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Economy of Bolivia vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bolivia has a GDP of $64.8B compared to $126B for Ethiopia, ranking 88/197 and 66/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bolivia has $54.9B in government debt (84.8% of GDP), compared to $54.4B (43.1% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Bolivia vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Bolivia
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bolivia Ethiopia
2025 $64,768,947,525 $126,358,758,448
2024 $54,881,327,453 $149,740,297,952
2023 $52,340,206,946 $135,874,093,203
2022 $50,959,081,954 $123,140,304,665
2021 $47,877,892,402 $109,070,960,371
2020 $42,313,784,081 $98,676,811,062
2019 $49,056,643,589 $91,834,517,114
2018 $48,414,038,842 $83,337,901,072
2017 $45,927,439,595 $76,366,081,767
2016 $33,941,126,194 $68,475,871,210
2015 $33,000,198,249 $62,103,418,182
2014 $32,996,188,017 $55,612,228,234
2013 $30,659,338,886 $47,648,276,605
2012 $27,084,497,482 $43,310,721,414
2011 $23,963,164,697 $31,952,763,089
2010 $19,649,723,722 $29,933,790,334
2009 $17,339,992,194 $32,437,389,116
2008 $16,674,276,286 $27,066,912,635
2007 $13,120,108,008 $19,707,616,773
2006 $11,451,844,902 $15,280,861,835
2005 $9,549,122,905 $12,401,139,454
2004 $8,773,451,752 $10,131,187,261
2003 $8,082,399,640 $8,623,691,300
2002 $7,905,485,146 $7,850,809,498
2001 $8,141,516,928 $8,231,326,016
2000 $8,397,855,485 $8,242,349,618
1999 $8,285,064,435 $7,892,973,532
1998 $8,497,494,652 $8,013,274,132
1997 $7,925,736,821 $8,803,539,988
1996 $7,396,949,126 $8,761,215,548
1995 $6,715,161,732 $7,855,205,207
1994 $5,981,222,859 $7,100,806,754
1993 $5,734,699,489 $9,051,043,870
1992 $5,643,868,749 $10,754,799,037
1991 $5,343,262,457 $13,799,799,324
1990 $4,867,582,598 $12,478,943,895
1989 $4,715,973,437 $11,762,932,007
1988 $4,597,612,362 $11,181,119,718
1987 $4,347,956,338 $10,790,001,558
1986 $3,959,382,833 $10,094,328,898
1985 $5,377,276,555 $9,717,392,687
1984 $6,169,483,225 $8,298,309,581
1983 $5,422,656,823 $8,781,664,427
1982 $5,594,126,369 $7,899,988,841
1981 $5,891,598,695 $7,507,663,567
1980 $4,537,479,608 $7,012,585,454
1979 $4,421,336,383 $6,586,048,398
1978 $3,758,220,890 $6,014,961,435
1977 $3,227,436,282 $5,651,840,585
1976 $2,731,984,008 $4,943,806,093
1975 $2,404,697,651 $4,577,047,854
1974 $2,100,249,875 $4,577,209,966
1973 $1,262,968,516 $4,070,570,550
1972 $1,257,615,645 $3,520,252,938
1971 $1,095,622,896 $3,224,280,835
1970 $1,017,003,367 $3,045,354,455
1969 $929,629,630 $2,768,987,372
1968 $857,912,458 $2,619,948,865
1967 $755,808,081 $2,461,762,003
1966 $669,191,919 $2,324,466,416
1965 $604,377,104 $2,159,998,591
1964 $544,023,569 $1,984,129,186
1963 $482,828,283 $1,825,058,828
1962 $448,400,673 $1,747,566,307
1961 $410,101,010 $1,680,859,514
1960 $377,020,202 $1,610,511,694

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bolivia vs Ethiopia by year

Bolivia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bolivia Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,148 - $933 -
2024 $4,421 $12,878 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $4,275 $12,892 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $4,219 $12,307 $982 $2,845
2021 $4,011 $11,202 $893 $2,588
2020 $3,581 $9,581 $830 $2,407
2019 $4,203 $11,005 $793 $2,242
2018 $4,207 $10,758 $740 $2,095
2017 $4,048 $10,420 $696 $2,005
2016 $3,036 $9,242 $642 $1,858
2015 $2,996 $8,757 $598 $1,633
2014 $3,041 $8,629 $550 $1,485
2013 $2,870 $8,069 $484 $1,253
2012 $2,576 $7,184 $452 $1,179
2011 $2,316 $6,598 $343 $1,098
2010 $1,930 $6,245 $331 $996
2009 $1,731 $6,024 $369 $899
2008 $1,693 $5,890 $316 $845
2007 $1,355 $5,537 $237.1 $770
2006 $1,203 $5,244 $189.3 $693
2005 $1,020 $4,938 $158.2 $625
2004 $953 $4,663 $133.2 $558
2003 $893 $4,433 $116.8 $493
2002 $888 $4,304 $109.6 $509
2001 $930 $4,205 $118.5 $509
2000 $976 $4,113 $122.3 $474
1999 $979 $3,991 $120.7 $450
1998 $1,022 $3,988 $126.5 $436
1997 $970 $3,822 $143.4 $461
1996 $922 $3,645 $147.3 $453
1995 $853 $3,494 $136.5 $409
1994 $774 $3,331 $127.7 $391
1993 $757 $3,177 $168.5 $384
1992 $760 $3,036 $207.4 $343
1991 $734 $2,981 $277.6 $383
1990 $683 $2,797 $262.1 $417
1989 $675 - $256.4 -
1988 $673 - $253.2 -
1987 $650 - $254.1 -
1986 $604 - $246 -
1985 $838 - $243.9 -
1984 $982 - $214.2 -
1983 $882 - $232.7 -
1982 $930 - $215.3 -
1981 $1,001 - $212.7 -
1980 $788 - $203.7 -
1979 $785 - $192.4 -
1978 $683 - $178.3 -
1977 $600 - $170.4 -
1976 $520 - $152 -
1975 $468 - $144.3 -
1974 $418 - $147.9 -
1973 $257.2 - $134.9 -
1972 $261.9 - $119.8 -
1971 $233.4 - $112.7 -
1970 $221.6 - $109.4 -
1969 $207.1 - $102.3 -
1968 $195.5 - $99.5 -
1967 $176.1 - $96.1 -
1966 $159.3 - $93.2 -
1965 $147.1 - $88.9 -
1964 $135.2 - $83.8 -
1963 $122.6 - $79.2 -
1962 $116.2 - $77.8 -
1961 $108.5 - $76.7 -
1960 $101.8 - $75.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

Bolivia's GDP per capita is $5,148, ranking 121/197, compared to $933 in Ethiopia, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bolivia ranks 122nd at $12,878, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Bolivia Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$64.8B
2025
$126B
2025
GDP rank
88/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP growth
-1.58%
2024-2025
9.77%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,148
2025
$933
2025
GDP per capita rank
121/197
2025
182/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$12,878
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
122/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$54.9B
2025
$54.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
84.8%
2025
43.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,364
2025
$402
2025
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2025
172/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,410
2026
$2,030
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.6%
2024
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2024
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.2%
2025
12%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
19.5%
2024-2025
13.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3.26%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.73%
2024
3.94%
2021
Population
12837312
140722974

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bolivia
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bolivia Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.2% 84.8% 12% 43.1%
2024 33.5% 83.2% 9.54% 33.4%
2023 33.5% 78.3% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 31.2% 69.2% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 29.4% 68.7% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 31.9% 67.5% 14.5% 53.2%
2019 30.1% 48.9% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 31.4% 44.2% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 31.6% 41.9% 18% 55.3%
2016 32.9% 38.2% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 37% 34% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 34.9% 31.8% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 30.4% 31% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 31.3% 30.7% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 30.6% 30.5% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 27.5% 32.8% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 28.9% 34.1% 17.1% 30%
2008 31.1% 32.4% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 28.9% 35.5% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 26.6% 48.6% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 29.5% 73.2% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 29% 80.6% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 28.6% 85.5% 27% 103.7%
2002 29.6% 77.2% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 28.6% 74.4% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 26.2% 66.5% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 26.3% 61.7% 26.8% 97.8%
1998 26.8% 61.2% 21.1% 89.3%
1997 25.3% 64.6% 17.9% 80.3%
1996 23.3% 72.4% 18.8% 132.8%
1995 23.1% 81.7% 17.4% 146.6%
1994 23.9% 87.6% 17.6% 155.2%
1993 24.3% 83.8% 13.8% 141%
1992 22.6% 92.4% 14.2% 87.9%
1991 21.6% 92.8% 17.3% 89.3%
1990 20.4% 102.9% 20.9% 91.6%
1989 24.4% 98% 24% 84.7%
1988 24% 115.9% 21.6% 84.3%
1987 24.4% 145.3% 18.4% 82.3%
1986 22.2% 149% 19.8% 75.7%
1985 21.8% 205.2% 19.7% 67.7%
1984 29% 166.5% 18.8% 65.4%
1983 32.1% 157.3% 21.3% 55.2%
1982 25% 155.4% 16.4% 48.8%
1981 16.6% 121.7% 14.2% 30.6%
1980 19.8% 100% 13.5% 18.5%
1979 18% 92% - -
1978 17.3% 82.5% - -
1977 18.6% 82.4% - -
1976 16.8% 68.9% - -
1975 14.4% 56.2% - -
1974 14.2% 52.7% - -
1973 14.1% 80.9% - -
1972 11.8% 77.7% - -
1971 11.3% 65.7% - -
1970 10% 63.9% - -
1969 12.3% - - -
1968 14.1% - - -
1967 13.1% - - -
1966 12.9% - - -
1965 12.9% - - -
1964 10.8% - - -
1963 10.8% - - -
1962 10.2% - - -
1961 10.7% - - -
1960 10.1% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

In 2025, Bolivia's government spending was $20.8B, accounting for 32.2% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $15.2B, or 12% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 84.8% in Bolivia and 43.1% in Ethiopia, ranking 36/185 and 122/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bolivia

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bolivia Ethiopia
2025 -11.6% -1.19%
2024 -8.7% -1.99%
2023 -9.46% -2.6%
2022 -6.15% -4.16%
2021 -7.87% -2.77%
2020 -11% -2.76%
2019 -6.04% -2.53%
2018 -6.8% -3.03%
2017 -6.42% -3.24%
2016 -5.95% -2.3%
2015 -5.76% -1.95%
2014 -2.88% -2.58%
2013 0.51% -1.93%
2012 1.49% -1.17%
2011 0.72% -1.61%
2010 1.42% -1.32%
2009 2.29% -0.93%
2008 3.1% -2.88%
2007 -1.37% -3.57%
2006 3.99% -3.79%
2005 -2% -4.12%
2004 -4.97% -2.65%
2003 -7.04% -5.59%
2002 -7.82% -5.76%
2001 -6.11% -3.76%
2000 -3.34% -8.88%
1999 -3.43% -8.54%
1998 -4.56% -3.65%
1997 -2.94% -1.76%
1996 -1.7% -3.93%
1995 -1.63% -2.76%
1994 -2.68% -5.39%
1993 -5.46% -4.12%
1992 -3.94% -4.92%
1991 -3.76% -6%
1990 -3.94% -6.86%
1989 -5.5% -4.33%
1988 -6.5% -3.48%
1987 -7.7% -3.54%
1986 -2.7% -3.98%
1985 -9.8% -4.71%
1984 -25.4% -3.69%
1983 -19.8% -7.59%
1982 -15.9% -3.6%
1981 -12.3% -2.19%
1980 -15.3% -2.56%
1979 -11.2% -
1978 -9.97% -
1977 -11.2% -
1976 -1.15% -
1975 -2.33% -
1974 -1.87% -
1973 -3.72% -
1972 -3.69% -
1971 -3.67% -
1970 -1.92% -
1969 -4.16% -
1968 -5.67% -
1967 -4.29% -
1966 -3.55% -
1965 -4.12% -
1964 -2.68% -
1963 -3.02% -
1962 -2.8% -
1961 -2.81% -
1960 -3.35% -
1959 -4.32% -
1958 -2.95% -
1957 -1.11% -
1956 -0.11% -
1955 0.33% -
1954 0.006% -
1953 -0.48% -
1952 -0.94% -
1951 -0.42% -
1950 -1.17% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

In 2025, Bolivia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $7.51B, equivalent to 11.6% of GDP. This compares to Ethiopia's deficit of $1.5B, or 1.19% of GDP.

Over the past 46 years, Bolivia recorded a fiscal deficit in 39 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 46 years. On average, Bolivia posted an annual deficit equal to 5.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.62% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bolivia

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bolivia Ethiopia
2025 19.5% 13.2%
2024 5.1% 21%
2023 2.58% 30.2%
2022 1.75% 33.9%
2021 0.74% 26.8%
2020 0.94% 20.4%
2019 1.84% 15.8%
2018 2.27% 13.8%
2017 2.82% 10.7%
2016 3.62% 6.63%
2015 4.06% 9.57%
2014 5.77% 6.89%
2013 5.74% 7.46%
2012 4.52% 23.6%
2011 9.88% 33.2%
2010 2.5% 8.15%
2009 3.35% 8.48%
2008 14% 44.4%
2007 8.71% 17.2%
2006 4.28% 12.3%
2005 5.39% 9.97%
2004 4.44% 3.33%
2003 3.34% 13.7%
2002 0.93% 0.68%
2001 1.59% -8.24%
2000 4.61% 0.66%
1999 2.16% 7.94%
1998 7.67% 0.89%
1997 4.71% 2.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Bolivia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.79%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2025, inflation was 19.5% in Bolivia and 13.2% in Ethiopia.

Balance of trade

Bolivia Ethiopia
Current account balance
-$1.22B
2025
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
124/190
2025
154/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.88%
2025
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$9.23B
2025
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$9.56B
2025
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$2.25B
2025
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$1.21B
2025
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.5%
2024
20.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.4%
2024
13.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bolivia Ethiopia
Economic freedom 42.4 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 184/197 171/197
Property rights 20.2 22.1
Government integrity 27.1 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 29.5 19.1
Tax burden 86.4 78.6
Government spending 56.3 96.4
Fiscal health 0.8 84.3
Business freedom 53.6 44.5
Labor freedom 52.2 37.8
Monetary freedom 67.1 53.7
Trade freedom 60.6 57.4
Investment freedom 15 30
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bolivia
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bolivia Ethiopia
2026 42.4 48.1
2025 44.1 48.1
2024 43.5 47.9
2023 43.4 48.3
2022 43 49.6
2021 42.7 51.7
2020 42.8 53.6
2019 42.3 53.6
2018 44.1 52.8
2017 47.7 52.7
2016 47.4 51.5
2015 46.8 51.5
2014 48.4 50
2013 47.9 49.4
2012 50.2 52
2011 50 50.5
2010 49.4 51.2
2009 53.6 53
2008 53.1 52.5
2007 54.2 53.6
2006 57.8 50.9
2005 58.4 51.1
2004 64.5 54.5
2003 64.3 48.8
2002 65.1 49.8
2001 68 48.9
2000 65 50.2
1999 65.6 46.7
1998 68.8 49.2
1997 65.1 48.1
1996 65.2 45.9
1995 56.8 42.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bolivia is 42.4, ranking 184/197, compared to 48.1 for Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bolivia Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
53.4%
2024
36.6%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
31.3%
2024
27.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
8.83%
2024
32.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.6B
2025
$151B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,530
2025
$3,620
2025
Total reserves including gold
$580M
2025
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
155/177
2025
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$464M
2025
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$358M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$133M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.41%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2024
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.9%
2024
20.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/bolivia/ethiopia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.