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Economy of Jamaica vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Jamaica has a GDP of $22.7B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 125/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Jamaica has $15.4B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Jamaica vs South Sudan GDP by year

Jamaica
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Jamaica South Sudan
2025 $22,704,903,218 -
2024 $22,014,429,051 -
2023 $21,418,797,833 -
2022 $18,813,516,805 -
2021 $15,963,885,376 -
2020 $15,000,214,216 -
2019 $17,026,269,263 -
2018 $16,855,447,986 -
2017 $15,783,583,237 -
2016 $14,898,999,754 -
2015 $14,963,589,916 $11,997,800,760
2014 $13,899,217,680 $13,962,212,847
2013 $14,264,205,153 $18,426,469,017
2012 $14,807,086,556 $11,931,472,169
2011 $14,444,661,522 $14,907,308,933
2010 $13,220,549,908 $14,602,072,411
2009 $12,120,458,115 $12,231,264,525
2008 $13,709,401,520 $14,586,253,383
2007 $12,799,600,047 -
2006 $11,930,179,090 -
2005 $11,243,865,778 -
2004 $10,174,664,854 -
2003 $9,430,234,811 -
2002 $9,719,009,495 -
2001 $9,194,727,831 -
2000 $9,005,064,475 -
1999 $8,887,057,997 -
1998 $8,787,195,622 -
1997 $8,400,041,724 -
1996 $7,393,891,921 -
1995 $6,577,520,643 -
1994 $5,452,558,947 -
1993 $5,440,075,676 -
1992 $3,535,460,090 -
1991 $4,106,207,649 -
1990 $4,592,208,087 -
1989 $4,404,937,853 -
1988 $3,828,342,820 -
1987 $3,287,007,322 -
1986 $2,754,549,582 -
1985 $2,100,239,019 -
1984 $2,373,564,549 -
1983 $3,619,262,277 -
1982 $3,293,496,312 -
1981 $2,979,027,966 -
1980 $2,679,379,372 -
1979 $2,425,064,229 -
1978 $2,644,527,822 -
1977 $3,249,733,140 -
1976 $2,966,042,856 -
1975 $2,860,442,750 -
1974 $2,375,122,375 -
1973 $1,905,917,553 -
1972 $1,875,146,587 -
1971 $1,539,861,816 -
1970 $1,404,720,442 -
1969 $1,191,239,047 -
1968 $1,083,839,133 -
1967 $1,148,014,311 -
1966 $1,096,759,561 -
1965 $972,159,611 -
1964 $897,949,001 -
1963 $826,706,669 -
1962 $777,727,689 -
1961 $748,043,501 -
1960 $699,064,380 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Jamaica vs South Sudan by year

Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Jamaica South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $8,003 - - -
2024 $7,754 $12,890 - -
2023 $7,542 $12,651 - -
2022 $6,626 $11,888 - -
2021 $5,626 $10,431 - -
2020 $5,299 $9,764 - -
2019 $6,031 $10,845 - -
2018 $5,977 $10,753 - -
2017 $5,605 $10,466 - -
2016 $5,302 $9,948 - -
2015 $5,339 $9,476 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $4,975 $9,210 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $5,124 $9,101 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $5,341 $8,831 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $5,233 $8,809 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $4,810 $8,521 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $4,428 $8,580 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $5,030 $8,952 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $4,716 $8,893 - -
2006 $4,417 $8,577 - -
2005 $4,184 $8,127 - -
2004 $3,808 $7,854 - -
2003 $3,550 $7,593 - -
2002 $3,681 $7,226 - -
2001 $3,504 $7,019 - -
2000 $3,453 $6,816 - -
1999 $3,432 $6,653 - -
1998 $3,419 $6,543 - -
1997 $3,297 $6,682 - -
1996 $2,929 $6,706 - -
1995 $2,631 $6,657 - -
1994 $2,203 $6,435 - -
1993 $2,221 $6,279 - -
1992 $1,458 $5,664 - -
1991 $1,710 $5,485 - -
1990 $1,930 $5,106 - -
1989 $1,865 - - -
1988 $1,632 - - -
1987 $1,411 - - -
1986 $1,191 - - -
1985 $917 - - -
1984 $1,048 - - -
1983 $1,619 - - -
1982 $1,494 - - -
1981 $1,370 - - -
1980 $1,249 - - -
1979 $1,144 - - -
1978 $1,262 - - -
1977 $1,569 - - -
1976 $1,450 - - -
1975 $1,417 - - -
1974 $1,193 - - -
1973 $972 - - -
1972 $971 - - -
1971 $809 - - -
1970 $748 - - -
1969 $642 - - -
1968 $591 - - -
1967 $633 - - -
1966 $612 - - -
1965 $549 - - -
1964 $514 - - -
1963 $480 - - -
1962 $458 - - -
1961 $447 - - -
1960 $424 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/south-sudan | CC BY

Jamaica's GDP per capita is $8,003, ranking 98/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Jamaica South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$22.7B
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
125/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
0.08%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$8,003
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,890
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
121/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$15.4B
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,419
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
80/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$8,390
2026
$1,514
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.6B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2021
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
4%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
5.75%
2025
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.02%
2023
12.3%
2008
Population
2834177
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Jamaica
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Jamaica South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 33.8% 67.7% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 30.1% 62.5% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 27.7% 66.5% 21.3% 62%
2022 27.1% 70.2% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 27.6% 86.3% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 30.1% 101.3% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 27.5% 87.7% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 27.5% 88.3% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 26.9% 95.1% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 26.5% 106.9% 52% 128.9%
2015 25.9% 115.9% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 26.1% 134.4% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 26.3% 135.2% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 29.1% 140.3% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 31.2% 135.9% 20.8% 0%
2010 32.3% 137.8% - -
2009 37.7% 138.3% - -
2008 33.9% 123.8% - -
2007 30.6% 111.6% - -
2006 30.1% 114.2% - -
2005 28.6% 121.5% - -
2004 30.7% 116.9% - -
2003 31.1% 120.1% - -
2002 30.1% 115.4% - -
2001 27.8% 105.3% - -
2000 25.7% 89.5% - -
1999 27.9% 80.7% - -
1998 27.9% 75.6% - -
1997 27.6% 74.4% - -
1996 27.4% 70.2% - -
1995 22.1% 85.2% - -
1994 19.9% 90.4% - -
1993 19.6% 106.2% - -
1992 18.2% 100.4% - -
1991 19.9% 175.1% - -
1990 22.6% 128.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Jamaica's government spending was $7.68B, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Jamaica and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 62/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Jamaica

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Jamaica South Sudan
2025 -3.77% 3.45%
2024 0.22% 11.5%
2023 0.04% 9.12%
2022 0.26% 4.43%
2021 0.84% -9.3%
2020 -2.87% -5.5%
2019 0.85% 0.04%
2018 1.1% -1.15%
2017 0.42% 4.16%
2016 -0.18% -15.5%
2015 -0.28% -16.3%
2014 -0.48% -9.53%
2013 0.12% -3.45%
2012 -3.97% -14.8%
2011 -6.24% 4.57%
2010 -6.17% -
2009 -10.8% -
2008 -7.32% -
2007 -3.7% -
2006 -4.74% -
2005 -3.22% -
2004 -4.56% -
2003 -5.42% -
2002 -6.55% -
2001 -4.77% -
2000 -0.78% -
1999 -3.41% -
1998 -5.73% -
1997 -6.39% -
1996 -5.25% -
1995 1.53% -
1994 2.4% -
1993 2.37% -
1992 2.83% -
1991 3.14% -
1990 2.06% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Jamaica's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $41.2M, equivalent to 0.28% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Jamaica recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Jamaica posted an annual deficit equal to 2.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Jamaica

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Jamaica South Sudan
2025 4% -
2024 5.41% 91.4%
2023 6.47% 2.38%
2022 10.3% -6.69%
2021 5.86% 10.5%
2020 5.23% 29.7%
2019 3.91% 87.2%
2018 3.74% 83.5%
2017 4.38% 187.9%
2016 2.35% 380%
2015 3.69% 52.8%
2014 8.27% 1.67%
2013 9.34% -0.06%
2012 6.87% 45.5%
2011 7.56% 46.9%
2010 12.6% 1.17%
2009 9.59% 5.01%
2008 22% -
2007 9.24% -
2006 8.56% -
2005 15.1% -
2004 13.6% -
2003 10.1% -
2002 7.08% -
2001 6.8% -
2000 8.17% -
1999 5.95% -
1998 8.63% -
1997 9.66% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/jamaica/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Jamaica has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.6%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 4% in Jamaica and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Jamaica South Sudan
Current account balance
$679M
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.08%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$6.07B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$1.87B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$3.46B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$5.26B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
52.1%
2019
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
38%
2019
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Jamaica South Sudan
Economic freedom 68.2 41
Economic freedom ranking 48/197 186/197
Property rights 66.8 n/a
Government integrity 49.4 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 75.6 n/a
Tax burden 76.3 n/a
Government spending 76 n/a
Fiscal health 92.2 n/a
Business freedom 68.5 n/a
Labor freedom 59.2 n/a
Monetary freedom 74.2 n/a
Trade freedom 70.4 n/a
Investment freedom 60 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Jamaica South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
59.8%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.74%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$22.1B
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,090
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$6.3B
2025
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2025
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$304M
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$305M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.07M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
11.3%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
8.2%
2023
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.6%
2019
5.75%
2015

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/jamaica/south-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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.