Skip to content

Economy of Sri Lanka vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 72/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

Sri Lanka vs Turkey GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Turkey
2024 $98,963,185,510 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $83,716,142,582 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $74,143,020,263 $926,097,476,914
2021 $88,556,698,938 $839,938,668,172
2020 $84,335,574,582 $733,628,247,119
2019 $88,998,706,297 $775,853,144,223
2018 $94,450,015,983 $788,356,985,774
2017 $94,369,350,286 $863,874,522,365
2016 $88,000,211,172 $870,818,016,910
2015 $85,090,301,052 $865,460,050,684
2014 $82,531,125,191 $942,343,431,929
2013 $76,976,203,829 $962,167,643,589
2012 $70,447,217,164 $885,327,622,479
2011 $67,753,285,897 $844,192,507,381
2010 $58,636,049,434 $782,545,664,268
2009 $42,066,224,093 $653,894,449,921
2008 $40,713,826,215 $775,415,944,333
2007 $32,350,238,760 $685,228,481,017
2006 $28,267,410,543 $559,668,118,237
2005 $24,405,791,045 $508,314,210,213
2004 $20,662,525,941 $410,156,784,496
2003 $18,881,765,437 $315,392,899,922
2002 $16,536,535,647 $240,778,008,474
2001 $15,749,753,805 $202,195,080,239
2000 $16,595,882,819 $274,748,463,179
1999 $15,711,933,513 $256,673,939,248
1998 $15,760,736,956 $276,035,372,655
1997 $15,091,913,884 $263,817,553,748
1996 $13,897,738,375 $250,366,965,174
1995 $13,029,697,561 $234,699,627,004
1994 $11,717,604,209 $130,650,447,499
1993 $10,338,679,636 $180,415,757,852
1992 $9,703,011,636 $159,104,772,992
1991 $9,000,362,582 $151,034,731,544
1990 $8,032,551,173 $150,655,500,192
1989 $6,987,267,684 $107,127,191,329
1988 $6,978,371,581 $90,875,175,809
1987 $6,682,167,120 $87,190,081,680
1986 $6,405,210,564 $75,673,037,037
1985 $5,978,460,972 $67,232,758,621
1984 $6,043,474,843 $59,937,602,180
1983 $5,167,913,302 $61,803,555,556
1982 $4,768,765,017 $64,369,325,153
1981 $4,415,844,156 $71,180,180,180
1980 $4,024,621,900 $68,823,684,211
1979 $3,364,611,432 $89,616,129,032
1978 $2,733,183,857 $65,912,500,000
1977 $4,104,509,583 $58,683,333,333
1976 $3,591,319,857 $51,450,000,000
1975 $3,791,298,146 $46,042,857,143
1974 $3,574,586,466 $35,414,285,714
1973 $2,875,625,000 $26,000,000,000
1972 $2,553,936,348 $20,650,000,000
1971 $2,369,308,600 $16,166,666,667
1970 $2,296,470,588 $17,863,636,364
1969 $1,965,546,218 $19,466,666,667
1968 $1,801,344,538 $17,500,000,000
1967 $1,859,465,021 $15,644,444,444
1966 $1,751,470,588 $14,100,000,000
1965 $1,698,319,328 $11,966,666,667
1964 $1,309,747,899 $11,177,777,778
1963 $1,240,672,269 $10,355,555,556
1962 $1,434,156,379 $8,922,222,222
1961 $1,444,327,731 $7,988,888,889
1960 $1,409,873,950 $7,566,666,667

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/turkey | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Turkey by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $946 $4,850 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $835 $4,522 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $804 $4,328 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $860 $4,368 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $829 $4,103 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $848 $3,952 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $827 $3,804 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $776 $3,582 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $742 $3,454 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $678 $3,260 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $607 $3,067 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $580 $2,851 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $546 $2,713 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $491 $2,527 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $430 - $1,949 -
1988 $434 - $1,686 -
1987 $420 - $1,650 -
1986 $407 - $1,461 -
1985 $385 - $1,326 -
1984 $391 - $1,209 -
1983 $336 - $1,276 -
1982 $312 - $1,360 -
1981 $292.5 - $1,537 -
1980 $271.1 - $1,516 -
1979 $230.8 - $2,013 -
1978 $191 - $1,510 -
1977 $292.1 - $1,372 -
1976 $260.3 - $1,228 -
1975 $279.8 - $1,122 -
1974 $268.7 - $881 -
1973 $220.2 - $661 -
1972 $199.4 - $537 -
1971 $188.8 - $431 -
1970 $186.9 - $488 -
1969 $163.6 - $544 -
1968 $153.5 - $501 -
1967 $162.3 - $459 -
1966 $156.6 - $425 -
1965 $155.6 - $370 -
1964 $122.9 - $354 -
1963 $119.4 - $337 -
1962 $141.4 - $298.2 -
1961 $145.9 - $274.4 -
1960 $145.9 - $267.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/turkey | CC BY

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Turkey
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
72/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
8.71%
2024
Population
22185425
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 32.6% 24%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 20% 102.7% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 34% 38.7%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 18.2% 75% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 34% 32.1%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 32.6% 35.7%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 21% 72.8% 37% 42.9%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 33.4% 44%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 32% 50%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 34.5% 57%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 38.3% 65%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 43.9% 75.3%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 20.5% 39.2%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 22% 29.1%
1992 23% 77.9% 18.6% 29.2%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 18.2% 28.4%
1990 25.4% 78.9% 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/turkey | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 24% in Turkey, ranking 23/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Turkey
2024 -5.64% -4.57%
2023 -8.32% -5.22%
2022 -10.2% -1.1%
2021 -11.7% -2.98%
2020 -13.4% -4.64%
2019 -7.52% -4.69%
2018 -4.96% -3.1%
2017 -5.1% -1.87%
2016 -5% -1.68%
2015 -6.64% -0.51%
2014 -5.99% -0.96%
2013 -5% -1.21%
2012 -5.44% -1.78%
2011 -6.01% -0.35%
2010 -6.73% -2.99%
2009 -8.33% -5.14%
2008 -5.93% -2.13%
2007 -5.81% -1.37%
2006 -5.91% -0.22%
2005 -5.93% -0.75%
2004 -6.32% -4.11%
2003 -6.15% -7.55%
2002 -6.9% -11.3%
2001 -8.48% -11.6%
2000 -7.78% -8.36%
1999 -5.58% -13.8%
1998 -6.79% -9.84%
1997 -5.71% -10.1%
1996 -6.89% -10.7%
1995 -7.11% -5.95%
1994 -7.41% -6.04%
1993 -5.77% -8.84%
1992 -4.95% -6.73%
1991 -7.97% -6.86%
1990 -6.39% -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $62.1B, or 4.57% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.94% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Turkey
2024 -0.43% 58.5%
2023 16.5% 53.9%
2022 49.7% 72.3%
2021 7.01% 19.6%
2020 6.15% 12.3%
2019 3.53% 15.2%
2018 2.14% 16.3%
2017 7.7% 11.1%
2016 3.96% 7.78%
2015 3.77% 7.67%
2014 3.18% 8.85%
2013 6.91% 7.49%
2012 7.54% 8.89%
2011 6.72% 6.47%
2010 6.22% 8.57%
2009 3.46% 6.25%
2008 22.6% 10.4%
2007 15.8% 8.76%
2006 10% 9.6%
2005 11.6% 8.18%
2004 7.58% 8.6%
2003 6.31% 21.6%
2002 9.55% 45%
2001 14.2% 54.4%
2000 6.18% 54.9%
1999 4.69% 64.9%
1998 9.36% 84.6%
1997 9.57% 85.7%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/turkey | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.34%, compared with 27.8% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $96.9M
Raw materials & minerals $16.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $16M
Chemicals & pharma $5.07M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.44M
Machinery & equipment $1.1M
Metals $263K
Wood & paper products $197K
Animal & marine products $117K
Precious metals & jewellery $17K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $44.1M
Machinery & equipment $21M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.5M
Chemicals & pharma $11.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.81M
Raw materials & minerals $3.24M
Metals $2.42M
Animal & marine products $1.97M
Wood & paper products $1.14M
Miscellaneous $421K

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Turkey
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$257B
2024
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
27.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Turkey
Economic freedom 50.3 55
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 129/197
Property rights 47.3 36.4
Government integrity 37.3 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 23.5
Tax burden 77 72
Government spending 89 71.8
Fiscal health 0 77.8
Business freedom 60.1 61.6
Labor freedom 54.3 44.3
Monetary freedom 65.9 36.5
Trade freedom 65.6 71
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Turkey
2026 50.3 55
2025 49.4 56.1
2024 49.2 56.2
2023 52.2 56.9
2022 53.3 56.9
2021 55.7 64
2020 57.4 64.4
2019 56.4 64.6
2018 57.8 65.4
2017 57.4 65.2
2016 59.9 62.1
2015 58.6 63.2
2014 60 64.9
2013 60.7 62.9
2012 58.3 62.5
2011 57.1 64.2
2010 54.6 63.8
2009 56 61.6
2008 58.4 59.9
2007 59.4 57.4
2006 58.7 57
2005 61 50.6
2004 61.6 52.8
2003 62.5 51.9
2002 64 54.2
2001 66 60.6
2000 63.2 63.4
1999 64 59.2
1998 64.6 60.9
1997 65.5 60.8
1996 62.5 56.7
1995 60.6 58.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/turkey | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sri Lanka Turkey
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
30.7%
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/sri-lanka/turkey | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.