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Economy of Namibia vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Namibia has a GDP of $13.4B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 147/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Namibia has $9.05B in government debt (67.7% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Namibia vs Sudan GDP by year

Namibia
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Namibia Sudan
2024 $13,372,354,512 $49,672,435,513
2023 $12,408,271,449 $39,898,289,821
2022 $12,569,449,123 $51,666,875,363
2021 $12,402,486,184 $34,229,513,775
2020 $10,583,748,542 $27,034,593,750
2019 $12,541,928,303 $32,338,079,165
2018 $13,682,019,076 $32,333,780,383
2017 $12,895,153,371 $41,283,617,976
2016 $10,722,018,732 $42,630,376,000
2015 $11,335,161,084 $51,726,758,677
2014 $12,435,430,970 $49,516,748,618
2013 $12,043,307,277 $43,024,018,082
2012 $13,042,053,592 $37,632,919,967
2011 $12,523,359,441 $55,018,567,211
2010 $11,431,412,421 $58,962,978,034
2009 $8,938,847,189 $51,621,044,077
2008 $8,607,431,497 $64,833,083,257
2007 $8,839,536,476 $59,440,139,775
2006 $8,001,779,551 $45,263,831,634
2005 $7,248,374,838 $35,182,711,988
2004 $6,609,205,995 $26,646,007,251
2003 $4,926,439,384 $21,355,298,460
2002 $3,349,169,826 $18,137,128,388
2001 $3,557,341,215 $15,716,361,792
2000 $3,922,232,165 $12,257,299,147
1999 $3,868,551,730 $10,682,028,340
1998 $3,873,109,866 $11,250,221,537
1997 $4,154,989,950 $11,681,175,864
1996 $3,989,163,197 $9,018,300,725
1995 $3,978,514,206 $13,830,363,900
1994 $3,666,503,530 $12,793,794,737
1993 $3,251,188,833 $8,881,005,436
1992 $3,429,521,699 $7,031,933,492
1991 $2,996,869,281 $44,171,194,366
1990 $2,789,921,854 $33,641,222,222
1989 $2,535,135,798 $21,408,111,111
1988 $2,495,094,746 $14,372,555,556
1987 $2,300,068,217 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,809,048,527 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,608,237,350 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,951,260,038 $10,447,615,385
1983 $2,297,400,688 $8,230,153,846
1982 $2,118,710,248 $8,732,542,274
1981 $2,249,908,578 $10,753,888,154
1980 $2,421,990,338 $8,951,800,000
1979 - $8,418,407,787
1978 - $8,128,719,315
1977 - $7,499,005,639
1976 - $6,013,210,816
1975 - $4,823,090,192
1974 - $3,958,931,660
1973 - $3,077,254,460
1972 - $2,483,055,722
1971 - $2,288,340,041
1970 - $2,100,229,759
1969 - $1,847,501,441
1968 - $1,677,771,401
1967 - $1,607,409,539
1966 - $1,484,491,676
1965 - $1,446,869,619
1964 - $1,388,282,600
1963 - $1,351,234,926
1962 - $1,328,259,625
1961 - $1,222,860,429
1960 - $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Namibia vs Sudan by year

Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Namibia Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,413 $11,687 $985 $2,116
2023 $4,188 $11,251 $797 $2,421
2022 $4,350 $10,663 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $4,413 $9,709 $712 $3,249
2020 $3,879 $9,354 $578 $3,349
2019 $4,732 $9,609 $710 $3,914
2018 $5,309 $9,854 $731 $4,199
2017 $5,144 $9,888 $967 $4,252
2016 $4,396 $10,200 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $4,774 $10,466 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $5,378 $10,365 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $5,347 $9,699 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $5,943 $9,364 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $5,835 $9,002 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $5,418 $8,538 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $4,303 $8,079 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $4,205 $8,125 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $4,379 $7,875 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $4,017 $7,374 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $3,686 $6,767 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $3,403 $6,480 $872 $3,215
2003 $2,569 $5,693 $714 $3,058
2002 $1,772 $5,433 $621 $2,898
2001 $1,916 $5,196 $551 $2,769
2000 $2,157 $5,129 $441 $2,616
1999 $2,178 $4,961 $394 $2,475
1998 $2,235 $4,852 $425 $2,428
1997 $2,460 $4,764 $453 $2,358
1996 $2,423 $4,612 $357 $2,006
1995 $2,483 $4,509 $561 $1,902
1994 $2,356 $4,376 $532 $1,805
1993 $2,155 $4,345 $379 $1,794
1992 $2,347 $4,452 $307 $1,710
1991 $2,117 $4,192 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $2,037 $3,875 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $1,967 - $992 -
1988 $2,063 - $680 -
1987 $1,969 - $584 -
1986 $1,599 - $497 -
1985 $1,466 - $406 -
1984 $1,830 - $534 -
1983 $2,214 - $431 -
1982 $2,097 - $472 -
1981 $2,267 - $605 -
1980 $2,468 - $525 -
1979 - - $515 -
1978 - - $518 -
1977 - - $497 -
1976 - - $413 -
1975 - - $343 -
1974 - - $291.5 -
1973 - - $235.8 -
1972 - - $198.2 -
1971 - - $189 -
1970 - - $179.6 -
1969 - - $163.5 -
1968 - - $153.7 -
1967 - - $152.4 -
1966 - - $145.6 -
1965 - - $146.8 -
1964 - - $145.7 -
1963 - - $146.6 -
1962 - - $148.9 -
1961 - - $141.6 -
1960 - - $134.7 -

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

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

Namibia's GDP per capita is $4,413, ranking 126/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Namibia Sudan
Gross domestic product
$13.4B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
147/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
3.71%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,413
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
126/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,687
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
128/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$9.05B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.7%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,988
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
100/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$6,197
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.48B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
47.2%
2015
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1%
2015
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
39.9%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
6.5%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
19.9%
2018
7.53%
2022
Population
3173089
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Namibia
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Namibia Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 39.9% 67.7% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 37% 67.2% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 36.6% 69.4% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 39.3% 69.6% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 41.5% 64.3% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 37.4% 57.6% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 36.3% 48.7% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 38.1% 43.8% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 41.8% 45.8% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 43.7% 42.1% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 41.8% 27.6% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 38.3% 26.1% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 35% 24.6% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 38.5% 27.4% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 33.5% 16.3% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 32% 15.9% 18.8% 71%
2008 28.4% 19.1% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 26.1% 19.4% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 27.4% 26.1% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 27.7% 26.9% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 28.4% 29.2% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 31.1% 27.1% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 29.8% 22.2% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 30.7% 24.4% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 30.1% 20.9% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 31.8% 21.8% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 31.3% 19.6% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 30.9% 17.7% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 30.4% 18.7% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 29.6% 18% 12.9% 239%
1994 28.7% 16.4% 19.6% 386%
1993 32.4% 17.2% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 32.8% 14.1% 50.4% 495%
1991 33% 11.8% 45.7% -
1990 30.2% 12.9% 31% -

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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Namibia's government spending was $5.34B, accounting for 39.9% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.7% in Namibia and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 61/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Namibia

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Namibia Sudan
2024 -3.59% -3.46%
2023 -3.14% -3.7%
2022 -6.33% -2.15%
2021 -8.68% -0.29%
2020 -8.07% -6.03%
2019 -5.49% -10.8%
2018 -5.09% -7.92%
2017 -4.99% -6.07%
2016 -9.3% -3.92%
2015 -8.3% -3.87%
2014 -6.44% -4.72%
2013 -4.69% -5.76%
2012 -3.1% -7.37%
2011 -7.09% -2.33%
2010 -4.98% 0.11%
2009 -0.4% -3.8%
2008 3.48% 0.49%
2007 6.01% -2.84%
2006 3.41% -1.32%
2005 -0.31% -1.88%
2004 -2.67% 0.16%
2003 -4.47% 0.77%
2002 -1.38% -0.69%
2001 -2.01% -0.77%
2000 -0.79% -0.7%
1999 -1.88% -0.8%
1998 -2.76% -0.56%
1997 -2.38% -0.59%
1996 -3.7% -2.61%
1995 -1.74% -3.48%
1994 -0.57% -3.03%
1993 -2.73% -8.04%
1992 -2.55% -24.5%
1991 -1.59% -26.5%
1990 1.08% -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/namibia/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Namibia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Namibia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.06% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Namibia

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Namibia Sudan
2024 4.2% -
2023 5.9% -
2022 6.1% 138.8%
2021 3.6% 359%
2020 2.2% 163.3%
2019 3.7% 51%
2018 4.3% 63.3%
2017 6.1% 32.4%
2016 6.7% 17.8%
2015 3.4% 16.9%
2014 5.3% 36.9%
2013 5.6% 36.5%
2012 6.7% 35.6%
2011 5% 18.1%
2010 4.9% 13%
2009 9.5% 11.3%
2008 9.1% 14.3%
2007 6.5% 14.8%
2006 5% 7.2%
2005 2.3% 8.51%
2004 4.1% 9.66%
2003 7.2% 6.49%
2002 12.7% 22.2%
2001 10.2% 1.94%
2000 10.2% 7.12%
1999 9.4% 17.2%
1998 6.6% 24.6%
1997 9.7% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, Namibia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.39%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 4.2% in Namibia and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Namibia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $196K
Machinery & equipment $30K
Textiles & consumer goods $6K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Namibia Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.89M
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
78/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-0.01%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$6.77B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$4.67B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$1.29B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
68%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.6%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Namibia Sudan
Economic freedom 60.2 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 95/197 191/197
Property rights 63.1 6.5
Government integrity 51.5 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 67.2 2.4
Tax burden 66.4 84.7
Government spending 57.1 96.5
Fiscal health 60.5 64.6
Business freedom 58 27.3
Labor freedom 62.7 33.6
Monetary freedom 76.1 6.2
Trade freedom 69.8 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Namibia
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Namibia Sudan
2026 60.2 32.5
2025 58.7 35.3
2024 57.5 33.9
2023 57.7 32.8
2022 59.2 32
2021 62.6 39.1
2020 60.9 45
2019 58.7 47.7
2018 58.5 49.4
2017 62.5 48.8
2016 61.9 -
2015 59.6 -
2014 59.4 -
2013 60.3 -
2012 61.9 -
2011 62.7 -
2010 62.2 -
2009 62.4 -
2008 61.4 -
2007 63.5 -
2006 60.7 -
2005 61.4 -
2004 62.4 -
2003 67.3 -
2002 65.1 -
2001 64.8 -
2000 66.7 47.2
1999 66.1 39.6
1998 66.1 38.3
1997 61.6 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Namibia is 60.2, ranking 95/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Namibia Sudan
Services, % of GDP
54.5%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
28.9%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.29%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$12.8B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$11,300
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
115/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.93M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.97B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$44.5M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
17.4%
2015
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.

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.