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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $6.97B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 160/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $2.91B in government debt (41.7% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

Sierra Leone vs Thailand GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Thailand
2024 $6,971,127,235 $526,517,658,842
2023 $6,415,852,767 $515,906,283,941
2022 $7,121,125,278 $495,644,697,588
2021 $7,166,931,485 $506,194,668,790
2020 $6,688,307,703 $500,461,898,480
2019 $6,523,577,594 $543,976,691,794
2018 $6,390,514,689 $506,754,208,404
2017 $5,749,846,528 $456,356,813,537
2016 $6,084,297,211 $413,366,349,748
2015 $6,788,352,975 $401,296,238,228
2014 $7,686,138,791 $407,339,040,198
2013 $7,502,762,863 $420,333,654,593
2012 $6,141,666,509 $397,558,325,279
2011 $4,861,632,885 $370,818,739,624
2010 $4,262,805,967 $341,104,766,329
2009 $3,953,403,098 $281,710,630,187
2008 $4,157,895,298 $291,382,982,431
2007 $3,632,957,611 $262,942,621,455
2006 $3,263,697,467 $221,758,296,022
2005 $2,545,275,313 $189,318,408,469
2004 $2,237,350,687 $172,895,685,155
2003 $2,142,618,046 $152,280,615,246
2002 $1,933,863,911 $134,300,904,400
2001 $1,681,473,894 $120,296,476,180
2000 $635,866,404 $126,392,224,254
1999 $669,386,624 $126,669,211,779
1998 $672,368,187 $113,675,596,788
1997 $850,232,760 $150,180,456,566
1996 $941,709,423 $183,035,237,429
1995 $870,740,292 $169,278,916,593
1994 $911,853,802 $146,683,778,959
1993 $768,867,883 $128,889,262,951
1992 $679,940,814 $111,452,746,518
1991 $779,981,987 $98,234,714,971
1990 $649,644,098 $85,343,190,719
1989 $932,974,420 $72,250,748,100
1988 $1,055,083,933 $61,667,253,471
1987 $660,106,336 $50,535,446,555
1986 $490,181,457 $43,096,773,981
1985 $856,890,459 $38,900,711,333
1984 $1,087,471,862 $41,797,647,776
1983 $995,104,305 $40,042,798,388
1982 $1,295,361,886 $36,589,772,404
1981 $1,114,830,472 $34,846,039,194
1980 $1,100,685,845 $32,353,514,989
1979 $1,109,374,911 $27,371,650,825
1978 $960,728,339 $24,006,566,637
1977 $691,777,584 $19,779,312,261
1976 $594,895,942 $16,985,208,648
1975 $679,336,344 $14,882,770,594
1974 $648,590,643 $13,702,998,512
1973 $575,230,724 $10,838,587,358
1972 $465,381,340 $8,177,873,151
1971 $419,549,305 $7,375,000,024
1970 $434,410,974 $7,086,538,438
1969 $408,690,163 $6,695,336,567
1968 $329,859,732 $6,081,009,428
1967 $348,795,303 $5,638,461,442
1966 $375,479,850 $5,279,230,817
1965 $359,379,856 $4,388,937,649
1964 $371,847,461 $3,889,129,942
1963 $348,547,279 $3,540,403,457
1962 $342,721,416 $3,308,912,797
1961 $327,834,191 $3,034,037,811
1960 $322,009,962 $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Thailand by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $807 $3,522 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $758 $3,368 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $860 $3,144 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $885 $2,849 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $845 $2,719 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $844 $2,704 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $846 $2,640 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $779 $2,501 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $844 $2,635 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $965 $2,560 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $938 $2,317 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $761 $2,043 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $685 $1,900 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $653 $1,814 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $705 $1,824 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $632 $1,770 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $580 $1,698 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $463 $1,615 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $418 $1,541 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $414 $1,458 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $389 $1,360 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $358 $1,121 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $155 $1,167 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $185 $1,269 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $1,559 $4,451
1989 $231.3 - $1,342 -
1988 $268.2 - $1,164 -
1987 $172.4 - $970 -
1986 $131.5 - $842 -
1985 $235.5 - $774 -
1984 $306 - $847 -
1983 $285.8 - $827 -
1982 $380 - $770 -
1981 $334 - $748 -
1980 $336 - $709 -
1979 $346 - $612 -
1978 $305 - $548 -
1977 $224.2 - $462 -
1976 $196.4 - $405 -
1975 $228.4 - $364 -
1974 $222.1 - $343 -
1973 $200.6 - $278.3 -
1972 $165.4 - $215.6 -
1971 $151.8 - $199.7 -
1970 $160.2 - $197.1 -
1969 $153.6 - $191.4 -
1968 $126.3 - $178.8 -
1967 $136.1 - $170.7 -
1966 $149.3 - $164.5 -
1965 $145.6 - $140.9 -
1964 $153.4 - $128.6 -
1963 $146.3 - $120.7 -
1962 $146.3 - $116.2 -
1961 $142.3 - $109.7 -
1960 $142 - $102.8 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 186/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Thailand
Gross domestic product
$6.97B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
160/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
4.29%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
174/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
18.8%
2025
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
0.78%
2024
Population
9049533
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.6% 41.7% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 15.4% 49.5% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 16.7% 54% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 15% 44.2% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 22% 39.8%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 20% 36%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 12% 113.5% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 10.3% - 19.3% 57.8%
1999 - - 26.5% 56.6%
1998 - - 23.9% 49.9%
1997 - - 21.6% 40.5%
1996 - - 18% 15.2%
1995 - - 17.2% 5.12%
1994 - - 16% 6.69%
1993 - - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 - - 17% 14.1%
1990 - - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 15.6% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.7% in Sierra Leone and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 128/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Thailand
2024 -4.53% -1.29%
2023 -4.99% -1.98%
2022 -5.93% -4.61%
2021 -4.35% -6.74%
2020 -3.5% -4.47%
2019 -1.95% 0.43%
2018 -3.57% 0.2%
2017 -5.61% -0.42%
2016 -5.41% 0.41%
2015 -2.86% 0.19%
2014 -2.77% -0.7%
2013 -1.74% 0.6%
2012 -3.41% -0.86%
2011 -2.78% 0.09%
2010 -3.09% -1.07%
2009 -1.51% -2.21%
2008 -2.22% 0.8%
2007 12.6% 0.22%
2006 -0.93% 1.87%
2005 -1.17% 2.17%
2004 -1.46% 1.11%
2003 -2.78% 1.98%
2002 -3.03% -6.72%
2001 -3.22% -1.77%
2000 -1.94% -1.79%
1999 - -9.02%
1998 - -6.29%
1997 - -1.68%
1996 - 2.75%
1995 - 3.05%
1994 - 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.98% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Thailand
2024 28.4% 1.37%
2023 47.7% 8.48%
2022 27.2% -1.61%
2021 11.9% 1.23%
2020 13.4% -0.85%
2019 14.8% 0.71%
2018 16% 1.06%
2017 18.2% 0.67%
2016 10.9% 0.19%
2015 6.7% -0.9%
2014 4.6% 1.9%
2013 5.5% 2.18%
2012 6.6% 3.01%
2011 6.8% 3.81%
2010 7.2% 3.25%
2009 7.5% -0.85%
2008 8.2% 5.47%
2007 17% 2.24%
2006 10.5% 4.64%
2005 13.7% 4.54%
2004 12.9% 2.76%
2003 4% 1.8%
2002 0.1% 0.7%
2001 2.6% 1.63%
2000 -0.9% 1.59%
1999 34.1% 0.28%
1998 36% 7.99%
1997 14.6% 5.63%

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/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.8%, compared with 2.25% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 28.4% in Sierra Leone and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.8M
Raw agricultural goods $3.37M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.41M
Wood & paper products $1.35M
Chemicals & pharma $1.11M
Raw materials & minerals $393K
Textiles & consumer goods $303K
Metals $55K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Thailand
Current account balance
-$606M
2023
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2023
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.45%
2023
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.92B
2023
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$1.34B
2023
$297B
2024
Service imports
$348M
2023
$74B
2024
Service exports
$42.5M
2023
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Thailand
Economic freedom 49.6 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 88/197
Property rights 32.9 41.8
Government integrity 35.8 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 42 35
Tax burden 88.2 80.8
Government spending 92.4 83.6
Fiscal health 54.1 81
Business freedom 44.8 69.9
Labor freedom 38.2 56.4
Monetary freedom 53.6 73.3
Trade freedom 63.6 70.2
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Thailand
2026 49.6 62.2
2025 48 60.6
2024 44.6 59
2023 50.2 60.6
2022 52 63.2
2021 51.7 69.7
2020 48 69.4
2019 47.5 68.3
2018 51.8 67.1
2017 52.6 66.2
2016 52.3 63.9
2015 51.7 62.4
2014 50.5 63.3
2013 48.3 64.1
2012 49.1 64.9
2011 49.6 64.7
2010 47.9 64.1
2009 47.8 63
2008 48.3 62.3
2007 47 63.5
2006 45.2 63.3
2005 44.8 62.5
2004 43.6 63.7
2003 42.2 65.8
2002 - 69.1
2001 - 68.9
2000 44.2 66.6
1999 47.2 66.9
1998 47.7 67.3
1997 45 66.1
1996 52.3 71
1995 49.8 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Thailand
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,490
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$241M
2023
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.