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Economy of Chad vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Chad has a GDP of $19.5B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 132/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

Chad has $6.37B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Chad vs Eritrea GDP by year

Chad
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Chad Eritrea
2024 $19,518,819,751 -
2023 $18,340,233,749 -
2022 $17,828,508,290 -
2021 $16,871,937,698 -
2020 $14,932,897,821 -
2019 $14,905,517,743 -
2018 $15,327,000,249 -
2017 $13,349,041,409 -
2016 $13,026,289,836 -
2015 $14,559,599,500 -
2014 $18,144,336,904 -
2013 $17,865,316,886 -
2012 $17,892,228,570 -
2011 $16,685,349,674 $2,065,001,626
2010 $14,058,506,664 $1,589,515,447
2009 $12,317,614,054 $1,856,695,551
2008 $13,385,593,990 $1,380,188,800
2007 $10,865,385,132 $1,317,974,491
2006 $9,709,626,596 $1,211,161,880
2005 $8,655,892,393 $1,098,424,686
2004 $4,422,855,661 $1,109,054,005
2003 $2,742,815,072 $870,248,268
2002 $1,997,005,709 $729,321,680
2001 $1,710,843,377 $752,371,689
2000 $1,388,506,772 $706,370,816
1999 $1,534,673,583 $688,918,537
1998 $1,744,794,531 $745,523,117
1997 $1,544,689,577 $686,490,090
1996 $1,607,345,356 $693,535,954
1995 $1,445,919,895 $578,015,625
1994 $1,179,837,963 $531,688,312
1993 $1,463,251,164 $467,872,715
1992 $1,881,847,670 $477,101,652
1991 $1,877,137,982 -
1990 $1,738,605,558 -
1989 $1,433,686,312 -
1988 $1,482,597,298 -
1987 $1,163,426,852 -
1986 $1,067,828,246 -
1985 $1,033,069,709 -
1984 $919,103,735 -
1983 $832,415,806 -
1982 $834,369,860 -
1981 $876,937,558 -
1980 $1,033,002,404 -
1979 $1,004,316,496 -
1978 $1,113,920,124 -
1977 $935,360,465 -
1976 $866,044,962 -
1975 $864,602,105 -
1974 $652,532,795 -
1973 $647,199,483 -
1972 $585,427,547 -
1971 $501,866,730 -
1970 $469,266,737 -
1969 $471,635,622 -
1968 $453,980,096 -
1967 $449,826,323 -
1966 $432,794,922 -
1965 $416,926,303 -
1964 $392,247,518 -
1963 $371,767,002 -
1962 $357,635,713 -
1961 $333,975,336 -
1960 $313,582,728 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Chad vs Eritrea by year

Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Chad Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $962 $2,743 - -
2023 $949 $2,700 - -
2022 $966 $2,624 - -
2021 $946 $2,435 - -
2020 $867 $2,186 - -
2019 $893 $2,352 - -
2018 $949 $2,228 - -
2017 $854 $2,097 - -
2016 $862 $2,120 - -
2015 $994 $2,378 - -
2014 $1,279 $2,133 - -
2013 $1,305 $2,110 - -
2012 $1,354 $2,435 - -
2011 $1,308 $2,388 $689 $1,742
2010 $1,142 $2,320 $540 $1,599
2009 $1,036 $2,087 $643 $1,577
2008 $1,166 $2,181 $490 $1,547
2007 $980 $2,149 $480 $1,727
2006 $907 $2,079 $448 $1,682
2005 $838 $2,102 $413 $1,674
2004 $446 $1,808 $427 $1,621
2003 $289.1 $1,378 $349 $1,621
2002 $219.1 $1,226 $305 $1,702
2001 $194.3 $1,152 $325 $1,684
2000 $163.1 $1,044 $314 $1,558
1999 $186.6 $1,066 $311 $1,597
1998 $219.8 $1,096 $342 $1,598
1997 $201.4 $1,049 $319 $1,573
1996 $216.9 $1,010 $326 $1,449
1995 $204 $1,014 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $173.9 $1,026 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $220.7 $933 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $290.6 $1,107 $265.2 $1,021
1991 $302 $1,046 - -
1990 $290.6 $967 - -
1989 $246.4 - - -
1988 $263.5 - - -
1987 $213.9 - - -
1986 $203.4 - - -
1985 $202.7 - - -
1984 $182.2 - - -
1983 $167.2 - - -
1982 $176.1 - - -
1981 $194 - - -
1980 $228.8 - - -
1979 $222.9 - - -
1978 $252.5 - - -
1977 $215.9 - - -
1976 $203.7 - - -
1975 $207.5 - - -
1974 $160 - - -
1973 $162.4 - - -
1972 $150.4 - - -
1971 $131.8 - - -
1970 $125.9 - - -
1969 $129.2 - - -
1968 $126.9 - - -
1967 $128.2 - - -
1966 $125.8 - - -
1965 $123.6 - - -
1964 $118.6 - - -
1963 $114.7 - - -
1962 $112.6 - - -
1961 $107.3 - - -
1960 $102.8 - - -

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

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

Chad's GDP per capita is $962, ranking 182/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Chad Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$19.5B
2024
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
132/197
2024
179/197
2011
GDP growth
4.2%
2023-2024
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$962
2024
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2024
188/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$2,743
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
182/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$6.37B
2024
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$314
2024
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
177/185
2024
136/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,276
2026
$1,129
2026
Income share by richest 10%
29.5%
2022
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
2.8%
2022
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
5.1%
2023-2024
1.3%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
1.14%
2018
5.8%
2017
Population
21893857
3700586

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Chad
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Chad Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.8% 32.7% - -
2023 17.1% 32.2% - -
2022 12.6% 32.1% - -
2021 13% 41.6% - -
2020 14.1% 41.7% - -
2019 10.6% 38.4% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 9.73% 33.8% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 11.3% 39.2% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 11.2% 40.1% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 13.8% 31.3% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 16.9% 29.4% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 16.6% 22.3% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 16.6% 20% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 16.3% 22.3% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 18.5% 22.9% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 19.8% 23.9% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 14.6% 15.7% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 13.6% 17.6% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 10.7% 20.1% 50.5% 199%
2005 8.87% 22% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 9.84% 25.2% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 14.9% 34.4% 58.1% 264%
2002 13.8% 42% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 12% 43.5% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 14% 52.4% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 12.9% 44.7% 106.1% -
1998 10.1% 34.7% 88% -
1997 12% 41.3% 60.1% -
1996 12% 40.5% 68.6% -
1995 12.3% 41.1% 81.2% -
1994 - - 50.4% -
1993 - - 67.2% -
1992 - - 32.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Chad's government spending was $3.67B, accounting for 18.8% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Chad and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 151/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Chad

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Chad Eritrea
2024 -2.11% -
2023 -1.26% -
2022 3.79% -
2021 -1.29% -
2020 1.24% -
2019 -0.11% 2.72%
2018 1.39% 5.22%
2017 -0.18% -5.74%
2016 -1.51% -1.44%
2015 -3.29% -2.77%
2014 -3.22% -0.12%
2013 -1.5% -7.62%
2012 0.33% -5.21%
2011 1.75% -5.5%
2010 -3.16% -16.5%
2009 -8.44% -22.2%
2008 2.82% -38%
2007 2.02% -19.8%
2006 1.7% -15.5%
2005 -0.05% -31%
2004 -1.84% -7.65%
2003 -4.32% 6.23%
2002 -4.08% -13.3%
2001 -3.53% -9.62%
2000 -4.68% -25.4%
1999 -4.07% -59.7%
1998 -1.73% -40.3%
1997 -2.58% -5.65%
1996 -2.86% -18.4%
1995 -3.12% -22.9%
1994 - 8.69%
1993 - 4.22%
1992 - 6.85%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2011, Chad's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $291M, equivalent to 1.75% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Chad recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Chad posted an annual deficit equal to 2.13% of GDP, compared to deficit of 20.3% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Chad

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Chad Eritrea
2024 5.1% -
2023 2.3% -
2022 5.8% -
2021 -0.8% -
2020 4.5% -
2019 -1% 1.3%
2018 4% -14.4%
2017 -0.9% -13.3%
2016 -1.6% -5.6%
2015 4.8% 28.5%
2014 -5.5% 8.4%
2013 0.2% 6.3%
2012 7.5% 6%
2011 2% 5.9%
2010 -2.1% 10.3%
2009 10.1% 33.9%
2008 8.3% 22.2%
2007 -7.4% 9.4%
2006 9.6% 7.7%
2005 4.4% 12.5%
2004 -4.8% 25.1%
2003 -1.8% 22.7%
2002 5.2% 16.9%
2001 12.4% 14.6%
2000 3.8% 19.9%
1999 -8.4% 8.4%
1998 4.3% 9.5%
1997 5.6% 3.7%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Chad has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.12%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was 5.1% in Chad and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Balance of trade

Chad Eritrea
Current account balance
-$37.7M
1994
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
82/190
1994
89/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.2%
1994
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$212M
1994
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$135M
1994
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$199M
1994
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$54.8M
1994
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Chad Eritrea
Economic freedom 51.2 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 154/197 188/197
Property rights 17.2 4.8
Government integrity 15.2 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 15 5.5
Tax burden 77.9 80.3
Government spending 92.2 62.3
Fiscal health 97.9 69
Business freedom 27.4 30.7
Labor freedom 53.7 43.4
Monetary freedom 71.6 80
Trade freedom 46.4 68.4
Investment freedom 60 0
Financial freedom 40 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Chad
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Chad Eritrea
2026 51.2 39.6
2025 52.2 38.6
2024 51.4 39.5
2023 52 39.5
2022 49.8 39.7
2021 50.4 42.3
2020 50.2 38.5
2019 49.9 38.9
2018 49.3 41.7
2017 49 42.2
2016 46.3 42.7
2015 45.9 38.9
2014 44.5 38.5
2013 45.2 36.3
2012 44.8 36.2
2011 45.3 36.7
2010 47.5 35.3
2009 47.5 38.5
2008 47.8 -
2007 50.1 -
2006 50 -
2005 52.1 -
2004 53.1 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 49.2 -
2001 46.4 -
2000 46.8 -
1999 47.2 -
1998 46.6 -
1997 45.1 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Chad is 51.2, ranking 154/197, 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

Chad Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
29.8%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
28.7%
2024
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
37.7%
2024
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$19.1B
2024
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$2,710
2024
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$1.05B
2023
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2023
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$26.5M
1994
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.02B
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
44.8%
2022
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
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/chad/eritrea | 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, 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 (1995–1998, 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.