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Economy of South Sudan vs Tuvalu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $62.3M for Tuvalu, ranking 149/197 and 196/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $4.15M (6.96% of GDP) in Tuvalu.

South Sudan vs Tuvalu GDP by year

South Sudan
Tuvalu
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Tuvalu
2023 - $62,280,312
2022 - $59,065,982
2021 - $60,196,406
2020 - $51,746,594
2019 - $54,123,199
2018 - $48,015,260
2017 - $45,276,595
2016 - $41,629,064
2015 $11,997,800,760 $36,811,936
2014 $13,962,212,847 $38,760,983
2013 $18,426,469,017 $38,615,891
2012 $11,931,472,169 $39,345,579
2011 $14,907,308,933 $39,196,957
2010 $14,602,072,411 $32,105,408
2009 $12,231,264,525 $28,076,984
2008 $14,586,253,383 $31,874,435
2007 - $28,450,169
2006 - $24,096,875
2005 - $22,909,980
2004 - $22,798,275
2003 - $19,456,338
2002 - $16,842,673
2001 - $13,964,732
2000 - $15,073,976
1999 - $14,800,503
1998 - $13,795,146
1997 - $13,734,210
1996 - $13,338,597
1995 - $11,922,614
1994 - $11,772,611
1993 - $10,414,400
1992 - $10,535,028
1991 - $10,127,314
1990 - $9,542,901
1989 - $8,454,523
1988 - $7,011,059
1987 - $5,020,513
1986 - $4,574,706
1985 - $3,862,852
1984 - $4,481,978
1983 - $4,152,550
1982 - $4,118,945
1981 - $4,773,018
1980 - $4,206,128
1979 - $4,065,659
1978 - $3,798,782
1977 - $3,669,420
1976 - $3,919,072
1975 - $4,014,748
1974 - $4,122,329
1973 - $3,411,915
1972 - $2,968,458
1971 - $2,716,990
1970 - $2,585,956

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Tuvalu by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tuvalu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Tuvalu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 - - $6,345 $6,151
2022 - - $5,911 $5,661
2021 - - $5,905 $5,353
2020 - - $4,976 $5,122
2019 - - $5,115 $5,210
2018 - - $4,466 $4,432
2017 - - $4,166 $4,227
2016 - - $3,809 $4,031
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $3,358 $3,776
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $3,529 $3,419
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $3,510 $3,277
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $3,598 $3,170
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $3,636 $3,176
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $3,025 $2,945
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $2,684 $3,082
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $3,088 $3,291
2007 - - $2,794 $3,034
2006 - - $2,396 $2,787
2005 - - $2,305 $2,728
2004 - - $2,323 $2,765
2003 - - $2,007 $2,770
2002 - - $1,750 $2,915
2001 - - $1,457 $2,596
2000 - - $1,579 $2,597
1999 - - $1,559 $2,543
1998 - - $1,460 $2,560
1997 - - $1,461 $2,204
1996 - - $1,428 $1,982
1995 - - $1,285 $2,083
1994 - - $1,279 $2,165
1993 - - $1,141 $1,939
1992 - - $1,166 $1,837
1991 - - $1,134 $1,769
1990 - - $1,085 $1,676
1989 - - $976 -
1988 - - $823 -
1987 - - $600 -
1986 - - $557 -
1985 - - $480 -
1984 - - $567 -
1983 - - $533 -
1982 - - $537 -
1981 - - $634 -
1980 - - $571 -
1979 - - $566 -
1978 - - $546 -
1977 - - $549 -
1976 - - $612 -
1975 - - $656 -
1974 - - $708 -
1973 - - $601 -
1972 - - $522 -
1971 - - $478 -
1970 - - $457 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $6,345 in Tuvalu, ranking 110/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Tuvalu ranks 152nd at $6,151.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Tuvalu
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$62.3M
2023
GDP rank
149/197
2015
196/197
2023
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
3.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$6,345
2023
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
110/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$6,151
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
152/197
2023
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$4.15M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
6.96%
2024
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$423
2023
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
171/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$4,233
2026
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
30.8%
2010
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
2.7%
2010
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
118.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
7.32%
2022
Population
12507858
9341

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Tuvalu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Tuvalu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% 118.4% 6.96%
2023 21.4% 51.9% 138.8% 6.67%
2022 29.4% 37.3% 115.3% 6.33%
2021 44.1% 50.2% 113.8% 11.3%
2020 34.1% 49% 119.5% 12.1%
2019 47.9% 43.1% 113.6% 11.6%
2018 54.5% 77.6% 125.6% 11.8%
2017 97% 178.3% 106.4% 12%
2016 66.5% 164.7% 119.6% 11.5%
2015 34% 58.6% 116.9% 14.4%
2014 35.8% 37.7% 96.8% 16.4%
2013 25.3% 17.6% 80.2% 17.8%
2012 31.6% 8.91% 76.8% 19.3%
2011 20.8% - 77.2% 19.1%
2010 - - 93.9% 21.1%
2009 - - 100% 20.6%
2008 - - 85.8% 19.8%
2007 - - 88.6% 32.4%
2006 - - 98.5% 37.5%
2005 - - 82.1% 37.4%
2004 - - 74.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Tuvalu spent $86.4M, or 118.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 6.96% in Tuvalu, ranking 105/185 and 182/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Sudan

Tuvalu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Sudan Tuvalu
2024 11.7% -8.23%
2023 8.04% 15.3%
2022 4.48% -14.6%
2021 -9.3% -13.3%
2020 -5.5% 13.7%
2019 0.04% -1.07%
2018 -1.06% 30.3%
2017 9.56% 2.09%
2016 -19.8% 27.5%
2015 -16.4% 14.7%
2014 -9.07% 3.26%
2013 -3.45% 26%
2012 -14.8% 9.58%
2011 4.57% -8.8%
2010 - -23.4%
2009 - -13.5%
2008 - -17.2%
2007 - -18.6%
2006 - -36.8%
2005 - -12.8%
2004 - -3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/tuvalu | 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 Tuvalu's surplus of $5.42M, or 14.7% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Tuvalu ran a deficit in 1 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.96% of GDP for Tuvalu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Tuvalu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Tuvalu
2024 91.4% 1.2%
2023 2.38% 7.2%
2022 -6.69% 12.2%
2021 10.5% 6.7%
2020 29.7% 1.6%
2019 87.2% 3.5%
2018 83.5% 2.2%
2017 187.9% 4.1%
2016 380% 3.5%
2015 52.8% 3.1%
2014 1.67% 1.1%
2013 -0.06% 2%
2012 45.5% 1.4%
2011 46.9% 0.5%
2010 1.17% -1.9%
2009 5.01% -0.3%
2008 - 10.4%
2007 - 2.3%
2006 - 4.2%
2005 - 3.2%
2004 - 2.4%
2003 - 2.9%
2002 - 5.1%
2001 - 1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (2009–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 3.01% in Tuvalu. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 1.2% in Tuvalu.

Balance of trade

South Sudan Tuvalu
Current account balance
$578M
2023
$2.71M
2022
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
77/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
+4.59%
2022
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
$24.2M
2022
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
$184K
2022
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
$33.1M
2022
Service exports
$484M
2023
$2.05M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
8.22%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Tuvalu
Economic freedom 41 60
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 99/197

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Tuvalu
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
7.02%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
15.9%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$86M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$8,320
2023
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
$0
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$258K
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
26.3%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
n/a

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/tuvalu | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2004–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.

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.