Skip to content

Economy of Namibia vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Namibia has a GDP of $15.1B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 146/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $10.6B in government debt (70.2% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Namibia vs South Sudan GDP by year

Namibia
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia South Sudan
2025 $15,080,340,654 -
2024 $13,641,190,683 -
2023 $12,522,012,874 -
2022 $12,569,449,123 -
2021 $12,402,486,184 -
2020 $10,583,748,542 -
2019 $12,541,928,303 -
2018 $13,682,019,076 -
2017 $12,895,153,371 -
2016 $10,722,018,732 -
2015 $11,335,161,084 $11,997,800,760
2014 $12,435,430,970 $13,962,212,847
2013 $12,043,307,277 $18,426,469,017
2012 $13,042,053,592 $11,931,472,169
2011 $12,523,359,441 $14,907,308,933
2010 $11,431,412,421 $14,602,072,411
2009 $8,938,847,189 $12,231,264,525
2008 $8,607,431,497 $14,586,253,383
2007 $8,839,536,476 -
2006 $8,001,779,551 -
2005 $7,248,374,838 -
2004 $6,609,205,995 -
2003 $4,926,439,384 -
2002 $3,349,169,826 -
2001 $3,557,341,215 -
2000 $3,922,232,165 -
1999 $3,868,551,730 -
1998 $3,873,109,866 -
1997 $4,154,989,950 -
1996 $3,989,163,197 -
1995 $3,978,514,206 -
1994 $3,666,503,530 -
1993 $3,251,188,833 -
1992 $3,429,521,699 -
1991 $2,996,869,281 -
1990 $2,789,921,854 -
1989 $2,535,135,798 -
1988 $2,495,094,746 -
1987 $2,300,068,217 -
1986 $1,809,048,527 -
1985 $1,608,237,350 -
1984 $1,951,260,038 -
1983 $2,297,400,688 -
1982 $2,118,710,248 -
1981 $2,249,908,578 -
1980 $2,421,990,338 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Namibia vs South Sudan by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,876 - - -
2024 $4,502 $11,687 - -
2023 $4,226 $11,251 - -
2022 $4,350 $10,663 - -
2021 $4,413 $9,709 - -
2020 $3,879 $9,354 - -
2019 $4,732 $9,609 - -
2018 $5,309 $9,854 - -
2017 $5,144 $9,888 - -
2016 $4,396 $10,200 - -
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $4,379 $7,875 - -
2006 $4,017 $7,374 - -
2005 $3,686 $6,767 - -
2004 $3,403 $6,480 - -
2003 $2,569 $5,693 - -
2002 $1,772 $5,433 - -
2001 $1,916 $5,196 - -
2000 $2,157 $5,129 - -
1999 $2,178 $4,961 - -
1998 $2,235 $4,852 - -
1997 $2,460 $4,764 - -
1996 $2,423 $4,612 - -
1995 $2,483 $4,509 - -
1994 $2,356 $4,376 - -
1993 $2,155 $4,345 - -
1992 $2,347 $4,452 - -
1991 $2,117 $4,192 - -
1990 $2,037 $3,875 - -
1989 $1,967 - - -
1988 $2,063 - - -
1987 $1,969 - - -
1986 $1,599 - - -
1985 $1,466 - - -
1984 $1,830 - - -
1983 $2,214 - - -
1982 $2,097 - - -
1981 $2,267 - - -
1980 $2,468 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/south-sudan | CC BY

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,876, ranking 125/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Namibia South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$15.1B
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
146/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
1.73%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$4,876
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
125/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$10.6B
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.2%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$3,425
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
97/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,433
2026
$1,514
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.4%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.5%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
12.3%
2008
Population
3185686
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 39.4% 70.2% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 39.6% 69.8% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 37% 67.9% 21.3% 62%
2022 36.6% 70.1% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 52% 128.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 35% 24.6% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 20.8% 0%
2010 33.5% 16.3% - -
2009 32% 15.9% - -
2008 28.4% 19.1% - -
2007 26.1% 19.4% - -
2006 27.4% 26.1% - -
2005 27.7% 26.9% - -
2004 28.4% 29.2% - -
2003 31.1% 27.1% - -
2002 29.8% 22.2% - -
2001 30.7% 24.4% - -
2000 30.1% 20.9% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Namibia's government spending was $5.94B, accounting for 39.4% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.2% in Namibia and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 57/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia South Sudan
2025 -6.46% 3.45%
2024 -3.84% 11.5%
2023 -3.14% 9.12%
2022 -6.33% 4.43%
2021 -8.68% -9.3%
2020 -8.07% -5.5%
2019 -5.49% 0.04%
2018 -5.09% -1.15%
2017 -4.99% 4.16%
2016 -9.3% -15.5%
2015 -8.3% -16.3%
2014 -6.44% -9.53%
2013 -4.69% -3.45%
2012 -3.1% -14.8%
2011 -7.09% 4.57%
2010 -4.98% -
2009 -0.4% -
2008 3.48% -
2007 6.01% -
2006 3.41% -
2005 -0.31% -
2004 -2.67% -
2003 -4.47% -
2002 -1.38% -
2001 -2.01% -
2000 -0.79% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Namibia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $941M, equivalent to 8.3% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia South Sudan
2025 3.5% -
2024 4.2% 91.4%
2023 5.9% 2.38%
2022 6.1% -6.69%
2021 3.6% 10.5%
2020 2.2% 29.7%
2019 3.7% 87.2%
2018 4.3% 83.5%
2017 6.1% 187.9%
2016 6.7% 380%
2015 3.4% 52.8%
2014 5.3% 1.67%
2013 5.6% -0.06%
2012 6.7% 45.5%
2011 5% 46.9%
2010 4.9% 1.17%
2009 9.5% 5.01%
2008 9.1% -
2007 6.5% -
2006 5% -
2005 2.3% -
2004 4.1% -
2003 7.2% -
2002 12.7% -
2001 10.2% -
2000 10.2% -
1999 9.4% -
1998 6.6% -
1997 9.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.2%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 3.5% in Namibia and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Namibia South Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.83B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
138/190
2024
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-13.4%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
63.9%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
44.7%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia South Sudan
Economic freedom 60.2 41
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 186/197
Property rights 63.1 n/a
Government integrity 51.5 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 n/a
Tax burden 66.4 n/a
Government spending 57.1 n/a
Fiscal health 60.5 n/a
Business freedom 58 n/a
Labor freedom 62.7 n/a
Monetary freedom 76.1 n/a
Trade freedom 69.8 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 40 n/a

Other economic metrics

Namibia South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
55%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.99%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$13.4B
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,260
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$3.1B
2025
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
119/177
2025
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.89B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.93B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.4M
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.7%
2025
5.75%
2015

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/south-sudan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.

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.