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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $25.6B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 72/197 and 115/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $16.5B (64.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Sri Lanka vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Trinidad
2024 $98,963,185,510 $25,633,544,529
2023 $83,716,142,582 $25,036,993,423
2022 $74,143,020,263 $28,341,164,301
2021 $88,556,698,938 $24,222,963,263
2020 $84,335,574,582 $20,888,515,184
2019 $88,998,706,297 $23,477,745,792
2018 $94,450,015,983 $23,883,058,083
2017 $94,369,350,286 $23,830,750,901
2016 $88,000,211,172 $23,624,322,193
2015 $85,090,301,052 $26,841,141,793
2014 $82,531,125,191 $29,474,180,005
2013 $76,976,203,829 $28,560,537,057
2012 $70,447,217,164 $27,147,349,937
2011 $67,753,285,897 $25,433,007,437
2010 $58,636,049,434 $22,157,920,592
2009 $42,066,224,093 $19,172,165,226
2008 $40,713,826,215 $27,871,587,350
2007 $32,350,238,760 $21,641,620,050
2006 $28,267,410,543 $18,369,361,094
2005 $24,405,791,045 $15,982,389,018
2004 $20,662,525,941 $13,280,291,990
2003 $18,881,765,437 $11,305,459,802
2002 $16,536,535,647 $9,008,298,229
2001 $15,749,753,805 $8,824,849,191
2000 $16,595,882,819 $8,154,342,116
1999 $15,711,933,513 $6,808,982,521
1998 $15,760,736,956 $6,043,686,654
1997 $15,091,913,884 $5,737,771,523
1996 $13,897,738,375 $5,759,570,336
1995 $13,029,697,561 $5,329,217,747
1994 $11,717,604,209 $4,947,181,646
1993 $10,338,679,636 $4,669,491,134
1992 $9,703,011,636 $5,439,552,941
1991 $9,000,362,582 $5,307,905,882
1990 $8,032,551,173 $5,068,000,000
1989 $6,987,267,684 $4,323,058,824
1988 $6,978,371,581 $4,496,910,569
1987 $6,682,167,120 $4,797,777,778
1986 $6,405,210,564 $4,794,444,444
1985 $5,978,460,972 $7,375,918,367
1984 $6,043,474,843 $7,757,083,333
1983 $5,167,913,302 $7,763,750,000
1982 $4,768,765,017 $8,140,416,667
1981 $4,415,844,156 $6,992,083,333
1980 $4,024,621,900 $6,235,833,333
1979 $3,364,611,432 $4,602,416,625
1978 $2,733,183,857 $3,562,333,458
1977 $4,104,509,583 $3,138,666,667
1976 $3,591,319,857 $2,500,424,955
1975 $3,791,298,146 $2,442,669,825
1974 $3,574,586,466 $2,042,001,071
1973 $2,875,625,000 $1,308,785,431
1972 $2,553,936,348 $1,083,391,758
1971 $2,369,308,600 $896,765,215
1970 $2,296,470,588 $821,850,000
1969 $1,965,546,218 $779,200,000
1968 $1,801,344,538 $758,899,950
1967 $1,859,465,021 $761,981,912
1966 $1,751,470,588 $723,739,857
1965 $1,698,319,328 $736,573,159
1964 $1,309,747,899 $711,897,520
1963 $1,240,672,269 $678,239,329
1962 $1,434,156,379 $619,322,810
1961 $1,444,327,731 $584,964,621
1960 $1,409,873,950 $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $946 $4,850 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $835 $4,522 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $804 $4,328 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $860 $4,368 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $829 $4,103 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $848 $3,952 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $827 $3,804 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $776 $3,582 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $742 $3,454 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $678 $3,260 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $607 $3,067 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $580 $2,851 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $546 $2,713 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $491 $2,527 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $430 - $3,482 -
1988 $434 - $3,656 -
1987 $420 - $3,941 -
1986 $407 - $3,985 -
1985 $385 - $6,212 -
1984 $391 - $6,613 -
1983 $336 - $6,690 -
1982 $312 - $7,091 -
1981 $292.5 - $6,160 -
1980 $271.1 - $5,559 -
1979 $230.8 - $4,155 -
1978 $191 - $3,258 -
1977 $292.1 - $2,907 -
1976 $260.3 - $2,345 -
1975 $279.8 - $2,319 -
1974 $268.7 - $1,962 -
1973 $220.2 - $1,273 -
1972 $199.4 - $1,067 -
1971 $188.8 - $894 -
1970 $186.9 - $829 -
1969 $163.6 - $795 -
1968 $153.5 - $783 -
1967 $162.3 - $797 -
1966 $156.6 - $768 -
1965 $155.6 - $793 -
1964 $122.9 - $780 -
1963 $119.4 - $756 -
1962 $141.4 - $704 -
1961 $145.9 - $678 -
1960 $145.9 - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $18,733 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 61/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$25.6B
2024
GDP rank
72/197
2024
115/197
2024
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
2.51%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$18,733
2024
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$16.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
64.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$12,028
2024
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
45/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$11,007
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
32.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
4.01%
2024
Population
22185425
1374840

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 32.3% 64.2%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 33.5% 62.2%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 27.2% 51.3%
2021 20% 102.7% 30.3% 58.4%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 36.2% 62.5%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 31.2% 46.2%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 30.2% 41.5%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 30.7% 39.8%
2016 18.2% 75% 31.9% 35.4%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 35% 27.1%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 32.8% 23.5%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 31.3% 21.6%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 29.5% 21.8%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 29.4% 26.4%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 30.4% 16.8%
2009 21% 72.8% 37% 20.7%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 26.7% 13.5%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 25.7% 16.2%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 31.6% 16.9%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 26.7% 19.8%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 22.5% 24.2%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 22.2% 30.2%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 24.4% 37%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 24.8% 36.6%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 23.1% 38.9%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 24.1% 42.2%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 26.9% 42.8%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 27.2% 46.1%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 27.6% 47%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 26.2% 50.1%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 25.4% 52.6%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 26.9% 58.8%
1992 23% 77.9% 28.6% 49.2%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 29.6% 49.5%
1990 25.4% 78.9% 26.9% 47.7%
1989 - - 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.28B, or 32.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 23/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Trinidad
2024 -5.64% -5.24%
2023 -8.32% -1.24%
2022 -10.2% 0.92%
2021 -11.7% -8.1%
2020 -13.4% -12.2%
2019 -7.52% -3.74%
2018 -4.96% -5.89%
2017 -5.1% -10.4%
2016 -5% -10.1%
2015 -6.64% -7.56%
2014 -5.99% -4.31%
2013 -5% -2.67%
2012 -5.44% -1.26%
2011 -6.01% -0.67%
2010 -6.73% 0.13%
2009 -8.33% -5.42%
2008 -5.93% 5.39%
2007 -5.81% 3.12%
2006 -5.91% 1.56%
2005 -5.93% 2.36%
2004 -6.32% 1.84%
2003 -6.15% 1.8%
2002 -6.9% -0.2%
2001 -8.48% 0.61%
2000 -7.78% 0.17%
1999 -5.58% -0.88%
1998 -6.79% -1.8%
1997 -5.71% 0.11%
1996 -6.89% -0.45%
1995 -7.11% 0.17%
1994 -7.41% -0.02%
1993 -5.77% 0.23%
1992 -4.95% -2.74%
1991 -7.97% -0.21%
1990 -6.39% -1.27%
1989 - -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.58B, equivalent to 5.64% of GDP. This compares to Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.34B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.94% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Trinidad
2024 -0.43% 0.53%
2023 16.5% 4.63%
2022 49.7% 5.83%
2021 7.01% 2.06%
2020 6.15% 0.6%
2019 3.53% 1%
2018 2.14% 1.02%
2017 7.7% 1.88%
2016 3.96% 3.07%
2015 3.77% 4.66%
2014 3.18% 5.68%
2013 6.91% 5.2%
2012 7.54% 9.26%
2011 6.72% 5.11%
2010 6.22% 10.5%
2009 3.46% 6.98%
2008 22.6% 12%
2007 15.8% 7.89%
2006 10% 8.33%
2005 11.6% 6.87%
2004 7.58% 3.72%
2003 6.31% 3.81%
2002 9.55% 4.15%
2001 14.2% 5.54%
2000 6.18% 3.56%
1999 4.69% 3.44%
1998 9.36% 5.61%
1997 9.57% 3.63%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.34%, compared with 4.88% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2024, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.85M
Raw agricultural goods $837K
Textiles & consumer goods $63K
Miscellaneous $30K
Raw materials & minerals $24K
Chemicals & pharma $8K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Wood & paper products $2K
Trinidad
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Trinidad
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
$645M
2024
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
+2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$7.54B
2024
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$10B
2024
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$2.71B
2024
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$1.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
45%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Trinidad
Economic freedom 50.3 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 87/197
Property rights 47.3 47.3
Government integrity 37.3 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 58.8
Tax burden 77 76.1
Government spending 89 71.1
Fiscal health 0 86.3
Business freedom 60.1 67.1
Labor freedom 54.3 57.2
Monetary freedom 65.9 81
Trade freedom 65.6 68.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Trinidad
2026 50.3 62.4
2025 49.4 63.6
2024 49.2 60.4
2023 52.2 59.5
2022 53.3 58.8
2021 55.7 59
2020 57.4 58.3
2019 56.4 57
2018 57.8 57.7
2017 57.4 61.2
2016 59.9 62.9
2015 58.6 64.1
2014 60 62.7
2013 60.7 62.3
2012 58.3 64.4
2011 57.1 66.5
2010 54.6 65.7
2009 56 68
2008 58.4 69.5
2007 59.4 70.6
2006 58.7 70.4
2005 61 71.5
2004 61.6 71.3
2003 62.5 68.8
2002 64 70.1
2001 66 71.8
2000 63.2 74.5
1999 64 72.4
1998 64.6 72
1997 65.5 71.3
1996 62.5 69.2
1995 60.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sri Lanka Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$36,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
94/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
$980M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
19%
2023

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/sri-lanka/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. 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.