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Economy of South Sudan vs Sweden compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $604B for Sweden, ranking 149/197 and 26/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $199B (33% of GDP) in Sweden.

South Sudan vs Sweden GDP by year

South Sudan
Sweden
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Sweden
2024 - $603,715,224,266
2023 - $578,990,915,246
2022 - $575,071,237,641
2021 - $631,693,331,301
2020 - $544,265,668,452
2019 - $530,894,124,494
2018 - $549,649,344,043
2017 - $535,172,356,785
2016 - $513,058,312,951
2015 $11,997,800,760 $501,602,351,912
2014 $13,962,212,847 $577,727,767,304
2013 $18,426,469,017 $584,125,353,119
2012 $11,931,472,169 $549,739,674,655
2011 $14,907,308,933 $570,538,581,144
2010 $14,602,072,411 $492,750,897,239
2009 $12,231,264,525 $434,311,714,442
2008 $14,586,253,383 $514,614,100,833
2007 - $490,047,789,548
2006 - $422,528,394,459
2005 - $391,688,455,929
2004 - $384,545,442,175
2003 - $334,072,443,516
2002 - $267,371,907,447
2001 - $242,497,797,485
2000 - $262,903,560,280
1999 - $274,318,357,862
1998 - $270,887,306,759
1997 - $268,249,616,891
1996 - $291,949,597,375
1995 - $267,050,453,507
1994 - $228,699,066,874
1993 - $212,644,602,616
1992 - $283,908,914,454
1991 - $273,831,464,572
1990 - $261,466,577,009
1989 - $217,632,340,195
1988 - $206,686,590,776
1987 - $182,744,315,974
1986 - $150,279,869,729
1985 - $113,958,084,357
1984 - $109,043,045,407
1983 - $104,862,109,663
1982 - $114,214,731,799
1981 - $129,498,921,476
1980 - $141,886,067,004
1979 - $123,207,527,699
1978 - $104,290,933,496
1977 - $94,331,782,622
1976 - $89,232,517,046
1975 - $82,765,232,648
1974 - $65,917,634,590
1973 - $59,318,842,992
1972 - $48,883,173,400
1971 - $41,506,151,115
1970 - $38,037,226,668
1969 - $33,967,301,561
1968 - $31,277,871,669
1967 - $29,474,881,506
1966 - $27,154,716,721
1965 - $24,963,947,415
1964 - $22,685,490,195
1963 - $20,342,131,882
1962 - $18,794,066,990
1961 - $17,329,620,585
1960 - $15,930,075,467

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

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

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Sweden by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sweden
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Sweden
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $57,117 $71,845
2023 - - $54,950 $69,226
2022 - - $54,837 $67,076
2021 - - $60,648 $62,732
2020 - - $52,569 $57,489
2019 - - $51,649 $57,046
2018 - - $54,018 $53,122
2017 - - $53,210 $51,474
2016 - - $51,704 $50,290
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $51,188 $48,772
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $59,583 $46,841
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $60,844 $46,098
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $57,750 $45,207
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $60,379 $44,333
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $52,543 $41,951
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $46,708 $40,094
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $55,817 $41,907
2007 - - $53,568 $40,813
2006 - - $46,531 $37,672
2005 - - $43,378 $34,198
2004 - - $42,758 $33,805
2003 - - $37,292 $31,788
2002 - - $29,958 $30,987
2001 - - $27,259 $29,946
2000 - - $29,633 $29,636
1999 - - $30,969 $27,496
1998 - - $30,605 $25,897
1997 - - $30,324 $24,817
1996 - - $33,022 $23,952
1995 - - $30,254 $23,084
1994 - - $26,046 $21,835
1993 - - $24,390 $20,700
1992 - - $32,753 $20,767
1991 - - $31,777 $20,663
1990 - - $30,549 $20,357
1989 - - $25,625 -
1988 - - $24,499 -
1987 - - $21,761 -
1986 - - $17,955 -
1985 - - $13,647 -
1984 - - $13,080 -
1983 - - $12,590 -
1982 - - $13,719 -
1981 - - $15,564 -
1980 - - $17,073 -
1979 - - $14,856 -
1978 - - $12,602 -
1977 - - $11,432 -
1976 - - $10,853 -
1975 - - $10,103 -
1974 - - $8,078 -
1973 - - $7,291 -
1972 - - $6,018 -
1971 - - $5,125 -
1970 - - $4,729 -
1969 - - $4,263 -
1968 - - $3,953 -
1967 - - $3,746 -
1966 - - $3,478 -
1965 - - $3,228 -
1964 - - $2,961 -
1963 - - $2,675 -
1962 - - $2,485 -
1961 - - $2,304 -
1960 - - $2,128 -

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

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

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $57,117 in Sweden, ranking 17/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Sweden ranks 23rd at $71,845.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Sweden
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$604B
2024
GDP rank
149/197
2015
26/197
2024
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
0.82%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$57,117
2024
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
17/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$71,845
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
23/197
2024
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$199B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
33%
2024
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$18,842
2024
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
32/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$42,066
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$290B
2003
Number of millionaires n/a
490,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
45
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
22.3%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
49.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
2.84%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
1.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
8.31%
2024
Population
12507858
10680056

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Sweden
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Sweden
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% 49.3% 33%
2023 21.4% 51.9% 48.9% 31.8%
2022 29.4% 37.3% 48.3% 33.9%
2021 44.1% 50.2% 49.3% 37%
2020 34.1% 49% 52% 40.2%
2019 47.9% 43.1% 48.8% 35.8%
2018 54.5% 77.6% 49.8% 39.9%
2017 97% 178.3% 49.2% 41.6%
2016 66.5% 164.7% 49.5% 42.9%
2015 34% 58.6% 49.4% 44.5%
2014 35.8% 37.7% 50.7% 45.7%
2013 25.3% 17.6% 51.4% 40.8%
2012 31.6% 8.91% 50.2% 38%
2011 20.8% - 49.1% 37.7%
2010 - - 49.7% 38.6%
2009 - - 51.7% 41.2%
2008 - - 49.4% 38%
2007 - - 48.5% 39.2%
2006 - - 50.1% 43.8%
2005 - - 51.2% 48.9%
2004 - - 51.7% 48.7%
2003 - - 53% 49.4%
2002 - - 52.7% 49.8%
2001 - - 51.7% 52%
2000 - - 52.2% 50.4%
1999 - - 55.2% 60.3%
1998 - - 55.6% 65.4%
1997 - - 57.9% 67.7%
1996 - - 60% 68.9%
1995 - - 62.1% 68.7%
1994 - - 65.3% 68.6%
1993 - - 67.9% 66.1%
1992 - - 66.5% 45.7%
1991 - - 61.2% 40.2%
1990 - - 57.5% 40.3%
1989 - - 35.8% 44.8%
1988 - - 37.9% 50.3%
1987 - - 40.9% 56%
1986 - - 42.1% 59.5%
1985 - - 47.6% 61.2%
1984 - - 46.7% 57.5%
1983 - - 48.6% 54.5%
1982 - - 46.4% 47.9%
1981 - - 46.1% 41.5%
1980 - - 41% 34.4%
1979 - - 39.9% 28.3%
1978 - - 39.1% 24%
1977 - - 35.7% 21%
1976 - - 32.3% 19%
1975 - - 30.6% 19.9%
1974 - - 30.1% 19.4%
1973 - - 31.1% 18%
1972 - - 31.9% 17.2%
1971 - - 29.8% 16.9%
1970 - - 29.5% 16.9%
1969 - - 28.7% 17.6%
1968 - - 28.3% 17.6%
1967 - - 27.7% 16.1%
1966 - - 26.5% 15.3%
1965 - - 24.6% 17%
1964 - - 23.4% 18.7%
1963 - - 24.4% 20.7%
1962 - - 23.4% 23%
1961 - - 23.7% 26%
1960 - - 24.4% 28.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Sweden spent $298B, or 49.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 33% in Sweden, ranking 105/185 and 148/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Sudan

Sweden
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Sudan Sweden
2024 11.7% -1.72%
2023 8.04% -0.63%
2022 4.48% 1%
2021 -9.3% -0.15%
2020 -5.5% -3.18%
2019 0.04% 0.44%
2018 -1.06% 0.67%
2017 9.56% 1.29%
2016 -19.8% 0.86%
2015 -16.4% -0.27%
2014 -9.07% -1.84%
2013 -3.45% -1.63%
2012 -14.8% -1.19%
2011 4.57% -0.41%
2010 - -0.14%
2009 - -0.89%
2008 - 1.87%
2007 - 3.37%
2006 - 2.2%
2005 - 2.08%
2004 - 0.17%
2003 - -1.25%
2002 - -1.46%
2001 - 1.37%
2000 - 3.11%
1999 - 0.6%
1998 - 0.82%
1997 - -1.57%
1996 - -3.11%
1995 - -7.01%
1994 - -8.77%
1993 - -10.9%
1992 - -8.51%
1991 - 0.28%
1990 - 3.7%
1989 - 1.5%
1988 - -0.64%
1987 - -2%
1986 - -6.21%
1985 - -9.91%
1984 - -12.1%
1983 - -15.1%
1982 - -13.4%
1981 - -12.8%
1980 - -11.5%
1979 - -9.95%
1978 - -7.32%
1977 - -3.32%
1976 - -1.27%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -4.12%
1973 - -3.28%
1972 - -2.17%
1971 - -1.67%
1970 - -2.64%
1969 - -2.03%
1968 - -2.37%
1967 - -1.41%
1966 - -0.33%
1965 - -0.17%
1964 - -0.1%
1963 - 0.41%
1962 - 0.7%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.67%
1959 - -2.53%
1958 - -2.31%
1957 - -2.1%
1956 - -1.21%
1955 - -1.72%
1954 - -1.52%
1953 - -2.47%
1952 - -0.16%
1951 - -0.9%
1950 - -1.64%
1949 - -0.74%
1948 - 0.29%
1947 - -1.08%
1946 - -0.61%
1945 - -8.04%
1944 - -8.66%
1943 - -10.7%
1942 - -11.8%
1941 - -13.1%
1940 - -8.16%
1939 - -1.13%
1938 - -0.07%
1937 - 0.46%
1936 - -0.64%
1935 - -2.19%
1934 - -1.88%
1933 - -4.1%
1932 - -1.56%
1931 - -0.05%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.39%
1928 - -0.06%
1927 - -1.14%
1926 - -1.11%
1925 - -1.44%
1924 - -0.99%
1923 - -1.65%
1922 - -3.17%
1921 - -3.55%
1920 - -0.6%
1919 - 0.17%
1918 - -8.59%
1917 - -0.26%
1916 - -0.23%
1915 - -0.94%
1914 - -0.55%
1913 - -0.17%
1912 - -0.51%
1911 - -0.87%
1910 - -0.81%
1909 - -2.08%
1908 - -2.27%
1907 - -0.68%
1906 - -0.66%
1905 - -0.34%
1904 - -0.56%
1903 - 0.08%
1902 - -1.57%
1901 - -1.34%
1900 - -0.32%
1899 - 0.57%
1898 - 0.91%
1897 - 1.09%
1896 - -0.59%
1895 - 1%
1894 - 0.47%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.68%
1891 - -0.6%
1890 - 0.33%
1889 - 0.19%
1888 - -0.05%
1887 - -1.5%
1886 - -0.98%
1885 - -0.08%
1884 - 0.24%
1883 - 0.16%
1882 - 0.36%
1881 - -0.17%
1880 - -0.47%
1879 - -1.89%
1878 - -2.04%
1877 - -1.21%
1876 - -1.07%
1875 - -1.26%
1874 - -1.05%
1873 - 0.06%
1872 - -0.15%
1871 - 0.22%
1870 - -0.42%
1869 - -1.52%
1868 - -1.67%
1867 - -1.17%
1866 - -3.01%
1865 - -2.02%
1864 - -2.3%
1863 - -1.58%
1862 - -1.35%
1861 - -1.11%
1860 - -2.03%
1859 - -2.17%
1858 - -2.36%
1857 - -0.62%
1856 - -0.08%
1855 - -0.09%
1854 - -0.19%
1853 - 0.17%
1852 - -0.31%
1851 - -0.07%
1850 - 0.004%
1849 - 0.09%
1848 - 0.12%
1847 - 0.08%
1846 - 0.13%
1845 - 0.04%
1844 - 0.009%
1843 - 0.05%
1842 - -0.12%
1841 - 0.06%
1840 - -0.01%
1839 - -0.006%
1838 - 0.09%
1837 - -0.38%
1836 - -0.08%
1835 - 0.08%
1834 - -0.12%
1833 - 0.09%
1832 - 0.01%
1831 - -0.1%
1830 - -0.45%
1829 - 2.7%
1828 - 0.03%
1827 - -0.16%
1826 - 0.37%
1825 - 0.18%
1824 - -0.23%
1823 - 0.37%
1822 - -0.03%
1821 - -0.49%
1820 - 0.26%
1819 - 0.09%
1818 - 0.35%
1817 - 0.35%
1816 - 0.16%
1815 - 2.34%
1814 - -0.45%
1813 - -0.37%
1812 - 3.47%
1811 - -0.48%
1810 - -3.05%
1809 - -7.65%
1808 - -5.04%
1807 - 0.1%
1806 - 0.55%
1805 - 0.52%
1804 - -0.25%
1803 - 11.6%
1802 - 2.17%
1801 - 0.01%
1800 - -0.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1800–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/sweden | 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 Sweden's deficit of $1.36B, or 0.27% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Sweden ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.07% of GDP for Sweden.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Sweden
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Sweden
2024 91.4% 2.84%
2023 2.38% 8.55%
2022 -6.69% 8.37%
2021 10.5% 2.16%
2020 29.7% 0.5%
2019 87.2% 1.78%
2018 83.5% 1.95%
2017 187.9% 1.79%
2016 380% 0.98%
2015 52.8% -0.05%
2014 1.67% -0.18%
2013 -0.06% -0.04%
2012 45.5% 0.89%
2011 46.9% 2.96%
2010 1.17% 1.16%
2009 5.01% -0.49%
2008 - 3.44%
2007 - 2.21%
2006 - 1.36%
2005 - 0.45%
2004 - 0.37%
2003 - 1.93%
2002 - 2.16%
2001 - 2.41%
2000 - 0.9%
1999 - 0.46%
1998 - -0.27%
1997 - 0.66%

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

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

Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 2.07% in Sweden. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 2.84% in Sweden.

Top exports between countries

South Sudan
Export category Export value
Sweden
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.03M
Miscellaneous $442K
Machinery & equipment $208K
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Raw materials & minerals $21K
Metals $2K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

South Sudan Sweden
Current account balance
$578M
2023
$35.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
17/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
+5.92%
2024
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
$188B
2024
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
$218B
2024
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
$126B
2024
Service exports
$484M
2023
$116B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
51.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
54.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Sweden
Economic freedom 41 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 14/197
Property rights n/a 96.2
Government integrity n/a 91.6
Judicial effectiveness n/a 95.6
Tax burden n/a 51.6
Government spending n/a 28.4
Fiscal health n/a 97.5
Business freedom n/a 84.8
Labor freedom n/a 65.8
Monetary freedom n/a 78.1
Trade freedom n/a 79.4
Investment freedom n/a 85
Financial freedom n/a 80

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Sweden
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
66.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
21.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
1.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$615B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$75,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
$62.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
37/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
$2.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$27B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$29.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
16.1%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
25.4%
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/sweden | 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 (1800–1992, 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 (2023–2024, 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.