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Economy of Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sri Lanka has a GDP of $99B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 72/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sri Lanka has $99.8B in government debt (100.8% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
2024 $98,963,185,510 $41,539,411,516
2023 $83,716,142,582 $35,871,779,681
2022 $74,143,020,263 $40,757,561,709
2021 $88,556,698,938 $41,287,673,690
2020 $84,335,574,582 $31,980,334,561
2019 $88,998,706,297 $33,357,695,635
2018 $94,450,015,983 $34,141,666,667
2017 $94,369,350,286 $51,035,657,371
2016 $88,000,211,172 $20,559,250,000
2015 $85,090,301,052 $19,973,250,000
2014 $82,531,125,191 $19,505,500,000
2013 $76,976,203,829 $19,100,750,000
2012 $70,447,217,164 $17,123,500,000
2011 $67,753,285,897 $14,109,000,000
2010 $58,636,049,434 $12,047,750,000
2009 $42,066,224,093 $9,670,750,000
2008 $40,713,826,215 $4,418,000,000
2007 $32,350,238,760 $5,294,750,000
2006 $28,267,410,543 $5,446,750,000
2005 $24,405,791,045 $5,758,250,000
2004 $20,662,525,941 $5,808,500,000
2003 $18,881,765,437 $5,730,500,000
2002 $16,536,535,647 $6,345,250,000
2001 $15,749,753,805 $6,780,750,000
2000 $16,595,882,819 $6,693,250,000
1999 $15,711,933,513 $6,861,500,000
1998 $15,760,736,956 $6,405,250,000
1997 $15,091,913,884 $8,534,000,000
1996 $13,897,738,375 $8,557,500,000
1995 $13,029,697,561 $7,115,000,000
1994 $11,717,604,209 $6,894,250,000
1993 $10,338,679,636 $6,567,250,000
1992 $9,703,011,636 $6,755,000,000
1991 $9,000,362,582 $8,646,000,000
1990 $8,032,551,173 $8,788,301,546
1989 $6,987,267,684 $8,290,553,535
1988 $6,978,371,581 $7,818,774,177
1987 $6,682,167,120 $6,744,657,033
1986 $6,405,210,564 $6,220,698,247
1985 $5,978,460,972 $5,640,137,575
1984 $6,043,474,843 $6,355,369,172
1983 $5,167,913,302 $7,768,031,182
1982 $4,768,765,017 $8,544,060,905
1981 $4,415,844,156 $8,015,464,252
1980 $4,024,621,900 $6,682,278,300
1979 $3,364,611,432 $5,180,102,910
1978 $2,733,183,857 $4,353,822,343
1977 $4,104,509,583 $4,366,610,469
1976 $3,591,319,857 $4,320,576,877
1975 $3,791,298,146 $4,373,532,601
1974 $3,574,586,466 $3,984,194,614
1973 $2,875,625,000 $3,311,043,292
1972 $2,553,936,348 $2,679,096,597
1971 $2,369,308,600 $2,179,828,710
1970 $2,296,470,588 $1,885,168,339
1969 $1,965,546,218 $1,748,891,294
1968 $1,801,344,538 $1,480,355,355
1967 $1,859,465,021 $1,397,715,282
1966 $1,751,470,588 $1,282,403,936
1965 $1,698,319,328 $1,312,105,394
1964 $1,309,747,899 $1,217,759,447
1963 $1,240,672,269 $1,160,103,724
1962 $1,434,156,379 $1,118,172,226
1961 $1,444,327,731 $1,097,206,526
1960 $1,409,873,950 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Sri Lanka vs Zimbabwe by year

Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $4,516 $15,633 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $3,799 $14,456 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $3,343 $14,194 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $3,997 $14,316 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $3,848 $12,941 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $4,082 $14,113 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $4,359 $14,178 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $4,399 $13,610 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $4,149 $13,079 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $4,058 $12,227 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $3,972 $11,721 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $3,739 $11,253 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $3,328 $10,249 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $3,225 $9,076 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $2,808 $8,234 $902 $2,661
2009 $2,027 $7,576 $736 $2,233
2008 $1,974 $7,317 $341 $1,987
2007 $1,579 $6,820 $414 $2,396
2006 $1,389 $6,261 $431 $2,454
2005 $1,207 $5,679 $461 $2,496
2004 $1,029 $5,216 $470 $2,591
2003 $946 $4,850 $468 $2,708
2002 $835 $4,522 $525 $3,238
2001 $804 $4,328 $566 $3,533
2000 $860 $4,368 $563 $3,429
1999 $829 $4,103 $582 $3,491
1998 $848 $3,952 $552 $3,527
1997 $827 $3,804 $751 $3,457
1996 $776 $3,582 $767 $3,372
1995 $742 $3,454 $648 $3,051
1994 $678 $3,260 $634 $3,012
1993 $607 $3,067 $605 $2,703
1992 $580 $2,851 $631 $2,651
1991 $546 $2,713 $831 $2,930
1990 $491 $2,527 $867 $2,757
1989 $430 - $840 -
1988 $434 - $816 -
1987 $420 - $726 -
1986 $407 - $693 -
1985 $385 - $649 -
1984 $391 - $757 -
1983 $336 - $959 -
1982 $312 - $1,096 -
1981 $292.5 - $1,069 -
1980 $271.1 - $949 -
1979 $230.8 - $779 -
1978 $191 - $665 -
1977 $292.1 - $677 -
1976 $260.3 - $687 -
1975 $279.8 - $717 -
1974 $268.7 - $674 -
1973 $220.2 - $579 -
1972 $199.4 - $483 -
1971 $188.8 - $406 -
1970 $186.9 - $361 -
1969 $163.6 - $346 -
1968 $153.5 - $302 -
1967 $162.3 - $294.4 -
1966 $156.6 - $278.7 -
1965 $155.6 - $294.3 -
1964 $122.9 - $281.9 -
1963 $119.4 - $277.1 -
1962 $141.4 - $275.7 -
1961 $145.9 - $279.2 -
1960 $145.9 - $276.6 -

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

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

Sri Lanka's GDP per capita is $4,516, ranking 124/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$99B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
72/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
5.01%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$4,516
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
124/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,633
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
111/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$99.8B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
100.8%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$4,554
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
85/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,874
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$19.5B
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.8%
2019
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2019
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.3%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
-0.43%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
7.75%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
4.67%
2023
12.1%
2024
Population
22185425
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 19.3% 100.8% 12.9% 73%
2023 19.5% 110.4% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 18.6% 115.9% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 20% 102.7% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 22.1% 96.9% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 19.5% 82.6% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 17.5% 83.6% 13.9% 33%
2017 17.9% 72.3% 19.8% 49%
2016 18.2% 75% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 19.3% 76.3% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 17.2% 69.6% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 16.6% 69.5% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 17.3% 67.5% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 19.1% 69.4% 16.2% 30%
2010 19.3% 68.7% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 21% 72.8% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 19.1% 68.8% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 19.9% 71.8% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 20.5% 74.3% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 20.1% 76.6% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 19.3% 86.5% - -
2003 19.3% 86.5% - -
2002 20.8% 96.3% - -
2001 22.4% 84.4% - -
2000 21.7% 79.2% - -
1999 20.5% 77.7% - -
1998 21.4% 74.2% - -
1997 21.4% 70.1% - -
1996 23.1% 76.2% - -
1995 24.8% 77.8% - -
1994 24.1% 77.9% - -
1993 23.2% 79.2% - -
1992 23% 77.9% - -
1991 26.4% 80.5% - -
1990 25.4% 78.9% - -

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

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

In 2024, Sri Lanka's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 19.3% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 100.8% in Sri Lanka and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 23/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
2024 -5.64% -1.06%
2023 -8.32% -3.9%
2022 -10.2% -3.3%
2021 -11.7% -2.24%
2020 -13.4% -0.34%
2019 -7.52% -1.72%
2018 -4.96% -3.81%
2017 -5.1% -7.37%
2016 -5% -4.63%
2015 -6.64% -1.45%
2014 -5.99% -0.71%
2013 -5% -0.69%
2012 -5.44% -0.13%
2011 -6.01% -1.72%
2010 -6.73% -0.11%
2009 -8.33% -1.39%
2008 -5.93% -1.2%
2007 -5.81% -1.67%
2006 -5.91% -1.4%
2005 -5.93% -3.46%
2004 -6.32% -
2003 -6.15% -
2002 -6.9% -
2001 -8.48% -
2000 -7.78% -
1999 -5.58% -
1998 -6.79% -
1997 -5.71% -
1996 -6.89% -
1995 -7.11% -
1994 -7.41% -
1993 -5.77% -
1992 -4.95% -
1991 -7.97% -
1990 -6.39% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sri-lanka/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Sri Lanka recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Sri Lanka posted an annual deficit equal to 6.98% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sri Lanka

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
2024 -0.43% 736%
2023 16.5% 667%
2022 49.7% 193.4%
2021 7.01% 98.5%
2020 6.15% 557%
2019 3.53% 255.3%
2018 2.14% 10.6%
2017 7.7% 0.9%
2016 3.96% -1.6%
2015 3.77% -2.4%
2014 3.18% -0.2%
2013 6.91% 1.6%
2012 7.54% 3.7%
2011 6.72% 3.5%
2010 6.22% 3%
2009 3.46% 6.2%
2008 22.6% 157%
2007 15.8% -72.7%
2006 10% 33%
2005 11.6% -31.5%
2004 7.58% 113.6%
2003 6.31% -8.6%
2002 9.55% -34.4%
2001 14.2% -37.2%
2000 6.18% 4.5%
1999 4.69% -13.4%
1998 9.36% -28%
1997 9.57% -1%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Sri Lanka has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.34%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was -0.43% in Sri Lanka and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $171K
Machinery & equipment $122K
Textiles & consumer goods $86K
Raw materials & minerals $36K
Metals $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Raw agricultural goods $8K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $37K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$1.21B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
53/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+1.22%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$18.8B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$12.8B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$3.48B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$6.91B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 50.3 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 162/197 190/197
Property rights 47.3 19.4
Government integrity 37.3 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 47.2 16.8
Tax burden 77 73.6
Government spending 89 93.9
Fiscal health 0 52.4
Business freedom 60.1 42
Labor freedom 54.3 33.3
Monetary freedom 65.9 0
Trade freedom 65.6 50.4
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 30 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sri Lanka
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
2026 50.3 35.2
2025 49.4 35.1
2024 49.2 38.2
2023 52.2 39
2022 53.3 33.1
2021 55.7 39.5
2020 57.4 43.1
2019 56.4 40.4
2018 57.8 44
2017 57.4 44
2016 59.9 38.2
2015 58.6 37.6
2014 60 35.5
2013 60.7 28.6
2012 58.3 26.3
2011 57.1 22.1
2010 54.6 21.4
2009 56 22.7
2008 58.4 29.5
2007 59.4 32
2006 58.7 33.5
2005 61 35.2
2004 61.6 34.4
2003 62.5 36.7
2002 64 36.7
2001 66 38.8
2000 63.2 48.7
1999 64 47.2
1998 64.6 44.6
1997 65.5 48
1996 62.5 46.7
1995 60.6 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Sri Lanka is 50.3, ranking 162/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sri Lanka Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
57.5%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.3%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$84.6B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,240
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.09B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
92/177
2024
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$651M
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$761M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.98%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
14.3%
2019
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
27%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.