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Economy of Sudan vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Sudan has a GDP of $49.7B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 94/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Sudan has $130B in government debt (261.4% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Sudan vs Yemen GDP by year

Sudan
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Sudan Yemen
2024 $49,672,435,513 -
2023 $39,898,289,821 -
2022 $51,666,875,363 -
2021 $34,229,513,775 -
2020 $27,034,593,750 -
2019 $32,338,079,165 -
2018 $32,333,780,383 $21,606,160,663
2017 $41,283,617,976 $26,842,229,045
2016 $42,630,376,000 $31,317,825,274
2015 $51,726,758,677 $42,444,490,074
2014 $49,516,748,618 $43,228,585,321
2013 $43,024,018,082 $40,415,233,436
2012 $37,632,919,967 $35,401,331,610
2011 $55,018,567,211 $32,726,417,878
2010 $58,962,978,034 $30,906,749,533
2009 $51,621,044,077 $25,130,278,213
2008 $64,833,083,257 $26,910,855,807
2007 $59,440,139,775 $21,650,528,674
2006 $45,263,831,634 $19,063,143,370
2005 $35,182,711,988 $16,731,566,717
2004 $26,646,007,251 $13,867,634,371
2003 $21,355,298,460 $11,777,532,662
2002 $18,137,128,388 $10,693,430,511
2001 $15,716,361,792 $9,852,990,693
2000 $12,257,299,147 $9,679,316,770
1999 $10,682,028,340 $7,639,325,296
1998 $11,250,221,537 $6,322,175,566
1997 $11,681,175,864 $6,838,298,531
1996 $9,018,300,725 $6,496,163,616
1995 $13,830,363,900 $12,796,345,679
1994 $12,793,794,737 $28,019,483,764
1993 $8,881,005,436 $21,736,802,664
1992 $7,031,933,492 $17,959,367,194
1991 $44,171,194,366 $14,665,445,462
1990 $33,641,222,222 $12,643,821,569
1989 $21,408,111,111 -
1988 $14,372,555,556 -
1987 $12,093,333,333 -
1986 $10,092,200,000 -
1985 $8,075,259,600 -
1984 $10,447,615,385 -
1983 $8,230,153,846 -
1982 $8,732,542,274 -
1981 $10,753,888,154 -
1980 $8,951,800,000 -
1979 $8,418,407,787 -
1978 $8,128,719,315 -
1977 $7,499,005,639 -
1976 $6,013,210,816 -
1975 $4,823,090,192 -
1974 $3,958,931,660 -
1973 $3,077,254,460 -
1972 $2,483,055,722 -
1971 $2,288,340,041 -
1970 $2,100,229,759 -
1969 $1,847,501,441 -
1968 $1,677,771,401 -
1967 $1,607,409,539 -
1966 $1,484,491,676 -
1965 $1,446,869,619 -
1964 $1,388,282,600 -
1963 $1,351,234,926 -
1962 $1,328,259,625 -
1961 $1,222,860,429 -
1960 $1,126,364,162 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Sudan vs Yemen by year

Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Sudan Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP 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 $634 -
2017 $967 $4,252 $811 -
2016 $1,033 $4,470 $975 -
2015 $1,292 $4,217 $1,362 -
2014 $1,275 $4,261 $1,430 -
2013 $1,139 $3,725 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $1,019 $3,710 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $1,522 $4,112 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $1,665 $3,806 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $1,493 $3,732 $969 $3,411
2008 $1,928 $3,938 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $1,814 $3,836 $890 $3,294
2006 $1,415 $3,637 $810 $3,205
2005 $1,125 $3,407 $734 $3,113
2004 $872 $3,215 $628 $2,949
2003 $714 $3,058 $549 $2,844
2002 $621 $2,898 $513 $2,768
2001 $551 $2,769 $487 $2,702
2000 $441 $2,616 $493 $2,624
1999 $394 $2,475 $401 $2,492
1998 $425 $2,428 $343 $2,442
1997 $453 $2,358 $383 $2,351
1996 $357 $2,006 $375 $2,268
1995 $561 $1,902 $764 $2,201
1994 $532 $1,805 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $379 $1,794 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $307 $1,710 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $1,966 $1,599 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $1,528 $1,468 $910 $1,742
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/yemen | CC BY

Sudan's GDP per capita is $985, ranking 179/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Sudan Yemen
Gross domestic product
$49.7B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
94/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
-14%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$985
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
179/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,116
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
185/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$130B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
261.4%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,574
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
109/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,704
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.8%
2014
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.2%
2014
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
6.39%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
138.8%
2021-2022
33.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
7.53%
2022
13.5%
2014
Population
53335233
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Sudan
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Sudan Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 6.39% 261.4% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 8.23% 259.9% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 17.9% 186.9% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 9.84% 189.6% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 10.9% 278.3% 10.6% 87%
2019 18.7% 216.5% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 16.8% 209.8% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 12.8% 149.5% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 9.98% 109.9% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 12.4% 93.2% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 13.5% 84.4% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 15.3% 105.8% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 16.5% 117.7% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 18.2% 78.1% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 17.4% 74.6% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 18.8% 71% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 19.7% 55.8% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 19.6% 53.7% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 18.8% 63.7% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 19.7% 75.5% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 16.5% 97.8% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 12.5% 117.4% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 10.5% 121.7% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 9.87% 125.6% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 10.4% 143.2% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 8.4% 160.5% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 7.79% 179.7% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 7.38% 167.7% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 9.31% 220.9% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 12.9% 239% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 19.6% 386% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 23.7% 285.9% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 50.4% 495% 24.6% 78%
1991 45.7% - 24.7% 82.7%
1990 31% - 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/sudan/yemen | CC BY

In 2024, Sudan's government spending was $3.17B, accounting for 6.39% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 261.4% in Sudan and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 1/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Sudan

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Sudan Yemen
2024 -3.46% -2.48%
2023 -3.7% -5.63%
2022 -2.15% -2.15%
2021 -0.29% -0.89%
2020 -6.03% -4.3%
2019 -10.8% -5.89%
2018 -7.92% -7.85%
2017 -6.07% -4.9%
2016 -3.92% -8.51%
2015 -3.87% -8.75%
2014 -4.72% -4.14%
2013 -5.76% -6.9%
2012 -7.37% -6.32%
2011 -2.33% -4.51%
2010 0.11% -4.06%
2009 -3.8% -10.2%
2008 0.49% -4.53%
2007 -2.84% -7.18%
2006 -1.32% 1.19%
2005 -1.88% -1.82%
2004 0.16% -2.15%
2003 0.77% -4.2%
2002 -0.69% -0.56%
2001 -0.77% 2.79%
2000 -0.7% 6.09%
1999 -0.8% 0.06%
1998 -0.56% -7.77%
1997 -0.59% -1.5%
1996 -2.61% -0.92%
1995 -3.48% -5.74%
1994 -3.03% -14%
1993 -8.04% -12.8%
1992 -24.5% -10.9%
1991 -26.5% -5.76%
1990 -16.2% -10.3%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Sudan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.56B, equivalent to 7.92% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Sudan recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Sudan posted an annual deficit equal to 4.78% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Sudan

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Sudan Yemen
2024 - 33.9%
2023 - 0.9%
2022 138.8% 29.5%
2021 359% 31.5%
2020 163.3% 21.7%
2019 51% 15.7%
2018 63.3% 33.6%
2017 32.4% 30.4%
2016 17.8% 21.3%
2015 16.9% 22%
2014 36.9% 8.2%
2013 36.5% 11%
2012 35.6% 9.9%
2011 18.1% 19.5%
2010 13% 11.2%
2009 11.3% 3.7%
2008 14.3% 19%
2007 14.8% 7.9%
2006 7.2% 10.8%
2005 8.51% 9.9%
2004 9.66% 12.5%
2003 6.49% 10.8%
2002 22.2% 12.2%
2001 1.94% 11.9%
2000 7.12% 11%
1999 17.2% 7.9%
1998 24.6% 11.5%
1997 47.2% 4.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 26 years, Sudan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 45.2%, compared with 15.4% in Yemen. In 2022, inflation was 138.8% in Sudan and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.49M
Animal & marine products $214K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $100K
Textiles & consumer goods $33K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $20K
Raw agricultural goods $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Sudan Yemen
Current account balance
-$4.44B
2022
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
165/190
2022
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.6%
2022
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$9.99B
2022
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$4.36B
2022
$473M
2016
Service imports
$1.59B
2022
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$1.55B
2022
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
1.27%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
0.72%
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.

Sudan Yemen
Economic freedom 32.5 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 191/197 138/197
Property rights 6.5 3.5
Government integrity 13.8 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 2.4 9.9
Tax burden 84.7 93.7
Government spending 96.5 0
Fiscal health 64.6 71.2
Business freedom 27.3 31.3
Labor freedom 33.6 31.2
Monetary freedom 6.2 48.1
Trade freedom 29.6 67.4
Investment freedom 5 50
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Sudan
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Sudan Yemen
2026 32.5 -
2025 35.3 -
2024 33.9 -
2023 32.8 -
2022 32 -
2021 39.1 -
2020 45 -
2019 47.7 -
2018 49.4 -
2017 48.8 -
2016 - -
2015 - 53.7
2014 - 55.5
2013 - 55.9
2012 - 55.3
2011 - 54.2
2010 - 54.4
2009 - 56.9
2008 - 53.8
2007 - 54.1
2006 - 52.6
2005 - 53.8
2004 - 50.5
2003 - 50.3
2002 - 48.6
2001 - 44.3
2000 47.2 44.5
1999 39.6 43.3
1998 38.3 46.1
1997 39.9 48.4
1996 39.2 49.6
1995 39.4 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/sudan/yemen | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Sudan is 32.5, ranking 191/197, 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

Sudan Yemen
Services, % of GDP
54.7%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.2%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$35.8B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,050
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$178M
2017
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
171/177
2017
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$574M
2022
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$548M
2023
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.42%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
46.5%
2020
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
2.89%
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/sudan/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. TradeMap (2015–2018, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.