South Sudan has a GDP of $12B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 149/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.
South Sudan has $7.04B in government debt (50.7% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.
South Sudan vs Yemen GDP by year
| Year | GDP, current $ | |
|---|---|---|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
| 2018 | - | $21,606,160,663 |
| 2017 | - | $26,842,229,045 |
| 2016 | - | $31,317,825,274 |
| 2015 | $11,997,800,760 | $42,444,490,074 |
| 2014 | $13,962,212,847 | $43,228,585,321 |
| 2013 | $18,426,469,017 | $40,415,233,436 |
| 2012 | $11,931,472,169 | $35,401,331,610 |
| 2011 | $14,907,308,933 | $32,726,417,878 |
| 2010 | $14,602,072,411 | $30,906,749,533 |
| 2009 | $12,231,264,525 | $25,130,278,213 |
| 2008 | $14,586,253,383 | $26,910,855,807 |
| 2007 | - | $21,650,528,674 |
| 2006 | - | $19,063,143,370 |
| 2005 | - | $16,731,566,717 |
| 2004 | - | $13,867,634,371 |
| 2003 | - | $11,777,532,662 |
| 2002 | - | $10,693,430,511 |
| 2001 | - | $9,852,990,693 |
| 2000 | - | $9,679,316,770 |
| 1999 | - | $7,639,325,296 |
| 1998 | - | $6,322,175,566 |
| 1997 | - | $6,838,298,531 |
| 1996 | - | $6,496,163,616 |
| 1995 | - | $12,796,345,679 |
| 1994 | - | $28,019,483,764 |
| 1993 | - | $21,736,802,664 |
| 1992 | - | $17,959,367,194 |
| 1991 | - | $14,665,445,462 |
| 1990 | - | $12,643,821,569 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2018, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/yemen | CC BY 
GDP per capita in South Sudan vs Yemen by year
| Year | Current $ | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|||
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2018 | - | - | $634 | - |
| 2017 | - | - | $811 | - |
| 2016 | - | - | $975 | - |
| 2015 | $1,080 | $1,155 | $1,362 | - |
| 2014 | $1,243 | $1,373 | $1,430 | - |
| 2013 | $1,650 | $1,917 | $1,379 | $3,164 |
| 2012 | $1,109 | $1,417 | $1,245 | $3,005 |
| 2011 | $1,449 | $2,718 | $1,186 | $3,113 |
| 2010 | $1,498 | $2,948 | $1,155 | $3,603 |
| 2009 | $1,323 | $2,911 | $969 | $3,411 |
| 2008 | $1,654 | $2,887 | $1,072 | $3,370 |
| 2007 | - | - | $890 | $3,294 |
| 2006 | - | - | $810 | $3,205 |
| 2005 | - | - | $734 | $3,113 |
| 2004 | - | - | $628 | $2,949 |
| 2003 | - | - | $549 | $2,844 |
| 2002 | - | - | $513 | $2,768 |
| 2001 | - | - | $487 | $2,702 |
| 2000 | - | - | $493 | $2,624 |
| 1999 | - | - | $401 | $2,492 |
| 1998 | - | - | $343 | $2,442 |
| 1997 | - | - | $383 | $2,351 |
| 1996 | - | - | $375 | $2,268 |
| 1995 | - | - | $764 | $2,201 |
| 1994 | - | - | $1,735 | $2,115 |
| 1993 | - | - | $1,397 | $2,013 |
| 1992 | - | - | $1,198 | $1,963 |
| 1991 | - | - | $1,016 | $1,843 |
| 1990 | - | - | $910 | $1,742 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2018, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/yemen | CC BY
South Sudan's GDP per capita is $1,080, ranking 175/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.
Economic indicators
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$12B
2015 |
$21.6B
2018 |
| GDP rank |
149/197
2015 |
125/197
2018 |
| GDP growth |
-10.8%
2014-2015 |
0.75%
2017-2018 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,080
2015 |
$634
2018 |
| GDP per capita rank |
175/197
2015 |
191/197
2018 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$1,155
2015 |
$3,164
2013 |
| GDP per capita PPP rank |
197/197
2015 |
178/197
2013 |
| Government debt |
$7.04B
2015 |
$18.8B
2018 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
50.7%
2024 |
70.9%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$633
2015 |
$551
2018 |
| Government debt per person rank |
158/185
2015 |
165/185
2018 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,305
2026 |
$1,127
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
33%
2016 |
29.4%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.8%
2016 |
3%
2014 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
18.1%
2024 |
8.91%
2024 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
91.4%
2023-2024 |
33.9%
2023-2024 |
| Central bank interest rate |
15%
2023 |
n/a |
| Unemployment rate |
12.3%
2008 |
13.5%
2014 |
| Population |
12507858
|
43325643
|
Spending and national debt comparison by year
| Year | % of GDP | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|||
| Government spending | Government debt | Government spending | Government debt | |
| 2024 | 18.1% | 50.7% | 8.91% | 70.9% |
| 2023 | 21.4% | 51.9% | 11.8% | 77.9% |
| 2022 | 29.4% | 37.3% | 12.2% | 65.3% |
| 2021 | 44.1% | 50.2% | 8.22% | 75.9% |
| 2020 | 34.1% | 49% | 10.6% | 87% |
| 2019 | 47.9% | 43.1% | 13.2% | 91.5% |
| 2018 | 54.5% | 77.6% | 14.3% | 86.9% |
| 2017 | 97% | 178.3% | 8.39% | 83.8% |
| 2016 | 66.5% | 164.7% | 16.1% | 76.5% |
| 2015 | 34% | 58.6% | 19.4% | 57.7% |
| 2014 | 35.8% | 37.7% | 27.8% | 48.9% |
| 2013 | 25.3% | 17.6% | 30.8% | 48.4% |
| 2012 | 31.6% | 8.91% | 36.2% | 47.6% |
| 2011 | 20.8% | - | 29.8% | 45.7% |
| 2010 | - | - | 30.2% | 42.4% |
| 2009 | - | - | 35.2% | 49.8% |
| 2008 | - | - | 41.2% | 36.4% |
| 2007 | - | - | 40.3% | 40.4% |
| 2006 | - | - | 37.4% | 40.8% |
| 2005 | - | - | 36.8% | 43.8% |
| 2004 | - | - | 34.2% | 52.1% |
| 2003 | - | - | 35.3% | 56.8% |
| 2002 | - | - | 30.8% | 57.8% |
| 2001 | - | - | 30.5% | 60.6% |
| 2000 | - | - | 31.7% | 60.8% |
| 1999 | - | - | 28.2% | 96.1% |
| 1998 | - | - | 34.3% | 110.6% |
| 1997 | - | - | 34.2% | 74.2% |
| 1996 | - | - | 30.7% | 114.9% |
| 1995 | - | - | 24.1% | 84.1% |
| 1994 | - | - | 25.2% | 73.3% |
| 1993 | - | - | 25.8% | 76.7% |
| 1992 | - | - | 24.6% | 78% |
| 1991 | - | - | 24.7% | 82.7% |
| 1990 | - | - | 26.6% | 91.6% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/yemen | CC BY
In 2018, South Sudan's government spending was $4.08B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.
Debt-to-GDP ratio is 50.7% in South Sudan and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 105/185 and 55/185, respectively.
Government deficit by year
| Year | Deficit/surplus, % of GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
| 2024 | 11.7% | -2.48% |
| 2023 | 8.04% | -5.63% |
| 2022 | 4.48% | -2.15% |
| 2021 | -9.3% | -0.89% |
| 2020 | -5.5% | -4.3% |
| 2019 | 0.04% | -5.89% |
| 2018 | -1.06% | -7.85% |
| 2017 | 9.56% | -4.9% |
| 2016 | -19.8% | -8.51% |
| 2015 | -16.4% | -8.75% |
| 2014 | -9.07% | -4.14% |
| 2013 | -3.45% | -6.9% |
| 2012 | -14.8% | -6.32% |
| 2011 | 4.57% | -4.51% |
| 2010 | - | -4.06% |
| 2009 | - | -10.2% |
| 2008 | - | -4.53% |
| 2007 | - | -7.18% |
| 2006 | - | 1.19% |
| 2005 | - | -1.82% |
| 2004 | - | -2.15% |
| 2003 | - | -4.2% |
| 2002 | - | -0.56% |
| 2001 | - | 2.79% |
| 2000 | - | 6.09% |
| 1999 | - | 0.06% |
| 1998 | - | -7.77% |
| 1997 | - | -1.5% |
| 1996 | - | -0.92% |
| 1995 | - | -5.74% |
| 1994 | - | -14% |
| 1993 | - | -12.8% |
| 1992 | - | -10.9% |
| 1991 | - | -5.76% |
| 1990 | - | -10.3% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/south-sudan/yemen | 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 Yemen's deficit of $3.71B, or 8.75% of GDP.
Over the past 5 years, South Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 4 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 5 years. On average, South Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 7.83% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.12% of GDP for Yemen.
Inflation comparison by year
| Year | Consumer prices inflation | |
|---|---|---|
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
| 2024 | 91.4% | 33.9% |
| 2023 | 2.38% | 0.9% |
| 2022 | -6.69% | 29.5% |
| 2021 | 10.5% | 31.5% |
| 2020 | 29.7% | 21.7% |
| 2019 | 87.2% | 15.7% |
| 2018 | 83.5% | 33.6% |
| 2017 | 187.9% | 30.4% |
| 2016 | 380% | 21.3% |
| 2015 | 52.8% | 22% |
| 2014 | 1.67% | 8.2% |
| 2013 | -0.06% | 11% |
| 2012 | 45.5% | 9.9% |
| 2011 | 46.9% | 19.5% |
| 2010 | 1.17% | 11.2% |
| 2009 | 5.01% | 3.7% |
| 2008 | - | 19% |
| 2007 | - | 7.9% |
| 2006 | - | 10.8% |
| 2005 | - | 9.9% |
| 2004 | - | 12.5% |
| 2003 | - | 10.8% |
| 2002 | - | 12.2% |
| 2001 | - | 11.9% |
| 2000 | - | 11% |
| 1999 | - | 7.9% |
| 1998 | - | 11.5% |
| 1997 | - | 4.6% |
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/yemen | CC BY
Over the past 16 years, South Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 63.7%, compared with 19% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 91.4% in South Sudan and 33.9% in Yemen.
Balance of trade
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
$578M
2023 |
-$2.42B
2016 |
| Current account balance ranking |
60/190
2023 |
148/190
2016 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-4.17%
2015 |
-7.72%
2016 |
| Goods imports |
$2.25B
2023 |
$6.8B
2016 |
| Goods exports |
$4.01B
2023 |
$473M
2016 |
| Service imports |
$2.19B
2023 |
$1.46B
2016 |
| Service exports |
$484M
2023 |
$466M
2016 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
28.9%
2015 |
47.3%
2018 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
36.7%
2015 |
8.76%
2018 |
Economic freedom indices
The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 41 | 53.7 |
| Economic freedom ranking | 186/197 | 138/197 |
| Property rights | n/a | 3.5 |
| Government integrity | n/a | 6.2 |
| Judicial effectiveness | n/a | 9.9 |
| Tax burden | n/a | 93.7 |
| Government spending | n/a | 0 |
| Fiscal health | n/a | 71.2 |
| Business freedom | n/a | 31.3 |
| Labor freedom | n/a | 31.2 |
| Monetary freedom | n/a | 48.1 |
| Trade freedom | n/a | 67.4 |
| Investment freedom | n/a | 50 |
| Financial freedom | n/a | 30 |
Other economic metrics
|
South Sudan
|
Yemen
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
56.6%
2015 |
41.8%
2018 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
33.1%
2015 |
25.4%
2018 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
10.4%
2015 |
28.7%
2018 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$11.7B
2015 |
$25.3B
2018 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$1,010
2015 |
$3,020
2013 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$72.9M
2023 |
$1.25B
2022 |
| Total reserves ranking |
175/177
2023 |
139/177
2022 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
$2.21M
2019 |
$15.4M
2015 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$83.4M
2024 |
-$371M
2019 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$0
2024 |
$0
2024 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
n/a |
0.53%
2018 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
66%
2020 |
48.6%
2014 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
5.75%
2015 |
6.18%
2018 |
GDP per capita map
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/yemen | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2015–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- 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.