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Economy of Gambia vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.59B compared to $60.2B for Sudan, ranking 174/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (73.9% of GDP), compared to $113B (187.6% of GDP) in Sudan.

Gambia vs Sudan GDP by year

Gambia
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Sudan
2025 $2,593,673,988 $60,162,634,574
2024 $2,404,888,738 $49,672,435,513
2023 $2,382,262,185 $39,898,289,821
2022 $2,204,734,528 $51,666,875,363
2021 $2,014,158,842 $34,229,513,775
2020 $1,812,170,891 $27,034,593,750
2019 $1,813,609,692 $32,338,079,165
2018 $1,670,671,328 $32,333,780,383
2017 $1,504,909,463 $41,283,617,976
2016 $1,484,578,886 $42,630,376,000
2015 $1,378,176,609 $51,726,758,677
2014 $1,229,461,721 $49,516,748,618
2013 $1,375,609,453 $43,024,018,082
2012 $1,415,004,738 $37,632,919,967
2011 $1,409,693,597 $55,018,567,211
2010 $1,543,294,927 $58,962,978,034
2009 $1,450,142,509 $51,621,044,077
2008 $1,561,766,956 $64,833,083,257
2007 $1,279,703,047 $59,440,139,775
2006 $1,054,112,488 $45,263,831,634
2005 $1,027,701,068 $35,182,711,988
2004 $961,900,651 $26,646,007,251
2003 $487,038,685 $21,355,298,460
2002 $578,235,309 $18,137,128,388
2001 $687,410,645 $15,716,361,792
2000 $782,913,872 $12,257,299,147
1999 $814,724,032 $10,682,028,340
1998 $840,285,265 $11,250,221,537
1997 $803,633,342 $11,681,175,864
1996 $848,239,446 $9,018,300,725
1995 $785,999,865 $13,830,363,900
1994 $746,493,952 $12,793,794,737
1993 $755,040,974 $8,881,005,436
1992 $714,254,256 $7,031,933,492
1991 $690,311,081 $44,171,194,366
1990 $317,083,695 $33,641,222,222
1989 $284,120,329 $21,408,111,111
1988 $266,672,212 $14,372,555,556
1987 $220,626,484 $12,093,333,333
1986 $185,646,987 $10,092,200,000
1985 $225,726,359 $8,075,259,600
1984 $177,340,880 $10,447,615,385
1983 $213,448,585 $8,230,153,846
1982 $216,050,552 $8,732,542,274
1981 $218,767,743 $10,753,888,154
1980 $241,083,090 $8,951,800,000
1979 $207,112,628 $8,418,407,787
1978 $171,833,086 $8,128,719,315
1977 $138,093,099 $7,499,005,639
1976 $112,190,829 $6,013,210,816
1975 $115,179,719 $4,823,090,192
1974 $95,796,022 $3,958,931,660
1973 $75,187,749 $3,077,254,460
1972 $59,160,569 $2,483,055,722
1971 $55,728,663 $2,288,340,041
1970 $52,296,084 $2,100,229,759
1969 $45,168,072 $1,847,501,441
1968 $41,160,066 $1,677,771,401
1967 $46,695,007 $1,607,409,539
1966 $44,212,081 $1,484,491,676
1965 - $1,446,869,619
1964 - $1,388,282,600
1963 - $1,351,234,926
1962 - $1,328,259,625
1961 - $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Sudan by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $919 - $1,165 -
2024 $871 $3,476 $985 $2,116
2023 $883 $3,289 $797 $2,421
2022 $836 $3,067 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $782 $2,778 $712 $3,249
2020 $720 $2,531 $578 $3,349
2019 $738 $2,422 $710 $3,914
2018 $696 $2,277 $731 $4,199
2017 $643 $2,039 $967 $4,252
2016 $650 $2,013 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $620 $1,990 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $568 $1,934 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $654 $2,007 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $693 $2,065 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $711 $2,064 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $801 $2,267 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $775 $2,177 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $859 $2,088 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $725 $1,985 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $615 $1,931 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $616 $1,938 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $593 $1,979 $872 $3,215
2003 $309 $1,850 $714 $3,058
2002 $377 $1,744 $621 $2,898
2001 $460 $1,823 $551 $2,769
2000 $538 $1,731 $441 $2,616
1999 $575 $1,649 $394 $2,475
1998 $610 $1,572 $425 $2,428
1997 $600 $1,544 $453 $2,358
1996 $652 $1,489 $357 $2,006
1995 $622 $1,472 $561 $1,902
1994 $608 $1,473 $532 $1,805
1993 $635 $1,487 $379 $1,794
1992 $623 $1,462 $307 $1,710
1991 $628 $1,440 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $301 $1,409 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $280.9 - $992 -
1988 $274.9 - $680 -
1987 $237 - $584 -
1986 $207.7 - $497 -
1985 $262.8 - $406 -
1984 $214.8 - $534 -
1983 $268.6 - $431 -
1982 $282.1 - $472 -
1981 $296 - $605 -
1980 $338 - $525 -
1979 $300 - $515 -
1978 $257.6 - $518 -
1977 $213.8 - $497 -
1976 $179.3 - $413 -
1975 $189.8 - $343 -
1974 $162.6 - $291.5 -
1973 $131.4 - $235.8 -
1972 $106.5 - $198.2 -
1971 $103.3 - $189 -
1970 $99.8 - $179.6 -
1969 $88.7 - $163.5 -
1968 $83.1 - $153.7 -
1967 $97 - $152.4 -
1966 $94.4 - $145.6 -
1965 - - $146.8 -
1964 - - $145.7 -
1963 - - $146.6 -
1962 - - $148.9 -
1961 - - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $919, ranking 183/197, compared to $1,165 in Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Gambia Sudan
Gross domestic product
$2.59B
2025
$60.2B
2025
GDP rank
174/197
2025
91/197
2025
GDP growth
5.89%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$919
2025
$1,165
2025
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2025
175/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2025
$113B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.9%
2025
187.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$679
2025
$2,184
2025
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2025
117/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$710
2026
$1,787
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
5.99%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
7.05%
2025
7.53%
2022
Population
2916990
54156832

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27.1% 73.9% 5.99% 187.6%
2024 25.3% 78.5% 6.39% 262.6%
2023 23.9% 77.4% 8.23% 261.2%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 17.9% 189%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 9.84% 191.3%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 10.9% 278.8%
2019 23.9% 83% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 19% 83.6% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 23.6% 87% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 19.4% 79.5% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 19% 71.1% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 18.8% 71%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 11.2% 38% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 14% 87.3% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 - - 8.4% 160.5%
1998 - - 7.79% 179.7%
1997 - - 7.38% 167.7%
1996 - - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 - - 12.9% 239%
1994 - - 19.6% 386%
1993 - - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 - - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

In 2025, the Gambia's government spending was $704M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.61B, or 5.99% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.9% in the Gambia and 187.6% in Sudan, ranking 51/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Sudan
2025 -2.95% -3.1%
2024 -4% -3.46%
2023 -3.56% -3.7%
2022 -5.72% -2.15%
2021 -4.77% -0.29%
2020 -2.37% -6.04%
2019 -2.75% -10.8%
2018 -3.92% -7.92%
2017 -4.35% -6.07%
2016 -6.22% -3.92%
2015 -5.38% -3.87%
2014 -3.94% -4.72%
2013 -5.11% -5.76%
2012 -2.85% -7.37%
2011 -3.03% -2.33%
2010 -2.93% 0.11%
2009 -1.65% -3.8%
2008 -0.45% 0.49%
2007 0.27% -2.84%
2006 -3.19% -1.32%
2005 -3.33% -1.88%
2004 -1.77% 0.16%
2003 -1.73% 0.77%
2002 0.06% -0.69%
2001 -2.52% -0.77%
2000 -0.09% -0.7%
1999 - -0.8%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - -0.59%
1996 - -2.61%
1995 - -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

In 2025, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $76.5M, equivalent to 2.95% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.87B, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.15% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Sudan
2024 11.6% -
2023 17% -
2022 11.5% 138.8%
2021 7.37% 359%
2020 5.93% 163.3%
2019 7.12% 51%
2018 6.52% 63.3%
2017 8.03% 32.4%
2016 7.23% 17.8%
2015 6.81% 16.9%
2014 5.95% 36.9%
2013 5.7% 36.5%
2012 4.25% 35.6%
2011 4.8% 18.1%
2010 5.05% 13%
2009 4.56% 11.3%
2008 4.44% 14.3%
2007 5.37% 14.8%
2006 2.06% 7.2%
2005 4.84% 8.51%
2004 14.2% 9.66%
2003 17% 6.49%
2002 8.61% 22.2%
2001 4.49% 1.94%
2000 0.84% 7.12%
1999 3.81% 17.2%
1998 1.11% 24.6%
1997 2.78% 47.2%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.17%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Gambia Sudan
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
81/190
2024
162/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$161M
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$485M
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.4%
2025
1.28%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
12.7%
2025
1.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Gambia Sudan
Economic freedom 56.3 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 191/197
Property rights 55.4 6.5
Government integrity 40.5 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 2.4
Tax burden 79.2 84.7
Government spending 81.1 96.5
Fiscal health 54.8 64.6
Business freedom 50.1 27.3
Labor freedom 46.4 33.6
Monetary freedom 57.3 6.2
Trade freedom 64.8 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Sudan
2026 56.3 32.5
2025 56.8 35.3
2024 58.2 33.9
2023 57.9 32.8
2022 58 32
2021 58.8 39.1
2020 56.3 45
2019 52.4 47.7
2018 52.3 49.4
2017 53.4 48.8
2016 57.1 -
2015 57.5 -
2014 59.5 -
2013 58.8 -
2012 58.8 -
2011 57.4 -
2010 55.1 -
2009 55.8 -
2008 56.9 -
2007 57.7 -
2006 57.3 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 55.3 -
2003 56.3 -
2002 57.7 -
2001 56.6 -
2000 52.7 47.2
1999 52.1 39.6
1998 53.4 38.3
1997 52.9 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia Sudan
Services, % of GDP
53.1%
2025
37%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
33.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.8%
2025
29.4%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.62B
2025
$46.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,660
2025
$2,140
2025
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
0.73%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.