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Economy of China vs East Timor compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $1.9B for East Timor, ranking 2/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $273M (14.3% of GDP) in East Timor.

China vs East Timor GDP by year

China
East Timor
1x
Year GDP, current $
China East Timor
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $1,902,180,258
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $1,865,608,515
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $2,079,767,200
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $3,208,599,900
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $3,625,024,300
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $2,162,619,200
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $2,032,550,400
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $1,555,988,600
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $1,584,878,400
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $1,640,464,600
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $1,590,282,400
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $1,447,535,200
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $1,395,727,400
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $1,160,555,000
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $1,042,534,600
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $881,909,300
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $726,937,800
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $648,523,600
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $542,795,400
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $453,792,400
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $462,268,000
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $440,772,000
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $490,439,100
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $469,455,500
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $477,359,300
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $366,924,300
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $225,357,600
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $325,729,800
1997 $967,753,570,435 $319,972,700
1996 $868,523,936,530 $306,956,900
1995 $738,190,896,228 $262,819,900
1994 $566,929,539,493 $239,040,500
1993 $446,557,291,212 $216,914,400
1992 $428,502,354,788 $187,891,500
1991 $384,510,452,962 $147,713,000
1990 $361,560,229,446 $128,210,142
1989 $348,380,566,802 -
1988 $312,888,888,889 -
1987 $273,455,156,951 -
1986 $301,310,144,928 -
1985 $310,064,625,850 -
1984 $260,442,857,143 -
1983 $231,130,268,199 -
1982 $205,480,916,031 -
1981 $196,218,253,968 -
1980 $191,487,500,000 -
1979 $178,573,913,043 -
1978 $149,788,617,886 -
1977 $175,226,595,860 -
1976 $154,196,810,059 -
1975 $163,687,619,736 -
1974 $144,418,433,058 -
1973 $138,764,340,892 -
1972 $113,871,930,714 -
1971 $99,959,013,880 -
1970 $92,752,930,873 -
1969 $79,847,786,729 -
1968 $70,980,323,819 -
1967 $73,011,350,596 -
1966 $76,854,053,259 -
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/east-timor | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs East Timor by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China East Timor
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $1,341 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $1,332 $4,423
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,502 $4,807
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $2,343 $5,730
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $2,685 $6,825
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $1,631 $6,132
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $1,562 $4,557
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $1,219 $3,561
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $1,266 $3,463
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $1,336 $3,391
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $1,320 $3,108
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $1,225 $2,860
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $1,205 $2,566
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $1,023 $2,386
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $939 $2,066
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $813 $1,955
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $687 $1,810
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $628 $1,675
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $540 $1,516
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $465 $1,377
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $487 $1,435
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $474 $1,379
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $535 $1,355
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $534 $1,417
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $588 $1,619
2000 $969 $2,964 $492 $1,483
1999 $881 $2,690 $270 $819
1998 $835 $2,483 $346 $1,108
1997 $787 $2,297 $349 $1,149
1996 $713 $2,088 $344 $1,116
1995 $613 $1,884 $303 $1,043
1994 $476 $1,680 $283.1 $985
1993 $379 $1,471 $264.1 $925
1992 $368 $1,276 $235.1 $843
1991 $334 $1,105 $189.8 $766
1990 $319 $991 $168.6 $685
1989 $311 - - -
1988 $284 - - -
1987 $252.3 - - -
1986 $282.4 - - -
1985 $295 - - -
1984 $251.2 - - -
1983 $225.9 - - -
1982 $203.7 - - -
1981 $197.4 - - -
1980 $195.1 - - -
1979 $184.3 - - -
1978 $156.7 - - -
1977 $185.7 - - -
1976 $165.7 - - -
1975 $178.6 - - -
1974 $160.4 - - -
1973 $157.3 - - -
1972 $132.1 - - -
1971 $118.8 - - -
1970 $113.3 - - -
1969 $100.3 - - -
1968 $91.6 - - -
1967 $96.8 - - -
1966 $104.5 - - -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/east-timor | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $1,341 in East Timor, ranking 168/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423.

Economic indicators

China East Timor
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$1.9B
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
181/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
6.98%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$1,341
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
168/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
14.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$192.3
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
182/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$1,644
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
n/a
Number of billionaires
539
2026
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
24%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
4%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
93.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
0.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
1.54%
2022
Population
1403335670
1446322

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
East Timor
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China East Timor
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 93.9% 14.3%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 98% 14.4%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 32% 53.9% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 31.7% 50% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 31% 40.8% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 111% 1.52%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 133.3% 0%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 121.3% 0%
2009 25.2% 34% 121.8% 0%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 122.4% 0%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 75.8% 0%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 59.8% 0%
2005 18% 25.9% 58.3% 0%
2004 17.6% 26% 74.2% 0%
2003 18% 26.4% 80.1% 0%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 93.5% 0%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 95.7% 0%
2000 16.1% 22.7% - -
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/east-timor | CC BY

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.79B, or 93.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 14.3% in East Timor, ranking 26/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China East Timor
2025 -7.87% -48%
2024 -7.11% -47%
2023 -6.71% -34.7%
2022 -7.32% -29.5%
2021 -5.9% -20.1%
2020 -9.56% -18.9%
2019 -6% -25.4%
2018 -4.2% -26.9%
2017 -3.34% -33.8%
2016 -3.33% -55.7%
2015 -2.5% -33.2%
2014 -0.67% -37.5%
2013 -0.82% -14.4%
2012 -0.3% -38.7%
2011 -0.1% -25.4%
2010 -0.36% -19.8%
2009 -1.72% -17.2%
2008 -0.02% -18.6%
2007 0.06% -29.9%
2006 -1.13% 41%
2005 -1.38% -10.5%
2004 -1.49% -7.48%
2003 -2.36% -8.24%
2002 -2.84% -7.64%
2001 -2.56% 3.24%
2000 -2.81% -
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/east-timor | CC BY

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to East Timor's deficit of $914M, or 48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 3.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 22.6% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China East Timor
2025 0% 0.5%
2024 0.2% 2.1%
2023 0.2% 8.4%
2022 2% 7%
2021 0.9% 3.8%
2020 2.5% 0.5%
2019 2.9% 0.9%
2018 2.1% 2.3%
2017 1.6% 0.5%
2016 2% -1.5%
2015 1.4% 0.6%
2014 2% 0.8%
2013 2.6% 9.5%
2012 2.6% 10.9%
2011 5.4% 13.2%
2010 3.3% 5.2%
2009 -0.7% -0.2%
2008 5.8% 7.4%
2007 4.8% 8.6%
2006 1.5% 5.2%
2005 1.8% 1.6%
2004 3.9% 2.2%
2003 1.2% 8%
2002 -0.8% 4.1%
2001 0.7% 3.6%
2000 0.4% -
1999 -1.4% -
1998 -0.8% -
1997 2.8% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/east-timor | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2%, compared with 4.21% in East Timor. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 0.5% in East Timor.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $101M
Textiles & consumer goods $73.3M
Metals $58.3M
Chemicals & pharma $30.5M
Wood & paper products $9.53M
Raw agricultural goods $7.96M
Raw materials & minerals $7.76M
Animal & marine products $5.67M
Miscellaneous $3.68M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.58M
East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $75.6M
Raw agricultural goods $689K
Wood & paper products $183K
Machinery & equipment $137K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $79K
Metals $15K

Balance of trade

China East Timor
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$701M
2025
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
109/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-36.9%
2025
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$842M
2025
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$126M
2025
Service imports
$623B
2025
$475M
2025
Service exports
$385B
2025
$147M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
10.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China East Timor
Economic freedom 48.3 47.9
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 173/197
Property rights 40.9 43.5
Government integrity 42.3 43.9
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 34.5
Tax burden 69.3 97.1
Government spending 67.8 0
Fiscal health 4.4 19.6
Business freedom 68.7 62.7
Labor freedom 57.9 56.5
Monetary freedom 76.1 72.2
Trade freedom 73.4 79.8
Investment freedom 20 45
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
East Timor
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China East Timor
2026 48.3 47.9
2025 49 47.9
2024 48.5 50.2
2023 48.3 47.2
2022 48 46.3
2021 58.4 44.7
2020 59.5 45.9
2019 58.4 44.2
2018 57.8 48.1
2017 57.4 46.3
2016 52 45.8
2015 52.7 45.5
2014 52.5 43.2
2013 51.9 43.7
2012 51.2 43.3
2011 52 42.8
2010 51 45.8
2009 53.2 50.5
2008 53.1 -
2007 52 -
2006 53.6 -
2005 53.7 -
2004 52.5 -
2003 52.6 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 52.6 -
2000 56.4 -
1999 54.8 -
1998 53.1 -
1997 51.7 -
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/east-timor | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 47.9 for East Timor, ranking 173/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China East Timor
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$2.14B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$5,120
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$851M
2025
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
145/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$253M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$225M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
30.1%
2024

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/china/east-timor | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.