Skip to content

Economy of Sierra Leone vs Sweden compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $669B for Sweden, ranking 160/197 and 26/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $234B (34.9% of GDP) in Sweden.

Sierra Leone vs Sweden GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Sweden
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Sweden
2025 $7,464,157,904 $668,998,664,082
2024 $6,971,127,234 $604,827,393,489
2023 $6,415,852,766 $578,990,915,246
2022 $7,121,125,277 $575,071,237,641
2021 $7,166,931,483 $631,693,331,301
2020 $6,688,307,706 $544,265,668,452
2019 $6,523,577,590 $530,894,124,494
2018 $6,390,514,689 $549,649,344,043
2017 $5,749,846,528 $535,172,356,785
2016 $6,084,297,211 $513,058,312,951
2015 $6,788,352,975 $501,602,351,912
2014 $7,686,138,791 $577,727,767,304
2013 $7,502,762,863 $584,125,353,119
2012 $6,141,666,509 $549,739,674,655
2011 $4,861,632,885 $570,538,581,144
2010 $4,262,805,967 $492,750,897,239
2009 $3,953,403,098 $434,311,714,442
2008 $4,157,895,298 $514,614,100,833
2007 $3,632,957,611 $490,047,789,548
2006 $3,263,697,467 $422,528,394,459
2005 $2,545,275,313 $391,688,455,929
2004 $2,237,350,687 $384,545,442,175
2003 $2,142,618,046 $334,072,443,516
2002 $1,933,863,911 $267,371,907,447
2001 $1,681,473,894 $242,497,797,485
2000 $635,866,404 $262,903,560,280
1999 $669,386,624 $274,318,357,862
1998 $672,368,187 $270,887,306,759
1997 $850,232,760 $268,249,616,891
1996 $941,709,423 $291,949,597,375
1995 $870,740,292 $267,050,453,507
1994 $911,853,802 $228,699,066,874
1993 $768,867,883 $212,644,602,616
1992 $679,940,814 $283,908,914,454
1991 $779,981,987 $273,831,464,572
1990 $649,644,098 $261,466,577,009
1989 $932,974,420 $217,632,340,195
1988 $1,055,083,933 $206,686,590,776
1987 $660,106,336 $182,744,315,974
1986 $490,181,457 $150,279,869,729
1985 $856,890,459 $113,958,084,357
1984 $1,087,471,862 $109,043,045,407
1983 $995,104,305 $104,862,109,663
1982 $1,295,361,886 $114,214,731,799
1981 $1,114,830,472 $129,498,921,476
1980 $1,100,685,845 $141,886,067,004
1979 $1,109,374,911 $123,207,527,699
1978 $960,728,339 $104,290,933,496
1977 $691,777,584 $94,331,782,622
1976 $594,895,942 $89,232,517,046
1975 $679,336,344 $82,765,232,648
1974 $648,590,643 $65,917,634,590
1973 $575,230,724 $59,318,842,992
1972 $465,381,340 $48,883,173,400
1971 $419,549,305 $41,506,151,115
1970 $434,410,974 $38,037,226,668
1969 $408,690,163 $33,967,301,561
1968 $329,859,732 $31,277,871,669
1967 $348,795,303 $29,474,881,506
1966 $375,479,850 $27,154,716,721
1965 $359,379,856 $24,963,947,415
1964 $371,847,461 $22,685,490,195
1963 $348,547,279 $20,342,131,882
1962 $342,721,416 $18,794,066,990
1961 $327,834,191 $17,329,620,585
1960 $322,009,962 $15,930,075,467

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Sweden by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sweden
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Sweden
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $63,133 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $57,223 $71,845
2023 $758 $3,368 $54,950 $69,226
2022 $860 $3,144 $54,837 $67,076
2021 $885 $2,849 $60,648 $62,732
2020 $845 $2,719 $52,569 $57,489
2019 $844 $2,704 $51,649 $57,046
2018 $846 $2,640 $54,018 $53,122
2017 $779 $2,501 $53,210 $51,474
2016 $844 $2,635 $51,704 $50,290
2015 $965 $2,560 $51,188 $48,772
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $59,583 $46,841
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $60,844 $46,098
2012 $938 $2,317 $57,750 $45,207
2011 $761 $2,043 $60,379 $44,333
2010 $685 $1,900 $52,543 $41,951
2009 $653 $1,814 $46,708 $40,094
2008 $705 $1,824 $55,817 $41,907
2007 $632 $1,770 $53,568 $40,813
2006 $580 $1,698 $46,531 $37,672
2005 $463 $1,615 $43,378 $34,198
2004 $418 $1,541 $42,758 $33,805
2003 $414 $1,458 $37,292 $31,788
2002 $389 $1,360 $29,958 $30,987
2001 $358 $1,121 $27,259 $29,946
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $29,633 $29,636
1999 $155 $1,167 $30,969 $27,496
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $30,605 $25,897
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $30,324 $24,817
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $33,022 $23,952
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $30,254 $23,084
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $26,046 $21,835
1993 $185 $1,269 $24,390 $20,700
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $32,753 $20,767
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $31,777 $20,663
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $30,549 $20,357
1989 $231.3 - $25,625 -
1988 $268.2 - $24,499 -
1987 $172.4 - $21,761 -
1986 $131.5 - $17,955 -
1985 $235.5 - $13,647 -
1984 $306 - $13,080 -
1983 $285.8 - $12,590 -
1982 $380 - $13,719 -
1981 $334 - $15,564 -
1980 $336 - $17,073 -
1979 $346 - $14,856 -
1978 $305 - $12,602 -
1977 $224.2 - $11,432 -
1976 $196.4 - $10,853 -
1975 $228.4 - $10,103 -
1974 $222.1 - $8,078 -
1973 $200.6 - $7,291 -
1972 $165.4 - $6,018 -
1971 $151.8 - $5,125 -
1970 $160.2 - $4,729 -
1969 $153.6 - $4,263 -
1968 $126.3 - $3,953 -
1967 $136.1 - $3,746 -
1966 $149.3 - $3,478 -
1965 $145.6 - $3,228 -
1964 $153.4 - $2,961 -
1963 $146.3 - $2,675 -
1962 $146.3 - $2,485 -
1961 $142.3 - $2,304 -
1960 $142 - $2,128 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $63,133 in Sweden, ranking 15/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Sweden ranks 23rd at $71,845.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Sweden
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$669B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
26/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
1.54%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$63,133
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
15/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$71,845
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
23/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$234B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
34.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$22,057
2025
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
31/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$40,083
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$290B
2003
Number of millionaires n/a
507,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
50
2026
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
16.5%
2025
49.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
1.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
8.8%
2025
Population
9090531
10665077

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Sweden
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Sweden
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% 49.4% 34.9%
2024 17.6% 46.7% 49.3% 33.9%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 48.9% 32.1%
2022 16.7% 54% 48.3% 34.2%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 49.3% 37.3%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 52% 40.4%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 48.8% 35.8%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 49.8% 39.9%
2017 15% 44.2% 49.2% 41.6%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 49.5% 42.9%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 49.4% 44.5%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 50.7% 45.7%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 51.4% 40.8%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 50.2% 38%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 49.1% 37.7%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 49.7% 38.6%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 51.7% 41.2%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 49.4% 37.9%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 48.5% 39.2%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 50.1% 43.8%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 51.2% 48.9%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 51.7% 48.7%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 53% 49.5%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 52.7% 49.9%
2001 12% 113.5% 51.7% 52%
2000 10.3% - 52.2% 50.4%
1999 - - 55.2% 60.3%
1998 - - 55.6% 65.4%
1997 - - 57.9% 67.7%
1996 - - 60% 68.9%
1995 - - 62.1% 68.7%
1994 - - 65.3% 68.6%
1993 - - 67.9% 66.1%
1992 - - 66.5% 45.7%
1991 - - 61.2% 40.2%
1990 - - 57.5% 40.3%
1989 - - 35.8% 44.8%
1988 - - 37.9% 50.3%
1987 - - 40.9% 56%
1986 - - 42.1% 59.5%
1985 - - 47.6% 61.2%
1984 - - 46.7% 57.5%
1983 - - 48.6% 54.5%
1982 - - 46.4% 47.9%
1981 - - 46.1% 41.5%
1980 - - 41% 34.4%
1979 - - 39.9% 28.3%
1978 - - 39.1% 24%
1977 - - 35.7% 21%
1976 - - 32.3% 19%
1975 - - 30.6% 19.9%
1974 - - 30.1% 19.4%
1973 - - 31.1% 18%
1972 - - 31.9% 17.2%
1971 - - 29.8% 16.9%
1970 - - 29.5% 16.9%
1969 - - 28.7% 17.6%
1968 - - 28.3% 17.6%
1967 - - 27.7% 16.1%
1966 - - 26.5% 15.3%
1965 - - 24.6% 17%
1964 - - 23.4% 18.7%
1963 - - 24.4% 20.7%
1962 - - 23.4% 23%
1961 - - 23.7% 26%
1960 - - 24.4% 28.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Sweden spent $331B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 34.9% in Sweden, ranking 115/185 and 144/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Sweden
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Sweden
2025 -4.2% -1.41%
2024 -5.16% -1.5%
2023 -4.99% -0.63%
2022 -5.93% 1%
2021 -4.35% -0.15%
2020 -3.5% -3.18%
2019 -1.95% 0.44%
2018 -3.57% 0.67%
2017 -5.61% 1.29%
2016 -5.41% 0.86%
2015 -2.86% -0.27%
2014 -2.77% -1.84%
2013 -1.74% -1.63%
2012 -3.41% -1.19%
2011 -2.78% -0.41%
2010 -3.09% -0.14%
2009 -1.51% -0.89%
2008 -2.22% 1.87%
2007 12.6% 3.37%
2006 -0.93% 2.2%
2005 -1.17% 2.08%
2004 -1.46% 0.17%
2003 -2.78% -1.25%
2002 -3.03% -1.46%
2001 -3.22% 1.37%
2000 -1.94% 3.11%
1999 - 0.6%
1998 - 0.82%
1997 - -1.57%
1996 - -3.11%
1995 - -7.01%
1994 - -8.77%
1993 - -10.9%
1992 - -8.51%
1991 - 0.28%
1990 - 3.7%
1989 - 1.5%
1988 - -0.64%
1987 - -2%
1986 - -6.21%
1985 - -9.91%
1984 - -12.1%
1983 - -15.1%
1982 - -13.4%
1981 - -12.8%
1980 - -11.5%
1979 - -9.95%
1978 - -7.32%
1977 - -3.32%
1976 - -1.27%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -4.12%
1973 - -3.28%
1972 - -2.17%
1971 - -1.67%
1970 - -2.64%
1969 - -2.03%
1968 - -2.37%
1967 - -1.41%
1966 - -0.33%
1965 - -0.17%
1964 - -0.1%
1963 - 0.41%
1962 - 0.7%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.67%
1959 - -2.53%
1958 - -2.31%
1957 - -2.1%
1956 - -1.21%
1955 - -1.72%
1954 - -1.52%
1953 - -2.47%
1952 - -0.16%
1951 - -0.9%
1950 - -1.64%
1949 - -0.74%
1948 - 0.29%
1947 - -1.08%
1946 - -0.61%
1945 - -8.04%
1944 - -8.66%
1943 - -10.7%
1942 - -11.8%
1941 - -13.1%
1940 - -8.16%
1939 - -1.13%
1938 - -0.07%
1937 - 0.46%
1936 - -0.64%
1935 - -2.19%
1934 - -1.88%
1933 - -4.1%
1932 - -1.56%
1931 - -0.05%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.39%
1928 - -0.06%
1927 - -1.14%
1926 - -1.11%
1925 - -1.44%
1924 - -0.99%
1923 - -1.65%
1922 - -3.17%
1921 - -3.55%
1920 - -0.6%
1919 - 0.17%
1918 - -8.59%
1917 - -0.26%
1916 - -0.23%
1915 - -0.94%
1914 - -0.55%
1913 - -0.17%
1912 - -0.51%
1911 - -0.87%
1910 - -0.81%
1909 - -2.08%
1908 - -2.27%
1907 - -0.68%
1906 - -0.66%
1905 - -0.34%
1904 - -0.56%
1903 - 0.08%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - -1.34%
1900 - -0.32%
1899 - 0.57%
1898 - 0.91%
1897 - 1.09%
1896 - -0.59%
1895 - 1%
1894 - 0.47%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.68%
1891 - -0.6%
1890 - 0.33%
1889 - 0.19%
1888 - -0.05%
1887 - -1.5%
1886 - -0.98%
1885 - -0.08%
1884 - 0.24%
1883 - 0.16%
1882 - 0.36%
1881 - -0.17%
1880 - -0.47%
1879 - -1.89%
1878 - -2.04%
1877 - -1.21%
1876 - -1.07%
1875 - -1.26%
1874 - -1.05%
1873 - 0.06%
1872 - -0.15%
1871 - 0.22%
1870 - -0.42%
1869 - -1.52%
1868 - -1.67%
1867 - -1.17%
1866 - -3.01%
1865 - -2.02%
1864 - -2.3%
1863 - -1.58%
1862 - -1.35%
1861 - -1.11%
1860 - -2.03%
1859 - -2.17%
1858 - -2.36%
1857 - -0.62%
1856 - -0.08%
1855 - -0.09%
1854 - -0.19%
1853 - 0.17%
1852 - -0.31%
1851 - -0.07%
1850 - 0.004%
1849 - 0.09%
1848 - 0.12%
1847 - 0.08%
1846 - 0.13%
1845 - 0.04%
1844 - 0.009%
1843 - 0.05%
1842 - -0.12%
1841 - 0.06%
1840 - -0.01%
1839 - -0.006%
1838 - 0.09%
1837 - -0.38%
1836 - -0.08%
1835 - 0.08%
1834 - -0.12%
1833 - 0.09%
1832 - 0.01%
1831 - -0.1%
1830 - -0.45%
1829 - 2.7%
1828 - 0.03%
1827 - -0.16%
1826 - 0.37%
1825 - 0.18%
1824 - -0.23%
1823 - 0.37%
1822 - -0.03%
1821 - -0.49%
1820 - 0.26%
1819 - 0.09%
1818 - 0.35%
1817 - 0.35%
1816 - 0.16%
1815 - 2.34%
1814 - -0.45%
1813 - -0.37%
1812 - 3.47%
1811 - -0.48%
1810 - -3.05%
1809 - -7.65%
1808 - -5.04%
1807 - 0.1%
1806 - 0.55%
1805 - 0.52%
1804 - -0.25%
1803 - 11.6%
1802 - 2.17%
1801 - 0.01%
1800 - -0.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/sweden | 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 Sweden's deficit of $9.43B, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Sweden ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.1% of GDP for Sweden.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Sweden
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Sweden
2025 7.6% 0.68%
2024 28.4% 2.84%
2023 47.7% 8.55%
2022 27.2% 8.37%
2021 11.9% 2.16%
2020 13.4% 0.5%
2019 14.8% 1.78%
2018 16% 1.95%
2017 18.2% 1.79%
2016 10.9% 0.98%
2015 6.7% -0.05%
2014 4.6% -0.18%
2013 5.5% -0.04%
2012 6.6% 0.89%
2011 6.8% 2.96%
2010 7.2% 1.16%
2009 7.5% -0.49%
2008 8.2% 3.44%
2007 17% 2.21%
2006 10.5% 1.36%
2005 13.7% 0.45%
2004 12.9% 0.37%
2003 4% 1.93%
2002 0.1% 2.16%
2001 2.6% 2.41%
2000 -0.9% 0.9%
1999 34.1% 0.46%
1998 36% -0.27%
1997 14.6% 0.66%

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/sweden | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 1.72% in Sweden. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and 0.68% in Sweden.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Sweden
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $5.67M
Raw materials & minerals $600K
Animal & marine products $528K
Chemicals & pharma $510K
Textiles & consumer goods $409K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $59K
Metals $29K
Weapons & explosives $16K
Wood & paper products $15K
Miscellaneous $14K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Sweden
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
$40.5B
2025
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
15/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
+6.06%
2025
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$201B
2025
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$233B
2025
Service imports
$514M
2024
$144B
2025
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$132B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
51.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
53.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Sweden
Economic freedom 49.6 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 14/197
Property rights 32.9 96.2
Government integrity 35.8 91.6
Judicial effectiveness 42 95.6
Tax burden 88.2 51.6
Government spending 92.4 28.4
Fiscal health 54.1 97.5
Business freedom 44.8 84.8
Labor freedom 38.2 65.8
Monetary freedom 53.6 78.1
Trade freedom 63.6 79.4
Investment freedom 30 85
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Sweden
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Sweden
2026 49.6 77.8
2025 48 77.9
2024 44.6 77.5
2023 50.2 77.5
2022 52 77.9
2021 51.7 74.7
2020 48 74.9
2019 47.5 75.2
2018 51.8 76.3
2017 52.6 74.9
2016 52.3 72
2015 51.7 72.7
2014 50.5 73.1
2013 48.3 72.9
2012 49.1 71.7
2011 49.6 71.9
2010 47.9 72.4
2009 47.8 70.5
2008 48.3 70.8
2007 47 69.3
2006 45.2 70.9
2005 44.8 69.8
2004 43.6 70.1
2003 42.2 70
2002 - 70.8
2001 - 66.6
2000 44.2 65.1
1999 47.2 64.2
1998 47.7 64
1997 45 63.3
1996 52.3 61.8
1995 49.8 61.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 77.8 for Sweden, ranking 14/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Sweden
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
67%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
21%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
1.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$668B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$76,090
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$74.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
36/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
-$11.1B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$30.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$29.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
16.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
25.5%
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/sweden | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.