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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Seychelles compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $2.17B for the Seychelles, ranking 18/197 and 178/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $1.25B (57.6% of GDP) in the Seychelles.

Saudi Arabia vs Seychelles GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Seychelles
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $2,167,239,562
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $2,187,379,755
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $2,018,346,589
2021 $982,661,066,667 $1,487,173,795
2020 $767,951,200,000 $1,382,551,752
2019 $888,890,133,333 $1,868,690,097
2018 $886,564,800,000 $1,784,313,927
2017 $741,266,133,333 $1,675,370,641
2016 $689,279,466,667 $1,568,513,348
2015 $693,414,400,000 $1,432,403,352
2014 $787,153,066,667 $1,387,577,870
2013 $769,755,733,333 $1,333,160,407
2012 $751,921,333,333 $1,089,407,839
2011 $680,660,800,000 $1,058,918,707
2010 $528,207,466,667 $981,616,542
2009 $429,097,866,667 $850,901,620
2008 $519,796,800,000 $979,597,394
2007 $415,964,509,673 $1,077,308,814
2006 $376,900,133,511 $1,081,441,283
2005 $328,459,608,764 $977,899,382
2004 $258,742,133,333 $893,012,218
2003 $215,807,733,333 $750,847,230
2002 $189,605,866,667 $742,134,838
2001 $184,137,600,000 $662,064,156
2000 $189,514,933,333 $654,212,394
1999 $161,717,066,667 $662,838,615
1998 $146,775,466,667 $647,287,376
1997 $165,963,684,913 $598,966,982
1996 $158,662,483,311 $535,250,347
1995 $143,343,124,166 $540,733,048
1994 $135,174,899,866 $517,570,058
1993 $132,967,957,276 $504,230,621
1992 $137,087,850,467 $461,409,399
1991 $132,223,230,975 $398,307,170
1990 $117,630,173,565 $392,163,561
1989 $95,344,459,279 $324,333,367
1988 $88,256,074,766 $301,985,618
1987 $85,695,861,148 $265,212,957
1986 $86,961,922,765 $221,147,061
1985 $103,897,846,494 $179,691,483
1984 $119,624,858,116 $160,992,921
1983 $129,171,635,311 $156,098,237
1982 $153,240,313,858 $157,211,790
1981 $184,291,360,139 $163,750,728
1980 $164,539,660,725 $156,783,830
1979 $111,858,444,786 $127,261,099
1978 $80,266,516,687 $85,552,366
1977 $74,188,986,586 $64,526,401
1976 $64,005,665,722 $49,278,982
1975 $46,773,208,643 $47,803,146
1974 $45,412,957,746 $43,134,496
1973 $14,947,435,499 $36,896,280
1972 $9,664,267,087 $30,645,123
1971 $7,184,806,909 $21,965,951
1970 $5,377,333,333 $18,432,032
1969 $4,485,777,644 $16,452,028
1968 $4,187,777,711 $16,074,028
1967 $3,257,022,223 $16,632,032
1966 $2,920,555,557 $16,443,034
1965 $2,647,955,558 $15,603,032
1964 $2,371,808,713 $15,393,032
1963 $2,207,393,172 $13,923,029
1962 $2,130,606,532 $12,642,026
1961 $1,920,811,284 $11,592,024
1960 $1,748,124,064 $12,012,025

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/seychelles | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Seychelles by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Seychelles
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $17,859 $33,239
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $18,263 $31,781
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $16,837 $29,973
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $14,983 $29,980
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $14,041 $31,056
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $19,142 $34,219
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $18,440 $32,091
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $17,480 $30,675
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $16,567 $28,811
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $15,333 $25,435
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $15,188 $24,985
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $14,821 $22,487
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $12,337 $22,264
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $12,110 $21,781
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $10,935 $18,982
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $9,747 $18,453
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $11,265 $18,881
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $12,669 $19,473
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $12,783 $17,503
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $11,802 $15,846
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $10,828 $14,160
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $9,070 $14,142
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $8,864 $14,570
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $8,153 $14,615
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $8,064 $14,638
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $8,243 $13,853
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $8,210 $13,675
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $7,747 $13,458
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $7,004 $11,931
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $7,181 $10,809
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $6,975 $10,692
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $6,979 $11,020
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $6,520 $10,243
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $5,655 $9,387
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $5,642 $8,955
1989 $9,414 - $4,689 -
1988 $9,165 - $4,392 -
1987 $9,386 - $3,872 -
1986 $10,078 - $3,368 -
1985 $12,745 - $2,754 -
1984 $15,541 - $2,488 -
1983 $17,810 - $2,426 -
1982 $22,454 - $2,441 -
1981 $28,703 - $2,557 -
1980 $27,206 - $2,478 -
1979 $19,612 - $2,030 -
1978 $14,914 - $1,377 -
1977 $14,595 - $1,044 -
1976 $13,313 - $814 -
1975 $10,266 - $806 -
1974 $10,503 - $745 -
1973 $3,640 - $649 -
1972 $2,474 - $547 -
1971 $1,929 - $402 -
1970 $1,509 - $344 -
1969 $1,313 - $314 -
1968 $1,276 - $314 -
1967 $1,032 - $333 -
1966 $961 - $338 -
1965 $904 - $328 -
1964 $840 - $332 -
1963 $812 - $308 -
1962 $813 - $287 -
1961 $760 - $270.3 -
1960 $718 - $288.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/seychelles | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $17,859 in the Seychelles, ranking 63/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Seychelles
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$2.17B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
3.47%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$17,859
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
63/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$33,239
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
67/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$1.25B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
57.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$10,288
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
57/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$10,944
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
$811M
2024
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
23.9%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
0.31%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
1.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
2.59%
2024
Population
36734925
126311

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Seychelles
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Seychelles
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 33.8% 57.6%
2023 28.3% 23% 32.9% 55.3%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 31.3% 60%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 38.8% 71%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 46.7% 77.4%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 31.7% 48.9%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 33% 51.3%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 34.3% 56.7%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 34.5% 62.8%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 31.5% 64.7%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 33.4% 70.4%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 37.8% 68.2%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 38.6% 80.1%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 36.4% 82.5%
2010 33% 8.43% 34.6% 82.2%
2009 37.1% 14% 32.1% 106.1%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 27% 192.1%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 41.9% 144%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 43.6% 135.1%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 39% 144.1%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 39.9% 163.2%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 44.6% 177%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 56.3% 195.9%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 46.8% 199.8%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 55.4% 177.8%
1999 30.3% 103% 56.1% 159.8%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 60.7% 161.2%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 54.7% 143%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 59.1% 146.7%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 53.1% 133.5%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 63.6% 123.5%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 60.4% 82.2%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 50.7% 79.9%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 52.1% 89.2%
1990 39.3% - 46.1% 80.4%
1989 - - 51.7% 39.9%
1988 - - 46.7% 41.3%
1987 - - 49.7% 37%
1986 - - 58% 31.5%
1985 - - 53% 26.5%
1984 - - 50.5% 15.3%
1983 - - 47.9% 12.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/seychelles | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while the Seychelles spent $732M, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 57.6% in the Seychelles, ranking 163/185 and 85/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Seychelles
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Seychelles
2024 -2.49% -0.69%
2023 -1.77% -1.14%
2022 2.24% -0.76%
2021 -1.99% -5.76%
2020 -10.2% -15.7%
2019 -3.96% 0.42%
2018 -5.21% -0.8%
2017 -8.57% -1.67%
2016 -13.2% 0.02%
2015 -14.9% 1.39%
2014 -3.4% 2.87%
2013 5.47% 0.33%
2012 11.7% 2.93%
2011 11.4% 3.36%
2010 4.39% 0.52%
2009 -5.38% 4.84%
2008 29.8% 7.88%
2007 11.8% -9.93%
2006 20.8% -2.54%
2005 18% 0.42%
2004 9.72% 0.44%
2003 1.2% 3.4%
2002 -5.91% -16.3%
2001 -3.91% -8.93%
2000 3.18% -14.7%
1999 -5.99% -10.3%
1998 -8.88% -16.7%
1997 -2.51% -5.91%
1996 -3.25% -9.69%
1995 -5.12% -2.58%
1994 -8.31% -6.95%
1993 -9.33% -3.62%
1992 -8.12% 6.44%
1991 -3.28% 3.15%
1990 - 11.9%
1989 - 8.26%
1988 - 11.8%
1987 - 2.77%
1986 - -10.1%
1985 - -4.86%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -3.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/seychelles | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.49% of GDP. This compares to the Seychelles' deficit of $15M, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Seychelles ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.83% of GDP for the Seychelles.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Seychelles
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Seychelles
2024 1.69% 0.31%
2023 2.33% -1.04%
2022 2.47% 2.63%
2021 3.06% 9.77%
2020 3.37% 1.2%
2019 -1.19% 1.81%
2018 2.47% 3.7%
2017 -0.83% 2.86%
2016 2.05% -1.02%
2015 1.22% 4.04%
2014 2.24% 1.39%
2013 3.51% 4.34%
2012 2.87% 7.11%
2011 5.83% 2.56%
2010 5.34% -2.4%
2009 5.06% 31.8%
2008 9.87% 37%
2007 4.17% 5.32%
2006 2.21% -0.35%
2005 0.48% 0.91%
2004 0.52% 3.86%
2003 0.61% 3.3%
2002 0.25% 0.18%
2001 -1.12% 5.97%
2000 -1.12% 6.27%
1999 -1.33% 6.35%
1998 -0.37% 2.58%
1997 0.06% 0.62%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/seychelles | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 5.03% in the Seychelles. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 0.31% in the Seychelles.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $4.14M
Animal & marine products $854K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $642K
Textiles & consumer goods $196K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Wood & paper products $6K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Seychelles
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $24K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Seychelles
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$176M
2024
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
97/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-8.11%
2024
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$595M
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$1B
2024
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$1.71B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
103.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
85.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Seychelles
Economic freedom 65.4 66.5
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 60/197
Property rights 51.4 82.6
Government integrity 52.7 71.7
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 61.7
Tax burden 99.2 77.3
Government spending 77 68
Fiscal health 97.9 92.2
Business freedom 71.2 71.3
Labor freedom 41.8 52
Monetary freedom 81.2 79.8
Trade freedom 73.8 81.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Seychelles
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Seychelles
2026 65.4 66.5
2025 64.4 66.4
2024 61.9 60.4
2023 58.3 59.5
2022 55.5 61.1
2021 66 66.3
2020 62.4 64.3
2019 60.7 61.4
2018 59.6 61.6
2017 64.4 61.8
2016 62.1 62.2
2015 62.1 57.5
2014 62.2 56.2
2013 60.6 54.9
2012 62.5 53
2011 66.2 51.2
2010 64.1 47.9
2009 64.3 47.8
2008 62.5 -
2007 60.9 -
2006 63 -
2005 63 -
2004 60.4 -
2003 63.2 -
2002 65.3 -
2001 62.2 -
2000 66.5 -
1999 65.5 -
1998 69.3 -
1997 68.7 -
1996 68.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/seychelles | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 66.5 for the Seychelles, ranking 60/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Seychelles
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
65.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
12.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
2.45%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$2.12B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$32,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$774M
2024
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
145/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$262M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$226M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
-$35.4M
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
25.3%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
17.2%
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/saudi-arabia/seychelles | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.

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.