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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $6.97B compared to $25.6B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 160/197 and 115/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $2.91B in government debt (41.7% of GDP), compared to $16.5B (64.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sierra Leone vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Trinidad
2024 $6,971,127,235 $25,633,544,529
2023 $6,415,852,767 $25,036,993,423
2022 $7,121,125,278 $28,341,164,301
2021 $7,166,931,485 $24,222,963,263
2020 $6,688,307,703 $20,888,515,184
2019 $6,523,577,594 $23,477,745,792
2018 $6,390,514,689 $23,883,058,083
2017 $5,749,846,528 $23,830,750,901
2016 $6,084,297,211 $23,624,322,193
2015 $6,788,352,975 $26,841,141,793
2014 $7,686,138,791 $29,474,180,005
2013 $7,502,762,863 $28,560,537,057
2012 $6,141,666,509 $27,147,349,937
2011 $4,861,632,885 $25,433,007,437
2010 $4,262,805,967 $22,157,920,592
2009 $3,953,403,098 $19,172,165,226
2008 $4,157,895,298 $27,871,587,350
2007 $3,632,957,611 $21,641,620,050
2006 $3,263,697,467 $18,369,361,094
2005 $2,545,275,313 $15,982,389,018
2004 $2,237,350,687 $13,280,291,990
2003 $2,142,618,046 $11,305,459,802
2002 $1,933,863,911 $9,008,298,229
2001 $1,681,473,894 $8,824,849,191
2000 $635,866,404 $8,154,342,116
1999 $669,386,624 $6,808,982,521
1998 $672,368,187 $6,043,686,654
1997 $850,232,760 $5,737,771,523
1996 $941,709,423 $5,759,570,336
1995 $870,740,292 $5,329,217,747
1994 $911,853,802 $4,947,181,646
1993 $768,867,883 $4,669,491,134
1992 $679,940,814 $5,439,552,941
1991 $779,981,987 $5,307,905,882
1990 $649,644,098 $5,068,000,000
1989 $932,974,420 $4,323,058,824
1988 $1,055,083,933 $4,496,910,569
1987 $660,106,336 $4,797,777,778
1986 $490,181,457 $4,794,444,444
1985 $856,890,459 $7,375,918,367
1984 $1,087,471,862 $7,757,083,333
1983 $995,104,305 $7,763,750,000
1982 $1,295,361,886 $8,140,416,667
1981 $1,114,830,472 $6,992,083,333
1980 $1,100,685,845 $6,235,833,333
1979 $1,109,374,911 $4,602,416,625
1978 $960,728,339 $3,562,333,458
1977 $691,777,584 $3,138,666,667
1976 $594,895,942 $2,500,424,955
1975 $679,336,344 $2,442,669,825
1974 $648,590,643 $2,042,001,071
1973 $575,230,724 $1,308,785,431
1972 $465,381,340 $1,083,391,758
1971 $419,549,305 $896,765,215
1970 $434,410,974 $821,850,000
1969 $408,690,163 $779,200,000
1968 $329,859,732 $758,899,950
1967 $348,795,303 $761,981,912
1966 $375,479,850 $723,739,857
1965 $359,379,856 $736,573,159
1964 $371,847,461 $711,897,520
1963 $348,547,279 $678,239,329
1962 $342,721,416 $619,322,810
1961 $327,834,191 $584,964,621
1960 $322,009,962 $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $807 $3,522 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $758 $3,368 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $860 $3,144 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $885 $2,849 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $845 $2,719 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $844 $2,704 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $846 $2,640 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $779 $2,501 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $844 $2,635 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $965 $2,560 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $938 $2,317 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $761 $2,043 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $685 $1,900 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $653 $1,814 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $705 $1,824 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $632 $1,770 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $580 $1,698 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $463 $1,615 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $418 $1,541 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $414 $1,458 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $389 $1,360 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $358 $1,121 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $155 $1,167 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $185 $1,269 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $231.3 - $3,482 -
1988 $268.2 - $3,656 -
1987 $172.4 - $3,941 -
1986 $131.5 - $3,985 -
1985 $235.5 - $6,212 -
1984 $306 - $6,613 -
1983 $285.8 - $6,690 -
1982 $380 - $7,091 -
1981 $334 - $6,160 -
1980 $336 - $5,559 -
1979 $346 - $4,155 -
1978 $305 - $3,258 -
1977 $224.2 - $2,907 -
1976 $196.4 - $2,345 -
1975 $228.4 - $2,319 -
1974 $222.1 - $1,962 -
1973 $200.6 - $1,273 -
1972 $165.4 - $1,067 -
1971 $151.8 - $894 -
1970 $160.2 - $829 -
1969 $153.6 - $795 -
1968 $126.3 - $783 -
1967 $136.1 - $797 -
1966 $149.3 - $768 -
1965 $145.6 - $793 -
1964 $153.4 - $780 -
1963 $146.3 - $756 -
1962 $146.3 - $704 -
1961 $142.3 - $678 -
1960 $142 - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 186/197, compared to $18,733 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 61/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$6.97B
2024
$25.6B
2024
GDP rank
160/197
2024
115/197
2024
GDP growth
4.29%
2023-2024
2.51%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$18,733
2024
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$16.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
64.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$12,028
2024
Government debt per person rank
174/185
2024
45/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$11,007
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
32.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
18.8%
2025
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
4.01%
2024
Population
9049533
1374840

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.6% 41.7% 32.3% 64.2%
2023 15.4% 49.5% 33.5% 62.2%
2022 16.7% 54% 27.2% 51.3%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 30.3% 58.4%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 36.2% 62.5%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 31.2% 46.2%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 30.2% 41.5%
2017 15% 44.2% 30.7% 39.8%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 31.9% 35.4%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 35% 27.1%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 32.8% 23.5%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 31.3% 21.6%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 29.5% 21.8%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 29.4% 26.4%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 30.4% 16.8%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 37% 20.7%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 26.7% 13.5%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 25.7% 16.2%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 31.6% 16.9%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 26.7% 19.8%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 22.5% 24.2%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 22.2% 30.2%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 24.4% 37%
2001 12% 113.5% 24.8% 36.6%
2000 10.3% - 23.1% 38.9%
1999 - - 24.1% 42.2%
1998 - - 26.9% 42.8%
1997 - - 27.2% 46.1%
1996 - - 27.6% 47%
1995 - - 26.2% 50.1%
1994 - - 25.4% 52.6%
1993 - - 26.9% 58.8%
1992 - - 28.6% 49.2%
1991 - - 29.6% 49.5%
1990 - - 26.9% 47.7%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 15.6% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.28B, or 32.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.7% in Sierra Leone and 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 128/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Trinidad
2024 -4.53% -5.24%
2023 -4.99% -1.24%
2022 -5.93% 0.92%
2021 -4.35% -8.1%
2020 -3.5% -12.2%
2019 -1.95% -3.74%
2018 -3.57% -5.89%
2017 -5.61% -10.4%
2016 -5.41% -10.1%
2015 -2.86% -7.56%
2014 -2.77% -4.31%
2013 -1.74% -2.67%
2012 -3.41% -1.26%
2011 -2.78% -0.67%
2010 -3.09% 0.13%
2009 -1.51% -5.42%
2008 -2.22% 5.39%
2007 12.6% 3.12%
2006 -0.93% 1.56%
2005 -1.17% 2.36%
2004 -1.46% 1.84%
2003 -2.78% 1.8%
2002 -3.03% -0.2%
2001 -3.22% 0.61%
2000 -1.94% 0.17%
1999 - -0.88%
1998 - -1.8%
1997 - 0.11%
1996 - -0.45%
1995 - 0.17%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - 0.23%
1992 - -2.74%
1991 - -0.21%
1990 - -1.27%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.34B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.44% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Trinidad
2024 28.4% 0.53%
2023 47.7% 4.63%
2022 27.2% 5.83%
2021 11.9% 2.06%
2020 13.4% 0.6%
2019 14.8% 1%
2018 16% 1.02%
2017 18.2% 1.88%
2016 10.9% 3.07%
2015 6.7% 4.66%
2014 4.6% 5.68%
2013 5.5% 5.2%
2012 6.6% 9.26%
2011 6.8% 5.11%
2010 7.2% 10.5%
2009 7.5% 6.98%
2008 8.2% 12%
2007 17% 7.89%
2006 10.5% 8.33%
2005 13.7% 6.87%
2004 12.9% 3.72%
2003 4% 3.81%
2002 0.1% 4.15%
2001 2.6% 5.54%
2000 -0.9% 3.56%
1999 34.1% 3.44%
1998 36% 5.61%
1997 14.6% 3.63%

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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.8%, compared with 4.88% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2024, inflation was 28.4% in Sierra Leone and 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Wood & paper products $3K
Raw agricultural goods $1K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Trinidad
Current account balance
-$606M
2023
$645M
2024
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2023
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.45%
2023
+2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$1.92B
2023
$7.54B
2024
Goods exports
$1.34B
2023
$10B
2024
Service imports
$348M
2023
$2.71B
2024
Service exports
$42.5M
2023
$1.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
45%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Trinidad
Economic freedom 49.6 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 87/197
Property rights 32.9 47.3
Government integrity 35.8 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 42 58.8
Tax burden 88.2 76.1
Government spending 92.4 71.1
Fiscal health 54.1 86.3
Business freedom 44.8 67.1
Labor freedom 38.2 57.2
Monetary freedom 53.6 81
Trade freedom 63.6 68.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Trinidad
2026 49.6 62.4
2025 48 63.6
2024 44.6 60.4
2023 50.2 59.5
2022 52 58.8
2021 51.7 59
2020 48 58.3
2019 47.5 57
2018 51.8 57.7
2017 52.6 61.2
2016 52.3 62.9
2015 51.7 64.1
2014 50.5 62.7
2013 48.3 62.3
2012 49.1 64.4
2011 49.6 66.5
2010 47.9 65.7
2009 47.8 68
2008 48.3 69.5
2007 47 70.6
2006 45.2 70.4
2005 44.8 71.5
2004 43.6 71.3
2003 42.2 68.8
2002 - 70.1
2001 - 71.8
2000 44.2 74.5
1999 47.2 72.4
1998 47.7 72
1997 45 71.3
1996 52.3 69.2
1995 49.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,490
2024
$36,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2024
94/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$241M
2023
$980M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
19%
2023

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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2020, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.