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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.28T compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 19/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $405B in government debt (31.7% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Saudi Arabia vs South Sudan GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
2025 $1,276,942,933,333 -
2024 $1,254,140,800,000 -
2023 $1,218,584,800,000 -
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 -
2021 $982,661,066,667 -
2020 $767,951,200,000 -
2019 $888,890,133,333 -
2018 $886,564,800,000 -
2017 $741,266,133,333 -
2016 $689,279,466,667 -
2015 $693,414,400,000 $11,997,800,760
2014 $787,153,066,667 $13,962,212,847
2013 $769,755,733,333 $18,426,469,017
2012 $751,921,333,333 $11,931,472,169
2011 $680,660,800,000 $14,907,308,933
2010 $528,207,466,667 $14,602,072,411
2009 $429,097,866,667 $12,231,264,525
2008 $519,796,800,000 $14,586,253,383
2007 $415,964,509,673 -
2006 $376,900,133,511 -
2005 $328,459,608,764 -
2004 $258,742,133,333 -
2003 $215,807,733,333 -
2002 $189,605,866,667 -
2001 $184,137,600,000 -
2000 $189,514,933,333 -
1999 $161,717,066,667 -
1998 $146,775,466,667 -
1997 $165,963,684,913 -
1996 $158,662,483,311 -
1995 $143,343,124,166 -
1994 $135,174,899,866 -
1993 $132,967,957,276 -
1992 $137,087,850,467 -
1991 $132,223,230,975 -
1990 $117,630,173,565 -
1989 $95,344,459,279 -
1988 $88,256,074,766 -
1987 $85,695,861,148 -
1986 $86,961,922,765 -
1985 $103,897,846,494 -
1984 $119,624,858,116 -
1983 $129,171,635,311 -
1982 $153,240,313,858 -
1981 $184,291,360,139 -
1980 $164,539,660,725 -
1979 $111,858,444,786 -
1978 $80,266,516,687 -
1977 $74,188,986,586 -
1976 $64,005,665,722 -
1975 $46,773,208,643 -
1974 $45,412,957,746 -
1973 $14,947,435,499 -
1972 $9,664,267,087 -
1971 $7,184,806,909 -
1970 $5,377,333,333 -
1969 $4,485,777,644 -
1968 $4,187,777,711 -
1967 $3,257,022,223 -
1966 $2,920,555,557 -
1965 $2,647,955,558 -
1964 $2,371,808,713 -
1963 $2,207,393,172 -
1962 $2,130,606,532 -
1961 $1,920,811,284 -
1960 $1,748,124,064 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs South Sudan by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,537 - - -
2024 $35,528 $71,375 - -
2023 $36,157 $71,565 - -
2022 $38,510 $71,968 - -
2021 $31,921 $62,690 - -
2020 $24,339 $47,518 - -
2019 $29,567 $59,560 - -
2018 $29,360 $59,378 - -
2017 $23,929 $53,120 - -
2016 $22,268 $49,937 - -
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $18,596 $55,030 - -
2006 $17,564 $54,639 - -
2005 $15,976 $53,548 - -
2004 $13,154 $51,225 - -
2003 $11,487 $48,078 - -
2002 $10,586 $45,466 - -
2001 $10,805 $47,381 - -
2000 $11,715 $48,644 - -
1999 $10,452 $47,495 - -
1998 $9,836 $48,867 - -
1997 $11,545 $48,796 - -
1996 $11,472 $48,569 - -
1995 $10,786 $48,052 - -
1994 $10,602 $48,904 - -
1993 $10,885 $49,503 - -
1992 $11,730 $50,355 - -
1991 $11,847 $49,295 - -
1990 $11,055 $46,214 - -
1989 $9,414 - - -
1988 $9,165 - - -
1987 $9,386 - - -
1986 $10,078 - - -
1985 $12,745 - - -
1984 $15,541 - - -
1983 $17,810 - - -
1982 $22,454 - - -
1981 $28,703 - - -
1980 $27,206 - - -
1979 $19,612 - - -
1978 $14,914 - - -
1977 $14,595 - - -
1976 $13,313 - - -
1975 $10,266 - - -
1974 $10,503 - - -
1973 $3,640 - - -
1972 $2,474 - - -
1971 $1,929 - - -
1970 $1,509 - - -
1969 $1,313 - - -
1968 $1,276 - - -
1967 $1,032 - - -
1966 $961 - - -
1965 $904 - - -
1964 $840 - - -
1963 $812 - - -
1962 $813 - - -
1961 $760 - - -
1960 $718 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $34,537, ranking 36/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$1.28T
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
19/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$34,537
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$405B
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.7%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$10,956
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,010
2026
$1,514
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.36T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
348,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.08%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.24%
2025
12.3%
2008
Population
37955120
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29% 31.7% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 29.2% 25.9% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 28.3% 23% 21.3% 62%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 52% 128.9%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 20.8% 0%
2010 33% 8.43% - -
2009 37.1% 14% - -
2008 26.7% 12.1% - -
2007 29.5% 17.1% - -
2006 27.3% 25.8% - -
2005 28.2% 37.3% - -
2004 31.1% 62.9% - -
2003 33.1% 81.6% - -
2002 35.9% 96.4% - -
2001 36.9% 93.1% - -
2000 33.1% 86.7% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $370B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.7% in Saudi Arabia and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 151/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
2025 -5.77% 3.45%
2024 -2.46% 11.5%
2023 -1.77% 9.12%
2022 2.24% 4.43%
2021 -1.99% -9.3%
2020 -10.2% -5.5%
2019 -3.96% 0.04%
2018 -5.21% -1.15%
2017 -8.57% 4.16%
2016 -13.2% -15.5%
2015 -14.9% -16.3%
2014 -3.4% -9.53%
2013 5.47% -3.45%
2012 11.7% -14.8%
2011 11.4% 4.57%
2010 4.39% -
2009 -5.38% -
2008 29.8% -
2007 11.8% -
2006 20.8% -
2005 18% -
2004 9.72% -
2003 1.2% -
2002 -5.91% -
2001 -3.91% -
2000 3.18% -
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 (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $104B, equivalent to 14.9% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 2 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 2.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia South Sudan
2025 2.08% -
2024 1.69% 91.4%
2023 2.33% 2.38%
2022 2.47% -6.69%
2021 3.06% 10.5%
2020 3.37% 29.7%
2019 -1.19% 87.2%
2018 2.47% 83.5%
2017 -0.83% 187.9%
2016 2.05% 380%
2015 1.22% 52.8%
2014 2.24% 1.67%
2013 3.51% -0.06%
2012 2.87% 45.5%
2011 5.83% 46.9%
2010 5.34% 1.17%
2009 5.06% 5.01%
2008 9.87% -
2007 4.17% -
2006 2.21% -
2005 0.48% -
2004 0.52% -
2003 0.61% -
2002 0.25% -
2001 -1.12% -
2000 -1.12% -
1999 -1.33% -
1998 -0.37% -
1997 0.06% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.59%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 2.08% in Saudi Arabia and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $747K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $617K
Chemicals & pharma $271K
Raw materials & minerals $181K
Animal & marine products $134K
Raw agricultural goods $24K
Textiles & consumer goods $18K
Miscellaneous $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
South Sudan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Current account balance
-$32.7B
2025
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2025
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2025
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$230B
2025
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$311B
2025
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$129B
2025
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$69.4B
2025
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Economic freedom 65.4 41
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 186/197
Property rights 51.4 n/a
Government integrity 52.7 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 n/a
Tax burden 99.2 n/a
Government spending 77 n/a
Fiscal health 97.9 n/a
Business freedom 71.2 n/a
Labor freedom 41.8 n/a
Monetary freedom 81.2 n/a
Trade freedom 73.8 n/a
Investment freedom 50 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
43%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.59%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$1.33T
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,400
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$505B
2025
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2025
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.6B
2025
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.6%
2025
5.75%
2015

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.