Skip to content

Economy of Sierra Leone vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $57.5B for Tunisia, ranking 160/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $46.7B (81.3% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Sierra Leone vs Tunisia GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Tunisia
2025 $7,464,157,904 $57,502,836,548
2024 $6,971,127,234 $51,412,122,480
2023 $6,415,852,766 $48,205,328,303
2022 $7,121,125,277 $44,929,920,093
2021 $7,166,931,483 $47,073,234,359
2020 $6,688,307,706 $42,491,780,918
2019 $6,523,577,590 $41,905,642,419
2018 $6,390,514,689 $42,686,504,460
2017 $5,749,846,528 $42,163,530,591
2016 $6,084,297,211 $44,360,072,680
2015 $6,788,352,975 $45,779,494,042
2014 $7,686,138,791 $50,271,812,921
2013 $7,502,762,863 $48,685,446,414
2012 $6,141,666,509 $47,311,401,813
2011 $4,861,632,885 $48,123,325,825
2010 $4,262,805,967 $46,206,091,938
2009 $3,953,403,098 $43,455,740,497
2008 $4,157,895,298 $44,859,439,902
2007 $3,632,957,611 $38,915,353,867
2006 $3,263,697,467 $34,376,664,601
2005 $2,545,275,313 $32,272,186,695
2004 $2,237,350,687 $31,183,885,241
2003 $2,142,618,046 $27,453,902,261
2002 $1,933,863,911 $23,141,616,605
2001 $1,681,473,894 $22,065,832,449
2000 $635,866,404 $21,473,528,161
1999 $669,386,624 $22,943,202,175
1998 $672,368,187 $21,802,893,587
1997 $850,232,760 $20,746,210,354
1996 $941,709,423 $19,587,161,807
1995 $870,740,292 $18,030,876,599
1994 $911,853,802 $15,633,174,304
1993 $768,867,883 $14,608,335,608
1992 $679,940,814 $15,496,708,060
1991 $779,981,987 $13,074,782,609
1990 $649,644,098 $12,290,568,182
1989 $932,974,420 $10,101,851,745
1988 $1,055,083,933 $10,096,245,762
1987 $660,106,336 $9,696,715,911
1986 $490,181,457 $9,017,806,654
1985 $856,890,459 $8,410,226,053
1984 $1,087,471,862 $8,254,541,195
1983 $995,104,305 $8,350,582,748
1982 $1,295,361,886 $8,133,580,052
1981 $1,114,830,472 $8,428,445,294
1980 $1,100,685,845 $8,744,134,354
1979 $1,109,374,911 $7,188,863,904
1978 $960,728,339 $5,968,460,080
1977 $691,777,584 $5,109,324,009
1976 $594,895,942 $4,508,191,942
1975 $679,336,344 $4,328,965,588
1974 $648,590,643 $3,545,868,575
1973 $575,230,724 $2,730,813,385
1972 $465,381,340 $2,237,556,149
1971 $419,549,305 $1,685,162,272
1970 $434,410,974 $1,439,238,095
1969 $408,690,163 $1,289,904,762
1968 $329,859,732 $1,214,666,667
1967 $348,795,303 $1,085,714,286
1966 $375,479,850 $1,040,952,381
1965 $359,379,856 $991,047,619
1964 $371,847,461 $1,025,866,792
1963 $348,547,279 $1,026,737,600
1962 $342,721,416 $880,027,733
1961 $327,834,191 $866,155,429
1960 $322,009,962 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Tunisia by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $4,657 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $4,188 $14,521
2023 $758 $3,368 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $860 $3,144 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $885 $2,849 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $845 $2,719 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $844 $2,704 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $846 $2,640 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $779 $2,501 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $844 $2,635 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $965 $2,560 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $938 $2,317 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $761 $2,043 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $685 $1,900 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $653 $1,814 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $705 $1,824 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $632 $1,770 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $580 $1,698 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $463 $1,615 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $418 $1,541 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $414 $1,458 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $389 $1,360 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $358 $1,121 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $155 $1,167 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $185 $1,269 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $231.3 - $1,239 -
1988 $268.2 - $1,266 -
1987 $172.4 - $1,245 -
1986 $131.5 - $1,187 -
1985 $235.5 - $1,135 -
1984 $306 - $1,143 -
1983 $285.8 - $1,184 -
1982 $380 - $1,177 -
1981 $334 - $1,247 -
1980 $336 - $1,324 -
1979 $346 - $1,113 -
1978 $305 - $946 -
1977 $224.2 - $830 -
1976 $196.4 - $752 -
1975 $228.4 - $741 -
1974 $222.1 - $624 -
1973 $200.6 - $493 -
1972 $165.4 - $415 -
1971 $151.8 - $320 -
1970 $160.2 - $280.5 -
1969 $153.6 - $257.7 -
1968 $126.3 - $248.9 -
1967 $136.1 - $228 -
1966 $149.3 - $223.8 -
1965 $145.6 - $217.3 -
1964 $153.4 - $228.5 -
1963 $146.3 - $231.9 -
1962 $146.3 - $201.4 -
1961 $142.3 - $200.7 -
1960 $142 - - -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $4,657 in Tunisia, ranking 127/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$57.5B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
93/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
2.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$4,657
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
127/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$46.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
81.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$3,785
2025
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
95/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$4,193
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2025
34%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
5.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
15.1%
2023
Population
9090531
12450912

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% 34% 81.3%
2024 17.6% 46.7% 35.8% 85.7%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 35.9% 84%
2022 16.7% 54% 36.6% 83%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 33.4% 79.7%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 15% 44.2% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 28.3% 49%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 24% 38.8%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 23% 50%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 23% 51.6%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 12% 113.5% 24% 52.2%
2000 10.3% - 24% 62.9%
1999 - - 24% 61.9%
1998 - - 24.2% 58.2%
1997 - - 24.5% 66.6%
1996 - - 26.7% 66.8%
1995 - - 26.6% 65.6%
1994 - - 25.9% 63.9%
1993 - - 26.7% 63.8%
1992 - - 25.7% 62.1%
1991 - - 27.6% 63.3%

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

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

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $19.6B, or 34% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 81.3% in Tunisia, ranking 115/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Tunisia
2025 -4.2% -5.24%
2024 -5.16% -6.36%
2023 -4.99% -7.27%
2022 -5.93% -7%
2021 -4.35% -7.81%
2020 -3.5% -9.06%
2019 -1.95% -3.6%
2018 -3.57% -4.27%
2017 -5.61% -5.61%
2016 -5.41% -5.87%
2015 -2.86% -4.95%
2014 -2.77% -3.11%
2013 -1.74% -7.05%
2012 -3.41% -4.9%
2011 -2.78% -3.19%
2010 -3.09% -0.46%
2009 -1.51% -2.59%
2008 -2.22% -0.62%
2007 12.6% -2.47%
2006 -0.93% -2.33%
2005 -1.17% -2.59%
2004 -1.46% -2.1%
2003 -2.78% -2.64%
2002 -3.03% -2.55%
2001 -3.22% -2.87%
2000 -1.94% -3.22%
1999 - -3.05%
1998 - -2.84%
1997 - -3.7%
1996 - -5.18%
1995 - -4.53%
1994 - -2.87%
1993 - -3.22%
1992 - -3.45%
1991 - -5.25%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.01B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.22% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Tunisia
2025 7.6% 5.3%
2024 28.4% 7%
2023 47.7% 9.3%
2022 27.2% 8.3%
2021 11.9% 5.7%
2020 13.4% 5.6%
2019 14.8% 6.7%
2018 16% 7.3%
2017 18.2% 5.3%
2016 10.9% 3.6%
2015 6.7% 4.4%
2014 4.6% 4.6%
2013 5.5% 5.4%
2012 6.6% 4.6%
2011 6.8% 3.2%
2010 7.2% 4.4%
2009 7.5% 3.5%
2008 8.2% 4.9%
2007 17% 3.4%
2006 10.5% 4.1%
2005 13.7% 1.9%
2004 12.9% 3.7%
2003 4% 2.7%
2002 0.1% 2.7%
2001 2.6% 1.9%
2000 -0.9% 2.8%
1999 34.1% 2.8%
1998 36% 3.1%
1997 14.6% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 4.54% in Tunisia. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and 5.3% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.86M
Machinery & equipment $2.68M
Metals $499K
Raw materials & minerals $425K
Chemicals & pharma $350K
Textiles & consumer goods $100K
Wood & paper products $28K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Tunisia
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$514M
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
54.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
46.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Tunisia
Economic freedom 49.6 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 172/197
Property rights 32.9 55.7
Government integrity 35.8 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 42 39.7
Tax burden 88.2 68.5
Government spending 92.4 62.5
Fiscal health 54.1 16
Business freedom 44.8 59.4
Labor freedom 38.2 55.8
Monetary freedom 53.6 72.4
Trade freedom 63.6 54.6
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Tunisia
2026 49.6 48.1
2025 48 49.1
2024 44.6 48.8
2023 50.2 52.9
2022 52 54.2
2021 51.7 56.6
2020 48 55.8
2019 47.5 55.4
2018 51.8 58.9
2017 52.6 55.7
2016 52.3 57.6
2015 51.7 57.7
2014 50.5 57.3
2013 48.3 57
2012 49.1 58.6
2011 49.6 58.5
2010 47.9 58.9
2009 47.8 58
2008 48.3 60.1
2007 47 60.3
2006 45.2 57.5
2005 44.8 55.4
2004 43.6 58.4
2003 42.2 58.1
2002 - 60.2
2001 - 60.8
2000 44.2 61.3
1999 47.2 61.1
1998 47.7 63.9
1997 45 63.8
1996 52.3 63.9
1995 49.8 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
62.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
10.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$53B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$14,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
84/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
15.2%
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/tunisia | 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) | 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. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.