Skip to content

Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 18/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Saudi Arabia vs Yemen GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Yemen
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 -
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 -
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 $21,606,160,663
2017 $741,266,133,333 $26,842,229,045
2016 $689,279,466,667 $31,317,825,274
2015 $693,414,400,000 $42,444,490,074
2014 $787,153,066,667 $43,228,585,321
2013 $769,755,733,333 $40,415,233,436
2012 $751,921,333,333 $35,401,331,610
2011 $680,660,800,000 $32,726,417,878
2010 $528,207,466,667 $30,906,749,533
2009 $429,097,866,667 $25,130,278,213
2008 $519,796,800,000 $26,910,855,807
2007 $415,964,509,673 $21,650,528,674
2006 $376,900,133,511 $19,063,143,370
2005 $328,459,608,764 $16,731,566,717
2004 $258,742,133,333 $13,867,634,371
2003 $215,807,733,333 $11,777,532,662
2002 $189,605,866,667 $10,693,430,511
2001 $184,137,600,000 $9,852,990,693
2000 $189,514,933,333 $9,679,316,770
1999 $161,717,066,667 $7,639,325,296
1998 $146,775,466,667 $6,322,175,566
1997 $165,963,684,913 $6,838,298,531
1996 $158,662,483,311 $6,496,163,616
1995 $143,343,124,166 $12,796,345,679
1994 $135,174,899,866 $28,019,483,764
1993 $132,967,957,276 $21,736,802,664
1992 $137,087,850,467 $17,959,367,194
1991 $132,223,230,975 $14,665,445,462
1990 $117,630,173,565 $12,643,821,569
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Yemen by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $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 $634 -
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $811 -
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $975 -
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $1,362 -
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $1,430 -
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $969 $3,411
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $890 $3,294
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $810 $3,205
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $734 $3,113
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $628 $2,949
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $549 $2,844
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $513 $2,768
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $487 $2,702
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $493 $2,624
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $401 $2,492
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $343 $2,442
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $383 $2,351
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $375 $2,268
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $764 $2,201
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $910 $1,742
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Yemen
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
18/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$324B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$1,127
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%
2014
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
13.5%
2014
Population
36734925
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 28.3% 23% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 10.6% 87%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 33% 8.43% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 37.1% 14% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 30.3% 103% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 24.6% 78%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 39.3% - 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 163/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Yemen
2024 -2.49% -2.48%
2023 -1.77% -5.63%
2022 2.24% -2.15%
2021 -1.99% -0.89%
2020 -10.2% -4.3%
2019 -3.96% -5.89%
2018 -5.21% -7.85%
2017 -8.57% -4.9%
2016 -13.2% -8.51%
2015 -14.9% -8.75%
2014 -3.4% -4.14%
2013 5.47% -6.9%
2012 11.7% -6.32%
2011 11.4% -4.51%
2010 4.39% -4.06%
2009 -5.38% -10.2%
2008 29.8% -4.53%
2007 11.8% -7.18%
2006 20.8% 1.19%
2005 18% -1.82%
2004 9.72% -2.15%
2003 1.2% -4.2%
2002 -5.91% -0.56%
2001 -3.91% 2.79%
2000 3.18% 6.09%
1999 -5.99% 0.06%
1998 -8.88% -7.77%
1997 -2.51% -1.5%
1996 -3.25% -0.92%
1995 -5.12% -5.74%
1994 -8.31% -14%
1993 -9.33% -12.8%
1992 -8.12% -10.9%
1991 -3.28% -5.76%
1990 - -10.3%

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

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

In 2018, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $46.2B, equivalent to 5.21% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual surplus equal to 0.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.85% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Yemen
2024 1.69% 33.9%
2023 2.33% 0.9%
2022 2.47% 29.5%
2021 3.06% 31.5%
2020 3.37% 21.7%
2019 -1.19% 15.7%
2018 2.47% 33.6%
2017 -0.83% 30.4%
2016 2.05% 21.3%
2015 1.22% 22%
2014 2.24% 8.2%
2013 3.51% 11%
2012 2.87% 9.9%
2011 5.83% 19.5%
2010 5.34% 11.2%
2009 5.06% 3.7%
2008 9.87% 19%
2007 4.17% 7.9%
2006 2.21% 10.8%
2005 0.48% 9.9%
2004 0.52% 12.5%
2003 0.61% 10.8%
2002 0.25% 12.2%
2001 -1.12% 11.9%
2000 -1.12% 11%
1999 -1.33% 7.9%
1998 -0.37% 11.5%
1997 0.06% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $372M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $351M
Raw materials & minerals $124M
Metals $101M
Animal & marine products $93.4M
Wood & paper products $87.6M
Miscellaneous $87.2M
Textiles & consumer goods $76.1M
Raw agricultural goods $68.9M
Machinery & equipment $50.2M
Yemen
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $95.6M
Animal & marine products $41.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15.7M
Machinery & equipment $4.01M
Metals $2.55M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.51M
Raw materials & minerals $1.42M
Chemicals & pharma $833K
Miscellaneous $108K
Wood & paper products $35K

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Yemen
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$125B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Saudi Arabia Yemen
Economic freedom 65.4 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 138/197
Property rights 51.4 3.5
Government integrity 52.7 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 9.9
Tax burden 99.2 93.7
Government spending 77 0
Fiscal health 97.9 71.2
Business freedom 71.2 31.3
Labor freedom 41.8 31.2
Monetary freedom 81.2 48.1
Trade freedom 73.8 67.4
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Yemen
2026 65.4 -
2025 64.4 -
2024 61.9 -
2023 58.3 -
2022 55.5 -
2021 66 -
2020 62.4 -
2019 60.7 -
2018 59.6 -
2017 64.4 -
2016 62.1 -
2015 62.1 53.7
2014 62.2 55.5
2013 60.6 55.9
2012 62.5 55.3
2011 66.2 54.2
2010 64.1 54.4
2009 64.3 56.9
2008 62.5 53.8
2007 60.9 54.1
2006 63 52.6
2005 63 53.8
2004 60.4 50.5
2003 63.2 50.3
2002 65.3 48.6
2001 62.2 44.3
2000 66.5 44.5
1999 65.5 43.3
1998 69.3 46.1
1997 68.7 48.4
1996 68.3 49.6
1995 - 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Yemen
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (2015–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.