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Economy of Qatar vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Qatar has a GDP of $219B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 56/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Qatar has $90.2B in government debt (41.2% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Qatar vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Qatar
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Qatar Sri Lanka
2024 $219,162,637,363 $98,963,185,510
2023 $217,308,516,484 $83,716,142,582
2022 $235,709,340,659 $74,143,020,263
2021 $179,732,142,857 $88,556,698,938
2020 $144,411,538,462 $84,335,574,582
2019 $176,371,428,571 $88,998,706,297
2018 $183,335,164,835 $94,450,015,983
2017 $161,099,175,824 $94,369,350,286
2016 $151,732,142,857 $88,000,211,172
2015 $161,739,835,165 $85,090,301,052
2014 $206,224,725,275 $82,531,125,191
2013 $198,727,747,253 $76,976,203,829
2012 $186,833,516,484 $70,447,217,164
2011 $167,775,274,725 $67,753,285,897
2010 $123,627,197,802 $58,636,049,434
2009 $97,798,351,648 $42,066,224,093
2008 $115,270,054,945 $40,713,826,215
2007 $79,712,087,912 $32,350,238,760
2006 $60,882,142,857 $28,267,410,543
2005 $44,530,494,505 $24,405,791,045
2004 $31,734,065,934 $20,662,525,941
2003 $23,533,791,209 $18,881,765,437
2002 $19,363,736,264 $16,536,535,647
2001 $17,538,461,538 $15,749,753,805
2000 $17,759,890,110 $16,595,882,819
1999 $12,393,131,868 $15,711,933,513
1998 $10,255,495,027 $15,760,736,956
1997 $11,297,802,115 $15,091,913,884
1996 $9,059,340,385 $13,897,738,375
1995 $8,137,911,978 $13,029,697,561
1994 $7,374,450,769 $11,717,604,209
1993 $7,156,593,654 $10,338,679,636
1992 $7,646,153,984 $9,703,011,636
1991 $6,883,516,484 $9,000,362,582
1990 $7,360,439,423 $8,032,551,173
1989 $6,487,912,088 $6,987,267,684
1988 $6,038,187,033 $6,978,371,581
1987 $5,446,428,681 $6,682,167,120
1986 $5,053,021,951 $6,405,210,564
1985 $6,153,296,456 $5,978,460,972
1984 $6,704,395,824 $6,043,474,843
1983 $6,467,582,308 $5,167,913,302
1982 $7,596,703,214 $4,768,765,017
1981 $8,661,263,764 $4,415,844,156
1980 $7,829,165,262 $4,024,621,900
1979 $5,632,962,997 $3,364,611,432
1978 $4,052,000,413 $2,733,183,857
1977 $3,617,564,638 $4,104,509,583
1976 $3,284,273,987 $3,591,319,857
1975 $2,512,773,166 $3,791,298,146
1974 $2,401,403,227 $3,574,586,466
1973 $793,885,560 $2,875,625,000
1972 $510,262,500 $2,553,936,348
1971 $387,703,106 $2,369,308,600
1970 $301,791,302 $2,296,470,588
1969 - $1,965,546,218
1968 - $1,801,344,538
1967 - $1,859,465,021
1966 - $1,751,470,588
1965 - $1,698,319,328
1964 - $1,309,747,899
1963 - $1,240,672,269
1962 - $1,434,156,379
1961 - $1,444,327,731
1960 - $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Qatar vs Sri Lanka by year

Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Qatar Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $76,689 $126,046 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $81,817 $129,368 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $88,701 $122,921 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $71,752 $116,833 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $51,684 $82,149 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $66,841 $107,503 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $71,040 $110,033 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $63,280 $99,358 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $61,254 $89,935 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $68,985 $102,546 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $95,841 $148,389 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $103,697 $169,203 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $108,470 $180,939 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $103,262 $174,620 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $76,463 $151,646 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $60,786 $125,898 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $80,781 $126,015 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $65,954 $124,056 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $62,582 $127,181 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $53,950 $115,250 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $41,036 $110,958 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $31,602 $94,120 $946 $4,850
2002 $27,227 $93,177 $835 $4,522
2001 $25,871 $89,805 $804 $4,328
2000 $27,535 $88,849 $860 $4,368
1999 $20,234 $84,690 $829 $4,103
1998 $17,665 $84,486 $848 $3,952
1997 $20,523 $79,219 $827 $3,804
1996 $17,125 $62,331 $776 $3,582
1995 $15,823 $60,321 $742 $3,454
1994 $14,765 $59,415 $678 $3,260
1993 $14,770 $59,125 $607 $3,067
1992 $16,280 $60,387 $580 $2,851
1991 $15,133 $54,759 $546 $2,713
1990 $16,722 $55,659 $491 $2,527
1989 $15,243 - $430 -
1988 $14,682 - $434 -
1987 $13,719 - $420 -
1986 $13,213 - $407 -
1985 $16,815 - $385 -
1984 $19,272 - $391 -
1983 $19,616 - $336 -
1982 $24,385 - $312 -
1981 $29,505 - $292.5 -
1980 $28,375 - $271.1 -
1979 $21,777 - $230.8 -
1978 $16,757 - $191 -
1977 $16,058 - $292.1 -
1976 $15,710 - $260.3 -
1975 $13,014 - $279.8 -
1974 $13,540 - $268.7 -
1973 $4,905 - $220.2 -
1972 $3,483 - $199.4 -
1971 $2,952 - $188.8 -
1970 $2,594 - $186.9 -
1969 - - $163.6 -
1968 - - $153.5 -
1967 - - $162.3 -
1966 - - $156.6 -
1965 - - $155.6 -
1964 - - $122.9 -
1963 - - $119.4 -
1962 - - $141.4 -
1961 - - $145.9 -
1960 - - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/sri-lanka | CC BY

Qatar's GDP per capita is $76,689, ranking 11/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Qatar Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$219B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
56/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
2.36%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$76,689
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
11/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$126,046
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
5/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$90.2B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.2%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$31,579
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
23/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$35,660
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$170M
2024
$19.5B
2024
Number of millionaires
26,163
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
2
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
25.8%
2017
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2017
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.27%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.1%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
0.13%
2022
4.67%
2023
Population
2999260
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Qatar
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Qatar Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26% 41.2% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 27.3% 43.7% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 24.3% 42.6% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 29.4% 58.4% 20% 102.7%
2020 34.7% 72.6% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 32.5% 62.1% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 28.9% 52.2% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 34.7% 51.6% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 40.1% 46.7% 18.2% 75%
2015 38.6% 35.5% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 32.3% 24.9% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 28.3% 30.9% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 31% 32.1% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 28.5% 33.5% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 32% 30.4% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 36.4% 36% 21% 72.8%
2008 23.5% 11.4% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 29.5% 9.37% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 29.5% 13.9% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 29% 19.1% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 29.9% 30.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 28.5% 38.8% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 31.6% 47.7% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 32.1% 59.2% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 29.8% 51.6% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 42.4% 81.8% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 55.1% 76.6% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 47.6% 54.4% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 55.2% 57.8% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 52.2% 50.2% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 59.8% 54.8% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 62.8% 46.3% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 54.2% 19.9% 23% 77.9%
1991 57.5% 21.8% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 50% 12.6% 25.4% 78.9%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Qatar's government spending was $56.9B, accounting for 26% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.2% in Qatar and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 130/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Qatar

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Qatar Sri Lanka
2024 0.69% -5.64%
2023 5.56% -8.32%
2022 10.4% -10.2%
2021 0.24% -11.7%
2020 -2.13% -13.4%
2019 1% -7.52%
2018 2.26% -4.96%
2017 -6.82% -5.1%
2016 -9.2% -5%
2015 18.4% -6.64%
2014 13.4% -5.99%
2013 19.3% -5%
2012 8.55% -5.44%
2011 5.24% -6.01%
2010 4.6% -6.73%
2009 14.1% -8.33%
2008 9.49% -5.93%
2007 10.3% -5.81%
2006 8.39% -5.91%
2005 9.8% -5.93%
2004 17.7% -6.32%
2003 6.71% -6.15%
2002 7.89% -6.9%
2001 4.48% -8.48%
2000 4.62% -7.78%
1999 -4.35% -5.58%
1998 -7% -6.79%
1997 -9.4% -5.71%
1996 -8.73% -6.89%
1995 -5.78% -7.11%
1994 -11.8% -7.41%
1993 -9.53% -5.77%
1992 -2.74% -4.95%
1991 -2.57% -7.97%
1990 3.23% -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Qatar recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Qatar posted an annual surplus equal to 3.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Qatar

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Qatar Sri Lanka
2024 1.27% -0.43%
2023 3.03% 16.5%
2022 5% 49.7%
2021 2.3% 7.01%
2020 -2.54% 6.15%
2019 -0.67% 3.53%
2018 0.26% 2.14%
2017 0.39% 7.7%
2016 2.68% 3.96%
2015 1.81% 3.77%
2014 3.35% 3.18%
2013 3.22% 6.91%
2012 2.32% 7.54%
2011 1.14% 6.72%
2010 -2.43% 6.22%
2009 -4.86% 3.46%
2008 15.1% 22.6%
2007 13.8% 15.8%
2006 11.8% 10%
2005 8.81% 11.6%
2004 6.8% 7.58%
2003 2.26% 6.31%
2002 0.24% 9.55%
2001 1.47% 14.2%
2000 1.65% 6.18%
1999 2.18% 4.69%
1998 2.95% 9.36%
1997 4.83% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Qatar has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.15%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 1.27% in Qatar and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Qatar
Export category Export value
Metals $33.7M
Chemicals & pharma $10.8M
Raw materials & minerals $5.77M
Miscellaneous $3.81M
Machinery & equipment $526K
Wood & paper products $406K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $37K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $8.28M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.28M
Raw materials & minerals $1.93M
Animal & marine products $436K
Chemicals & pharma $410K
Machinery & equipment $191K
Precious metals & jewellery $148K
Wood & paper products $109K
Weapons & explosives $108K

Balance of trade

Qatar Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$37.9B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
16/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.3%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$32.6B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$95B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$37.1B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$30.2B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.6%
2022
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
68.6%
2022
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Qatar Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 70.2 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 37/197 162/197
Property rights 66.2 47.3
Government integrity 53.5 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 41.5 47.2
Tax burden 99.9 77
Government spending 79.9 89
Fiscal health 96.6 0
Business freedom 68 60.1
Labor freedom 58.5 54.3
Monetary freedom 76 65.9
Trade freedom 81.8 65.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Qatar
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Qatar Sri Lanka
2026 70.2 50.3
2025 70.2 49.4
2024 68.8 49.2
2023 68.6 52.2
2022 67.7 53.3
2021 72 55.7
2020 72.3 57.4
2019 72.6 56.4
2018 72.6 57.8
2017 73.1 57.4
2016 70.7 59.9
2015 70.8 58.6
2014 71.2 60
2013 71.3 60.7
2012 71.3 58.3
2011 70.5 57.1
2010 69 54.6
2009 65.8 56
2008 62.2 58.4
2007 62.9 59.4
2006 62.4 58.7
2005 63.5 61
2004 66.5 61.6
2003 65.9 62.5
2002 61.9 64
2001 60 66
2000 62 63.2
1999 62 64
1998 - 64.6
1997 - 65.5
1996 - 62.5
1995 - 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/qatar/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Qatar is 70.2, ranking 37/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Qatar Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
46.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
58.2%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.29%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$221B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$121,900
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$54B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
40/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$1.1B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$460M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$1.56B
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.6%
2022
27%
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/sri-lanka | 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. 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.