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Economy of South Sudan vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 149/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

South Sudan vs Turkey GDP by year

South Sudan
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Turkey
2024 - $1,359,123,768,774
2023 - $1,141,242,864,657
2022 - $926,097,476,914
2021 - $839,938,668,172
2020 - $733,628,247,119
2019 - $775,853,144,223
2018 - $788,356,985,774
2017 - $863,874,522,365
2016 - $870,818,016,910
2015 $11,997,800,760 $865,460,050,684
2014 $13,962,212,847 $942,343,431,929
2013 $18,426,469,017 $962,167,643,589
2012 $11,931,472,169 $885,327,622,479
2011 $14,907,308,933 $844,192,507,381
2010 $14,602,072,411 $782,545,664,268
2009 $12,231,264,525 $653,894,449,921
2008 $14,586,253,383 $775,415,944,333
2007 - $685,228,481,017
2006 - $559,668,118,237
2005 - $508,314,210,213
2004 - $410,156,784,496
2003 - $315,392,899,922
2002 - $240,778,008,474
2001 - $202,195,080,239
2000 - $274,748,463,179
1999 - $256,673,939,248
1998 - $276,035,372,655
1997 - $263,817,553,748
1996 - $250,366,965,174
1995 - $234,699,627,004
1994 - $130,650,447,499
1993 - $180,415,757,852
1992 - $159,104,772,992
1991 - $151,034,731,544
1990 - $150,655,500,192
1989 - $107,127,191,329
1988 - $90,875,175,809
1987 - $87,190,081,680
1986 - $75,673,037,037
1985 - $67,232,758,621
1984 - $59,937,602,180
1983 - $61,803,555,556
1982 - $64,369,325,153
1981 - $71,180,180,180
1980 - $68,823,684,211
1979 - $89,616,129,032
1978 - $65,912,500,000
1977 - $58,683,333,333
1976 - $51,450,000,000
1975 - $46,042,857,143
1974 - $35,414,285,714
1973 - $26,000,000,000
1972 - $20,650,000,000
1971 - $16,166,666,667
1970 - $17,863,636,364
1969 - $19,466,666,667
1968 - $17,500,000,000
1967 - $15,644,444,444
1966 - $14,100,000,000
1965 - $11,966,666,667
1964 - $11,177,777,778
1963 - $10,355,555,556
1962 - $8,922,222,222
1961 - $7,988,888,889
1960 - $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Turkey by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $15,893 $45,639
2023 - - $13,375 $42,786
2022 - - $10,898 $39,564
2021 - - $9,982 $32,106
2020 - - $8,798 $29,209
2019 - - $9,395 $29,016
2018 - - $9,684 $28,640
2017 - - $10,756 $28,354
2016 - - $10,984 $26,731
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $10,913 $16,142
2007 - - $9,767 $14,951
2006 - - $7,990 $13,555
2005 - - $7,332 $11,803
2004 - - $5,980 $10,759
2003 - - $4,650 $9,474
2002 - - $3,591 $9,154
2001 - - $3,052 $9,014
2000 - - $4,199 $9,326
1999 - - $3,974 $8,470
1998 - - $4,331 $8,763
1997 - - $4,197 $11,514
1996 - - $4,041 $10,624
1995 - - $3,846 $9,962
1994 - - $2,176 $9,253
1993 - - $3,058 $9,751
1992 - - $2,744 $8,969
1991 - - $2,649 $8,418
1990 - - $2,690 $8,208
1989 - - $1,949 -
1988 - - $1,686 -
1987 - - $1,650 -
1986 - - $1,461 -
1985 - - $1,326 -
1984 - - $1,209 -
1983 - - $1,276 -
1982 - - $1,360 -
1981 - - $1,537 -
1980 - - $1,516 -
1979 - - $2,013 -
1978 - - $1,510 -
1977 - - $1,372 -
1976 - - $1,228 -
1975 - - $1,122 -
1974 - - $881 -
1973 - - $661 -
1972 - - $537 -
1971 - - $431 -
1970 - - $488 -
1969 - - $544 -
1968 - - $501 -
1967 - - $459 -
1966 - - $425 -
1965 - - $370 -
1964 - - $354 -
1963 - - $337 -
1962 - - $298.2 -
1961 - - $274.4 -
1960 - - $267.1 -

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

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

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Turkey
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
149/197
2015
17/197
2024
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
51/197
2024
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
8.71%
2024
Population
12507858
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% 32.6% 24%
2023 21.4% 51.9% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 29.4% 37.3% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 44.1% 50.2% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 34.1% 49% 34% 38.7%
2019 47.9% 43.1% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 54.5% 77.6% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 97% 178.3% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 66.5% 164.7% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 34% 58.6% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 35.8% 37.7% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 25.3% 17.6% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 31.6% 8.91% 34% 32.1%
2011 20.8% - 32.6% 35.7%
2010 - - 35.2% 39.2%
2009 - - 37% 42.9%
2008 - - 33.5% 37.5%
2007 - - 32.7% 37.5%
2006 - - 33.4% 44%
2005 - - 32% 50%
2004 - - 34.5% 57%
2003 - - 38.3% 65%
2002 - - 40.9% 71.3%
2001 - - 43.9% 75.3%
2000 - - 39.4% 51.2%
1999 - - 32.7% 52.1%
1998 - - 27.9% 36.5%
1997 - - 26.4% 32.5%
1996 - - 24.5% 35.5%
1995 - - 19.4% 34.6%
1994 - - 20.5% 39.2%
1993 - - 22% 29.1%
1992 - - 18.6% 29.2%
1991 - - 18.2% 28.4%
1990 - - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 24% in Turkey, ranking 105/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Sudan

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Sudan Turkey
2024 11.7% -4.57%
2023 8.04% -5.22%
2022 4.48% -1.1%
2021 -9.3% -2.98%
2020 -5.5% -4.64%
2019 0.04% -4.69%
2018 -1.06% -3.1%
2017 9.56% -1.87%
2016 -19.8% -1.68%
2015 -16.4% -0.51%
2014 -9.07% -0.96%
2013 -3.45% -1.21%
2012 -14.8% -1.78%
2011 4.57% -0.35%
2010 - -2.99%
2009 - -5.14%
2008 - -2.13%
2007 - -1.37%
2006 - -0.22%
2005 - -0.75%
2004 - -4.11%
2003 - -7.55%
2002 - -11.3%
2001 - -11.6%
2000 - -8.36%
1999 - -13.8%
1998 - -9.84%
1997 - -10.1%
1996 - -10.7%
1995 - -5.95%
1994 - -6.04%
1993 - -8.84%
1992 - -6.73%
1991 - -6.86%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $4.43B, or 0.51% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.96% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Turkey
2024 91.4% 58.5%
2023 2.38% 53.9%
2022 -6.69% 72.3%
2021 10.5% 19.6%
2020 29.7% 12.3%
2019 87.2% 15.2%
2018 83.5% 16.3%
2017 187.9% 11.1%
2016 380% 7.78%
2015 52.8% 7.67%
2014 1.67% 8.85%
2013 -0.06% 7.49%
2012 45.5% 8.89%
2011 46.9% 6.47%
2010 1.17% 8.57%
2009 5.01% 6.25%
2008 - 10.4%
2007 - 8.76%
2006 - 9.6%
2005 - 8.18%
2004 - 8.6%
2003 - 21.6%
2002 - 45%
2001 - 54.4%
2000 - 54.9%
1999 - 64.9%
1998 - 84.6%
1997 - 85.7%

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

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

Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 20.1% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 58.5% in Turkey.

Balance of trade

South Sudan Turkey
Current account balance
$578M
2023
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
$257B
2024
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$484M
2023
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
27.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Turkey
Economic freedom 41 55
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 129/197
Property rights n/a 36.4
Government integrity n/a 35.3
Judicial effectiveness n/a 23.5
Tax burden n/a 72
Government spending n/a 71.8
Fiscal health n/a 77.8
Business freedom n/a 61.6
Labor freedom n/a 44.3
Monetary freedom n/a 36.5
Trade freedom n/a 71
Investment freedom n/a 70
Financial freedom n/a 60

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Turkey
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
30.7%
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/turkey | 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 (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.

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.