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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 18/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Saudi Arabia vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $6,971,127,235
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $6,415,852,767
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $7,121,125,278
2021 $982,661,066,667 $7,166,931,485
2020 $767,951,200,000 $6,688,307,703
2019 $888,890,133,333 $6,523,577,594
2018 $886,564,800,000 $6,390,514,689
2017 $741,266,133,333 $5,749,846,528
2016 $689,279,466,667 $6,084,297,211
2015 $693,414,400,000 $6,788,352,975
2014 $787,153,066,667 $7,686,138,791
2013 $769,755,733,333 $7,502,762,863
2012 $751,921,333,333 $6,141,666,509
2011 $680,660,800,000 $4,861,632,885
2010 $528,207,466,667 $4,262,805,967
2009 $429,097,866,667 $3,953,403,098
2008 $519,796,800,000 $4,157,895,298
2007 $415,964,509,673 $3,632,957,611
2006 $376,900,133,511 $3,263,697,467
2005 $328,459,608,764 $2,545,275,313
2004 $258,742,133,333 $2,237,350,687
2003 $215,807,733,333 $2,142,618,046
2002 $189,605,866,667 $1,933,863,911
2001 $184,137,600,000 $1,681,473,894
2000 $189,514,933,333 $635,866,404
1999 $161,717,066,667 $669,386,624
1998 $146,775,466,667 $672,368,187
1997 $165,963,684,913 $850,232,760
1996 $158,662,483,311 $941,709,423
1995 $143,343,124,166 $870,740,292
1994 $135,174,899,866 $911,853,802
1993 $132,967,957,276 $768,867,883
1992 $137,087,850,467 $679,940,814
1991 $132,223,230,975 $779,981,987
1990 $117,630,173,565 $649,644,098
1989 $95,344,459,279 $932,974,420
1988 $88,256,074,766 $1,055,083,933
1987 $85,695,861,148 $660,106,336
1986 $86,961,922,765 $490,181,457
1985 $103,897,846,494 $856,890,459
1984 $119,624,858,116 $1,087,471,862
1983 $129,171,635,311 $995,104,305
1982 $153,240,313,858 $1,295,361,886
1981 $184,291,360,139 $1,114,830,472
1980 $164,539,660,725 $1,100,685,845
1979 $111,858,444,786 $1,109,374,911
1978 $80,266,516,687 $960,728,339
1977 $74,188,986,586 $691,777,584
1976 $64,005,665,722 $594,895,942
1975 $46,773,208,643 $679,336,344
1974 $45,412,957,746 $648,590,643
1973 $14,947,435,499 $575,230,724
1972 $9,664,267,087 $465,381,340
1971 $7,184,806,909 $419,549,305
1970 $5,377,333,333 $434,410,974
1969 $4,485,777,644 $408,690,163
1968 $4,187,777,711 $329,859,732
1967 $3,257,022,223 $348,795,303
1966 $2,920,555,557 $375,479,850
1965 $2,647,955,558 $359,379,856
1964 $2,371,808,713 $371,847,461
1963 $2,207,393,172 $348,547,279
1962 $2,130,606,532 $342,721,416
1961 $1,920,811,284 $327,834,191
1960 $1,748,124,064 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Sierra Leone by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $807 $3,522
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $758 $3,368
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $860 $3,144
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $885 $2,849
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $845 $2,719
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $844 $2,704
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $846 $2,640
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $779 $2,501
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $844 $2,635
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $965 $2,560
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $938 $2,317
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $761 $2,043
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $685 $1,900
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $653 $1,814
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $705 $1,824
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $632 $1,770
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $580 $1,698
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $463 $1,615
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $418 $1,541
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $414 $1,458
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $389 $1,360
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $358 $1,121
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $155 $1,167
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $185 $1,269
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $9,414 - $231.3 -
1988 $9,165 - $268.2 -
1987 $9,386 - $172.4 -
1986 $10,078 - $131.5 -
1985 $12,745 - $235.5 -
1984 $15,541 - $306 -
1983 $17,810 - $285.8 -
1982 $22,454 - $380 -
1981 $28,703 - $334 -
1980 $27,206 - $336 -
1979 $19,612 - $346 -
1978 $14,914 - $305 -
1977 $14,595 - $224.2 -
1976 $13,313 - $196.4 -
1975 $10,266 - $228.4 -
1974 $10,503 - $222.1 -
1973 $3,640 - $200.6 -
1972 $2,474 - $165.4 -
1971 $1,929 - $151.8 -
1970 $1,509 - $160.2 -
1969 $1,313 - $153.6 -
1968 $1,276 - $126.3 -
1967 $1,032 - $136.1 -
1966 $961 - $149.3 -
1965 $904 - $145.6 -
1964 $840 - $153.4 -
1963 $812 - $146.3 -
1962 $813 - $146.3 -
1961 $760 - $142.3 -
1960 $718 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
36734925
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 28.3% 23% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 16.7% 54%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 15% 44.2%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 33% 8.43% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 37.1% 14% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 12% 113.5%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 10.3% -
1999 30.3% 103% - -
1998 34.5% 101.5% - -
1997 35.6% 76.7% - -
1996 33.3% 75.2% - -
1995 32.4% 74.2% - -
1994 33.8% 67.9% - -
1993 37.7% 58.6% - -
1992 41.2% 47.8% - -
1991 34.9% 39.4% - -
1990 39.3% - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 163/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
2024 -2.49% -4.53%
2023 -1.77% -4.99%
2022 2.24% -5.93%
2021 -1.99% -4.35%
2020 -10.2% -3.5%
2019 -3.96% -1.95%
2018 -5.21% -3.57%
2017 -8.57% -5.61%
2016 -13.2% -5.41%
2015 -14.9% -2.86%
2014 -3.4% -2.77%
2013 5.47% -1.74%
2012 11.7% -3.41%
2011 11.4% -2.78%
2010 4.39% -3.09%
2009 -5.38% -1.51%
2008 29.8% -2.22%
2007 11.8% 12.6%
2006 20.8% -0.93%
2005 18% -1.17%
2004 9.72% -1.46%
2003 1.2% -2.78%
2002 -5.91% -3.03%
2001 -3.91% -3.22%
2000 3.18% -1.94%
1999 -5.99% -
1998 -8.88% -
1997 -2.51% -
1996 -3.25% -
1995 -5.12% -
1994 -8.31% -
1993 -9.33% -
1992 -8.12% -
1991 -3.28% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 1.95% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
2024 1.69% 28.4%
2023 2.33% 47.7%
2022 2.47% 27.2%
2021 3.06% 11.9%
2020 3.37% 13.4%
2019 -1.19% 14.8%
2018 2.47% 16%
2017 -0.83% 18.2%
2016 2.05% 10.9%
2015 1.22% 6.7%
2014 2.24% 4.6%
2013 3.51% 5.5%
2012 2.87% 6.6%
2011 5.83% 6.8%
2010 5.34% 7.2%
2009 5.06% 7.5%
2008 9.87% 8.2%
2007 4.17% 17%
2006 2.21% 10.5%
2005 0.48% 13.7%
2004 0.52% 12.9%
2003 0.61% 4%
2002 0.25% 0.1%
2001 -1.12% 2.6%
2000 -1.12% -0.9%
1999 -1.33% 34.1%
1998 -0.37% 36%
1997 0.06% 14.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3.52M
Raw materials & minerals $2.21M
Machinery & equipment $191K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $102K
Raw agricultural goods $76K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Animal & marine products $33K
Miscellaneous $26K
Wood & paper products $13K
Metals $11K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $18K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$125B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 65.4 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 165/197
Property rights 51.4 32.9
Government integrity 52.7 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 42
Tax burden 99.2 88.2
Government spending 77 92.4
Fiscal health 97.9 54.1
Business freedom 71.2 44.8
Labor freedom 41.8 38.2
Monetary freedom 81.2 53.6
Trade freedom 73.8 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
2026 65.4 49.6
2025 64.4 48
2024 61.9 44.6
2023 58.3 50.2
2022 55.5 52
2021 66 51.7
2020 62.4 48
2019 60.7 47.5
2018 59.6 51.8
2017 64.4 52.6
2016 62.1 52.3
2015 62.1 51.7
2014 62.2 50.5
2013 60.6 48.3
2012 62.5 49.1
2011 66.2 49.6
2010 64.1 47.9
2009 64.3 47.8
2008 62.5 48.3
2007 60.9 47
2006 63 45.2
2005 63 44.8
2004 60.4 43.6
2003 63.2 42.2
2002 65.3 -
2001 62.2 -
2000 66.5 44.2
1999 65.5 47.2
1998 69.3 47.7
1997 68.7 45
1996 68.3 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
20.5%
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/saudi-arabia/sierra-leone | 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 (2018–2024, 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.