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Economy of Marshall Islands vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Marshall Islands has a GDP of $290M compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 193/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Marshall Islands has $38.4M in government debt (13.2% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Marshall Islands vs South Sudan GDP by year

Marshall Islands
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Marshall Islands South Sudan
2024 $290,108,490 -
2023 $263,761,322 -
2022 $258,723,511 -
2021 $261,245,544 -
2020 $241,800,000 -
2019 $232,900,000 -
2018 $220,000,000 -
2017 $213,700,000 -
2016 $201,800,000 -
2015 $183,700,000 $11,997,800,760
2014 $186,000,000 $13,962,212,847
2013 $186,400,000 $18,426,469,017
2012 $180,700,000 $11,931,472,169
2011 $172,300,000 $14,907,308,933
2010 $161,100,000 $14,602,072,411
2009 $151,200,000 $12,231,264,525
2008 $146,600,000 $14,586,253,383
2007 $150,500,000 -
2006 $143,200,000 -
2005 $138,000,000 -
2004 $132,900,000 -
2003 $131,128,500 -
2002 $131,960,000 -
2001 $122,406,100 -
2000 $114,838,500 -
1999 $113,352,100 -
1998 $112,070,100 -
1997 $109,884,700 -
1996 $110,858,000 -
1995 $120,230,000 -
1994 $108,071,000 -
1993 $99,461,000 -
1992 $91,063,000 -
1991 $82,507,000 -
1990 $78,476,000 -
1989 $72,798,000 -
1988 $70,688,000 -
1987 $62,983,000 -
1986 $55,989,000 -
1985 $43,879,000 -
1984 $45,144,000 -
1983 $41,749,000 -
1982 $34,918,000 -
1981 $31,020,000 -
1980 $26,710,653 -
1979 $25,545,346 -
1978 $22,209,370 -
1977 $20,210,069 -
1976 $18,153,647 -
1975 $16,691,301 -
1974 $15,217,532 -
1973 $11,607,366 -
1972 $9,973,652 -
1971 $9,116,810 -
1970 $8,408,486 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Marshall Islands vs South Sudan by year

Marshall Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Marshall Islands South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,726 $8,195 - -
2023 $6,793 $7,549 - -
2022 $6,456 $7,431 - -
2021 $6,315 $6,768 - -
2020 $5,662 $6,137 - -
2019 $5,292 $6,045 - -
2018 $4,858 $5,232 - -
2017 $4,593 $4,719 - -
2016 $4,230 $4,366 - -
2015 $3,764 $4,125 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $3,735 $3,931 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $3,678 $3,845 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $3,514 $3,590 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $3,319 $3,537 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $3,095 $3,473 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $2,907 $3,253 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $2,818 $3,118 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $2,892 $3,309 - -
2006 $2,754 $3,110 - -
2005 $2,659 $3,017 - -
2004 $2,566 $2,880 - -
2003 $2,539 $2,824 - -
2002 $2,566 $2,825 - -
2001 $2,394 $2,700 - -
2000 $2,265 $2,490 - -
1999 $2,258 $2,400 - -
1998 $2,254 $2,422 - -
1997 $2,231 $2,434 - -
1996 $2,273 $2,583 - -
1995 $2,491 $2,858 - -
1994 $2,265 $2,617 - -
1993 $2,112 $2,452 - -
1992 $1,963 $2,293 - -
1991 $1,811 $2,131 - -
1990 $1,758 $2,102 - -
1989 $1,670 - - -
1988 $1,670 - - -
1987 $1,543 - - -
1986 $1,425 - - -
1985 $1,162 - - -
1984 $1,245 - - -
1983 $1,199 - - -
1982 $1,046 - - -
1981 $969 - - -
1980 $868 - - -
1979 $859 - - -
1978 $771 - - -
1977 $724 - - -
1976 $672 - - -
1975 $638 - - -
1974 $602 - - -
1973 $472 - - -
1972 $416 - - -
1971 $390 - - -
1970 $373 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-sudan | CC BY

The Marshall Islands' GDP per capita is $7,726, ranking 96/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Marshall Islands ranks 139th at $8,195, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Marshall Islands South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$290M
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
193/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
2.5%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$7,726
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
96/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,195
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
139/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$38.4M
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.2%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,022
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
142/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,044
2026
$1,305
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.5%
2019
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2019
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
5.2%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
9.82%
2021
12.3%
2008
Population
35058
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Marshall Islands
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Marshall Islands South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 71.6% 13.2% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 68.4% 18.2% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 67.7% 19.8% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 69.8% 20.1% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 67.8% 21.7% 34.1% 49%
2019 65.5% 25.1% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 60.5% 24.7% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 63.7% 26.5% 97% 178.3%
2016 56.8% 29.2% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 56.3% 33.9% 34% 58.6%
2014 49.2% 34.9% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 55% 33.4% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 53.2% 37.6% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 55.9% 35.9% 20.8% -
2010 59.2% 38.8% - -
2009 63.1% 41.2% - -
2008 64.3% 44.1% - -
2007 67.2% 42.2% - -
2006 61.2% 44.4% - -
2005 85.3% 45.8% - -
2004 54.5% 46.8% - -
2003 52.9% 43.7% - -
2002 55.2% 37.2% - -
2001 58.8% 32.7% - -
2000 56.5% 27.3% - -
1999 48.7% 26.1% - -
1998 50.5% 18.1% - -
1997 55% 8.73% - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, the Marshall Islands' government spending was $208M, accounting for 71.6% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.2% in the Marshall Islands and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 179/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Marshall Islands

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Marshall Islands South Sudan
2024 3.61% 11.7%
2023 1.14% 8.04%
2022 0.68% 4.48%
2021 0.18% -9.3%
2020 2.54% -5.5%
2019 -1.8% 0.04%
2018 2.55% -1.06%
2017 4.38% 9.56%
2016 3.88% -19.8%
2015 2.81% -16.4%
2014 3.2% -9.07%
2013 -0.23% -3.45%
2012 -0.76% -14.8%
2011 2.13% 4.57%
2010 3.51% -
2009 1.51% -
2008 3.68% -
2007 0.27% -
2006 0.24% -
2005 -22.3% -
2004 -1.6% -
2003 10.5% -
2002 5.12% -
2001 7.83% -
2000 7.84% -
1999 9.01% -
1998 13.5% -
1997 7.91% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, the Marshall Islands' government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.17M, equivalent to 2.81% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, the Marshall Islands recorded a fiscal deficit in 2 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, the Marshall Islands posted an annual surplus equal to 1.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Marshall Islands

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Marshall Islands South Sudan
2024 5.2% 91.4%
2023 7.4% 2.38%
2022 2.8% -6.69%
2021 2.2% 10.5%
2020 -0.7% 29.7%
2019 -0.1% 87.2%
2018 0.8% 83.5%
2017 0.1% 187.9%
2016 -1.5% 380%
2015 -2.2% 52.8%
2014 1.1% 1.67%
2013 1.9% -0.06%
2012 4.3% 45.5%
2011 5.4% 46.9%
2010 1.8% 1.17%
2009 0.5% 5.01%
2008 14.7% -
2007 2.6% -
2006 5.3% -
2005 3.5% -
2004 2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/marshall-islands/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, the Marshall Islands has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.81%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 5.2% in the Marshall Islands and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Marshall Islands South Sudan
Current account balance
$76.3M
2021
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
70/190
2021
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+29.2%
2021
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$133M
2021
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$121M
2021
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$73.1M
2021
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$9.44M
2021
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
81.7%
2024
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42.1%
2024
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Marshall Islands South Sudan
Economic freedom 58 41
Economic freedom ranking 113/197 186/197

Other economic metrics

Marshall Islands South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
67%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
13.2%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
19.6%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$319M
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$9,680
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold n/a
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$499K
2021
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.7M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
7.2%
2019
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
5.75%
2015

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/marshall-islands/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  5. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  6. 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.

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.