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Economy of Iraq vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Iraq has a GDP of $280B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 50/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Iraq has $130B in government debt (46.5% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Iraq vs Sudan GDP by year

Iraq
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Iraq Sudan
2024 $279,641,257,615 $49,672,435,513
2023 $268,881,051,644 $39,898,289,821
2022 $287,372,232,138 $51,666,875,363
2021 $209,691,945,713 $34,229,513,775
2020 $180,898,797,517 $27,034,593,750
2019 $233,636,097,800 $32,338,079,165
2018 $227,367,469,034 $32,333,780,383
2017 $187,217,660,051 $41,283,617,976
2016 $166,743,557,748 $42,630,376,000
2015 $166,774,104,959 $51,726,758,677
2014 $228,415,656,175 $49,516,748,618
2013 $234,637,675,129 $43,024,018,082
2012 $218,002,476,129 $37,632,919,967
2011 $185,749,664,444 $55,018,567,211
2010 $138,516,722,650 $58,962,978,034
2009 $111,657,580,326 $51,621,044,077
2008 $131,614,434,154 $64,833,083,257
2007 $88,837,057,320 $59,440,139,775
2006 $65,147,051,918 $45,263,831,634
2005 $50,065,104,668 $35,182,711,988
2004 $36,633,669,269 $26,646,007,251
2003 $21,921,569,479 $21,355,298,460
2002 $32,928,454,672 $18,137,128,388
2001 $36,176,430,129 $15,716,361,792
2000 $48,364,250,944 $12,257,299,147
1999 $36,881,601,584 $10,682,028,340
1998 $20,617,405,044 $11,250,221,537
1997 $20,764,857,056 $11,681,175,864
1996 $10,433,698,621 $9,018,300,725
1995 $12,894,029,888 $13,830,363,900
1994 $3,991,349,283 $12,793,794,737
1993 $1,031,944,881 $8,881,005,436
1992 $553,671,958 $7,031,933,492
1991 $407,796,350 $44,171,194,366
1990 $180,408,064,516 $33,641,222,222
1989 $65,831,935,484 $21,408,111,111
1988 $62,684,516,129 $14,372,555,556
1987 $56,774,193,548 $12,093,333,333
1986 $47,264,516,129 $10,092,200,000
1985 $48,425,161,290 $8,075,259,600
1984 $46,938,387,097 $10,447,615,385
1983 $40,712,903,226 $8,230,153,846
1982 $42,382,333,333 $8,732,542,274
1981 $37,823,000,000 $10,753,888,154
1980 $52,569,000,000 $8,951,800,000
1979 $37,816,457,839 $8,418,407,787
1978 $23,762,275,652 $8,128,719,315
1977 $19,838,130,715 $7,499,005,639
1976 $17,754,825,601 $6,013,210,816
1975 $13,458,516,763 $4,823,090,192
1974 $11,516,762,614 $3,958,931,660
1973 $5,134,367,778 $3,077,254,460
1972 $4,113,848,002 $2,483,055,722
1971 $3,865,346,535 $2,288,340,041
1970 $3,281,318,687 $2,100,229,759
1969 $3,007,758,797 $1,847,501,441
1968 $2,896,598,841 $1,677,771,401
1967 $2,551,522,656 $1,607,409,539
1966 $2,530,306,096 $1,484,491,676
1965 $2,335,785,506 $1,446,869,619
1964 $2,136,408,198 $1,388,282,600
1963 $1,805,901,510 $1,351,234,926
1962 $1,784,174,541 $1,328,259,625
1961 $1,671,960,965 $1,222,860,429
1960 $1,537,252,193 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Iraq vs Sudan by year

Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Iraq Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,074 $14,464 $985 $2,116
2023 $5,965 $14,653 $797 $2,421
2022 $6,521 $14,391 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $4,868 $12,732 $712 $3,249
2020 $4,295 $10,574 $578 $3,349
2019 $5,672 $12,249 $710 $3,914
2018 $5,647 $12,034 $731 $4,199
2017 $4,759 $10,192 $967 $4,252
2016 $4,334 $9,079 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $4,440 $9,334 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $6,249 $13,168 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $6,650 $14,669 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $6,478 $14,402 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $5,776 $12,912 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $4,462 $12,186 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $3,715 $11,687 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $4,543 $11,657 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $3,129 $10,783 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $2,277 $10,223 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,762 $9,457 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $1,328 $9,290 $872 $3,215
2003 $818 $6,068 $714 $3,058
2002 $1,266 $9,682 $621 $2,898
2001 $1,436 $10,720 $551 $2,769
2000 $1,980 $10,628 $441 $2,616
1999 $1,560 $9,194 $394 $2,475
1998 $901 $7,964 $425 $2,428
1997 $936 $6,020 $453 $2,358
1996 $485 $5,034 $357 $2,006
1995 $619 $4,598 $561 $1,902
1994 $198.2 $4,560 $532 $1,805
1993 $53.7 $4,509 $379 $1,794
1992 $30.3 $3,547 $307 $1,710
1991 $23 $2,694 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $10,261 - $1,528 $1,468
1989 $3,791 - $992 -
1988 $3,707 - $680 -
1987 $3,436 - $584 -
1986 $2,940 - $497 -
1985 $3,088 - $406 -
1984 $3,066 - $534 -
1983 $2,743 - $431 -
1982 $2,942 - $472 -
1981 $2,700 - $605 -
1980 $3,868 - $525 -
1979 $2,871 - $515 -
1978 $1,863 - $518 -
1977 $1,609 - $497 -
1976 $1,489 - $413 -
1975 $1,166 - $343 -
1974 $1,031 - $291.5 -
1973 $476 - $235.8 -
1972 $394 - $198.2 -
1971 $384 - $189 -
1970 $337 - $179.6 -
1969 $320 - $163.5 -
1968 $319 - $153.7 -
1967 $290.6 - $152.4 -
1966 $298.2 - $145.6 -
1965 $284.8 - $146.8 -
1964 $269.4 - $145.7 -
1963 $235.5 - $146.6 -
1962 $240.7 - $148.9 -
1961 $232.4 - $141.6 -
1960 $218.9 - $134.7 -

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

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

Iraq's GDP per capita is $6,074, ranking 113/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Iraq Sudan
Gross domestic product
$280B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
50/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
-1.55%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,074
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
113/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,464
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
115/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
46.5%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,822
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
105/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,928
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.2%
2023
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2023
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
42.9%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-12.3%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
16.2%
2021
7.53%
2022
Population
48289334
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Iraq
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Iraq Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 42.9% 46.5% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 41.2% 42.1% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 33.9% 39% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 36.3% 54.7% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 41.9% 72.5% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 34.7% 41.7% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 31.1% 44.4% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 35.5% 55.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 42.4% 60.3% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 43.5% 48.3% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 43.8% 27.6% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 48.2% 32% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 42.9% 34.8% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 43.4% 40.7% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 49.6% 53.5% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 61.1% 87.4% 18.8% 71%
2008 57.3% 74.2% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 44% 117.1% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 50.3% 143.2% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 63.2% 227.3% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 91.5% 344% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 - - 12.5% 117.4%
2002 - - 10.5% 121.7%
2001 - - 9.87% 125.6%
2000 - - 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government spending was $120B, accounting for 42.9% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 46.5% in Iraq and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 117/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Iraq

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Iraq Sudan
2024 -4.14% -3.46%
2023 -1.14% -3.7%
2022 8.1% -2.15%
2021 -0.38% -0.29%
2020 -12.8% -6.03%
2019 0.83% -10.8%
2018 7.69% -7.92%
2017 -1.52% -6.07%
2016 -14.4% -3.92%
2015 -12.8% -3.87%
2014 -5.63% -4.72%
2013 -6.06% -5.76%
2012 4.09% -7.37%
2011 4.74% -2.33%
2010 -4.18% 0.11%
2009 -14.9% -3.8%
2008 -0.86% 0.49%
2007 9.98% -2.84%
2006 10.7% -1.32%
2005 4.07% -1.88%
2004 -35.4% 0.16%
2003 - 0.77%
2002 - -0.69%
2001 - -0.77%
2000 - -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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Iraq's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $11.6B, equivalent to 4.14% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Iraq recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Iraq posted an annual deficit equal to 3.05% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.69% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Iraq

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Iraq Sudan
2024 -12.3% -
2023 4.36% -
2022 4.99% 138.8%
2021 6.04% 359%
2020 0.57% 163.3%
2019 -0.2% 51%
2018 0.37% 63.3%
2017 0.18% 32.4%
2016 0.56% 17.8%
2015 1.39% 16.9%
2014 2.24% 36.9%
2013 1.88% 36.5%
2012 6.09% 35.6%
2011 5.8% 18.1%
2010 2.88% 13%
2009 6.87% 11.3%
2008 12.7% 14.3%
2007 -10.1% 14.8%
2006 53.2% 7.2%
2005 37% 8.51%
2004 27% 9.66%
2003 33.6% 6.49%
2002 19.3% 22.2%
2001 16.4% 1.94%
2000 4.98% 7.12%
1999 12.6% 17.2%
1998 14.8% 24.6%
1997 23.1% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Iraq has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.9%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was -12.3% in Iraq and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Iraq
Export category Export value
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.06M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33K

Balance of trade

Iraq Sudan
Current account balance
$8.37B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
24/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.99%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$74.3B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$101B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$30.2B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$10.2B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.2%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Iraq Sudan
Economic freedom 15.6 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 196/197 191/197
Property rights 8.3 6.5
Government integrity 20.2 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.8 2.4
Tax burden 85.5 84.7
Government spending 65.3 96.5
Fiscal health 95.7 64.6
Business freedom 42.8 27.3
Labor freedom 60.6 33.6
Monetary freedom 68.6 6.2
Trade freedom 40 29.6
Investment freedom 10 5
Financial freedom 10 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Iraq
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Iraq Sudan
2026 - 32.5
2025 - 35.3
2024 - 33.9
2023 - 32.8
2022 - 32
2021 - 39.1
2020 - 45
2019 - 47.7
2018 - 49.4
2017 - 48.8
2016 - -
2015 - -
2014 - -
2013 - -
2012 - -
2011 - -
2010 - -
2009 - -
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 15.6 -
2001 17.2 -
2000 17.2 47.2
1999 17.2 39.6
1998 17.2 38.3
1997 17.2 39.9
1996 17.2 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Iraq is 15.6, ranking 196/197, 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

Iraq Sudan
Services, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
51.6%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.39%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$277B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$14,530
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$101B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
28/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$8.09B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$7.65B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$439M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.22%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.5%
2023
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.2%
2024
2.89%
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/iraq/sudan | 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 (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.