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Economy of China vs Ecuador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $125B for Ecuador, ranking 2/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $67B (53.8% of GDP) in Ecuador.

China vs Ecuador GDP by year

China
Ecuador
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Ecuador
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $124,676,074,700
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $121,147,057,000
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $116,133,121,000
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $107,179,074,000
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $95,865,473,000
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $107,595,830,000
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $107,478,961,000
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $104,467,486,000
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $97,671,433,000
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $97,209,558,000
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $102,717,794,000
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $96,570,334,000
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $87,735,048,000
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $78,986,648,000
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $68,151,329,000
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $60,094,978,000
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $61,139,438,000
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $49,848,725,000
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $45,690,762,000
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $40,278,849,000
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $35,194,947,000
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $30,965,208,000
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $27,054,197,000
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $23,127,055,000
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $17,539,454,727
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $19,645,272,636
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $27,981,896,948
1997 $967,753,570,435 $28,162,053,027
1996 $868,523,936,530 $25,226,393,197
1995 $738,190,896,228 $24,432,884,442
1994 $566,929,539,493 $22,708,673,337
1993 $446,557,291,212 $18,938,717,359
1992 $428,502,354,788 $18,094,238,119
1991 $384,510,452,962 $16,988,535,268
1990 $361,560,229,446 $15,239,272,612
1989 $348,380,566,802 $13,890,823,705
1988 $312,888,888,889 $13,051,881,851
1987 $273,455,156,951 $13,945,426,859
1986 $301,310,144,928 $15,314,138,472
1985 $310,064,625,850 $17,149,088,413
1984 $260,442,857,143 $16,912,509,092
1983 $231,130,268,199 $17,152,477,037
1982 $205,480,916,031 $19,929,846,396
1981 $196,218,253,968 $21,810,759,354
1980 $191,487,500,000 $17,881,508,242
1979 $178,573,913,043 $14,175,160,902
1978 $149,788,617,886 $11,922,497,876
1977 $175,226,595,860 $11,026,342,618
1976 $154,196,810,059 $9,091,921,030
1975 $163,687,619,736 $7,731,674,472
1974 $144,418,433,058 $6,599,257,044
1973 $138,764,340,892 $3,891,754,150
1972 $113,871,930,714 $3,185,986,087
1971 $99,959,013,880 $2,754,219,271
1970 $92,752,930,873 $2,862,503,139
1969 $79,847,786,729 $3,112,165,727
1968 $70,980,323,819 $2,582,179,864
1967 $73,011,350,596 $2,553,595,172
1966 $76,854,053,259 $2,429,308,639
1965 $70,565,994,356 $2,387,047,396
1964 $59,821,862,703 $2,244,146,103
1963 $50,812,227,919 $1,824,343,871
1962 $47,310,737,754 $1,518,207,703
1961 $50,162,299,350 $1,753,850,955
1960 $59,846,235,025 $2,069,464,937

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ecuador | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Ecuador by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Ecuador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $6,875 $15,840
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $6,738 $15,919
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $6,516 $15,198
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $6,061 $13,507
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $5,464 $11,527
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $6,205 $12,543
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $6,304 $12,187
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $6,233 $11,793
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $5,918 $10,881
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $5,976 $10,878
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $6,406 $11,836
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $6,109 $11,296
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $5,634 $10,245
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $5,154 $9,769
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $4,520 $8,969
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $4,053 $8,662
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $4,195 $8,663
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $3,479 $8,112
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $3,244 $7,885
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $2,909 $7,457
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $2,586 $6,980
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $2,316 $6,475
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $2,059 $6,282
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $1,791 $5,999
2000 $969 $2,964 $1,382 $5,728
1999 $881 $2,690 $1,575 $5,638
1998 $835 $2,483 $2,284 $5,940
1997 $787 $2,297 $2,341 $5,793
1996 $713 $2,088 $2,136 $5,560
1995 $613 $1,884 $2,108 $5,469
1994 $476 $1,680 $1,997 $5,339
1993 $379 $1,471 $1,698 $5,112
1992 $368 $1,276 $1,655 $4,998
1991 $334 $1,105 $1,587 $4,887
1990 $319 $991 $1,455 $4,632
1989 $311 - $1,356 -
1988 $284 - $1,304 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,426 -
1986 $282.4 - $1,604 -
1985 $295 - $1,842 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,864 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,940 -
1982 $203.7 - $2,314 -
1981 $197.4 - $2,601 -
1980 $195.1 - $2,190 -
1979 $184.3 - $1,783 -
1978 $156.7 - $1,541 -
1977 $185.7 - $1,465 -
1976 $165.7 - $1,242 -
1975 $178.6 - $1,086 -
1974 $160.4 - $954 -
1973 $157.3 - $579 -
1972 $132.1 - $488 -
1971 $118.8 - $434 -
1970 $113.3 - $465 -
1969 $100.3 - $521 -
1968 $91.6 - $445 -
1967 $96.8 - $454 -
1966 $104.5 - $445 -
1965 $98.7 - $450 -
1964 $85.7 - $436 -
1963 $74.5 - $365 -
1962 $71.1 - $312 -
1961 $76 - $371 -
1960 $89.7 - $451 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ecuador | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $6,875 in Ecuador, ranking 103/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840.

Economic indicators

China Ecuador
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$125B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
-2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$6,875
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
103/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$15,840
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
110/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
53.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$3,695
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
93/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$5,894
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$747M
2000
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
33.4%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
1.5%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
38.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
1.55%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
3.39%
2024
Population
1402578808
18487749

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Ecuador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Ecuador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 38.1% 53.8%
2023 32.7% 82% 39.5% 54.3%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 38.9% 57.2%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 37.5% 61.8%
2020 34.8% 69% 40.2% 63.6%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 39.8% 52.1%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 40.9% 49.5%
2017 32% 53.9% 40.5% 47.4%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 44.1% 46.1%
2015 31% 40.8% 44.1% 36.4%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 45.9% 28.2%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 46.7% 23.4%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 43.2% 19.3%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 39.6% 18.6%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 35.4% 18.4%
2009 25.2% 34% 34.3% 19.7%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 35.6% 24.9%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 24.7% 29.6%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 21.7% 33.1%
2005 18% 25.9% 22% 35.8%
2004 17.6% 26% 21.3% 40.2%
2003 18% 26.4% 21.3% 47.2%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 22.8% 55%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 21.4% 63.8%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 24.3% 92.2%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 24.1% 105.2%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 21.5% 70.3%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 22% 61.5%
1996 11% 21.2% 22.7% 69.3%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 22% 70.5%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ecuador | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Ecuador spent $47.5B, or 38.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 53.8% in Ecuador, ranking 34/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Ecuador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Ecuador
2024 -7.34% -1.28%
2023 -6.71% -3.48%
2022 -7.32% 0.04%
2021 -5.9% -1.59%
2020 -9.56% -7.38%
2019 -6% -3.47%
2018 -4.2% -2.8%
2017 -3.34% -5.77%
2016 -3.33% -10.3%
2015 -2.5% -6.87%
2014 -0.67% -8.11%
2013 -0.82% -8.17%
2012 -0.3% -2.83%
2011 -0.1% -0.13%
2010 -0.36% -1.39%
2009 -1.72% -3.71%
2008 -0.02% 0.57%
2007 0.06% 2.66%
2006 -1.13% 2.92%
2005 -1.38% 0.66%
2004 -1.49% 1.94%
2003 -2.36% 1.05%
2002 -2.84% 0.74%
2001 -2.56% 0.03%
2000 -2.81% -0.32%
1999 -2.3% -4.82%
1998 -1.08% -5.1%
1997 -0.73% -2.83%
1996 -0.73% -3.44%
1995 -0.94% -2.02%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ecuador | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Ecuador's deficit of $1.59B, or 1.28% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Ecuador ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.68% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.51% of GDP for Ecuador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Ecuador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Ecuador
2024 0.2% 1.55%
2023 0.2% 2.22%
2022 2% 3.47%
2021 0.9% 0.13%
2020 2.5% -0.34%
2019 2.9% 0.27%
2018 2.1% -0.22%
2017 1.6% 0.42%
2016 2% 1.73%
2015 1.5% 3.97%
2014 2% 3.59%
2013 2.7% 2.72%
2012 2.6% 5.1%
2011 5.4% 4.47%
2010 3.3% 3.55%
2009 -0.7% 5.16%
2008 5.9% 8.4%
2007 4.7% 2.28%
2006 1.5% 3.3%
2005 1.8% 2.17%
2004 3.9% 2.74%
2003 1.1% 7.93%
2002 -0.8% 12.5%
2001 0.7% 37.7%
2000 0.4% 96.1%
1999 -1.4% 52.2%
1998 -0.8% 36.1%
1997 2.8% 30.7%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ecuador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 11.8% in Ecuador. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 1.55% in Ecuador.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.88B
Textiles & consumer goods $931M
Chemicals & pharma $794M
Metals $764M
Raw materials & minerals $293M
Wood & paper products $113M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $75M
Miscellaneous $61.1M
Raw agricultural goods $35.1M
Precious metals & jewellery $14.1M
Ecuador
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.26B
Raw materials & minerals $1.39B
Wood & paper products $134M
Raw agricultural goods $122M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $117M
Metals $62M
Miscellaneous $3.35M
Machinery & equipment $1.19M
Textiles & consumer goods $355K
Chemicals & pharma $334K

Balance of trade

China Ecuador
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$7.06B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
27/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+5.66%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$27.9B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$34.7B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$6.18B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
26.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
30.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Ecuador
Economic freedom 48.3 55.6
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 127/197
Property rights 40.9 33.2
Government integrity 42.3 33
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 48.1
Tax burden 69.3 74.2
Government spending 67.8 54.9
Fiscal health 4.4 90.3
Business freedom 68.7 64.3
Labor freedom 57.9 56.9
Monetary freedom 76.1 76.3
Trade freedom 73.4 66.4
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Ecuador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Ecuador
2026 48.3 55.6
2025 49 55.8
2024 48.5 55
2023 48.3 55
2022 48 54.3
2021 58.4 52.4
2020 59.5 51.3
2019 58.4 46.9
2018 57.8 48.5
2017 57.4 49.3
2016 52 48.6
2015 52.7 49.2
2014 52.5 48
2013 51.9 46.9
2012 51.2 48.3
2011 52 47.1
2010 51 49.3
2009 53.2 52.5
2008 53.1 55.2
2007 52 55.3
2006 53.6 54.6
2005 53.7 52.9
2004 52.5 54.4
2003 52.6 54.1
2002 52.8 53.1
2001 52.6 55.1
2000 56.4 59.8
1999 54.8 62.9
1998 53.1 62.8
1997 51.7 61
1996 51.3 60.1
1995 52 57.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ecuador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 55.6 for Ecuador, ranking 127/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Ecuador
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
57.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
26.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
9.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$117B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$15,410
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$6.91B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
87/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$438M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$443M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
28%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
18.5%
2024

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/china/ecuador | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.