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Economy of China vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $150B for Ethiopia, ranking 2/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $48.9B (32.7% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

China vs Ethiopia GDP by year

China
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Ethiopia
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $149,740,297,953
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $135,874,093,202
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $123,140,304,666
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $109,070,960,372
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $98,676,811,061
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $91,834,517,113
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $83,337,901,072
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $76,366,081,767
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $68,475,871,210
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $62,103,418,182
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $55,612,228,234
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $47,648,276,605
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $43,310,721,414
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $31,952,763,089
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $29,933,790,334
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $32,437,389,116
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $27,066,912,635
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $19,707,616,773
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $15,280,861,835
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $12,401,139,454
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $10,131,187,261
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $8,623,691,300
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $7,850,809,498
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $8,231,326,016
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $8,242,349,618
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $7,892,973,532
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $8,013,274,132
1997 $967,753,570,435 $8,803,539,988
1996 $868,523,936,530 $8,761,215,548
1995 $738,190,896,228 $7,855,205,207
1994 $566,929,539,493 $7,100,806,754
1993 $446,557,291,212 $9,051,043,870
1992 $428,502,354,788 $10,754,799,037
1991 $384,510,452,962 $13,799,799,324
1990 $361,560,229,446 $12,478,943,895
1989 $348,380,566,802 $11,762,932,007
1988 $312,888,888,889 $11,181,119,718
1987 $273,455,156,951 $10,790,001,558
1986 $301,310,144,928 $10,094,328,898
1985 $310,064,625,850 $9,717,392,687
1984 $260,442,857,143 $8,298,309,581
1983 $231,130,268,199 $8,781,664,427
1982 $205,480,916,031 $7,899,988,841
1981 $196,218,253,968 $7,507,663,567
1980 $191,487,500,000 $7,012,585,454
1979 $178,573,913,043 $6,586,048,398
1978 $149,788,617,886 $6,014,961,435
1977 $175,226,595,860 $5,651,840,585
1976 $154,196,810,059 $4,943,806,093
1975 $163,687,619,736 $4,577,047,854
1974 $144,418,433,058 $4,577,209,966
1973 $138,764,340,892 $4,070,570,550
1972 $113,871,930,714 $3,520,252,938
1971 $99,959,013,880 $3,224,280,835
1970 $92,752,930,873 $3,045,354,455
1969 $79,847,786,729 $2,768,987,372
1968 $70,980,323,819 $2,619,948,865
1967 $73,011,350,596 $2,461,762,003
1966 $76,854,053,259 $2,324,466,416
1965 $70,565,994,356 $2,159,998,591
1964 $59,821,862,703 $1,984,129,186
1963 $50,812,227,919 $1,825,058,828
1962 $47,310,737,754 $1,747,566,307
1961 $50,162,299,350 $1,680,859,514
1960 $59,846,235,025 $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Ethiopia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $982 $2,845
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $893 $2,588
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $830 $2,407
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $793 $2,242
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $740 $2,095
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $696 $2,005
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $642 $1,858
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $598 $1,633
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $550 $1,485
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $484 $1,253
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $452 $1,179
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $343 $1,098
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $331 $996
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $369 $899
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $316 $845
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $237.1 $770
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $189.3 $693
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $158.2 $625
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $133.2 $558
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $116.8 $493
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $109.6 $509
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $118.5 $509
2000 $969 $2,964 $122.3 $474
1999 $881 $2,690 $120.7 $450
1998 $835 $2,483 $126.5 $436
1997 $787 $2,297 $143.4 $461
1996 $713 $2,088 $147.3 $453
1995 $613 $1,884 $136.5 $409
1994 $476 $1,680 $127.7 $391
1993 $379 $1,471 $168.5 $384
1992 $368 $1,276 $207.4 $343
1991 $334 $1,105 $277.6 $383
1990 $319 $991 $262.1 $417
1989 $311 - $256.4 -
1988 $284 - $253.2 -
1987 $252.3 - $254.1 -
1986 $282.4 - $246 -
1985 $295 - $243.9 -
1984 $251.2 - $214.2 -
1983 $225.9 - $232.7 -
1982 $203.7 - $215.3 -
1981 $197.4 - $212.7 -
1980 $195.1 - $203.7 -
1979 $184.3 - $192.4 -
1978 $156.7 - $178.3 -
1977 $185.7 - $170.4 -
1976 $165.7 - $152 -
1975 $178.6 - $144.3 -
1974 $160.4 - $147.9 -
1973 $157.3 - $134.9 -
1972 $132.1 - $119.8 -
1971 $118.8 - $112.7 -
1970 $113.3 - $109.4 -
1969 $100.3 - $102.3 -
1968 $91.6 - $99.5 -
1967 $96.8 - $96.1 -
1966 $104.5 - $93.2 -
1965 $98.7 - $88.9 -
1964 $85.7 - $83.8 -
1963 $74.5 - $79.2 -
1962 $71.1 - $77.8 -
1961 $76 - $76.7 -
1960 $89.7 - $75.3 -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $1,134 in Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

China Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$150B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
7.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$1,134
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$48.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$370
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
172/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$1,946
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
9.54%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
21%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
3.94%
2021
Population
1402578808
139917664

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 9.54% 32.7%
2023 32.7% 82% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 34.8% 69% 14.5% 53.7%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 32% 53.9% 18% 55.3%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 31% 40.8% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 25.2% 34% 17.1% 30%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 18% 25.9% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 17.6% 26% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 18% 26.4% 27% 103.7%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 25.8% 94.3%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 20.4% 86%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 17.3% 77.4%
1996 11% 21.2% 18.2% 129%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 16.9% 142.3%
1994 12.4% - 17.1% 150.7%
1993 13.4% - 13.4% 136.9%
1992 14.6% - 13.8% 85.4%
1991 16.5% - 16.8% 89.3%
1990 18.2% - 20.3% 91.6%
1989 18.6% - 24% 84.7%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 21.6% 84.3%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 18.4% 82.3%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 19.8% 75.7%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 19.7% 67.7%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 18.8% 65.4%
1983 28.3% - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 27.9% - 16.4% 48.8%
1981 - - 14.2% 30.6%
1980 - - 13.5% 18.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $14.3B, or 9.54% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 32.7% in Ethiopia, ranking 34/185 and 150/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Ethiopia
2024 -7.34% -1.99%
2023 -6.71% -2.6%
2022 -7.32% -4.16%
2021 -5.9% -2.77%
2020 -9.56% -2.76%
2019 -6% -2.53%
2018 -4.2% -3.03%
2017 -3.34% -3.24%
2016 -3.33% -2.3%
2015 -2.5% -1.95%
2014 -0.67% -2.58%
2013 -0.82% -1.93%
2012 -0.3% -1.17%
2011 -0.1% -1.61%
2010 -0.36% -1.32%
2009 -1.72% -0.93%
2008 -0.02% -2.88%
2007 0.06% -3.57%
2006 -1.13% -3.79%
2005 -1.38% -4.12%
2004 -1.49% -2.65%
2003 -2.36% -5.59%
2002 -2.84% -5.76%
2001 -2.56% -3.76%
2000 -2.81% -8.88%
1999 -2.3% -8.23%
1998 -1.08% -3.51%
1997 -0.73% -1.7%
1996 -0.73% -3.81%
1995 -0.94% -2.68%
1994 -1.68% -5.23%
1993 -0.89% -4%
1992 -1.22% -4.78%
1991 -1.04% -5.83%
1990 -0.72% -6.66%
1989 -0.91% -4.33%
1988 -2.22% -3.48%
1987 -2.08% -3.54%
1986 -1.82% -3.98%
1985 -0.45% -4.71%
1984 -1.44% -3.69%
1983 -1.61% -7.59%
1982 -1.33% -3.6%
1981 - -2.19%
1980 - -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/ethiopia | 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 Ethiopia's deficit of $2.98B, or 1.99% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.7% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Ethiopia
2024 0.2% 21%
2023 0.2% 30.2%
2022 2% 33.9%
2021 0.9% 26.8%
2020 2.5% 20.4%
2019 2.9% 15.8%
2018 2.1% 13.8%
2017 1.6% 10.7%
2016 2% 6.63%
2015 1.5% 9.57%
2014 2% 6.89%
2013 2.7% 7.46%
2012 2.6% 23.6%
2011 5.4% 33.2%
2010 3.3% 8.15%
2009 -0.7% 8.48%
2008 5.9% 44.4%
2007 4.7% 17.2%
2006 1.5% 12.3%
2005 1.8% 9.97%
2004 3.9% 3.33%
2003 1.1% 13.7%
2002 -0.8% 0.68%
2001 0.7% -8.24%
2000 0.4% 0.66%
1999 -1.4% 7.94%
1998 -0.8% 0.89%
1997 2.8% 2.4%

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/ethiopia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 21% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.71B
Textiles & consumer goods $429M
Chemicals & pharma $362M
Metals $311M
Raw materials & minerals $237M
Wood & paper products $53.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $21.9M
Miscellaneous $13.9M
Precious metals & jewellery $4.84M
Raw agricultural goods $3.73M
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $84.1M
Machinery & equipment $21.9M
Animal & marine products $7.88M
Raw materials & minerals $7.31M
Textiles & consumer goods $6.97M
Chemicals & pharma $2.11M
Metals $2.01M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $580K
Wood & paper products $26K
Precious metals & jewellery $24K

Balance of trade

China Ethiopia
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
160/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
11.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
5.54%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Ethiopia
Economic freedom 48.3 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 171/197
Property rights 40.9 22.1
Government integrity 42.3 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 19.1
Tax burden 69.3 78.6
Government spending 67.8 96.4
Fiscal health 4.4 84.3
Business freedom 68.7 44.5
Labor freedom 57.9 37.8
Monetary freedom 76.1 53.7
Trade freedom 73.4 57.4
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Ethiopia
2026 48.3 48.1
2025 49 48.1
2024 48.5 47.9
2023 48.3 48.3
2022 48 49.6
2021 58.4 51.7
2020 59.5 53.6
2019 58.4 53.6
2018 57.8 52.8
2017 57.4 52.7
2016 52 51.5
2015 52.7 51.5
2014 52.5 50
2013 51.9 49.4
2012 51.2 52
2011 52 50.5
2010 51 51.2
2009 53.2 53
2008 53.1 52.5
2007 52 53.6
2006 53.6 50.9
2005 53.7 51.1
2004 52.5 54.5
2003 52.6 48.8
2002 52.8 49.8
2001 52.6 48.9
2000 56.4 50.2
1999 54.8 46.7
1998 53.1 49.2
1997 51.7 48.1
1996 51.3 45.9
1995 52 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, 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

China Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
37.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
25.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
34.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$146B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$3,280
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
109/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
20.6%
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/ethiopia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.