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Economy of Niger vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Niger has a GDP of $19.9B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 130/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Niger has $9.39B in government debt (47.2% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Niger vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Niger
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Niger Sierra Leone
2024 $19,876,128,486 $6,971,127,235
2023 $16,698,786,978 $6,415,852,767
2022 $15,433,852,712 $7,121,125,278
2021 $14,915,002,436 $7,166,931,485
2020 $13,744,653,103 $6,688,307,703
2019 $12,889,555,561 $6,523,577,594
2018 $12,837,307,497 $6,390,514,689
2017 $11,185,104,252 $5,749,846,528
2016 $10,398,861,982 $6,084,297,211
2015 $9,683,867,926 $6,788,352,975
2014 $10,862,943,544 $7,686,138,791
2013 $10,224,897,438 $7,502,762,863
2012 $9,426,912,648 $6,141,666,509
2011 $8,772,950,778 $4,861,632,885
2010 $7,851,192,502 $4,262,805,967
2009 $7,352,131,310 $3,953,403,098
2008 $7,297,600,226 $4,157,895,298
2007 $5,731,485,052 $3,632,957,611
2006 $4,756,361,252 $3,263,697,467
2005 $4,383,315,965 $2,545,275,313
2004 $3,760,443,738 $2,237,350,687
2003 $3,394,084,732 $2,142,618,046
2002 $2,782,192,879 $1,933,863,911
2001 $2,448,714,704 $1,681,473,894
2000 $2,241,753,193 $635,866,404
1999 $2,537,789,821 $669,386,624
1998 $2,643,363,519 $672,368,187
1997 $2,290,318,910 $850,232,760
1996 $2,405,686,940 $941,709,423
1995 $2,302,537,562 $870,740,292
1994 $1,938,058,175 $911,853,802
1993 $3,052,673,849 $768,867,883
1992 $3,386,232,579 $679,940,814
1991 $3,285,796,875 $779,981,987
1990 $3,512,356,508 $649,644,098
1989 $2,179,567,114 $932,974,420
1988 $2,280,356,193 $1,055,083,933
1987 $2,233,006,105 $660,106,336
1986 $1,904,096,998 $490,181,457
1985 $1,440,581,652 $856,890,459
1984 $1,461,243,326 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,803,099,561 $995,104,305
1982 $2,017,612,216 $1,295,361,886
1981 $2,170,893,414 $1,114,830,472
1980 $2,508,524,721 $1,100,685,845
1979 $2,109,277,666 $1,109,374,911
1978 $1,774,365,590 $960,728,339
1977 $1,291,458,041 $691,777,584
1976 $1,064,517,601 $594,895,942
1975 $1,048,690,933 $679,336,344
1974 $1,026,137,111 $648,590,643
1973 $946,385,105 $575,230,724
1972 $742,779,661 $465,381,340
1971 $693,573,704 $419,549,305
1970 $649,916,621 $434,410,974
1969 $625,867,985 $408,690,163
1968 $641,214,226 $329,859,732
1967 $665,586,872 $348,795,303
1966 $702,296,079 $375,479,850
1965 $673,383,511 $359,379,856
1964 $582,816,396 $371,847,461
1963 $586,294,879 $348,547,279
1962 $531,736,599 $342,721,416
1961 $485,785,231 $327,834,191
1960 $449,526,873 $322,009,962

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

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

GDP per capita in Niger vs Sierra Leone by year

Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Niger Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $735 $2,050 $807 $3,522
2023 $638 $1,875 $758 $3,368
2022 $610 $1,840 $860 $3,144
2021 $609 $1,586 $885 $2,849
2020 $580 $1,497 $845 $2,719
2019 $562 $1,419 $844 $2,704
2018 $579 $1,276 $846 $2,640
2017 $522 $1,208 $779 $2,501
2016 $503 $1,189 $844 $2,635
2015 $486 $1,172 $965 $2,560
2014 $565 $1,161 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $552 $1,138 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $529 $1,162 $938 $2,317
2011 $511 $1,064 $761 $2,043
2010 $474 $1,058 $685 $1,900
2009 $461 $999 $653 $1,814
2008 $475 $1,010 $705 $1,824
2007 $387 $955 $632 $1,770
2006 $333 $935 $580 $1,698
2005 $319 $888 $463 $1,615
2004 $283.5 $832 $418 $1,541
2003 $265.2 $837 $414 $1,458
2002 $225.3 $832 $389 $1,360
2001 $205.4 $809 $358 $1,121
2000 $194.8 $764 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $228.3 $783 $155 $1,167
1998 $246.1 $801 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $220.6 $745 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $239.5 $746 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $237 $757 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $206.2 $748 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $335 $742 $185 $1,269
1992 $384 $746 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $384 $738 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $424 $739 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $271.3 - $231.3 -
1988 $292.6 - $268.2 -
1987 $295.3 - $172.4 -
1986 $259.6 - $131.5 -
1985 $202.4 - $235.5 -
1984 $211.5 - $306 -
1983 $268.8 - $285.8 -
1982 $310 - $380 -
1981 $343 - $334 -
1980 $409 - $336 -
1979 $354 - $346 -
1978 $307 - $305 -
1977 $229.8 - $224.2 -
1976 $194.8 - $196.4 -
1975 $197.2 - $228.4 -
1974 $198.3 - $222.1 -
1973 $187.9 - $200.6 -
1972 $151.4 - $165.4 -
1971 $145.2 - $151.8 -
1970 $139.8 - $160.2 -
1969 $138.3 - $153.6 -
1968 $145.6 - $126.3 -
1967 $155.4 - $136.1 -
1966 $168.6 - $149.3 -
1965 $166.3 - $145.6 -
1964 $148.1 - $153.4 -
1963 $153.3 - $146.3 -
1962 $143.2 - $146.3 -
1961 $134.6 - $142.3 -
1960 $128.3 - $142 -

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

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

Niger's GDP per capita is $735, ranking 187/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Niger ranks 186th at $2,050, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Niger Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$19.9B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
130/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
10.3%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$735
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
187/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,050
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
186/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$9.39B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
47.2%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$347
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,163
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.8%
2021
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.8%
2021
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
13.4%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.07%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.4%
2022
3.19%
2018
Population
29080898
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Niger
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Niger Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 13.4% 47.2% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 15.8% 51.8% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 21.6% 50.6% 16.7% 54%
2021 24.3% 51.3% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 22.4% 45% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 21.6% 39.8% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 21.2% 37% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 19.5% 36.5% 15% 44.2%
2016 19.4% 32.8% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 24.2% 29.9% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 23.6% 22.1% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 20.4% 19.6% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 16.6% 18.1% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 15.3% 14.7% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 14.3% 15.1% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 17.7% 15.9% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 16.9% 14.2% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 17.4% 17.8% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 15.2% 18.3% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 15.6% 49.5% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 16.1% 55% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 14% 60.6% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 14.4% 69% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 13.7% 74% 12% 113.5%
2000 13.5% 82.1% 10.3% -
1999 15% 63.3% - -
1998 13.6% 61.3% - -
1997 12.9% 69.1% - -
1996 10.9% 63.5% - -
1995 12.5% 69.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Niger's government spending was $2.67B, accounting for 13.4% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 47.2% in Niger and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 114/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Niger

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Niger Sierra Leone
2024 -4.27% -4.53%
2023 -5.37% -4.99%
2022 -6.77% -5.93%
2021 -6.1% -4.35%
2020 -4.82% -3.5%
2019 -3.56% -1.95%
2018 -3.01% -3.57%
2017 -4.12% -5.61%
2016 -4.46% -5.41%
2015 -6.75% -2.86%
2014 -6.12% -2.77%
2013 -1.93% -1.74%
2012 -0.83% -3.41%
2011 -2.19% -2.78%
2010 -0.99% -3.09%
2009 -3.93% -1.51%
2008 1.11% -2.22%
2007 -0.75% 12.6%
2006 31% -0.93%
2005 -1.53% -1.17%
2004 -2.76% -1.46%
2003 -2.17% -2.78%
2002 -2.21% -3.03%
2001 -2.59% -3.22%
2000 -2.83% -1.94%
1999 -4.27% -
1998 -2.23% -
1997 -2.39% -
1996 -0.36% -
1995 -3.19% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Niger's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $848M, equivalent to 4.27% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Niger recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Niger posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Niger

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Niger Sierra Leone
2024 9.07% 28.4%
2023 3.7% 47.7%
2022 4.23% 27.2%
2021 3.84% 11.9%
2020 2.9% 13.4%
2019 -2.49% 14.8%
2018 2.97% 16%
2017 2.8% 18.2%
2016 1.65% 10.9%
2015 -0.58% 6.7%
2014 -0.93% 4.6%
2013 2.3% 5.5%
2012 0.46% 6.6%
2011 2.94% 6.8%
2010 0.8% 7.2%
2009 0.58% 7.5%
2008 11.3% 8.2%
2007 0.05% 17%
2006 0.04% 10.5%
2005 7.8% 13.7%
2004 0.26% 12.9%
2003 -1.61% 4%
2002 2.63% 0.1%
2001 4.01% 2.6%
2000 2.9% -0.9%
1999 -2.3% 34.1%
1998 4.55% 36%
1997 2.93% 14.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Niger has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.39%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 9.07% in Niger and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Niger
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $137K
Metals $36K
Raw materials & minerals $19K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $50K

Balance of trade

Niger Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$2.33B
2023
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
146/190
2023
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14%
2023
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$2.59B
2023
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$992M
2023
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$1.22B
2023
$348M
2023
Service exports
$231M
2023
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.7%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.3%
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.

Niger Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 51 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 156/197 165/197
Property rights 16.6 32.9
Government integrity 33.9 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 28 42
Tax burden 78.2 88.2
Government spending 91.4 92.4
Fiscal health 47.6 54.1
Business freedom 32.4 44.8
Labor freedom 54.7 38.2
Monetary freedom 67.9 53.6
Trade freedom 65.8 63.6
Investment freedom 55 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Niger
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Niger Sierra Leone
2026 51 49.6
2025 51.5 48
2024 52.3 44.6
2023 53.7 50.2
2022 54.9 52
2021 57.3 51.7
2020 54.7 48
2019 51.6 47.5
2018 49.5 51.8
2017 50.8 52.6
2016 54.3 52.3
2015 54.6 51.7
2014 55.1 50.5
2013 53.9 48.3
2012 54.3 49.1
2011 54.3 49.6
2010 52.9 47.9
2009 53.8 47.8
2008 52.9 48.3
2007 53.2 47
2006 52.5 45.2
2005 54.1 44.8
2004 54.6 43.6
2003 54.2 42.2
2002 48.2 -
2001 48.9 -
2000 45.9 44.2
1999 48.6 47.2
1998 47.5 47.7
1997 46.6 45
1996 45.8 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Niger is 51, ranking 156/197, 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

Niger Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
45%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.6%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.5%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$18.3B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,030
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.02B
2023
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$358M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.7M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.94%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.2%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.1%
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/niger/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 (1995–2024, 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 (2018–2024, 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.