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Economy of South Sudan vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 149/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

South Sudan vs Spain GDP by year

South Sudan
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Spain
2024 - $1,725,671,652,742
2023 - $1,619,481,980,720
2022 - $1,448,850,658,407
2021 - $1,461,244,901,853
2020 - $1,289,783,836,971
2019 - $1,403,496,387,686
2018 - $1,431,642,809,327
2017 - $1,321,754,088,819
2016 - $1,243,015,667,917
2015 $11,997,800,760 $1,206,164,777,553
2014 $13,962,212,847 $1,380,244,561,362
2013 $18,426,469,017 $1,362,186,923,158
2012 $11,931,472,169 $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $14,907,308,933 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $14,602,072,411 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $12,231,264,525 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $14,586,253,383 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 - $1,476,746,276,855
2006 - $1,261,846,683,275
2005 - $1,154,667,551,776
2004 - $1,069,829,382,515
2003 - $907,963,217,058
2002 - $708,938,227,244
2001 - $627,798,682,379
2000 - $598,102,854,756
1999 - $634,394,904,387
1998 - $618,731,484,575
1997 - $589,739,772,727
1996 - $642,251,412,058
1995 - $614,170,002,669
1994 - $530,183,651,720
1993 - $524,700,572,624
1992 - $630,465,353,486
1991 - $576,753,902,322
1990 - $536,175,326,477
1989 - $414,460,794,097
1988 - $375,891,716,898
1987 - $318,520,253,335
1986 - $251,141,555,186
1985 - $180,664,322,896
1984 - $171,979,977,230
1983 - $170,829,074,246
1982 - $195,856,752,991
1981 - $202,663,023,968
1980 - $232,600,556,974
1979 - $214,448,666,336
1978 - $160,484,969,618
1977 - $132,354,665,936
1976 - $118,422,534,195
1975 - $114,695,060,870
1974 - $97,204,522,642
1973 - $78,583,355,226
1972 - $59,090,176,029
1971 - $46,586,119,760
1970 - $40,963,715,237
1969 - $37,090,689,288
1968 - $32,394,326,464
1967 - $32,570,905,397
1966 - $29,559,436,183
1965 - $25,479,619,607
1964 - $21,966,876,027
1963 - $19,631,714,760
1962 - $16,609,632,791
1961 - $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/spain | CC BY

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Spain by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $35,327 $57,965
2023 - - $33,493 $55,682
2022 - - $30,319 $51,399
2021 - - $30,799 $44,252
2020 - - $27,234 $39,328
2019 - - $29,787 $44,043
2018 - - $30,602 $41,015
2017 - - $28,381 $39,825
2016 - - $26,756 $37,613
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $25,982 $35,229
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $29,708 $33,761
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $29,229 $32,614
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $28,456 $31,870
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $35,603 $33,350
2007 - - $32,652 $32,536
2006 - - $28,422 $30,749
2005 - - $26,451 $27,630
2004 - - $24,925 $26,160
2003 - - $21,522 $25,057
2002 - - $17,111 $24,378
2001 - - $15,368 $22,952
2000 - - $14,743 $21,582
1999 - - $15,708 $19,938
1998 - - $15,382 $19,083
1997 - - $14,722 $17,903
1996 - - $16,101 $16,971
1995 - - $15,461 $16,276
1994 - - $13,406 $15,582
1993 - - $13,330 $14,973
1992 - - $16,101 $14,855
1991 - - $14,801 $14,461
1990 - - $13,795 $13,676
1989 - - $10,674 -
1988 - - $9,696 -
1987 - - $8,234 -
1986 - - $6,509 -
1985 - - $4,696 -
1984 - - $4,487 -
1983 - - $4,475 -
1982 - - $5,156 -
1981 - - $5,367 -
1980 - - $6,204 -
1979 - - $5,766 -
1978 - - $4,353 -
1977 - - $3,625 -
1976 - - $3,277 -
1975 - - $3,208 -
1974 - - $2,748 -
1973 - - $2,246 -
1972 - - $1,708 -
1971 - - $1,361 -
1970 - - $1,211 -
1969 - - $1,109 -
1968 - - $978 -
1967 - - $997 -
1966 - - $916 -
1965 - - $797 -
1964 - - $695 -
1963 - - $627 -
1962 - - $535 -
1961 - - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/spain | CC BY

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Spain
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
149/197
2015
15/197
2024
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
34/197
2024
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
2.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
11.3%
2024
Population
12507858
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% 45.3% 101.6%
2023 21.4% 51.9% 45.5% 105.1%
2022 29.4% 37.3% 46.4% 109.2%
2021 44.1% 50.2% 49.5% 115.6%
2020 34.1% 49% 51.4% 119.2%
2019 47.9% 43.1% 42% 97.6%
2018 54.5% 77.6% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 97% 178.3% 41% 101.1%
2016 66.5% 164.7% 42.1% 102%
2015 34% 58.6% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 35.8% 37.7% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 25.3% 17.6% 46.2% 100%
2012 31.6% 8.91% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 20.8% - 45.9% 69.5%
2010 - - 45.8% 60.3%
2009 - - 46.1% 53.1%
2008 - - 41.3% 39.6%
2007 - - 39.2% 35.7%
2006 - - 38.4% 39%
2005 - - 38.4% 42.4%
2004 - - 38.8% 45.3%
2003 - - 38.4% 47.7%
2002 - - 38.6% 51.2%
2001 - - 38.4% 54.1%
2000 - - 39.1% 57.8%
1999 - - 40% 60.9%
1998 - - 41% 62.4%
1997 - - 41.5% 64.3%
1996 - - 42.9% 65.4%
1995 - - 44.1% 61.6%
1994 - - 44.8% 57%
1993 - - 46.3% 54.6%
1992 - - 43.9% 44.1%
1991 - - 42.6% 41.9%
1990 - - 41.1% 41.3%
1989 - - 32.1% 39.2%
1988 - - 28.6% 38.2%
1987 - - 31.1% 42.1%
1986 - - 28.4% 36.5%
1985 - - 27.6% 31.5%
1984 - - 27% 18.3%
1983 - - 26% 13.4%
1982 - - 21.5% 12%
1981 - - 18.1% 10.9%
1980 - - 16.3% 10.2%
1979 - - 14.3% 9.88%
1978 - - 14.3% 9.93%
1977 - - 12.8% 8.75%
1976 - - 11.5% 8.21%
1975 - - 11.4% 11.9%
1974 - - 11.4% 13.6%
1973 - - 9.88% 16.3%
1972 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1971 - - 14% 17.9%
1970 - - 12.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 12.3% 18.8%
1968 - - 12.8% 18.3%
1967 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1966 - - 11.8% 17.7%
1965 - - 14% 18.1%
1964 - - 12.7% 19.5%
1963 - - 12.4% 21%
1962 - - 10.6% 24.4%
1961 - - 9.97% 26.7%
1960 - - 11% 29.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/spain | CC BY

In 2024, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 105/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Sudan

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Sudan Spain
2024 11.7% -3.15%
2023 8.04% -3.52%
2022 4.48% -4.63%
2021 -9.3% -6.66%
2020 -5.5% -10%
2019 0.04% -3.04%
2018 -1.06% -2.58%
2017 9.56% -3.1%
2016 -19.8% -4.26%
2015 -16.4% -5.26%
2014 -9.07% -6.07%
2013 -3.45% -7.49%
2012 -14.8% -11.5%
2011 4.57% -9.69%
2010 - -9.49%
2009 - -11.2%
2008 - -4.56%
2007 - 1.88%
2006 - 2.12%
2005 - 1.23%
2004 - -0.1%
2003 - -0.37%
2002 - -0.32%
2001 - -0.45%
2000 - -1.16%
1999 - -1.24%
1998 - -2.63%
1997 - -3.86%
1996 - -5.87%
1995 - -6.79%
1994 - -6.31%
1993 - -6.89%
1992 - -4.26%
1991 - -4.58%
1990 - -3.9%
1989 - -3.24%
1988 - -2.95%
1987 - -3.52%
1986 - -5.18%
1985 - -6.04%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -4.77%
1982 - -5.76%
1981 - -2.88%
1980 - -2.55%
1979 - -1.51%
1978 - -1.63%
1977 - -0.24%
1976 - 0.43%
1975 - 0.26%
1974 - 0.11%
1973 - 1.09%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - 0.09%
1969 - -0.06%
1968 - -0.55%
1967 - -0.32%
1966 - 0.07%
1965 - -0.04%
1964 - 0.18%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - 1.27%
1961 - 1.9%
1960 - 0.69%
1959 - 0.54%
1958 - 0.23%
1957 - 1.13%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.02%
1952 - 0.81%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -0.35%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.09%
1946 - -2.24%
1945 - -4.56%
1944 - -5.44%
1943 - -7.73%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -4.34%
1940 - -3.54%
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -0.49%
1934 - -1.17%
1933 - -0.72%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.1%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - -0.07%
1928 - -0.31%
1927 - -0.54%
1926 - -0.65%
1925 - -1.19%
1924 - -1.76%
1923 - -1.89%
1922 - -2.26%
1921 - -3.33%
1920 - -2.4%
1919 - -1.82%
1918 - -1.8%
1917 - -1.49%
1916 - -1.15%
1915 - -2.97%
1914 - -1.04%
1913 - -0.09%
1912 - -0.33%
1911 - 0.19%
1910 - 0.09%
1909 - -0.29%
1908 - 0.59%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.91%
1905 - 0.71%
1904 - 0.52%
1903 - 0.28%
1902 - 0.74%
1901 - 0.69%
1900 - 1.04%
1899 - 2.75%
1898 - 0.13%
1897 - -0.64%
1896 - 0.46%
1895 - 0.83%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - 0.87%
1892 - -0.67%
1891 - -0.41%
1890 - -0.4%
1889 - -0.38%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -0.73%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.78%
1884 - -0.23%
1883 - -0.38%
1882 - 0.38%
1881 - 0.08%
1880 - -0.02%
1879 - -0.52%
1878 - -0.08%
1877 - 0.11%
1876 - 0.1%
1875 - -1.42%
1874 - -0.1%
1873 - 2.22%
1872 - -2.27%
1871 - -2.64%
1870 - -3.42%
1869 - -2.64%
1868 - -1.46%
1867 - -0.79%
1866 - -0.83%
1865 - -1.84%
1864 - -2.48%
1863 - -1.55%
1862 - -1.76%
1861 - -1.77%
1860 - -0.94%
1859 - 0.39%
1858 - -0.44%
1857 - -0.41%
1856 - -0.46%
1855 - -0.76%
1854 - -0.32%
1853 - -0.02%
1852 - -0.11%
1851 - -0.25%
1850 - 0.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/spain | CC BY

In 2015, South Sudan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.97B, equivalent to 16.4% of GDP. This compares to Spain's deficit of $63.5B, or 5.26% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 8% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Spain
2024 91.4% 2.77%
2023 2.38% 3.53%
2022 -6.69% 8.39%
2021 10.5% 3.09%
2020 29.7% -0.32%
2019 87.2% 0.7%
2018 83.5% 1.67%
2017 187.9% 1.96%
2016 380% -0.2%
2015 52.8% -0.5%
2014 1.67% -0.15%
2013 -0.06% 1.41%
2012 45.5% 2.45%
2011 46.9% 3.2%
2010 1.17% 1.8%
2009 5.01% -0.29%
2008 - 4.08%
2007 - 2.79%
2006 - 3.52%
2005 - 3.37%
2004 - 3.04%
2003 - 3.04%
2002 - 3.07%
2001 - 3.59%
2000 - 3.43%
1999 - 2.31%
1998 - 1.83%
1997 - 1.97%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/spain | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 1.84% in Spain. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

South Sudan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $29K
Metals $1K
Spain
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.03M
Machinery & equipment $1.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $259K
Chemicals & pharma $145K
Animal & marine products $138K
Raw agricultural goods $51K
Wood & paper products $44K
Metals $21K
Precious metals & jewellery $13K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

South Sudan Spain
Current account balance
$578M
2023
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
$419B
2024
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
$111B
2024
Service exports
$484M
2023
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Spain
Economic freedom 41 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 59/197
Property rights n/a 88
Government integrity n/a 64.2
Judicial effectiveness n/a 74.3
Tax burden n/a 58.2
Government spending n/a 37.3
Fiscal health n/a 57.3
Business freedom n/a 82.6
Labor freedom n/a 61.7
Monetary freedom n/a 78.2
Trade freedom n/a 79.4
Investment freedom n/a 60
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Spain
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$71.5B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
21.2%
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/south-sudan/spain | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.

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.