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Economy of East Timor vs Gambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $2.4B for the Gambia, ranking 181/197 and 174/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $1.92B (80% of GDP) in the Gambia.

East Timor vs Gambia GDP by year

East Timor
Gambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Gambia
2024 $1,865,608,515 $2,404,888,749
2023 $2,079,767,170 $2,382,262,185
2022 $3,208,599,889 $2,204,734,528
2021 $3,625,024,341 $2,014,158,842
2020 $2,162,619,241 $1,812,170,891
2019 $2,032,550,389 $1,813,609,692
2018 $1,555,988,614 $1,670,671,328
2017 $1,584,878,440 $1,504,909,463
2016 $1,640,464,612 $1,484,578,886
2015 $1,590,282,371 $1,378,176,609
2014 $1,447,535,183 $1,229,461,721
2013 $1,395,727,421 $1,375,609,453
2012 $1,160,555,040 $1,415,004,738
2011 $1,042,534,598 $1,409,693,597
2010 $881,909,347 $1,543,294,927
2009 $726,937,836 $1,450,142,509
2008 $648,523,571 $1,561,766,956
2007 $542,795,447 $1,279,703,047
2006 $453,792,415 $1,054,112,488
2005 $462,267,954 $1,027,701,068
2004 $440,771,962 $961,900,651
2003 $490,439,116 $487,038,685
2002 $469,455,491 $578,235,309
2001 $477,359,253 $687,410,645
2000 $366,924,277 $782,913,872
1999 $225,357,600 $814,724,032
1998 $325,729,800 $840,285,265
1997 $319,972,700 $803,633,342
1996 $306,956,900 $848,239,446
1995 $262,819,900 $785,999,865
1994 $239,040,500 $746,493,952
1993 $216,914,400 $755,040,974
1992 $187,891,500 $714,254,256
1991 $147,713,000 $690,311,081
1990 $128,210,142 $317,083,695
1989 - $284,120,329
1988 - $266,672,212
1987 - $220,626,484
1986 - $185,646,987
1985 - $225,726,359
1984 - $177,340,880
1983 - $213,448,585
1982 - $216,050,552
1981 - $218,767,743
1980 - $241,083,090
1979 - $207,112,628
1978 - $171,833,086
1977 - $138,093,099
1976 - $112,190,829
1975 - $115,179,719
1974 - $95,796,022
1973 - $75,187,749
1972 - $59,160,569
1971 - $55,728,663
1970 - $52,296,084
1969 - $45,168,072
1968 - $41,160,066
1967 - $46,695,007
1966 - $44,212,081

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Gambia by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Gambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $871 $3,476
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $883 $3,289
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $836 $3,067
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $782 $2,778
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $720 $2,531
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $738 $2,422
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $696 $2,277
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $643 $2,039
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $650 $2,013
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $620 $1,990
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $568 $1,934
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $654 $2,007
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $693 $2,065
2011 $939 $2,066 $711 $2,064
2010 $813 $1,955 $801 $2,267
2009 $687 $1,810 $775 $2,177
2008 $628 $1,675 $859 $2,088
2007 $540 $1,516 $725 $1,985
2006 $465 $1,377 $615 $1,931
2005 $487 $1,435 $616 $1,938
2004 $474 $1,379 $593 $1,979
2003 $535 $1,355 $309 $1,850
2002 $534 $1,417 $377 $1,744
2001 $588 $1,619 $460 $1,823
2000 $492 $1,483 $538 $1,731
1999 $270 $819 $575 $1,649
1998 $346 $1,108 $610 $1,572
1997 $349 $1,149 $600 $1,544
1996 $344 $1,116 $652 $1,489
1995 $303 $1,043 $622 $1,472
1994 $283.1 $985 $608 $1,473
1993 $264.1 $925 $635 $1,487
1992 $235.1 $843 $623 $1,462
1991 $189.8 $766 $628 $1,440
1990 $168.6 $685 $301 $1,409
1989 - - $280.9 -
1988 - - $274.9 -
1987 - - $237 -
1986 - - $207.7 -
1985 - - $262.8 -
1984 - - $214.8 -
1983 - - $268.6 -
1982 - - $282.1 -
1981 - - $296 -
1980 - - $338 -
1979 - - $300 -
1978 - - $257.6 -
1977 - - $213.8 -
1976 - - $179.3 -
1975 - - $189.8 -
1974 - - $162.6 -
1973 - - $131.4 -
1972 - - $106.5 -
1971 - - $103.3 -
1970 - - $99.8 -
1969 - - $88.7 -
1968 - - $83.1 -
1967 - - $97 -
1966 - - $94.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $871 in the Gambia, ranking 183/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476.

Economic indicators

East Timor Gambia
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
5.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
183/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$3,476
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
172/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
155/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$741
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.6%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
25.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
11.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
17%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
6.48%
2023
Population
1441764
2902554

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Gambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Gambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 25.8% 80%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 24.9% 80.2%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 24.6% 83.9%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 21.5% 83.1%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 25.3% 85.9%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 23.9% 83%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 19% 83.6%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 23.6% 87%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 19.4% 80.7%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 19.6% 69.4%
2014 111% 1.52% 19% 71.1%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 17.2% 58.2%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 19.1% 49.5%
2011 133.3% 0% 16.5% 49.2%
2010 121.3% 0% 14.6% 42.9%
2009 121.8% 0% 14.4% 38.9%
2008 122.4% 0% 11.6% 39.5%
2007 75.8% 0% 11.2% 38%
2006 59.8% 0% 14% 87.3%
2005 58.3% 0% 12.9% 82.6%
2004 74.2% 0% 12.4% 81.3%
2003 80.1% 0% 9.3% 91.7%
2002 93.5% 0% 8.59% 93.9%
2001 95.7% 0% 9.68% 75.2%
2000 - - 9.54% 73.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while the Gambia spent $621M, or 25.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 80% in the Gambia, ranking 178/185 and 45/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Gambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Gambia
2024 -43.5% -4.08%
2023 -34.7% -3.69%
2022 -29.5% -5.72%
2021 -20.1% -4.77%
2020 -18.9% -2.37%
2019 -25.4% -2.75%
2018 -26.9% -3.92%
2017 -33.8% -4.35%
2016 -55.7% -6.22%
2015 -33.2% -5.38%
2014 -37.5% -3.94%
2013 -14.4% -5.11%
2012 -38.7% -2.85%
2011 -25.4% -3.03%
2010 -19.8% -2.93%
2009 -17.2% -1.65%
2008 -18.6% -0.45%
2007 -29.9% 0.27%
2006 41% -3.19%
2005 -10.5% -3.33%
2004 -7.48% -1.77%
2003 -8.24% -1.73%
2002 -7.64% 0.06%
2001 3.24% -2.52%
2000 - -0.09%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 43.5% of GDP. This compares to the Gambia's deficit of $98.2M, or 4.08% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the Gambia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.14% of GDP for the Gambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Gambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Gambia
2024 2.1% 11.6%
2023 8.4% 17%
2022 7% 11.5%
2021 3.8% 7.37%
2020 0.5% 5.93%
2019 0.9% 7.12%
2018 2.3% 6.52%
2017 0.5% 8.03%
2016 -1.5% 7.23%
2015 0.6% 6.81%
2014 0.8% 5.95%
2013 9.5% 5.7%
2012 10.9% 4.25%
2011 13.2% 4.8%
2010 5.2% 5.05%
2009 -0.2% 4.56%
2008 7.4% 4.44%
2007 8.6% 5.37%
2006 5.2% 2.06%
2005 1.6% 4.84%
2004 2.2% 14.2%
2003 8% 17%
2002 4.1% 8.61%
2001 3.6% 4.49%
2000 - 0.84%
1999 - 3.81%
1998 - 1.11%
1997 - 2.78%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 7.52% in the Gambia. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 11.6% in the Gambia.

Balance of trade

East Timor Gambia
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
-$99.8M
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
88/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$363M
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$485M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
33.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
8.75%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Gambia
Economic freedom 47.9 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 123/197
Property rights 43.5 55.4
Government integrity 43.9 40.5
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 45.8
Tax burden 97.1 79.2
Government spending 0 81.1
Fiscal health 19.6 54.8
Business freedom 62.7 50.1
Labor freedom 56.5 46.4
Monetary freedom 72.2 57.3
Trade freedom 79.8 64.8
Investment freedom 45 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Gambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Gambia
2026 47.9 56.3
2025 47.9 56.8
2024 50.2 58.2
2023 47.2 57.9
2022 46.3 58
2021 44.7 58.8
2020 45.9 56.3
2019 44.2 52.4
2018 48.1 52.3
2017 46.3 53.4
2016 45.8 57.1
2015 45.5 57.5
2014 43.2 59.5
2013 43.7 58.8
2012 43.3 58.8
2011 42.8 57.4
2010 45.8 55.1
2009 50.5 55.8
2008 - 56.9
2007 - 57.7
2006 - 57.3
2005 - 56.5
2004 - 55.3
2003 - 56.3
2002 - 57.7
2001 - 56.6
2000 - 52.7
1999 - 52.1
1998 - 53.4
1997 - 52.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 56.3 for the Gambia, ranking 123/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Gambia
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
15.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
20.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$2.43B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$3,430
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$629M
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
151/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$232M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$232M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
-$665K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
3.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
53.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
29.9%
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/east-timor/gambia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.