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Economy of Singapore vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Singapore has a GDP of $547B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 28/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Singapore has $950B in government debt (173.5% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Singapore vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Singapore
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Singapore Sri Lanka
2024 $547,386,645,892 $98,963,185,510
2023 $505,439,514,078 $83,716,142,582
2022 $509,017,841,147 $74,143,020,263
2021 $436,591,382,250 $88,556,698,938
2020 $349,165,858,545 $84,335,574,582
2019 $376,161,998,830 $88,998,706,297
2018 $377,123,710,561 $94,450,015,983
2017 $343,673,334,902 $94,369,350,286
2016 $319,646,468,521 $88,000,211,172
2015 $307,998,545,269 $85,090,301,052
2014 $314,863,580,758 $82,531,125,191
2013 $307,576,360,585 $76,976,203,829
2012 $295,092,888,077 $70,447,217,164
2011 $279,356,499,090 $67,753,285,897
2010 $239,807,980,591 $58,636,049,434
2009 $194,150,283,772 $42,066,224,093
2008 $193,617,323,539 $40,713,826,215
2007 $180,941,701,358 $32,350,238,760
2006 $148,627,286,361 $28,267,410,543
2005 $127,807,848,728 $24,405,791,045
2004 $115,033,593,101 $20,662,525,941
2003 $97,646,401,096 $18,881,765,437
2002 $92,538,372,870 $16,536,535,647
2001 $89,793,790,670 $15,749,753,805
2000 $96,076,539,926 $16,595,882,819
1999 $86,286,849,755 $15,711,933,513
1998 $85,728,207,782 $15,760,736,956
1997 $100,123,787,215 $15,091,913,884
1996 $96,293,086,513 $13,897,738,375
1995 $87,812,540,788 $13,029,697,561
1994 $73,688,724,431 $11,717,604,209
1993 $60,603,815,716 $10,338,679,636
1992 $52,131,320,033 $9,703,011,636
1991 $45,466,164,978 $9,000,362,582
1990 $36,144,336,769 $8,032,551,173
1989 $30,465,364,739 $6,987,267,684
1988 $25,371,462,488 $6,978,371,581
1987 $20,919,215,578 $6,682,167,120
1986 $18,586,746,057 $6,405,210,564
1985 $19,156,532,746 $5,978,460,972
1984 $19,749,361,098 $6,043,474,843
1983 $17,784,112,150 $5,167,913,302
1982 $16,084,252,378 $4,768,765,017
1981 $14,175,228,844 $4,415,844,156
1980 $11,896,256,783 $4,024,621,900
1979 $9,296,921,724 $3,364,611,432
1978 $7,517,176,355 $2,733,183,857
1977 $6,618,585,074 $4,104,509,583
1976 $6,327,077,974 $3,591,319,857
1975 $5,633,673,930 $3,791,298,146
1974 $5,221,534,956 $3,574,586,466
1973 $3,696,213,333 $2,875,625,000
1972 $2,721,440,981 $2,553,936,348
1971 $2,263,785,444 $2,369,308,600
1970 $1,920,574,150 $2,296,470,588
1969 $1,659,893,768 $1,965,546,218
1968 $1,425,706,091 $1,801,344,538
1967 $1,238,035,816 $1,859,465,021
1966 $1,096,425,608 $1,751,470,588
1965 $974,644,096 $1,698,319,328
1964 $894,153,311 $1,309,747,899
1963 $917,608,012 $1,240,672,269
1962 $826,239,212 $1,434,156,379
1961 $764,629,788 $1,444,327,731
1960 $704,751,700 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/singapore/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Singapore vs Sri Lanka by year

Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Singapore Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $90,674 $150,689 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $85,412 $143,786 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $90,299 $143,095 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $80,056 $132,617 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $61,410 $101,518 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $65,952 $105,335 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $66,882 $103,963 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $61,236 $95,744 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $57,006 $89,902 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $55,646 $87,156 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $57,565 $84,555 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $56,967 $83,088 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $55,548 $82,108 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $53,891 $80,052 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $47,237 $75,401 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $38,927 $66,213 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $40,009 $67,735 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $39,433 $68,805 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $33,768 $64,061 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $29,961 $58,822 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $27,608 $54,384 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $23,730 $48,778 $946 $4,850
2002 $22,160 $45,083 $835 $4,522
2001 $21,700 $43,109 $804 $4,328
2000 $23,853 $43,781 $860 $4,368
1999 $21,797 $39,949 $829 $4,103
1998 $21,829 $37,560 $848 $3,952
1997 $26,376 $39,286 $827 $3,804
1996 $26,233 $36,873 $776 $3,582
1995 $24,915 $35,090 $742 $3,454
1994 $21,552 $33,058 $678 $3,260
1993 $18,290 $30,062 $607 $3,067
1992 $16,136 $27,022 $580 $2,851
1991 $14,502 $25,530 $546 $2,713
1990 $11,862 $23,815 $491 $2,527
1989 $10,395 - $430 -
1988 $8,914 - $434 -
1987 $7,539 - $420 -
1986 $6,800 - $407 -
1985 $7,002 - $385 -
1984 $7,228 - $391 -
1983 $6,633 - $336 -
1982 $6,078 - $312 -
1981 $5,597 - $292.5 -
1980 $4,928 - $271.1 -
1979 $3,901 - $230.8 -
1978 $3,194 - $191 -
1977 $2,846 - $292.1 -
1976 $2,759 - $260.3 -
1975 $2,490 - $279.8 -
1974 $2,342 - $268.7 -
1973 $1,685 - $220.2 -
1972 $1,264 - $199.4 -
1971 $1,071 - $188.8 -
1970 $926 - $186.9 -
1969 $813 - $163.6 -
1968 $709 - $153.5 -
1967 $626 - $162.3 -
1966 $567 - $156.6 -
1965 $517 - $155.6 -
1964 $486 - $122.9 -
1963 $511 - $119.4 -
1962 $472 - $141.4 -
1961 $449 - $145.9 -
1960 $428 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/singapore/sri-lanka | CC BY

Singapore's GDP per capita is $90,674, ranking 7/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Singapore Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$547B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
28/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
4.39%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$90,674
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
7/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$150,689
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
2/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$950B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
173.5%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$157,326
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
1/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$52,793
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$638B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Number of millionaires
331,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
49
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.39%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.74%
2024
4.67%
2023
Population
6125852
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Singapore
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Singapore Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 14.6% 173.5% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 14.8% 172.8% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 15% 154.3% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 15.6% 141.7% 20% 102.7%
2020 24.1% 148.2% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 14% 127.9% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 13.9% 109.4% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 13.6% 107.6% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 15.3% 106.3% 18.2% 75%
2015 14.4% 102.2% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 12.6% 97.7% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 10.9% 98.2% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 9.83% 106.7% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 9.66% 103.1% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 10.2% 98.7% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 15.9% 101.7% 21% 72.8%
2008 14% 97.9% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 9.01% 87.8% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 12.3% 86.5% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 12.4% 92.7% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 14.1% 95.7% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 15.6% 99.1% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 15.9% 96.3% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 18.2% 94.5% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 16.1% 82.3% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 15.9% 85.3% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 18.1% 84.6% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 14.5% 70.8% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 18.1% 71.3% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 13.8% 69.8% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 11.7% 70.7% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 14.5% 71.2% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 14.5% 79% 23% 77.9%
1991 15.9% 76.4% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 15.1% 73.5% 25.4% 78.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/singapore/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Singapore's government spending was $79.7B, accounting for 14.6% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 173.5% in Singapore and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 4/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Singapore

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Singapore Sri Lanka
2024 4.44% -5.64%
2023 3.47% -8.32%
2022 1.21% -10.2%
2021 1.13% -11.7%
2020 -6.73% -13.4%
2019 3.77% -7.52%
2018 3.68% -4.96%
2017 5.24% -5.1%
2016 3.25% -5%
2015 2.86% -6.64%
2014 4.6% -5.99%
2013 5.96% -5%
2012 7.34% -5.44%
2011 7.96% -6.01%
2010 5.68% -6.73%
2009 -0.09% -8.33%
2008 3.59% -5.93%
2007 7.12% -5.81%
2006 2.16% -5.91%
2005 2.56% -5.93%
2004 2.06% -6.32%
2003 0.68% -6.15%
2002 2.23% -6.9%
2001 1.2% -8.48%
2000 4.59% -7.78%
1999 5.2% -5.58%
1998 2.41% -6.79%
1997 5.66% -5.71%
1996 1.98% -6.89%
1995 4.8% -7.11%
1994 7.9% -7.41%
1993 4.36% -5.77%
1992 2.7% -4.95%
1991 0.68% -7.97%
1990 1.97% -6.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/singapore/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Singapore's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $24.3B, equivalent to 4.44% of GDP. This compares to Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Singapore recorded a fiscal deficit in 2 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Singapore posted an annual surplus equal to 3.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Singapore

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Singapore Sri Lanka
2024 2.39% -0.43%
2023 4.83% 16.5%
2022 6.13% 49.7%
2021 2.32% 7.01%
2020 -0.17% 6.15%
2019 0.57% 3.53%
2018 0.44% 2.14%
2017 0.58% 7.7%
2016 -0.53% 3.96%
2015 -0.52% 3.77%
2014 1.03% 3.18%
2013 2.36% 6.91%
2012 4.58% 7.54%
2011 5.25% 6.72%
2010 2.83% 6.22%
2009 0.59% 3.46%
2008 6.64% 22.6%
2007 2.11% 15.8%
2006 0.97% 10%
2005 0.43% 11.6%
2004 1.66% 7.58%
2003 0.51% 6.31%
2002 -0.39% 9.55%
2001 1% 14.2%
2000 1.36% 6.18%
1999 0.02% 4.69%
1998 -0.27% 9.36%
1997 2% 9.57%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/singapore/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Singapore has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.74%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 2.39% in Singapore and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Singapore
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1B
Machinery & equipment $245M
Chemicals & pharma $101M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $59.3M
Miscellaneous $29.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $23.1M
Wood & paper products $12.3M
Precious metals & jewellery $11.7M
Metals $9.18M
Animal & marine products $938K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $31.4M
Machinery & equipment $16.1M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.6M
Chemicals & pharma $11.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.6M
Raw agricultural goods $10.4M
Animal & marine products $3.37M
Metals $1.47M
Precious metals & jewellery $1.06M
Wood & paper products $653K

Balance of trade

Singapore Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$96B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
8/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+17.5%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$435B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$583B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$351B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$396B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
143.6%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
178.8%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Singapore Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 84.4 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 1/197 162/197
Property rights 89.2 47.3
Government integrity 86.1 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 58.3 47.2
Tax burden 89.5 77
Government spending 93.4 89
Fiscal health 80 0
Business freedom 90.6 60.1
Labor freedom 77 54.3
Monetary freedom 83.5 65.9
Trade freedom 95 65.6
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 80 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Singapore
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Singapore Sri Lanka
2026 84.4 50.3
2025 84.1 49.4
2024 83.5 49.2
2023 83.9 52.2
2022 84.4 53.3
2021 89.7 55.7
2020 89.4 57.4
2019 89.4 56.4
2018 88.8 57.8
2017 88.6 57.4
2016 87.8 59.9
2015 89.4 58.6
2014 89.4 60
2013 88 60.7
2012 87.5 58.3
2011 87.2 57.1
2010 86.1 54.6
2009 87.1 56
2008 87.3 58.4
2007 87.1 59.4
2006 88 58.7
2005 88.6 61
2004 88.9 61.6
2003 88.2 62.5
2002 87.4 64
2001 87.8 66
2000 87.7 63.2
1999 86.9 64
1998 87 64.6
1997 87.3 65.5
1996 86.5 62.5
1995 86.3 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/singapore/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Singapore is 84.4, ranking 1/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Singapore Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
73%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.03%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$451B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$126,190
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$384B
2024
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
9/177
2024
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$96.7B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$152B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$55.3B
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
27%
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/singapore/sri-lanka | 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. 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 (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.