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Economy of Djibouti vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Djibouti has a GDP of $4.62B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 164/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Djibouti has $1.49B in government debt (32.1% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Djibouti vs Qatar GDP by year

Djibouti
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Djibouti Qatar
2025 $4,624,533,092 $215,559,615,385
2024 $4,152,145,940 $216,294,505,495
2023 $3,898,447,007 $213,002,809,341
2022 $3,562,814,909 $235,709,325,714
2021 $3,392,796,953 $179,732,009,560
2020 $3,144,136,197 $144,411,363,352
2019 $3,088,851,450 $176,371,267,692
2018 $2,913,464,658 $183,334,953,819
2017 $2,762,581,334 $161,099,122,225
2016 $2,604,955,229 $151,732,181,868
2015 $2,424,391,785 $161,739,955,577
2014 $2,220,637,966 $206,224,598,571
2013 $2,044,440,443 $198,727,642,967
2012 $1,353,632,942 $186,833,502,363
2011 $1,239,144,502 $167,775,274,725
2010 $1,128,611,700 $125,122,252,747
2009 $1,049,110,685 $97,798,351,648
2008 $999,105,339 $115,269,780,220
2007 $847,918,929 $79,711,813,187
2006 $768,873,684 $60,882,142,857
2005 $708,633,195 $44,530,494,505
2004 $666,072,102 $31,734,065,934
2003 $622,044,666 $23,533,791,209
2002 $591,122,040 $19,363,736,264
2001 $572,417,441 $17,538,461,538
2000 $551,230,862 $17,759,890,110
1999 $536,080,148 $12,393,131,868
1998 $514,267,869 $10,255,494,505
1997 $502,675,542 $11,297,802,198
1996 $494,004,648 $9,059,340,659
1995 $497,723,961 $8,137,912,088
1994 $491,689,221 $7,374,450,549
1993 $466,048,469 $7,156,593,407
1992 $478,058,305 $7,646,153,846
1991 $462,421,999 $6,883,516,484
1990 $452,328,087 $7,360,439,560
1989 $409,220,087 $6,487,912,088
1988 $395,794,539 $6,038,186,813
1987 $373,371,738 $5,446,428,571
1986 - $5,053,021,978
1985 $340,989,528 $6,153,296,703
1984 - $6,870,329,670
1983 - $6,484,890,110
1982 - $7,611,263,736
1981 - $8,672,527,473
1980 - $7,837,915,956
1979 - $5,632,962,997
1978 - $4,052,000,413
1977 - $3,617,564,638
1976 - $3,284,273,987
1975 - $2,512,773,166
1974 - $2,401,403,227
1973 - $793,885,560
1972 - $510,262,500
1971 - $387,703,106
1970 - $301,791,302

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Djibouti vs Qatar by year

Djibouti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Djibouti Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,906 - $72,525 -
2024 $3,553 $7,810 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $3,381 $7,226 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $3,133 $6,621 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $3,026 $5,960 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $2,845 $5,527 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $2,837 $5,398 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $2,718 $5,083 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $2,619 $4,677 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $2,510 $4,432 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $2,376 $4,264 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $2,215 $3,978 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $2,076 $3,762 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $1,400 - $108,470 $180,939
2011 $1,306 - $103,262 $174,620
2010 $1,213 - $77,387 $151,646
2009 $1,151 - $60,786 $125,898
2008 $1,119 - $80,781 $126,015
2007 $970 - $65,954 $124,056
2006 $898 - $62,582 $127,181
2005 $844 - $53,950 $115,250
2004 $806 - $41,036 $110,958
2003 $765 - $31,602 $94,120
2002 $743 - $27,227 $93,177
2001 $742 - $25,871 $89,805
2000 $738 - $27,535 $88,849
1999 $740 - $20,234 $84,690
1998 $735 - $17,665 $84,486
1997 $748 - $20,523 $79,219
1996 $762 - $17,125 $62,331
1995 $786 - $15,823 $60,321
1994 $785 - $14,765 $59,415
1993 $759 - $14,770 $59,125
1992 $764 - $16,280 $60,387
1991 $733 - $15,133 $54,759
1990 $780 - $16,722 $55,659
1989 $782 - $15,243 -
1988 $817 - $14,682 -
1987 $822 - $13,719 -
1986 - - $13,213 -
1985 $847 - $16,815 -
1984 - - $19,749 -
1983 - - $19,669 -
1982 - - $24,431 -
1981 - - $29,543 -
1980 - - $28,407 -
1979 - - $21,777 -
1978 - - $16,757 -
1977 - - $16,058 -
1976 - - $15,710 -
1975 - - $13,014 -
1974 - - $13,540 -
1973 - - $4,905 -
1972 - - $3,483 -
1971 - - $2,952 -
1970 - - $2,594 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Djibouti's GDP per capita is $3,906, ranking 136/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Djibouti ranks 143rd at $7,810, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Djibouti Qatar
Gross domestic product
$4.62B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
164/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
6.5%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,906
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
136/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$7,810
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
143/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$1.49B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.1%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,255
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
135/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,942
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2017
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.9%
2017
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
19.5%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
-0.3%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
38.8%
2025
0.1%
2024
Population
1207325
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Djibouti
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Djibouti Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 19.5% 32.1% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 21.3% 34% 26% 41.3%
2023 21.6% 35.6% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 21% 38.3% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 23.1% 40.3% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 25.8% 42.1% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 24.9% 41.1% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 25.9% 47.5% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 23.9% 48% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 25.9% 45.9% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 42% 40.3% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 29% 26.9% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 26.8% 24.6% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 26.5% 25% 31% 32.1%
2011 25.3% 25.7% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 26.6% 27.9% 32% 30.4%
2009 31% 29.5% 36.4% 36%
2008 28.8% 59.3% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 26.6% 56.6% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 23.8% 58.3% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 26.2% 60.3% 29% 19.1%
2004 26.7% 65.3% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 25.8% 66.3% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 23.4% 63.7% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 21% 58.1% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 23.2% 58.1% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 23.5% 58.5% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 24% 55.2% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 25% 56% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 23.7% 53.1% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 27% 50.9% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 30.9% - 59.8% 54.8%
1993 35.3% - 62.8% 46.3%
1992 34.9% - 54.2% 19.9%
1991 27.7% - 57.5% 21.8%
1990 30.2% - 50% 12.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Djibouti's government spending was $904M, accounting for 19.5% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.1% in Djibouti and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 150/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Djibouti

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Djibouti Qatar
2025 -0.7% -1%
2024 -2.69% 0.71%
2023 -3.47% 5.51%
2022 -1.48% 10.4%
2021 -3.05% 0.24%
2020 -2.58% -2.13%
2019 -0.98% 1%
2018 -1.98% 2.26%
2017 -0.21% -6.82%
2016 -0.76% -9.2%
2015 -15.5% 18.4%
2014 -6.92% 13.4%
2013 -0.34% 19.3%
2012 -2.04% 8.55%
2011 -1.18% 5.24%
2010 -1.04% 4.6%
2009 -3.88% 14.1%
2008 0.62% 9.49%
2007 -1.88% 10.3%
2006 0.26% 8.39%
2005 -1.18% 9.8%
2004 -3.67% 17.7%
2003 -4.13% 6.71%
2002 -4.56% 7.89%
2001 -3.61% 4.48%
2000 -3.97% 4.62%
1999 -5.2% -4.35%
1998 -3.59% -7%
1997 -2.86% -9.4%
1996 -1.77% -8.73%
1995 -5.13% -5.78%
1994 -4.97% -11.8%
1993 -7.1% -9.53%
1992 -6.13% -2.74%
1991 -0.86% -2.57%
1990 -3.25% 3.23%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Djibouti's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 0.7% of GDP. This compares to Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Djibouti recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Djibouti posted an annual deficit equal to 3.11% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Djibouti

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Djibouti Qatar
2025 -0.3% 0.6%
2024 2.1% 1.2%
2023 1.4% 3.1%
2022 5.2% 5%
2021 1.2% 2.3%
2020 1.8% -2.5%
2019 3.3% -0.9%
2018 0.1% 0.1%
2017 0.6% 0.6%
2016 2.4% 2.7%
2015 -0.5% 0.9%
2014 1.3% 4.2%
2013 1.1% 3.1%
2012 4.2% 1.8%
2011 5.2% 2%
2010 2.5% -2.4%
2009 5.6% -4.9%
2008 8.7% 15.1%
2007 5.9% 13.7%
2006 3.5% 11.7%
2005 3.3% 9%
2004 2.4% 6.8%
2003 1.6% 2.3%
2002 1.4% 0.2%
2001 1.9% 1.7%
2000 1.2% 1.6%
1999 -0.4% 2.2%
1998 2.2% 2.9%
1997 2.5% 2.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Djibouti has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.46%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was -0.3% in Djibouti and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Djibouti
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2M
Raw materials & minerals $253K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $11.8M
Metals $1.32M
Chemicals & pharma $242K
Machinery & equipment $192K
Textiles & consumer goods $175K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $152K
Wood & paper products $30K

Balance of trade

Djibouti Qatar
Current account balance
$610M
2024
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
55/190
2024
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+14.7%
2024
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$4.04B
2024
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$4.08B
2024
$90B
2025
Service imports
$730M
2024
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$1.17B
2024
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
95.8%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
110.5%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Djibouti Qatar
Economic freedom 56.3 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 122/197 37/197
Property rights 30.4 66.2
Government integrity 27.9 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 28.6 41.5
Tax burden 83.5 99.9
Government spending 86.7 79.9
Fiscal health 87.7 96.6
Business freedom 52.9 68
Labor freedom 57.5 58.5
Monetary freedom 70.6 76
Trade freedom 49.8 81.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Djibouti
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Djibouti Qatar
2026 56.3 70.2
2025 55.7 70.2
2024 55.8 68.8
2023 56.1 68.6
2022 55.3 67.7
2021 56.2 72
2020 52.9 72.3
2019 47.1 72.6
2018 45.1 72.6
2017 46.7 73.1
2016 56 70.7
2015 57.5 70.8
2014 55.9 71.2
2013 53.9 71.3
2012 53.9 71.3
2011 54.5 70.5
2010 51 69
2009 51.3 65.8
2008 51.2 62.2
2007 52.4 62.9
2006 53.2 62.4
2005 55.2 63.5
2004 55.6 66.5
2003 55.7 65.9
2002 57.8 61.9
2001 58.3 60
2000 55.1 62
1999 57.1 62
1998 55.9 -
1997 54.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Djibouti is 56.3, ranking 122/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Djibouti Qatar
Services, % of GDP
75.7%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
16.6%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.27%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$4.69B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,660
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$656M
2025
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
149/177
2025
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$67.8M
2024
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$67.8M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.27%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
1.55%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/djibouti/qatar | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, 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 (1995–2008, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.