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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $85.3B for Uruguay, ranking 160/197 and 84/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $56B (65.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Sierra Leone vs Uruguay GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Uruguay
2025 $7,464,157,904 $85,347,696,278
2024 $6,971,127,234 $82,322,859,144
2023 $6,415,852,766 $79,208,725,900
2022 $7,121,125,277 $71,240,669,088
2021 $7,166,931,483 $60,739,061,281
2020 $6,688,307,706 $53,559,354,501
2019 $6,523,577,590 $62,222,324,965
2018 $6,390,514,689 $65,344,577,416
2017 $5,749,846,528 $65,006,039,810
2016 $6,084,297,211 $57,480,787,465
2015 $6,788,352,975 $57,680,327,999
2014 $7,686,138,791 $61,496,186,974
2013 $7,502,762,863 $61,337,621,934
2012 $6,141,666,509 $54,232,266,359
2011 $4,861,632,885 $50,342,406,067
2010 $4,262,805,967 $41,950,361,212
2009 $3,953,403,098 $32,708,319,078
2008 $4,157,895,298 $31,119,602,539
2007 $3,632,957,611 $23,797,773,024
2006 $3,263,697,467 $19,741,420,740
2005 $2,545,275,313 $17,362,857,684
2004 $2,237,350,687 $13,686,329,890
2003 $2,142,618,046 $12,045,638,352
2002 $1,933,863,911 $13,606,515,723
2001 $1,681,473,894 $20,898,761,742
2000 $635,866,404 $22,823,270,892
1999 $669,386,624 $23,983,945,191
1998 $672,368,187 $25,385,886,978
1997 $850,232,760 $23,969,739,234
1996 $941,709,423 $20,515,458,114
1995 $870,740,292 $19,297,663,097
1994 $911,853,802 $17,474,588,896
1993 $768,867,883 $15,002,136,971
1992 $679,940,814 $12,878,148,791
1991 $779,981,987 $11,206,176,651
1990 $649,644,098 $9,298,807,850
1989 $932,974,420 $8,438,951,476
1988 $1,055,083,933 $8,213,538,369
1987 $660,106,336 $7,367,494,080
1986 $490,181,457 $5,880,112,788
1985 $856,890,459 $4,732,017,873
1984 $1,087,471,862 $4,850,238,550
1983 $995,104,305 $5,102,276,308
1982 $1,295,361,886 $9,178,780,077
1981 $1,114,830,472 $11,048,301,421
1980 $1,100,685,845 $10,163,020,116
1979 $1,109,374,911 $7,181,182,224
1978 $960,728,339 $4,910,254,566
1977 $691,777,584 $4,114,670,014
1976 $594,895,942 $3,667,161,241
1975 $679,336,344 $3,538,278,047
1974 $648,590,643 $4,090,209,682
1973 $575,230,724 $3,964,296,443
1972 $465,381,340 $2,189,418,689
1971 $419,549,305 $2,807,258,065
1970 $434,410,974 $2,137,096,774
1969 $408,690,163 $2,004,435,484
1968 $329,859,732 $1,593,674,185
1967 $348,795,303 $1,597,713,469
1966 $375,479,850 $1,809,185,094
1965 $359,379,856 $1,890,767,156
1964 $371,847,461 $1,975,701,816
1963 $348,547,279 $1,539,681,491
1962 $342,721,416 $1,710,004,407
1961 $327,834,191 $1,547,388,781
1960 $322,009,962 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Uruguay by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $25,216 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $24,308 $36,418
2023 $758 $3,368 $23,379 $34,471
2022 $860 $3,144 $21,009 $33,001
2021 $885 $2,849 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $845 $2,719 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $844 $2,704 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $846 $2,640 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $779 $2,501 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $844 $2,635 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $965 $2,560 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $938 $2,317 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $761 $2,043 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $685 $1,900 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $653 $1,814 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $705 $1,824 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $632 $1,770 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $580 $1,698 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $463 $1,615 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $418 $1,541 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $414 $1,458 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $389 $1,360 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $358 $1,121 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $155 $1,167 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $185 $1,269 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $231.3 - $2,734 -
1988 $268.2 - $2,677 -
1987 $172.4 - $2,416 -
1986 $131.5 - $1,939 -
1985 $235.5 - $1,568 -
1984 $306 - $1,615 -
1983 $285.8 - $1,707 -
1982 $380 - $3,085 -
1981 $334 - $3,728 -
1980 $336 - $3,443 -
1979 $346 - $2,443 -
1978 $305 - $1,678 -
1977 $224.2 - $1,414 -
1976 $196.4 - $1,268 -
1975 $228.4 - $1,232 -
1974 $222.1 - $1,433 -
1973 $200.6 - $1,397 -
1972 $165.4 - $776 -
1971 $151.8 - $1,000 -
1970 $160.2 - $766 -
1969 $153.6 - $723 -
1968 $126.3 - $579 -
1967 $136.1 - $585 -
1966 $149.3 - $668 -
1965 $145.6 - $705 -
1964 $153.4 - $745 -
1963 $146.3 - $587 -
1962 $146.3 - $659 -
1961 $142.3 - $604 -
1960 $142 - $491 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $25,216 in Uruguay, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$85.3B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
84/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
1.78%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$25,216
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$56B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
65.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$16,559
2025
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
41/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$14,046
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2025
31.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
4.65%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
5.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
8.21%
2024
Population
9090531
3382672

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% 31.5% 65.7%
2024 17.6% 46.7% 30.6% 67.6%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 30.1% 63%
2022 16.7% 54% 29.7% 59.4%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 15% 44.2% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 28.8% 50%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 12% 113.5% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 10.3% - 26.6% 30.5%
1999 - - 27.2% 24.1%
1998 - - 27.3% 19.4%
1997 - - 27.6% 18.8%
1996 - - 26.5% 18.3%
1995 - - 26.2% 18.5%
1994 - - 29.5% 19.3%
1993 - - 27.7% 20%
1992 - - 23.6% 22.2%
1991 - - 22.2% 20.4%
1990 - - 21.1% 26.2%
1989 - - 37% -
1988 - - 26% 34.8%
1987 - - 24.4% 37.3%
1986 - - 25.1% 34.6%
1985 - - 24.6% 29%
1984 - - 25.6% 39.5%
1983 - - 26.5% 21.2%
1982 - - 29.5% 13.5%
1981 - - 25% 4.32%
1980 - - 21.8% 4.59%
1979 - - 20.2% 3.98%
1978 - - 22.9% 5.64%
1977 - - 23.5% 7.26%
1976 - - 24.2% 8.67%
1975 - - 23% 8.13%
1974 - - 23.8% 7.61%
1973 - - 22.6% 7%
1972 - - 24.6% 9.12%
1971 - - 20.1% 9.3%
1970 - - 15.1% 6.11%
1969 - - 14.6% -
1968 - - 14.1% -
1967 - - 14.7% -
1966 - - 14.1% -
1965 - - 15.6% -
1964 - - 14.3% -
1963 - - 14.6% -
1962 - - 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $26.9B, or 31.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 65.7% in Uruguay, ranking 115/185 and 66/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Uruguay
2025 -4.2% -3.36%
2024 -5.16% -3.16%
2023 -4.99% -3.09%
2022 -5.93% -2.5%
2021 -4.35% -2.61%
2020 -3.5% -4.64%
2019 -1.95% -2.71%
2018 -3.57% -1.89%
2017 -5.61% -2.51%
2016 -5.41% -2.68%
2015 -2.86% -1.86%
2014 -2.77% -2.6%
2013 -1.74% -1.72%
2012 -3.41% -2.17%
2011 -2.78% -0.33%
2010 -3.09% -0.39%
2009 -1.51% -1.39%
2008 -2.22% -1.31%
2007 12.6% -0.16%
2006 -0.93% -0.64%
2005 -1.17% -0.28%
2004 -1.46% -0.87%
2003 -2.78% -2.19%
2002 -3.03% -3.19%
2001 -3.22% -2.85%
2000 -1.94% -2.76%
1999 - -2.76%
1998 - -0.76%
1997 - -0.97%
1996 - -1.32%
1995 - -1.08%
1994 - -2.37%
1993 - -0.47%
1992 - 0.6%
1991 - 0.88%
1990 - 0.49%
1989 - -13.1%
1988 - -1.47%
1987 - -0.66%
1986 - -0.34%
1985 - -1.88%
1984 - -4.94%
1983 - -3.54%
1982 - -8.22%
1981 - -1.15%
1980 - 0.43%
1979 - 0.99%
1978 - -0.47%
1977 - -0.69%
1976 - -2.01%
1975 - -4.38%
1974 - -3.74%
1973 - -1.09%
1972 - -2.25%
1971 - -5.86%
1970 - -1.33%
1969 - -2.37%
1968 - -2.93%
1967 - -4.12%
1966 - -2.01%
1965 - -5.14%
1964 - -3.61%
1963 - -4.4%
1962 - -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.86B, or 3.36% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Uruguay
2025 7.6% 4.65%
2024 28.4% 4.85%
2023 47.7% 5.87%
2022 27.2% 9.1%
2021 11.9% 7.75%
2020 13.4% 9.76%
2019 14.8% 7.88%
2018 16% 7.61%
2017 18.2% 6.22%
2016 10.9% 9.64%
2015 6.7% 8.67%
2014 4.6% 8.88%
2013 5.5% 8.58%
2012 6.6% 8.1%
2011 6.8% 8.09%
2010 7.2% 6.7%
2009 7.5% 7.06%
2008 8.2% 7.88%
2007 17% 8.11%
2006 10.5% 6.4%
2005 13.7% 4.7%
2004 12.9% 9.16%
2003 4% 19.4%
2002 0.1% 14%
2001 2.6% 4.36%
2000 -0.9% 4.76%
1999 34.1% 5.66%
1998 36% 10.8%
1997 14.6% 19.8%

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/uruguay | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 8.43% in Uruguay. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and 4.65% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $7.95M
Textiles & consumer goods $244K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $146K
Animal & marine products $114K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Uruguay
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
-$374M
2025
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
100/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
-0.44%
2025
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$13.6B
2025
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$16.1B
2025
Service imports
$514M
2024
$5.96B
2025
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$7.39B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
22.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
27.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Uruguay
Economic freedom 49.6 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 39/197
Property rights 32.9 87.4
Government integrity 35.8 79
Judicial effectiveness 42 80.9
Tax burden 88.2 73.3
Government spending 92.4 72
Fiscal health 54.1 76.6
Business freedom 44.8 83.8
Labor freedom 38.2 61.7
Monetary freedom 53.6 70.2
Trade freedom 63.6 73.2
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Uruguay
2026 49.6 69.8
2025 48 70.2
2024 44.6 69.8
2023 50.2 70.2
2022 52 70
2021 51.7 69.3
2020 48 69.1
2019 47.5 68.6
2018 51.8 69.2
2017 52.6 69.7
2016 52.3 68.8
2015 51.7 68.6
2014 50.5 69.3
2013 48.3 69.7
2012 49.1 69.9
2011 49.6 70
2010 47.9 69.8
2009 47.8 69.1
2008 48.3 67.9
2007 47 68.4
2006 45.2 65.3
2005 44.8 66.9
2004 43.6 66.7
2003 42.2 69.8
2002 - 68.7
2001 - 70.7
2000 44.2 69.3
1999 47.2 68.5
1998 47.7 68.6
1997 45 67.5
1996 52.3 63.7
1995 49.8 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
65.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
16.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
6.38%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$81.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$36,330
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$19B
2025
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
67/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
-$457M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
16.2%
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/uruguay | 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 (1999–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, 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 (2023–2025, 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.