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Economy of Qatar vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 56/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Qatar vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Qatar
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Sierra Leone
2024 $219,162,637,363 $6,971,127,235
2023 $217,308,516,484 $6,415,852,767
2022 $235,709,340,659 $7,121,125,278
2021 $179,732,142,857 $7,166,931,485
2020 $144,411,538,462 $6,688,307,703
2019 $176,371,428,571 $6,523,577,594
2018 $183,335,164,835 $6,390,514,689
2017 $161,099,175,824 $5,749,846,528
2016 $151,732,142,857 $6,084,297,211
2015 $161,739,835,165 $6,788,352,975
2014 $206,224,725,275 $7,686,138,791
2013 $198,727,747,253 $7,502,762,863
2012 $186,833,516,484 $6,141,666,509
2011 $167,775,274,725 $4,861,632,885
2010 $123,627,197,802 $4,262,805,967
2009 $97,798,351,648 $3,953,403,098
2008 $115,270,054,945 $4,157,895,298
2007 $79,712,087,912 $3,632,957,611
2006 $60,882,142,857 $3,263,697,467
2005 $44,530,494,505 $2,545,275,313
2004 $31,734,065,934 $2,237,350,687
2003 $23,533,791,209 $2,142,618,046
2002 $19,363,736,264 $1,933,863,911
2001 $17,538,461,538 $1,681,473,894
2000 $17,759,890,110 $635,866,404
1999 $12,393,131,868 $669,386,624
1998 $10,255,495,027 $672,368,187
1997 $11,297,802,115 $850,232,760
1996 $9,059,340,385 $941,709,423
1995 $8,137,911,978 $870,740,292
1994 $7,374,450,769 $911,853,802
1993 $7,156,593,654 $768,867,883
1992 $7,646,153,984 $679,940,814
1991 $6,883,516,484 $779,981,987
1990 $7,360,439,423 $649,644,098
1989 $6,487,912,088 $932,974,420
1988 $6,038,187,033 $1,055,083,933
1987 $5,446,428,681 $660,106,336
1986 $5,053,021,951 $490,181,457
1985 $6,153,296,456 $856,890,459
1984 $6,704,395,824 $1,087,471,862
1983 $6,467,582,308 $995,104,305
1982 $7,596,703,214 $1,295,361,886
1981 $8,661,263,764 $1,114,830,472
1980 $7,829,165,262 $1,100,685,845
1979 $5,632,962,997 $1,109,374,911
1978 $4,052,000,413 $960,728,339
1977 $3,617,564,638 $691,777,584
1976 $3,284,273,987 $594,895,942
1975 $2,512,773,166 $679,336,344
1974 $2,401,403,227 $648,590,643
1973 $793,885,560 $575,230,724
1972 $510,262,500 $465,381,340
1971 $387,703,106 $419,549,305
1970 $301,791,302 $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/qatar/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Sierra Leone by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $807 $3,522
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $758 $3,368
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $860 $3,144
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $885 $2,849
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $845 $2,719
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $844 $2,704
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $846 $2,640
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $779 $2,501
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $844 $2,635
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $965 $2,560
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $938 $2,317
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $761 $2,043
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $685 $1,900
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $653 $1,814
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $705 $1,824
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $632 $1,770
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $580 $1,698
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $463 $1,615
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $418 $1,541
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $414 $1,458
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $389 $1,360
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $358 $1,121
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $155 $1,167
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $185 $1,269
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $15,243 - $231.3 -
1988 $14,682 - $268.2 -
1987 $13,719 - $172.4 -
1986 $13,213 - $131.5 -
1985 $16,815 - $235.5 -
1984 $19,272 - $306 -
1983 $19,616 - $285.8 -
1982 $24,385 - $380 -
1981 $29,505 - $334 -
1980 $28,375 - $336 -
1979 $21,777 - $346 -
1978 $16,757 - $305 -
1977 $16,058 - $224.2 -
1976 $15,710 - $196.4 -
1975 $13,014 - $228.4 -
1974 $13,540 - $222.1 -
1973 $4,905 - $200.6 -
1972 $3,483 - $165.4 -
1971 $2,952 - $151.8 -
1970 $2,594 - $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/qatar/sierra-leone | CC BY

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Qatar Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
3.19%
2018
Population
2999260
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 16.7% 54%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 15% 44.2%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 31% 32.1% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 32% 30.4% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 36.4% 36% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 29% 19.1% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 12% 113.5%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 10.3% -
1999 42.4% 81.8% - -
1998 55.1% 76.6% - -
1997 47.6% 54.4% - -
1996 55.2% 57.8% - -
1995 52.2% 50.2% - -
1994 59.8% 54.8% - -
1993 62.8% 46.3% - -
1992 54.2% 19.9% - -
1991 57.5% 21.8% - -
1990 50% 12.6% - -

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

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

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 130/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Sierra Leone
2024 0.69% -4.53%
2023 5.56% -4.99%
2022 10.4% -5.93%
2021 0.24% -4.35%
2020 -2.13% -3.5%
2019 1% -1.95%
2018 2.26% -3.57%
2017 -6.82% -5.61%
2016 -9.2% -5.41%
2015 18.4% -2.86%
2014 13.4% -2.77%
2013 19.3% -1.74%
2012 8.55% -3.41%
2011 5.24% -2.78%
2010 4.6% -3.09%
2009 14.1% -1.51%
2008 9.49% -2.22%
2007 10.3% 12.6%
2006 8.39% -0.93%
2005 9.8% -1.17%
2004 17.7% -1.46%
2003 6.71% -2.78%
2002 7.89% -3.03%
2001 4.48% -3.22%
2000 4.62% -1.94%
1999 -4.35% -
1998 -7% -
1997 -9.4% -
1996 -8.73% -
1995 -5.78% -
1994 -11.8% -
1993 -9.53% -
1992 -2.74% -
1991 -2.57% -
1990 3.23% -

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

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

In 2024, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.52B, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 3 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 6.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Sierra Leone
2024 1.27% 28.4%
2023 3.03% 47.7%
2022 5% 27.2%
2021 2.3% 11.9%
2020 -2.54% 13.4%
2019 -0.67% 14.8%
2018 0.26% 16%
2017 0.39% 18.2%
2016 2.68% 10.9%
2015 1.81% 6.7%
2014 3.35% 4.6%
2013 3.22% 5.5%
2012 2.32% 6.6%
2011 1.14% 6.8%
2010 -2.43% 7.2%
2009 -4.86% 7.5%
2008 15.1% 8.2%
2007 13.8% 17%
2006 11.8% 10.5%
2005 8.81% 13.7%
2004 6.8% 12.9%
2003 2.26% 4%
2002 0.24% 0.1%
2001 1.47% 2.6%
2000 1.65% -0.9%
1999 2.18% 34.1%
1998 2.95% 36%
1997 4.83% 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/qatar/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3.22M
Raw materials & minerals $1.62M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $110K
Machinery & equipment $83K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Qatar Sierra Leone
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 70.2 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 165/197
Property rights 66.2 32.9
Government integrity 53.5 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 42
Tax burden 99.9 88.2
Government spending 79.9 92.4
Fiscal health 96.6 54.1
Business freedom 68 44.8
Labor freedom 58.5 38.2
Monetary freedom 76 53.6
Trade freedom 81.8 63.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Sierra Leone
2026 70.2 49.6
2025 70.2 48
2024 68.8 44.6
2023 68.6 50.2
2022 67.7 52
2021 72 51.7
2020 72.3 48
2019 72.6 47.5
2018 72.6 51.8
2017 73.1 52.6
2016 70.7 52.3
2015 70.8 51.7
2014 71.2 50.5
2013 71.3 48.3
2012 71.3 49.1
2011 70.5 49.6
2010 69 47.9
2009 65.8 47.8
2008 62.2 48.3
2007 62.9 47
2006 62.4 45.2
2005 63.5 44.8
2004 66.5 43.6
2003 65.9 42.2
2002 61.9 -
2001 60 -
2000 62 44.2
1999 62 47.2
1998 - 47.7
1997 - 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, 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

Qatar Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
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/qatar/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. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.