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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Uganda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $53.9B for Uganda, ranking 18/197 and 89/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $27.8B (51.5% of GDP) in Uganda.

Saudi Arabia vs Uganda GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Uganda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Uganda
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $53,911,907,086
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $48,768,955,863
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $45,565,333,211
2021 $982,661,066,667 $40,529,788,749
2020 $767,951,200,000 $37,600,368,242
2019 $888,890,133,333 $35,353,061,003
2018 $886,564,800,000 $32,927,025,620
2017 $741,266,133,333 $30,744,473,841
2016 $689,279,466,667 $29,203,988,696
2015 $693,414,400,000 $32,387,183,730
2014 $787,153,066,667 $32,612,397,257
2013 $769,755,733,333 $28,915,786,517
2012 $751,921,333,333 $27,305,915,911
2011 $680,660,800,000 $27,871,725,241
2010 $528,207,466,667 $26,673,441,431
2009 $429,097,866,667 $25,127,805,567
2008 $519,796,800,000 $14,440,404,132
2007 $415,964,509,673 $11,902,564,495
2006 $376,900,133,511 $9,977,647,683
2005 $328,459,608,764 $9,239,221,763
2004 $258,742,133,333 $7,939,487,548
2003 $215,807,733,333 $6,606,884,275
2002 $189,605,866,667 $6,178,563,591
2001 $184,137,600,000 $5,840,503,869
2000 $189,514,933,333 $6,193,246,837
1999 $161,717,066,667 $5,998,563,258
1998 $146,775,466,667 $6,584,815,847
1997 $165,963,684,913 $6,269,333,313
1996 $158,662,483,311 $6,044,585,327
1995 $143,343,124,166 $5,755,818,842
1994 $135,174,899,866 $3,990,430,447
1993 $132,967,957,276 $3,220,439,044
1992 $137,087,850,467 $2,857,457,762
1991 $132,223,230,975 $3,321,729,160
1990 $117,630,173,565 $4,304,399,310
1989 $95,344,459,279 $5,276,480,799
1988 $88,256,074,766 $6,508,931,652
1987 $85,695,861,148 $6,269,522,042
1986 $86,961,922,765 $3,923,244,050
1985 $103,897,846,494 $3,519,695,444
1984 $119,624,858,116 $3,615,647,477
1983 $129,171,635,311 $2,240,333,333
1982 $153,240,313,858 $2,177,500,000
1981 $184,291,360,139 $1,337,300,000
1980 $164,539,660,725 $1,244,610,000
1979 $111,858,444,786 $2,139,025,000
1978 $80,266,516,687 $2,420,260,870
1977 $74,188,986,586 $2,936,470,588
1976 $64,005,665,722 $2,447,300,000
1975 $46,773,208,643 $2,359,555,556
1974 $45,412,957,746 $2,098,944,967
1973 $14,947,435,499 $1,701,829,789
1972 $9,664,267,087 $1,490,970,181
1971 $7,184,806,909 $1,417,191,656
1970 $5,377,333,333 $1,259,554,809
1969 $4,485,777,644 $1,168,556,629
1968 $4,187,777,711 $1,037,379,252
1967 $3,257,022,223 $967,240,655
1966 $2,920,555,557 $925,381,492
1965 $2,647,955,558 $884,502,310
1964 $2,371,808,713 $589,247,687
1963 $2,207,393,172 $516,315,231
1962 $2,130,606,532 $449,158,233
1961 $1,920,811,284 $441,667,335
1960 $1,748,124,064 $423,145,605

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

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

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Uganda by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uganda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Uganda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $963 $2,919
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $883 $2,685
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $846 $2,532
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $822 $2,441
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $792 $2,312
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $765 $2,158
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $753 $2,165
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $863 $2,190
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $896 $2,134
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $818 $2,045
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $795 $2,032
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $836 $2,268
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $823 $2,092
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $799 $2,015
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $473 $1,931
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $401 $1,795
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $347 $1,660
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $330 $1,497
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $242 $1,255
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $236 $1,173
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $284.7 $969
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $278.5 $897
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $198.4 $809
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $165.6 $770
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $152.1 $719
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $183 $703
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $245 $666
1989 $9,414 - $310 -
1988 $9,165 - $395 -
1987 $9,386 - $393 -
1986 $10,078 - $253.6 -
1985 $12,745 - $234.3 -
1984 $15,541 - $247.5 -
1983 $17,810 - $157.5 -
1982 $22,454 - $157 -
1981 $28,703 - $98.6 -
1980 $27,206 - $93.8 -
1979 $19,612 - $164.5 -
1978 $14,914 - $190.7 -
1977 $14,595 - $237.6 -
1976 $13,313 - $203.3 -
1975 $10,266 - $201.2 -
1974 $10,503 - $183.7 -
1973 $3,640 - $152.7 -
1972 $2,474 - $137 -
1971 $1,929 - $133.5 -
1970 $1,509 - $122 -
1969 $1,313 - $116.7 -
1968 $1,276 - $106.9 -
1967 $1,032 - $102.8 -
1966 $961 - $101.4 -
1965 $904 - $100 -
1964 $840 - $68.6 -
1963 $812 - $62 -
1962 $813 - $55.5 -
1961 $760 - $56.2 -
1960 $718 - $55.4 -

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

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

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $1,078 in Uganda, ranking 176/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Uganda ranks 176th at $3,273.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Uganda
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$53.9B
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
89/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$1,078
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$3,273
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
176/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$27.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
51.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$555
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
163/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$1,466
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
34.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
18.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
9.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
3.42%
2021
Population
36734925
53170946

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Uganda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Uganda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 18.7% 51.5%
2023 28.3% 23% 19.3% 50.5%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 19.5% 50.2%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 22% 50.3%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 21.4% 46.3%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 18.3% 37.5%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 16.2% 34.9%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 16.3% 33.6%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 15.2% 31.3%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 14.9% 28%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 13.6% 24.8%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 13.3% 22.1%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 13.1% 19.5%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 13.2% 18%
2010 33% 8.43% 15.4% 18.4%
2009 37.1% 14% 11.8% 14.8%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 12.9% 15.7%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 13.2% 17%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 13.7% 27.8%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 14.5% 42.6%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 15.6% 49%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 16.5% 55.1%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 16.8% 54.7%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 16.2% 51.4%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 15.2% 48.5%
1999 30.3% 103% 14.7% 47.7%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 14% 45.1%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 13.9% 44.2%
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/uganda | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Uganda spent $10.1B, or 18.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 51.5% in Uganda, ranking 163/185 and 103/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Uganda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Uganda
2024 -2.49% -3.99%
2023 -1.77% -4.87%
2022 2.24% -5.45%
2021 -1.99% -7.76%
2020 -10.2% -7.76%
2019 -3.96% -4.82%
2018 -5.21% -3.02%
2017 -8.57% -3.83%
2016 -13.2% -2.64%
2015 -14.9% -2.59%
2014 -3.4% -2.74%
2013 5.47% -3.19%
2012 11.7% -2.39%
2011 11.4% -2.04%
2010 4.39% -4.64%
2009 -5.38% -1.61%
2008 29.8% -1.99%
2007 11.8% -0.82%
2006 20.8% -0.64%
2005 18% -0.17%
2004 9.72% 0.34%
2003 1.2% -0.97%
2002 -5.91% -2.07%
2001 -3.91% -0.99%
2000 3.18% -0.62%
1999 -5.99% -1.24%
1998 -8.88% -0.7%
1997 -2.51% -0.83%
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/uganda | 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 Uganda's deficit of $2.15B, or 3.99% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Uganda ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 1.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.64% of GDP for Uganda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Uganda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Uganda
2024 1.69% 3.3%
2023 2.33% 5.4%
2022 2.47% 7.2%
2021 3.06% 2.2%
2020 3.37% 2.8%
2019 -1.19% 2.1%
2018 2.47% 2.5%
2017 -0.83% 5.6%
2016 2.05% 5.2%
2015 1.22% 3.7%
2014 2.24% 4.3%
2013 3.51% 5.5%
2012 2.87% 14%
2011 5.83% 18.7%
2010 5.34% 4%
2009 5.06% 13%
2008 9.87% 12%
2007 4.17% 6.1%
2006 2.21% 7.2%
2005 0.48% 8.6%
2004 0.52% 3.7%
2003 0.61% 8.7%
2002 0.25% -0.3%
2001 -1.12% 1.9%
2000 -1.12% 3.4%
1999 -1.33% 5.8%
1998 -0.37% 5.8%
1997 0.06% 7.7%

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/uganda | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 6.08% in Uganda. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 3.3% in Uganda.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $23.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.55M
Metals $469K
Machinery & equipment $322K
Miscellaneous $273K
Raw materials & minerals $216K
Wood & paper products $157K
Animal & marine products $136K
Raw agricultural goods $99K
Textiles & consumer goods $78K
Uganda
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $5.36M
Raw agricultural goods $4.32M
Machinery & equipment $37K
Wood & paper products $35K
Weapons & explosives $28K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K
Raw materials & minerals $7K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Metals $2K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Uganda
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$4.29B
2024
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
164/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-7.96%
2024
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$8.67B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$4.38B
2024
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$2.39B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
25.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
16.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Uganda
Economic freedom 65.4 52.4
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 149/197
Property rights 51.4 42.2
Government integrity 52.7 25.1
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 29.4
Tax burden 99.2 73.4
Government spending 77 89
Fiscal health 97.9 58.3
Business freedom 71.2 50.2
Labor freedom 41.8 55.9
Monetary freedom 81.2 77.1
Trade freedom 73.8 58
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Uganda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Uganda
2026 65.4 52.4
2025 64.4 51.3
2024 61.9 50.7
2023 58.3 51.4
2022 55.5 54.2
2021 66 58.6
2020 62.4 59.5
2019 60.7 59.7
2018 59.6 62
2017 64.4 60.9
2016 62.1 59.3
2015 62.1 59.7
2014 62.2 59.9
2013 60.6 61.1
2012 62.5 61.9
2011 66.2 61.7
2010 64.1 62.2
2009 64.3 63.5
2008 62.5 63.8
2007 60.9 63.1
2006 63 63.9
2005 63 62.9
2004 60.4 64.1
2003 63.2 60.1
2002 65.3 61
2001 62.2 60.4
2000 66.5 58.2
1999 65.5 64.8
1998 69.3 64.7
1997 68.7 66.6
1996 68.3 66.2
1995 - 62.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 52.4 for Uganda, ranking 149/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Uganda
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
43.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
24.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$3.36B
2018
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
114/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$3.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$3.26B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$400K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
20.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
22.4%
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/uganda | 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 (2023–2024, 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.