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Economy of Kenya vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a GDP of $120B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 64/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $81B in government debt (67.3% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Kenya vs Sudan GDP by year

Kenya
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Sudan
2024 $120,339,557,906 $49,672,435,513
2023 $107,500,884,685 $39,898,289,821
2022 $114,448,978,153 $51,666,875,363
2021 $109,703,658,905 $34,229,513,775
2020 $100,657,505,751 $27,034,593,750
2019 $100,378,436,207 $32,338,079,165
2018 $92,202,979,985 $32,333,780,383
2017 $82,036,510,877 $41,283,617,976
2016 $74,815,144,164 $42,630,376,000
2015 $70,120,446,897 $51,726,758,677
2014 $68,285,796,514 $49,516,748,618
2013 $61,671,440,408 $43,024,018,082
2012 $56,396,704,672 $37,632,919,967
2011 $46,869,473,151 $55,018,567,211
2010 $45,405,615,064 $58,962,978,034
2009 $42,347,217,913 $51,621,044,077
2008 $35,895,153,328 $64,833,083,257
2007 $31,958,195,182 $59,440,139,775
2006 $25,825,512,284 $45,263,831,634
2005 $18,737,895,513 $35,182,711,988
2004 $16,095,337,094 $26,646,007,251
2003 $14,904,517,650 $21,355,298,460
2002 $13,147,736,899 $18,137,128,388
2001 $12,986,007,426 $15,716,361,792
2000 $12,705,350,098 $12,257,299,147
1999 $12,896,010,459 $10,682,028,340
1998 $14,093,998,844 $11,250,221,537
1997 $13,115,764,358 $11,681,175,864
1996 $12,045,865,396 $9,018,300,725
1995 $9,046,320,255 $13,830,363,900
1994 $7,148,148,564 $12,793,794,737
1993 $5,751,786,643 $8,881,005,436
1992 $8,209,120,763 $7,031,933,492
1991 $8,151,488,783 $44,171,194,366
1990 $8,572,359,038 $33,641,222,222
1989 $8,283,114,514 $21,408,111,111
1988 $8,355,380,879 $14,372,555,556
1987 $7,970,820,369 $12,093,333,333
1986 $7,239,126,568 $10,092,200,000
1985 $6,135,034,214 $8,075,259,600
1984 $6,191,437,070 $10,447,615,385
1983 $5,979,198,314 $8,230,153,846
1982 $6,431,579,357 $8,732,542,274
1981 $6,854,491,706 $10,753,888,154
1980 $7,265,315,820 $8,951,800,000
1979 $6,234,391,113 $8,418,407,787
1978 $5,303,735,111 $8,128,719,315
1977 $4,494,378,764 $7,499,005,639
1976 $3,474,542,392 $6,013,210,816
1975 $3,259,345,083 $4,823,090,192
1974 $2,969,958,812 $3,958,931,660
1973 $2,509,001,324 $3,077,254,460
1972 $2,107,279,157 $2,483,055,722
1971 $1,778,391,289 $2,288,340,041
1970 $1,603,447,359 $2,100,229,759
1969 $1,458,379,417 $1,847,501,441
1968 $1,353,295,459 $1,677,771,401
1967 $1,232,559,507 $1,607,409,539
1966 $1,164,519,674 $1,484,491,676
1965 $997,919,321 $1,446,869,619
1964 $998,759,334 $1,388,282,600
1963 $926,589,349 $1,351,234,926
1962 $868,111,401 $1,328,259,625
1961 $792,959,473 $1,222,860,429
1960 $791,265,459 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Sudan by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,132 $6,644 $985 $2,116
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $797 $2,421
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $712 $3,249
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $578 $3,349
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $710 $3,914
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $731 $4,199
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $967 $4,252
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $916 $2,459 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $840 $2,481 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $700 $2,330 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $523 $2,189 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $464 $2,066 $872 $3,215
2003 $443 $1,975 $714 $3,058
2002 $403 $1,940 $621 $2,898
2001 $411 $1,961 $551 $2,769
2000 $415 $1,907 $441 $2,616
1999 $434 $1,910 $394 $2,475
1998 $488 $1,895 $425 $2,428
1997 $467 $1,865 $453 $2,358
1996 $441 $1,875 $357 $2,006
1995 $340 $1,818 $561 $1,902
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $532 $1,805
1993 $229 $1,723 $379 $1,794
1992 $337 $1,728 $307 $1,710
1991 $345 $1,756 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $374 $1,729 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $374 - $992 -
1988 $391 - $680 -
1987 $387 - $584 -
1986 $364 - $497 -
1985 $320 - $406 -
1984 $334 - $534 -
1983 $335 - $431 -
1982 $374 - $472 -
1981 $413 - $605 -
1980 $454 - $525 -
1979 $403 - $515 -
1978 $355 - $518 -
1977 $311 - $497 -
1976 $248.9 - $413 -
1975 $241.2 - $343 -
1974 $227.2 - $291.5 -
1973 $198.6 - $235.8 -
1972 $172.6 - $198.2 -
1971 $150.9 - $189 -
1970 $141 - $179.6 -
1969 $133.3 - $163.5 -
1968 $128.7 - $153.7 -
1967 $121.9 - $152.4 -
1966 $119.8 - $145.6 -
1965 $106.9 - $146.8 -
1964 $111.3 - $145.7 -
1963 $107.4 - $146.6 -
1962 $104.6 - $148.9 -
1961 $99.3 - $141.6 -
1960 $102.8 - $134.7 -

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

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

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,132, ranking 154/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Kenya Sudan
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
64/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.72%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$81B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.49%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
7.53%
2022
Population
58955623
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.3% 67.3% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 22.7% 73.4% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 23.2% 67.8% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 24% 68.2% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 24.8% 68% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 25.4% 50.4% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 20.3% 36% 18.8% 71%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 16% 43.8% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 15.7% 42% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 15.6% 36% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 12.9% 239%
1994 18.8% 57% 19.6% 386%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 50.4% 495%
1991 16.4% 43% 45.7% -
1990 17.2% 37.6% 31% -
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government spending was $28B, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.3% in Kenya and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 64/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Sudan
2024 -5.77% -3.46%
2023 -5.71% -3.7%
2022 -6.06% -2.15%
2021 -7.2% -0.29%
2020 -8.13% -6.03%
2019 -7.42% -10.8%
2018 -6.94% -7.92%
2017 -7.4% -6.07%
2016 -7.47% -3.92%
2015 -6.68% -3.87%
2014 -5.75% -4.72%
2013 -5.25% -5.76%
2012 -5.29% -7.37%
2011 -3.64% -2.33%
2010 -3.67% 0.11%
2009 -3.12% -3.8%
2008 -1.95% 0.49%
2007 -0.95% -2.84%
2006 -0.43% -1.32%
2005 -0.19% -1.88%
2004 0.5% 0.16%
2003 -0.73% 0.77%
2002 -1.29% -0.69%
2001 -0.53% -0.77%
2000 0.38% -0.7%
1999 0.84% -0.8%
1998 -0.03% -0.56%
1997 -0.91% -0.59%
1996 -0.49% -2.61%
1995 -0.23% -3.48%
1994 -4.14% -3.03%
1993 -8.57% -8.04%
1992 -8.28% -24.5%
1991 -6.56% -26.5%
1990 -3.28% -16.2%
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.94B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.78% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Sudan
2024 4.49% -
2023 7.67% -
2022 7.66% 138.8%
2021 6.11% 359%
2020 5.41% 163.3%
2019 5.24% 51%
2018 4.69% 63.3%
2017 8.01% 32.4%
2016 6.3% 17.8%
2015 6.58% 16.9%
2014 6.88% 36.9%
2013 5.72% 36.5%
2012 9.38% 35.6%
2011 14% 18.1%
2010 3.96% 13%
2009 9.23% 11.3%
2008 26.2% 14.3%
2007 9.76% 14.8%
2006 14.5% 7.2%
2005 10.3% 8.51%
2004 11.6% 9.66%
2003 9.82% 6.49%
2002 1.96% 22.2%
2001 5.74% 1.94%
2000 9.98% 7.12%
1999 5.74% 17.2%
1998 6.72% 24.6%
1997 11.4% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.57%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 4.49% in Kenya and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18.9M
Raw agricultural goods $12.1M
Machinery & equipment $11.4M
Chemicals & pharma $2.08M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.78M
Metals $412K
Animal & marine products $308K
Wood & paper products $265K
Weapons & explosives $198K
Raw materials & minerals $156K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $11.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $57K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Kenya Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
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.

Kenya Sudan
Economic freedom 55.5 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 191/197
Property rights 40.2 6.5
Government integrity 32.7 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 47 2.4
Tax burden 76.3 84.7
Government spending 84.1 96.5
Fiscal health 36.2 64.6
Business freedom 61.5 27.3
Labor freedom 56.5 33.6
Monetary freedom 75.1 6.2
Trade freedom 52 29.6
Investment freedom 55 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Sudan
2026 55.5 32.5
2025 54.8 35.3
2024 53.6 33.9
2023 52.5 32.8
2022 52.6 32
2021 54.9 39.1
2020 55.3 45
2019 55.1 47.7
2018 54.7 49.4
2017 53.5 48.8
2016 57.5 -
2015 55.6 -
2014 57.1 -
2013 55.9 -
2012 57.5 -
2011 57.4 -
2010 57.5 -
2009 58.7 -
2008 59.3 -
2007 59.6 -
2006 59.7 -
2005 57.9 -
2004 57.7 -
2003 58.6 -
2002 58.2 -
2001 57.6 -
2000 59.7 47.2
1999 58.2 39.6
1998 58.4 38.3
1997 60.1 39.9
1996 56.4 39.2
1995 54.5 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, 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

Kenya Sudan
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,540
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
75/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.79%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
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/kenya/sudan | 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 (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.