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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $6.97B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 160/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $2.91B in government debt (41.7% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Sierra Leone vs Venezuela GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Venezuela
2024 $6,971,127,235 $119,802,963,258
2023 $6,415,852,767 $102,376,526,556
2022 $7,121,125,278 $89,013,255,585
2021 $7,166,931,485 $56,614,976,855
2020 $6,688,307,703 $42,838,020,721
2019 $6,523,577,594 $73,014,084,091
2018 $6,390,514,689 $102,021,093,965
2017 $5,749,846,528 $115,883,275,163
2016 $6,084,297,211 $112,915,034,262
2015 $6,788,352,975 $125,449,241,571
2014 $7,686,138,791 $214,689,614,733
2013 $7,502,762,863 $258,930,655,486
2012 $6,141,666,509 $372,592,062,768
2011 $4,861,632,885 $316,482,190,800
2010 $4,262,805,967 $393,192,354,511
2009 $3,953,403,098 $329,787,628,928
2008 $4,157,895,298 $315,953,388,511
2007 $3,632,957,611 $230,364,012,576
2006 $3,263,697,467 $183,477,522,124
2005 $2,545,275,313 $145,513,489,652
2004 $2,237,350,687 $112,451,400,425
2003 $2,142,618,046 $83,620,628,582
2002 $1,933,863,911 $92,893,587,734
2001 $1,681,473,894 $122,911,036,747
2000 $635,866,404 $117,146,466,003
1999 $669,386,624 $97,972,842,462
1998 $672,368,187 $91,336,763,255
1997 $850,232,760 $85,837,678,560
1996 $941,709,423 $70,543,211,119
1995 $870,740,292 $77,389,487,770
1994 $911,853,802 $58,418,666,667
1993 $768,867,883 $60,037,460,783
1992 $679,940,814 $60,416,519,620
1991 $779,981,987 $53,453,444,787
1990 $649,644,098 $48,606,952,195
1989 $932,974,420 $43,536,709,104
1988 $1,055,083,933 $60,226,413,793
1987 $660,106,336 $48,029,034,483
1986 $490,181,457 $60,516,123,711
1985 $856,890,459 $61,965,466,667
1984 $1,087,471,862 $59,867,743,468
1983 $995,104,305 $67,556,279,070
1982 $1,295,361,886 $67,736,744,186
1981 $1,114,830,472 $66,327,441,860
1980 $1,100,685,845 $59,116,511,628
1979 $1,109,374,911 $48,310,930,233
1978 $960,728,339 $39,316,279,070
1977 $691,777,584 $36,210,697,674
1976 $594,895,942 $31,419,534,884
1975 $679,336,344 $27,464,651,163
1974 $648,590,643 $26,100,930,233
1973 $575,230,724 $17,035,581,395
1972 $465,381,340 $13,977,727,273
1971 $419,549,305 $12,986,590,909
1970 $434,410,974 $11,561,111,111
1969 $408,690,163 $10,285,111,111
1968 $329,859,732 $10,034,444,444
1967 $348,795,303 $9,250,000,000
1966 $375,479,850 $8,781,333,333
1965 $359,379,856 $8,427,777,778
1964 $371,847,461 $8,192,413,793
1963 $348,547,279 $9,608,717,288
1962 $342,721,416 $8,814,309,884
1961 $327,834,191 $8,067,267,031
1960 $322,009,962 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Venezuela by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $807 $3,522 $4,218 -
2023 $758 $3,368 $3,617 -
2022 $860 $3,144 $3,155 -
2021 $885 $2,849 $2,005 -
2020 $845 $2,719 $1,506 -
2019 $844 $2,704 $2,523 -
2018 $846 $2,640 $3,423 -
2017 $779 $2,501 $3,791 -
2016 $844 $2,635 $3,670 -
2015 $965 $2,560 $4,103 -
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $7,096 -
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $8,656 -
2012 $938 $2,317 $12,607 -
2011 $761 $2,043 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $685 $1,900 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $653 $1,814 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $705 $1,824 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $632 $1,770 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $580 $1,698 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $463 $1,615 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $418 $1,541 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $414 $1,458 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $389 $1,360 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $358 $1,121 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $155 $1,167 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $185 $1,269 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $231.3 - $2,250 -
1988 $268.2 - $3,191 -
1987 $172.4 - $2,611 -
1986 $131.5 - $3,376 -
1985 $235.5 - $3,549 -
1984 $306 - $3,520 -
1983 $285.8 - $4,079 -
1982 $380 - $4,202 -
1981 $334 - $4,228 -
1980 $336 - $3,874 -
1979 $346 - $3,257 -
1978 $305 - $2,727 -
1977 $224.2 - $2,585 -
1976 $196.4 - $2,309 -
1975 $228.4 - $2,078 -
1974 $222.1 - $2,034 -
1973 $200.6 - $1,367 -
1972 $165.4 - $1,155 -
1971 $151.8 - $1,106 -
1970 $160.2 - $1,015 -
1969 $153.6 - $932 -
1968 $126.3 - $938 -
1967 $136.1 - $893 -
1966 $149.3 - $876 -
1965 $145.6 - $869 -
1964 $153.4 - $874 -
1963 $146.3 - $1,060 -
1962 $146.3 - $1,007 -
1961 $142.3 - $954 -
1960 $142 - $939 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 186/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$6.97B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
160/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
4.29%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
174/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
18.8%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
7.53%
2020
Population
9049533
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.6% 41.7% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 15.4% 49.5% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 16.7% 54% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 11.2% 337%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 21% 206%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 15% 44.2% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 38% 58.4%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 32.2% 56%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 31% 48.2%
2001 12% 113.5% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 10.3% - 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 15.6% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.7% in Sierra Leone and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 128/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Venezuela
2024 -4.53% -3.6%
2023 -4.99% -1.25%
2022 -5.93% -5.29%
2021 -4.35% -5.85%
2020 -3.5% -6.63%
2019 -1.95% -10.9%
2018 -3.57% -31%
2017 -5.61% -13.3%
2016 -5.41% -8.46%
2015 -2.86% -8.06%
2014 -2.77% -9.81%
2013 -1.74% -10.4%
2012 -3.41% -9.86%
2011 -2.78% -8.24%
2010 -3.09% -4.74%
2009 -1.51% -8.69%
2008 -2.22% -3.46%
2007 12.6% -2.82%
2006 -0.93% -1.6%
2005 -1.17% 4.09%
2004 -1.46% 2.47%
2003 -2.78% 0.17%
2002 -3.03% -1.48%
2001 -3.22% -4.59%
2000 -1.94% 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.95% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Venezuela
2024 28.4% 49%
2023 47.7% 338%
2022 27.2% 186.5%
2021 11.9% 1,589%
2020 13.4% 2,355%
2019 14.8% 19,906%
2018 16% 65,374%
2017 18.2% 438%
2016 10.9% 254.9%
2015 6.7% 121.7%
2014 4.6% 62.2%
2013 5.5% 40.6%
2012 6.6% 21.1%
2011 6.8% 26.1%
2010 7.2% 28.2%
2009 7.5% 26%
2008 8.2% 31.4%
2007 17% 18.7%
2006 10.5% 13.7%
2005 13.7% 16%
2004 12.9% 21.7%
2003 4% 31.1%
2002 0.1% 22.4%
2001 2.6% 12.5%
2000 -0.9% 16.2%
1999 34.1% 23.6%
1998 36% 35.8%
1997 14.6% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.8%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 28.4% in Sierra Leone and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Venezuela
Current account balance
-$606M
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2023
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.45%
2023
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$1.92B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$1.34B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$348M
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$42.5M
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Venezuela
Economic freedom 49.6 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 194/197
Property rights 32.9 0
Government integrity 35.8 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 42 5.1
Tax burden 88.2 73.4
Government spending 92.4 93
Fiscal health 54.1 29.1
Business freedom 44.8 31.1
Labor freedom 38.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 53.6 0
Trade freedom 63.6 43.2
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Venezuela
2026 49.6 27.3
2025 48 27.6
2024 44.6 28.1
2023 50.2 25.8
2022 52 24.8
2021 51.7 24.7
2020 48 25.2
2019 47.5 25.9
2018 51.8 25.2
2017 52.6 27
2016 52.3 33.7
2015 51.7 34.3
2014 50.5 36.3
2013 48.3 36.1
2012 49.1 38.1
2011 49.6 37.6
2010 47.9 37.1
2009 47.8 39.9
2008 48.3 44.7
2007 47 47.9
2006 45.2 44.6
2005 44.8 45.2
2004 43.6 46.7
2003 42.2 54.8
2002 - 54.7
2001 - 54.6
2000 44.2 57.4
1999 47.2 56.1
1998 47.7 54
1997 45 52.8
1996 52.3 54.5
1995 49.8 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,490
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$241M
2023
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.