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Economy of South Sudan vs Turkmenistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $51.4B for Turkmenistan, ranking 149/197 and 92/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $2.11B (4.11% of GDP) in Turkmenistan.

South Sudan vs Turkmenistan GDP by year

South Sudan
Turkmenistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Turkmenistan
2024 - $51,387,209,872
2023 - $45,894,538,666
2022 - $42,208,726,138
2021 - $40,589,905,812
2020 - $41,509,903,182
2019 - $40,810,067,975
2018 - $40,765,428,571
2017 - $37,926,285,714
2016 - $36,169,428,571
2015 $11,997,800,760 $35,799,714,286
2014 $13,962,212,847 $43,524,210,526
2013 $18,426,469,017 $39,197,543,860
2012 $11,931,472,169 $35,164,210,526
2011 $14,907,308,933 $29,233,333,333
2010 $14,602,072,411 $22,583,157,895
2009 $12,231,264,525 $20,214,385,965
2008 $14,586,253,383 $19,271,523,179
2007 - $12,664,165,103
2006 - $10,276,674,365
2005 - $8,103,901,996
2004 - $6,838,351,088
2003 - $5,977,440,583
2002 - $4,462,029,109
2001 - $3,534,772,732
2000 - $2,904,663,311
1999 - $2,450,564,100
1998 - $2,605,689,134
1997 - $2,450,350,625
1996 - $2,378,759,975
1995 - $2,482,228,440
1994 - $2,561,118,608
1993 - $3,179,225,949
1992 - $3,200,539,816
1991 - $3,208,098,919
1990 - $3,189,539,641
1989 - $3,006,988,217
1988 - $3,010,982,414
1987 - $2,331,358,820

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Turkmenistan by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkmenistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Turkmenistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $6,857 $21,213
2023 - - $6,232 $19,829
2022 - - $5,838 $18,340
2021 - - $5,723 $16,434
2020 - - $5,973 $15,091
2019 - - $5,998 $15,478
2018 - - $6,125 $14,368
2017 - - $5,828 $13,278
2016 - - $5,687 $12,919
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $5,759 $12,715
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $7,164 $12,477
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $6,600 $11,723
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $6,054 $11,035
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $5,144 $10,283
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $4,059 $8,972
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $3,708 $8,285
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $3,606 $7,916
2007 - - $2,415 $6,901
2006 - - $1,997 $6,164
2005 - - $1,604 $5,489
2004 - - $1,379 $4,798
2003 - - $1,229 $4,536
2002 - - $936 $4,393
2001 - - $756 $4,401
2000 - - $634 $4,209
1999 - - $546 $3,981
1998 - - $591 $3,432
1997 - - $565 $3,222
1996 - - $558 $3,636
1995 - - $592 $3,405
1994 - - $622 $3,659
1993 - - $788 $4,422
1992 - - $811 $4,351
1991 - - $832 $5,117
1990 - - $848 $5,321
1989 - - $821 -
1988 - - $846 -
1987 - - $675 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $6,857 in Turkmenistan, ranking 104/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Turkmenistan ranks 94th at $21,213.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Turkmenistan
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$51.4B
2024
GDP rank
149/197
2015
92/197
2024
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
6.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$6,857
2024
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
104/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$21,213
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
94/197
2024
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$2.11B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
4.11%
2024
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$282
2024
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
179/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$7,520
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
31.5%
1998
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
2.4%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
14.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
4%
2010
Population
12507858
7776557

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Turkmenistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Turkmenistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% 14.5% 4.11%
2023 21.4% 51.9% 13.7% 5.46%
2022 29.4% 37.3% 13% 7.14%
2021 44.1% 50.2% 13.4% 12.3%
2020 34.1% 49% 13.5% 15.4%
2019 47.9% 43.1% 13.6% 17.7%
2018 54.5% 77.6% 13.7% 22.5%
2017 97% 178.3% 17.8% 24.7%
2016 66.5% 164.7% 14.1% 21.1%
2015 34% 58.6% 17.3% 19%
2014 35.8% 37.7% 17% 16%
2013 25.3% 17.6% 16.9% 20.4%
2012 31.6% 8.91% 14.7% 17.9%
2011 20.8% - 15.4% 14.8%
2010 - - 14.6% 7.04%
2009 - - 14.4% 3.09%
2008 - - 11.7% 3.56%
2007 - - 14.4% 3.06%
2006 - - 16% 4.23%
2005 - - 21.1% 6.82%
2004 - - 20.3% 11.4%
2003 - - 20.8% 16.9%
2002 - - 19.4% 24.2%
2001 - - 22.6% 34.1%
2000 - - 25.9% 55.1%
1999 - - 20.8% 66.7%
1998 - - 26.1% 81.6%
1997 - - 26.9% 64.2%

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

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

In 2024, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Turkmenistan spent $7.46B, or 14.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 4.11% in Turkmenistan, ranking 105/185 and 183/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Sudan

Turkmenistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Sudan Turkmenistan
2024 11.7% -0.08%
2023 8.04% 0.11%
2022 4.48% 3.38%
2021 -9.3% 0.57%
2020 -5.5% -0.16%
2019 0.04% -0.4%
2018 -1.06% -0.22%
2017 9.56% -2.84%
2016 -19.8% -2.38%
2015 -16.4% -0.7%
2014 -9.07% 0.89%
2013 -3.45% 1.53%
2012 -14.8% 7.53%
2011 4.57% 3.84%
2010 - 2.13%
2009 - 7.53%
2008 - 10.7%
2007 - 4.19%
2006 - 5.64%
2005 - 0.86%
2004 - 1.47%
2003 - 3.99%
2002 - 0.19%
2001 - 0.77%
2000 - -0.55%
1999 - 2.48%
1998 - 1.15%
1997 - -0.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/turkmenistan | 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 Turkmenistan's deficit of $250M, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Turkmenistan ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.62% of GDP for Turkmenistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Turkmenistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Turkmenistan
2024 91.4% 4.6%
2023 2.38% -1.6%
2022 -6.69% 11.2%
2021 10.5% 19.5%
2020 29.7% 6.1%
2019 87.2% 5.1%
2018 83.5% 13.3%
2017 187.9% 8%
2016 380% 3.6%
2015 52.8% 7.4%
2014 1.67% 6%
2013 -0.06% 6.8%
2012 45.5% 5.3%
2011 46.9% 5.3%
2010 1.17% 4.4%
2009 5.01% -2.7%
2008 - 14.5%
2007 - 6.3%
2006 - 8.2%
2005 - 10.7%
2004 - 5.9%
2003 - 5.6%
2002 - 8.8%
2001 - 11.6%
2000 - 8%
1999 - 23.5%
1998 - 16.8%
1997 - 83.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 6.39% in Turkmenistan. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 4.6% in Turkmenistan.

Balance of trade

South Sudan Turkmenistan
Current account balance
$578M
2023
n/a
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
n/a
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
n/a
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
n/a
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
n/a
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
n/a
Service exports
$484M
2023
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
11.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
17.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Turkmenistan
Economic freedom 41 47
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 177/197
Property rights n/a 17.4
Government integrity n/a 8.4
Judicial effectiveness n/a 12.3
Tax burden n/a 94.2
Government spending n/a 94.3
Fiscal health n/a 99.9
Business freedom n/a 37.5
Labor freedom n/a 29.3
Monetary freedom n/a 76.7
Trade freedom n/a 74.2
Investment freedom n/a 10
Financial freedom n/a 10

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Turkmenistan
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
50.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
37.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
12.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$48.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$21,020
2024
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
$1.51B
1999
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
135/177
1999
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$1.64B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
1.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
0.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
47.2%
2012

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/turkmenistan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.