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Economy of Madagascar vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Madagascar has a GDP of $17.4B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 136/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Madagascar has $8.77B in government debt (50.3% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Madagascar vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Madagascar
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Madagascar Sierra Leone
2024 $17,420,501,490 $6,971,127,235
2023 $15,869,945,478 $6,415,852,767
2022 $15,325,603,273 $7,121,125,278
2021 $14,354,731,964 $7,166,931,485
2020 $13,051,441,204 $6,688,307,703
2019 $14,104,664,679 $6,523,577,594
2018 $13,760,033,282 $6,390,514,689
2017 $13,176,313,594 $5,749,846,528
2016 $11,848,613,858 $6,084,297,211
2015 $11,323,020,701 $6,788,352,975
2014 $12,522,957,399 $7,686,138,791
2013 $12,423,555,455 $7,502,762,863
2012 $11,578,975,062 $6,141,666,509
2011 $11,551,819,618 $4,861,632,885
2010 $9,982,711,338 $4,262,805,967
2009 $9,616,879,409 $3,953,403,098
2008 $10,725,137,724 $4,157,895,298
2007 $8,524,620,890 $3,632,957,611
2006 $6,395,712,491 $3,263,697,467
2005 $5,859,269,753 $2,545,275,313
2004 $5,064,732,626 $2,237,350,687
2003 $6,372,498,890 $2,142,618,046
2002 $5,351,701,663 $1,933,863,911
2001 $5,438,332,602 $1,681,473,894
2000 $4,629,247,204 $635,866,404
1999 $4,277,903,780 $669,386,624
1998 $4,401,967,633 $672,368,187
1997 $4,262,965,420 $850,232,760
1996 $4,931,861,039 $941,709,423
1995 $3,838,100,904 $870,740,292
1994 $3,522,227,092 $911,853,802
1993 $4,063,298,919 $768,867,883
1992 $3,714,966,678 $679,940,814
1991 $3,254,713,056 $779,981,987
1990 $3,931,334,875 $649,644,098
1989 $3,175,638,333 $932,974,420
1988 $3,189,456,965 $1,055,083,933
1987 $3,212,900,556 $660,106,336
1986 $4,347,989,788 $490,181,457
1985 $3,802,557,895 $856,890,459
1984 $3,905,938,481 $1,087,471,862
1983 $4,686,457,031 $995,104,305
1982 $4,784,977,326 $1,295,361,886
1981 $4,759,333,998 $1,114,830,472
1980 $5,201,818,348 $1,100,685,845
1979 $3,463,565,854 $1,109,374,911
1978 $2,669,755,115 $960,728,339
1977 $2,358,930,406 $691,777,584
1976 $2,181,844,179 $594,895,942
1975 $2,283,049,215 $679,336,344
1974 $1,917,508,190 $648,590,643
1973 $1,653,062,335 $575,230,724
1972 $1,341,590,690 $465,381,340
1971 $1,199,507,631 $419,549,305
1970 $1,111,859,571 $434,410,974
1969 $1,056,391,056 $408,690,163
1968 $1,031,669,637 $329,859,732
1967 $956,436,932 $348,795,303
1966 $900,264,585 $375,479,850
1965 $833,563,473 $359,379,856
1964 $802,482,184 $371,847,461
1963 $759,345,864 $348,547,279
1962 $739,286,908 $342,721,416
1961 $699,161,945 $327,834,191
1960 $673,081,725 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Madagascar vs Sierra Leone by year

Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Madagascar Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $545 $1,884 $807 $3,522
2023 $509 $1,808 $758 $3,368
2022 $504 $1,717 $860 $3,144
2021 $483 $1,577 $885 $2,849
2020 $451 $1,490 $845 $2,719
2019 $500 $1,612 $844 $2,704
2018 $500 $1,547 $846 $2,640
2017 $492 $1,547 $779 $2,501
2016 $454 $1,562 $844 $2,635
2015 $445 $1,497 $965 $2,560
2014 $506 $1,499 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $515 $1,473 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $494 $1,464 $938 $2,317
2011 $506 $1,475 $761 $2,043
2010 $450 $1,464 $685 $1,900
2009 $446 $1,480 $653 $1,814
2008 $513 $1,577 $705 $1,824
2007 $420 $1,493 $632 $1,770
2006 $324 $1,416 $580 $1,698
2005 $306 $1,343 $463 $1,615
2004 $272.2 $1,280 $418 $1,541
2003 $353 $1,219 $414 $1,458
2002 $305 $1,121 $389 $1,360
2001 $319 $1,299 $358 $1,121
2000 $280.3 $1,236 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $267.4 $1,194 $155 $1,167
1998 $284.2 $1,162 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $284.4 $1,142 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $340 $1,119 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $273.1 $1,111 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $258.7 $1,104 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $308 $1,116 $185 $1,269
1992 $290.2 $1,101 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $262 $1,096 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $326 $1,166 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $271.3 - $231.3 -
1988 $280.5 - $268.2 -
1987 $290.8 - $172.4 -
1986 $405 - $131.5 -
1985 $364 - $235.5 -
1984 $385 - $306 -
1983 $476 - $285.8 -
1982 $501 - $380 -
1981 $513 - $334 -
1980 $578 - $336 -
1979 $396 - $346 -
1978 $315 - $305 -
1977 $286.9 - $224.2 -
1976 $273.5 - $196.4 -
1975 $295 - $228.4 -
1974 $255.3 - $222.1 -
1973 $226.8 - $200.6 -
1972 $189.6 - $165.4 -
1971 $174.6 - $151.8 -
1970 $166.6 - $160.2 -
1969 $162.9 - $153.6 -
1968 $163.6 - $126.3 -
1967 $155.9 - $136.1 -
1966 $150.7 - $149.3 -
1965 $143.2 - $145.6 -
1964 $141.5 - $153.4 -
1963 $137.4 - $146.3 -
1962 $137.3 - $146.3 -
1961 $133.3 - $142.3 -
1960 $131.7 - $142 -

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

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

Madagascar's GDP per capita is $545, ranking 193/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Madagascar Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$17.4B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
136/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$545
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
193/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,884
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
187/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$8.77B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.3%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$274.3
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
180/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,268
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.6%
2021
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2021
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.2%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.87%
2022-2023
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2022
3.19%
2018
Population
33750171
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Madagascar
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Madagascar Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.2% 50.3% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 17.9% 52.7% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 16.2% 49.9% 16.7% 54%
2021 13.9% 49.4% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 16.4% 52.9% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 15.4% 41.3% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 14.4% 42.9% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 14.9% 40.1% 15% 44.2%
2016 13.5% 40.3% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 13% 44.1% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 12.6% 37.8% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 12.7% 36.2% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 11.5% 30.4% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 12% 29.9% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 12.3% 32.3% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 12.5% 34.9% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 15.7% 31% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 16.1% 28.2% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 18.5% 32.2% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 18.4% 74.4% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 21.7% 81.9% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 16.6% 85.9% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 12.4% 86.7% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 15.3% 82.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 15.3% 90.2% 10.3% -
1999 15.5% 104.1% - -
1998 16.9% 108.5% - -
1997 14.5% 89.7% - -
1996 14.4% 98.7% - -
1995 14.5% 95.8% - -
1994 16.7% 96% - -
1993 17.1% 105.2% - -
1992 16.2% 110.9% - -
1991 13.5% 113.8% - -
1990 13.3% 92.7% - -
1989 15.5% 122% - -
1988 11.4% 126.6% - -
1987 10.4% 127.5% - -
1986 11.1% 84.9% - -
1985 11.8% 82.7% - -
1984 13.9% 70.9% - -
1983 13.4% 57.5% - -
1982 14.3% 56.1% - -
1981 18.2% 51.5% - -
1980 22.7% 37.7% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Madagascar's government spending was $2.82B, accounting for 16.2% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.3% in Madagascar and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 106/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Madagascar

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Madagascar Sierra Leone
2024 -2.48% -4.53%
2023 -4.19% -4.99%
2022 -5.46% -5.93%
2021 -2.83% -4.35%
2020 -3.96% -3.5%
2019 -1.42% -1.95%
2018 -1.34% -3.57%
2017 -2.1% -5.61%
2016 -1.11% -5.41%
2015 -2.85% -2.86%
2014 -1.96% -2.77%
2013 -3.4% -1.74%
2012 -2.24% -3.41%
2011 -2.04% -2.78%
2010 -0.76% -3.09%
2009 -2.26% -1.51%
2008 -1.72% -2.22%
2007 -2.31% 12.6%
2006 -5.71% -0.93%
2005 -2.47% -1.17%
2004 -4.23% -1.46%
2003 -3.32% -2.78%
2002 -4.09% -3.03%
2001 -3.61% -3.22%
2000 -2.35% -1.94%
1999 -2.42% -
1998 -5.31% -
1997 -2% -
1996 -3.97% -
1995 -5.09% -
1994 -7.23% -
1993 -6.34% -
1992 -5% -
1991 -4.4% -
1990 -0.49% -
1989 -3.35% -
1988 -0.57% -
1987 -2.12% -
1986 -2.24% -
1985 -2.39% -
1984 -6.09% -
1983 -6.04% -
1982 -6.97% -
1981 -9.97% -
1980 -11% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Madagascar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $432M, equivalent to 2.48% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Madagascar recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Madagascar posted an annual deficit equal to 2.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Madagascar

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Madagascar Sierra Leone
2024 - 28.4%
2023 9.87% 47.7%
2022 8.16% 27.2%
2021 5.81% 11.9%
2020 4.2% 13.4%
2019 5.61% 14.8%
2018 8.59% 16%
2017 8.61% 18.2%
2016 6.04% 10.9%
2015 7.4% 6.7%
2014 6.08% 4.6%
2013 5.83% 5.5%
2012 5.71% 6.6%
2011 9.48% 6.8%
2010 9.25% 7.2%
2009 8.95% 7.5%
2008 9.3% 8.2%
2007 10.3% 17%
2006 10.8% 10.5%
2005 18.4% 13.7%
2004 14% 12.9%
2003 -1.7% 4%
2002 16.5% 0.1%
2001 7.92% 2.6%
2000 11.9% -0.9%
1999 9.93% 34.1%
1998 6.21% 36%
1997 4.49% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Madagascar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.42%, compared with 13.3% in Sierra Leone. In 2023, inflation was 9.87% in Madagascar and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Madagascar
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $645K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Madagascar Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$829M
2022
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
119/190
2022
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.41%
2022
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$4.52B
2022
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$3.55B
2022
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$1.52B
2022
$348M
2023
Service exports
$1.14B
2022
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.7%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
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.

Madagascar Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 57 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 119/197 165/197
Property rights 39.8 32.9
Government integrity 26.8 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 33.7 42
Tax burden 90.5 88.2
Government spending 91.5 92.4
Fiscal health 68.8 54.1
Business freedom 37.3 44.8
Labor freedom 56.1 38.2
Monetary freedom 71.8 53.6
Trade freedom 67.6 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Madagascar
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Madagascar Sierra Leone
2026 57 49.6
2025 57 48
2024 57.3 44.6
2023 58.9 50.2
2022 58.9 52
2021 57.7 51.7
2020 60.5 48
2019 56.6 47.5
2018 56.8 51.8
2017 57.4 52.6
2016 61.1 52.3
2015 61.7 51.7
2014 61.7 50.5
2013 62 48.3
2012 62.4 49.1
2011 61.2 49.6
2010 63.2 47.9
2009 62.2 47.8
2008 62.4 48.3
2007 61.1 47
2006 61 45.2
2005 63.1 44.8
2004 60.9 43.6
2003 62.8 42.2
2002 56.8 -
2001 53.9 -
2000 54.4 44.2
1999 52.8 47.2
1998 51.8 47.7
1997 53.8 45
1996 52.2 52.3
1995 51.6 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Madagascar is 57, ranking 119/197, 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

Madagascar Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
47.7%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
22.8%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$16.4B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,830
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.78B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
120/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$326M
2022
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$606M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$134M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.72%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
75.2%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
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/madagascar/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 (1980–1989, 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. TradeMap (2021, 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.