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Djibouti economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti ranked 165/197 by economy size with a GDP of $4.15B and 133/197 by GDP per capita at $3,553. Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 32.9%.

In 2024, Djibouti made up 0.004% of the world's economy, compared to 0.003% in 1985.

Djibouti GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $4,152,145,940 6.98%
2023 $3,898,447,007 6.81%
2022 $3,562,814,909 5.17%
2021 $3,392,796,953 4.41%
2020 $3,144,136,197 1.2%
2019 $3,088,851,450 5.55%
2018 $2,913,464,658 4.77%
2017 $2,762,581,334 5.46%
2016 $2,604,955,229 7.12%
2015 $2,424,391,785 7.31%
2014 $2,220,637,966 7.19%
2013 $2,044,440,443 -
2012 $1,353,632,942 -
2011 $1,239,144,502 -
2010 $1,128,611,700 -
2009 $1,049,110,685 -
2008 $999,105,339 -
2007 $847,918,929 -
2006 $768,873,684 -
2005 $708,633,195 -
2004 $666,072,102 -
2003 $622,044,666 -
2002 $591,122,040 -
2001 $572,417,441 -
2000 $551,230,862 -
1999 $536,080,148 -
1998 $514,267,869 -
1997 $502,675,542 -
1996 $494,004,648 -
1995 $497,723,961 -
1994 $491,689,221 -
1993 $466,048,469 -
1992 $478,058,305 -
1991 $462,421,999 -
1990 $452,328,087 -
1989 $409,220,087 -
1988 $395,794,539 -
1987 $373,371,738 -
1986 - -
1985 $340,989,528 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti | CC BY

Djibouti GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810
2023 $3,381 $7,226
2022 $3,133 $6,621
2021 $3,026 $5,960
2020 $2,845 $5,527
2019 $2,837 $5,398
2018 $2,718 $5,083
2017 $2,619 $4,677
2016 $2,510 $4,432
2015 $2,376 $4,264
2014 $2,215 $3,978
2013 $2,076 $3,762
2012 $1,400 -
2011 $1,306 -
2010 $1,213 -
2009 $1,151 -
2008 $1,119 -
2007 $970 -
2006 $898 -
2005 $844 -
2004 $806 -
2003 $765 -
2002 $743 -
2001 $742 -
2000 $738 -
1999 $740 -
1998 $735 -
1997 $748 -
1996 $762 -
1995 $786 -
1994 $785 -
1993 $759 -
1992 $764 -
1991 $733 -
1990 $780 -
1989 $782 -
1988 $817 -
1987 $822 -
1986 - -
1985 $847 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti | CC BY

Djibouti has a GDP per capita of $3,553, ranking 133/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $7,810, ranking 143/197, and a median annual after tax income of $2,690, ranking 149/197.

Djibouti GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 157 124 132
2023 161 135 139
2022 163 136 140
2021 163 134 141
2020 163 135 142
2019 164 136 143
2018 166 136 142
2017 167 136 146
2016 167 136 146
2015 168 140 144
2014 169 141 146
2013 169 144 147
2012 177 154 -
2011 178 159 -
2010 178 156 -
2009 178 154 -
2008 177 155 -
2007 177 156 -
2006 177 155 -
2005 176 149 -
2004 176 147 -
2003 175 143 -
2002 174 141 -
2001 174 136 -
2000 174 136 -
1999 173 133 -
1998 172 134 -
1997 172 137 -
1996 170 134 -
1995 168 128 -
1994 165 120 -
1993 163 126 -
1992 158 124 -
1991 158 129 -
1990 157 127 -
1989 144 113 -
1988 145 106 -
1987 140 104 -
1986 - - -
1985 134 93 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti | CC BY

Compared with 2013, in 2024 Djibouti is ranked 157th out of 182 by GDP (up from 169th), 124th by GDP per capita (up from 144th), and 132nd by GDP per capita PPP (up from 147th).

Economic indicators

Djibouti Rank
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
165/197
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
13/194
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
133/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
143/197
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
167/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
149/185
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
137/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
2026
149/197
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
35/169
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
142/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
148/195
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
138/195
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
1/196
Population
1203929
158/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 20.6% 32.9% -2.6%
2023 21.5% 35.4% -3.46%
2022 21% 38.3% -1.48%
2021 23.1% 40.3% -3.05%
2020 25.8% 42.1% -2.58%
2019 24.9% 41.1% -0.98%
2018 25.9% 47.5% -1.98%
2017 23.9% 48% -0.21%
2016 25.9% 45.9% -0.76%
2015 42% 40.3% -15.5%
2014 29% 26.9% -6.92%
2013 26.8% 24.6% -0.34%
2012 26.5% 25% -2.04%
2011 25.3% 25.7% -1.18%
2010 26.6% 27.9% -1.04%
2009 31% 29.5% -3.88%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 0.62%
2007 26.6% 56.6% -1.88%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 0.26%
2005 26.2% 60.3% -1.18%
2004 26.7% 65.3% -3.67%
2003 25.8% 66.3% -4.13%
2002 23.4% 63.7% -4.56%
2001 21% 58.1% -3.61%
2000 23.2% 58.1% -3.97%
1999 23.5% 58.5% -5.2%
1998 24% 55.2% -3.59%
1997 25% 56% -2.86%
1996 23.7% 53.1% -1.77%
1995 27% 50.9% -5.13%
1994 30.9% - -4.97%
1993 35.3% - -7.1%
1992 34.9% - -6.13%
1991 27.7% - -0.86%
1990 30.2% - -3.25%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti | CC BY

This chart shows Djibouti's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $856M (20.6% of GDP), with a deficit of 2.6%.

The national debt reached $1.36B, ranking 167th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 32.9%, ranking 149th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 2.1%
2023 1.4%
2022 5.2%
2021 1.2%
2020 1.8%
2019 3.3%
2018 0.1%
2017 0.6%
2016 2.4%
2015 -0.5%
2014 1.3%
2013 1.1%
2012 4.2%
2011 5.2%
2010 2.5%
2009 5.6%
2008 8.7%
2007 5.9%
2006 3.5%
2005 3.3%
2004 2.4%
2003 1.6%
2002 1.4%
2001 1.9%
2000 1.2%
1999 -0.4%
1998 2.2%
1997 2.5%
1996 3.5%
1995 4.9%
1994 6.5%
1993 4.4%
1992 3.4%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Djibouti has had an average annual inflation rate of 2.95%. In 2024, inflation was 2.1%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Djibouti Rank
Current account balance
$610M
2024
59/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
10/190
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
142/189
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
126/189
Service imports
$730M
2024
154/189
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
130/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
4/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
2024
5/193

Djibouti top 10 trading partners

Djibouti's biggest trading partner accounting for 40.9% of all exports and imports is Ethiopia, with a trade balance between the two of +$3.87B: Djibouti exports $4B worth of goods and services to Ethiopia and imports $128M.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Djibouti.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 Ethiopia $4.12B 40.9% $4B $128M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw agricultural goods
2 China $1.05B 10.4% $116M $936M Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
3 UAE $828M 8.21% $222M $606M Machinery & equipment Machinery & equipment
4 India $768M 7.62% $1.41M $767M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Processed food, beverages & tobacco
5 Turkey $522M 5.17% $31.3M $491M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Processed food, beverages & tobacco
6 Saudi Arabia $457M 4.53% $4.6M $452M Raw materials & minerals Raw materials & minerals
7 Indonesia $295M 2.92% $924K $294M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Processed food, beverages & tobacco
8 Oman $254M 2.51% $37.9M $216M Machinery & equipment Processed food, beverages & tobacco
9 Malaysia $226M 2.24% $1.94M $224M Raw materials & minerals Processed food, beverages & tobacco
10 Japan $217M 2.15% $610K $217M Animal & marine products Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Djibouti Rank
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.52B 64/192
Machinery & equipment $1.17B 81/193
Metals $681M 78/192
Transport & tourism services $613M 131/188
Raw agricultural goods $439M 89/193
Chemicals & pharma $431M 90/193
Government & miscellaneous services $319M 39/180
Raw materials & minerals $286M 133/193
Textiles & consumer goods $113M 118/193
Wood & paper products $95.3M 99/192

Top 10 imports

Djibouti Rank
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.44B 84/193
Machinery & equipment $1.17B 138/193
Metals $653M 111/193
Raw agricultural goods $599M 104/193
Transport & tourism services $542M 144/188
Raw materials & minerals $537M 148/193
Chemicals & pharma $468M 135/193
Wood & paper products $187M 124/193
Textiles & consumer goods $183M 152/193
Animal & marine products $49.4M 156/193

Economic freedom indices

Djibouti Rank
Economic freedom 56.3 122/197
Property rights 30.4 139/182
Government integrity 27.9 134/182
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 129/182
Tax burden 83.5 65/182
Government spending 86.7 38/180
Fiscal health 87.7 57/181
Business freedom 52.9 131/182
Labor freedom 57.5 73/182
Monetary freedom 70.6 127/180
Trade freedom 49.8 170/181
Investment freedom 50 107/181
Financial freedom 50 76/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 56.3 28.6 83.5 86.7 87.7
2025 55.7 27.7 83.5 86.2 86.6
2024 55.8 27.6 83.6 83.7 89.3
2023 56.1 27 83.6 82.2 89.3
2022 55.3 28.3 80 83.3 92.1
2021 56.2 28.2 79.6 80.4 79.4
2020 52.9 31.7 75.3 53.6 10.9
2019 47.1 18.1 76.2 27.3 18.1
2018 45.1 13.8 69.8 27.2 18
2017 46.7 10.3 80.9 39.5 13.8
2016 56 - 80.6 57.4 -
2015 57.5 - 81.2 57.1 -
2014 55.9 - 80.6 62.8 -
2013 53.9 - 79.4 48.8 -
2012 53.9 - 80.3 42.4 -
2011 54.5 - 79.6 50.5 -
2010 51 - 78.2 58.9 -
2009 51.3 - 80.8 59.4 -
2008 51.2 - 80.8 57.8 -
2007 52.4 - 80.5 60 -
2006 53.2 - 80.3 60 -
2005 55.2 - 80.3 67.5 -
2004 55.6 - 80.5 73.5 -
2003 55.7 - 80.1 67.9 -
2002 57.8 - 78.8 67.3 -
2001 58.3 - 87.1 67.3 -
2000 55.1 - 86 63.3 -
1999 57.1 - 84.9 63.9 -
1998 55.9 - 84.7 55.1 -
1997 54.5 - 84.1 44.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/djibouti | CC BY

Djibouti is ranked 109/174 for economic freedom with a score of 56.3, compared to 122/162 and a score of 53.2 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Djibouti Rank
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
10/191
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
157/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
142/193
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
161/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
137/191
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
165/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
68/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
151/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
145/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
74/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
81/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
178/178

Compare Djibouti vs other countries

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/djibouti | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.