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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $7.46B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 160/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $3.38B in government debt (45.2% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Sierra Leone vs Vietnam GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Vietnam
2025 $7,464,157,904 $514,697,215,165
2024 $6,971,127,234 $476,324,572,784
2023 $6,415,852,766 $433,805,036,898
2022 $7,121,125,277 $413,445,230,669
2021 $7,166,931,483 $366,474,752,771
2020 $6,688,307,706 $346,615,738,538
2019 $6,523,577,590 $334,365,270,497
2018 $6,390,514,689 $310,106,478,395
2017 $5,749,846,528 $281,353,605,987
2016 $6,084,297,211 $257,096,001,178
2015 $6,788,352,975 $239,258,328,382
2014 $7,686,138,791 $233,451,469,643
2013 $7,502,762,863 $213,708,811,665
2012 $6,141,666,509 $195,590,661,129
2011 $4,861,632,885 $172,595,049,184
2010 $4,262,805,967 $147,201,173,197
2009 $3,953,403,098 $106,014,659,565
2008 $4,157,895,298 $99,130,304,099
2007 $3,632,957,611 $77,414,425,532
2006 $3,263,697,467 $66,371,664,817
2005 $2,545,275,313 $57,633,255,738
2004 $2,237,350,687 $45,427,854,693
2003 $2,142,618,046 $39,552,513,232
2002 $1,933,863,911 $35,064,105,501
2001 $1,681,473,894 $32,685,198,809
2000 $635,866,404 $31,172,518,403
1999 $669,386,624 $28,683,659,007
1998 $672,368,187 $27,209,602,050
1997 $850,232,760 $26,843,700,442
1996 $941,709,423 $24,657,470,575
1995 $870,740,292 $20,736,164,459
1994 $911,853,802 $16,286,433,533
1993 $768,867,883 $13,180,953,598
1992 $679,940,814 $9,866,990,236
1991 $779,981,987 $9,613,369,520
1990 $649,644,098 $6,471,740,806
1989 $932,974,420 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,055,083,933 $25,423,812,649
1987 $660,106,336 $36,658,108,850
1986 $490,181,457 $26,336,616,250
1985 $856,890,459 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,087,471,862 -
1983 $995,104,305 -
1982 $1,295,361,886 -
1981 $1,114,830,472 -
1980 $1,100,685,845 -
1979 $1,109,374,911 -
1978 $960,728,339 -
1977 $691,777,584 -
1976 $594,895,942 -
1975 $679,336,344 -
1974 $648,590,643 -
1973 $575,230,724 -
1972 $465,381,340 -
1971 $419,549,305 -
1970 $434,410,974 -
1969 $408,690,163 -
1968 $329,859,732 -
1967 $348,795,303 -
1966 $375,479,850 -
1965 $359,379,856 -
1964 $371,847,461 -
1963 $348,547,279 -
1962 $342,721,416 -
1961 $327,834,191 -
1960 $322,009,962 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Vietnam by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $846 - $5,066 -
2024 $807 $3,522 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $758 $3,368 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $860 $3,144 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $885 $2,849 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $845 $2,719 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $844 $2,704 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $846 $2,640 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $779 $2,501 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $844 $2,635 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $965 $2,560 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $938 $2,317 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $761 $2,043 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $685 $1,900 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $653 $1,814 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $705 $1,824 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $632 $1,770 $926 $4,581
2006 $580 $1,698 $808 $4,237
2005 $463 $1,615 $711 $3,894
2004 $418 $1,541 $565 $3,543
2003 $414 $1,458 $497 $3,240
2002 $389 $1,360 $445 $3,002
2001 $358 $1,121 $419 $2,809
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $404 $2,614
1999 $155 $1,167 $376 $2,421
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $361 $2,308
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $362 $2,189
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $337 $2,019
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $185 $1,269 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $231.3 - $98.1 -
1988 $268.2 - $405 -
1987 $172.4 - $595 -
1986 $131.5 - $436 -
1985 $235.5 - $238.6 -
1984 $306 - - -
1983 $285.8 - - -
1982 $380 - - -
1981 $334 - - -
1980 $336 - - -
1979 $346 - - -
1978 $305 - - -
1977 $224.2 - - -
1976 $196.4 - - -
1975 $228.4 - - -
1974 $222.1 - - -
1973 $200.6 - - -
1972 $165.4 - - -
1971 $151.8 - - -
1970 $160.2 - - -
1969 $153.6 - - -
1968 $126.3 - - -
1967 $136.1 - - -
1966 $149.3 - - -
1965 $145.6 - - -
1964 $153.4 - - -
1963 $146.3 - - -
1962 $146.3 - - -
1961 $142.3 - - -
1960 $142 - - -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $846, ranking 186/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$7.46B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
160/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
4.61%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$846
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$3.38B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
45.2%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$383
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
173/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,418
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.5%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
7.6%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
16.8%
2025
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.65%
2018
1.53%
2024
Population
9090531
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.5% 45.2% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 17.6% 46.7% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 15.4% 49.4% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 16.7% 54% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 19.8% 41%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 15% 44.2% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 25% 36.2%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 21.4% 31%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 11.1% 93.2% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 11.7% 99.8% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 12.6% 99.8% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 12% 113.5% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 10.3% - 17.8% 24.8%
1999 - - 16.7% -
1998 - - 16% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.23B, accounting for 16.5% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 45.2% in Sierra Leone and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 115/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Vietnam
2025 -4.2% -2.2%
2024 -5.16% -1.54%
2023 -4.99% -1.72%
2022 -5.93% 0.67%
2021 -4.35% -1.43%
2020 -3.5% -2.86%
2019 -1.95% -0.4%
2018 -3.57% -1.02%
2017 -5.61% -1.96%
2016 -5.41% -3.16%
2015 -2.86% -4.98%
2014 -2.77% -5.02%
2013 -1.74% -5.96%
2012 -3.41% -5.46%
2011 -2.78% -0.9%
2010 -3.09% -2.25%
2009 -1.51% -4.82%
2008 -2.22% -0.45%
2007 12.6% -1.74%
2006 -0.93% 0.2%
2005 -1.17% -0.95%
2004 -1.46% -0.15%
2003 -2.78% -2.56%
2002 -3.03% -1.85%
2001 -3.22% -2.19%
2000 -1.94% -1.61%
1999 - -1.25%
1998 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.58% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.17% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Vietnam
2025 7.6% 3.3%
2024 28.4% 3.6%
2023 47.7% 3.3%
2022 27.2% 3.2%
2021 11.9% 1.8%
2020 13.4% 3.2%
2019 14.8% 2.8%
2018 16% 3.5%
2017 18.2% 3.5%
2016 10.9% 2.7%
2015 6.7% 0.6%
2014 4.6% 4.1%
2013 5.5% 6.6%
2012 6.6% 9.1%
2011 6.8% 18.7%
2010 7.2% 10.5%
2009 7.5% 6.7%
2008 8.2% 23.1%
2007 17% 8.3%
2006 10.5% 7.5%
2005 13.7% 8.4%
2004 12.9% 7.9%
2003 4% 3.3%
2002 0.1% 4.1%
2001 2.6% -0.3%
2000 -0.9% -1.8%
1999 34.1% 4.1%
1998 36% 7.2%
1997 14.6% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 7.6% in Sierra Leone and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $27K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $27K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Vietnam
Current account balance
-$984M
2024
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
115/190
2024
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.1%
2024
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$2.4B
2024
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$1.55B
2024
$407B
2024
Service imports
$514M
2024
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$49.6M
2024
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.2%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.9%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Vietnam
Economic freedom 49.6 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 73/197
Property rights 32.9 47.3
Government integrity 35.8 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 42 31.3
Tax burden 88.2 80.9
Government spending 92.4 89.5
Fiscal health 54.1 96.9
Business freedom 44.8 70
Labor freedom 38.2 54.7
Monetary freedom 53.6 73.2
Trade freedom 63.6 79.8
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Vietnam
2026 49.6 64.4
2025 48 65.2
2024 44.6 62.8
2023 50.2 61.8
2022 52 60.6
2021 51.7 61.7
2020 48 58.8
2019 47.5 55.3
2018 51.8 53.1
2017 52.6 52.4
2016 52.3 54
2015 51.7 51.7
2014 50.5 50.8
2013 48.3 51
2012 49.1 51.3
2011 49.6 51.6
2010 47.9 49.8
2009 47.8 51
2008 48.3 50.4
2007 47 49.8
2006 45.2 50.5
2005 44.8 48.1
2004 43.6 46.1
2003 42.2 46.2
2002 - 45.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 44.2 43.7
1999 47.2 42.7
1998 47.7 40.4
1997 45 38.6
1996 52.3 40.2
1995 49.8 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
41.6%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
25.7%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.5%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$7.34B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,690
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
161/177
2024
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$122M
2024
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
23.2%
2025
30.8%
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/vietnam | 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 (1998–2025, 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 (2018, 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.