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Sudan economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sudan ranked 94/197 by economy size with a GDP of $49.7B and 179/197 by GDP per capita at $985. Sudan has $130B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 261.4%.

In 2024, Sudan made up 0.04% of the world's economy, compared to 0.08% in 1960.

Sudan GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $49,672,435,513 -14%
2023 $39,898,289,821 -29.4%
2022 $51,666,875,363 -0.96%
2021 $34,229,513,775 -1.87%
2020 $27,034,593,750 -3.63%
2019 $32,338,079,165 -2.18%
2018 $32,333,780,383 -2.68%
2017 $41,283,617,976 0.71%
2016 $42,630,376,000 3.47%
2015 $51,726,758,677 1.91%
2014 $49,516,748,618 4.66%
2013 $43,024,018,082 1.96%
2012 $37,632,919,967 -17%
2011 $55,018,567,211 -3.21%
2010 $58,962,978,034 3.86%
2009 $51,621,044,077 -2.77%
2008 $64,833,083,257 3.85%
2007 $59,440,139,775 5.74%
2006 $45,263,831,634 6.53%
2005 $35,182,711,988 5.64%
2004 $26,646,007,251 5.14%
2003 $21,355,298,460 6.29%
2002 $18,137,128,388 6.01%
2001 $15,716,361,792 6.5%
2000 $12,257,299,147 6.35%
1999 $10,682,028,340 3.1%
1998 $11,250,221,537 4.31%
1997 $11,681,175,864 18.3%
1996 $9,018,300,725 5.92%
1995 $13,830,363,900 6%
1994 $12,793,794,737 1.01%
1993 $8,881,005,436 4.57%
1992 $7,031,933,492 6.58%
1991 $44,171,194,366 7.51%
1990 $33,641,222,222 -5.47%
1989 $21,408,111,111 8.93%
1988 $14,372,555,556 -0.33%
1987 $12,093,333,333 14.2%
1986 $10,092,200,000 5.41%
1985 $8,075,259,600 -6.28%
1984 $10,447,615,385 -5.01%
1983 $8,230,153,846 2.06%
1982 $8,732,542,274 5.96%
1981 $10,753,888,154 7.44%
1980 $8,951,800,000 1.52%
1979 $8,418,407,787 -5.02%
1978 $8,128,719,315 -5.93%
1977 $7,499,005,639 6.22%
1976 $6,013,210,816 16.7%
1975 $4,823,090,192 15.7%
1974 $3,958,931,660 11.4%
1973 $3,077,254,460 0.63%
1972 $2,483,055,722 -5.07%
1971 $2,288,340,041 2.25%
1970 $2,100,229,759 5.93%
1969 $1,847,501,441 1.39%
1968 $1,677,771,401 1.96%
1967 $1,607,409,539 1.42%
1966 $1,484,491,676 -3.58%
1965 $1,446,869,619 6.78%
1964 $1,388,282,600 -1.12%
1963 $1,351,234,926 -2.85%
1962 $1,328,259,625 6.92%
1961 $1,222,860,429 0.02%
1960 $1,126,364,162 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan | CC BY

Sudan GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $985 $2,116
2023 $797 $2,421
2022 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $712 $3,249
2020 $578 $3,349
2019 $710 $3,914
2018 $731 $4,199
2017 $967 $4,252
2016 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $872 $3,215
2003 $714 $3,058
2002 $621 $2,898
2001 $551 $2,769
2000 $441 $2,616
1999 $394 $2,475
1998 $425 $2,428
1997 $453 $2,358
1996 $357 $2,006
1995 $561 $1,902
1994 $532 $1,805
1993 $379 $1,794
1992 $307 $1,710
1991 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $992 -
1988 $680 -
1987 $584 -
1986 $497 -
1985 $406 -
1984 $534 -
1983 $431 -
1982 $472 -
1981 $605 -
1980 $525 -
1979 $515 -
1978 $518 -
1977 $497 -
1976 $413 -
1975 $343 -
1974 $291.5 -
1973 $235.8 -
1972 $198.2 -
1971 $189 -
1970 $179.6 -
1969 $163.5 -
1968 $153.7 -
1967 $152.4 -
1966 $145.6 -
1965 $146.8 -
1964 $145.7 -
1963 $146.6 -
1962 $148.9 -
1961 $141.6 -
1960 $134.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan | CC BY

Sudan has a GDP per capita of $985, ranking 179/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $2,116, ranking 185/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,704, ranking 174/197.

Sudan GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 93 168 169
2023 100 182 177
2022 87 171 163
2021 101 181 162
2020 104 185 157
2019 102 183 154
2018 102 182 148
2017 92 169 148
2016 88 166 144
2015 79 162 145
2014 85 163 142
2013 89 170 148
2012 90 171 142
2011 76 150 139
2010 69 144 139
2009 71 143 140
2008 66 136 137
2007 64 132 137
2006 67 134 137
2005 71 139 136
2004 72 145 135
2003 74 146 133
2002 74 147 137
2001 78 149 137
2000 84 160 137
1999 88 162 137
1998 85 158 134
1997 81 157 132
1996 89 166 136
1995 74 147 135
1994 74 140 133
1993 82 150 133
1992 89 159 137
1991 47 79 138
1990 53 92 141
1989 59 96 -
1988 60 118 -
1987 61 122 -
1986 62 120 -
1985 66 123 -
1984 61 118 -
1983 65 123 -
1982 63 124 -
1981 61 118 -
1980 64 122 -
1979 61 111 -
1978 58 107 -
1977 58 104 -
1976 60 103 -
1975 60 111 -
1974 63 111 -
1973 63 112 -
1972 62 115 -
1971 62 111 -
1970 62 111 -
1969 61 95 -
1968 58 95 -
1967 57 96 -
1966 57 94 -
1965 58 89 -
1964 55 84 -
1963 55 82 -
1962 56 78 -
1961 55 79 -
1960 55 78 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Sudan is ranked 93rd out of 182 by GDP (down from 84th), 168th by GDP per capita (down from 160th), and 169th by GDP per capita PPP (down from 137th).

Economic indicators

Sudan Rank
Gross domestic product
$49.7B
2024
94/197
GDP growth
-14%
2023-2024
193/194
GDP per capita
$985
2024
179/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,116
2024
185/197
Government debt
$130B
2024
54/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
261.4%
2024
1/185
Government debt per person
$2,574
2024
109/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,704
2026
174/197
Income share by richest 10%
27.8%
2014
83/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2014
48/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
6.39%
2024
194/195
Consumer prices inflation
138.8%
2021-2022
3/195
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2022
57/196
Population
53335233
30/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 6.39% 261.4% -3.46%
2023 8.23% 259.9% -3.7%
2022 17.9% 186.9% -2.15%
2021 9.84% 189.6% -0.29%
2020 10.9% 278.3% -6.03%
2019 18.7% 216.5% -10.8%
2018 16.8% 209.8% -7.92%
2017 12.8% 149.5% -6.07%
2016 9.98% 109.9% -3.92%
2015 12.4% 93.2% -3.87%
2014 13.5% 84.4% -4.72%
2013 15.3% 105.8% -5.76%
2012 16.5% 117.7% -7.37%
2011 18.2% 78.1% -2.33%
2010 17.4% 74.6% 0.11%
2009 18.8% 71% -3.8%
2008 19.7% 55.8% 0.49%
2007 19.6% 53.7% -2.84%
2006 18.8% 63.7% -1.32%
2005 19.7% 75.5% -1.88%
2004 16.5% 97.8% 0.16%
2003 12.5% 117.4% 0.77%
2002 10.5% 121.7% -0.69%
2001 9.87% 125.6% -0.77%
2000 10.4% 143.2% -0.7%
1999 8.4% 160.5% -0.8%
1998 7.79% 179.7% -0.56%
1997 7.38% 167.7% -0.59%
1996 9.31% 220.9% -2.61%
1995 12.9% 239% -3.48%
1994 19.6% 386% -3.03%
1993 23.7% 285.9% -8.04%
1992 50.4% 495% -24.5%
1991 45.7% - -26.5%
1990 31% - -16.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan | CC BY

This chart shows Sudan's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $3.17B (6.39% of GDP), with a deficit of 3.46%.

The national debt reached $130B, ranking 54th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 261.4%, ranking 1st.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2022 138.8%
2021 359%
2020 163.3%
2019 51%
2018 63.3%
2017 32.4%
2016 17.8%
2015 16.9%
2014 36.9%
2013 36.5%
2012 35.6%
2011 18.1%
2010 13%
2009 11.3%
2008 14.3%
2007 14.8%
2006 7.2%
2005 8.51%
2004 9.66%
2003 6.49%
2002 22.2%
2001 1.94%
2000 7.12%
1999 17.2%
1998 24.6%
1997 47.2%
1996 132.8%
1995 68.4%
1994 115.4%
1993 101.4%
1992 117.6%
1991 123.6%
1990 65.2%
1989 66.7%
1988 64.7%
1987 20.6%
1986 24.5%
1985 45.4%
1984 34.1%
1983 30.6%
1982 25.7%
1981 24.6%
1980 25.4%
1979 31.1%
1978 19.2%
1977 17.1%
1976 1.67%
1975 24%
1974 26.2%
1973 15.3%
1972 13.6%
1971 1.3%
1970 4.03%
1969 12.6%
1968 -10%
1967 11%
1966 1.71%
1965 -2.45%
1964 3.95%
1963 4.69%
1962 1.66%
1961 8.76%
1960 0.09%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Sudan has had an average annual inflation rate of 52.7%. In 2022, inflation was 138.8%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Sudan Rank
Current account balance
-$4.44B
2022
165/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.6%
2022
159/190
Goods imports
$9.99B
2022
109/189
Goods exports
$4.36B
2022
125/189
Service imports
$1.59B
2022
130/189
Service exports
$1.55B
2022
114/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.27%
2024
181/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
0.72%
2024
193/193

Sudan top 10 trading partners

Sudan's biggest trading partner accounting for 18.3% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of -$1.09B: Sudan exports $736M worth of goods and services to China and imports $1.82B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Sudan.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 China $2.56B 18.3% $736M $1.82B Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
2 UAE $1.78B 12.7% $994M $787M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
3 Saudi Arabia $1.66B 11.8% $588M $1.07B Animal & marine products Raw materials & minerals
4 Russia $1.58B 11.3% $830K $1.58B Machinery & equipment Raw agricultural goods
5 Egypt $1.04B 7.42% $580M $460M Animal & marine products Chemicals & pharma
6 India $971M 6.93% $97.3M $874M Raw agricultural goods Processed food, beverages & tobacco
7 Japan $550M 3.93% $2.2M $548M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
8 Turkey $454M 3.24% $72M $382M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
9 Germany $297M 2.12% $13.3M $283M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
10 South Korea $281M 2% $3.8M $277M Metals Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Sudan Rank
Transport & tourism services $1.5B 104/188
Raw agricultural goods $1.03B 68/193
Precious metals & jewellery $911M 69/190
Animal & marine products $856M 60/192
Raw materials & minerals $511M 121/193
Textiles & consumer goods $159M 113/193
Machinery & equipment $56.6M 137/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $52M 142/192
Government & miscellaneous services $29.1M 118/180
Business & finance services $23.8M 154/188

Top 10 imports

Sudan Rank
Machinery & equipment $3B 108/193
Raw agricultural goods $2.06B 56/193
Raw materials & minerals $1.76B 123/193
Transport & tourism services $1.15B 118/188
Chemicals & pharma $1.06B 110/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1B 99/193
Textiles & consumer goods $750M 109/193
Metals $419M 129/193
Wood & paper products $256M 111/193
Government & miscellaneous services $204M 49/180

Economic freedom indices

Sudan Rank
Economic freedom 32.5 191/197
Property rights 6.5 173/182
Government integrity 13.8 169/182
Judicial effectiveness 2.4 180/182
Tax burden 84.7 57/182
Government spending 96.5 2/180
Fiscal health 64.6 110/181
Business freedom 27.3 178/182
Labor freedom 33.6 176/182
Monetary freedom 6.2 176/180
Trade freedom 29.6 180/181
Investment freedom 5 177/181
Financial freedom 20 170/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 32.5 2.4 84.7 96.5 64.6
2025 35.3 4 84.7 95.7 73.5
2024 33.9 4.8 85 95.1 66.5
2023 32.8 15.7 85.2 94.9 28.5
2022 32 13.2 84.9 92.9 0
2021 39.1 19.7 84.9 91.9 0
2020 45 20.8 86.1 94.5 12.4
2019 47.7 22.2 86.3 96.6 76.1
2018 49.4 21.4 85.9 95.3 87.2
2017 48.8 19.8 86.5 95.1 85.5
2016 - - 86.4 94.8 -
2015 - - 86.4 94.5 -
2014 - - 85.1 90.3 -
2013 - - - 89.9 -
2012 - - - - -
2011 - - - - -
2010 - - - - -
2009 - - - - -
2008 - - - - -
2007 - - - - -
2006 - - - - -
2005 - - - - -
2004 - - - - -
2003 - - - - -
2002 - - - - -
2001 - - - - -
2000 47.2 - 74.7 90.1 -
1999 39.6 - 33 78.8 -
1998 38.3 - 32.9 82.7 -
1997 39.9 - 32.8 86.5 -
1996 39.2 - 32.9 74.6 -
1995 39.4 - 33.3 74.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan | CC BY

Sudan is ranked 171/174 for economic freedom with a score of 32.5, compared to 131/159 and a score of 47.2 in 2000.

Other economic metrics

Sudan Rank
Services, % of GDP
54.7%
2024
109/191
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
105/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
30/193
GNI, Atlas method
$35.8B
2024
102/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,050
2024
180/191
Total reserves including gold
$178M
2017
171/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$574M
2022
104/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$548M
2023
114/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
162/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.42%
2024
116/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
46.5%
2020
29/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
2.89%
2024
176/178

Compare Sudan vs other countries

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/sudan | 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 (2018–2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.