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Economy of South Sudan vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 149/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

South Sudan vs Venezuela GDP by year

South Sudan
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
South Sudan Venezuela
2024 - $119,802,963,258
2023 - $102,376,526,556
2022 - $89,013,255,585
2021 - $56,614,976,855
2020 - $42,838,020,721
2019 - $73,014,084,091
2018 - $102,021,093,965
2017 - $115,883,275,163
2016 - $112,915,034,262
2015 $11,997,800,760 $125,449,241,571
2014 $13,962,212,847 $214,689,614,733
2013 $18,426,469,017 $258,930,655,486
2012 $11,931,472,169 $372,592,062,768
2011 $14,907,308,933 $316,482,190,800
2010 $14,602,072,411 $393,192,354,511
2009 $12,231,264,525 $329,787,628,928
2008 $14,586,253,383 $315,953,388,511
2007 - $230,364,012,576
2006 - $183,477,522,124
2005 - $145,513,489,652
2004 - $112,451,400,425
2003 - $83,620,628,582
2002 - $92,893,587,734
2001 - $122,911,036,747
2000 - $117,146,466,003
1999 - $97,972,842,462
1998 - $91,336,763,255
1997 - $85,837,678,560
1996 - $70,543,211,119
1995 - $77,389,487,770
1994 - $58,418,666,667
1993 - $60,037,460,783
1992 - $60,416,519,620
1991 - $53,453,444,787
1990 - $48,606,952,195
1989 - $43,536,709,104
1988 - $60,226,413,793
1987 - $48,029,034,483
1986 - $60,516,123,711
1985 - $61,965,466,667
1984 - $59,867,743,468
1983 - $67,556,279,070
1982 - $67,736,744,186
1981 - $66,327,441,860
1980 - $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Venezuela by year

South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
South Sudan Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,218 -
2023 - - $3,617 -
2022 - - $3,155 -
2021 - - $2,005 -
2020 - - $1,506 -
2019 - - $2,523 -
2018 - - $3,423 -
2017 - - $3,791 -
2016 - - $3,670 -
2015 $1,080 $1,155 $4,103 -
2014 $1,243 $1,373 $7,096 -
2013 $1,650 $1,917 $8,656 -
2012 $1,109 $1,417 $12,607 -
2011 $1,449 $2,718 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $1,498 $2,948 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $1,323 $2,911 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $1,654 $2,887 $11,262 $21,402
2007 - - $8,332 $20,236
2006 - - $6,739 $18,399
2005 - - $5,432 $16,511
2004 - - $4,269 $14,757
2003 - - $3,230 $12,359
2002 - - $3,652 $13,375
2001 - - $4,920 $14,714
2000 - - $4,776 $14,174
1999 - - $4,071 $13,623
1998 - - $3,870 $14,568
1997 - - $3,711 $14,655
1996 - - $3,113 $13,824
1995 - - $3,487 $13,890
1994 - - $2,689 $13,370
1993 - - $2,825 $13,702
1992 - - $2,907 $13,652
1991 - - $2,633 $12,880
1990 - - $2,452 $11,628
1989 - - $2,250 -
1988 - - $3,191 -
1987 - - $2,611 -
1986 - - $3,376 -
1985 - - $3,549 -
1984 - - $3,520 -
1983 - - $4,079 -
1982 - - $4,202 -
1981 - - $4,228 -
1980 - - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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

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

South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

South Sudan Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$12B
2015
$120B
2024
GDP rank
149/197
2015
65/197
2024
GDP growth
-10.8%
2014-2015
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,080
2015
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
175/197
2015
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,155
2015
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
197/197
2015
93/197
2011
Government debt
$7.04B
2015
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
50.7%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$633
2015
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
158/185
2015
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,305
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
33%
2016
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
1.8%
2016
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
91.4%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
15%
2023
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
12.3%
2008
7.53%
2020
Population
12507858
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

South Sudan
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
South Sudan Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 50.7% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 21.4% 51.9% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 29.4% 37.3% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 44.1% 50.2% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 34.1% 49% 11.2% 337%
2019 47.9% 43.1% 21% 206%
2018 54.5% 77.6% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 97% 178.3% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 66.5% 164.7% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 34% 58.6% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 35.8% 37.7% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 25.3% 17.6% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 31.6% 8.91% 38% 58.4%
2011 20.8% - 39.4% 52.5%
2010 - - 31.1% 37.7%
2009 - - 33.3% 27.6%
2008 - - 34.9% 20.3%
2007 - - 35.9% 26.4%
2006 - - 39.3% 25.7%
2005 - - 33.5% 34.9%
2004 - - 31.9% 41.8%
2003 - - 32.2% 56%
2002 - - 31% 48.2%
2001 - - 31.9% 30.7%
2000 - - 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 105/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
South Sudan

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
South Sudan Venezuela
2024 11.7% -3.6%
2023 8.04% -1.25%
2022 4.48% -5.29%
2021 -9.3% -5.85%
2020 -5.5% -6.63%
2019 0.04% -10.9%
2018 -1.06% -31%
2017 9.56% -13.3%
2016 -19.8% -8.46%
2015 -16.4% -8.06%
2014 -9.07% -9.81%
2013 -3.45% -10.4%
2012 -14.8% -9.86%
2011 4.57% -8.24%
2010 - -4.74%
2009 - -8.69%
2008 - -3.46%
2007 - -2.82%
2006 - -1.6%
2005 - 4.09%
2004 - 2.47%
2003 - 0.17%
2002 - -1.48%
2001 - -4.59%
2000 - 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $10.1B, or 8.06% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 9.26% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
South Sudan

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
South Sudan Venezuela
2024 91.4% 49%
2023 2.38% 338%
2022 -6.69% 186.5%
2021 10.5% 1,589%
2020 29.7% 2,355%
2019 87.2% 19,906%
2018 83.5% 65,374%
2017 187.9% 438%
2016 380% 254.9%
2015 52.8% 121.7%
2014 1.67% 62.2%
2013 -0.06% 40.6%
2012 45.5% 21.1%
2011 46.9% 26.1%
2010 1.17% 28.2%
2009 5.01% 26%
2008 - 31.4%
2007 - 18.7%
2006 - 13.7%
2005 - 16%
2004 - 21.7%
2003 - 31.1%
2002 - 22.4%
2001 - 12.5%
2000 - 16.2%
1999 - 23.6%
1998 - 35.8%
1997 - 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 5,676% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

South Sudan Venezuela
Current account balance
$578M
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
60/190
2023
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.17%
2015
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$2.25B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$4.01B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$2.19B
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$484M
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.9%
2015
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
36.7%
2015
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

South Sudan Venezuela
Economic freedom 41 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 186/197 194/197
Property rights n/a 0
Government integrity n/a 6.9
Judicial effectiveness n/a 5.1
Tax burden n/a 73.4
Government spending n/a 93
Fiscal health n/a 29.1
Business freedom n/a 31.1
Labor freedom n/a 35.5
Monetary freedom n/a 0
Trade freedom n/a 43.2
Investment freedom n/a 0
Financial freedom n/a 10

Other economic metrics

South Sudan Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
56.6%
2015
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
33.1%
2015
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
10.4%
2015
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$11.7B
2015
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,010
2015
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$72.9M
2023
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
175/177
2023
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
$2.21M
2019
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$83.4M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
66%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
5.75%
2015
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1920–1997, 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. 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.

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.