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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 72/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Sri Lanka vs Venezuela GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Venezuela
2024 $98,963,185,510 $119,802,963,258
2023 $83,716,142,582 $102,376,526,556
2022 $74,143,020,263 $89,013,255,585
2021 $88,556,698,938 $56,614,976,855
2020 $84,335,574,582 $42,838,020,721
2019 $88,998,706,297 $73,014,084,091
2018 $94,450,015,983 $102,021,093,965
2017 $94,369,350,286 $115,883,275,163
2016 $88,000,211,172 $112,915,034,262
2015 $85,090,301,052 $125,449,241,571
2014 $82,531,125,191 $214,689,614,733
2013 $76,976,203,829 $258,930,655,486
2012 $70,447,217,164 $372,592,062,768
2011 $67,753,285,897 $316,482,190,800
2010 $58,636,049,434 $393,192,354,511
2009 $42,066,224,093 $329,787,628,928
2008 $40,713,826,215 $315,953,388,511
2007 $32,350,238,760 $230,364,012,576
2006 $28,267,410,543 $183,477,522,124
2005 $24,405,791,045 $145,513,489,652
2004 $20,662,525,941 $112,451,400,425
2003 $18,881,765,437 $83,620,628,582
2002 $16,536,535,647 $92,893,587,734
2001 $15,749,753,805 $122,911,036,747
2000 $16,595,882,819 $117,146,466,003
1999 $15,711,933,513 $97,972,842,462
1998 $15,760,736,956 $91,336,763,255
1997 $15,091,913,884 $85,837,678,560
1996 $13,897,738,375 $70,543,211,119
1995 $13,029,697,561 $77,389,487,770
1994 $11,717,604,209 $58,418,666,667
1993 $10,338,679,636 $60,037,460,783
1992 $9,703,011,636 $60,416,519,620
1991 $9,000,362,582 $53,453,444,787
1990 $8,032,551,173 $48,606,952,195
1989 $6,987,267,684 $43,536,709,104
1988 $6,978,371,581 $60,226,413,793
1987 $6,682,167,120 $48,029,034,483
1986 $6,405,210,564 $60,516,123,711
1985 $5,978,460,972 $61,965,466,667
1984 $6,043,474,843 $59,867,743,468
1983 $5,167,913,302 $67,556,279,070
1982 $4,768,765,017 $67,736,744,186
1981 $4,415,844,156 $66,327,441,860
1980 $4,024,621,900 $59,116,511,628
1979 $3,364,611,432 $48,310,930,233
1978 $2,733,183,857 $39,316,279,070
1977 $4,104,509,583 $36,210,697,674
1976 $3,591,319,857 $31,419,534,884
1975 $3,791,298,146 $27,464,651,163
1974 $3,574,586,466 $26,100,930,233
1973 $2,875,625,000 $17,035,581,395
1972 $2,553,936,348 $13,977,727,273
1971 $2,369,308,600 $12,986,590,909
1970 $2,296,470,588 $11,561,111,111
1969 $1,965,546,218 $10,285,111,111
1968 $1,801,344,538 $10,034,444,444
1967 $1,859,465,021 $9,250,000,000
1966 $1,751,470,588 $8,781,333,333
1965 $1,698,319,328 $8,427,777,778
1964 $1,309,747,899 $8,192,413,793
1963 $1,240,672,269 $9,608,717,288
1962 $1,434,156,379 $8,814,309,884
1961 $1,444,327,731 $8,067,267,031
1960 $1,409,873,950 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Venezuela by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 $4,218 -
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $3,617 -
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $3,155 -
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $2,005 -
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $1,506 -
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $2,523 -
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $3,423 -
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $3,791 -
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $3,670 -
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $4,103 -
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $7,096 -
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $8,656 -
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $12,607 -
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $946 $4,850 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $835 $4,522 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $804 $4,328 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $860 $4,368 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $829 $4,103 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $848 $3,952 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $827 $3,804 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $776 $3,582 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $742 $3,454 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $678 $3,260 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $607 $3,067 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $580 $2,851 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $546 $2,713 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $491 $2,527 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $430 - $2,250 -
1988 $434 - $3,191 -
1987 $420 - $2,611 -
1986 $407 - $3,376 -
1985 $385 - $3,549 -
1984 $391 - $3,520 -
1983 $336 - $4,079 -
1982 $312 - $4,202 -
1981 $292.5 - $4,228 -
1980 $271.1 - $3,874 -
1979 $230.8 - $3,257 -
1978 $191 - $2,727 -
1977 $292.1 - $2,585 -
1976 $260.3 - $2,309 -
1975 $279.8 - $2,078 -
1974 $268.7 - $2,034 -
1973 $220.2 - $1,367 -
1972 $199.4 - $1,155 -
1971 $188.8 - $1,106 -
1970 $186.9 - $1,015 -
1969 $163.6 - $932 -
1968 $153.5 - $938 -
1967 $162.3 - $893 -
1966 $156.6 - $876 -
1965 $155.6 - $869 -
1964 $122.9 - $874 -
1963 $119.4 - $1,060 -
1962 $141.4 - $1,007 -
1961 $145.9 - $954 -
1960 $145.9 - $939 -

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

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

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
72/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
7.53%
2020
Population
22185425
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 20% 102.7% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 11.2% 337%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 21% 206%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 18.2% 75% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 38% 58.4%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 21% 72.8% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 32.2% 56%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 31% 48.2%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 31% 34.8%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 23% 77.9% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 25.4% 78.9% 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/sri-lanka/venezuela | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 23/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Venezuela
2024 -5.64% -3.6%
2023 -8.32% -1.25%
2022 -10.2% -5.29%
2021 -11.7% -5.85%
2020 -13.4% -6.63%
2019 -7.52% -10.9%
2018 -4.96% -31%
2017 -5.1% -13.3%
2016 -5% -8.46%
2015 -6.64% -8.06%
2014 -5.99% -9.81%
2013 -5% -10.4%
2012 -5.44% -9.86%
2011 -6.01% -8.24%
2010 -6.73% -4.74%
2009 -8.33% -8.69%
2008 -5.93% -3.46%
2007 -5.81% -2.82%
2006 -5.91% -1.6%
2005 -5.93% 4.09%
2004 -6.32% 2.47%
2003 -6.15% 0.17%
2002 -6.9% -1.48%
2001 -8.48% -4.59%
2000 -7.78% 4.45%
1999 -5.58% 0.74%
1998 -6.79% -4.49%
1997 -5.71% 2.58%
1996 -6.89% 7.94%
1995 -7.11% -5.86%
1994 -7.41% -11.2%
1993 -5.77% -2.92%
1992 -4.95% -6.37%
1991 -7.97% -2.28%
1990 -6.39% 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/sri-lanka/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.85% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.77% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Venezuela
2024 -0.43% 49%
2023 16.5% 338%
2022 49.7% 186.5%
2021 7.01% 1,589%
2020 6.15% 2,355%
2019 3.53% 19,906%
2018 2.14% 65,374%
2017 7.7% 438%
2016 3.96% 254.9%
2015 3.77% 121.7%
2014 3.18% 62.2%
2013 6.91% 40.6%
2012 7.54% 21.1%
2011 6.72% 26.1%
2010 6.22% 28.2%
2009 3.46% 26%
2008 22.6% 31.4%
2007 15.8% 18.7%
2006 10% 13.7%
2005 11.6% 16%
2004 7.58% 21.7%
2003 6.31% 31.1%
2002 9.55% 22.4%
2001 14.2% 12.5%
2000 6.18% 16.2%
1999 4.69% 23.6%
1998 9.36% 35.8%
1997 9.57% 50%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.34%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.21M
Textiles & consumer goods $462K
Chemicals & pharma $308K
Raw agricultural goods $281K
Raw materials & minerals $63K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Venezuela
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Venezuela
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Venezuela
Economic freedom 50.3 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 194/197
Property rights 47.3 0
Government integrity 37.3 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 5.1
Tax burden 77 73.4
Government spending 89 93
Fiscal health 0 29.1
Business freedom 60.1 31.1
Labor freedom 54.3 35.5
Monetary freedom 65.9 0
Trade freedom 65.6 43.2
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Venezuela
2026 50.3 27.3
2025 49.4 27.6
2024 49.2 28.1
2023 52.2 25.8
2022 53.3 24.8
2021 55.7 24.7
2020 57.4 25.2
2019 56.4 25.9
2018 57.8 25.2
2017 57.4 27
2016 59.9 33.7
2015 58.6 34.3
2014 60 36.3
2013 60.7 36.1
2012 58.3 38.1
2011 57.1 37.6
2010 54.6 37.1
2009 56 39.9
2008 58.4 44.7
2007 59.4 47.9
2006 58.7 44.6
2005 61 45.2
2004 61.6 46.7
2003 62.5 54.8
2002 64 54.7
2001 66 54.6
2000 63.2 57.4
1999 64 56.1
1998 64.6 54
1997 65.5 52.8
1996 62.5 54.5
1995 60.6 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sri Lanka Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
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/sri-lanka/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) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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 (2013–2024, 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.