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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.28T compared to $60.2B for Sudan, ranking 19/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $405B in government debt (31.7% of GDP), compared to $113B (187.6% of GDP) in Sudan.

Saudi Arabia vs Sudan GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Sudan
2025 $1,276,942,933,333 $60,162,634,574
2024 $1,254,140,800,000 $49,672,435,513
2023 $1,218,584,800,000 $39,898,289,821
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $51,666,875,363
2021 $982,661,066,667 $34,229,513,775
2020 $767,951,200,000 $27,034,593,750
2019 $888,890,133,333 $32,338,079,165
2018 $886,564,800,000 $32,333,780,383
2017 $741,266,133,333 $41,283,617,976
2016 $689,279,466,667 $42,630,376,000
2015 $693,414,400,000 $51,726,758,677
2014 $787,153,066,667 $49,516,748,618
2013 $769,755,733,333 $43,024,018,082
2012 $751,921,333,333 $37,632,919,967
2011 $680,660,800,000 $55,018,567,211
2010 $528,207,466,667 $58,962,978,034
2009 $429,097,866,667 $51,621,044,077
2008 $519,796,800,000 $64,833,083,257
2007 $415,964,509,673 $59,440,139,775
2006 $376,900,133,511 $45,263,831,634
2005 $328,459,608,764 $35,182,711,988
2004 $258,742,133,333 $26,646,007,251
2003 $215,807,733,333 $21,355,298,460
2002 $189,605,866,667 $18,137,128,388
2001 $184,137,600,000 $15,716,361,792
2000 $189,514,933,333 $12,257,299,147
1999 $161,717,066,667 $10,682,028,340
1998 $146,775,466,667 $11,250,221,537
1997 $165,963,684,913 $11,681,175,864
1996 $158,662,483,311 $9,018,300,725
1995 $143,343,124,166 $13,830,363,900
1994 $135,174,899,866 $12,793,794,737
1993 $132,967,957,276 $8,881,005,436
1992 $137,087,850,467 $7,031,933,492
1991 $132,223,230,975 $44,171,194,366
1990 $117,630,173,565 $33,641,222,222
1989 $95,344,459,279 $21,408,111,111
1988 $88,256,074,766 $14,372,555,556
1987 $85,695,861,148 $12,093,333,333
1986 $86,961,922,765 $10,092,200,000
1985 $103,897,846,494 $8,075,259,600
1984 $119,624,858,116 $10,447,615,385
1983 $129,171,635,311 $8,230,153,846
1982 $153,240,313,858 $8,732,542,274
1981 $184,291,360,139 $10,753,888,154
1980 $164,539,660,725 $8,951,800,000
1979 $111,858,444,786 $8,418,407,787
1978 $80,266,516,687 $8,128,719,315
1977 $74,188,986,586 $7,499,005,639
1976 $64,005,665,722 $6,013,210,816
1975 $46,773,208,643 $4,823,090,192
1974 $45,412,957,746 $3,958,931,660
1973 $14,947,435,499 $3,077,254,460
1972 $9,664,267,087 $2,483,055,722
1971 $7,184,806,909 $2,288,340,041
1970 $5,377,333,333 $2,100,229,759
1969 $4,485,777,644 $1,847,501,441
1968 $4,187,777,711 $1,677,771,401
1967 $3,257,022,223 $1,607,409,539
1966 $2,920,555,557 $1,484,491,676
1965 $2,647,955,558 $1,446,869,619
1964 $2,371,808,713 $1,388,282,600
1963 $2,207,393,172 $1,351,234,926
1962 $2,130,606,532 $1,328,259,625
1961 $1,920,811,284 $1,222,860,429
1960 $1,748,124,064 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Sudan by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $34,537 - $1,165 -
2024 $35,528 $71,375 $985 $2,116
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $797 $2,421
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $712 $3,249
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $578 $3,349
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $710 $3,914
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $731 $4,199
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $967 $4,252
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $872 $3,215
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $714 $3,058
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $621 $2,898
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $551 $2,769
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $441 $2,616
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $394 $2,475
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $425 $2,428
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $453 $2,358
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $357 $2,006
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $561 $1,902
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $532 $1,805
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $379 $1,794
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $307 $1,710
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $9,414 - $992 -
1988 $9,165 - $680 -
1987 $9,386 - $584 -
1986 $10,078 - $497 -
1985 $12,745 - $406 -
1984 $15,541 - $534 -
1983 $17,810 - $431 -
1982 $22,454 - $472 -
1981 $28,703 - $605 -
1980 $27,206 - $525 -
1979 $19,612 - $515 -
1978 $14,914 - $518 -
1977 $14,595 - $497 -
1976 $13,313 - $413 -
1975 $10,266 - $343 -
1974 $10,503 - $291.5 -
1973 $3,640 - $235.8 -
1972 $2,474 - $198.2 -
1971 $1,929 - $189 -
1970 $1,509 - $179.6 -
1969 $1,313 - $163.5 -
1968 $1,276 - $153.7 -
1967 $1,032 - $152.4 -
1966 $961 - $145.6 -
1965 $904 - $146.8 -
1964 $840 - $145.7 -
1963 $812 - $146.6 -
1962 $813 - $148.9 -
1961 $760 - $141.6 -
1960 $718 - $134.7 -

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

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

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $34,537, ranking 36/197, compared to $1,165 in Sudan, ranking 175/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Sudan
Gross domestic product
$1.28T
2025
$60.2B
2025
GDP rank
19/197
2025
91/197
2025
GDP growth
4.5%
2024-2025
3.06%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$34,537
2025
$1,165
2025
GDP per capita rank
36/197
2025
175/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$405B
2025
$113B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
31.7%
2025
187.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$10,956
2025
$2,184
2025
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2025
117/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$22,010
2026
$1,787
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
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29%
2025
5.99%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.08%
2024-2025
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.24%
2025
7.53%
2022
Population
37955120
54156832

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 29% 31.7% 5.99% 187.6%
2024 29.2% 25.9% 6.39% 262.6%
2023 28.3% 23% 8.23% 261.2%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 17.9% 189%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 9.84% 191.3%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 10.9% 278.8%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 33% 8.43% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 37.1% 14% 18.8% 71%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 30.3% 103% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 12.9% 239%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 19.6% 386%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 50.4% 495%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 45.7% -
1990 39.3% - 31% -

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

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

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $370B, accounting for 29% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.61B, or 5.99% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 31.7% in Saudi Arabia and 187.6% in Sudan, ranking 151/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Sudan
2025 -5.77% -3.1%
2024 -2.46% -3.46%
2023 -1.77% -3.7%
2022 2.24% -2.15%
2021 -1.99% -0.29%
2020 -10.2% -6.04%
2019 -3.96% -10.8%
2018 -5.21% -7.92%
2017 -8.57% -6.07%
2016 -13.2% -3.92%
2015 -14.9% -3.87%
2014 -3.4% -4.72%
2013 5.47% -5.76%
2012 11.7% -7.37%
2011 11.4% -2.33%
2010 4.39% 0.11%
2009 -5.38% -3.8%
2008 29.8% 0.49%
2007 11.8% -2.84%
2006 20.8% -1.32%
2005 18% -1.88%
2004 9.72% 0.16%
2003 1.2% 0.77%
2002 -5.91% -0.69%
2001 -3.91% -0.77%
2000 3.18% -0.7%
1999 -5.99% -0.8%
1998 -8.88% -0.56%
1997 -2.51% -0.59%
1996 -3.25% -2.61%
1995 -5.12% -3.48%
1994 -8.31% -3.03%
1993 -9.33% -8.04%
1992 -8.12% -24.5%
1991 -3.28% -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

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

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

In 2025, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $73.7B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.87B, or 3.1% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.34% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Sudan
2025 2.08% -
2024 1.69% -
2023 2.33% -
2022 2.47% 138.8%
2021 3.06% 359%
2020 3.37% 163.3%
2019 -1.19% 51%
2018 2.47% 63.3%
2017 -0.83% 32.4%
2016 2.05% 17.8%
2015 1.22% 16.9%
2014 2.24% 36.9%
2013 3.51% 36.5%
2012 2.87% 35.6%
2011 5.83% 18.1%
2010 5.34% 13%
2009 5.06% 11.3%
2008 9.87% 14.3%
2007 4.17% 14.8%
2006 2.21% 7.2%
2005 0.48% 8.51%
2004 0.52% 9.66%
2003 0.61% 6.49%
2002 0.25% 22.2%
2001 -1.12% 1.94%
2000 -1.12% 7.12%
1999 -1.33% 17.2%
1998 -0.37% 24.6%
1997 0.06% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 2.08% in Saudi Arabia and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $306M
Machinery & equipment $305M
Chemicals & pharma $83.3M
Metals $32.7M
Animal & marine products $30.4M
Raw materials & minerals $24.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.3M
Raw agricultural goods $12.9M
Miscellaneous $7.31M
Wood & paper products $4.07M
Sudan
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $490M
Raw agricultural goods $51.3M
Machinery & equipment $34.5M
Raw materials & minerals $8.81M
Wood & paper products $2.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.22M
Chemicals & pharma $273K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Sudan
Current account balance
-$32.7B
2025
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
185/190
2025
162/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.56%
2025
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$230B
2025
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$311B
2025
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$129B
2025
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$69.4B
2025
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
1.28%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.7%
2025
1.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Sudan
Economic freedom 65.4 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 191/197
Property rights 51.4 6.5
Government integrity 52.7 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 2.4
Tax burden 99.2 84.7
Government spending 77 96.5
Fiscal health 97.9 64.6
Business freedom 71.2 27.3
Labor freedom 41.8 33.6
Monetary freedom 81.2 6.2
Trade freedom 73.8 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Sudan
2026 65.4 32.5
2025 64.4 35.3
2024 61.9 33.9
2023 58.3 32.8
2022 55.5 32
2021 66 39.1
2020 62.4 45
2019 60.7 47.7
2018 59.6 49.4
2017 64.4 48.8
2016 62.1 -
2015 62.1 -
2014 62.2 -
2013 60.6 -
2012 62.5 -
2011 66.2 -
2010 64.1 -
2009 64.3 -
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 47.2
1999 65.5 39.6
1998 69.3 38.3
1997 68.7 39.9
1996 68.3 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, 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

Saudi Arabia Sudan
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2025
37%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
43%
2025
33.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.59%
2025
29.4%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.33T
2025
$46.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$74,400
2025
$2,140
2025
Total reserves including gold
$505B
2025
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
8/177
2025
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$5.6B
2025
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
31.6%
2025
0.73%
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/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. 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 (2018–2025, 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.

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.