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Economy of Guinea vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Guinea has a GDP of $25B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 118/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Guinea has $12.2B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Guinea vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Guinea
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Guinea Sierra Leone
2024 $25,008,678,293 $6,971,127,235
2023 $22,407,615,556 $6,415,852,767
2022 $19,910,452,542 $7,121,125,278
2021 $17,069,115,738 $7,166,931,485
2020 $14,088,693,743 $6,688,307,703
2019 $13,442,861,496 $6,523,577,594
2018 $11,857,030,367 $6,390,514,689
2017 $10,324,668,271 $5,749,846,528
2016 $8,595,955,222 $6,084,297,211
2015 $8,794,201,743 $6,788,352,975
2014 $8,778,473,373 $7,686,138,791
2013 $8,376,613,539 $7,502,762,863
2012 $7,638,044,557 $6,141,666,509
2011 $6,785,137,203 $4,861,632,885
2010 $6,853,467,146 $4,262,805,967
2009 $6,716,905,340 $3,953,403,098
2008 $6,964,179,983 $4,157,895,298
2007 $6,281,918,226 $3,632,957,611
2006 $4,220,019,845 $3,263,697,467
2005 $4,282,468,637 $2,545,275,313
2004 $5,300,767,961 $2,237,350,687
2003 $5,025,167,975 $2,142,618,046
2002 $4,301,608,753 $1,933,863,911
2001 $4,125,527,603 $1,681,473,894
2000 $4,367,458,867 $635,866,404
1999 $5,046,806,783 $669,386,624
1998 $5,232,118,046 $672,368,187
1997 $5,516,916,163 $850,232,760
1996 $5,641,243,100 $941,709,423
1995 $5,385,704,166 $870,740,292
1994 $4,932,800,407 $911,853,802
1993 $4,781,166,117 $768,867,883
1992 $4,789,220,417 $679,940,814
1991 $4,396,178,694 $779,981,987
1990 $3,888,320,666 $649,644,098
1989 $3,546,079,263 $932,974,420
1988 $3,476,480,303 $1,055,083,933
1987 $2,976,714,019 $660,106,336
1986 $2,909,130,355 $490,181,457
1985 $22,787,644,566 $856,890,459
1984 $18,421,497,251 $1,087,471,862
1983 $15,129,893,722 $995,104,305
1982 $11,926,032,493 $1,295,361,886
1981 $9,646,440,667 $1,114,830,472
1980 $9,746,524,915 $1,100,685,845
1979 $8,877,094,497 $1,109,374,911
1978 $8,087,305,999 $960,728,339
1977 $6,914,381,291 $691,777,584
1976 $6,762,781,871 $594,895,942
1975 $6,102,769,605 $679,336,344
1974 $5,691,417,541 $648,590,643
1973 $5,152,080,388 $575,230,724
1972 $4,203,069,035 $465,381,340
1971 $3,594,302,908 $419,549,305
1970 $3,220,224,608 $434,410,974
1969 - $408,690,163
1968 - $329,859,732
1967 - $348,795,303
1966 - $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Guinea vs Sierra Leone by year

Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Guinea Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,695 $4,565 $807 $3,522
2023 $1,555 $4,334 $758 $3,368
2022 $1,417 $4,062 $860 $3,144
2021 $1,245 $3,739 $885 $2,849
2020 $1,054 $3,332 $845 $2,719
2019 $1,031 $3,106 $844 $2,704
2018 $933 $2,844 $846 $2,640
2017 $834 $2,687 $779 $2,501
2016 $712 $2,255 $844 $2,635
2015 $747 $1,930 $965 $2,560
2014 $765 $1,873 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $748 $1,842 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $699 $1,790 $938 $2,317
2011 $637 $1,705 $761 $2,043
2010 $659 $1,622 $685 $1,900
2009 $662 $1,567 $653 $1,814
2008 $704 $1,614 $705 $1,824
2007 $650 $1,558 $632 $1,770
2006 $447 $1,453 $580 $1,698
2005 $463 $1,422 $463 $1,615
2004 $585 $1,366 $418 $1,541
2003 $566 $1,328 $414 $1,458
2002 $496 $1,315 $389 $1,360
2001 $483 $1,251 $358 $1,121
2000 $518 $1,196 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $611 $1,163 $155 $1,167
1998 $647 $1,130 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $696 $1,099 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $726 $1,048 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $713 $1,014 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $672 $976 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $671 $947 $185 $1,269
1992 $693 $908 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $656 $887 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $604 $871 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $570 - $231.3 -
1988 $574 - $268.2 -
1987 $505 - $172.4 -
1986 $506 - $131.5 -
1985 $4,062 - $235.5 -
1984 $3,362 - $306 -
1983 $2,823 - $285.8 -
1982 $2,273 - $380 -
1981 $1,876 - $334 -
1980 $1,931 - $336 -
1979 $1,790 - $346 -
1978 $1,658 - $305 -
1977 $1,440 - $224.2 -
1976 $1,431 - $196.4 -
1975 $1,311 - $228.4 -
1974 $1,243 - $222.1 -
1973 $1,143 - $200.6 -
1972 $948 - $165.4 -
1971 $825 - $151.8 -
1970 $753 - $160.2 -
1969 - - $153.6 -
1968 - - $126.3 -
1967 - - $136.1 -
1966 - - $149.3 -
1965 - - $145.6 -
1964 - - $153.4 -
1963 - - $146.3 -
1962 - - $146.3 -
1961 - - $142.3 -
1960 - - $142 -

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

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

Guinea's GDP per capita is $1,695, ranking 160/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Guinea Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$25B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
118/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
5.35%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,695
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
160/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,565
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
161/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$12.2B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$828
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
147/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$20,020
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
23.1%
2018
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2018
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.7%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.02%
2019
3.19%
2018
Population
15546235
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Guinea
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Guinea Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 48.8% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 18.3% 40.4% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 15.7% 37.9% 16.7% 54%
2021 15.1% 40.6% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 17.1% 45.3% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 14.9% 37.3% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 15.9% 37.5% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 17.3% 39.9% 15% 44.2%
2016 16.1% 40.6% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 21.7% 41.5% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 20.1% 32.1% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 18.6% 30.5% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 19.6% 26.9% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 16% 53.8% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 20.5% 71.1% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 16.2% 61.3% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 10.1% 58.5% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 8.66% 60.8% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 13.2% 95.2% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 11% 97.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 13% 86.9% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 14.7% 81.6% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 14.4% 82.6% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 14.9% 90.4% 12% 113.5%
2000 12.6% 91.5% 10.3% -
1999 11.6% 92.3% - -
1998 10.3% 75.9% - -
1997 12.6% 67.9% - -
1996 12% 67.7% - -
1995 12.7% 66.5% - -
1994 12.6% 71.3% - -
1993 13.3% 68.9% - -
1992 13.8% 62% - -
1991 16.3% 70.9% - -
1990 18.7% 71.6% - -

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

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

In 2024, Guinea's government spending was $5.14B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Guinea and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 111/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Guinea

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Guinea Sierra Leone
2024 -4.99% -4.53%
2023 -3.86% -4.99%
2022 -1.88% -5.93%
2021 -1.7% -4.35%
2020 -3.08% -3.5%
2019 -0.17% -1.95%
2018 -0.97% -3.57%
2017 -1.98% -5.61%
2016 -0.08% -5.41%
2015 -6.53% -2.86%
2014 -3.01% -2.77%
2013 -3.86% -1.74%
2012 23.7% -3.41%
2011 -0.92% -2.78%
2010 -9.66% -3.09%
2009 -4.87% -1.51%
2008 0.38% -2.22%
2007 1.28% 12.6%
2006 -2.13% -0.93%
2005 -1.06% -1.17%
2004 -3.85% -1.46%
2003 -4.65% -2.78%
2002 -3.37% -3.03%
2001 -3.23% -3.22%
2000 -2.42% -1.94%
1999 -1.3% -
1998 2.46% -
1997 0.07% -
1996 -2.2% -
1995 -1.07% -
1994 -2.59% -
1993 -2.33% -
1992 -0.89% -
1991 -3.25% -
1990 -3.76% -

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

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

In 2024, Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.25B, equivalent to 4.99% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 1.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Guinea

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Guinea Sierra Leone
2024 4.7% 28.4%
2023 5.4% 47.7%
2022 10.5% 27.2%
2021 12.6% 11.9%
2020 10.6% 13.4%
2019 9.5% 14.8%
2018 9.8% 16%
2017 8.9% 18.2%
2016 8.2% 10.9%
2015 8.2% 6.7%
2014 9.7% 4.6%
2013 11.9% 5.5%
2012 15.2% 6.6%
2011 21.4% 6.8%
2010 15.5% 7.2%
2009 4.7% 7.5%
2008 18.4% 8.2%
2007 22.9% 17%
2006 34.7% 10.5%
2005 31.4% 13.7%
2004 17.5% 12.9%
2003 11% 4%
2002 3% 0.1%
2001 5.4% 2.6%
2000 6.8% -0.9%
1999 4.6% 34.1%
1998 5.1% 36%
1997 1.9% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 4.7% in Guinea and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.61M
Animal & marine products $1.12M
Machinery & equipment $1.04M
Chemicals & pharma $755K
Metals $300K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $198K
Weapons & explosives $149K
Wood & paper products $31K
Miscellaneous $23K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $5.88M
Chemicals & pharma $1.72M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $877K
Raw materials & minerals $302K
Machinery & equipment $253K
Textiles & consumer goods $89K
Metals $83K
Animal & marine products $14K
Wood & paper products $6K

Balance of trade

Guinea Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$392M
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
104/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.57%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$7.08B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$11.6B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$3.15B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$71.2M
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
56.4%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.4%
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.

Guinea Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 53.1 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 141/197 165/197
Property rights 21.3 32.9
Government integrity 26.7 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 26 42
Tax burden 70.1 88.2
Government spending 90.1 92.4
Fiscal health 74.8 54.1
Business freedom 44.8 44.8
Labor freedom 56.4 38.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 53.6
Trade freedom 61.8 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Guinea
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Guinea Sierra Leone
2026 53.1 49.6
2025 54.6 48
2024 53.3 44.6
2023 53.2 50.2
2022 54.2 52
2021 56.5 51.7
2020 56.5 48
2019 55.7 47.5
2018 52.2 51.8
2017 47.6 52.6
2016 53.3 52.3
2015 52.1 51.7
2014 53.5 50.5
2013 51.2 48.3
2012 50.8 49.1
2011 51.7 49.6
2010 51.8 47.9
2009 51 47.8
2008 52.8 48.3
2007 54.5 47
2006 52.8 45.2
2005 57.4 44.8
2004 56.1 43.6
2003 54.6 42.2
2002 52.9 -
2001 58.4 -
2000 58.2 44.2
1999 59.4 47.2
1998 61 47.7
1997 52.9 45
1996 58.5 52.3
1995 59.4 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Guinea is 53.1, ranking 141/197, 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

Guinea Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
36.3%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.1%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
31%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$21.3B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,130
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.89B
2023
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
128/177
2023
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.4B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.4B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$30K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
47%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
32.1%
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/guinea/sierra-leone | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2016–2018, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.