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Economy of Qatar vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 56/197 and 149/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $7.04B (50.7% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Qatar vs South Sudan GDP by year

Qatar
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar South Sudan
2024 $219,162,637,363 -
2023 $217,308,516,484 -
2022 $235,709,340,659 -
2021 $179,732,142,857 -
2020 $144,411,538,462 -
2019 $176,371,428,571 -
2018 $183,335,164,835 -
2017 $161,099,175,824 -
2016 $151,732,142,857 -
2015 $161,739,835,165 $11,997,800,760
2014 $206,224,725,275 $13,962,212,847
2013 $198,727,747,253 $18,426,469,017
2012 $186,833,516,484 $11,931,472,169
2011 $167,775,274,725 $14,907,308,933
2010 $123,627,197,802 $14,602,072,411
2009 $97,798,351,648 $12,231,264,525
2008 $115,270,054,945 $14,586,253,383
2007 $79,712,087,912 -
2006 $60,882,142,857 -
2005 $44,530,494,505 -
2004 $31,734,065,934 -
2003 $23,533,791,209 -
2002 $19,363,736,264 -
2001 $17,538,461,538 -
2000 $17,759,890,110 -
1999 $12,393,131,868 -
1998 $10,255,495,027 -
1997 $11,297,802,115 -
1996 $9,059,340,385 -
1995 $8,137,911,978 -
1994 $7,374,450,769 -
1993 $7,156,593,654 -
1992 $7,646,153,984 -
1991 $6,883,516,484 -
1990 $7,360,439,423 -
1989 $6,487,912,088 -
1988 $6,038,187,033 -
1987 $5,446,428,681 -
1986 $5,053,021,951 -
1985 $6,153,296,456 -
1984 $6,704,395,824 -
1983 $6,467,582,308 -
1982 $7,596,703,214 -
1981 $8,661,263,764 -
1980 $7,829,165,262 -
1979 $5,632,962,997 -
1978 $4,052,000,413 -
1977 $3,617,564,638 -
1976 $3,284,273,987 -
1975 $2,512,773,166 -
1974 $2,401,403,227 -
1973 $793,885,560 -
1972 $510,262,500 -
1971 $387,703,106 -
1970 $301,791,302 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Qatar vs South Sudan by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 - -
2023 $81,817 $129,368 - -
2022 $88,701 $122,921 - -
2021 $71,752 $116,833 - -
2020 $51,684 $82,149 - -
2019 $66,841 $107,503 - -
2018 $71,040 $110,033 - -
2017 $63,280 $99,358 - -
2016 $61,254 $89,935 - -
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $65,954 $124,056 - -
2006 $62,582 $127,181 - -
2005 $53,950 $115,250 - -
2004 $41,036 $110,958 - -
2003 $31,602 $94,120 - -
2002 $27,227 $93,177 - -
2001 $25,871 $89,805 - -
2000 $27,535 $88,849 - -
1999 $20,234 $84,690 - -
1998 $17,665 $84,486 - -
1997 $20,523 $79,219 - -
1996 $17,125 $62,331 - -
1995 $15,823 $60,321 - -
1994 $14,765 $59,415 - -
1993 $14,770 $59,125 - -
1992 $16,280 $60,387 - -
1991 $15,133 $54,759 - -
1990 $16,722 $55,659 - -
1989 $15,243 - - -
1988 $14,682 - - -
1987 $13,719 - - -
1986 $13,213 - - -
1985 $16,815 - - -
1984 $19,272 - - -
1983 $19,616 - - -
1982 $24,385 - - -
1981 $29,505 - - -
1980 $28,375 - - -
1979 $21,777 - - -
1978 $16,757 - - -
1977 $16,058 - - -
1976 $15,710 - - -
1975 $13,014 - - -
1974 $13,540 - - -
1973 $4,905 - - -
1972 $3,483 - - -
1971 $2,952 - - -
1970 $2,594 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Qatar South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$12B
2015
GDP rank
56/197
2024
149/197
2015
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
175/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$7.04B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
50.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$633
2015
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
158/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$1,305
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
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
15%
2023
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
12.3%
2008
Population
2999260
12507858

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 18.1% 50.7%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 21.4% 51.9%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 29.4% 37.3%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 44.1% 50.2%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 34.1% 49%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 47.9% 43.1%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 54.5% 77.6%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 97% 178.3%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 66.5% 164.7%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 34% 58.6%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 35.8% 37.7%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 31% 32.1% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 20.8% -
2010 32% 30.4% - -
2009 36.4% 36% - -
2008 23.5% 11.4% - -
2007 29.5% 9.37% - -
2006 29.5% 13.9% - -
2005 29% 19.1% - -
2004 29.9% 30.1% - -
2003 28.5% 38.8% - -
2002 31.6% 47.7% - -
2001 32.1% 59.2% - -
2000 29.8% 51.6% - -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.08B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 50.7% in South Sudan, ranking 130/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar South Sudan
2024 0.69% 11.7%
2023 5.56% 8.04%
2022 10.4% 4.48%
2021 0.24% -9.3%
2020 -2.13% -5.5%
2019 1% 0.04%
2018 2.26% -1.06%
2017 -6.82% 9.56%
2016 -9.2% -19.8%
2015 18.4% -16.4%
2014 13.4% -9.07%
2013 19.3% -3.45%
2012 8.55% -14.8%
2011 5.24% 4.57%
2010 4.6% -
2009 14.1% -
2008 9.49% -
2007 10.3% -
2006 8.39% -
2005 9.8% -
2004 17.7% -
2003 6.71% -
2002 7.89% -
2001 4.48% -
2000 4.62% -
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/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Qatar's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $29.8B, equivalent to 18.4% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.97B, or 16.4% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 0 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.83% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar South Sudan
2024 1.27% 91.4%
2023 3.03% 2.38%
2022 5% -6.69%
2021 2.3% 10.5%
2020 -2.54% 29.7%
2019 -0.67% 87.2%
2018 0.26% 83.5%
2017 0.39% 187.9%
2016 2.68% 380%
2015 1.81% 52.8%
2014 3.35% 1.67%
2013 3.22% -0.06%
2012 2.32% 45.5%
2011 1.14% 46.9%
2010 -2.43% 1.17%
2009 -4.86% 5.01%
2008 15.1% -
2007 13.8% -
2006 11.8% -
2005 8.81% -
2004 6.8% -
2003 2.26% -
2002 0.24% -
2001 1.47% -
2000 1.65% -
1999 2.18% -
1998 2.95% -
1997 4.83% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 16 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.02%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Qatar South Sudan
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
60/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar South Sudan
Economic freedom 70.2 41
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 186/197
Property rights 66.2 n/a
Government integrity 53.5 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 n/a
Tax burden 99.9 n/a
Government spending 79.9 n/a
Fiscal health 96.6 n/a
Business freedom 68 n/a
Labor freedom 58.5 n/a
Monetary freedom 76 n/a
Trade freedom 81.8 n/a
Investment freedom 60 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

Qatar South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$72.9M
2023
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
175/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
5.75%
2015

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/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. 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.

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.