (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.