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Economy of Kiribati vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kiribati has a GDP of $308M compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 192/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kiribati has $30.5M in government debt (9.92% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Kiribati vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Kiribati
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kiribati Sierra Leone
2024 $307,862,564 $6,971,127,235
2023 $288,610,748 $6,415,852,767
2022 $270,040,453 $7,121,125,278
2021 $285,259,881 $7,166,931,485
2020 $220,898,020 $6,688,307,703
2019 $216,985,388 $6,523,577,594
2018 $233,514,717 $6,390,514,689
2017 $222,875,736 $5,749,846,528
2016 $206,467,819 $6,084,297,211
2015 $191,559,399 $6,788,352,975
2014 $200,287,282 $7,686,138,791
2013 $201,730,861 $7,502,762,863
2012 $207,001,546 $6,141,666,509
2011 $195,970,140 $4,861,632,885
2010 $165,458,433 $4,262,805,967
2009 $140,177,384 $3,953,403,098
2008 $147,017,895 $4,157,895,298
2007 $138,054,946 $3,632,957,611
2006 $112,338,353 $3,263,697,467
2005 $113,895,437 $2,545,275,313
2004 $104,085,892 $2,237,350,687
2003 $96,105,619 $2,142,618,046
2002 $74,743,869 $1,933,863,911
2001 $64,935,850 $1,681,473,894
2000 $74,910,527 $635,866,404
1999 $77,323,978 $669,386,624
1998 $74,905,706 $672,368,187
1997 $80,205,807 $850,232,760
1996 $81,456,854 $941,709,423
1995 $68,596,395 $870,740,292
1994 $67,055,334 $911,853,802
1993 $58,953,596 $768,867,883
1992 $61,491,369 $679,940,814
1991 $41,247,792 $779,981,987
1990 $36,534,295 $649,644,098
1989 $37,645,319 $932,974,420
1988 $38,278,810 $1,055,083,933
1987 $29,554,413 $660,106,336
1986 $25,993,009 $490,181,457
1985 $26,126,615 $856,890,459
1984 $34,394,167 $1,087,471,862
1983 $31,000,546 $995,104,305
1982 $32,742,713 $1,295,361,886
1981 $35,267,489 $1,114,830,472
1980 $33,157,723 $1,100,685,845
1979 $34,466,197 $1,109,374,911
1978 $36,563,965 $960,728,339
1977 $31,335,459 $691,777,584
1976 $33,246,817 $594,895,942
1975 $44,547,454 $679,336,344
1974 $69,256,489 $648,590,643
1973 $25,645,040 $575,230,724
1972 $15,314,346 $465,381,340
1971 $12,356,134 $419,549,305
1970 $11,560,877 $434,410,974
1969 - $408,690,163
1968 - $329,859,732
1967 - $348,795,303
1966 - $375,479,850
1965 - $359,379,856
1964 - $371,847,461
1963 - $348,547,279
1962 - $342,721,416
1961 - $327,834,191
1960 - $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Kiribati vs Sierra Leone by year

Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kiribati Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,289 $3,702 $807 $3,522
2023 $2,178 $3,486 $758 $3,368
2022 $2,070 $3,329 $860 $3,144
2021 $2,222 $3,020 $885 $2,849
2020 $1,752 $2,711 $845 $2,719
2019 $1,751 $2,763 $844 $2,704
2018 $1,913 $2,672 $846 $2,640
2017 $1,853 $2,562 $779 $2,501
2016 $1,743 $2,463 $844 $2,635
2015 $1,640 $2,311 $965 $2,560
2014 $1,737 $2,084 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $1,772 $2,049 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $1,844 $1,896 $938 $2,317
2011 $1,771 $1,786 $761 $2,043
2010 $1,522 $1,724 $685 $1,900
2009 $1,317 $1,718 $653 $1,814
2008 $1,411 $1,735 $705 $1,824
2007 $1,353 $1,792 $632 $1,770
2006 $1,123 $1,728 $580 $1,698
2005 $1,162 $1,617 $463 $1,615
2004 $1,083 $1,579 $418 $1,541
2003 $1,021 $1,578 $414 $1,458
2002 $810 $1,605 $389 $1,360
2001 $719 $1,591 $358 $1,121
2000 $845 $1,638 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $887 $1,526 $155 $1,167
1998 $874 $1,593 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $953 $1,535 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $986 $1,519 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $844 $1,518 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $838 $1,469 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $748 $1,431 $185 $1,269
1992 $792 $1,421 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $540 $1,139 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $488 $1,192 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $515 - $231.3 -
1988 $536 - $268.2 -
1987 $424 - $172.4 -
1986 $382 - $131.5 -
1985 $393 - $235.5 -
1984 $527 - $306 -
1983 $483 - $285.8 -
1982 $519 - $380 -
1981 $568 - $334 -
1980 $542 - $336 -
1979 $573 - $346 -
1978 $611 - $305 -
1977 $520 - $224.2 -
1976 $548 - $196.4 -
1975 $730 - $228.4 -
1974 $1,131 - $222.1 -
1973 $422 - $200.6 -
1972 $256.2 - $165.4 -
1971 $210.7 - $151.8 -
1970 $201 - $160.2 -
1969 - - $153.6 -
1968 - - $126.3 -
1967 - - $136.1 -
1966 - - $149.3 -
1965 - - $145.6 -
1964 - - $153.4 -
1963 - - $146.3 -
1962 - - $146.3 -
1961 - - $142.3 -
1960 - - $142 -

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

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

Kiribati's GDP per capita is $2,289, ranking 152/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Kiribati Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$308M
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
192/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
5.27%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,289
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
152/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,702
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
169/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$30.5M
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
9.92%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$226.9
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
181/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,967
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.8%
2019
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2019
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
98.1%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.5%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.79%
2023
3.19%
2018
Population
139020
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kiribati
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kiribati Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 98.1% 9.92% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 95.3% 11.4% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 87.5% 16.3% 16.7% 54%
2021 84% 17.3% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 102.2% 21% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 108.3% 19% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 108.8% 19% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 92.1% 20.2% 15% 44.2%
2016 99% 21.2% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 90.9% 18.8% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 101.2% 8.97% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 78% 8.86% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 83.9% 8.13% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 80.9% 8.8% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 75.7% 9.43% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 74.7% 10.3% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 79.4% 13.9% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 77.3% 11.1% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 82.1% 12.9% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 95.6% 12.1% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 103.8% 13.6% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 84.4% 12.3% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 96.9% 13.3% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 101.3% 17% 12% 113.5%
2000 66% 12.7% 10.3% -
1999 77.6% 11.8% - -
1998 74.7% 9.81% - -
1997 70.9% 10.7% - -
1996 68.4% 11% - -
1995 69.6% 12.3% - -
1994 54.6% 12.3% - -
1993 55.3% 10.9% - -
1992 65.9% 7.31% - -
1991 82.1% 8.43% - -
1990 105.5% 7.72% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government spending was $302M, accounting for 98.1% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 9.92% in Kiribati and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 180/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kiribati

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kiribati Sierra Leone
2024 -22% -4.53%
2023 0.13% -4.99%
2022 -18.3% -5.93%
2021 -10.8% -4.35%
2020 3.57% -3.5%
2019 10.8% -1.95%
2018 5.18% -3.57%
2017 34.1% -5.61%
2016 20.1% -5.41%
2015 42.5% -2.86%
2014 35% -2.77%
2013 11.8% -1.74%
2012 -5.43% -3.41%
2011 -17.6% -2.78%
2010 -7.8% -3.09%
2009 -8.56% -1.51%
2008 -15.8% -2.22%
2007 -12.5% 12.6%
2006 -12.3% -0.93%
2005 -9.96% -1.17%
2004 -19.2% -1.46%
2003 -8.93% -2.78%
2002 3.13% -3.03%
2001 -10.9% -3.22%
2000 -0.03% -1.94%
1999 -1.81% -
1998 14.6% -
1997 5.92% -
1996 -20.2% -
1995 -5.14% -
1994 0.74% -
1993 6.27% -
1992 0.79% -
1991 3.87% -
1990 -4.62% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Kiribati's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $67.7M, equivalent to 22% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Kiribati recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Kiribati posted an annual deficit equal to 0.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kiribati

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kiribati Sierra Leone
2024 2.5% 28.4%
2023 9.3% 47.7%
2022 5.3% 27.2%
2021 2.1% 11.9%
2020 2.6% 13.4%
2019 -1.8% 14.8%
2018 0.6% 16%
2017 0.4% 18.2%
2016 1.9% 10.9%
2015 0.6% 6.7%
2014 2.1% 4.6%
2013 -1.5% 5.5%
2012 -3% 6.6%
2011 1.5% 6.8%
2010 -3.9% 7.2%
2009 9.8% 7.5%
2008 13.7% 8.2%
2007 3.6% 17%
2006 -1% 10.5%
2005 -0.4% 13.7%
2004 -0.7% 12.9%
2003 1.6% 4%
2002 3.2% 0.1%
2001 6% 2.6%
2000 0.4% -0.9%
1999 1.8% 34.1%
1998 3.7% 36%
1997 2.6% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Kiribati has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 2.5% in Kiribati and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Balance of trade

Kiribati Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$59.5M
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
85/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.3%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$227M
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$8.49M
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$108M
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$7M
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
94.9%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
6.27%
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.

Kiribati Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 50.8 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 158/197 165/197
Property rights 69.6 32.9
Government integrity 50.5 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 54.6 42
Tax burden 72.6 88.2
Government spending 0 92.4
Fiscal health 19.8 54.1
Business freedom 60.2 44.8
Labor freedom 65.3 38.2
Monetary freedom 76.7 53.6
Trade freedom 80 63.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kiribati
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kiribati Sierra Leone
2026 50.8 49.6
2025 50.9 48
2024 51.3 44.6
2023 58.8 50.2
2022 59.2 52
2021 44.4 51.7
2020 45.2 48
2019 47.3 47.5
2018 50.8 51.8
2017 50.9 52.6
2016 46.2 52.3
2015 46.4 51.7
2014 46.3 50.5
2013 45.9 48.3
2012 46.9 49.1
2011 44.8 49.6
2010 43.7 47.9
2009 45.7 47.8
2008 - 48.3
2007 - 47
2006 - 45.2
2005 - 44.8
2004 - 43.6
2003 - 42.2
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 - 44.2
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 47.7
1997 - 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Kiribati is 50.8, ranking 158/197, 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

Kiribati Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
67.1%
2023
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.5%
2023
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
27.2%
2023
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$493M
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,060
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$8.06M
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$8.07M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$16.4K
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2023
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.8%
2023
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/kiribati/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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.