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Economy of Iceland vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iceland has a GDP of $33.3B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 108/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iceland has $19.8B in government debt (59.4% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Iceland vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Iceland
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iceland Sierra Leone
2024 $33,255,181,469 $6,971,127,235
2023 $31,677,891,897 $6,415,852,767
2022 $29,166,102,877 $7,121,125,278
2021 $26,234,872,402 $7,166,931,485
2020 $22,034,665,041 $6,688,307,703
2019 $24,985,687,022 $6,523,577,594
2018 $26,677,652,544 $6,390,514,689
2017 $25,060,086,488 $5,749,846,528
2016 $21,083,713,310 $6,084,297,211
2015 $17,700,486,957 $6,788,352,975
2014 $18,052,183,515 $7,686,138,791
2013 $16,244,319,959 $7,502,762,863
2012 $14,943,757,823 $6,141,666,509
2011 $15,394,005,872 $4,861,632,885
2010 $13,922,711,577 $4,262,805,967
2009 $13,212,543,838 $3,953,403,098
2008 $18,247,921,360 $4,157,895,298
2007 $21,960,110,030 $3,632,957,611
2006 $17,671,649,843 $3,263,697,467
2005 $17,146,410,561 $2,545,275,313
2004 $13,963,943,244 $2,237,350,687
2003 $11,564,687,742 $2,142,618,046
2002 $9,416,199,700 $1,933,863,911
2001 $8,323,401,820 $1,681,473,894
2000 $9,140,168,922 $635,866,404
1999 $9,107,644,691 $669,386,624
1998 $8,637,732,542 $672,368,187
1997 $7,716,781,803 $850,232,760
1996 $7,686,566,105 $941,709,423
1995 $7,372,640,169 $870,740,292
1994 $6,612,804,056 $911,853,802
1993 $6,435,952,174 $768,867,883
1992 $7,328,497,599 $679,940,814
1991 $7,151,260,062 $779,981,987
1990 $6,694,851,159 $649,644,098
1989 $5,870,854,233 $932,974,420
1988 $6,320,093,411 $1,055,083,933
1987 $5,713,281,235 $660,106,336
1986 $4,129,080,094 $490,181,457
1985 $3,088,359,967 $856,890,459
1984 $2,964,568,006 $1,087,471,862
1983 $2,862,634,164 $995,104,305
1982 $3,318,714,326 $1,295,361,886
1981 $3,615,094,820 $1,114,830,472
1980 $3,499,616,683 $1,100,685,845
1979 $2,953,176,971 $1,109,374,911
1978 $2,599,627,089 $960,728,339
1977 $2,285,707,749 $691,777,584
1976 $1,727,845,419 $594,895,942
1975 $1,456,052,700 $679,336,344
1974 $1,568,154,077 $648,590,643
1973 $1,194,794,186 $575,230,724
1972 $869,002,946 $465,381,340
1971 $693,679,545 $419,549,305
1970 $545,115,909 $434,410,974
1969 $435,659,610 $408,690,163
1968 $498,365,200 $329,859,732
1967 $652,609,076 $348,795,303
1966 $660,663,763 $375,479,850
1965 $550,150,988 $359,379,856
1964 $456,206,299 $371,847,461
1963 $357,240,896 $348,547,279
1962 $299,309,938 $342,721,416
1961 $266,711,460 $327,834,191
1960 $260,984,499 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Iceland vs Sierra Leone by year

Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iceland Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $86,041 $84,257 $807 $3,522
2023 $82,139 $81,608 $758 $3,368
2022 $76,350 $75,333 $860 $3,144
2021 $70,425 $61,610 $885 $2,849
2020 $60,128 $55,797 $845 $2,719
2019 $69,296 $60,524 $844 $2,704
2018 $75,634 $57,198 $846 $2,640
2017 $72,976 $55,638 $779 $2,501
2016 $62,854 $53,480 $844 $2,635
2015 $53,506 $49,201 $965 $2,560
2014 $55,140 $45,997 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $50,173 $44,410 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $46,595 $42,004 $938 $2,317
2011 $48,255 $40,937 $761 $2,043
2010 $43,776 $39,764 $685 $1,900
2009 $41,484 $41,885 $653 $1,814
2008 $57,489 $43,728 $705 $1,824
2007 $70,483 $41,471 $632 $1,770
2006 $58,172 $39,692 $580 $1,698
2005 $57,784 $37,323 $463 $1,615
2004 $47,810 $35,612 $418 $1,541
2003 $39,944 $32,697 $414 $1,458
2002 $32,749 $32,607 $389 $1,360
2001 $29,208 $31,882 $358 $1,121
2000 $32,504 $29,789 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $32,834 $29,558 $155 $1,167
1998 $31,519 $28,723 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $28,462 $26,874 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $28,584 $24,776 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $27,565 $23,954 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $24,858 $23,562 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $24,404 $22,460 $185 $1,269
1992 $28,072 $21,877 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $27,740 $22,416 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $26,272 $21,985 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $23,219 - $231.3 -
1988 $25,307 - $268.2 -
1987 $23,238 - $172.4 -
1986 $16,980 - $131.5 -
1985 $12,793 - $235.5 -
1984 $12,378 - $306 -
1983 $12,080 - $285.8 -
1982 $14,191 - $380 -
1981 $15,666 - $334 -
1980 $15,340 - $336 -
1979 $13,082 - $346 -
1978 $11,630 - $305 -
1977 $10,305 - $224.2 -
1976 $7,848 - $196.4 -
1975 $6,680 - $228.4 -
1974 $7,287 - $222.1 -
1973 $5,627 - $200.6 -
1972 $4,155 - $165.4 -
1971 $3,366 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,666 - $160.2 -
1969 $2,142 - $153.6 -
1968 $2,473 - $126.3 -
1967 $3,284 - $136.1 -
1966 $3,378 - $149.3 -
1965 $2,861 - $145.6 -
1964 $2,414 - $153.4 -
1963 $1,924 - $146.3 -
1962 $1,641 - $146.3 -
1961 $1,490 - $142.3 -
1960 $1,486 - $142 -

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

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

Iceland's GDP per capita is $86,041, ranking 9/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Iceland Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$33.3B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
108/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$86,041
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
9/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$84,257
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
13/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$19.8B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.4%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$51,148
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
9/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$55,565
2026
$2,915
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.4%
2019
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2019
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
46.5%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.86%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.25%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.56%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
397129
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iceland
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iceland Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 46.5% 59.4% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 45% 61.5% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 45.9% 66.4% 16.7% 54%
2021 48.7% 73.6% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 50.2% 76.1% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 43% 65.7% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 43.2% 62.3% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 43.8% 70.8% 15% 44.2%
2016 45.8% 81.3% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 43% 96.3% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 45.4% 114.1% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 45.6% 121.1% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 47.1% 132.2% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 50% 136.6% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 48.2% 131.5% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 53.3% 128.2% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 62.8% 109.3% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 44.1% 67.4% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 44.3% 69.8% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 44.2% 67.8% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 46.2% 80.1% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 47.2% 84.1% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 45% 81.3% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 46.9% 82.5% 12% 113.5%
2000 44.3% 74.8% 10.3% -
1999 44.8% 75.5% - -
1998 40.2% 43.3% - -
1997 41.3% 51.1% - -
1996 43.9% 55.6% - -
1995 44.4% 58.1% - -
1994 45% 54.8% - -
1993 45.1% 52.3% - -
1992 44.7% 45.4% - -
1991 42.8% 37.6% - -
1990 42.6% 35.5% - -
1989 42.9% 35.3% - -
1988 41.4% 30.6% - -
1987 36.5% 27.3% - -
1986 39.5% 29.9% - -
1985 37% 32% - -
1984 34.7% 32.4% - -
1983 37.8% 30.8% - -
1982 36% 28.9% - -
1981 35.3% 22.4% - -
1980 33.9% 24.8% - -
1979 32.4% 21.1% - -
1978 31.9% 19.8% - -
1977 31.7% 18.4% - -
1976 32.1% 17.2% - -
1975 36.9% 16.4% - -
1974 36.6% 12.5% - -
1973 33.7% 11.5% - -
1972 33.3% 14.5% - -
1971 32.5% 11.7% - -
1970 29.9% 11.4% - -
1969 30.3% 14.6% - -
1968 33.3% 14.2% - -
1967 31.6% 8.8% - -
1966 28.3% 5.56% - -
1965 28.3% 7.78% - -
1964 28.2% 7.97% - -
1963 26.2% 7.89% - -
1962 24.9% 7.47% - -
1961 25.3% 8.49% - -
1960 33.2% 13.6% - -

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/iceland/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Iceland's government spending was $15.5B, accounting for 46.5% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.4% in Iceland and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 80/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iceland

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iceland Sierra Leone
2024 -3.51% -4.53%
2023 -2.28% -4.99%
2022 -3.93% -5.93%
2021 -8.33% -4.35%
2020 -8.73% -3.5%
2019 -1.57% -1.95%
2018 0.94% -3.57%
2017 0.97% -5.61%
2016 12.4% -5.41%
2015 -0.39% -2.86%
2014 0.29% -2.77%
2013 -1.24% -1.74%
2012 -2.59% -3.41%
2011 -6.46% -2.78%
2010 -6.58% -3.09%
2009 -8.54% -1.51%
2008 -12% -2.22%
2007 5.52% 12.6%
2006 6.37% -0.93%
2005 4.92% -1.17%
2004 0.28% -1.46%
2003 -2.3% -2.78%
2002 -2.25% -3.03%
2001 -0.28% -3.22%
2000 1.43% -1.94%
1999 1.3% -
1998 -0.56% -
1997 0.04% -
1996 -1.52% -
1995 -2.87% -
1994 -4.59% -
1993 -4.36% -
1992 -1.86% -
1991 -0.66% -
1990 -3.16% -
1989 -4.29% -
1988 -1.93% -
1987 -0.79% -
1986 -3.93% -
1985 -1.56% -
1984 2.25% -
1983 -1.96% -
1982 1.72% -
1981 1.32% -
1980 1.37% -
1979 -0.07% -
1978 -0.9% -
1977 -1.2% -
1976 0.02% -
1975 -3.87% -
1974 -3.64% -
1973 -0.74% -
1972 0.05% -
1971 -0.69% -
1970 0.27% -
1969 -0.88% -
1968 -0.89% -
1967 0.78% -
1966 1.69% -
1965 0.15% -
1964 -0.41% -
1963 1.8% -
1962 2.25% -
1961 1.64% -
1960 2.38% -
1959 2.44% -
1958 2.16% -
1957 1.2% -
1956 -0.09% -
1955 1.57% -
1954 1.25% -
1953 0.34% -
1952 3.33% -
1951 2.73% -
1950 1.23% -
1949 -0.3% -
1948 0.67% -
1947 -1.95% -
1946 -0.37% -
1945 -2.33% -
1944 -3.23% -
1943 -0.89% -
1942 -0.75% -
1941 -1.33% -
1940 -1.35% -
1939 -2.6% -
1938 -2.01% -
1937 -2.6% -
1936 -3.34% -
1935 -3.46% -
1934 -4.79% -
1933 -3.42% -
1932 -4.65% -
1931 -4.27% -
1930 -4.94% -
1929 -1.94% -
1928 -1.94% -
1927 -3.45% -
1926 -2.43% -
1925 0.43% -
1924 -1.78% -
1923 -4.99% -
1922 -4.67% -
1921 -6.12% -
1920 -7.45% -
1919 -2.5% -
1918 -7.43% -
1917 -11.3% -
1916 -2.53% -
1915 -2.06% -
1914 -3.21% -
1913 -2.3% -
1912 -2.93% -
1911 -3.06% -
1910 -1.27% -
1909 -2.15% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iceland's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.17B, equivalent to 3.51% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Iceland recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Iceland posted an annual deficit equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iceland

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iceland Sierra Leone
2024 5.86% 28.4%
2023 8.74% 47.7%
2022 8.31% 27.2%
2021 4.44% 11.9%
2020 2.85% 13.4%
2019 3.01% 14.8%
2018 2.68% 16%
2017 1.76% 18.2%
2016 1.7% 10.9%
2015 1.63% 6.7%
2014 2.04% 4.6%
2013 3.87% 5.5%
2012 5.19% 6.6%
2011 4% 6.8%
2010 5.4% 7.2%
2009 12% 7.5%
2008 12.7% 8.2%
2007 5.05% 17%
2006 6.69% 10.5%
2005 3.99% 13.7%
2004 3.16% 12.9%
2003 2.06% 4%
2002 5.2% 0.1%
2001 6.41% 2.6%
2000 5.14% -0.9%
1999 3.23% 34.1%
1998 1.66% 36%
1997 1.82% 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/iceland/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iceland has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.66%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 5.86% in Iceland and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Iceland
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $1K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Metals $4K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Iceland Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$867M
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
121/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.61%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$9.3B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$6.99B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$5.16B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$7.12B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
43.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.5%
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.

Iceland Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 75 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 19/197 165/197
Property rights 94.9 32.9
Government integrity 85 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 95.2 42
Tax burden 72.2 88.2
Government spending 37 92.4
Fiscal health 76.2 54.1
Business freedom 86.8 44.8
Labor freedom 59.3 38.2
Monetary freedom 73.5 53.6
Trade freedom 79.8 63.6
Investment freedom 70 30
Financial freedom 70 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iceland
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iceland Sierra Leone
2026 75 49.6
2025 72.8 48
2024 70.5 44.6
2023 72.2 50.2
2022 77 52
2021 77.4 51.7
2020 77.1 48
2019 77.1 47.5
2018 77 51.8
2017 74.4 52.6
2016 73.3 52.3
2015 72 51.7
2014 72.4 50.5
2013 72.1 48.3
2012 70.9 49.1
2011 68.2 49.6
2010 73.7 47.9
2009 75.9 47.8
2008 75.8 48.3
2007 76 47
2006 75.8 45.2
2005 76.6 44.8
2004 72.1 43.6
2003 73.5 42.2
2002 73.1 -
2001 73.4 -
2000 74 44.2
1999 71.4 47.2
1998 71.2 47.7
1997 70.5 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iceland is 75, ranking 19/197, 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

Iceland Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
64.9%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
20.1%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.98%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$31.8B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$84,060
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.4B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
90/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.24B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$461M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.8%
2017
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.1%
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/iceland/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, 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 (2018–2020, 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.