East Timor ranked 181/197 by economy size with a GDP of $1.87B and 167/197 by GDP per capita at $1,332. East Timor has $249M in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 13.3%.
In 2024, East Timor made up 0.002% of the world's economy, compared to 0.0006% in 1990.
East Timor GDP & GDP growth by year
| Year | GDP | GDP growth |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,865,608,515 | -9.1% |
| 2023 | $2,079,767,170 | -18.1% |
| 2022 | $3,208,599,889 | -20.5% |
| 2021 | $3,625,024,341 | 5.37% |
| 2020 | $2,162,619,241 | 31.7% |
| 2019 | $2,032,550,389 | 24.2% |
| 2018 | $1,555,988,614 | -0.47% |
| 2017 | $1,584,878,440 | -3.18% |
| 2016 | $1,640,464,612 | 3.01% |
| 2015 | $1,590,282,371 | 2.48% |
| 2014 | $1,447,535,183 | 4.47% |
| 2013 | $1,395,727,421 | 3.1% |
| 2012 | $1,160,555,040 | 4.86% |
| 2011 | $1,042,534,598 | 5.96% |
| 2010 | $881,909,347 | 9.33% |
| 2009 | $726,937,836 | 10.1% |
| 2008 | $648,523,571 | 11.4% |
| 2007 | $542,795,447 | 10.3% |
| 2006 | $453,792,415 | -4.12% |
| 2005 | $462,267,954 | 2.98% |
| 2004 | $440,771,962 | 0.4% |
| 2003 | $490,439,116 | -2.18% |
| 2002 | $469,455,491 | -6.7% |
| 2001 | $477,359,253 | 16.3% |
| 2000 | $366,924,277 | 58.1% |
| 1999 | $225,357,600 | -35.5% |
| 1998 | $325,729,800 | -2% |
| 1997 | $319,972,700 | 4% |
| 1996 | $306,956,900 | 7.98% |
| 1995 | $262,819,900 | 6.68% |
| 1994 | $239,040,500 | 7.12% |
| 1993 | $216,914,400 | 10.2% |
| 1992 | $187,891,500 | 10.5% |
| 1991 | $147,713,000 | 10.7% |
| 1990 | $128,210,142 | - |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor | CC BY 
East Timor GDP per capita by year
| Year | Current $ | |
|---|---|---|
| GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | $1,332 | $4,423 |
| 2023 | $1,502 | $4,807 |
| 2022 | $2,343 | $5,730 |
| 2021 | $2,685 | $6,825 |
| 2020 | $1,631 | $6,132 |
| 2019 | $1,562 | $4,557 |
| 2018 | $1,219 | $3,561 |
| 2017 | $1,266 | $3,463 |
| 2016 | $1,336 | $3,391 |
| 2015 | $1,320 | $3,108 |
| 2014 | $1,225 | $2,860 |
| 2013 | $1,205 | $2,566 |
| 2012 | $1,023 | $2,386 |
| 2011 | $939 | $2,066 |
| 2010 | $813 | $1,955 |
| 2009 | $687 | $1,810 |
| 2008 | $628 | $1,675 |
| 2007 | $540 | $1,516 |
| 2006 | $465 | $1,377 |
| 2005 | $487 | $1,435 |
| 2004 | $474 | $1,379 |
| 2003 | $535 | $1,355 |
| 2002 | $534 | $1,417 |
| 2001 | $588 | $1,619 |
| 2000 | $492 | $1,483 |
| 1999 | $270 | $819 |
| 1998 | $346 | $1,108 |
| 1997 | $349 | $1,149 |
| 1996 | $344 | $1,116 |
| 1995 | $303 | $1,043 |
| 1994 | $283.1 | $985 |
| 1993 | $264.1 | $925 |
| 1992 | $235.1 | $843 |
| 1991 | $189.8 | $766 |
| 1990 | $168.6 | $685 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor | CC BY
East Timor has a GDP per capita of $1,332, ranking 167/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $4,423, ranking 163/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,440, ranking 182/197.
East Timor GDP rankings by year
| Year | Rank | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP | GDP per capita | GDP per capita, PPP | |
| 2024 | 170 | 157 | 149 |
| 2023 | 175 | 161 | 153 |
| 2022 | 165 | 146 | 148 |
| 2021 | 160 | 137 | 133 |
| 2020 | 169 | 155 | 135 |
| 2019 | 173 | 156 | 149 |
| 2018 | 179 | 164 | 154 |
| 2017 | 175 | 163 | 154 |
| 2016 | 174 | 159 | 154 |
| 2015 | 175 | 159 | 157 |
| 2014 | 176 | 167 | 162 |
| 2013 | 176 | 166 | 165 |
| 2012 | 179 | 170 | 164 |
| 2011 | 182 | 171 | 171 |
| 2010 | 183 | 172 | 173 |
| 2009 | 185 | 175 | 175 |
| 2008 | 185 | 177 | 177 |
| 2007 | 185 | 172 | 178 |
| 2006 | 185 | 172 | 180 |
| 2005 | 184 | 166 | 176 |
| 2004 | 183 | 163 | 177 |
| 2003 | 180 | 159 | 175 |
| 2002 | 180 | 153 | 166 |
| 2001 | 178 | 146 | 162 |
| 2000 | 182 | 155 | 165 |
| 1999 | 184 | 175 | 181 |
| 1998 | 181 | 169 | 168 |
| 1997 | 180 | 169 | 165 |
| 1996 | 176 | 167 | 162 |
| 1995 | 178 | 168 | 163 |
| 1994 | 175 | 158 | 164 |
| 1993 | 174 | 165 | 164 |
| 1992 | 175 | 170 | 166 |
| 1991 | 174 | 176 | 166 |
| 1990 | 173 | 178 | 167 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor | CC BY
Compared with 2000, in 2024 East Timor is ranked 170th out of 182 by GDP (up from 182nd), 157th by GDP per capita (down from 155th), and 149th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 165th).
Economic indicators
East Timor
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Gross domestic product |
$1.87B
2024 |
181/197 |
| GDP growth |
-9.1%
2023-2024 |
191/194 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,332
2024 |
167/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$4,423
2024 |
163/197 |
| Government debt |
$249M
2024 |
181/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
13.3%
2024 |
178/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$177.5
2024 |
182/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,440
2026 |
182/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
24%
2014 |
138/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
4%
2014 |
13/169 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
90.8%
2024 |
5/195 |
| Consumer prices inflation |
2.1%
2023-2024 |
139/195 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.54%
2022 |
182/196 |
| Population |
1441764
|
152/197 |
Government spending, deficit, and debt by year
| Year | % of GDP | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Government spending | Government debt | Government deficit/surplus | |
| 2024 | 90.8% | 13.3% | -43.5% |
| 2023 | 78.6% | 12.4% | -34.7% |
| 2022 | 59.9% | 7.9% | -29.5% |
| 2021 | 45.7% | 6.53% | -20.1% |
| 2020 | 61.7% | 10.1% | -18.9% |
| 2019 | 68.8% | 9.51% | -25.4% |
| 2018 | 85.5% | 9.31% | -26.9% |
| 2017 | 87.3% | 6.71% | -33.8% |
| 2016 | 112.2% | 4.71% | -55.7% |
| 2015 | 98.1% | 2.95% | -33.2% |
| 2014 | 111% | 1.52% | -37.5% |
| 2013 | 96.1% | 0.46% | -14.4% |
| 2012 | 129.3% | 0.002% | -38.7% |
| 2011 | 133.3% | 0% | -25.4% |
| 2010 | 121.3% | 0% | -19.8% |
| 2009 | 121.8% | 0% | -17.2% |
| 2008 | 122.4% | 0% | -18.6% |
| 2007 | 75.8% | 0% | -29.9% |
| 2006 | 59.8% | 0% | 41% |
| 2005 | 58.3% | 0% | -10.5% |
| 2004 | 74.2% | 0% | -7.48% |
| 2003 | 80.1% | 0% | -8.24% |
| 2002 | 93.5% | 0% | -7.64% |
| 2001 | 95.7% | 0% | 3.24% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor | CC BY
This chart shows East Timor's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.
Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $1.69B (90.8% of GDP), with a deficit of 43.5%.
The national debt reached $249M, ranking 181st out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 13.3%, ranking 178th.
Inflation rate by year
| Year | Inflation |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 2.1% |
| 2023 | 8.4% |
| 2022 | 7% |
| 2021 | 3.8% |
| 2020 | 0.5% |
| 2019 | 0.9% |
| 2018 | 2.3% |
| 2017 | 0.5% |
| 2016 | -1.5% |
| 2015 | 0.6% |
| 2014 | 0.8% |
| 2013 | 9.5% |
| 2012 | 10.9% |
| 2011 | 13.2% |
| 2010 | 5.2% |
| 2009 | -0.2% |
| 2008 | 7.4% |
| 2007 | 8.6% |
| 2006 | 5.2% |
| 2005 | 1.6% |
| 2004 | 2.2% |
| 2003 | 8% |
| 2002 | 4.1% |
| 2001 | 3.6% |
Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).
GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor | CC BY
Over the past 20 years, East Timor has had an average annual inflation rate of 4.34%. In 2024, inflation was 2.1%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.
Balance of trade
|
East Timor
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
|
Current account balance
|
-$587M
2024 |
108/190 |
| Current account balance, % of GDP |
-31.5%
2024 |
186/190 |
| Goods imports |
$839M
2024 |
168/189 |
| Goods exports |
$196M
2024 |
168/189 |
| Service imports |
$432M
2024 |
162/189 |
| Service exports |
$82.1M
2024 |
174/189 |
| Imports of goods and services, % of GDP |
84.9%
2024 |
17/181 |
| Exports of goods and services, % of GDP |
10.6%
2024 |
176/193 |
East Timor top 10 trading partners
East Timor's biggest trading partner accounting for 32.4% of all exports and imports is Indonesia, with a trade balance between the two of -$289M: East Timor exports $11.8M worth of goods and services to Indonesia and imports $300M.
Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of East Timor.
| Rank | Country | Trade value | Share of total trade | Export to | Import from | Top export to | Top import from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Indonesia
|
$312M | 32.4% | $11.8M | $300M | Raw agricultural goods | Machinery & equipment |
| 2 |
China
|
$205M | 21.3% | $76.2M | $129M | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 3 |
Singapore
|
$125M | 13% | $31.2M | $94.2M | Raw materials & minerals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 4 |
Australia
|
$88.4M | 9.17% | $27.6M | $60.9M | Machinery & equipment | Machinery & equipment |
| 5 |
India
|
$52.1M | 5.41% | $0 | $52.1M | Animal & marine products | Raw agricultural goods |
| 6 |
Malaysia
|
$30.3M | 3.14% | $39K | $30.2M | Metals | Raw materials & minerals |
| 7 |
United States
|
$23.9M | 2.48% | $2.62M | $21.3M | Raw agricultural goods | Animal & marine products |
| 8 |
Vietnam
|
$20.1M | 2.09% | $138K | $20M | Raw agricultural goods | Machinery & equipment |
| 9 |
Japan
|
$18.1M | 1.88% | $4.84M | $13.3M | Raw materials & minerals | Machinery & equipment |
| 10 |
Brazil
|
$14M | 1.45% | $2K | $14M | Textiles & consumer goods | Animal & marine products |
Top 10 exports
|
East Timor
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $110M | 149/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $52.1M | 168/188 |
| Machinery & equipment | $31.2M | 149/193 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $16.6M | 148/193 |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $12.4M | 133/180 |
| Business & finance services | $3.68M | 180/188 |
| Metals | $3.25M | 165/192 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $857K | 170/193 |
| IT & IP services | $743K | 179/183 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $679K | 182/192 |
Top 10 imports
|
East Timor
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Raw materials & minerals | $230M | 164/193 |
| Machinery & equipment | $223M | 170/193 |
| Transport & tourism services | $214M | 162/188 |
| Processed food, beverages & tobacco | $126M | 168/193 |
| Raw agricultural goods | $95.3M | 162/193 |
| Government & miscellaneous services | $90.7M | 72/180 |
| Textiles & consumer goods | $60.7M | 172/193 |
| Metals | $59.4M | 169/193 |
| Chemicals & pharma | $51.3M | 177/193 |
| Animal & marine products | $42.5M | 160/193 |
Economic freedom indices
|
East Timor
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | 47.9 | 173/197 |
| Property rights | 43.5 | 109/182 |
| Government integrity | 43.9 | 83/182 |
| Judicial effectiveness | 34.5 | 113/182 |
| Tax burden | 97.1 | 8/182 |
| Government spending | 0 | 175/180 |
| Fiscal health | 19.6 | 154/181 |
| Business freedom | 62.7 | 99/182 |
| Labor freedom | 56.5 | 85/182 |
| Monetary freedom | 72.2 | 111/180 |
| Trade freedom | 79.8 | 27/181 |
| Investment freedom | 45 | 130/181 |
| Financial freedom | 20 | 160/181 |
Economic freedom by year
| Year | Index | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic freedom | Judicial effectiveness | Tax burden | Government spending | Fiscal health | |
| 2026 | 47.9 | 34.5 | 97.1 | 0 | 19.6 |
| 2025 | 47.9 | 36.2 | 97.3 | 0 | 19.8 |
| 2024 | 50.2 | 36.2 | 97.9 | 29.5 | 19.9 |
| 2023 | 47.2 | 40.1 | 97.5 | 0 | 19.8 |
| 2022 | 46.3 | 35.3 | 97.6 | 0 | 19.7 |
| 2021 | 44.7 | 15.1 | 91.7 | 0 | 20 |
| 2020 | 45.9 | 12.6 | 96.3 | 5.3 | 19.9 |
| 2019 | 44.2 | 13.1 | 96.3 | 0.9 | 20 |
| 2018 | 48.1 | 13.8 | 97.4 | 30.9 | 20 |
| 2017 | 46.3 | 10.3 | 64.7 | 65.6 | 20 |
| 2016 | 45.8 | - | 64.7 | 0 | - |
| 2015 | 45.5 | - | 64.7 | 0 | - |
| 2014 | 43.2 | - | 64.7 | 0 | - |
| 2013 | 43.7 | - | 64.7 | 0 | - |
| 2012 | 43.3 | - | 64.7 | 0 | - |
| 2011 | 42.8 | - | 64.7 | 0 | - |
| 2010 | 45.8 | - | 64.7 | 54.1 | - |
| 2009 | 50.5 | - | 64.7 | 84 | - |
Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).
GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor | CC BY
East Timor is ranked 155/174 for economic freedom with a score of 47.9, compared to 144/177 and a score of 50.5 in 2009.
Other economic metrics
|
East Timor
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Services, % of GDP |
71.6%
2024 |
21/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
11.8%
2024 |
176/194 |
| Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP |
20.2%
2024 |
38/193 |
|
GNI, Atlas method
|
$2.31B
2024 |
173/194 |
| GNI per capita, PPP |
$5,040
2024 |
154/191 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$737M
2024 |
147/177 |
|
Net foreign direct investment
|
-$211M
2024 |
84/189 |
|
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
|
$216M
2024 |
134/193 |
|
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
|
$4.5M
2024 |
123/193 |
|
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
|
1.23%
2024 |
108/121 |
| Poverty at national poverty lines |
41.8%
2014 |
35/176 |
|
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
|
30.1%
2024 |
33/178 |
Compare East Timor vs other countries
GDP per capita map
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/east-timor | CC BY
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- 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.