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Economy of Bhutan vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.01B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 170/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.53B in government debt (110.4% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Bhutan vs Eritrea GDP by year

Bhutan
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Eritrea
2023 $3,012,896,789 -
2022 $2,898,227,744 -
2021 $2,768,802,960 -
2020 $2,457,604,334 -
2019 $2,735,683,570 -
2018 $2,583,335,722 -
2017 $2,591,358,009 -
2016 $2,357,504,761 -
2015 $2,187,815,803 -
2014 $2,089,079,571 -
2013 $1,943,696,952 -
2012 $1,973,387,228 -
2011 $1,977,728,659 $2,065,001,626
2010 $1,708,880,730 $1,589,515,447
2009 $1,331,343,798 $1,856,695,551
2008 $1,317,517,835 $1,380,188,800
2007 $1,255,767,964 $1,317,974,491
2006 $942,879,879 $1,211,161,880
2005 $860,391,000 $1,098,424,686
2004 $735,348,490 $1,109,054,005
2003 $651,935,430 $870,248,268
2002 $559,345,264 $729,321,680
2001 $496,110,226 $752,371,689
2000 $460,733,418 $706,370,816
1999 $399,311,200 $688,918,537
1998 $363,458,381 $745,523,117
1997 $352,229,077 $686,490,090
1996 $303,408,346 $693,535,954
1995 $290,490,984 $578,015,625
1994 $258,954,708 $531,688,312
1993 $225,973,693 $467,872,715
1992 $240,233,531 $477,101,652
1991 $240,294,286 -
1990 $287,765,007 -
1989 $264,798,626 -
1988 $272,298,067 -
1987 $242,742,766 -
1986 $191,218,115 -
1985 $163,288,815 -
1984 $160,423,494 -
1983 $156,704,290 -
1982 $141,439,317 -
1981 $139,174,178 -
1980 $128,669,201 -
1979 $105,377,995 -
1978 $94,086,228 -
1977 $97,884,434 -
1976 $88,461,263 -
1975 $86,820,762 -
1974 $92,901,784 -
1973 $78,900,289 -
1972 $70,139,867 -
1971 $66,289,450 -
1970 $61,812,113 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Eritrea by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 $3,831 $16,215 - -
2022 $3,711 $15,064 - -
2021 $3,571 $13,459 - -
2020 $3,192 $12,475 - -
2019 $3,577 $12,909 - -
2018 $3,400 $11,970 - -
2017 $3,435 $11,677 - -
2016 $3,152 $11,273 - -
2015 $2,954 $10,214 - -
2014 $2,849 $9,323 - -
2013 $2,680 $8,667 - -
2012 $2,751 $8,577 - -
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $689 $1,742
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $540 $1,599
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $643 $1,577
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $490 $1,547
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $480 $1,727
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $448 $1,682
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $413 $1,674
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $427 $1,621
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $349 $1,621
2002 $896 $3,663 $305 $1,702
2001 $812 $3,338 $325 $1,684
2000 $772 $3,113 $314 $1,558
1999 $685 $3,017 $311 $1,597
1998 $638 $2,819 $342 $1,598
1997 $630 $2,683 $319 $1,573
1996 $553 $2,548 $326 $1,449
1995 $530 $2,374 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $467 $2,146 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $407 $2,001 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $416 $1,840 $265.2 $1,021
1991 $401 $1,657 - -
1990 $488 $1,638 - -
1989 $462 - - -
1988 $489 - - -
1987 $449 - - -
1986 $365 - - -
1985 $321 - - -
1984 $326 - - -
1983 $328 - - -
1982 $306 - - -
1981 $311 - - -
1980 $296.9 - - -
1979 $251.4 - - -
1978 $232.2 - - -
1977 $249.9 - - -
1976 $233.7 - - -
1975 $237.4 - - -
1974 $262.8 - - -
1973 $230.9 - - -
1972 $212.4 - - -
1971 $207.7 - - -
1970 $200.3 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $3,831, ranking 132/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$3.01B
2023
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
170/197
2023
179/197
2011
GDP growth
4.63%
2022-2023
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$3,831
2023
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
132/197
2023
188/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
191/197
2011
Government debt
$3.53B
2023
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
110.4%
2024
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$4,485
2023
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
87/185
2023
136/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,506
2026
$1,129
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2024
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
4.3%
2023-2024
1.3%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2024
5.8%
2017
Population
803385
3700586

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 27.1% 110.4% - -
2023 28.8% 117.1% - -
2022 32.1% 119.9% - -
2021 36.6% 124.5% - -
2020 30.9% 116% - -
2019 24.2% 100.8% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 30.5% 103% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 39.3% 61% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 50.5% 199%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 31% 76% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 58.1% 264%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 43% 44% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 40.2% 39.2% 106.1% -
1998 31.1% 36.4% 88% -
1997 37.8% 33% 60.1% -
1996 37.9% 36.8% 68.6% -
1995 38.6% 38.7% 81.2% -
1994 37.9% 53.2% 50.4% -
1993 35.2% 60.2% 67.2% -
1992 34.5% 35.6% 32.7% -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

In 2023, Bhutan's government spending was $869M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 110.4% in Bhutan and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 17/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Eritrea
2024 -0.17% -
2023 -4.73% -
2022 -6.95% -
2021 -5.76% -
2020 -1.81% -
2019 -1.49% 2.72%
2018 -1.52% 5.22%
2017 -4.49% -5.74%
2016 -2.31% -1.44%
2015 -0.49% -2.77%
2014 2.46% -0.12%
2013 -4.55% -7.62%
2012 -2.1% -5.21%
2011 -3.02% -5.5%
2010 1.92% -16.5%
2009 -0.8% -22.2%
2008 -2.57% -38%
2007 0.79% -19.8%
2006 -0.07% -15.5%
2005 -6.96% -31%
2004 1.8% -7.65%
2003 -10.2% 6.23%
2002 -4.33% -13.3%
2001 -12.2% -9.62%
2000 -3.39% -25.4%
1999 -1.28% -59.7%
1998 1.28% -40.3%
1997 -1.92% -5.65%
1996 2.55% -18.4%
1995 -0.88% -22.9%
1994 -0.13% 8.69%
1993 4.71% 4.22%
1992 -3.47% 6.85%
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

In 2011, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $59.8M, equivalent to 3.02% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 1.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 16.3% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Eritrea
2024 4.3% -
2023 4.5% -
2022 5.9% -
2021 8.2% -
2020 3% -
2019 2.8% 1.3%
2018 3.6% -14.4%
2017 4.3% -13.3%
2016 3.3% -5.6%
2015 6.7% 28.5%
2014 9.6% 8.4%
2013 8.1% 6.3%
2012 10.1% 6%
2011 8.6% 5.9%
2010 4.8% 10.3%
2009 7.1% 33.9%
2008 6.3% 22.2%
2007 5.2% 9.4%
2006 4.9% 7.7%
2005 4.8% 12.5%
2004 3.3% 25.1%
2003 2.5% 22.7%
2002 2.9% 16.9%
2001 3.7% 14.6%
2000 7.2% 19.9%
1999 9.1% 8.4%
1998 7.6% 9.5%
1997 8.6% 3.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.87%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was 4.3% in Bhutan and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Eritrea
Current account balance
-$670M
2024
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
114/190
2024
89/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-32%
2023
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$1.29B
2024
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$656M
2024
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$228M
2024
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$288M
2024
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.3%
2023
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
28.4%
2023
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Eritrea
Economic freedom 57.5 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 188/197
Property rights 69.2 4.8
Government integrity 72.2 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 5.5
Tax burden 83.4 80.3
Government spending 74.1 62.3
Fiscal health 25.8 69
Business freedom 67.8 30.7
Labor freedom 60.1 43.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 80
Trade freedom 63.4 68.4
Investment freedom 20 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Eritrea
2026 57.5 39.6
2025 57.5 38.6
2024 55.4 39.5
2023 59 39.5
2022 59.3 39.7
2021 58.3 42.3
2020 62.1 38.5
2019 62.9 38.9
2018 61.8 41.7
2017 58.4 42.2
2016 59.5 42.7
2015 57.4 38.9
2014 56.7 38.5
2013 55 36.3
2012 56.6 36.2
2011 57.6 36.7
2010 57 35.3
2009 57.7 38.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
52.8%
2023
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
29.4%
2023
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
15%
2023
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$2.93B
2023
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,320
2023
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$941M
2024
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
143/177
2024
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$22.8M
2024
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.96%
2023
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
45.3%
2023
12.6%
2011

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/bhutan/eritrea | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, 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 (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, 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.