Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.55B compared to $610B for Sweden, ranking 157/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.
Sierra Leone has $3.25B in government debt (44.3% of GDP), compared to $199B (33.7% of GDP) in Sweden.
The chart below compares the two countries' GDP growth in both current (nominal) and constant dollars, accounting for inflation over time.
| Year | GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  |  | |||
| Current $ | Constant $ | Current $ | Constant $ | |
| 1960 | $322,151,961 | $2,005,356,249 | $15,930,258,332 | $125,833,171,526 | 
| 1961 | $327,978,758 | $2,041,634,017 | $17,329,819,494 | $132,982,122,458 | 
| 1962 | $342,872,549 | $2,134,343,945 | $18,794,282,717 | $138,645,893,912 | 
| 1963 | $348,700,980 | $2,170,621,713 | $20,342,365,392 | $146,032,855,285 | 
| 1964 | $372,011,438 | $2,315,732,958 | $22,685,750,575 | $155,993,996,630 | 
| 1965 | $359,523,810 | $2,482,006,192 | $24,964,233,891 | $161,955,318,965 | 
| 1966 | $375,630,252 | $2,524,200,297 | $27,155,028,520 | $165,341,552,542 | 
| 1967 | $348,895,028 | $2,525,116,116 | $29,475,219,787 | $170,905,938,215 | 
| 1968 | $329,991,597 | $2,576,121,538 | $31,278,230,634 | $177,124,360,483 | 
| 1969 | $408,853,541 | $2,795,747,409 | $33,967,691,454 | $185,996,652,977 | 
| 1970 | $434,584,634 | $3,036,754,626 | $38,037,663,342 | $198,037,469,743 | 
| 1971 | $419,495,788 | $3,142,006,005 | $41,506,627,519 | $199,908,223,300 | 
| 1972 | $465,254,682 | $3,170,291,432 | $48,883,734,672 | $204,483,600,295 | 
| 1973 | $575,471,814 | $3,241,832,807 | $59,319,523,962 | $212,597,471,030 | 
| 1974 | $648,940,351 | $3,355,291,389 | $65,918,391,224 | $219,396,754,055 | 
| 1975 | $679,352,876 | $3,411,298,469 | $82,766,182,746 | $224,997,651,933 | 
| 1976 | $594,810,422 | $3,395,975,723 | $89,233,541,404 | $227,378,363,011 | 
| 1977 | $692,079,407 | $3,397,560,822 | $94,332,865,494 | $223,748,816,326 | 
| 1978 | $960,765,043 | $3,479,317,421 | $104,292,130,796 | $227,667,884,337 | 
| 1979 | $1,109,343,425 | $3,636,278,670 | $123,208,942,175 | $236,410,339,082 | 
| 1980 | $1,100,476,190 | $3,812,401,965 | $141,887,695,763 | $240,429,247,266 | 
| 1981 | $1,114,926,661 | $3,922,253,604 | $129,500,408,224 | $241,522,792,750 | 
| 1982 | $1,294,995,964 | $4,109,806,182 | $114,216,043,040 | $244,538,602,571 | 
| 1983 | $995,278,515 | $4,023,385,112 | $104,863,313,508 | $249,186,397,835 | 
| 1984 | $1,087,450,199 | $4,188,063,643 | $109,044,297,251 | $259,725,824,371 | 
| 1985 | $856,890,459 | $3,965,621,323 | $113,959,392,485 | $265,336,872,870 | 
| 1986 | $490,181,457 | $4,014,638,262 | $150,281,594,980 | $272,477,945,677 | 
| 1987 | $660,106,336 | $4,304,947,544 | $182,746,413,791 | $281,616,428,085 | 
| 1988 | $1,055,083,933 | $4,000,157,258 | $206,688,963,474 | $288,823,101,462 | 
| 1989 | $932,974,420 | $4,029,358,406 | $217,634,838,449 | $296,490,797,145 | 
| 1990 | $649,644,098 | $4,164,341,831 | $261,469,578,631 | $298,728,338,359 | 
| 1991 | $779,981,987 | $4,262,285,544 | $273,834,608,020 | $295,304,986,649 | 
| 1992 | $679,940,814 | $3,451,901,040 | $283,912,173,667 | $291,883,604,471 | 
| 1993 | $768,867,883 | $3,499,349,144 | $212,647,043,708 | $285,854,408,965 | 
| 1994 | $911,853,802 | $3,431,203,335 | $228,701,658,891 | $297,333,335,670 | 
| 1995 | $870,740,292 | $3,156,715,563 | $267,052,836,695 | $309,506,914,356 | 
| 1996 | $941,709,423 | $3,212,078,681 | $291,952,430,659 | $314,783,454,121 | 
| 1997 | $850,232,760 | $3,023,302,223 | $268,251,974,486 | $324,431,161,326 | 
| 1998 | $672,368,187 | $3,077,268,550 | $270,889,570,938 | $338,205,617,437 | 
| 1999 | $669,386,624 | $3,016,360,584 | $274,320,415,376 | $352,413,884,456 | 
| 2000 | $635,866,404 | $3,217,030,904 | $262,905,197,442 | $368,734,580,259 | 
| 2001 | $1,681,473,894 | $3,012,895,636 | $242,499,249,693 | $373,752,198,469 | 
| 2002 | $1,933,863,911 | $3,812,040,143 | $267,373,345,247 | $382,265,044,393 | 
| 2003 | $2,142,618,046 | $4,173,559,980 | $334,074,051,173 | $389,455,236,261 | 
| 2004 | $2,237,350,687 | $4,443,958,502 | $384,547,211,147 | $405,732,636,285 | 
| 2005 | $2,545,275,313 | $4,637,426,231 | $391,690,329,314 | $417,065,466,396 | 
| 2006 | $3,263,697,467 | $4,836,052,320 | $422,530,427,476 | $436,567,442,196 | 
| 2007 | $3,632,957,611 | $5,017,392,581 | $490,050,156,833 | $450,646,355,078 | 
| 2008 | $4,157,895,298 | $5,202,336,667 | $514,616,528,349 | $446,486,334,539 | 
| 2009 | $3,953,403,098 | $5,281,974,206 | $434,313,804,907 | $427,485,779,313 | 
| 2010 | $4,262,805,967 | $5,617,678,842 | $492,753,255,886 | $452,069,357,232 | 
| 2011 | $4,861,632,885 | $6,072,747,635 | $570,541,353,129 | $466,372,427,078 | 
| 2012 | $6,141,666,509 | $6,715,143,020 | $549,742,183,874 | $464,439,473,162 | 
| 2013 | $7,502,762,863 | $7,699,806,186 | $584,128,116,410 | $469,723,477,716 | 
| 2014 | $7,686,138,791 | $7,098,065,168 | $577,730,245,154 | $480,507,219,241 | 
| 2015 | $6,788,352,975 | $6,788,352,975 | $501,698,263,621 | $501,698,263,621 | 
| 2016 | $6,084,297,211 | $7,225,348,889 | $514,218,206,628 | $513,486,872,449 | 
| 2017 | $5,749,846,528 | $7,457,128,029 | $536,083,940,229 | $522,858,809,003 | 
| 2018 | $6,390,514,689 | $7,672,926,607 | $551,312,498,430 | $532,808,626,903 | 
| 2019 | $6,526,183,564 | $8,095,145,458 | $532,169,294,166 | $546,393,370,721 | 
| 2020 | $6,693,888,876 | $7,993,685,031 | $545,147,614,972 | $535,436,339,441 | 
| 2021 | $7,173,379,137 | $8,465,060,863 | $637,186,904,844 | $567,227,918,083 | 
| 2022 | $7,124,465,160 | $8,914,856,495 | $579,895,717,344 | $575,505,409,860 | 
| 2023 | $6,411,787,856 | $9,423,896,753 | $585,489,968,189 | $574,848,401,745 | 
| 2024 | $7,547,843,281 | $9,800,852,626 | $610,117,791,237 | $580,446,460,657 | 
Economic indicators
|  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product | 
$7.55B  2024 | 
$610B  2024 | 
| GDP rank | 
157/197  2024 | 
25/197  2024 | 
| GDP growth | 
17.7%  2023-2024 | 
4.21%  2023-2024 | 
| GDP per capita | 
$873  2024 | 
$57,723  2024 | 
| GDP per capita rank | 
183/197  2024 | 
15/197  2024 | 
| GDP per capita, PPP | 
$3,516  2024 | 
$71,030  2024 | 
| Government debt | 
$3.25B  2024 | 
$199B  2024 | 
| Debt-to-GDP ratio | 
44.3%  2025 | 
33.7%  2025 | 
| Government debt per person | 
$376  2024 | 
$18,842  2024 | 
| Government debt per person rank | 
174/185  2024 | 
32/185  2024 | 
| Average annual personal income after taxes | 
$3,438  2025 | 
$40,075  2025 | 
| Market capitalization of domestic companies | n/a | 
$290B  2003 | 
| Number of millionaires | n/a | 
575,426  2024 | 
| Number of billionaires | n/a | 
45  2025 | 
| Income share by richest 10% | 
29.4%  2018 | 
22.3%  2023 | 
| Income share by poorest 10% | 
3.4%  2018 | 
2.8%  2023 | 
| Government expenditure, % of GDP | 
17.7%  2025 | 
49.1%  2025 | 
| Consumer prices inflation | 
9.4%  2024-2025 | 
2.84%  2023-2024 | 
| Central bank interest rate | 
24.8%  2024 | 
2%  2025 | 
| Unemployment rate | 
3.19%  2018 | 
8.31%  2024 | 
| Population | 
8961932
 | 
10654722
 | 
GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Sweden
Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $873, ranking 183/197, compared to $57,723 in Sweden, ranking 15/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,516, while Sweden ranks 24th at $71,030.
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  |  | |||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 1960 | $142 | - | $2,128 | - | 
| 1961 | $142.3 | - | $2,304 | - | 
| 1962 | $146.4 | - | $2,485 | - | 
| 1963 | $146.4 | - | $2,675 | - | 
| 1964 | $153.4 | - | $2,961 | - | 
| 1965 | $145.6 | - | $3,228 | - | 
| 1966 | $149.4 | - | $3,478 | - | 
| 1967 | $136.2 | - | $3,746 | - | 
| 1968 | $126.4 | - | $3,953 | - | 
| 1969 | $153.6 | - | $4,263 | - | 
| 1970 | $160.2 | - | $4,729 | - | 
| 1971 | $151.8 | - | $5,125 | - | 
| 1972 | $165.3 | - | $6,018 | - | 
| 1973 | $200.7 | - | $7,291 | - | 
| 1974 | $222.2 | - | $8,078 | - | 
| 1975 | $228.4 | - | $10,103 | - | 
| 1976 | $196.4 | - | $10,853 | - | 
| 1977 | $224.3 | - | $11,432 | - | 
| 1978 | $305 | - | $12,602 | - | 
| 1979 | $346 | - | $14,856 | - | 
| 1980 | $336 | - | $17,073 | - | 
| 1981 | $334 | - | $15,564 | - | 
| 1982 | $380 | - | $13,719 | - | 
| 1983 | $285.9 | - | $12,590 | - | 
| 1984 | $306 | - | $13,080 | - | 
| 1985 | $235.5 | - | $13,647 | - | 
| 1986 | $131.5 | - | $17,955 | - | 
| 1987 | $172.4 | - | $21,761 | - | 
| 1988 | $268.2 | - | $24,499 | - | 
| 1989 | $231.3 | - | $25,625 | - | 
| 1990 | $154.8 | $1,382 | $30,550 | $20,382 | 
| 1991 | $183.7 | $1,445 | $31,777 | $20,688 | 
| 1992 | $163.2 | $1,220 | $32,754 | $20,792 | 
| 1993 | $185 | $1,269 | $24,390 | $20,725 | 
| 1994 | $218.5 | $1,266 | $26,046 | $21,843 | 
| 1995 | $208.4 | $1,187 | $30,254 | $23,069 | 
| 1996 | $224.3 | $1,225 | $33,023 | $23,943 | 
| 1997 | $199.9 | $1,157 | $30,324 | $24,811 | 
| 1998 | $156.5 | $1,180 | $30,606 | $25,895 | 
| 1999 | $155 | $1,167 | $30,969 | $27,496 | 
| 2000 | $143.7 | $1,242 | $29,633 | $29,630 | 
| 2001 | $358 | $1,121 | $27,259 | $29,949 | 
| 2002 | $389 | $1,360 | $29,958 | $30,987 | 
| 2003 | $414 | $1,458 | $37,292 | $31,792 | 
| 2004 | $418 | $1,541 | $42,758 | $33,809 | 
| 2005 | $463 | $1,615 | $43,379 | $34,198 | 
| 2006 | $580 | $1,698 | $46,532 | $37,680 | 
| 2007 | $632 | $1,770 | $53,569 | $40,814 | 
| 2008 | $705 | $1,824 | $55,817 | $41,907 | 
| 2009 | $653 | $1,814 | $46,708 | $40,073 | 
| 2010 | $685 | $1,900 | $52,543 | $41,956 | 
| 2011 | $761 | $2,043 | $60,380 | $44,333 | 
| 2012 | $938 | $2,317 | $57,750 | $45,207 | 
| 2013 | $1,117 | $2,701 | $60,844 | $46,098 | 
| 2014 | $1,118 | $2,762 | $59,584 | $46,841 | 
| 2015 | $965 | $2,560 | $51,198 | $48,785 | 
| 2016 | $844 | $2,635 | $51,820 | $50,290 | 
| 2017 | $779 | $2,501 | $53,301 | $51,474 | 
| 2018 | $846 | $2,640 | $54,182 | $53,122 | 
| 2019 | $844 | $2,705 | $51,773 | $57,046 | 
| 2020 | $846 | $2,721 | $52,654 | $57,489 | 
| 2021 | $886 | $2,852 | $61,175 | $62,732 | 
| 2022 | $861 | $3,147 | $55,297 | $66,376 | 
| 2023 | $758 | $3,371 | $55,567 | $67,259 | 
| 2024 | $873 | $3,516 | $57,723 | $71,030 | 
Spending and national debt comparison
In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.33B, accounting for 17.7% of its GDP, while Sweden's spent $301B, or 49.1% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 44.3% in Sierra Leone and 33.7% in Sweden, ranking 118/185 and 152/185, respectively.
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|  |  | |||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 1960 | - | - | 24.4% | 28.6% | 
| 1961 | - | - | 23.7% | 26% | 
| 1962 | - | - | 23.4% | 23% | 
| 1963 | - | - | 24.4% | 20.7% | 
| 1964 | - | - | 23.4% | 18.7% | 
| 1965 | - | - | 24.6% | 17% | 
| 1966 | - | - | 26.5% | 15.3% | 
| 1967 | - | - | 27.7% | 16.1% | 
| 1968 | - | - | 28.3% | 17.6% | 
| 1969 | - | - | 28.7% | 17.6% | 
| 1970 | - | - | 29.5% | 16.9% | 
| 1971 | - | - | 29.8% | 16.9% | 
| 1972 | - | - | 31.9% | 17.2% | 
| 1973 | - | - | 31.1% | 18% | 
| 1974 | - | - | 30.1% | 19.4% | 
| 1975 | - | - | 30.6% | 19.9% | 
| 1976 | - | - | 32.3% | 19% | 
| 1977 | - | - | 35.7% | 21% | 
| 1978 | - | - | 39.1% | 24% | 
| 1979 | - | - | 39.9% | 28.3% | 
| 1980 | - | - | 41% | 34.4% | 
| 1981 | - | - | 46.1% | 41.5% | 
| 1982 | - | - | 46.4% | 47.9% | 
| 1983 | - | - | 48.6% | 54.5% | 
| 1984 | - | - | 46.7% | 57.5% | 
| 1985 | - | - | 47.6% | 61.2% | 
| 1986 | - | - | 42.1% | 59.5% | 
| 1987 | - | - | 40.9% | 56% | 
| 1988 | - | - | 37.9% | 50.3% | 
| 1989 | - | - | 35.8% | 44.8% | 
| 1990 | - | - | 57.7% | 40.3% | 
| 1991 | - | - | 61.5% | 40.2% | 
| 1992 | - | - | 66.7% | 45.7% | 
| 1993 | - | - | 67.9% | 66.1% | 
| 1994 | - | - | 65.3% | 68.6% | 
| 1995 | - | - | 62.1% | 68.7% | 
| 1996 | - | - | 60% | 68.9% | 
| 1997 | - | - | 57.9% | 67.7% | 
| 1998 | - | - | 55.6% | 65.4% | 
| 1999 | - | - | 55.2% | 60.3% | 
| 2000 | 10.3% | - | 52.2% | 50.4% | 
| 2001 | 12% | 113.5% | 51.7% | 52% | 
| 2002 | 12.6% | 99.8% | 52.7% | 49.8% | 
| 2003 | 11.7% | 99.8% | 53% | 49.4% | 
| 2004 | 11.1% | 93.2% | 51.7% | 48.7% | 
| 2005 | 10.9% | 78.9% | 51.2% | 48.9% | 
| 2006 | 9.97% | 61.9% | 50.1% | 43.8% | 
| 2007 | 8.1% | 26.4% | 48.5% | 39.2% | 
| 2008 | 10.3% | 46.1% | 49.4% | 38% | 
| 2009 | 11.3% | 31.1% | 51.7% | 41.2% | 
| 2010 | 12.5% | 28.9% | 49.7% | 38.6% | 
| 2011 | 13.2% | 25.8% | 49.1% | 37.7% | 
| 2012 | 13.5% | 24.1% | 50.2% | 38% | 
| 2013 | 11.4% | 22.3% | 51.4% | 40.8% | 
| 2014 | 13.5% | 26.8% | 50.7% | 45.7% | 
| 2015 | 13.1% | 28.8% | 49.3% | 44.5% | 
| 2016 | 14.9% | 38.9% | 49.4% | 42.8% | 
| 2017 | 15% | 44.2% | 49.2% | 41.6% | 
| 2018 | 13.7% | 44.2% | 49.6% | 39.8% | 
| 2019 | 13.3% | 45.3% | 48.7% | 35.7% | 
| 2020 | 15.6% | 46.4% | 51.9% | 40.1% | 
| 2021 | 20.3% | 47.1% | 48.9% | 36.7% | 
| 2022 | 19.5% | 54% | 47.9% | 33.6% | 
| 2023 | 17.7% | 49.9% | 48.4% | 31.5% | 
| 2024 | 17.6% | 43% | 49.3% | 32.6% | 
| 2025 | 17.7% | 44.3% | 49.1% | 33.7% | 
Government deficit by year
In 2024, Sierra Leone's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was -$349M, equivalent to -4.62% of GDP. This compares to Sweden's deficit of -$10.5B, or -1.72% of GDP.
Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sweden ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to -2.49% of GDP, compared to surplus of +0.14% of GDP for Sweden.
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|  |  | |
| 1800 | - | -0.44% | 
| 1801 | - | 0.01% | 
| 1802 | - | 2.17% | 
| 1803 | - | 11.6% | 
| 1804 | - | -0.25% | 
| 1805 | - | 0.52% | 
| 1806 | - | 0.55% | 
| 1807 | - | 0.1% | 
| 1808 | - | -5.04% | 
| 1809 | - | -7.65% | 
| 1810 | - | -3.05% | 
| 1811 | - | -0.48% | 
| 1812 | - | 3.47% | 
| 1813 | - | -0.37% | 
| 1814 | - | -0.45% | 
| 1815 | - | 2.34% | 
| 1816 | - | 0.16% | 
| 1817 | - | 0.35% | 
| 1818 | - | 0.35% | 
| 1819 | - | 0.09% | 
| 1820 | - | 0.26% | 
| 1821 | - | -0.49% | 
| 1822 | - | -0.03% | 
| 1823 | - | 0.37% | 
| 1824 | - | -0.23% | 
| 1825 | - | 0.18% | 
| 1826 | - | 0.37% | 
| 1827 | - | -0.16% | 
| 1828 | - | 0.03% | 
| 1829 | - | 2.7% | 
| 1830 | - | -0.45% | 
| 1831 | - | -0.1% | 
| 1832 | - | 0.01% | 
| 1833 | - | 0.09% | 
| 1834 | - | -0.12% | 
| 1835 | - | 0.08% | 
| 1836 | - | -0.08% | 
| 1837 | - | -0.38% | 
| 1838 | - | 0.09% | 
| 1839 | - | -0.006% | 
| 1840 | - | -0.01% | 
| 1841 | - | 0.06% | 
| 1842 | - | -0.12% | 
| 1843 | - | 0.05% | 
| 1844 | - | 0.009% | 
| 1845 | - | 0.04% | 
| 1846 | - | 0.13% | 
| 1847 | - | 0.08% | 
| 1848 | - | 0.12% | 
| 1849 | - | 0.09% | 
| 1850 | - | 0.004% | 
| 1851 | - | -0.07% | 
| 1852 | - | -0.31% | 
| 1853 | - | 0.17% | 
| 1854 | - | -0.19% | 
| 1855 | - | -0.09% | 
| 1856 | - | -0.08% | 
| 1857 | - | -0.62% | 
| 1858 | - | -2.36% | 
| 1859 | - | -2.17% | 
| 1860 | - | -2.03% | 
| 1861 | - | -1.11% | 
| 1862 | - | -1.35% | 
| 1863 | - | -1.58% | 
| 1864 | - | -2.3% | 
| 1865 | - | -2.02% | 
| 1866 | - | -3.01% | 
| 1867 | - | -1.17% | 
| 1868 | - | -1.67% | 
| 1869 | - | -1.52% | 
| 1870 | - | -0.42% | 
| 1871 | - | 0.22% | 
| 1872 | - | -0.15% | 
| 1873 | - | 0.06% | 
| 1874 | - | -1.05% | 
| 1875 | - | -1.26% | 
| 1876 | - | -1.07% | 
| 1877 | - | -1.21% | 
| 1878 | - | -2.04% | 
| 1879 | - | -1.89% | 
| 1880 | - | -0.47% | 
| 1881 | - | -0.17% | 
| 1882 | - | 0.36% | 
| 1883 | - | 0.16% | 
| 1884 | - | 0.24% | 
| 1885 | - | -0.08% | 
| 1886 | - | -0.98% | 
| 1887 | - | -1.5% | 
| 1888 | - | -0.05% | 
| 1889 | - | 0.19% | 
| 1890 | - | 0.33% | 
| 1891 | - | -0.6% | 
| 1892 | - | -0.68% | 
| 1893 | - | -0.49% | 
| 1894 | - | 0.47% | 
| 1895 | - | 1% | 
| 1896 | - | -0.59% | 
| 1897 | - | 1.09% | 
| 1898 | - | 0.91% | 
| 1899 | - | 0.57% | 
| 1900 | - | -0.32% | 
| 1901 | - | -1.34% | 
| 1902 | - | -1.57% | 
| 1903 | - | 0.08% | 
| 1904 | - | -0.56% | 
| 1905 | - | -0.34% | 
| 1906 | - | -0.66% | 
| 1907 | - | -0.68% | 
| 1908 | - | -2.27% | 
| 1909 | - | -2.08% | 
| 1910 | - | -0.81% | 
| 1911 | - | -0.87% | 
| 1912 | - | -0.51% | 
| 1913 | - | -0.17% | 
| 1914 | - | -0.55% | 
| 1915 | - | -0.94% | 
| 1916 | - | -0.23% | 
| 1917 | - | -0.26% | 
| 1918 | - | -8.59% | 
| 1919 | - | 0.17% | 
| 1920 | - | -0.6% | 
| 1921 | - | -3.55% | 
| 1922 | - | -3.17% | 
| 1923 | - | -1.65% | 
| 1924 | - | -0.99% | 
| 1925 | - | -1.44% | 
| 1926 | - | -1.11% | 
| 1927 | - | -1.14% | 
| 1928 | - | -0.06% | 
| 1929 | - | -0.39% | 
| 1930 | - | 0.09% | 
| 1931 | - | -0.05% | 
| 1932 | - | -1.56% | 
| 1933 | - | -4.1% | 
| 1934 | - | -1.88% | 
| 1935 | - | -2.19% | 
| 1936 | - | -0.64% | 
| 1937 | - | 0.46% | 
| 1938 | - | -0.07% | 
| 1939 | - | -1.13% | 
| 1940 | - | -8.16% | 
| 1941 | - | -13.1% | 
| 1942 | - | -11.8% | 
| 1943 | - | -10.7% | 
| 1944 | - | -8.66% | 
| 1945 | - | -8.04% | 
| 1946 | - | -0.61% | 
| 1947 | - | -1.08% | 
| 1948 | - | 0.29% | 
| 1949 | - | -0.74% | 
| 1950 | - | -1.64% | 
| 1951 | - | -0.9% | 
| 1952 | - | -0.16% | 
| 1953 | - | -2.47% | 
| 1954 | - | -1.52% | 
| 1955 | - | -1.72% | 
| 1956 | - | -1.21% | 
| 1957 | - | -2.1% | 
| 1958 | - | -2.31% | 
| 1959 | - | -2.53% | 
| 1960 | - | -2.67% | 
| 1961 | - | 0.56% | 
| 1962 | - | 0.7% | 
| 1963 | - | 0.41% | 
| 1964 | - | -0.1% | 
| 1965 | - | -0.17% | 
| 1966 | - | -0.33% | 
| 1967 | - | -1.41% | 
| 1968 | - | -2.37% | 
| 1969 | - | -2.03% | 
| 1970 | - | -2.64% | 
| 1971 | - | -1.67% | 
| 1972 | - | -2.17% | 
| 1973 | - | -3.28% | 
| 1974 | - | -4.12% | 
| 1975 | - | -4.05% | 
| 1976 | - | -1.27% | 
| 1977 | - | -3.32% | 
| 1978 | - | -7.32% | 
| 1979 | - | -9.95% | 
| 1980 | - | -11.5% | 
| 1981 | - | -12.8% | 
| 1982 | - | -13.4% | 
| 1983 | - | -15.1% | 
| 1984 | - | -12.1% | 
| 1985 | - | -9.91% | 
| 1986 | - | -6.21% | 
| 1987 | - | -2% | 
| 1988 | - | -0.64% | 
| 1989 | - | 1.5% | 
| 1990 | - | 3.71% | 
| 1991 | - | 0.29% | 
| 1992 | - | -8.54% | 
| 1993 | - | -10.9% | 
| 1994 | - | -8.77% | 
| 1995 | - | -7.01% | 
| 1996 | - | -3.11% | 
| 1997 | - | -1.57% | 
| 1998 | - | 0.82% | 
| 1999 | - | 0.6% | 
| 2000 | -1.94% | 3.11% | 
| 2001 | -3.22% | 1.37% | 
| 2002 | -3.03% | -1.46% | 
| 2003 | -2.78% | -1.25% | 
| 2004 | -1.46% | 0.17% | 
| 2005 | -1.17% | 2.08% | 
| 2006 | -0.93% | 2.2% | 
| 2007 | 12.6% | 3.37% | 
| 2008 | -2.22% | 1.87% | 
| 2009 | -1.51% | -0.89% | 
| 2010 | -3.09% | -0.14% | 
| 2011 | -2.78% | -0.41% | 
| 2012 | -3.41% | -1.19% | 
| 2013 | -1.74% | -1.63% | 
| 2014 | -2.77% | -1.84% | 
| 2015 | -2.86% | -0.27% | 
| 2016 | -5.41% | 0.86% | 
| 2017 | -5.61% | 1.29% | 
| 2018 | -3.57% | 0.67% | 
| 2019 | -1.95% | 0.44% | 
| 2020 | -3.5% | -3.17% | 
| 2021 | -4.35% | -0.15% | 
| 2022 | -5.93% | 0.99% | 
| 2023 | -4.99% | -0.84% | 
| 2024 | -4.62% | -1.72% | 
| 2025 | -4.2% | -1.45% | 
Inflation comparison by year
Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 14.1%, compared with 1.72% in Sweden. In 2024, inflation was 9.4% in Sierra Leone and 2.84% in Sweden.
| Year | Inflation | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|  |  |  |  | 
| 1996 | 23.1% | 0.53% | |
| 1997 | 14.6% | 0.66% | |
| 1998 | 36% | -0.27% | |
| 1999 | 34.1% | 0.46% | |
| 2000 | -0.9% | 0.9% | |
| 2001 | 2.6% | 2.41% | |
| 2002 | 0.1% | 2.16% | |
| 2003 | 4% | 1.93% | |
| 2004 | 12.9% | 0.37% | |
| 2005 | 13.7% | 0.45% | |
| 2006 | 10.5% | 1.36% | |
| 2007 | 17% | 2.21% | |
| 2008 | 8.2% | 3.44% | |
| 2009 | 7.5% | -0.49% | |
| 2010 | 7.2% | 1.16% | |
| 2011 | 6.8% | 2.96% | |
| 2012 | 6.6% | 0.89% | |
| 2013 | 5.5% | -0.04% | |
| 2014 | 4.6% | -0.18% | |
| 2015 | 6.7% | -0.05% | |
| 2016 | 10.9% | 0.98% | |
| 2017 | 18.2% | 1.79% | |
| 2018 | 16% | 1.95% | |
| 2019 | 14.8% | 1.78% | |
| 2020 | 13.4% | 0.5% | |
| 2021 | 11.9% | 2.16% | |
| 2022 | 27.2% | 8.37% | |
| 2023 | 47.7% | 8.55% | |
| 2024 | 28.4% | 2.84% | |
| 2025 | 9.4% | - | |
Top exports between countries
|  | |
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value | 
|  | |
|---|---|
| Export category | Export value | 
| Machinery & equipment | $3.64M | 
| Animal & marine products | $865K | 
| Raw materials & minerals | $845K | 
| Chemicals & pharma | $306K | 
| Textiles & consumer goods | $283K | 
| Miscellaneous | $57K | 
| Weapons & explosives | $33K | 
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $24K | 
| Metals | $17K | 
| Wood & paper products | $7K | 
Balance of trade
|  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Current account balance | 
-$606M  2023 | 
$36.4B  2024 | 
| Current account balance ranking | 
106/189  2023 | 
16/189  2024 | 
| Current account balance, % of GDP | 
-9.46%  2023 | 
+5.96%  2024 | 
| Goods imports | 
$1.92B  2023 | 
$187B  2024 | 
| Goods exports | 
$1.34B  2023 | 
$218B  2024 | 
| Service imports | 
$348M  2023 | 
$126B  2024 | 
| Service exports | 
$42.5M  2023 | 
$116B  2024 | 
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP | 
43.5%  2024 | 
50.2%  2024 | 
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP | 
20.9%  2024 | 
54.6%  2024 | 
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 48 | 77.9 | 
| Economic freedom ranking | 173/197 | 14/197 | 
| Property rights | 33.8 | 96.5 | 
| Government integrity | 36 | 92.3 | 
| Judicial effectiveness | 41.5 | 95.6 | 
| Tax burden | 87.8 | 51.6 | 
| Government spending | 89 | 31.5 | 
| Fiscal health | 53.8 | 97.3 | 
| Business freedom | 37 | 84.6 | 
| Labor freedom | 23.7 | 66.1 | 
| Monetary freedom | 50.2 | 74.3 | 
| Trade freedom | 63.6 | 79.6 | 
| Investment freedom | 40 | 85 | 
| Financial freedom | 20 | 80 | 
Economic freedom by year comparison
The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 48, ranking 173/197, compared to 77.9 for Sweden, ranking 14/197. The chart below displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.
| Year | Economic freedom index | |
|---|---|---|
|  |  | |
| 1995 | 49.8 | 61.4 | 
| 1996 | 52.3 | 61.8 | 
| 1997 | 45 | 63.3 | 
| 1998 | 47.7 | 64 | 
| 1999 | 47.2 | 64.2 | 
| 2000 | 44.2 | 65.1 | 
| 2001 | - | 66.6 | 
| 2002 | - | 70.8 | 
| 2003 | 42.2 | 70 | 
| 2004 | 43.6 | 70.1 | 
| 2005 | 44.8 | 69.8 | 
| 2006 | 45.2 | 70.9 | 
| 2007 | 47 | 69.3 | 
| 2008 | 48.3 | 70.8 | 
| 2009 | 47.8 | 70.5 | 
| 2010 | 47.9 | 72.4 | 
| 2011 | 49.6 | 71.9 | 
| 2012 | 49.1 | 71.7 | 
| 2013 | 48.3 | 72.9 | 
| 2014 | 50.5 | 73.1 | 
| 2015 | 51.7 | 72.7 | 
| 2016 | 52.3 | 72 | 
| 2017 | 52.6 | 74.9 | 
| 2018 | 51.8 | 76.3 | 
| 2019 | 47.5 | 75.2 | 
| 2020 | 48 | 74.9 | 
| 2021 | 51.7 | 74.7 | 
| 2022 | 52 | 77.9 | 
| 2023 | 50.2 | 77.5 | 
| 2024 | 44.6 | 77.5 | 
| 2025 | 48 | 77.9 | 
More economic indicators
|  |  | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP | 
44.8%  2024 | 
65.9%  2024 | 
| Industry, % of GDP | 
27.3%  2024 | 
22.6%  2024 | 
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP | 
25.4%  2024 | 
1.15%  2024 | 
| GNI, Atlas method | 
$7.26B  2024 | 
$622B  2024 | 
| GNI per capita, PPP | 
$3,490  2024 | 
$74,150  2024 | 
| Total reserves including gold | 
$433M  2024 | 
$62.6B  2024 | 
| Total reserves ranking | 
160/177  2024 | 
37/177  2024 | 
| Net foreign direct investment | 
-$241M  2023 | 
$5.8B  2024 | 
| Net inflows of foreign direct investment | 
$274M  2024 | 
$28.9B  2024 | 
| Net outflows of foreign direct investment | 
-$33.3K  2010 | 
$34.7B  2024 | 
| Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI | 
2.44%  2023 | n/a | 
| Poverty at national poverty lines | 
56.8%  2018 | 
16.1%  2022 | 
| Gross capital formation, % of GDP | 
29.5%  2024 | 
24.6%  2024 | 
GDP per capita map
GDP per capita
Compare countries by 7 more topics
Relevant pages:
By topic 
vs 
comparisons:
Economy comparisons
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.