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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.28T compared to $109B for Sri Lanka, ranking 19/197 and 71/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $405B in government debt (31.7% of GDP), compared to $100B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Saudi Arabia vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
2025 $1,276,942,933,333 $108,825,231,671
2024 $1,254,140,800,000 $99,616,111,266
2023 $1,218,584,800,000 $84,080,307,356
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $74,143,020,304
2021 $982,661,066,667 $88,556,699,052
2020 $767,951,200,000 $84,335,574,372
2019 $888,890,133,333 $88,998,706,178
2018 $886,564,800,000 $94,450,015,983
2017 $741,266,133,333 $94,369,350,439
2016 $689,279,466,667 $88,000,210,878
2015 $693,414,400,000 $85,090,300,896
2014 $787,153,066,667 $82,531,125,462
2013 $769,755,733,333 $76,976,204,075
2012 $751,921,333,333 $70,447,216,891
2011 $680,660,800,000 $67,753,285,882
2010 $528,207,466,667 $58,636,049,581
2009 $429,097,866,667 $42,066,224,093
2008 $519,796,800,000 $40,713,826,215
2007 $415,964,509,673 $32,350,238,760
2006 $376,900,133,511 $28,267,410,543
2005 $328,459,608,764 $24,405,791,045
2004 $258,742,133,333 $20,662,525,941
2003 $215,807,733,333 $18,881,765,437
2002 $189,605,866,667 $16,536,535,647
2001 $184,137,600,000 $15,749,753,805
2000 $189,514,933,333 $16,595,882,819
1999 $161,717,066,667 $15,711,933,513
1998 $146,775,466,667 $15,760,736,956
1997 $165,963,684,913 $15,091,913,884
1996 $158,662,483,311 $13,897,738,375
1995 $143,343,124,166 $13,029,697,561
1994 $135,174,899,866 $11,717,604,209
1993 $132,967,957,276 $10,338,679,636
1992 $137,087,850,467 $9,703,011,636
1991 $132,223,230,975 $9,000,362,582
1990 $117,630,173,565 $8,032,551,173
1989 $95,344,459,279 $6,987,267,684
1988 $88,256,074,766 $6,978,371,581
1987 $85,695,861,148 $6,682,167,120
1986 $86,961,922,765 $6,405,210,564
1985 $103,897,846,494 $5,978,460,972
1984 $119,624,858,116 $6,043,474,843
1983 $129,171,635,311 $5,167,913,302
1982 $153,240,313,858 $4,768,765,017
1981 $184,291,360,139 $4,415,844,156
1980 $164,539,660,725 $4,024,621,900
1979 $111,858,444,786 $3,364,611,432
1978 $80,266,516,687 $2,733,183,857
1977 $74,188,986,586 $4,104,509,583
1976 $64,005,665,722 $3,591,319,857
1975 $46,773,208,643 $3,791,298,146
1974 $45,412,957,746 $3,574,586,466
1973 $14,947,435,499 $2,875,625,000
1972 $9,664,267,087 $2,553,936,348
1971 $7,184,806,909 $2,369,308,600
1970 $5,377,333,333 $2,296,470,588
1969 $4,485,777,644 $1,965,546,218
1968 $4,187,777,711 $1,801,344,538
1967 $3,257,022,223 $1,859,465,021
1966 $2,920,555,557 $1,751,470,588
1965 $2,647,955,558 $1,698,319,328
1964 $2,371,808,713 $1,309,747,899
1963 $2,207,393,172 $1,240,672,269
1962 $2,130,606,532 $1,434,156,379
1961 $1,920,811,284 $1,444,327,731
1960 $1,748,124,064 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Sri Lanka by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,537 - $5,002 -
2024 $35,528 $71,375 $4,545 $15,633
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $3,815 $14,456
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $946 $4,850
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $835 $4,522
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $804 $4,328
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $860 $4,368
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $829 $4,103
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $848 $3,952
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $827 $3,804
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $776 $3,582
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $742 $3,454
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $678 $3,260
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $607 $3,067
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $580 $2,851
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $546 $2,713
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $491 $2,527
1989 $9,414 - $430 -
1988 $9,165 - $434 -
1987 $9,386 - $420 -
1986 $10,078 - $407 -
1985 $12,745 - $385 -
1984 $15,541 - $391 -
1983 $17,810 - $336 -
1982 $22,454 - $312 -
1981 $28,703 - $292.5 -
1980 $27,206 - $271.1 -
1979 $19,612 - $230.8 -
1978 $14,914 - $191 -
1977 $14,595 - $292.1 -
1976 $13,313 - $260.3 -
1975 $10,266 - $279.8 -
1974 $10,503 - $268.7 -
1973 $3,640 - $220.2 -
1972 $2,474 - $199.4 -
1971 $1,929 - $188.8 -
1970 $1,509 - $186.9 -
1969 $1,313 - $163.6 -
1968 $1,276 - $153.5 -
1967 $1,032 - $162.3 -
1966 $961 - $156.6 -
1965 $904 - $155.6 -
1964 $840 - $122.9 -
1963 $812 - $119.4 -
1962 $813 - $141.4 -
1961 $760 - $145.9 -
1960 $718 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sri-lanka | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $34,537, ranking 36/197, compared to $5,002 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$1.28T
2025
$109B
2025
GDP rank
19/197
2025
71/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
4.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,537
2025
$5,002
2025
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2025
124/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$405B
2025
$100B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.7%
2025
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,956
2025
$4,584
2024
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2025
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,010
2026
$2,830
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.36T
2025
$26.1B
2025
Number of millionaires
348,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
15
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2025
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.08%
2024-2025
-4.76%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.24%
2025
4.32%
2024
Population
37955120
21926160

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29% 31.7% - -
2024 29.2% 25.9% 19.1% 100.8%
2023 28.3% 23% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 20% 102.7%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 18.2% 75%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 33% 8.43% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 37.1% 14% 21% 72.8%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 30.3% 103% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 23% 77.9%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 39.3% - 25.4% 78.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $370B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.7% in Saudi Arabia and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 151/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
2025 -5.77% -
2024 -2.46% -5.43%
2023 -1.77% -8.32%
2022 2.24% -10.2%
2021 -1.99% -11.7%
2020 -10.2% -13.4%
2019 -3.96% -7.52%
2018 -5.21% -4.96%
2017 -8.57% -5.1%
2016 -13.2% -5%
2015 -14.9% -6.64%
2014 -3.4% -5.99%
2013 5.47% -5%
2012 11.7% -5.44%
2011 11.4% -6.01%
2010 4.39% -6.73%
2009 -5.38% -8.33%
2008 29.8% -5.93%
2007 11.8% -5.81%
2006 20.8% -5.91%
2005 18% -5.93%
2004 9.72% -6.32%
2003 1.2% -6.15%
2002 -5.91% -6.9%
2001 -3.91% -8.48%
2000 3.18% -7.78%
1999 -5.99% -5.58%
1998 -8.88% -6.79%
1997 -2.51% -5.71%
1996 -3.25% -6.89%
1995 -5.12% -7.11%
1994 -8.31% -7.41%
1993 -9.33% -5.77%
1992 -8.12% -4.95%
1991 -3.28% -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.46% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.4B, or 5.43% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.86% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
2025 2.08% -4.76%
2024 1.69% -0.43%
2023 2.33% 16.5%
2022 2.47% 49.7%
2021 3.06% 7.01%
2020 3.37% 6.15%
2019 -1.19% 3.53%
2018 2.47% 2.14%
2017 -0.83% 7.7%
2016 2.05% 3.96%
2015 1.22% 3.77%
2014 2.24% 3.18%
2013 3.51% 6.91%
2012 2.87% 7.54%
2011 5.83% 6.72%
2010 5.34% 6.22%
2009 5.06% 3.46%
2008 9.87% 22.6%
2007 4.17% 15.8%
2006 2.21% 10%
2005 0.48% 11.6%
2004 0.52% 7.58%
2003 0.61% 6.31%
2002 0.25% 9.55%
2001 -1.12% 14.2%
2000 -1.12% 6.18%
1999 -1.33% 4.69%
1998 -0.37% 9.36%
1997 0.06% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 8.86% in Sri Lanka. In 2025, inflation was 2.08% in Saudi Arabia and -4.76% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $89.4M
Chemicals & pharma $49.4M
Machinery & equipment $4.52M
Wood & paper products $2.91M
Raw agricultural goods $1.77M
Miscellaneous $1.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.1M
Metals $955K
Textiles & consumer goods $569K
Animal & marine products $95K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $86.9M
Raw materials & minerals $9.57M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.35M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.9M
Animal & marine products $3.29M
Machinery & equipment $1.79M
Wood & paper products $1.01M
Miscellaneous $908K
Chemicals & pharma $791K
Metals $120K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$32.7B
2025
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2025
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2025
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$230B
2025
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$311B
2025
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$129B
2025
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$69.4B
2025
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
22.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 65.4 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 162/197
Property rights 51.4 47.3
Government integrity 52.7 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 47.2
Tax burden 99.2 77
Government spending 77 89
Fiscal health 97.9 0
Business freedom 71.2 60.1
Labor freedom 41.8 54.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 65.9
Trade freedom 73.8 65.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
2026 65.4 50.3
2025 64.4 49.4
2024 61.9 49.2
2023 58.3 52.2
2022 55.5 53.3
2021 66 55.7
2020 62.4 57.4
2019 60.7 56.4
2018 59.6 57.8
2017 64.4 57.4
2016 62.1 59.9
2015 62.1 58.6
2014 62.2 60
2013 60.6 60.7
2012 62.5 58.3
2011 66.2 57.1
2010 64.1 54.6
2009 64.3 56
2008 62.5 58.4
2007 60.9 59.4
2006 63 58.7
2005 63 61
2004 60.4 61.6
2003 63.2 62.5
2002 65.3 64
2001 62.2 66
2000 66.5 63.2
1999 65.5 64
1998 69.3 64.6
1997 68.7 65.5
1996 68.3 62.5
1995 - 60.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2025
54.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
43%
2025
25.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.59%
2025
8.36%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.33T
2025
$102B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,400
2025
$16,750
2025
Total reserves including gold
$505B
2025
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2025
96/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.6B
2025
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.6%
2025
29.6%
2025

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/sri-lanka | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.

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.