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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Solomon Islands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $1.75B for the Solomon Islands, ranking 160/197 and 183/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $501M (28.7% of GDP) in the Solomon Islands.

Sierra Leone vs Solomon Islands GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
2025 $7,464,157,904 $1,749,572,443
2024 $6,971,127,234 $1,583,964,704
2023 $6,415,852,766 $1,506,124,566
2022 $7,121,125,277 $1,466,670,930
2021 $7,166,931,483 $1,558,312,104
2020 $6,688,307,706 $1,536,143,428
2019 $6,523,577,590 $1,619,150,564
2018 $6,390,514,689 $1,615,473,250
2017 $5,749,846,528 $1,469,790,526
2016 $6,084,297,211 $1,379,486,291
2015 $6,788,352,975 $1,307,908,814
2014 $7,686,138,791 $1,335,576,763
2013 $7,502,762,863 $1,285,905,958
2012 $6,141,666,509 $1,185,217,634
2011 $4,861,632,885 $1,063,898,227
2010 $4,262,805,967 $898,128,551
2009 $3,953,403,098 $805,557,289
2008 $4,157,895,298 $776,335,523
2007 $3,632,957,611 $695,291,218
2006 $3,263,697,467 $617,257,458
2005 $2,545,275,313 $552,881,357
2004 $2,237,350,687 $468,000,121
2003 $2,142,618,046 $417,666,639
2002 $1,933,863,911 $346,406,739
2001 $1,681,473,894 $409,508,553
2000 $635,866,404 $419,842,674
1999 $669,386,624 $488,024,514
1998 $672,368,187 $457,579,840
1997 $850,232,760 $526,554,006
1996 $941,709,423 $510,586,430
1995 $870,740,292 $469,443,202
1994 $911,853,802 $402,837,005
1993 $768,867,883 $300,746,361
1992 $679,940,814 $269,034,596
1991 $779,981,987 $227,540,473
1990 $649,644,098 $214,877,667
1989 $932,974,420 $172,882,411
1988 $1,055,083,933 $176,494,394
1987 $660,106,336 $155,128,542
1986 $490,181,457 $147,620,048
1985 $856,890,459 $165,524,943
1984 $1,087,471,862 $181,570,474
1983 $995,104,305 $181,220,399
1982 $1,295,361,886 $192,902,019
1981 $1,114,830,472 $193,750,541
1980 $1,100,685,845 $182,852,107
1979 $1,109,374,911 $151,276,496
1978 $960,728,339 $111,027,427
1977 $691,777,584 $93,145,283
1976 $594,895,942 $83,100,834
1975 $679,336,344 $74,620,320
1974 $648,590,643 $84,539,332
1973 $575,230,724 $55,272,109
1972 $465,381,340 $40,606,712
1971 $419,549,305 $50,056,883
1970 $434,410,974 -
1969 $408,690,163 $28,606,411
1968 $329,859,732 $28,084,253
1967 $348,795,303 $25,203,524
1966 $375,479,850 -
1965 $359,379,856 -
1964 $371,847,461 -
1963 $348,547,279 -
1962 $342,721,416 -
1961 $327,834,191 -
1960 $322,009,962 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Solomon Islands by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Solomon Islands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $2,086 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $1,934 $2,675
2023 $758 $3,368 $1,883 $2,597
2022 $860 $3,144 $1,878 $2,496
2021 $885 $2,849 $2,043 $2,450
2020 $845 $2,719 $2,063 $2,405
2019 $844 $2,704 $2,224 $2,512
2018 $846 $2,640 $2,278 $2,494
2017 $779 $2,501 $2,144 $2,454
2016 $844 $2,635 $2,083 $2,421
2015 $965 $2,560 $2,045 $2,354
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $2,165 $2,377
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $2,161 $2,394
2012 $938 $2,317 $2,066 $2,320
2011 $761 $2,043 $1,924 $2,306
2010 $685 $1,900 $1,685 $2,182
2009 $653 $1,814 $1,555 $2,021
2008 $705 $1,824 $1,526 $1,989
2007 $632 $1,770 $1,390 $1,869
2006 $580 $1,698 $1,256 $1,786
2005 $463 $1,615 $1,144 $1,693
2004 $418 $1,541 $986 $1,556
2003 $414 $1,458 $896 $1,433
2002 $389 $1,360 $757 $1,344
2001 $358 $1,121 $912 $1,387
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $953 $1,503
1999 $155 $1,167 $1,134 $1,754
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $1,092 $1,785
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $1,292 $1,793
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $1,289 $1,830
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $1,220 $1,820
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $1,078 $1,668
1993 $185 $1,269 $829 $1,556
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $764 $1,505
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $666 $1,346
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $648 $1,266
1989 $231.3 - $538 -
1988 $268.2 - $567 -
1987 $172.4 - $515 -
1986 $131.5 - $506 -
1985 $235.5 - $586 -
1984 $306 - $665 -
1983 $285.8 - $686 -
1982 $380 - $756 -
1981 $334 - $786 -
1980 $336 - $768 -
1979 $346 - $658 -
1978 $305 - $500 -
1977 $224.2 - $434 -
1976 $196.4 - $401 -
1975 $228.4 - $372 -
1974 $222.1 - $433 -
1973 $200.6 - $291.3 -
1972 $165.4 - $219.5 -
1971 $151.8 - $277.1 -
1970 $160.2 - - -
1969 $153.6 - $165.9 -
1968 $126.3 - $166.9 -
1967 $136.1 - $153.5 -
1966 $149.3 - - -
1965 $145.6 - - -
1964 $153.4 - - -
1963 $146.3 - - -
1962 $146.3 - - -
1961 $142.3 - - -
1960 $142 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | CC BY

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $2,086 in the Solomon Islands, ranking 157/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while the Solomon Islands ranks 183rd at $2,675.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$1.75B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
183/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
3.62%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$2,086
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
157/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$2,675
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
183/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$501M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
28.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$598
2025
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
162/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$1,986
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
29.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
2.8%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2025
40.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
3.36%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
0.69%
2013
Population
9090531
868694

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Solomon Islands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% 40.6% 28.7%
2024 17.6% 46.7% 39.6% 26.1%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 44.2% 22.3%
2022 16.7% 54% 43.5% 16.5%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 36.9% 16.1%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 40.4% 9.15%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 35.6% 7.82%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 34.8% 7.95%
2017 15% 44.2% 40.4% 8.77%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 39.6% 7.54%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 41.5% 7.88%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 39.8% 10.1%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 41.8% 11.6%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 29.4% 13.3%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 26.7% 18.1%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 22.6% 21.6%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 22.7% 17.2%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 24.3% 26.1%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 21.1% 29.5%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 17.4% 36.9%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 14.7% 38.5%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 12.5% 49.4%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 12.6% 51.8%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 14.1% 55.5%
2001 12% 113.5% 15.3% 44.6%
2000 10.3% - 15.8% 37.4%
1999 - - 15.8% 35.4%
1998 - - 13.1% 33.3%
1997 - - 16.3% 21.9%
1996 - - 20.4% -
1995 - - 20.8% -
1994 - - 25.5% -
1993 - - 28.1% -
1992 - - 29.6% -
1991 - - 33.2% -
1990 - - 25.4% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while the Solomon Islands spent $711M, or 40.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 28.7% in the Solomon Islands, ranking 115/185 and 158/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
2025 -4.2% -3.24%
2024 -5.16% -2.09%
2023 -4.99% -4.13%
2022 -5.93% -2.7%
2021 -4.35% -1.82%
2020 -3.5% -2.44%
2019 -1.95% -1.52%
2018 -3.57% 1.49%
2017 -5.61% -2.27%
2016 -5.41% -3.56%
2015 -2.86% 0.81%
2014 -2.77% 2.13%
2013 -1.74% 3.57%
2012 -3.41% 4.63%
2011 -2.78% 6.14%
2010 -3.09% 5.67%
2009 -1.51% 2.15%
2008 -2.22% 1.75%
2007 12.6% 13.7%
2006 -0.93% 11.3%
2005 -1.17% 11.5%
2004 -1.46% 14.5%
2003 -2.78% 8.91%
2002 -3.03% -3.67%
2001 -3.22% -2.02%
2000 -1.94% -2.47%
1999 - -0.27%
1998 - 4.25%
1997 - 1.8%
1996 - 3.15%
1995 - 2.69%
1994 - 3.65%
1993 - 2.07%
1992 - 3.48%
1991 - 0.12%
1990 - 0.49%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | CC BY

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $313M, equivalent to 4.2% of GDP. This compares to the Solomon Islands' deficit of $56.6M, or 3.24% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the Solomon Islands ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.17% of GDP for the Solomon Islands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Solomon Islands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
2025 7.6% 3.36%
2024 28.4% 4.32%
2023 47.7% 5.89%
2022 27.2% 5.52%
2021 11.9% -0.12%
2020 13.4% 2.96%
2019 14.8% 1.63%
2018 16% 3.46%
2017 18.2% 0.49%
2016 10.9% 0.51%
2015 6.7% -0.57%
2014 4.6% 5.17%
2013 5.5% 5.39%
2012 6.6% 5.91%
2011 6.8% 7.34%
2010 7.2% 1.05%
2009 7.5% 7.09%
2008 8.2% 17.3%
2007 17% 7.67%
2006 10.5% 11.2%
2005 13.7% 7.33%
2004 12.9% 6.99%
2003 4% 8.27%
2002 0.1% 10.9%
2001 2.6% 6.93%
2000 -0.9% 7.89%
1999 34.1% 8.02%
1998 36% 12.4%
1997 14.6% 8.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 5.95% in the Solomon Islands. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and 3.36% in the Solomon Islands.

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
-$66.2M
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
-4.18%
2024
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$609M
2024
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$510M
2024
Service imports
$514M
2024
$248M
2024
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$133M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
70.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
40.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
Economic freedom 49.6 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 137/197
Property rights 32.9 55.8
Government integrity 35.8 42.7
Judicial effectiveness 42 59.1
Tax burden 88.2 71.3
Government spending 92.4 54.6
Fiscal health 54.1 83.3
Business freedom 44.8 52.3
Labor freedom 38.2 60.4
Monetary freedom 53.6 76.5
Trade freedom 63.6 43.6
Investment freedom 30 15
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Solomon Islands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
2026 49.6 53.7
2025 48 56.3
2024 44.6 55
2023 50.2 56.9
2022 52 56.5
2021 51.7 56.5
2020 48 52.9
2019 47.5 54.6
2018 51.8 57.5
2017 52.6 55
2016 52.3 47
2015 51.7 47
2014 50.5 46.2
2013 48.3 45
2012 49.1 46.2
2011 49.6 45.9
2010 47.9 42.9
2009 47.8 46
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 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 53.7 for the Solomon Islands, ranking 137/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Solomon Islands
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
46.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
23.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
29.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$1.7B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$2,790
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$686M
2024
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
148/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
$19.9M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$33M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$52.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
1.64%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
12.7%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
19.5%
2024

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/sierra-leone/solomon-islands | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. 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.