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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 72/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Sri Lanka vs Yemen GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Yemen
2024 $98,963,185,510 -
2023 $83,716,142,582 -
2022 $74,143,020,263 -
2021 $88,556,698,938 -
2020 $84,335,574,582 -
2019 $88,998,706,297 -
2018 $94,450,015,983 $21,606,160,663
2017 $94,369,350,286 $26,842,229,045
2016 $88,000,211,172 $31,317,825,274
2015 $85,090,301,052 $42,444,490,074
2014 $82,531,125,191 $43,228,585,321
2013 $76,976,203,829 $40,415,233,436
2012 $70,447,217,164 $35,401,331,610
2011 $67,753,285,897 $32,726,417,878
2010 $58,636,049,434 $30,906,749,533
2009 $42,066,224,093 $25,130,278,213
2008 $40,713,826,215 $26,910,855,807
2007 $32,350,238,760 $21,650,528,674
2006 $28,267,410,543 $19,063,143,370
2005 $24,405,791,045 $16,731,566,717
2004 $20,662,525,941 $13,867,634,371
2003 $18,881,765,437 $11,777,532,662
2002 $16,536,535,647 $10,693,430,511
2001 $15,749,753,805 $9,852,990,693
2000 $16,595,882,819 $9,679,316,770
1999 $15,711,933,513 $7,639,325,296
1998 $15,760,736,956 $6,322,175,566
1997 $15,091,913,884 $6,838,298,531
1996 $13,897,738,375 $6,496,163,616
1995 $13,029,697,561 $12,796,345,679
1994 $11,717,604,209 $28,019,483,764
1993 $10,338,679,636 $21,736,802,664
1992 $9,703,011,636 $17,959,367,194
1991 $9,000,362,582 $14,665,445,462
1990 $8,032,551,173 $12,643,821,569
1989 $6,987,267,684 -
1988 $6,978,371,581 -
1987 $6,682,167,120 -
1986 $6,405,210,564 -
1985 $5,978,460,972 -
1984 $6,043,474,843 -
1983 $5,167,913,302 -
1982 $4,768,765,017 -
1981 $4,415,844,156 -
1980 $4,024,621,900 -
1979 $3,364,611,432 -
1978 $2,733,183,857 -
1977 $4,104,509,583 -
1976 $3,591,319,857 -
1975 $3,791,298,146 -
1974 $3,574,586,466 -
1973 $2,875,625,000 -
1972 $2,553,936,348 -
1971 $2,369,308,600 -
1970 $2,296,470,588 -
1969 $1,965,546,218 -
1968 $1,801,344,538 -
1967 $1,859,465,021 -
1966 $1,751,470,588 -
1965 $1,698,319,328 -
1964 $1,309,747,899 -
1963 $1,240,672,269 -
1962 $1,434,156,379 -
1961 $1,444,327,731 -
1960 $1,409,873,950 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Yemen by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 - -
2023 $3,799 $14,456 - -
2022 $3,343 $14,194 - -
2021 $3,997 $14,316 - -
2020 $3,848 $12,941 - -
2019 $4,082 $14,113 - -
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $634 -
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $811 -
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $975 -
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $1,362 -
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $1,430 -
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $969 $3,411
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $890 $3,294
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $810 $3,205
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $734 $3,113
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $628 $2,949
2003 $946 $4,850 $549 $2,844
2002 $835 $4,522 $513 $2,768
2001 $804 $4,328 $487 $2,702
2000 $860 $4,368 $493 $2,624
1999 $829 $4,103 $401 $2,492
1998 $848 $3,952 $343 $2,442
1997 $827 $3,804 $383 $2,351
1996 $776 $3,582 $375 $2,268
1995 $742 $3,454 $764 $2,201
1994 $678 $3,260 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $607 $3,067 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $580 $2,851 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $546 $2,713 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $491 $2,527 $910 $1,742
1989 $430 - - -
1988 $434 - - -
1987 $420 - - -
1986 $407 - - -
1985 $385 - - -
1984 $391 - - -
1983 $336 - - -
1982 $312 - - -
1981 $292.5 - - -
1980 $271.1 - - -
1979 $230.8 - - -
1978 $191 - - -
1977 $292.1 - - -
1976 $260.3 - - -
1975 $279.8 - - -
1974 $268.7 - - -
1973 $220.2 - - -
1972 $199.4 - - -
1971 $188.8 - - -
1970 $186.9 - - -
1969 $163.6 - - -
1968 $153.5 - - -
1967 $162.3 - - -
1966 $156.6 - - -
1965 $155.6 - - -
1964 $122.9 - - -
1963 $119.4 - - -
1962 $141.4 - - -
1961 $145.9 - - -
1960 $145.9 - - -

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

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

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Yemen
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
72/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
13.5%
2014
Population
22185425
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 20% 102.7% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 10.6% 87%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 18.2% 75% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 21% 72.8% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 19.3% 86.5% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 19.3% 86.5% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 20.8% 96.3% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 22.4% 84.4% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 21.7% 79.2% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 20.5% 77.7% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 21.4% 74.2% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 21.4% 70.1% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 23.1% 76.2% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 24.8% 77.8% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 24.1% 77.9% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 23.2% 79.2% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 23% 77.9% 24.6% 78%
1991 26.4% 80.5% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 25.4% 78.9% 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/sri-lanka/yemen | CC BY

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 23/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Yemen
2024 -5.64% -2.48%
2023 -8.32% -5.63%
2022 -10.2% -2.15%
2021 -11.7% -0.89%
2020 -13.4% -4.3%
2019 -7.52% -5.89%
2018 -4.96% -7.85%
2017 -5.1% -4.9%
2016 -5% -8.51%
2015 -6.64% -8.75%
2014 -5.99% -4.14%
2013 -5% -6.9%
2012 -5.44% -6.32%
2011 -6.01% -4.51%
2010 -6.73% -4.06%
2009 -8.33% -10.2%
2008 -5.93% -4.53%
2007 -5.81% -7.18%
2006 -5.91% 1.19%
2005 -5.93% -1.82%
2004 -6.32% -2.15%
2003 -6.15% -4.2%
2002 -6.9% -0.56%
2001 -8.48% 2.79%
2000 -7.78% 6.09%
1999 -5.58% 0.06%
1998 -6.79% -7.77%
1997 -5.71% -1.5%
1996 -6.89% -0.92%
1995 -7.11% -5.74%
1994 -7.41% -14%
1993 -5.77% -12.8%
1992 -4.95% -10.9%
1991 -7.97% -5.76%
1990 -6.39% -10.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2018, Sri Lanka's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.68B, equivalent to 4.96% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Yemen
2024 -0.43% 33.9%
2023 16.5% 0.9%
2022 49.7% 29.5%
2021 7.01% 31.5%
2020 6.15% 21.7%
2019 3.53% 15.7%
2018 2.14% 33.6%
2017 7.7% 30.4%
2016 3.96% 21.3%
2015 3.77% 22%
2014 3.18% 8.2%
2013 6.91% 11%
2012 7.54% 9.9%
2011 6.72% 19.5%
2010 6.22% 11.2%
2009 3.46% 3.7%
2008 22.6% 19%
2007 15.8% 7.9%
2006 10% 10.8%
2005 11.6% 9.9%
2004 7.58% 12.5%
2003 6.31% 10.8%
2002 9.55% 12.2%
2001 14.2% 11.9%
2000 6.18% 11%
1999 4.69% 7.9%
1998 9.36% 11.5%
1997 9.57% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.34%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.31M
Raw agricultural goods $577K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $318K
Chemicals & pharma $223K
Raw materials & minerals $181K
Metals $116K
Textiles & consumer goods $41K
Wood & paper products $34K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $431K

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Yemen
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Yemen
Economic freedom 50.3 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 138/197
Property rights 47.3 3.5
Government integrity 37.3 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 9.9
Tax burden 77 93.7
Government spending 89 0
Fiscal health 0 71.2
Business freedom 60.1 31.3
Labor freedom 54.3 31.2
Monetary freedom 65.9 48.1
Trade freedom 65.6 67.4
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 30 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Yemen
2026 50.3 -
2025 49.4 -
2024 49.2 -
2023 52.2 -
2022 53.3 -
2021 55.7 -
2020 57.4 -
2019 56.4 -
2018 57.8 -
2017 57.4 -
2016 59.9 -
2015 58.6 53.7
2014 60 55.5
2013 60.7 55.9
2012 58.3 55.3
2011 57.1 54.2
2010 54.6 54.4
2009 56 56.9
2008 58.4 53.8
2007 59.4 54.1
2006 58.7 52.6
2005 61 53.8
2004 61.6 50.5
2003 62.5 50.3
2002 64 48.6
2001 66 44.3
2000 63.2 44.5
1999 64 43.3
1998 64.6 46.1
1997 65.5 48.4
1996 62.5 49.6
1995 60.6 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sri Lanka Yemen
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2015–2024, 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.