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Economy of Sudan vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sudan has a GDP of $49.7B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 94/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sudan has $130B in government debt (261.4% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Sudan vs United States GDP by year

Sudan
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sudan United States
2024 $49,672,435,513 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $39,898,289,821 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $51,666,875,363 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $34,229,513,775 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $27,034,593,750 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $32,338,079,165 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $32,333,780,383 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $41,283,617,976 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $42,630,376,000 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $51,726,758,677 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $49,516,748,618 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $43,024,018,082 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $37,632,919,967 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $55,018,567,211 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $58,962,978,034 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $51,621,044,077 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $64,833,083,257 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $59,440,139,775 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $45,263,831,634 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $35,182,711,988 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $26,646,007,251 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $21,355,298,460 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $18,137,128,388 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $15,716,361,792 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $12,257,299,147 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $10,682,028,340 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $11,250,221,537 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $11,681,175,864 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $9,018,300,725 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $13,830,363,900 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $12,793,794,737 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $8,881,005,436 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $7,031,933,492 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $44,171,194,366 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $33,641,222,222 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $21,408,111,111 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $14,372,555,556 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $12,093,333,333 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $10,092,200,000 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $8,075,259,600 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $10,447,615,385 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $8,230,153,846 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $8,732,542,274 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $10,753,888,154 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $8,951,800,000 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $8,418,407,787 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $8,128,719,315 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $7,499,005,639 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $6,013,210,816 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $4,823,090,192 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $3,958,931,660 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $3,077,254,460 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $2,483,055,722 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $2,288,340,041 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $2,100,229,759 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $1,847,501,441 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $1,677,771,401 $940,225,000,000
1967 $1,607,409,539 $859,620,034,483
1966 $1,484,491,676 $813,032,758,621
1965 $1,446,869,619 $741,904,862,069
1964 $1,388,282,600 $684,144,620,690
1963 $1,351,234,926 $637,058,551,724
1962 $1,328,259,625 $603,639,413,793
1961 $1,222,860,429 $561,940,310,345
1960 $1,126,364,162 $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sudan vs United States by year

Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sudan United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $985 $2,116 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $797 $2,421 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $1,046 $3,355 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $712 $3,249 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $578 $3,349 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $710 $3,914 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $731 $4,199 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $967 $4,252 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $1,033 $4,470 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $1,292 $4,217 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $1,275 $4,261 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $1,139 $3,725 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $1,019 $3,710 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $1,522 $4,112 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $1,665 $3,806 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $1,493 $3,732 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $1,928 $3,938 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $1,814 $3,836 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $1,415 $3,637 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $1,125 $3,407 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $872 $3,215 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $714 $3,058 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $621 $2,898 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $551 $2,769 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $441 $2,616 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $394 $2,475 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $425 $2,428 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $453 $2,358 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $357 $2,006 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $561 $1,902 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $532 $1,805 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $379 $1,794 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $307 $1,710 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $1,966 $1,599 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $1,528 $1,468 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $992 - $22,857 -
1988 $680 - $21,417 -
1987 $584 - $20,039 -
1986 $497 - $19,071 -
1985 $406 - $18,237 -
1984 $534 - $17,121 -
1983 $431 - $15,544 -
1982 $472 - $14,434 -
1981 $605 - $13,976 -
1980 $525 - $12,613 -
1979 $515 - $11,674 -
1978 $518 - $10,565 -
1977 $497 - $9,453 -
1976 $413 - $8,592 -
1975 $343 - $7,801 -
1974 $291.5 - $7,226 -
1973 $235.8 - $6,726 -
1972 $198.2 - $6,094 -
1971 $189 - $5,609 -
1970 $179.6 - $5,234 -
1969 $163.5 - $5,020 -
1968 $153.7 - $4,685 -
1967 $152.4 - $4,326 -
1966 $145.6 - $4,136 -
1965 $146.8 - $3,818 -
1964 $145.7 - $3,565 -
1963 $146.6 - $3,366 -
1962 $148.9 - $3,236 -
1961 $141.6 - $3,059 -
1960 $134.7 - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/united-states | CC BY

Sudan's GDP per capita is $985, ranking 179/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Sudan United States
Gross domestic product
$49.7B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
94/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
-14%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$985
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
179/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,116
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
185/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$130B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
261.4%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,574
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
109/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,704
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.8%
2014
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2014
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
6.39%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
138.8%
2021-2022
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2022
4.02%
2024
Population
53335233
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sudan
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sudan United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 6.39% 261.4% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 8.23% 259.9% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 17.9% 186.9% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 9.84% 189.6% 43.2% 125%
2020 10.9% 278.3% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 18.7% 216.5% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 16.8% 209.8% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 12.8% 149.5% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 9.98% 109.9% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 12.4% 93.2% 35% 105.4%
2014 13.5% 84.4% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 15.3% 105.8% 35.8% 105%
2012 16.5% 117.7% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 18.2% 78.1% 38.8% 100%
2010 17.4% 74.6% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 18.8% 71% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 19.7% 55.8% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 19.6% 53.7% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 18.8% 63.7% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 19.7% 75.5% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 16.5% 97.8% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 12.5% 117.4% 34% 59%
2002 10.5% 121.7% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 9.87% 125.6% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 10.4% 143.2% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 8.4% 160.5% 32.2% 60.5%
1998 7.79% 179.7% 32.8% 64.2%
1997 7.38% 167.7% 33.7% 67.4%
1996 9.31% 220.9% 34.7% 69.9%
1995 12.9% 239% 35.5% 70.7%
1994 19.6% 386% 35.5% 71.1%
1993 23.7% 285.9% 36.4% 71.9%
1992 50.4% 495% 36.7% 70.3%
1991 45.7% - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 31% - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Sudan's government spending was $3.17B, accounting for 6.39% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 261.4% in Sudan and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 1/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sudan

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sudan United States
2024 -3.46% -8.03%
2023 -3.7% -7.8%
2022 -2.15% -3.72%
2021 -0.29% -11.4%
2020 -6.03% -14.1%
2019 -10.8% -5.81%
2018 -7.92% -5.33%
2017 -6.07% -4.79%
2016 -3.92% -4.36%
2015 -3.87% -3.53%
2014 -4.72% -4.03%
2013 -5.76% -4.56%
2012 -7.37% -8.11%
2011 -2.33% -9.72%
2010 0.11% -11%
2009 -3.8% -13.2%
2008 0.49% -6.61%
2007 -2.84% -2.91%
2006 -1.32% -2.04%
2005 -1.88% -3.07%
2004 0.16% -4.24%
2003 0.77% -4.77%
2002 -0.69% -3.82%
2001 -0.77% -0.54%
2000 -0.7% 3.62%
1999 -0.8% 2.71%
1998 -0.56% 2.18%
1997 -0.59% 0.88%
1996 -2.61% -0.46%
1995 -3.48% -1.7%
1994 -3.03% -2.05%
1993 -8.04% -3.35%
1992 -24.5% -3.98%
1991 -26.5% -2.72%
1990 -16.2% -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, Sudan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.72B, equivalent to 3.46% of GDP. This compares to the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.4% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sudan

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sudan United States
2024 - 2.95%
2023 - 4.12%
2022 138.8% 8%
2021 359% 4.7%
2020 163.3% 1.23%
2019 51% 1.81%
2018 63.3% 2.44%
2017 32.4% 2.13%
2016 17.8% 1.26%
2015 16.9% 0.12%
2014 36.9% 1.62%
2013 36.5% 1.46%
2012 35.6% 2.07%
2011 18.1% 3.16%
2010 13% 1.64%
2009 11.3% -0.36%
2008 14.3% 3.84%
2007 14.8% 2.85%
2006 7.2% 3.23%
2005 8.51% 3.39%
2004 9.66% 2.68%
2003 6.49% 2.27%
2002 22.2% 1.59%
2001 1.94% 2.83%
2000 7.12% 3.38%
1999 17.2% 2.19%
1998 24.6% 1.55%
1997 47.2% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 45.2%, compared with 2.44% in the United States. In 2022, inflation was 138.8% in Sudan and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $15.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $3.05M
Animal & marine products $345K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20K
Machinery & equipment $12K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
United States
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $60.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $33.3M
Machinery & equipment $15.9M
Chemicals & pharma $2.28M
Miscellaneous $1.7M
Animal & marine products $1.53M
Metals $1.46M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.42M
Raw materials & minerals $281K
Weapons & explosives $170K

Balance of trade

Sudan United States
Current account balance
-$4.44B
2022
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
165/190
2022
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.6%
2022
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$9.99B
2022
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$4.36B
2022
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$1.59B
2022
$841B
2024
Service exports
$1.55B
2022
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.27%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
0.72%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Sudan United States
Economic freedom 32.5 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 191/197 27/197
Property rights 6.5 91.6
Government integrity 13.8 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 2.4 76.4
Tax burden 84.7 75.3
Government spending 96.5 57.9
Fiscal health 64.6 18.5
Business freedom 27.3 88.6
Labor freedom 33.6 76.3
Monetary freedom 6.2 84.2
Trade freedom 29.6 67.6
Investment freedom 5 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sudan
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sudan United States
2026 32.5 72.8
2025 35.3 70.2
2024 33.9 70.1
2023 32.8 70.6
2022 32 72.1
2021 39.1 74.8
2020 45 76.6
2019 47.7 76.8
2018 49.4 75.7
2017 48.8 75.1
2016 - 75.4
2015 - 76.2
2014 - 75.5
2013 - 76
2012 - 76.3
2011 - 77.8
2010 - 78
2009 - 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 47.2 76.4
1999 39.6 75.5
1998 38.3 75.4
1997 39.9 75.6
1996 39.2 76.7
1995 39.4 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sudan is 32.5, ranking 191/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Sudan United States
Services, % of GDP
54.7%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$35.8B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,050
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$178M
2017
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
171/177
2017
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$574M
2022
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$548M
2023
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.42%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
46.5%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
2.89%
2024
21.8%
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/sudan/united-states | 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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2018–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.