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Economy of Rwanda vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Rwanda has a GDP of $14.3B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 144/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Rwanda has $9.58B in government debt (67.2% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Rwanda vs Sudan GDP by year

Rwanda
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Rwanda Sudan
2024 $14,251,642,235 $49,672,435,513
2023 $14,331,722,703 $39,898,289,821
2022 $13,316,161,002 $51,666,875,363
2021 $11,078,787,090 $34,229,513,775
2020 $10,174,386,857 $27,034,593,750
2019 $10,349,300,277 $32,338,079,165
2018 $9,637,904,521 $32,333,780,383
2017 $9,252,833,891 $41,283,617,976
2016 $8,695,272,058 $42,630,376,000
2015 $8,543,760,200 $51,726,758,677
2014 $8,238,966,124 $49,516,748,618
2013 $7,819,964,030 $43,024,018,082
2012 $7,654,761,050 $37,632,919,967
2011 $6,884,913,658 $55,018,567,211
2010 $6,124,756,654 $58,962,978,034
2009 $5,674,476,969 $51,621,044,077
2008 $5,179,854,065 $64,833,083,257
2007 $4,070,507,895 $59,440,139,775
2006 $3,319,784,539 $45,263,831,634
2005 $2,933,819,766 $35,182,711,988
2004 $2,376,496,067 $26,646,007,251
2003 $2,138,237,279 $21,355,298,460
2002 $1,966,003,468 $18,137,128,388
2001 $1,966,600,715 $15,716,361,792
2000 $2,068,836,754 $12,257,299,147
1999 $2,157,108,263 $10,682,028,340
1998 $1,989,343,546 $11,250,221,537
1997 $1,851,558,197 $11,681,175,864
1996 $1,382,334,879 $9,018,300,725
1995 $1,293,535,193 $13,830,363,900
1994 $753,636,370 $12,793,794,737
1993 $1,971,525,712 $8,881,005,436
1992 $2,029,026,962 $7,031,933,492
1991 $1,911,600,237 $44,171,194,366
1990 $2,550,185,679 $33,641,222,222
1989 $2,405,022,593 $21,408,111,111
1988 $2,395,492,687 $14,372,555,556
1987 $2,157,432,668 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,944,710,684 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,715,626,331 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,587,413,084 $10,447,615,385
1983 $1,479,687,587 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,407,243,139 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,407,062,527 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,254,765,642 $8,951,800,000
1979 $1,109,346,131 $8,418,407,787
1978 $905,709,076 $8,128,719,315
1977 $746,650,613 $7,499,005,639
1976 $637,753,853 $6,013,210,816
1975 $571,863,500 $4,823,090,192
1974 $308,458,423 $3,958,931,660
1973 $290,746,157 $3,077,254,460
1972 $246,457,838 $2,483,055,722
1971 $222,952,504 $2,288,340,041
1970 $219,900,006 $2,100,229,759
1969 $188,700,037 $1,847,501,441
1968 $172,200,018 $1,677,771,401
1967 $159,560,018 $1,607,409,539
1966 $124,525,703 $1,484,491,676
1965 $148,799,980 $1,446,869,619
1964 $129,999,994 $1,388,282,600
1963 $128,000,000 $1,351,234,926
1962 $125,000,008 $1,328,259,625
1961 $122,000,016 $1,222,860,429
1960 $119,000,024 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Rwanda vs Sudan by year

Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Rwanda Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,000 $3,711 $985 $2,116
2023 $1,027 $3,399 $797 $2,421
2022 $975 $3,099 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $830 $2,733 $712 $3,249
2020 $779 $2,285 $578 $3,349
2019 $810 $2,336 $710 $3,914
2018 $772 $2,125 $731 $4,199
2017 $758 $1,968 $967 $4,252
2016 $730 $1,866 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $734 $1,781 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $725 $1,678 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $705 $1,512 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $707 $1,455 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $651 $1,413 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $594 $1,314 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $564 $1,241 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $528 $1,191 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $426 $1,079 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $357 $1,002 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $324 $914 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $269.5 $832 $872 $3,215
2003 $249 $775 $714 $3,058
2002 $234 $760 $621 $2,898
2001 $237.3 $670 $551 $2,769
2000 $251.9 $609 $441 $2,616
1999 $264.7 $554 $394 $2,475
1998 $246.2 $528 $425 $2,428
1997 $238.7 $500 $453 $2,358
1996 $206 $499 $357 $2,006
1995 $228 $514 $561 $1,902
1994 $111 $311 $532 $1,805
1993 $247 $521 $379 $1,794
1992 $264.1 $575 $307 $1,710
1991 $254 $542 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $346 $549 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $335 - $992 -
1988 $344 - $680 -
1987 $320 - $584 -
1986 $297.7 - $497 -
1985 $271.6 - $406 -
1984 $259.9 - $534 -
1983 $250.6 - $431 -
1982 $246.4 - $472 -
1981 $254.6 - $605 -
1980 $234.4 - $525 -
1979 $213.8 - $515 -
1978 $179.9 - $518 -
1977 $152.7 - $497 -
1976 $134.4 - $413 -
1975 $124.1 - $343 -
1974 $68.9 - $291.5 -
1973 $66.9 - $235.8 -
1972 $58.4 - $198.2 -
1971 $54.4 - $189 -
1970 $55.2 - $179.6 -
1969 $48.9 - $163.5 -
1968 $46 - $153.7 -
1967 $44 - $152.4 -
1966 $35.4 - $145.6 -
1965 $43.5 - $146.8 -
1964 $39 - $145.7 -
1963 $39.3 - $146.6 -
1962 $39.2 - $148.9 -
1961 $39.3 - $141.6 -
1960 $39.4 - $134.7 -

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

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

Rwanda's GDP per capita is $1,000, ranking 178/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Rwanda Sudan
Gross domestic product
$14.3B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
144/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
8.89%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,000
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
178/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
168/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$9.58B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.2%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$672
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
157/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
$1,704
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.75B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
7.53%
2022
Population
14975051
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Rwanda
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Rwanda Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 28.8% 67.2% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 27% 63.4% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 29.7% 60.9% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 31.6% 67.3% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 33.5% 68.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 28.2% 53.6% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 26.4% 49.2% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 25.1% 45.6% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 25.1% 41.1% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 26.6% 33.1% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 27.5% 29.1% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 26.2% 26.7% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 24.6% 19.1% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 24.7% 18.7% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 23.8% 18.8% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 22.3% 18.5% 18.8% 71%
2008 22.5% 18.3% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 22.4% 22.1% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 20.6% 22.5% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 19.9% 58.9% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 17.9% 80.9% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 18.5% 79.5% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 20.5% 92% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 19.1% 84% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 18.2% 86% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 22.4% 78.4% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 16.4% 70.1% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 17% 72.2% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 19.5% 83.4% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 18% 100.8% 12.9% 239%
1994 13.3% - 19.6% 386%
1993 20.3% - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 21.5% - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

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

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

In 2024, Rwanda's government spending was $4.1B, accounting for 28.8% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.2% in Rwanda and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 65/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Rwanda

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Rwanda Sudan
2024 -6.57% -3.46%
2023 -5.04% -3.7%
2022 -5.74% -2.15%
2021 -7% -0.29%
2020 -9.54% -6.03%
2019 -5.08% -10.8%
2018 -2.57% -7.92%
2017 -2.52% -6.07%
2016 -2.27% -3.92%
2015 -2.68% -3.87%
2014 -3.92% -4.72%
2013 -1.27% -5.76%
2012 -2.38% -7.37%
2011 -0.86% -2.33%
2010 -0.64% 0.11%
2009 0.26% -3.8%
2008 0.83% 0.49%
2007 -1.56% -2.84%
2006 -0.03% -1.32%
2005 1.12% -1.88%
2004 2.27% 0.16%
2003 -1.23% 0.77%
2002 -2.03% -0.69%
2001 -1.8% -0.77%
2000 -0.22% -0.7%
1999 -4.41% -0.8%
1998 -2.59% -0.56%
1997 -2.22% -0.59%
1996 -5.01% -2.61%
1995 -2.04% -3.48%
1994 -9.54% -3.03%
1993 -6.6% -8.04%
1992 -7.21% -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Rwanda posted an annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.71% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Rwanda

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Rwanda Sudan
2024 1.77% -
2023 19.8% -
2022 17.7% 138.8%
2021 -0.39% 359%
2020 9.85% 163.3%
2019 3.35% 51%
2018 -0.31% 63.3%
2017 8.28% 32.4%
2016 7.17% 17.8%
2015 2.53% 16.9%
2014 2.35% 36.9%
2013 5.92% 36.5%
2012 10.3% 35.6%
2011 3.08% 18.1%
2010 -0.25% 13%
2009 12.9% 11.3%
2008 15.4% 14.3%
2007 9.08% 14.8%
2006 8.88% 7.2%
2005 9.01% 8.51%
2004 12.3% 9.66%
2003 7.45% 6.49%
2002 1.99% 22.2%
2001 3.34% 1.94%
2000 3.9% 7.12%
1999 -2.41% 17.2%
1998 6.21% 24.6%
1997 12% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Rwanda has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.53%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 1.77% in Rwanda and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Rwanda
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $3.13M
Machinery & equipment $664K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $490K
Chemicals & pharma $52K
Animal & marine products $8K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Miscellaneous $4K
Metals $1K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $95K

Balance of trade

Rwanda Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
140/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12.7%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$991M
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Rwanda Sudan
Economic freedom 56.5 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 121/197 191/197
Property rights 60.3 6.5
Government integrity 53.9 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 2.4
Tax burden 80.6 84.7
Government spending 75.7 96.5
Fiscal health 37.5 64.6
Business freedom 60.1 27.3
Labor freedom 49.1 33.6
Monetary freedom 72.3 6.2
Trade freedom 61.8 29.6
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Rwanda
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Rwanda Sudan
2026 56.5 32.5
2025 54.8 35.3
2024 51.6 33.9
2023 52.2 32.8
2022 57.1 32
2021 68.3 39.1
2020 70.9 45
2019 71.1 47.7
2018 69.1 49.4
2017 67.6 48.8
2016 63.1 -
2015 64.8 -
2014 64.7 -
2013 64.1 -
2012 64.9 -
2011 62.7 -
2010 59.1 -
2009 54.2 -
2008 54.2 -
2007 52.4 -
2006 52.8 -
2005 51.7 -
2004 53.3 -
2003 47.8 -
2002 50.4 -
2001 45.4 -
2000 42.3 47.2
1999 39.8 39.6
1998 39.1 38.3
1997 38.3 39.9
1996 - 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Rwanda is 56.5, ranking 121/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Rwanda Sudan
Services, % of GDP
47.6%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.41B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
123/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (2018–2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.

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.