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Economy of Iran vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iran has a GDP of $475B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 34/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iran has $162B in government debt (34% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Iran vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Iran
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iran Sierra Leone
2024 $475,252,089,215 $6,971,127,235
2023 $457,510,482,317 $6,415,852,767
2022 $422,662,261,526 $7,121,125,278
2021 $407,350,685,583 $7,166,931,485
2020 $280,934,329,280 $6,688,307,703
2019 $347,988,400,958 $6,523,577,594
2018 $411,903,303,606 $6,390,514,689
2017 $510,239,893,418 $5,749,846,528
2016 $478,618,064,871 $6,084,297,211
2015 $409,191,686,497 $6,788,352,975
2014 $462,284,793,281 $7,686,138,791
2013 $500,399,839,840 $7,502,762,863
2012 $644,019,315,004 $6,141,666,509
2011 $629,082,257,472 $4,861,632,885
2010 $487,069,570,464 $4,262,805,967
2009 $414,059,094,949 $3,953,403,098
2008 $406,070,949,554 $4,157,895,298
2007 $349,736,591,832 $3,632,957,611
2006 $265,602,187,404 $3,263,697,467
2005 $224,970,371,325 $2,545,275,313
2004 $187,754,571,248 $2,237,350,687
2003 $151,911,222,119 $2,142,618,046
2002 $128,626,917,504 $1,933,863,911
2001 $126,878,750,296 $1,681,473,894
2000 $109,591,707,802 $635,866,404
1999 $113,848,450,088 $669,386,624
1998 $110,276,913,363 $672,368,187
1997 $113,919,163,421 $850,232,760
1996 $120,403,931,885 $941,709,423
1995 $96,419,225,744 $870,740,292
1994 $71,841,461,173 $911,853,802
1993 $63,743,623,232 $768,867,883
1992 $119,768,691,217 $679,940,814
1991 $131,637,664,958 $779,981,987
1990 $124,813,263,926 $649,644,098
1989 $120,496,362,916 $932,974,420
1988 $123,057,861,334 $1,055,083,933
1987 $134,009,995,923 $660,106,336
1986 $209,094,561,833 $490,181,457
1985 $180,183,629,600 $856,890,459
1984 $162,276,728,620 $1,087,471,862
1983 $156,365,156,618 $995,104,305
1982 $125,948,756,439 $1,295,361,886
1981 $100,499,312,750 $1,114,830,472
1980 $94,362,275,580 $1,100,685,845
1979 $90,391,877,326 $1,109,374,911
1978 $77,994,316,621 $960,728,339
1977 $80,600,122,702 $691,777,584
1976 $68,055,295,081 $594,895,942
1975 $51,776,222,350 $679,336,344
1974 $46,209,092,072 $648,590,643
1973 $27,081,698,250 $575,230,724
1972 $17,153,463,263 $465,381,340
1971 $13,731,802,833 $419,549,305
1970 $10,976,245,154 $434,410,974
1969 $9,743,089,607 $408,690,163
1968 $8,623,172,960 $329,859,732
1967 $7,555,383,690 $348,795,303
1966 $6,789,938,672 $375,479,850
1965 $6,197,319,929 $359,379,856
1964 $5,379,845,648 $371,847,461
1963 $4,928,628,018 $348,547,279
1962 $4,693,566,416 $342,721,416
1961 $4,426,949,095 $327,834,191
1960 $4,199,134,390 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Iran vs Sierra Leone by year

Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iran Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,190 $19,874 $807 $3,522
2023 $5,049 $18,917 $758 $3,368
2022 $4,721 $17,546 $860 $3,144
2021 $4,605 $15,884 $885 $2,849
2020 $3,203 $15,119 $845 $2,719
2019 $3,997 $13,928 $844 $2,704
2018 $4,783 $15,324 $846 $2,640
2017 $6,001 $15,719 $779 $2,501
2016 $5,711 $15,195 $844 $2,635
2015 $4,953 $14,274 $965 $2,560
2014 $5,672 $16,065 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $6,223 $16,215 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $8,114 $17,021 $938 $2,317
2011 $8,026 $19,275 $761 $2,043
2010 $6,291 $18,628 $685 $1,900
2009 $5,416 $17,615 $653 $1,814
2008 $5,377 $17,549 $705 $1,824
2007 $4,688 $17,384 $632 $1,770
2006 $3,619 $15,907 $580 $1,698
2005 $3,132 $15,016 $463 $1,615
2004 $2,672 $14,425 $418 $1,541
2003 $2,209 $13,755 $414 $1,458
2002 $1,891 $12,554 $389 $1,360
2001 $1,881 $11,533 $358 $1,121
2000 $1,650 $11,187 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $1,740 $10,489 $155 $1,167
1998 $1,709 $10,285 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $1,790 $10,101 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $1,915 $9,916 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $1,550 $9,255 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $1,168 $8,951 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $1,038 $8,933 $185 $1,269
1992 $1,957 $8,888 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $2,194 $8,580 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $2,138 $7,566 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $2,125 - $231.3 -
1988 $2,234 - $268.2 -
1987 $2,513 - $172.4 -
1986 $4,064 - $131.5 -
1985 $3,634 - $235.5 -
1984 $3,395 - $306 -
1983 $3,397 - $285.8 -
1982 $2,845 - $380 -
1981 $2,393 - $334 -
1980 $2,368 - $336 -
1979 $2,352 - $346 -
1978 $2,101 - $305 -
1977 $2,243 - $224.2 -
1976 $1,954 - $196.4 -
1975 $1,532 - $228.4 -
1974 $1,409 - $222.1 -
1973 $851 - $200.6 -
1972 $555 - $165.4 -
1971 $457 - $151.8 -
1970 $377 - $160.2 -
1969 $345 - $153.6 -
1968 $314 - $126.3 -
1967 $283.7 - $136.1 -
1966 $262.9 - $149.3 -
1965 $247.5 - $145.6 -
1964 $221.7 - $153.4 -
1963 $209.6 - $146.3 -
1962 $205.8 - $146.3 -
1961 $200.1 - $142.3 -
1960 $195.6 - $142 -

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

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

Iran's GDP per capita is $5,190, ranking 119/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iran ranks 97th at $19,874, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Iran Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$475B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
34/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
3.66%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,190
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
119/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,874
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
97/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$162B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
34%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,764
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
122/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,964
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$172B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.2%
2023
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2023
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.2%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
32.5%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
23%
2023
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.63%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
93468444
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iran
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iran Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.2% 34% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 12.8% 29.6% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 12.8% 34.5% 16.7% 54%
2021 13.4% 39.9% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 12.1% 47.1% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 13.6% 44.6% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 14.8% 41.6% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 16.4% 43.2% 15% 44.2%
2016 16.3% 45.9% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 14.1% 32.1% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 12.3% 10.9% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 11.5% 10.2% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 11.4% 11.7% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 14.6% 10.6% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 14.1% 12.8% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 15.7% 11.5% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 16.8% 10.6% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 14.2% 13.5% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 18.7% 15.2% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 17.9% 18.3% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 15.1% 21.1% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 15.7% 21.9% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 15.6% 23.4% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 13.6% 21% 12% 113.5%
2000 13.3% 18.2% 10.3% -
1999 15.7% 22.2% - -
1998 16.9% 29.6% - -
1997 17.4% 30.9% - -
1996 17.3% 29.3% - -
1995 21% 31.2% - -
1994 23% 41.7% - -
1993 27.2% 25.6% - -
1992 14.4% 25.2% - -
1991 14% 29.3% - -
1990 16.4% 37% - -
1989 20% 48.8% - -
1988 23.6% 53.2% - -
1987 18.6% 48.6% - -
1986 19% 47.4% - -
1985 21.6% 8.73% - -
1984 23.7% 10% - -
1983 27.5% 35.7% - -
1982 29.7% 47.7% - -
1981 33.7% 47.6% - -
1980 35.8% 35.5% - -
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - 9.23% - -
1976 - 6.92% - -
1975 - 8.81% - -
1974 - 6.68% - -
1973 - 12.8% - -
1972 - 12.7% - -
1971 - 14.2% - -
1970 - 14.1% - -
1969 - - - -
1968 23.6% - - -
1967 22.3% - - -
1966 20.5% - - -
1965 16.3% 14.9% - -
1964 15.4% 15.2% - -
1963 14.8% 12.4% - -
1962 15.6% 13.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government spending was $67.5B, accounting for 14.2% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 34% in Iran and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 147/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iran

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iran Sierra Leone
2024 -3.83% -4.53%
2023 -2.54% -4.99%
2022 -2.64% -5.93%
2021 -3.01% -4.35%
2020 -4.87% -3.5%
2019 -4.3% -1.95%
2018 -1.59% -3.57%
2017 -1.55% -5.61%
2016 -1.7% -5.41%
2015 -1.3% -2.86%
2014 -0.91% -2.77%
2013 -0.72% -1.74%
2012 -0.5% -3.41%
2011 -0.66% -2.78%
2010 -0.84% -3.09%
2009 -3.3% -1.51%
2008 -4.39% -2.22%
2007 -2.41% 12.6%
2006 -4.91% -0.93%
2005 -2.44% -1.17%
2004 -2.45% -1.46%
2003 -2.76% -2.78%
2002 -2.88% -3.03%
2001 0.02% -3.22%
2000 5.42% -1.94%
1999 -0.51% -
1998 -5.03% -
1997 -1.81% -
1996 -0.75% -
1995 -2.63% -
1994 -3.36% -
1993 -5.15% -
1992 -0.86% -
1991 -1.64% -
1990 -1.73% -
1989 -4.45% -
1988 -10.3% -
1987 -6.84% -
1986 -7.84% -
1985 -3.74% -
1984 -4.02% -
1983 -6.15% -
1982 -5.55% -
1981 -10.7% -
1980 -14.2% -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 -4.57% -
1967 -4% -
1966 -2.63% -
1965 -1.23% -
1964 -0.04% -
1963 0.26% -
1962 -1.39% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iran's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $18.2B, equivalent to 3.83% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Iran recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Iran posted an annual deficit equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iran

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iran Sierra Leone
2024 32.5% 28.4%
2023 44.6% 47.7%
2022 43.5% 27.2%
2021 43.4% 11.9%
2020 30.6% 13.4%
2019 39.9% 14.8%
2018 18% 16%
2017 8.04% 18.2%
2016 7.25% 10.9%
2015 12.5% 6.7%
2014 16.6% 4.6%
2013 36.6% 5.5%
2012 27.3% 6.6%
2011 26.3% 6.8%
2010 10.1% 7.2%
2009 13.6% 7.5%
2008 25.4% 8.2%
2007 17.3% 17%
2006 10% 10.5%
2005 13.4% 13.7%
2004 14.8% 12.9%
2003 16.5% 4%
2002 14.3% 0.1%
2001 11.3% 2.6%
2000 14.5% -0.9%
1999 20.1% 34.1%
1998 17.9% 36%
1997 17.3% 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/iran/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Iran has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 21.6%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 32.5% in Iran and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Iran
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $366K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Iran Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$12.5B
2000
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
22/190
2000
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+11.4%
2000
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$15.2B
2000
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$28.3B
2000
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$2.3B
2000
$348M
2023
Service exports
$1.38B
2000
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.6%
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.

Iran Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 41.8 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 185/197 165/197
Property rights 20.2 32.9
Government integrity 16.2 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 18.7 42
Tax burden 81.3 88.2
Government spending 94.7 92.4
Fiscal health 83.3 54.1
Business freedom 37.4 44.8
Labor freedom 41.8 38.2
Monetary freedom 42.2 53.6
Trade freedom 55.8 63.6
Investment freedom 5 30
Financial freedom 5 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iran
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iran Sierra Leone
2026 41.8 49.6
2025 42.5 48
2024 41.2 44.6
2023 42.2 50.2
2022 42.4 52
2021 47.2 51.7
2020 49.2 48
2019 51.1 47.5
2018 50.9 51.8
2017 50.5 52.6
2016 43.5 52.3
2015 41.8 51.7
2014 40.3 50.5
2013 43.2 48.3
2012 42.3 49.1
2011 42.1 49.6
2010 43.4 47.9
2009 44.6 47.8
2008 45 48.3
2007 45 47
2006 45 45.2
2005 50.5 44.8
2004 42.8 43.6
2003 43.2 42.2
2002 36.4 -
2001 35.9 -
2000 36.1 44.2
1999 36.8 47.2
1998 36 47.7
1997 34.5 45
1996 36.1 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iran is 41.8, ranking 185/197, 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

Iran Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
49.8%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.1%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.8%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$469B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$19,820
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$7.69B
1982
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
85/177
1982
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$39M
2000
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.45B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$89.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.08%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2020
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
44.3%
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/iran/sierra-leone | 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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, 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)
  9. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.