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Economy of Rwanda vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Rwanda has a GDP of $14.3B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 144/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $9.58B in government debt (67.2% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Rwanda vs Senegal GDP by year

Rwanda
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Senegal
2024 $14,251,642,235 $32,808,056,601
2023 $14,331,722,703 $30,696,331,296
2022 $13,316,161,002 $27,783,332,223
2021 $11,078,787,090 $27,520,784,130
2020 $10,174,386,857 $24,530,513,038
2019 $10,349,300,277 $23,403,995,992
2018 $9,637,904,521 $23,116,701,556
2017 $9,252,833,891 $20,996,562,944
2016 $8,695,272,058 $19,040,312,333
2015 $8,543,760,200 $17,774,766,696
2014 $8,238,966,124 $19,797,253,440
2013 $7,819,964,030 $18,918,667,725
2012 $7,654,761,050 $17,660,870,412
2011 $6,884,913,658 $17,814,283,639
2010 $6,124,756,654 $16,121,315,909
2009 $5,674,476,969 $16,145,867,495
2008 $5,179,854,065 $16,853,989,628
2007 $4,070,507,895 $13,994,218,413
2006 $3,319,784,539 $11,697,918,243
2005 $2,933,819,766 $11,009,033,438
2004 $2,376,496,067 $10,076,816,667
2003 $2,138,237,279 $8,768,721,563
2002 $1,966,003,468 $7,006,402,320
2001 $1,966,600,715 $6,507,824,829
2000 $2,068,836,754 $6,013,185,004
1999 $2,157,108,263 $6,592,834,933
1998 $1,989,343,546 $6,505,607,909
1997 $1,851,558,197 $6,041,478,726
1996 $1,382,334,879 $6,559,712,166
1995 $1,293,535,193 $6,326,342,633
1994 $753,636,370 $5,034,588,196
1993 $1,971,525,712 $7,367,986,241
1992 $2,029,026,962 $7,769,817,840
1991 $1,911,600,237 $7,255,210,470
1990 $2,550,185,679 $7,390,967,360
1989 $2,405,022,593 $6,366,039,373
1988 $2,395,492,687 $6,418,419,389
1987 $2,157,432,668 $6,487,353,103
1986 $1,944,710,684 $5,392,093,446
1985 $1,715,626,331 $3,818,944,918
1984 $1,587,413,084 $3,485,165,432
1983 $1,479,687,587 $3,569,356,125
1982 $1,407,243,139 $4,013,951,443
1981 $1,407,062,527 $4,095,892,781
1980 $1,254,765,642 $4,510,108,291
1979 $1,109,346,131 $4,084,877,823
1978 $905,709,076 $3,280,354,921
1977 $746,650,613 $2,938,046,463
1976 $637,753,853 $2,869,777,884
1975 $571,863,500 $2,830,388,405
1974 $308,458,423 $2,099,325,229
1973 $290,746,157 $1,863,398,590
1972 $246,457,838 $1,620,857,104
1971 $222,952,504 $1,339,549,033
1970 $219,900,006 $1,297,407,655
1969 $188,700,037 $1,245,234,931
1968 $172,200,018 $1,309,384,862
1967 $159,560,018 $1,246,480,766
1966 $124,525,703 $1,246,908,186
1965 $148,799,980 $1,210,058,228
1964 $129,999,994 $1,188,930,645
1963 $128,000,000 $1,122,139,862
1962 $125,000,008 $1,085,475,791
1961 $122,000,016 $1,058,975,257
1960 $119,000,024 $1,003,692,370

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

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/senegal | CC BY

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Senegal by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,000 $3,711 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $1,027 $3,399 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $975 $3,099 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $830 $2,733 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $779 $2,285 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $810 $2,336 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $772 $2,125 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $758 $1,968 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $730 $1,866 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $734 $1,781 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $725 $1,678 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $705 $1,512 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $707 $1,455 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $651 $1,413 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $594 $1,314 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $564 $1,241 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $528 $1,191 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $426 $1,079 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $357 $1,002 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $324 $914 $980 $2,350
2004 $269.5 $832 $918 $2,236
2003 $249 $775 $818 $2,131
2002 $234 $760 $669 $2,027
2001 $237.3 $670 $637 $2,044
2000 $251.9 $609 $603 $1,963
1999 $264.7 $554 $678 $1,893
1998 $246.2 $528 $685 $1,798
1997 $238.7 $500 $651 $1,719
1996 $206 $499 $723 $1,679
1995 $228 $514 $715 $1,656
1994 $111 $311 $584 $1,578
1993 $247 $521 $878 $1,588
1992 $264.1 $575 $951 $1,573
1991 $254 $542 $913 $1,561
1990 $346 $549 $957 $1,513
1989 $335 - $849 -
1988 $344 - $880 -
1987 $320 - $916 -
1986 $297.7 - $784 -
1985 $271.6 - $571 -
1984 $259.9 - $536 -
1983 $250.6 - $564 -
1982 $246.4 - $652 -
1981 $254.6 - $683 -
1980 $234.4 - $772 -
1979 $213.8 - $716 -
1978 $179.9 - $589 -
1977 $152.7 - $540 -
1976 $134.4 - $541 -
1975 $124.1 - $547 -
1974 $68.9 - $417 -
1973 $66.9 - $381 -
1972 $58.4 - $342 -
1971 $54.4 - $291.1 -
1970 $55.2 - $290.5 -
1969 $48.9 - $287.3 -
1968 $46 - $311 -
1967 $44 - $305 -
1966 $35.4 - $315 -
1965 $43.5 - $314 -
1964 $39 - $318 -
1963 $39.3 - $309 -
1962 $39.2 - $307 -
1961 $39.3 - $308 -
1960 $39.4 - $300 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/senegal | CC BY

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,000, ranking 178/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Senegal
Gross domestic product
$14.3B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
144/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
8.89%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,000
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$9.58B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.2%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$672
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
157/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.75B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
5.78%
2024
Population
14975051
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.8% 67.2% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 27% 63.4% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 29.7% 60.9% 36.2% 105%
2021 31.6% 67.3% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 33.5% 68.7% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 28.2% 53.6% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 26.4% 49.2% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 25.1% 45.6% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 25.1% 41.1% 24% 47.5%
2015 26.6% 33.1% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 27.5% 29.1% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 26.2% 26.7% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 24.6% 19.1% 23% 34.5%
2011 24.7% 18.7% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 23.8% 18.8% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 22.3% 18.5% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 22.5% 18.3% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 22.4% 22.1% 22.2% 19%
2006 20.6% 22.5% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 19.9% 58.9% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 17.9% 80.9% 18.1% 38%
2003 18.5% 79.5% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 20.5% 92% 15.5% 52%
2001 19.1% 84% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 18.2% 86% 14% 57.5%
1999 22.4% 78.4% 14.6% 15%
1998 16.4% 70.1% 13.5% 18.8%
1997 17% 72.2% 14.1% 67.8%
1996 19.5% 83.4% 15.4% 0.07%
1995 18% 100.8% 14.4% 65.3%
1994 13.3% - 15.9% 77.3%
1993 20.3% - - -
1992 21.5% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/senegal | CC BY

In 2024, Rwanda's government spending was $4.1B, accounting for 28.8% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.2% in Rwanda and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 65/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Senegal
2024 -6.57% -13.4%
2023 -5.04% -14.8%
2022 -5.74% -16.1%
2021 -7% -13.7%
2020 -9.54% -9.64%
2019 -5.08% -13.9%
2018 -2.57% -3.66%
2017 -2.52% -2.97%
2016 -2.27% -3.27%
2015 -2.68% -3.66%
2014 -3.92% -3.9%
2013 -1.27% -4.34%
2012 -2.38% -4.18%
2011 -0.86% -4.92%
2010 -0.64% -3.94%
2009 0.26% -3.66%
2008 0.83% -3.53%
2007 -1.56% -2.8%
2006 -0.03% -3.67%
2005 1.12% -0.26%
2004 2.27% 0.18%
2003 -1.23% -0.52%
2002 -2.03% 0.19%
2001 -1.8% -1.44%
2000 -0.22% 0.78%
1999 -4.41% -0.62%
1998 -2.59% 0.93%
1997 -2.22% 0.98%
1996 -5.01% 0.92%
1995 -2.04% 2.41%
1994 -9.54% 5.9%
1993 -6.6% -
1992 -7.21% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/senegal | CC BY

In 2024, Rwanda's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $936M, equivalent to 6.57% of GDP. This compares to Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 2.78% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.89% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Senegal
2024 1.77% 0.8%
2023 19.8% 5.94%
2022 17.7% 9.7%
2021 -0.39% 2.18%
2020 9.85% 2.54%
2019 3.35% 1.76%
2018 -0.31% 0.46%
2017 8.28% 1.32%
2016 7.17% 0.84%
2015 2.53% 0.14%
2014 2.35% -1.09%
2013 5.92% 0.71%
2012 10.3% 1.42%
2011 3.08% 3.4%
2010 -0.25% 1.23%
2009 12.9% -2.25%
2008 15.4% 7.35%
2007 9.08% 5.85%
2006 8.88% 2.11%
2005 9.01% 1.71%
2004 12.3% 0.51%
2003 7.45% -0.05%
2002 1.99% 2.34%
2001 3.34% 2.97%
2000 3.9% 0.73%
1999 -2.41% 0.83%
1998 6.21% 1.16%
1997 12% 1.75%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/senegal | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.83%, compared with 2.01% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was 1.77% in Rwanda and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Rwanda
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $391K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Metals $2K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $87K
Machinery & equipment $45K
Metals $29K
Chemicals & pharma $16K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Rwanda Senegal
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
140/190
2024
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12.7%
2024
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$991M
2024
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda Senegal
Economic freedom 56.5 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 140/197
Property rights 60.3 57.4
Government integrity 53.9 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 50.5
Tax burden 80.6 68.8
Government spending 75.7 63.1
Fiscal health 37.5 0
Business freedom 60.1 55.2
Labor freedom 49.1 54.4
Monetary freedom 72.3 74.3
Trade freedom 61.8 67
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Senegal
2026 56.5 53.2
2025 54.8 56.4
2024 51.6 55.4
2023 52.2 57.7
2022 57.1 60
2021 68.3 58
2020 70.9 58
2019 71.1 56.3
2018 69.1 55.7
2017 67.6 55.9
2016 63.1 58.1
2015 64.8 57.8
2014 64.7 55.4
2013 64.1 55.5
2012 64.9 55.4
2011 62.7 55.7
2010 59.1 54.6
2009 54.2 56.3
2008 54.2 58.3
2007 52.4 58.1
2006 52.8 56.2
2005 51.7 57.9
2004 53.3 58.9
2003 47.8 58.1
2002 50.4 58.6
2001 45.4 58.7
2000 42.3 58.9
1999 39.8 60.6
1998 39.1 59.7
1997 38.3 58.1
1996 - 58.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/senegal | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Rwanda Senegal
Services, % of GDP
47.6%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.41B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
37.5%
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/rwanda/senegal | 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.