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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $90.1B for Tanzania, ranking 160/197 and 83/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $44.8B (49.7% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Sierra Leone vs Tanzania GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Tanzania
2025 $7,464,157,904 $90,143,496,090
2024 $6,971,127,234 $79,235,713,445
2023 $6,415,852,766 $79,030,935,638
2022 $7,121,125,277 $75,749,121,847
2021 $7,166,931,483 $70,655,628,148
2020 $6,688,307,706 $66,068,737,786
2019 $6,523,577,590 $61,026,731,926
2018 $6,390,514,689 $57,003,712,892
2017 $5,749,846,528 $53,274,884,533
2016 $6,084,297,211 $49,774,409,374
2015 $6,788,352,975 $47,413,919,817
2014 $7,686,138,791 $49,986,726,461
2013 $7,502,762,863 $45,648,857,242
2012 $6,141,666,509 $39,650,394,363
2011 $4,861,632,885 $34,657,140,096
2010 $4,262,805,967 $32,012,892,919
2009 $3,953,403,098 $29,400,573,554
2008 $4,157,895,298 $27,947,821,398
2007 $3,632,957,611 $21,860,434,823
2006 $3,263,697,467 $18,619,859,795
2005 $2,545,275,313 $18,395,383,647
2004 $2,237,350,687 $16,673,062,473
2003 $2,142,618,046 $15,211,487,709
2002 $1,933,863,911 $14,129,651,896
2001 $1,681,473,894 $13,563,990,022
2000 $635,866,404 $13,371,767,082
1999 $669,386,624 $12,704,334,196
1998 $672,368,187 $12,172,790,056
1997 $850,232,760 $11,158,197,942
1996 $941,709,423 $9,433,528,150
1995 $870,740,292 $7,631,431,840
1994 $911,853,802 $6,550,480,484
1993 $768,867,883 $6,182,872,708
1992 $679,940,814 $6,681,997,469
1991 $779,981,987 $7,197,768,159
1990 $649,644,098 $6,184,384,225
1989 $932,974,420 $6,418,799,007
1988 $1,055,083,933 $7,406,614,407
1987 $660,106,336 $7,824,193,222
1986 $490,181,457 $10,840,864,521
1985 $856,890,459 $15,328,295,175
1984 $1,087,471,862 $12,906,635,133
1983 $995,104,305 $14,049,883,809
1982 $1,295,361,886 $13,927,383,240
1981 $1,114,830,472 $13,161,540,378
1980 $1,100,685,845 $11,409,228,087
1979 $1,109,374,911 $9,804,637,491
1978 $960,728,339 $9,261,675,710
1977 $691,777,584 $7,732,598,995
1976 $594,895,942 $6,472,511,988
1975 $679,336,344 $5,729,917,840
1974 $648,590,643 $4,977,337,978
1973 $575,230,724 $4,144,104,535
1972 $465,381,340 $3,472,787,266
1971 $419,549,305 $3,050,673,517
1970 $434,410,974 $2,851,419,386
1969 $408,690,163 $5,142,066,811
1968 $329,859,732 $4,895,251,824
1967 $348,795,303 $4,565,132,048
1966 $375,479,850 $4,377,998,825
1965 $359,379,856 $3,817,226,546
1964 $371,847,461 $3,748,840,925
1963 $348,547,279 $3,456,579,293
1962 $342,721,416 $3,101,589,993
1961 $327,834,191 $2,826,179,031
1960 $322,009,962 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Tanzania by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $1,278 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $1,156 $4,221
2023 $758 $3,368 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $860 $3,144 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $885 $2,849 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $845 $2,719 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $844 $2,704 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $846 $2,640 $992 $2,728
2017 $779 $2,501 $957 $2,472
2016 $844 $2,635 $925 $2,435
2015 $965 $2,560 $911 $2,317
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $993 $2,221
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $935 $2,176
2012 $938 $2,317 $837 $2,083
2011 $761 $2,043 $753 $2,211
2010 $685 $1,900 $715 $2,069
2009 $653 $1,814 $674 $1,972
2008 $705 $1,824 $657 $1,908
2007 $632 $1,770 $528 $1,820
2006 $580 $1,698 $462 $1,707
2005 $463 $1,615 $469 $1,598
2004 $418 $1,541 $438 $1,482
2003 $414 $1,458 $410 $1,379
2002 $389 $1,360 $391 $1,302
2001 $358 $1,121 $385 $1,229
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $390 $1,164
1999 $155 $1,167 $382 $1,120
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $375 $1,082
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $353 $1,059
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $305 $1,026
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $251.2 $981
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $222.5 $958
1993 $185 $1,269 $218.2 $959
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $243.4 $955
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $268.8 $952
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $236.9 $925
1989 $231.3 - $252.3 -
1988 $268.2 - $299 -
1987 $172.4 - $326 -
1986 $131.5 - $466 -
1985 $235.5 - $681 -
1984 $306 - $593 -
1983 $285.8 - $667 -
1982 $380 - $683 -
1981 $334 - $665 -
1980 $336 - $595 -
1979 $346 - $527 -
1978 $305 - $515 -
1977 $224.2 - $446 -
1976 $196.4 - $387 -
1975 $228.4 - $355 -
1974 $222.1 - $320 -
1973 $200.6 - $276.1 -
1972 $165.4 - $239.8 -
1971 $151.8 - $218.4 -
1970 $160.2 - $211.3 -
1969 $153.6 - $394 -
1968 $126.3 - $388 -
1967 $136.1 - $374 -
1966 $149.3 - $370 -
1965 $145.6 - $333 -
1964 $153.4 - $337 -
1963 $146.3 - $320 -
1962 $146.3 - $295.7 -
1961 $142.3 - $277.4 -
1960 $142 - $267.8 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $1,278 in Tanzania, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$90.1B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
83/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
5.85%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$1,278
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
171/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$44.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
49.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$635
2025
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
159/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$1,203
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$9.78B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2025
19.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
3.33%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
2.43%
2024
Population
9090531
73639263

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% 19.9% 49.7%
2024 17.6% 46.7% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 19% 47.8%
2022 16.7% 54% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 17.3% 42%
2017 15% 44.2% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 19.6% 30%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 19% 28.4%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 17% 44.5%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 12% 113.5% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 10.3% - 12.3% 55.4%
1999 - - 12.8% 62.9%
1998 - - 11.4% 62.2%
1997 - - 12.8% 73.4%
1996 - - 13.4% 89.6%
1995 - - 15.6% 111.1%
1994 - - 16.8% 126%
1993 - - 16.4% 129.2%
1992 - - 17.6% 117.6%
1991 - - 14.2% 106.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $18B, or 19.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 49.7% in Tanzania, ranking 115/185 and 105/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Tanzania
2025 -4.2% -3.04%
2024 -5.16% -3.03%
2023 -4.99% -3.67%
2022 -5.93% -3.92%
2021 -4.35% -3.55%
2020 -3.5% -2.56%
2019 -1.95% -2.06%
2018 -3.57% -2.01%
2017 -5.61% -1.14%
2016 -5.41% -2.08%
2015 -2.86% -3.17%
2014 -2.77% -2.91%
2013 -1.74% -3.76%
2012 -3.41% -4%
2011 -2.78% -3.51%
2010 -3.09% -4.74%
2009 -1.51% -4.46%
2008 -2.22% -1.92%
2007 12.6% -1.44%
2006 -0.93% -3.38%
2005 -1.17% -3.28%
2004 -1.46% -2.43%
2003 -2.78% -1.77%
2002 -3.03% -0.73%
2001 -3.22% -0.41%
2000 -1.94% -0.73%
1999 - -1.14%
1998 - 0.13%
1997 - -0.03%
1996 - 1.57%
1995 - -2.12%
1994 - -3.74%
1993 - -2.02%
1992 - -4.96%
1991 - 0.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.74B, or 3.04% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.68% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Tanzania
2025 7.6% 3.33%
2024 28.4% 3.06%
2023 47.7% 3.8%
2022 27.2% 4.35%
2021 11.9% 3.69%
2020 13.4% 3.29%
2019 14.8% 3.46%
2018 16% 3.49%
2017 18.2% 5.32%
2016 10.9% 5.17%
2015 6.7% 5.59%
2014 4.6% 6.13%
2013 5.5% 7.87%
2012 6.6% 16%
2011 6.8% 12.7%
2010 7.2% 6.2%
2009 7.5% 12.1%
2008 8.2% 10.3%
2007 17% 7.03%
2006 10.5% 7.25%
2005 13.7% 5.03%
2004 12.9% 4.74%
2003 4% 5.3%
2002 0.1% 5.32%
2001 2.6% 5.15%
2000 -0.9% 5.92%
1999 34.1% 7.89%
1998 36% 12.8%
1997 14.6% 16.1%

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/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 6.84% in Tanzania. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and 3.33% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $484K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $495K
Raw agricultural goods $431K
Raw materials & minerals $418K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $368K
Chemicals & pharma $130K
Textiles & consumer goods $106K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Tanzania
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
144/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
-3%
2024
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$514M
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
20%
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 Tanzania
Economic freedom 49.6 59
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 106/197
Property rights 32.9 45.2
Government integrity 35.8 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 42 29.6
Tax burden 88.2 80.4
Government spending 92.4 89.1
Fiscal health 54.1 75
Business freedom 44.8 48.1
Labor freedom 38.2 62.3
Monetary freedom 53.6 73.4
Trade freedom 63.6 58.8
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Tanzania
2026 49.6 59
2025 48 59.3
2024 44.6 59.1
2023 50.2 60
2022 52 59.5
2021 51.7 61.3
2020 48 61.7
2019 47.5 60.2
2018 51.8 59.9
2017 52.6 58.6
2016 52.3 58.5
2015 51.7 57.5
2014 50.5 57.8
2013 48.3 57.9
2012 49.1 57
2011 49.6 57
2010 47.9 58.3
2009 47.8 58.3
2008 48.3 56.5
2007 47 56.8
2006 45.2 58.5
2005 44.8 56.3
2004 43.6 60.1
2003 42.2 56.9
2002 - 58.3
2001 - 54.9
2000 44.2 56
1999 47.2 60
1998 47.7 59.6
1997 45 59.3
1996 52.3 57.5
1995 49.8 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
28.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
29.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
22.9%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$87B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$4,370
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
106/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
2.56%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
40.7%
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/tanzania | 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 (1991–2025, 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–2000, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, 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.