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Economy of Finland vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Finland has a GDP of $299B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 47/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

Finland has $245B in government debt (82.1% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Finland vs South Sudan GDP by year

Finland
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Finland South Sudan
2024 $298,696,961,298 -
2023 $295,021,982,463 -
2022 $280,253,099,309 -
2021 $294,223,210,496 -
2020 $270,000,311,606 -
2019 $267,014,821,129 -
2018 $273,869,255,596 -
2017 $253,846,138,440 -
2016 $238,777,818,793 -
2015 $233,210,733,506 $11,997,800,760
2014 $273,478,528,955 $13,962,212,847
2013 $270,268,036,626 $18,426,469,017
2012 $257,443,384,493 $11,931,472,169
2011 $275,126,915,516 $14,907,308,933
2010 $249,429,613,683 $14,602,072,411
2009 $253,480,783,439 $12,231,264,525
2008 $285,698,662,071 $14,586,253,383
2007 $256,360,251,538 -
2006 $217,044,068,234 -
2005 $204,859,368,791 -
2004 $197,458,297,640 -
2003 $171,612,867,736 -
2002 $140,360,963,812 -
2001 $129,519,672,869 -
2000 $125,967,821,111 -
1999 $135,234,241,918 -
1998 $133,990,876,725 -
1997 $126,862,902,302 -
1996 $131,991,975,149 -
1995 $134,060,457,516 -
1994 $103,182,697,780 -
1993 $89,112,105,756 -
1992 $112,537,828,511 -
1991 $127,794,441,994 -
1990 $141,446,120,355 -
1989 $118,991,270,611 -
1988 $109,039,090,263 -
1987 $91,564,993,913 -
1986 $73,511,611,541 -
1985 $55,856,676,899 -
1984 $52,870,993,273 -
1983 $50,956,447,481 -
1982 $52,784,013,815 -
1981 $52,440,066,134 -
1980 $53,649,984,061 -
1979 $44,469,218,440 -
1978 $36,259,392,058 -
1977 $33,502,784,418 -
1976 $31,852,352,670 -
1975 $29,475,251,333 -
1974 $24,851,036,710 -
1973 $19,474,098,335 -
1972 $14,744,499,570 -
1971 $12,528,522,307 -
1970 $11,358,529,162 -
1969 $10,177,524,839 -
1968 $8,916,565,041 -
1967 $9,468,272,357 -
1966 $9,306,142,172 -
1965 $8,680,393,839 -
1964 $7,848,987,793 -
1963 $6,958,916,548 -
1962 $6,407,796,043 -
1961 $5,984,433,774 -
1960 $5,279,481,824 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Finland vs South Sudan by year

Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Finland South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $53,150 $65,378 - -
2023 $52,834 $63,415 - -
2022 $50,441 $62,133 - -
2021 $53,099 $56,790 - -
2020 $48,829 $53,297 - -
2019 $48,358 $52,276 - -
2018 $49,654 $49,249 - -
2017 $46,085 $47,235 - -
2016 $43,451 $44,562 - -
2015 $42,560 $42,258 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $50,074 $41,547 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $49,691 $41,326 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $47,552 $40,739 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $51,060 $40,846 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $46,506 $38,946 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $47,478 $37,988 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $53,769 $40,081 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $48,473 $37,843 - -
2006 $41,214 $34,440 - -
2005 $39,050 $32,048 - -
2004 $37,768 $31,195 - -
2003 $32,920 $29,043 - -
2002 $26,989 $28,596 - -
2001 $24,965 $27,798 - -
2000 $24,336 $26,783 - -
1999 $26,180 $24,762 - -
1998 $26,000 $23,570 - -
1997 $24,682 $21,787 - -
1996 $25,757 $20,067 - -
1995 $26,246 $19,568 - -
1994 $20,278 $18,458 - -
1993 $17,589 $17,458 - -
1992 $22,320 $17,271 - -
1991 $25,489 $17,563 - -
1990 $28,366 $18,149 - -
1989 $23,969 - - -
1988 $22,044 - - -
1987 $18,565 - - -
1986 $14,947 - - -
1985 $11,394 - - -
1984 $10,830 - - -
1983 $10,494 - - -
1982 $10,935 - - -
1981 $10,925 - - -
1980 $11,225 - - -
1979 $9,333 - - -
1978 $7,629 - - -
1977 $7,070 - - -
1976 $6,740 - - -
1975 $6,256 - - -
1974 $5,298 - - -
1973 $4,174 - - -
1972 $3,178 - - -
1971 $2,716 - - -
1970 $2,466 - - -
1969 $2,201 - - -
1968 $1,927 - - -
1967 $2,056 - - -
1966 $2,032 - - -
1965 $1,902 - - -
1964 $1,726 - - -
1963 $1,538 - - -
1962 $1,427 - - -
1961 $1,341 - - -
1960 $1,192 - - -

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

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

Finland's GDP per capita is $53,150, ranking 23/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Finland ranks 27th at $65,378, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Finland South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$299B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
47/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
0.42%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$53,150
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
23/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$65,378
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
27/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$245B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
82.1%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$43,662
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
12/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$36,394
2026
$1,305
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
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
57.7%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.57%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
8.34%
2024
12.3%
2008
Population
5631965
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Finland
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Finland South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 57.7% 82.1% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 55.9% 77.5% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 52.6% 74% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 55.2% 73.2% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 56.5% 75.3% 34.1% 49%
2019 52.6% 65.3% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 52.7% 65.3% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 52.8% 66.6% 97% 178.3%
2016 55.1% 68.6% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 55.7% 68.8% 34% 58.6%
2014 57.6% 64.8% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 57.1% 60.8% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 55.7% 57.9% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 53.8% 52% 20.8% -
2010 54% 50.1% - -
2009 54.1% 41.5% - -
2008 47.9% 32.6% - -
2007 46.7% 33.9% - -
2006 48.3% 38% - -
2005 49.2% 39.9% - -
2004 48.2% 42.6% - -
2003 48.3% 42.7% - -
2002 47.5% 40.1% - -
2001 46.2% 40.9% - -
2000 46.9% 42.4% - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Finland's government spending was $172B, accounting for 57.7% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 82.1% in Finland and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 42/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Finland

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Finland South Sudan
2024 -4.41% 11.7%
2023 -2.98% 8.04%
2022 -0.18% 4.48%
2021 -2.69% -9.3%
2020 -5.53% -5.5%
2019 -0.93% 0.04%
2018 -0.87% -1.06%
2017 -0.63% 9.56%
2016 -1.7% -19.8%
2015 -2.43% -16.4%
2014 -2.99% -9.07%
2013 -2.52% -3.45%
2012 -2.15% -14.8%
2011 -1.01% 4.57%
2010 -2.57% -
2009 -2.48% -
2008 4.18% -
2007 5.12% -
2006 3.93% -
2005 2.59% -
2004 2.16% -
2003 2.34% -
2002 3.97% -
2001 4.89% -
2000 6.73% -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Finland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.66B, equivalent to 2.43% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Finland recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Finland posted an annual deficit equal to 2.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Finland

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Finland South Sudan
2024 1.57% 91.4%
2023 6.25% 2.38%
2022 7.12% -6.69%
2021 2.19% 10.5%
2020 0.29% 29.7%
2019 1.02% 87.2%
2018 1.08% 83.5%
2017 0.75% 187.9%
2016 0.36% 380%
2015 -0.21% 52.8%
2014 1.04% 1.67%
2013 1.48% -0.06%
2012 2.81% 45.5%
2011 3.42% 46.9%
2010 1.18% 1.17%
2009 -0% 5.01%
2008 4.07% -
2007 2.51% -
2006 1.57% -
2005 0.62% -
2004 0.19% -
2003 0.88% -
2002 1.57% -
2001 2.58% -
2000 3.04% -
1999 1.16% -
1998 1.4% -
1997 1.19% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 16 years, Finland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.9%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 1.57% in Finland and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Finland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $32K
Wood & paper products $3K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
South Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Finland South Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.99B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
143/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.67%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$76.6B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$83.1B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$47.4B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$42B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.9%
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.

Finland South Sudan
Economic freedom 76.6 41
Economic freedom ranking 15/197 186/197
Property rights 99.9 n/a
Government integrity 95.4 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 96.4 n/a
Tax burden 68.4 n/a
Government spending 7.9 n/a
Fiscal health 76.3 n/a
Business freedom 85.3 n/a
Labor freedom 65.4 n/a
Monetary freedom 80.3 n/a
Trade freedom 79.4 n/a
Investment freedom 85 n/a
Financial freedom 80 n/a

Other economic metrics

Finland South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
62.2%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.47%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$290B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$65,640
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$18B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
65/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$3.28B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.74B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$12B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.2%
2022
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.3%
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/finland/south-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) | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.

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.