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Economy of Seychelles vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Seychelles has a GDP of $2.17B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 178/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Seychelles has $1.25B in government debt (57.6% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Seychelles vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Seychelles
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Seychelles Sierra Leone
2024 $2,167,239,562 $6,971,127,235
2023 $2,187,379,755 $6,415,852,767
2022 $2,018,346,589 $7,121,125,278
2021 $1,487,173,795 $7,166,931,485
2020 $1,382,551,752 $6,688,307,703
2019 $1,868,690,097 $6,523,577,594
2018 $1,784,313,927 $6,390,514,689
2017 $1,675,370,641 $5,749,846,528
2016 $1,568,513,348 $6,084,297,211
2015 $1,432,403,352 $6,788,352,975
2014 $1,387,577,870 $7,686,138,791
2013 $1,333,160,407 $7,502,762,863
2012 $1,089,407,839 $6,141,666,509
2011 $1,058,918,707 $4,861,632,885
2010 $981,616,542 $4,262,805,967
2009 $850,901,620 $3,953,403,098
2008 $979,597,394 $4,157,895,298
2007 $1,077,308,814 $3,632,957,611
2006 $1,081,441,283 $3,263,697,467
2005 $977,899,382 $2,545,275,313
2004 $893,012,218 $2,237,350,687
2003 $750,847,230 $2,142,618,046
2002 $742,134,838 $1,933,863,911
2001 $662,064,156 $1,681,473,894
2000 $654,212,394 $635,866,404
1999 $662,838,615 $669,386,624
1998 $647,287,376 $672,368,187
1997 $598,966,982 $850,232,760
1996 $535,250,347 $941,709,423
1995 $540,733,048 $870,740,292
1994 $517,570,058 $911,853,802
1993 $504,230,621 $768,867,883
1992 $461,409,399 $679,940,814
1991 $398,307,170 $779,981,987
1990 $392,163,561 $649,644,098
1989 $324,333,367 $932,974,420
1988 $301,985,618 $1,055,083,933
1987 $265,212,957 $660,106,336
1986 $221,147,061 $490,181,457
1985 $179,691,483 $856,890,459
1984 $160,992,921 $1,087,471,862
1983 $156,098,237 $995,104,305
1982 $157,211,790 $1,295,361,886
1981 $163,750,728 $1,114,830,472
1980 $156,783,830 $1,100,685,845
1979 $127,261,099 $1,109,374,911
1978 $85,552,366 $960,728,339
1977 $64,526,401 $691,777,584
1976 $49,278,982 $594,895,942
1975 $47,803,146 $679,336,344
1974 $43,134,496 $648,590,643
1973 $36,896,280 $575,230,724
1972 $30,645,123 $465,381,340
1971 $21,965,951 $419,549,305
1970 $18,432,032 $434,410,974
1969 $16,452,028 $408,690,163
1968 $16,074,028 $329,859,732
1967 $16,632,032 $348,795,303
1966 $16,443,034 $375,479,850
1965 $15,603,032 $359,379,856
1964 $15,393,032 $371,847,461
1963 $13,923,029 $348,547,279
1962 $12,642,026 $342,721,416
1961 $11,592,024 $327,834,191
1960 $12,012,025 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/seychelles/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Seychelles vs Sierra Leone by year

Seychelles
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Seychelles Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $17,859 $33,239 $807 $3,522
2023 $18,263 $31,781 $758 $3,368
2022 $16,837 $29,973 $860 $3,144
2021 $14,983 $29,980 $885 $2,849
2020 $14,041 $31,056 $845 $2,719
2019 $19,142 $34,219 $844 $2,704
2018 $18,440 $32,091 $846 $2,640
2017 $17,480 $30,675 $779 $2,501
2016 $16,567 $28,811 $844 $2,635
2015 $15,333 $25,435 $965 $2,560
2014 $15,188 $24,985 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $14,821 $22,487 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $12,337 $22,264 $938 $2,317
2011 $12,110 $21,781 $761 $2,043
2010 $10,935 $18,982 $685 $1,900
2009 $9,747 $18,453 $653 $1,814
2008 $11,265 $18,881 $705 $1,824
2007 $12,669 $19,473 $632 $1,770
2006 $12,783 $17,503 $580 $1,698
2005 $11,802 $15,846 $463 $1,615
2004 $10,828 $14,160 $418 $1,541
2003 $9,070 $14,142 $414 $1,458
2002 $8,864 $14,570 $389 $1,360
2001 $8,153 $14,615 $358 $1,121
2000 $8,064 $14,638 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $8,243 $13,853 $155 $1,167
1998 $8,210 $13,675 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $7,747 $13,458 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $7,004 $11,931 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $7,181 $10,809 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $6,975 $10,692 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $6,979 $11,020 $185 $1,269
1992 $6,520 $10,243 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $5,655 $9,387 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $5,642 $8,955 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $4,689 - $231.3 -
1988 $4,392 - $268.2 -
1987 $3,872 - $172.4 -
1986 $3,368 - $131.5 -
1985 $2,754 - $235.5 -
1984 $2,488 - $306 -
1983 $2,426 - $285.8 -
1982 $2,441 - $380 -
1981 $2,557 - $334 -
1980 $2,478 - $336 -
1979 $2,030 - $346 -
1978 $1,377 - $305 -
1977 $1,044 - $224.2 -
1976 $814 - $196.4 -
1975 $806 - $228.4 -
1974 $745 - $222.1 -
1973 $649 - $200.6 -
1972 $547 - $165.4 -
1971 $402 - $151.8 -
1970 $344 - $160.2 -
1969 $314 - $153.6 -
1968 $314 - $126.3 -
1967 $333 - $136.1 -
1966 $338 - $149.3 -
1965 $328 - $145.6 -
1964 $332 - $153.4 -
1963 $308 - $146.3 -
1962 $287 - $146.3 -
1961 $270.3 - $142.3 -
1960 $288.1 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/seychelles/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Seychelles' GDP per capita is $17,859, ranking 63/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Seychelles ranks 67th at $33,239, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Seychelles Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$2.17B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
178/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
3.47%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$17,859
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
63/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$33,239
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
67/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$1.25B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.6%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$10,288
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
57/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,944
2026
$2,915
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$811M
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
23.9%
2018
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2018
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
33.8%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.31%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
1.75%
2024
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.59%
2024
3.19%
2018
Population
126311
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Seychelles
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Seychelles Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 33.8% 57.6% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 32.9% 55.3% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 31.3% 60% 16.7% 54%
2021 38.8% 71% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 46.7% 77.4% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 31.7% 48.9% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 33% 51.3% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 34.3% 56.7% 15% 44.2%
2016 34.5% 62.8% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 31.5% 64.7% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 33.4% 70.4% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 37.8% 68.2% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 38.6% 80.1% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 36.4% 82.5% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 34.6% 82.2% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 32.1% 106.1% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 27% 192.1% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 41.9% 144% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 43.6% 135.1% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 39% 144.1% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 39.9% 163.2% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 44.6% 177% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 56.3% 195.9% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 46.8% 199.8% 12% 113.5%
2000 55.4% 177.8% 10.3% -
1999 56.1% 159.8% - -
1998 60.7% 161.2% - -
1997 54.7% 143% - -
1996 59.1% 146.7% - -
1995 53.1% 133.5% - -
1994 63.6% 123.5% - -
1993 60.4% 82.2% - -
1992 50.7% 79.9% - -
1991 52.1% 89.2% - -
1990 46.1% 80.4% - -
1989 51.7% 39.9% - -
1988 46.7% 41.3% - -
1987 49.7% 37% - -
1986 58% 31.5% - -
1985 53% 26.5% - -
1984 50.5% 15.3% - -
1983 47.9% 12.4% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/seychelles/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, the Seychelles' government spending was $732M, accounting for 33.8% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.6% in the Seychelles and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 85/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Seychelles

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Seychelles Sierra Leone
2024 -0.69% -4.53%
2023 -1.14% -4.99%
2022 -0.76% -5.93%
2021 -5.76% -4.35%
2020 -15.7% -3.5%
2019 0.42% -1.95%
2018 -0.8% -3.57%
2017 -1.67% -5.61%
2016 0.02% -5.41%
2015 1.39% -2.86%
2014 2.87% -2.77%
2013 0.33% -1.74%
2012 2.93% -3.41%
2011 3.36% -2.78%
2010 0.52% -3.09%
2009 4.84% -1.51%
2008 7.88% -2.22%
2007 -9.93% 12.6%
2006 -2.54% -0.93%
2005 0.42% -1.17%
2004 0.44% -1.46%
2003 3.4% -2.78%
2002 -16.3% -3.03%
2001 -8.93% -3.22%
2000 -14.7% -1.94%
1999 -10.3% -
1998 -16.7% -
1997 -5.91% -
1996 -9.69% -
1995 -2.58% -
1994 -6.95% -
1993 -3.62% -
1992 6.44% -
1991 3.15% -
1990 11.9% -
1989 8.26% -
1988 11.8% -
1987 2.77% -
1986 -10.1% -
1985 -4.86% -
1984 -6.09% -
1983 -3.13% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/seychelles/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, the Seychelles' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $15M, equivalent to 0.69% of GDP. This compares to Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Seychelles recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Seychelles posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Seychelles

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Seychelles Sierra Leone
2024 0.31% 28.4%
2023 -1.04% 47.7%
2022 2.63% 27.2%
2021 9.77% 11.9%
2020 1.2% 13.4%
2019 1.81% 14.8%
2018 3.7% 16%
2017 2.86% 18.2%
2016 -1.02% 10.9%
2015 4.04% 6.7%
2014 1.39% 4.6%
2013 4.34% 5.5%
2012 7.11% 6.6%
2011 2.56% 6.8%
2010 -2.4% 7.2%
2009 31.8% 7.5%
2008 37% 8.2%
2007 5.32% 17%
2006 -0.35% 10.5%
2005 0.91% 13.7%
2004 3.86% 12.9%
2003 3.3% 4%
2002 0.18% 0.1%
2001 5.97% 2.6%
2000 6.27% -0.9%
1999 6.35% 34.1%
1998 2.58% 36%
1997 0.62% 14.6%

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/seychelles/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Seychelles has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.03%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 0.31% in the Seychelles and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Seychelles
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $17K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Seychelles Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$176M
2024
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
97/190
2024
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.11%
2024
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$595M
2024
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$1B
2024
$348M
2023
Service exports
$1.71B
2024
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
103.2%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
85.2%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Seychelles Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 66.5 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 60/197 165/197
Property rights 82.6 32.9
Government integrity 71.7 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 61.7 42
Tax burden 77.3 88.2
Government spending 68 92.4
Fiscal health 92.2 54.1
Business freedom 71.3 44.8
Labor freedom 52 38.2
Monetary freedom 79.8 53.6
Trade freedom 81.2 63.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 30 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Seychelles
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Seychelles Sierra Leone
2026 66.5 49.6
2025 66.4 48
2024 60.4 44.6
2023 59.5 50.2
2022 61.1 52
2021 66.3 51.7
2020 64.3 48
2019 61.4 47.5
2018 61.6 51.8
2017 61.8 52.6
2016 62.2 52.3
2015 57.5 51.7
2014 56.2 50.5
2013 54.9 48.3
2012 53 49.1
2011 51.2 49.6
2010 47.9 47.9
2009 47.8 47.8
2008 - 48.3
2007 - 47
2006 - 45.2
2005 - 44.8
2004 - 43.6
2003 - 42.2
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 - 44.2
1999 - 47.2
1998 - 47.7
1997 - 45
1996 - 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/seychelles/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Seychelles is 66.5, ranking 60/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Seychelles Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
65.8%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
12.3%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.45%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.12B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$32,180
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$774M
2024
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
145/177
2024
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$262M
2024
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$226M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$35.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
25.3%
2018
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
20.5%
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/seychelles/sierra-leone | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1983–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.