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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $6.97B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 160/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $2.91B in government debt (41.7% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Sierra Leone vs Sudan GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Sudan
2024 $6,971,127,235 $49,672,435,513
2023 $6,415,852,767 $39,898,289,821
2022 $7,121,125,278 $51,666,875,363
2021 $7,166,931,485 $34,229,513,775
2020 $6,688,307,703 $27,034,593,750
2019 $6,523,577,594 $32,338,079,165
2018 $6,390,514,689 $32,333,780,383
2017 $5,749,846,528 $41,283,617,976
2016 $6,084,297,211 $42,630,376,000
2015 $6,788,352,975 $51,726,758,677
2014 $7,686,138,791 $49,516,748,618
2013 $7,502,762,863 $43,024,018,082
2012 $6,141,666,509 $37,632,919,967
2011 $4,861,632,885 $55,018,567,211
2010 $4,262,805,967 $58,962,978,034
2009 $3,953,403,098 $51,621,044,077
2008 $4,157,895,298 $64,833,083,257
2007 $3,632,957,611 $59,440,139,775
2006 $3,263,697,467 $45,263,831,634
2005 $2,545,275,313 $35,182,711,988
2004 $2,237,350,687 $26,646,007,251
2003 $2,142,618,046 $21,355,298,460
2002 $1,933,863,911 $18,137,128,388
2001 $1,681,473,894 $15,716,361,792
2000 $635,866,404 $12,257,299,147
1999 $669,386,624 $10,682,028,340
1998 $672,368,187 $11,250,221,537
1997 $850,232,760 $11,681,175,864
1996 $941,709,423 $9,018,300,725
1995 $870,740,292 $13,830,363,900
1994 $911,853,802 $12,793,794,737
1993 $768,867,883 $8,881,005,436
1992 $679,940,814 $7,031,933,492
1991 $779,981,987 $44,171,194,366
1990 $649,644,098 $33,641,222,222
1989 $932,974,420 $21,408,111,111
1988 $1,055,083,933 $14,372,555,556
1987 $660,106,336 $12,093,333,333
1986 $490,181,457 $10,092,200,000
1985 $856,890,459 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,087,471,862 $10,447,615,385
1983 $995,104,305 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,295,361,886 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,114,830,472 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,100,685,845 $8,951,800,000
1979 $1,109,374,911 $8,418,407,787
1978 $960,728,339 $8,128,719,315
1977 $691,777,584 $7,499,005,639
1976 $594,895,942 $6,013,210,816
1975 $679,336,344 $4,823,090,192
1974 $648,590,643 $3,958,931,660
1973 $575,230,724 $3,077,254,460
1972 $465,381,340 $2,483,055,722
1971 $419,549,305 $2,288,340,041
1970 $434,410,974 $2,100,229,759
1969 $408,690,163 $1,847,501,441
1968 $329,859,732 $1,677,771,401
1967 $348,795,303 $1,607,409,539
1966 $375,479,850 $1,484,491,676
1965 $359,379,856 $1,446,869,619
1964 $371,847,461 $1,388,282,600
1963 $348,547,279 $1,351,234,926
1962 $342,721,416 $1,328,259,625
1961 $327,834,191 $1,222,860,429
1960 $322,009,962 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Sudan by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $807 $3,522 $985 $2,116
2023 $758 $3,368 $797 $2,421
2022 $860 $3,144 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $885 $2,849 $712 $3,249
2020 $845 $2,719 $578 $3,349
2019 $844 $2,704 $710 $3,914
2018 $846 $2,640 $731 $4,199
2017 $779 $2,501 $967 $4,252
2016 $844 $2,635 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $965 $2,560 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $938 $2,317 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $761 $2,043 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $685 $1,900 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $653 $1,814 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $705 $1,824 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $632 $1,770 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $580 $1,698 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $463 $1,615 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $418 $1,541 $872 $3,215
2003 $414 $1,458 $714 $3,058
2002 $389 $1,360 $621 $2,898
2001 $358 $1,121 $551 $2,769
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $441 $2,616
1999 $155 $1,167 $394 $2,475
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $425 $2,428
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $453 $2,358
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $357 $2,006
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $561 $1,902
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $532 $1,805
1993 $185 $1,269 $379 $1,794
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $307 $1,710
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $231.3 - $992 -
1988 $268.2 - $680 -
1987 $172.4 - $584 -
1986 $131.5 - $497 -
1985 $235.5 - $406 -
1984 $306 - $534 -
1983 $285.8 - $431 -
1982 $380 - $472 -
1981 $334 - $605 -
1980 $336 - $525 -
1979 $346 - $515 -
1978 $305 - $518 -
1977 $224.2 - $497 -
1976 $196.4 - $413 -
1975 $228.4 - $343 -
1974 $222.1 - $291.5 -
1973 $200.6 - $235.8 -
1972 $165.4 - $198.2 -
1971 $151.8 - $189 -
1970 $160.2 - $179.6 -
1969 $153.6 - $163.5 -
1968 $126.3 - $153.7 -
1967 $136.1 - $152.4 -
1966 $149.3 - $145.6 -
1965 $145.6 - $146.8 -
1964 $153.4 - $145.7 -
1963 $146.3 - $146.6 -
1962 $146.3 - $148.9 -
1961 $142.3 - $141.6 -
1960 $142 - $134.7 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 186/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Sudan
Gross domestic product
$6.97B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
160/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
4.29%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
174/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Central bank interest rate
18.8%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
7.53%
2022
Population
9049533
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.6% 41.7% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 15.4% 49.5% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 16.7% 54% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 15% 44.2% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 18.8% 71%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 12% 113.5% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 10.3% - 10.4% 143.2%
1999 - - 8.4% 160.5%
1998 - - 7.79% 179.7%
1997 - - 7.38% 167.7%
1996 - - 9.31% 220.9%
1995 - - 12.9% 239%
1994 - - 19.6% 386%
1993 - - 23.7% 285.9%
1992 - - 50.4% 495%
1991 - - 45.7% -
1990 - - 31% -

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

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

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 15.6% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.7% in Sierra Leone and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 128/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Sudan
2024 -4.53% -3.46%
2023 -4.99% -3.7%
2022 -5.93% -2.15%
2021 -4.35% -0.29%
2020 -3.5% -6.03%
2019 -1.95% -10.8%
2018 -3.57% -7.92%
2017 -5.61% -6.07%
2016 -5.41% -3.92%
2015 -2.86% -3.87%
2014 -2.77% -4.72%
2013 -1.74% -5.76%
2012 -3.41% -7.37%
2011 -2.78% -2.33%
2010 -3.09% 0.11%
2009 -1.51% -3.8%
2008 -2.22% 0.49%
2007 12.6% -2.84%
2006 -0.93% -1.32%
2005 -1.17% -1.88%
2004 -1.46% 0.16%
2003 -2.78% 0.77%
2002 -3.03% -0.69%
2001 -3.22% -0.77%
2000 -1.94% -0.7%
1999 - -0.8%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - -0.59%
1996 - -2.61%
1995 - -3.48%
1994 - -3.03%
1993 - -8.04%
1992 - -24.5%
1991 - -26.5%
1990 - -16.2%

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

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

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $316M, equivalent to 4.53% of GDP. This compares to Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.15% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Sudan
2024 28.4% -
2023 47.7% -
2022 27.2% 138.8%
2021 11.9% 359%
2020 13.4% 163.3%
2019 14.8% 51%
2018 16% 63.3%
2017 18.2% 32.4%
2016 10.9% 17.8%
2015 6.7% 16.9%
2014 4.6% 36.9%
2013 5.5% 36.5%
2012 6.6% 35.6%
2011 6.8% 18.1%
2010 7.2% 13%
2009 7.5% 11.3%
2008 8.2% 14.3%
2007 17% 14.8%
2006 10.5% 7.2%
2005 13.7% 8.51%
2004 12.9% 9.66%
2003 4% 6.49%
2002 0.1% 22.2%
2001 2.6% 1.94%
2000 -0.9% 7.12%
1999 34.1% 17.2%
1998 36% 24.6%
1997 14.6% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.9%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 28.4% in Sierra Leone and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Sudan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $28K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Sudan
Current account balance
-$606M
2023
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2023
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.45%
2023
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$1.92B
2023
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$1.34B
2023
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$348M
2023
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$42.5M
2023
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Sudan
Economic freedom 49.6 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 191/197
Property rights 32.9 6.5
Government integrity 35.8 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 42 2.4
Tax burden 88.2 84.7
Government spending 92.4 96.5
Fiscal health 54.1 64.6
Business freedom 44.8 27.3
Labor freedom 38.2 33.6
Monetary freedom 53.6 6.2
Trade freedom 63.6 29.6
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Sudan
2026 49.6 32.5
2025 48 35.3
2024 44.6 33.9
2023 50.2 32.8
2022 52 32
2021 51.7 39.1
2020 48 45
2019 47.5 47.7
2018 51.8 49.4
2017 52.6 48.8
2016 52.3 -
2015 51.7 -
2014 50.5 -
2013 48.3 -
2012 49.1 -
2011 49.6 -
2010 47.9 -
2009 47.8 -
2008 48.3 -
2007 47 -
2006 45.2 -
2005 44.8 -
2004 43.6 -
2003 42.2 -
2002 - -
2001 - -
2000 44.2 47.2
1999 47.2 39.6
1998 47.7 38.3
1997 45 39.9
1996 52.3 39.2
1995 49.8 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Sudan
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,490
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$241M
2023
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
2.89%
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/sierra-leone/sudan | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. TradeMap (2018, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.