Skip to content

Economy of Djibouti vs Ethiopia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.15B compared to $150B for Ethiopia, ranking 165/197 and 60/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.36B in government debt (32.9% of GDP), compared to $48.9B (32.7% of GDP) in Ethiopia.

Djibouti vs Ethiopia GDP by year

Djibouti
Ethiopia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti Ethiopia
2024 $4,152,145,940 $149,740,297,953
2023 $3,898,447,007 $135,874,093,202
2022 $3,562,814,909 $123,140,304,666
2021 $3,392,796,953 $109,070,960,372
2020 $3,144,136,197 $98,676,811,061
2019 $3,088,851,450 $91,834,517,113
2018 $2,913,464,658 $83,337,901,072
2017 $2,762,581,334 $76,366,081,767
2016 $2,604,955,229 $68,475,871,210
2015 $2,424,391,785 $62,103,418,182
2014 $2,220,637,966 $55,612,228,234
2013 $2,044,440,443 $47,648,276,605
2012 $1,353,632,942 $43,310,721,414
2011 $1,239,144,502 $31,952,763,089
2010 $1,128,611,700 $29,933,790,334
2009 $1,049,110,685 $32,437,389,116
2008 $999,105,339 $27,066,912,635
2007 $847,918,929 $19,707,616,773
2006 $768,873,684 $15,280,861,835
2005 $708,633,195 $12,401,139,454
2004 $666,072,102 $10,131,187,261
2003 $622,044,666 $8,623,691,300
2002 $591,122,040 $7,850,809,498
2001 $572,417,441 $8,231,326,016
2000 $551,230,862 $8,242,349,618
1999 $536,080,148 $7,892,973,532
1998 $514,267,869 $8,013,274,132
1997 $502,675,542 $8,803,539,988
1996 $494,004,648 $8,761,215,548
1995 $497,723,961 $7,855,205,207
1994 $491,689,221 $7,100,806,754
1993 $466,048,469 $9,051,043,870
1992 $478,058,305 $10,754,799,037
1991 $462,421,999 $13,799,799,324
1990 $452,328,087 $12,478,943,895
1989 $409,220,087 $11,762,932,007
1988 $395,794,539 $11,181,119,718
1987 $373,371,738 $10,790,001,558
1986 - $10,094,328,898
1985 $340,989,528 $9,717,392,687
1984 - $8,298,309,581
1983 - $8,781,664,427
1982 - $7,899,988,841
1981 - $7,507,663,567
1980 - $7,012,585,454
1979 - $6,586,048,398
1978 - $6,014,961,435
1977 - $5,651,840,585
1976 - $4,943,806,093
1975 - $4,577,047,854
1974 - $4,577,209,966
1973 - $4,070,570,550
1972 - $3,520,252,938
1971 - $3,224,280,835
1970 - $3,045,354,455
1969 - $2,768,987,372
1968 - $2,619,948,865
1967 - $2,461,762,003
1966 - $2,324,466,416
1965 - $2,159,998,591
1964 - $1,984,129,186
1963 - $1,825,058,828
1962 - $1,747,566,307
1961 - $1,680,859,514
1960 - $1,610,511,694

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

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

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs Ethiopia by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti Ethiopia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $982 $2,845
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $893 $2,588
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $830 $2,407
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $793 $2,242
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $740 $2,095
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $696 $2,005
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $642 $1,858
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $598 $1,633
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $550 $1,485
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $484 $1,253
2012 $1,400 - $452 $1,179
2011 $1,306 - $343 $1,098
2010 $1,213 - $331 $996
2009 $1,151 - $369 $899
2008 $1,119 - $316 $845
2007 $970 - $237.1 $770
2006 $898 - $189.3 $693
2005 $844 - $158.2 $625
2004 $806 - $133.2 $558
2003 $765 - $116.8 $493
2002 $743 - $109.6 $509
2001 $742 - $118.5 $509
2000 $738 - $122.3 $474
1999 $740 - $120.7 $450
1998 $735 - $126.5 $436
1997 $748 - $143.4 $461
1996 $762 - $147.3 $453
1995 $786 - $136.5 $409
1994 $785 - $127.7 $391
1993 $759 - $168.5 $384
1992 $764 - $207.4 $343
1991 $733 - $277.6 $383
1990 $780 - $262.1 $417
1989 $782 - $256.4 -
1988 $817 - $253.2 -
1987 $822 - $254.1 -
1986 - - $246 -
1985 $847 - $243.9 -
1984 - - $214.2 -
1983 - - $232.7 -
1982 - - $215.3 -
1981 - - $212.7 -
1980 - - $203.7 -
1979 - - $192.4 -
1978 - - $178.3 -
1977 - - $170.4 -
1976 - - $152 -
1975 - - $144.3 -
1974 - - $147.9 -
1973 - - $134.9 -
1972 - - $119.8 -
1971 - - $112.7 -
1970 - - $109.4 -
1969 - - $102.3 -
1968 - - $99.5 -
1967 - - $96.1 -
1966 - - $93.2 -
1965 - - $88.9 -
1964 - - $83.8 -
1963 - - $79.2 -
1962 - - $77.8 -
1961 - - $76.7 -
1960 - - $75.3 -

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

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

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,553, ranking 133/197, compared to $1,134 in Ethiopia, ranking 171/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288.

Economic indicators

Djibouti Ethiopia
Gross domestic product
$4.15B
2024
$150B
2024
GDP rank
165/197
2024
60/197
2024
GDP growth
6.98%
2023-2024
7.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,553
2024
$1,134
2024
GDP per capita rank
133/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$3,288
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
175/197
2024
Government debt
$1.36B
2024
$48.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.9%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,167
2024
$370
2024
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2024
172/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,690
2026
$1,946
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
24.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
3.5%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
9.54%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
21%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
40%
2017
3.94%
2021
Population
1203929
139917664

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti Ethiopia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 32.9% 9.54% 32.7%
2023 21.5% 35.4% 10.8% 38.7%
2022 21% 38.3% 12.7% 46.9%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 13.8% 53.8%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 14.5% 53.7%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 15.4% 54.7%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 16.1% 58.4%
2017 23.9% 48% 18% 55.3%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 17.9% 51.8%
2015 42% 40.3% 17.3% 50.7%
2014 29% 26.9% 17.5% 44.2%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 17.8% 44.1%
2012 26.5% 25% 16.6% 39.4%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 18.2% 44.6%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 18.5% 39.4%
2009 31% 29.5% 17.1% 30%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 18.8% 56.1%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 20.5% 55.7%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 22.1% 79.6%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 22.9% 78.2%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 23.1% 103.1%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 27% 103.7%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 24.9% 107.4%
2001 21% 58.1% 22.4% 97.3%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 25.6% 93.6%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 25.8% 94.3%
1998 24% 55.2% 20.4% 86%
1997 25% 56% 17.3% 77.4%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 18.2% 129%
1995 27% 50.9% 16.9% 142.3%
1994 30.9% - 17.1% 150.7%
1993 35.3% - 13.4% 136.9%
1992 34.9% - 13.8% 85.4%
1991 27.7% - 16.8% 89.3%
1990 30.2% - 20.3% 91.6%
1989 - - 24% 84.7%
1988 - - 21.6% 84.3%
1987 - - 18.4% 82.3%
1986 - - 19.8% 75.7%
1985 - - 19.7% 67.7%
1984 - - 18.8% 65.4%
1983 - - 21.3% 55.2%
1982 - - 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 (1980–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Djibouti's government spending was $856M, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Ethiopia spent $14.3B, or 9.54% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.9% in Djibouti and 32.7% in Ethiopia, ranking 149/185 and 150/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

Ethiopia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti Ethiopia
2024 -2.6% -1.99%
2023 -3.46% -2.6%
2022 -1.48% -4.16%
2021 -3.05% -2.77%
2020 -2.58% -2.76%
2019 -0.98% -2.53%
2018 -1.98% -3.03%
2017 -0.21% -3.24%
2016 -0.76% -2.3%
2015 -15.5% -1.95%
2014 -6.92% -2.58%
2013 -0.34% -1.93%
2012 -2.04% -1.17%
2011 -1.18% -1.61%
2010 -1.04% -1.32%
2009 -3.88% -0.93%
2008 0.62% -2.88%
2007 -1.88% -3.57%
2006 0.26% -3.79%
2005 -1.18% -4.12%
2004 -3.67% -2.65%
2003 -4.13% -5.59%
2002 -4.56% -5.76%
2001 -3.61% -3.76%
2000 -3.97% -8.88%
1999 -5.2% -8.23%
1998 -3.59% -3.51%
1997 -2.86% -1.7%
1996 -1.77% -3.81%
1995 -5.13% -2.68%
1994 -4.97% -5.23%
1993 -7.1% -4%
1992 -6.13% -4.78%
1991 -0.86% -5.83%
1990 -3.25% -6.66%
1989 - -4.33%
1988 - -3.48%
1987 - -3.54%
1986 - -3.98%
1985 - -4.71%
1984 - -3.69%
1983 - -7.59%
1982 - -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/djibouti/ethiopia | CC BY

In 2024, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $108M, equivalent to 2.6% of GDP. This compares to Ethiopia's deficit of $2.98B, or 1.99% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Ethiopia ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.17% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.55% of GDP for Ethiopia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

Ethiopia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti Ethiopia
2024 2.1% 21%
2023 1.4% 30.2%
2022 5.2% 33.9%
2021 1.2% 26.8%
2020 1.8% 20.4%
2019 3.3% 15.8%
2018 0.1% 13.8%
2017 0.6% 10.7%
2016 2.4% 6.63%
2015 -0.5% 9.57%
2014 1.3% 6.89%
2013 1.1% 7.46%
2012 4.2% 23.6%
2011 5.2% 33.2%
2010 2.5% 8.15%
2009 5.6% 8.48%
2008 8.7% 44.4%
2007 5.9% 17.2%
2006 3.5% 12.3%
2005 3.3% 9.97%
2004 2.4% 3.33%
2003 1.6% 13.7%
2002 1.4% 0.68%
2001 1.9% -8.24%
2000 1.2% 0.66%
1999 -0.4% 7.94%
1998 2.2% 0.89%
1997 2.5% 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/djibouti/ethiopia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.56%, compared with 13.6% in Ethiopia. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in Djibouti and 21% in Ethiopia.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.39B
Machinery & equipment $749M
Metals $679M
Raw agricultural goods $421M
Chemicals & pharma $399M
Raw materials & minerals $159M
Textiles & consumer goods $100M
Wood & paper products $64.3M
Animal & marine products $18.8M
Miscellaneous $11.3M
Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $91.9M
Machinery & equipment $2.08M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.8M
Raw materials & minerals $1.39M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.05M
Metals $536K
Chemicals & pharma $382K
Animal & marine products $318K
Wood & paper products $100K
Miscellaneous $19K

Balance of trade

Djibouti Ethiopia
Current account balance
$610M
2024
-$3.79B
2024
Current account balance ranking
59/190
2024
160/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
-2.53%
2024
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$19.6B
2024
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$5.58B
2024
Service imports
$730M
2024
$5.51B
2024
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$7.61B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
114.8%
2024
11.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
126.4%
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.

Djibouti Ethiopia
Economic freedom 56.3 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 171/197
Property rights 30.4 22.1
Government integrity 27.9 33.2
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 19.1
Tax burden 83.5 78.6
Government spending 86.7 96.4
Fiscal health 87.7 84.3
Business freedom 52.9 44.5
Labor freedom 57.5 37.8
Monetary freedom 70.6 53.7
Trade freedom 49.8 57.4
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
Ethiopia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti Ethiopia
2026 56.3 48.1
2025 55.7 48.1
2024 55.8 47.9
2023 56.1 48.3
2022 55.3 49.6
2021 56.2 51.7
2020 52.9 53.6
2019 47.1 53.6
2018 45.1 52.8
2017 46.7 52.7
2016 56 51.5
2015 57.5 51.5
2014 55.9 50
2013 53.9 49.4
2012 53.9 52
2011 54.5 50.5
2010 51 51.2
2009 51.3 53
2008 51.2 52.5
2007 52.4 53.6
2006 53.2 50.9
2005 55.2 51.1
2004 55.6 54.5
2003 55.7 48.8
2002 57.8 49.8
2001 58.3 48.9
2000 55.1 50.2
1999 57.1 46.7
1998 55.9 49.2
1997 54.5 48.1
1996 - 45.9
1995 - 42.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, 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

Djibouti Ethiopia
Services, % of GDP
76.1%
2024
37.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.9%
2024
25.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.51%
2024
34.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$4.25B
2024
$146B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,030
2024
$3,280
2024
Total reserves including gold
$349M
2024
$3.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
165/177
2024
109/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
-$4.02B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$4.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
0.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
33.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
0.25%
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/djibouti/ethiopia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1980–2008, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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)

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.