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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $6.97B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 160/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $2.91B in government debt (41.7% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Sierra Leone vs Suriname GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Suriname
2024 $6,971,127,235 $4,416,775,112
2023 $6,415,852,767 $3,472,693,412
2022 $7,121,125,278 $3,791,603,200
2021 $7,166,931,485 $3,107,923,198
2020 $6,688,307,703 $2,911,807,496
2019 $6,523,577,594 $4,016,040,575
2018 $6,390,514,689 $3,996,198,867
2017 $5,749,846,528 $3,591,679,431
2016 $6,084,297,211 $3,317,421,648
2015 $6,788,352,975 $5,126,237,646
2014 $7,686,138,791 $5,240,606,061
2013 $7,502,762,863 $5,145,757,576
2012 $6,141,666,509 $4,980,000,000
2011 $4,861,632,885 $4,422,276,622
2010 $4,262,805,967 $4,368,370,998
2009 $3,953,403,098 $3,875,409,836
2008 $4,157,895,298 $3,532,969,035
2007 $3,632,957,611 $2,936,612,022
2006 $3,263,697,467 $2,626,380,435
2005 $2,545,275,313 $1,793,410,397
2004 $2,237,350,687 $1,484,092,538
2003 $2,142,618,046 $1,274,190,311
2002 $1,933,863,911 $1,093,574,468
2001 $1,681,473,894 $834,279,358
2000 $635,866,404 $947,671,970
1999 $669,386,624 $886,290,698
1998 $672,368,187 $1,110,850,000
1997 $850,232,760 $926,422,500
1996 $941,709,423 $861,372,806
1995 $870,740,292 $691,590,498
1994 $911,853,802 $605,492,537
1993 $768,867,883 $428,764,706
1992 $679,940,814 $404,600,000
1991 $779,981,987 $448,100,000
1990 $649,644,098 $388,400,000
1989 $932,974,420 $542,600,000
1988 $1,055,083,933 $1,161,000,000
1987 $660,106,336 $980,000,000
1986 $490,181,457 $891,000,000
1985 $856,890,459 $873,000,000
1984 $1,087,471,862 $864,000,000
1983 $995,104,305 $883,500,000
1982 $1,295,361,886 $915,000,000
1981 $1,114,830,472 $889,000,000
1980 $1,100,685,845 $795,000,000
1979 $1,109,374,911 $782,500,000
1978 $960,728,339 $735,500,000
1977 $691,777,584 $641,500,000
1976 $594,895,942 $505,500,000
1975 $679,336,344 $465,500,000
1974 $648,590,643 $409,850,000
1973 $575,230,724 $339,450,000
1972 $465,381,340 $311,950,000
1971 $419,549,305 $301,000,000
1970 $434,410,974 $274,900,000
1969 $408,690,163 $259,650,000
1968 $329,859,732 $241,350,000
1967 $348,795,303 $220,700,000
1966 $375,479,850 $190,350,000
1965 $359,379,856 $154,150,000
1964 $371,847,461 $134,400,000
1963 $348,547,279 $125,950,000
1962 $342,721,416 $116,150,000
1961 $327,834,191 $107,700,000
1960 $322,009,962 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Suriname by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $807 $3,522 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $758 $3,368 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $860 $3,144 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $885 $2,849 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $845 $2,719 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $844 $2,704 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $846 $2,640 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $779 $2,501 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $844 $2,635 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $965 $2,560 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $938 $2,317 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $761 $2,043 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $685 $1,900 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $653 $1,814 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $705 $1,824 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $632 $1,770 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $580 $1,698 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $463 $1,615 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $418 $1,541 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $414 $1,458 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $389 $1,360 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $358 $1,121 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $155 $1,167 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $185 $1,269 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $969 $6,992
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $942 $6,493
1989 $231.3 - $1,329 -
1988 $268.2 - $2,886 -
1987 $172.4 - $2,469 -
1986 $131.5 - $2,271 -
1985 $235.5 - $2,256 -
1984 $306 - $2,261 -
1983 $285.8 - $2,333 -
1982 $380 - $2,430 -
1981 $334 - $2,368 -
1980 $336 - $2,118 -
1979 $346 - $2,072 -
1978 $305 - $1,928 -
1977 $224.2 - $1,666 -
1976 $196.4 - $1,302 -
1975 $228.4 - $1,190 -
1974 $222.1 - $1,041 -
1973 $200.6 - $858 -
1972 $165.4 - $785 -
1971 $151.8 - $768 -
1970 $160.2 - $724 -
1969 $153.6 - $708 -
1968 $126.3 - $681 -
1967 $136.1 - $644 -
1966 $149.3 - $575 -
1965 $145.6 - $482 -
1964 $153.4 - $435 -
1963 $146.3 - $424 -
1962 $146.3 - $409 -
1961 $142.3 - $395 -
1960 $142 - $378 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 186/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Suriname
Gross domestic product
$6.97B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
160/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
4.29%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
174/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
18.8%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
7.92%
2016
Population
9049533
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.6% 41.7% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 15.4% 49.5% 29% 98.2%
2022 16.7% 54% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 32% 115.8%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 40.5% 84%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 15% 44.2% 28.7% 73%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 21% 18.7%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 21% 17.3%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 24% 14.6%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 12% 113.5% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 10.3% - 24.4% 48.4%
1999 - - 19.6% 32.3%
1998 - - 30.3% 21.6%
1997 - - 21.1% 16.8%
1996 - - 21.4% 11.8%
1995 - - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 - - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 - - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 - - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 - - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 - - 22.7% 72.9%

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

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

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 15.6% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.7% in Sierra Leone and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 128/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Suriname
2024 -4.53% -2.42%
2023 -4.99% -1.68%
2022 -5.93% -2.69%
2021 -4.35% -5.66%
2020 -3.5% -12%
2019 -1.95% -20.2%
2018 -3.57% -8.56%
2017 -5.61% -8.62%
2016 -5.41% -10.2%
2015 -2.86% -8.29%
2014 -2.77% -2.65%
2013 -1.74% -2.64%
2012 -3.41% -0.38%
2011 -2.78% 2.32%
2010 -3.09% -0.15%
2009 -1.51% 2.03%
2008 -2.22% 2.39%
2007 12.6% 5.01%
2006 -0.93% 0.59%
2005 -1.17% -3.39%
2004 -1.46% -1.2%
2003 -2.78% -0.11%
2002 -3.03% -3.3%
2001 -3.22% 3.49%
2000 -1.94% -7.76%
1999 - -4.92%
1998 - -6.39%
1997 - -0.32%
1996 - 3.42%
1995 - 1.17%
1994 - -1.89%
1993 - -4.68%
1992 - -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.44% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Suriname
2024 28.4% 16.2%
2023 47.7% 51.6%
2022 27.2% 52.4%
2021 11.9% 59.1%
2020 13.4% 34.9%
2019 14.8% -
2018 16% -
2017 18.2% 22%
2016 10.9% 55.4%
2015 6.7% 6.89%
2014 4.6% 3.38%
2013 5.5% 1.92%
2012 6.6% 5.01%
2011 6.8% 17.7%
2010 7.2% 6.94%
2009 7.5% -0.13%
2008 8.2% 14.7%
2007 17% 6.43%
2006 10.5% 11.3%
2005 13.7% 9.9%
2004 12.9% 9.99%
2003 4% 23%
2002 0.1% 15.5%
2001 2.6% 38.6%
2000 -0.9% 59.4%
1999 34.1% 98.8%
1998 36% 19%
1997 14.6% 7.15%

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/sierra-leone/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.8%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 28.4% in Sierra Leone and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Suriname
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.3M
Animal & marine products $11K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Suriname
Current account balance
-$606M
2023
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2023
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.45%
2023
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.92B
2023
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$1.34B
2023
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$348M
2023
$921M
2024
Service exports
$42.5M
2023
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Suriname
Economic freedom 49.6 53
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 143/197
Property rights 32.9 40.5
Government integrity 35.8 41
Judicial effectiveness 42 46.5
Tax burden 88.2 69.1
Government spending 92.4 74.3
Fiscal health 54.1 76.6
Business freedom 44.8 56.9
Labor freedom 38.2 69
Monetary freedom 53.6 56.4
Trade freedom 63.6 65.2
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Suriname
2026 49.6 53
2025 48 50.9
2024 44.6 46.7
2023 50.2 46.1
2022 52 48.1
2021 51.7 46.4
2020 48 49.5
2019 47.5 48.1
2018 51.8 48.1
2017 52.6 48
2016 52.3 53.8
2015 51.7 54.2
2014 50.5 54.2
2013 48.3 52
2012 49.1 52.6
2011 49.6 53.1
2010 47.9 52.5
2009 47.8 54.1
2008 48.3 54.3
2007 47 54.8
2006 45.2 55.1
2005 44.8 51.9
2004 43.6 47.9
2003 42.2 46.9
2002 - 48
2001 - 44.3
2000 44.2 45.8
1999 47.2 40.1
1998 47.7 39.9
1997 45 35.9
1996 52.3 36.7
1995 49.8 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Suriname
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,490
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2024
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$241M
2023
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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. TradeMap (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  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.