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Economy of Namibia vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 147/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Namibia vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Namibia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Sierra Leone
2024 $13,372,354,512 $6,971,127,235
2023 $12,408,271,449 $6,415,852,767
2022 $12,569,449,123 $7,121,125,278
2021 $12,402,486,184 $7,166,931,485
2020 $10,583,748,542 $6,688,307,703
2019 $12,541,928,303 $6,523,577,594
2018 $13,682,019,076 $6,390,514,689
2017 $12,895,153,371 $5,749,846,528
2016 $10,722,018,732 $6,084,297,211
2015 $11,335,161,084 $6,788,352,975
2014 $12,435,430,970 $7,686,138,791
2013 $12,043,307,277 $7,502,762,863
2012 $13,042,053,592 $6,141,666,509
2011 $12,523,359,441 $4,861,632,885
2010 $11,431,412,421 $4,262,805,967
2009 $8,938,847,189 $3,953,403,098
2008 $8,607,431,497 $4,157,895,298
2007 $8,839,536,476 $3,632,957,611
2006 $8,001,779,551 $3,263,697,467
2005 $7,248,374,838 $2,545,275,313
2004 $6,609,205,995 $2,237,350,687
2003 $4,926,439,384 $2,142,618,046
2002 $3,349,169,826 $1,933,863,911
2001 $3,557,341,215 $1,681,473,894
2000 $3,922,232,165 $635,866,404
1999 $3,868,551,730 $669,386,624
1998 $3,873,109,866 $672,368,187
1997 $4,154,989,950 $850,232,760
1996 $3,989,163,197 $941,709,423
1995 $3,978,514,206 $870,740,292
1994 $3,666,503,530 $911,853,802
1993 $3,251,188,833 $768,867,883
1992 $3,429,521,699 $679,940,814
1991 $2,996,869,281 $779,981,987
1990 $2,789,921,854 $649,644,098
1989 $2,535,135,798 $932,974,420
1988 $2,495,094,746 $1,055,083,933
1987 $2,300,068,217 $660,106,336
1986 $1,809,048,527 $490,181,457
1985 $1,608,237,350 $856,890,459
1984 $1,951,260,038 $1,087,471,862
1983 $2,297,400,688 $995,104,305
1982 $2,118,710,248 $1,295,361,886
1981 $2,249,908,578 $1,114,830,472
1980 $2,421,990,338 $1,100,685,845
1979 - $1,109,374,911
1978 - $960,728,339
1977 - $691,777,584
1976 - $594,895,942
1975 - $679,336,344
1974 - $648,590,643
1973 - $575,230,724
1972 - $465,381,340
1971 - $419,549,305
1970 - $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/namibia/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Sierra Leone by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $807 $3,522
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $758 $3,368
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $860 $3,144
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $885 $2,849
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $845 $2,719
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $844 $2,704
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $846 $2,640
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $779 $2,501
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $844 $2,635
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $965 $2,560
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $938 $2,317
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $761 $2,043
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $685 $1,900
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $653 $1,814
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $705 $1,824
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $632 $1,770
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $580 $1,698
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $463 $1,615
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $418 $1,541
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $414 $1,458
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $389 $1,360
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $358 $1,121
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $155 $1,167
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $185 $1,269
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $1,967 - $231.3 -
1988 $2,063 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,969 - $172.4 -
1986 $1,599 - $131.5 -
1985 $1,466 - $235.5 -
1984 $1,830 - $306 -
1983 $2,214 - $285.8 -
1982 $2,097 - $380 -
1981 $2,267 - $334 -
1980 $2,468 - $336 -
1979 - - $346 -
1978 - - $305 -
1977 - - $224.2 -
1976 - - $196.4 -
1975 - - $228.4 -
1974 - - $222.1 -
1973 - - $200.6 -
1972 - - $165.4 -
1971 - - $151.8 -
1970 - - $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/namibia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Namibia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
3.19%
2018
Population
3173089
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 37% 67.2% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 16.7% 54%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 15% 44.2%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 35% 24.6% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 32% 15.9% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 12% 113.5%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 10.3% -
1999 31.8% 21.8% - -
1998 31.3% 19.6% - -
1997 30.9% 17.7% - -
1996 30.4% 18.7% - -
1995 29.6% 18% - -
1994 28.7% 16.4% - -
1993 32.4% 17.2% - -
1992 32.8% 14.1% - -
1991 33% 11.8% - -
1990 30.2% 12.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 61/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Sierra Leone
2024 -3.59% -4.53%
2023 -3.14% -4.99%
2022 -6.33% -5.93%
2021 -8.68% -4.35%
2020 -8.07% -3.5%
2019 -5.49% -1.95%
2018 -5.09% -3.57%
2017 -4.99% -5.61%
2016 -9.3% -5.41%
2015 -8.3% -2.86%
2014 -6.44% -2.77%
2013 -4.69% -1.74%
2012 -3.1% -3.41%
2011 -7.09% -2.78%
2010 -4.98% -3.09%
2009 -0.4% -1.51%
2008 3.48% -2.22%
2007 6.01% 12.6%
2006 3.41% -0.93%
2005 -0.31% -1.17%
2004 -2.67% -1.46%
2003 -4.47% -2.78%
2002 -1.38% -3.03%
2001 -2.01% -3.22%
2000 -0.79% -1.94%
1999 -1.88% -
1998 -2.76% -
1997 -2.38% -
1996 -3.7% -
1995 -1.74% -
1994 -0.57% -
1993 -2.73% -
1992 -2.55% -
1991 -1.59% -
1990 1.08% -

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

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

In 2024, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $480M, equivalent to 3.59% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Sierra Leone
2024 4.2% 28.4%
2023 5.9% 47.7%
2022 6.1% 27.2%
2021 3.6% 11.9%
2020 2.2% 13.4%
2019 3.7% 14.8%
2018 4.3% 16%
2017 6.1% 18.2%
2016 6.7% 10.9%
2015 3.4% 6.7%
2014 5.3% 4.6%
2013 5.6% 5.5%
2012 6.7% 6.6%
2011 5% 6.8%
2010 4.9% 7.2%
2009 9.5% 7.5%
2008 9.1% 8.2%
2007 6.5% 17%
2006 5% 10.5%
2005 2.3% 13.7%
2004 4.1% 12.9%
2003 7.2% 4%
2002 12.7% 0.1%
2001 10.2% 2.6%
2000 10.2% -0.9%
1999 9.4% 34.1%
1998 6.6% 36%
1997 9.7% 14.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.29%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $78K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Namibia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
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.

Namibia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 60.2 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 165/197
Property rights 63.1 32.9
Government integrity 51.5 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 42
Tax burden 66.4 88.2
Government spending 57.1 92.4
Fiscal health 60.5 54.1
Business freedom 58 44.8
Labor freedom 62.7 38.2
Monetary freedom 76.1 53.6
Trade freedom 69.8 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Sierra Leone
2026 60.2 49.6
2025 58.7 48
2024 57.5 44.6
2023 57.7 50.2
2022 59.2 52
2021 62.6 51.7
2020 60.9 48
2019 58.7 47.5
2018 58.5 51.8
2017 62.5 52.6
2016 61.9 52.3
2015 59.6 51.7
2014 59.4 50.5
2013 60.3 48.3
2012 61.9 49.1
2011 62.7 49.6
2010 62.2 47.9
2009 62.4 47.8
2008 61.4 48.3
2007 63.5 47
2006 60.7 45.2
2005 61.4 44.8
2004 62.4 43.6
2003 67.3 42.2
2002 65.1 -
2001 64.8 -
2000 66.7 44.2
1999 66.1 47.2
1998 66.1 47.7
1997 61.6 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, 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

Namibia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
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/namibia/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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.