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Economy of Sierra Leone vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sierra Leone has a GDP of $6.97B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 160/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sierra Leone has $2.91B in government debt (41.7% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Sierra Leone vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Sierra Leone
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
2024 $6,971,127,235 $41,539,411,516
2023 $6,415,852,767 $35,871,779,681
2022 $7,121,125,278 $40,757,561,709
2021 $7,166,931,485 $41,287,673,690
2020 $6,688,307,703 $31,980,334,561
2019 $6,523,577,594 $33,357,695,635
2018 $6,390,514,689 $34,141,666,667
2017 $5,749,846,528 $51,035,657,371
2016 $6,084,297,211 $20,559,250,000
2015 $6,788,352,975 $19,973,250,000
2014 $7,686,138,791 $19,505,500,000
2013 $7,502,762,863 $19,100,750,000
2012 $6,141,666,509 $17,123,500,000
2011 $4,861,632,885 $14,109,000,000
2010 $4,262,805,967 $12,047,750,000
2009 $3,953,403,098 $9,670,750,000
2008 $4,157,895,298 $4,418,000,000
2007 $3,632,957,611 $5,294,750,000
2006 $3,263,697,467 $5,446,750,000
2005 $2,545,275,313 $5,758,250,000
2004 $2,237,350,687 $5,808,500,000
2003 $2,142,618,046 $5,730,500,000
2002 $1,933,863,911 $6,345,250,000
2001 $1,681,473,894 $6,780,750,000
2000 $635,866,404 $6,693,250,000
1999 $669,386,624 $6,861,500,000
1998 $672,368,187 $6,405,250,000
1997 $850,232,760 $8,534,000,000
1996 $941,709,423 $8,557,500,000
1995 $870,740,292 $7,115,000,000
1994 $911,853,802 $6,894,250,000
1993 $768,867,883 $6,567,250,000
1992 $679,940,814 $6,755,000,000
1991 $779,981,987 $8,646,000,000
1990 $649,644,098 $8,788,301,546
1989 $932,974,420 $8,290,553,535
1988 $1,055,083,933 $7,818,774,177
1987 $660,106,336 $6,744,657,033
1986 $490,181,457 $6,220,698,247
1985 $856,890,459 $5,640,137,575
1984 $1,087,471,862 $6,355,369,172
1983 $995,104,305 $7,768,031,182
1982 $1,295,361,886 $8,544,060,905
1981 $1,114,830,472 $8,015,464,252
1980 $1,100,685,845 $6,682,278,300
1979 $1,109,374,911 $5,180,102,910
1978 $960,728,339 $4,353,822,343
1977 $691,777,584 $4,366,610,469
1976 $594,895,942 $4,320,576,877
1975 $679,336,344 $4,373,532,601
1974 $648,590,643 $3,984,194,614
1973 $575,230,724 $3,311,043,292
1972 $465,381,340 $2,679,096,597
1971 $419,549,305 $2,179,828,710
1970 $434,410,974 $1,885,168,339
1969 $408,690,163 $1,748,891,294
1968 $329,859,732 $1,480,355,355
1967 $348,795,303 $1,397,715,282
1966 $375,479,850 $1,282,403,936
1965 $359,379,856 $1,312,105,394
1964 $371,847,461 $1,217,759,447
1963 $348,547,279 $1,160,103,724
1962 $342,721,416 $1,118,172,226
1961 $327,834,191 $1,097,206,526
1960 $322,009,962 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Sierra Leone vs Zimbabwe by year

Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $807 $3,522 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $758 $3,368 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $860 $3,144 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $885 $2,849 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $845 $2,719 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $844 $2,704 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $846 $2,640 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $779 $2,501 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $844 $2,635 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $965 $2,560 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $1,118 $2,762 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $1,117 $2,701 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $938 $2,317 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $761 $2,043 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $685 $1,900 $902 $2,661
2009 $653 $1,814 $736 $2,233
2008 $705 $1,824 $341 $1,987
2007 $632 $1,770 $414 $2,396
2006 $580 $1,698 $431 $2,454
2005 $463 $1,615 $461 $2,496
2004 $418 $1,541 $470 $2,591
2003 $414 $1,458 $468 $2,708
2002 $389 $1,360 $525 $3,238
2001 $358 $1,121 $566 $3,533
2000 $143.7 $1,242 $563 $3,429
1999 $155 $1,167 $582 $3,491
1998 $156.5 $1,180 $552 $3,527
1997 $199.9 $1,157 $751 $3,457
1996 $224.3 $1,225 $767 $3,372
1995 $208.4 $1,187 $648 $3,051
1994 $218.5 $1,266 $634 $3,012
1993 $185 $1,269 $605 $2,703
1992 $163.2 $1,220 $631 $2,651
1991 $183.7 $1,445 $831 $2,930
1990 $154.8 $1,382 $867 $2,757
1989 $231.3 - $840 -
1988 $268.2 - $816 -
1987 $172.4 - $726 -
1986 $131.5 - $693 -
1985 $235.5 - $649 -
1984 $306 - $757 -
1983 $285.8 - $959 -
1982 $380 - $1,096 -
1981 $334 - $1,069 -
1980 $336 - $949 -
1979 $346 - $779 -
1978 $305 - $665 -
1977 $224.2 - $677 -
1976 $196.4 - $687 -
1975 $228.4 - $717 -
1974 $222.1 - $674 -
1973 $200.6 - $579 -
1972 $165.4 - $483 -
1971 $151.8 - $406 -
1970 $160.2 - $361 -
1969 $153.6 - $346 -
1968 $126.3 - $302 -
1967 $136.1 - $294.4 -
1966 $149.3 - $278.7 -
1965 $145.6 - $294.3 -
1964 $153.4 - $281.9 -
1963 $146.3 - $277.1 -
1962 $146.3 - $275.7 -
1961 $142.3 - $279.2 -
1960 $142 - $276.6 -

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

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

Sierra Leone's GDP per capita is $807, ranking 186/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$6.97B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
160/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
4.29%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$807
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
186/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,522
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
171/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$2.91B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41.7%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$337
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
174/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,915
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
29.4%
2018
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.4%
2018
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
15.6%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
28.4%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
18.8%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.19%
2018
12.1%
2024
Population
9049533
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 15.6% 41.7% 12.9% 73%
2023 15.4% 49.5% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 16.7% 54% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 16.8% 47.1% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 15.6% 46.4% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 13.3% 45.3% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 13.7% 44.2% 13.9% 33%
2017 15% 44.2% 19.8% 49%
2016 14.9% 38.9% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 13.1% 28.4% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 13.5% 26.8% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 11.4% 22.3% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 13.5% 24.1% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 13.2% 25.8% 16.2% 30%
2010 12.5% 28.9% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 11.3% 31.1% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 10.3% 46.1% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 8.1% 26.4% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 9.97% 61.9% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 10.9% 78.9% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 11.1% 93.2% - -
2003 11.7% 99.8% - -
2002 12.6% 99.8% - -
2001 12% 113.5% - -
2000 10.3% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Sierra Leone's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 15.6% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41.7% in Sierra Leone and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 128/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sierra Leone

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
2024 -4.53% -1.06%
2023 -4.99% -3.9%
2022 -5.93% -3.3%
2021 -4.35% -2.24%
2020 -3.5% -0.34%
2019 -1.95% -1.72%
2018 -3.57% -3.81%
2017 -5.61% -7.37%
2016 -5.41% -4.63%
2015 -2.86% -1.45%
2014 -2.77% -0.71%
2013 -1.74% -0.69%
2012 -3.41% -0.13%
2011 -2.78% -1.72%
2010 -3.09% -0.11%
2009 -1.51% -1.39%
2008 -2.22% -1.2%
2007 12.6% -1.67%
2006 -0.93% -1.4%
2005 -1.17% -3.46%
2004 -1.46% -
2003 -2.78% -
2002 -3.03% -
2001 -3.22% -
2000 -1.94% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sierra-leone/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Sierra Leone recorded a fiscal deficit in 19 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Sierra Leone posted an annual deficit equal to 2.49% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sierra Leone

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
2024 28.4% 736%
2023 47.7% 667%
2022 27.2% 193.4%
2021 11.9% 98.5%
2020 13.4% 557%
2019 14.8% 255.3%
2018 16% 10.6%
2017 18.2% 0.9%
2016 10.9% -1.6%
2015 6.7% -2.4%
2014 4.6% -0.2%
2013 5.5% 1.6%
2012 6.6% 3.7%
2011 6.8% 3.5%
2010 7.2% 3%
2009 7.5% 6.2%
2008 8.2% 157%
2007 17% -72.7%
2006 10.5% 33%
2005 13.7% -31.5%
2004 12.9% 113.6%
2003 4% -8.6%
2002 0.1% -34.4%
2001 2.6% -37.2%
2000 -0.9% 4.5%
1999 34.1% -13.4%
1998 36% -28%
1997 14.6% -1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Sierra Leone has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.8%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 28.4% in Sierra Leone and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $30K
Miscellaneous $5K

Balance of trade

Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$606M
2023
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2023
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-9.45%
2023
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$1.92B
2023
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$1.34B
2023
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$348M
2023
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$42.5M
2023
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.3%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 49.6 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 165/197 190/197
Property rights 32.9 19.4
Government integrity 35.8 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 42 16.8
Tax burden 88.2 73.6
Government spending 92.4 93.9
Fiscal health 54.1 52.4
Business freedom 44.8 42
Labor freedom 38.2 33.3
Monetary freedom 53.6 0
Trade freedom 63.6 50.4
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sierra Leone
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
2026 49.6 35.2
2025 48 35.1
2024 44.6 38.2
2023 50.2 39
2022 52 33.1
2021 51.7 39.5
2020 48 43.1
2019 47.5 40.4
2018 51.8 44
2017 52.6 44
2016 52.3 38.2
2015 51.7 37.6
2014 50.5 35.5
2013 48.3 28.6
2012 49.1 26.3
2011 49.6 22.1
2010 47.9 21.4
2009 47.8 22.7
2008 48.3 29.5
2007 47 32
2006 45.2 33.5
2005 44.8 35.2
2004 43.6 34.4
2003 42.2 36.7
2002 - 36.7
2001 - 38.8
2000 44.2 48.7
1999 47.2 47.2
1998 47.7 44.6
1997 45 48
1996 52.3 46.7
1995 49.8 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sierra Leone is 49.6, ranking 165/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sierra Leone Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
29.2%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$7.08B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,490
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$433M
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
160/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$241M
2023
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$122M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.22%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
56.8%
2018
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.5%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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 (2000–2024, 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. TradeMap (2021–2022, 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.