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Economy of Myanmar vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Myanmar has a GDP of $74.1B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 85/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Myanmar has $44B in government debt (59.3% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Myanmar vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Myanmar
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Myanmar Sri Lanka
2024 $74,068,349,524 $98,963,185,510
2023 $66,757,619,000 $83,716,142,582
2022 $62,253,049,903 $74,143,020,263
2021 $66,345,291,149 $88,556,698,938
2020 $79,006,113,670 $84,335,574,582
2019 $75,065,106,243 $88,998,706,297
2018 $67,860,515,993 $94,450,015,983
2017 $66,053,040,475 $94,369,350,286
2016 $63,298,361,984 $88,000,211,172
2015 $59,607,290,408 $85,090,301,052
2014 $65,531,374,210 $82,531,125,191
2013 $60,269,732,855 $76,976,203,829
2012 $59,937,796,648 $70,447,217,164
2011 $59,977,326,086 $67,753,285,897
2010 $49,540,813,342 $58,636,049,434
2009 $36,906,181,381 $42,066,224,093
2008 $31,862,554,102 $40,713,826,215
2007 $20,182,477,481 $32,350,238,760
2006 $14,502,553,710 $28,267,410,543
2005 $11,986,972,419 $24,405,791,045
2004 $10,567,354,056 $20,662,525,941
2003 $10,467,109,978 $18,881,765,437
2002 $6,777,632,512 $16,536,535,647
2001 $6,477,790,688 $15,749,753,805
2000 $8,905,066,164 $16,595,882,819
1999 $8,486,832,801 $15,711,933,513
1998 $6,459,461,639 $15,760,736,956
1997 $4,722,288,496 $15,091,913,884
1996 $6,123,556,717 $13,897,738,375
1995 $5,289,174,943 $13,029,697,561
1994 $4,432,257,174 $11,717,604,209
1993 $3,163,020,035 $10,338,679,636
1992 $2,411,552,289 $9,703,011,636
1991 $2,069,832,687 $9,000,362,582
1990 $2,115,193,513 $8,032,551,173
1989 $2,013,448,229 $6,987,267,684
1988 $1,541,088,312 $6,978,371,581
1987 $1,562,448,077 $6,682,167,120
1986 $1,582,873,750 $6,405,210,564
1985 $1,478,908,173 $5,978,460,972
1984 $1,304,063,253 $6,043,474,843
1983 $1,381,573,615 $5,167,913,302
1982 $1,481,165,468 $4,768,765,017
1981 $1,111,000,765 $4,415,844,156
1980 $1,038,225,167 $4,024,621,900
1979 $952,265,043 $3,364,611,432
1978 $935,408,775 $2,733,183,857
1977 $873,579,932 $4,104,509,583
1976 $1,204,699,849 $3,591,319,857
1975 $1,061,107,354 $3,791,298,146
1974 $1,225,589,878 $3,574,586,466
1973 $719,754,655 $2,875,625,000
1972 $662,213,083 $2,553,936,348
1971 $587,448,405 $2,369,308,600
1970 $563,555,631 $2,296,470,588
1969 $571,854,215 $1,965,546,218
1968 $559,956,130 $1,801,344,538
1967 $420,359,036 $1,859,465,021
1966 $293,103,479 $1,751,470,588
1965 $367,053,117 $1,698,319,328
1964 $411,419,906 $1,309,747,899
1963 $598,998,419 $1,240,672,269
1962 $634,528,872 $1,434,156,379
1961 $605,581,577 $1,444,327,731
1960 $545,098,448 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/myanmar/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Myanmar vs Sri Lanka by year

Myanmar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Myanmar Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,359 $5,997 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $1,233 $5,953 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $1,158 $5,732 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $1,243 $5,178 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $1,490 $5,741 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $1,426 $6,101 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $1,298 $5,581 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $1,273 $4,706 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $1,229 $4,460 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $1,167 $4,459 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $1,293 $4,376 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $1,199 $4,144 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $1,203 $3,845 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $1,214 $3,579 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $1,011 $3,348 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $758 $3,040 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $658 $2,748 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $419 $2,459 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $303 $2,153 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $252.7 $1,860 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $224.5 $1,601 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $224.3 $1,385 $946 $4,850
2002 $146.6 $1,204 $835 $4,522
2001 $141.5 $1,069 $804 $4,328
2000 $196.6 $949 $860 $4,368
1999 $189.5 $825 $829 $4,103
1998 $146 $742 $848 $3,952
1997 $108 $702 $827 $3,804
1996 $141.9 $661 $776 $3,582
1995 $124.1 $618 $742 $3,454
1994 $105.4 $573 $678 $3,260
1993 $76.2 $529 $607 $3,067
1992 $58.9 $494 $580 $2,851
1991 $51.2 $447 $546 $2,713
1990 $53.1 $441 $491 $2,527
1989 $51.3 - $430 -
1988 $39.9 - $434 -
1987 $41.1 - $420 -
1986 $42.4 - $407 -
1985 $40.4 - $385 -
1984 $36.3 - $391 -
1983 $39.3 - $336 -
1982 $43 - $312 -
1981 $32.8 - $292.5 -
1980 $31.2 - $271.1 -
1979 $29.2 - $230.8 -
1978 $29.3 - $191 -
1977 $27.9 - $292.1 -
1976 $39.2 - $260.3 -
1975 $35.2 - $279.8 -
1974 $41.4 - $268.7 -
1973 $24.8 - $220.2 -
1972 $23.3 - $199.4 -
1971 $21.1 - $188.8 -
1970 $20.7 - $186.9 -
1969 $21.5 - $163.6 -
1968 $21.5 - $153.5 -
1967 $16.5 - $162.3 -
1966 $11.8 - $156.6 -
1965 $15.1 - $155.6 -
1964 $17.3 - $122.9 -
1963 $25.8 - $119.4 -
1962 $27.9 - $141.4 -
1961 $27.3 - $145.9 -
1960 $25.1 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/myanmar/sri-lanka | CC BY

Myanmar's GDP per capita is $1,359, ranking 165/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Myanmar ranks 153rd at $5,997, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Myanmar Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$74.1B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
85/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
-0.97%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,359
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
165/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,997
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
153/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$44B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
59.3%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$806
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
150/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,646
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2017
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2017
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.7%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
8.83%
2018-2019
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.48%
2020
4.67%
2023
Population
55292116
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Myanmar
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Myanmar Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.7% 59.3% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 21.4% 59.1% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 21.3% 56.1% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 20.9% 63.4% 20% 102.7%
2020 21.3% 49.1% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 20.5% 37.6% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 18.7% 39.9% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 19.7% 41.9% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 21.3% 35.7% 18.2% 75%
2015 23.7% 36.6% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 24.7% 34.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 23.9% 44.8% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 20% 48% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 15.6% 49.9% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 15.8% 54.4% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 14.4% 56.4% 21% 72.8%
2008 14.4% 59.8% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 15.7% 77.4% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 15.6% 103.1% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 14.6% 119% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 14.6% 126.6% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 14.3% 146% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 15.3% 190.6% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 19.1% 262% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 21.4% 164.5% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 22.8% 150.7% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 25.2% 208.6% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 - - 21.4% 70.1%
1996 - - 23.1% 76.2%
1995 - - 24.8% 77.8%
1994 - - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 - - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 - - 23% 77.9%
1991 - - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 - - 25.4% 78.9%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/myanmar/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Myanmar's government spending was $15.3B, accounting for 20.7% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 59.3% in Myanmar and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 81/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Myanmar

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Myanmar Sri Lanka
2024 -5.06% -5.64%
2023 -5.18% -8.32%
2022 -2.82% -10.2%
2021 -2.47% -11.7%
2020 -6.5% -13.4%
2019 -4.7% -7.52%
2018 -2.77% -4.96%
2017 -3.42% -5.1%
2016 -2.53% -5%
2015 -4.33% -6.64%
2014 -1.06% -5.99%
2013 -1.53% -5%
2012 -2.7% -5.44%
2011 -4.82% -6.01%
2010 -5.4% -6.73%
2009 -3.55% -8.33%
2008 -2.73% -5.93%
2007 -3.52% -5.81%
2006 -3.42% -5.91%
2005 -3.49% -5.93%
2004 -4.62% -6.32%
2003 -4.24% -6.15%
2002 -4.01% -6.9%
2001 -6.34% -8.48%
2000 -6.03% -7.78%
1999 -4.46% -5.58%
1998 -4.89% -6.79%
1997 - -5.71%
1996 - -6.89%
1995 - -7.11%
1994 - -7.41%
1993 - -5.77%
1992 - -4.95%
1991 - -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/myanmar/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Myanmar's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $3.75B, equivalent to 5.06% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Myanmar recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Myanmar posted an annual deficit equal to 3.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.95% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Myanmar

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Myanmar Sri Lanka
2024 - -0.43%
2023 - 16.5%
2022 - 49.7%
2021 - 7.01%
2020 - 6.15%
2019 8.83% 3.53%
2018 6.87% 2.14%
2017 4.57% 7.7%
2016 6.93% 3.96%
2015 9.45% 3.77%
2014 4.95% 3.18%
2013 5.64% 6.91%
2012 1.47% 7.54%
2011 5.02% 6.72%
2010 7.72% 6.22%
2009 1.47% 3.46%
2008 26.8% 22.6%
2007 35% 15.8%
2006 20% 10%
2005 9.37% 11.6%
2004 4.53% 7.58%
2003 36.6% 6.31%
2002 57.1% 9.55%
2001 21.1% 14.2%
2000 -0.11% 6.18%
1999 18.4% 4.69%
1998 51.5% 9.36%
1997 29.7% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/myanmar/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Myanmar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 16.2%, compared with 7.94% in Sri Lanka. In 2019, inflation was 8.83% in Myanmar and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Myanmar
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.68M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.37M
Raw materials & minerals $1.17M
Metals $80K
Wood & paper products $52K
Chemicals & pharma $44K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Miscellaneous $3K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.85M
Raw materials & minerals $1.73M
Textiles & consumer goods $987K
Chemicals & pharma $489K
Wood & paper products $440K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $349K
Raw agricultural goods $82K
Animal & marine products $80K
Metals $6K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Myanmar Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$67.7M
2019
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
71/190
2019
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.09%
2019
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$13.7B
2019
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$10.8B
2019
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$3.66B
2019
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$6.68B
2019
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP n/a
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
24.3%
2025
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Myanmar Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 44.5 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 180/197 162/197
Property rights 5.7 47.3
Government integrity 18.1 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 3.9 47.2
Tax burden 88.6 77
Government spending 86.6 89
Fiscal health 62.7 0
Business freedom 37.9 60.1
Labor freedom 53.2 54.3
Monetary freedom 57.5 65.9
Trade freedom 69.4 65.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Myanmar
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Myanmar Sri Lanka
2026 44.5 50.3
2025 43.7 49.4
2024 42.2 49.2
2023 46.5 52.2
2022 49.6 53.3
2021 55.2 55.7
2020 54 57.4
2019 53.6 56.4
2018 53.9 57.8
2017 52.5 57.4
2016 48.7 59.9
2015 46.9 58.6
2014 46.5 60
2013 39.2 60.7
2012 38.7 58.3
2011 37.8 57.1
2010 36.7 54.6
2009 37.7 56
2008 39.5 58.4
2007 41 59.4
2006 40 58.7
2005 40.5 61
2004 43.6 61.6
2003 44.9 62.5
2002 45.5 64
2001 46.1 66
2000 47.9 63.2
1999 46.4 64
1998 45.7 64.6
1997 45.4 65.5
1996 45.1 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/myanmar/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Myanmar is 44.5, ranking 180/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Myanmar Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
41.4%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.8%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$65.9B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,890
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$9.34B
2023
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
81/177
2023
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.74B
2019
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.31%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2017
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP n/a
27%
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/myanmar/sri-lanka | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.