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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $109B for Sri Lanka, ranking 160/197 and 71/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $100B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Sierra Leone vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
2025 $7,464,157,904 $108,825,231,671
2024 $6,971,127,234 $99,616,111,266
2023 $6,415,852,766 $84,080,307,356
2022 $7,121,125,277 $74,143,020,304
2021 $7,166,931,483 $88,556,699,052
2020 $6,688,307,706 $84,335,574,372
2019 $6,523,577,590 $88,998,706,178
2018 $6,390,514,689 $94,450,015,983
2017 $5,749,846,528 $94,369,350,439
2016 $6,084,297,211 $88,000,210,878
2015 $6,788,352,975 $85,090,300,896
2014 $7,686,138,791 $82,531,125,462
2013 $7,502,762,863 $76,976,204,075
2012 $6,141,666,509 $70,447,216,891
2011 $4,861,632,885 $67,753,285,882
2010 $4,262,805,967 $58,636,049,581
2009 $3,953,403,098 $42,066,224,093
2008 $4,157,895,298 $40,713,826,215
2007 $3,632,957,611 $32,350,238,760
2006 $3,263,697,467 $28,267,410,543
2005 $2,545,275,313 $24,405,791,045
2004 $2,237,350,687 $20,662,525,941
2003 $2,142,618,046 $18,881,765,437
2002 $1,933,863,911 $16,536,535,647
2001 $1,681,473,894 $15,749,753,805
2000 $635,866,404 $16,595,882,819
1999 $669,386,624 $15,711,933,513
1998 $672,368,187 $15,760,736,956
1997 $850,232,760 $15,091,913,884
1996 $941,709,423 $13,897,738,375
1995 $870,740,292 $13,029,697,561
1994 $911,853,802 $11,717,604,209
1993 $768,867,883 $10,338,679,636
1992 $679,940,814 $9,703,011,636
1991 $779,981,987 $9,000,362,582
1990 $649,644,098 $8,032,551,173
1989 $932,974,420 $6,987,267,684
1988 $1,055,083,933 $6,978,371,581
1987 $660,106,336 $6,682,167,120
1986 $490,181,457 $6,405,210,564
1985 $856,890,459 $5,978,460,972
1984 $1,087,471,862 $6,043,474,843
1983 $995,104,305 $5,167,913,302
1982 $1,295,361,886 $4,768,765,017
1981 $1,114,830,472 $4,415,844,156
1980 $1,100,685,845 $4,024,621,900
1979 $1,109,374,911 $3,364,611,432
1978 $960,728,339 $2,733,183,857
1977 $691,777,584 $4,104,509,583
1976 $594,895,942 $3,591,319,857
1975 $679,336,344 $3,791,298,146
1974 $648,590,643 $3,574,586,466
1973 $575,230,724 $2,875,625,000
1972 $465,381,340 $2,553,936,348
1971 $419,549,305 $2,369,308,600
1970 $434,410,974 $2,296,470,588
1969 $408,690,163 $1,965,546,218
1968 $329,859,732 $1,801,344,538
1967 $348,795,303 $1,859,465,021
1966 $375,479,850 $1,751,470,588
1965 $359,379,856 $1,698,319,328
1964 $371,847,461 $1,309,747,899
1963 $348,547,279 $1,240,672,269
1962 $342,721,416 $1,434,156,379
1961 $327,834,191 $1,444,327,731
1960 $322,009,962 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Sri Lanka by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $5,002 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $4,545 $15,633
2023 $758 $3,368 $3,815 $14,456
2022 $860 $3,144 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $885 $2,849 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $845 $2,719 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $844 $2,704 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $846 $2,640 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $779 $2,501 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $844 $2,635 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $965 $2,560 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $938 $2,317 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $761 $2,043 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $685 $1,900 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $653 $1,814 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $705 $1,824 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $632 $1,770 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $580 $1,698 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $463 $1,615 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $418 $1,541 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $414 $1,458 $946 $4,850
2002 $389 $1,360 $835 $4,522
2001 $358 $1,121 $804 $4,328
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $860 $4,368
1999 $155 $1,167 $829 $4,103
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $848 $3,952
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $827 $3,804
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $776 $3,582
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $742 $3,454
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $678 $3,260
1993 $185 $1,269 $607 $3,067
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $580 $2,851
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $546 $2,713
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $491 $2,527
1989 $231.3 - $430 -
1988 $268.2 - $434 -
1987 $172.4 - $420 -
1986 $131.5 - $407 -
1985 $235.5 - $385 -
1984 $306 - $391 -
1983 $285.8 - $336 -
1982 $380 - $312 -
1981 $334 - $292.5 -
1980 $336 - $271.1 -
1979 $346 - $230.8 -
1978 $305 - $191 -
1977 $224.2 - $292.1 -
1976 $196.4 - $260.3 -
1975 $228.4 - $279.8 -
1974 $222.1 - $268.7 -
1973 $200.6 - $220.2 -
1972 $165.4 - $199.4 -
1971 $151.8 - $188.8 -
1970 $160.2 - $186.9 -
1969 $153.6 - $163.6 -
1968 $126.3 - $153.5 -
1967 $136.1 - $162.3 -
1966 $149.3 - $156.6 -
1965 $145.6 - $155.6 -
1964 $153.4 - $122.9 -
1963 $146.3 - $119.4 -
1962 $146.3 - $141.4 -
1961 $142.3 - $145.9 -
1960 $142 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/sri-lanka | CC BY

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $5,002 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$109B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
71/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
4.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$5,002
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
124/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$100B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$4,584
2024
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
90/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$2,830
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$26.1B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2025
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
-4.76%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
4.32%
2024
Population
9090531
21926160

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% - -
2024 17.6% 46.7% 19.1% 100.8%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 16.7% 54% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 20% 102.7%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 15% 44.2% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 18.2% 75%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 21% 72.8%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 12% 113.5% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 10.3% - 21.7% 79.2%
1999 - - 20.5% 77.7%
1998 - - 21.4% 74.2%
1997 - - 21.4% 70.1%
1996 - - 23.1% 76.2%
1995 - - 24.8% 77.8%
1994 - - 24.1% 77.9%
1993 - - 23.2% 79.2%
1992 - - 23% 77.9%
1991 - - 26.4% 80.5%
1990 - - 25.4% 78.9%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 115/185 and 24/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
2025 -4.2% -
2024 -5.16% -5.43%
2023 -4.99% -8.32%
2022 -5.93% -10.2%
2021 -4.35% -11.7%
2020 -3.5% -13.4%
2019 -1.95% -7.52%
2018 -3.57% -4.96%
2017 -5.61% -5.1%
2016 -5.41% -5%
2015 -2.86% -6.64%
2014 -2.77% -5.99%
2013 -1.74% -5%
2012 -3.41% -5.44%
2011 -2.78% -6.01%
2010 -3.09% -6.73%
2009 -1.51% -8.33%
2008 -2.22% -5.93%
2007 12.6% -5.81%
2006 -0.93% -5.91%
2005 -1.17% -5.93%
2004 -1.46% -6.32%
2003 -2.78% -6.15%
2002 -3.03% -6.9%
2001 -3.22% -8.48%
2000 -1.94% -7.78%
1999 - -5.58%
1998 - -6.79%
1997 - -5.71%
1996 - -6.89%
1995 - -7.11%
1994 - -7.41%
1993 - -5.77%
1992 - -4.95%
1991 - -7.97%
1990 - -6.39%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $359M, equivalent to 5.16% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.4B, or 5.43% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
2025 7.6% -4.76%
2024 28.4% -0.43%
2023 47.7% 16.5%
2022 27.2% 49.7%
2021 11.9% 7.01%
2020 13.4% 6.15%
2019 14.8% 3.53%
2018 16% 2.14%
2017 18.2% 7.7%
2016 10.9% 3.96%
2015 6.7% 3.77%
2014 4.6% 3.18%
2013 5.5% 6.91%
2012 6.6% 7.54%
2011 6.8% 6.72%
2010 7.2% 6.22%
2009 7.5% 3.46%
2008 8.2% 22.6%
2007 17% 15.8%
2006 10.5% 10%
2005 13.7% 11.6%
2004 12.9% 7.58%
2003 4% 6.31%
2002 0.1% 9.55%
2001 2.6% 14.2%
2000 -0.9% 6.18%
1999 34.1% 4.69%
1998 36% 9.36%
1997 14.6% 9.57%

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/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 8.86% in Sri Lanka. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and -4.76% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $13.3M
Metals $1.63M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.14M
Raw agricultural goods $771K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$514M
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
22.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 49.6 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 162/197
Property rights 32.9 47.3
Government integrity 35.8 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 42 47.2
Tax burden 88.2 77
Government spending 92.4 89
Fiscal health 54.1 0
Business freedom 44.8 60.1
Labor freedom 38.2 54.3
Monetary freedom 53.6 65.9
Trade freedom 63.6 65.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
2026 49.6 50.3
2025 48 49.4
2024 44.6 49.2
2023 50.2 52.2
2022 52 53.3
2021 51.7 55.7
2020 48 57.4
2019 47.5 56.4
2018 51.8 57.8
2017 52.6 57.4
2016 52.3 59.9
2015 51.7 58.6
2014 50.5 60
2013 48.3 60.7
2012 49.1 58.3
2011 49.6 57.1
2010 47.9 54.6
2009 47.8 56
2008 48.3 58.4
2007 47 59.4
2006 45.2 58.7
2005 44.8 61
2004 43.6 61.6
2003 42.2 62.5
2002 - 64
2001 - 66
2000 44.2 63.2
1999 47.2 64
1998 47.7 64.6
1997 45 65.5
1996 52.3 62.5
1995 49.8 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
54.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
25.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
8.36%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$102B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$16,750
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
96/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
4.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
29.6%
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/sierra-leone/sri-lanka | 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.