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Economy of East Timor vs Jamaica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $22B for Jamaica, ranking 181/197 and 124/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $14B (63.4% of GDP) in Jamaica.

East Timor vs Jamaica GDP by year

East Timor
Jamaica
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Jamaica
2024 $1,865,608,515 $22,014,397,090
2023 $2,079,767,170 $21,418,804,320
2022 $3,208,599,889 $18,813,516,805
2021 $3,625,024,341 $15,963,885,376
2020 $2,162,619,241 $15,000,214,216
2019 $2,032,550,389 $17,026,269,263
2018 $1,555,988,614 $16,855,447,986
2017 $1,584,878,440 $15,783,583,237
2016 $1,640,464,612 $14,898,999,754
2015 $1,590,282,371 $14,963,589,916
2014 $1,447,535,183 $13,899,217,680
2013 $1,395,727,421 $14,264,205,153
2012 $1,160,555,040 $14,807,086,556
2011 $1,042,534,598 $14,444,661,522
2010 $881,909,347 $13,220,549,908
2009 $726,937,836 $12,120,458,115
2008 $648,523,571 $13,709,401,520
2007 $542,795,447 $12,799,600,047
2006 $453,792,415 $11,930,179,090
2005 $462,267,954 $11,243,865,778
2004 $440,771,962 $10,174,664,854
2003 $490,439,116 $9,430,234,811
2002 $469,455,491 $9,719,009,495
2001 $477,359,253 $9,194,727,831
2000 $366,924,277 $9,005,064,475
1999 $225,357,600 $8,887,057,997
1998 $325,729,800 $8,787,195,622
1997 $319,972,700 $8,400,041,724
1996 $306,956,900 $7,393,891,921
1995 $262,819,900 $6,577,520,643
1994 $239,040,500 $5,452,558,947
1993 $216,914,400 $5,440,075,676
1992 $187,891,500 $3,535,460,090
1991 $147,713,000 $4,106,207,649
1990 $128,210,142 $4,592,208,087
1989 - $4,404,937,853
1988 - $3,828,342,820
1987 - $3,287,007,322
1986 - $2,754,549,582
1985 - $2,100,239,019
1984 - $2,373,564,549
1983 - $3,619,262,277
1982 - $3,293,496,312
1981 - $2,979,027,966
1980 - $2,679,379,372
1979 - $2,425,064,229
1978 - $2,644,527,822
1977 - $3,249,733,140
1976 - $2,966,042,856
1975 - $2,860,442,750
1974 - $2,375,122,375
1973 - $1,905,917,553
1972 - $1,875,146,587
1971 - $1,539,861,816
1970 - $1,404,720,442
1969 - $1,191,239,047
1968 - $1,083,839,133
1967 - $1,148,014,311
1966 - $1,096,759,561
1965 - $972,159,611
1964 - $897,949,001
1963 - $826,706,669
1962 - $777,727,689
1961 - $748,043,501
1960 - $699,064,380

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

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

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Jamaica by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Jamaica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Jamaica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $7,754 $12,890
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $7,542 $12,651
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $6,626 $11,888
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $5,626 $10,431
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $5,299 $9,764
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $6,031 $10,845
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $5,977 $10,753
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $5,605 $10,466
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $5,302 $9,948
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $5,339 $9,476
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $4,975 $9,210
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $5,124 $9,101
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $5,341 $8,831
2011 $939 $2,066 $5,233 $8,809
2010 $813 $1,955 $4,810 $8,521
2009 $687 $1,810 $4,428 $8,580
2008 $628 $1,675 $5,030 $8,952
2007 $540 $1,516 $4,716 $8,893
2006 $465 $1,377 $4,417 $8,577
2005 $487 $1,435 $4,184 $8,127
2004 $474 $1,379 $3,808 $7,854
2003 $535 $1,355 $3,550 $7,593
2002 $534 $1,417 $3,681 $7,226
2001 $588 $1,619 $3,504 $7,019
2000 $492 $1,483 $3,453 $6,816
1999 $270 $819 $3,432 $6,653
1998 $346 $1,108 $3,419 $6,543
1997 $349 $1,149 $3,297 $6,682
1996 $344 $1,116 $2,929 $6,706
1995 $303 $1,043 $2,631 $6,657
1994 $283.1 $985 $2,203 $6,435
1993 $264.1 $925 $2,221 $6,279
1992 $235.1 $843 $1,458 $5,664
1991 $189.8 $766 $1,710 $5,485
1990 $168.6 $685 $1,930 $5,106
1989 - - $1,865 -
1988 - - $1,632 -
1987 - - $1,411 -
1986 - - $1,191 -
1985 - - $917 -
1984 - - $1,048 -
1983 - - $1,619 -
1982 - - $1,494 -
1981 - - $1,370 -
1980 - - $1,249 -
1979 - - $1,144 -
1978 - - $1,262 -
1977 - - $1,569 -
1976 - - $1,450 -
1975 - - $1,417 -
1974 - - $1,193 -
1973 - - $972 -
1972 - - $971 -
1971 - - $809 -
1970 - - $748 -
1969 - - $642 -
1968 - - $591 -
1967 - - $633 -
1966 - - $612 -
1965 - - $549 -
1964 - - $514 -
1963 - - $480 -
1962 - - $458 -
1961 - - $447 -
1960 - - $424 -

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

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $7,754 in Jamaica, ranking 95/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Jamaica ranks 121st at $12,890.

Economic indicators

East Timor Jamaica
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$22B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
-0.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$7,754
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$12,890
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
121/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$14B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
63.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$4,917
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
79/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$6,905
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12.4B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
30.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
5.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
3.02%
2023
Population
1441764
2834980

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Jamaica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Jamaica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 30.5% 63.4%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 28% 67.3%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 28.4% 73.5%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 29% 90.9%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 29.8% 100.1%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 27.8% 88.6%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 27.8% 89.2%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 27.3% 96.7%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 27% 109.1%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 26.3% 117.6%
2014 111% 1.52% 26.5% 136.7%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 26.9% 138.1%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 29.6% 143%
2011 133.3% 0% 31.7% 138.1%
2010 121.3% 0% 32.9% 140.1%
2009 121.8% 0% 38.6% 141.5%
2008 122.4% 0% 34.4% 125.6%
2007 75.8% 0% 31.6% 115.3%
2006 59.8% 0% 31.2% 118%
2005 58.3% 0% 29.3% 124.5%
2004 74.2% 0% 31.5% 120.1%
2003 80.1% 0% 32.5% 125.5%
2002 93.5% 0% 31.1% 119.1%
2001 95.7% 0% 28.5% 107.9%
2000 - - 26.2% 91.3%
1999 - - 28.9% 83.5%
1998 - - 28.3% 75.6%
1997 - - 28.3% 74.4%
1996 - - 27.7% 70.2%
1995 - - 23.1% 85.2%
1994 - - 21.5% 90.4%
1993 - - 21.5% 106.2%
1992 - - 20% 100.4%
1991 - - 24.5% 175.1%
1990 - - 25.7% 128.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Jamaica spent $6.72B, or 30.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 63.4% in Jamaica, ranking 178/185 and 73/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Jamaica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Jamaica
2024 -43.5% 0.22%
2023 -34.7% 0.04%
2022 -29.5% 0.27%
2021 -20.1% 0.89%
2020 -18.9% -2.83%
2019 -25.4% 0.85%
2018 -26.9% 1.12%
2017 -33.8% 0.43%
2016 -55.7% -0.19%
2015 -33.2% -0.28%
2014 -37.5% -0.49%
2013 -14.4% 0.12%
2012 -38.7% -4.05%
2011 -25.4% -6.34%
2010 -19.8% -6.27%
2009 -17.2% -11.1%
2008 -18.6% -7.43%
2007 -29.9% -3.82%
2006 41% -4.9%
2005 -10.5% -3.3%
2004 -7.48% -4.68%
2003 -8.24% -5.67%
2002 -7.64% -6.77%
2001 3.24% -4.89%
2000 - -0.8%
1999 - -3.53%
1998 - -5.82%
1997 - -6.54%
1996 - -5.32%
1995 - 1.6%
1994 - 2.59%
1993 - 2.6%
1992 - 3.11%
1991 - 3.87%
1990 - 2.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/jamaica | 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 Jamaica's surplus of $49.1M, or 0.22% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Jamaica ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.88% of GDP for Jamaica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Jamaica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Jamaica
2024 2.1% 5.41%
2023 8.4% 6.47%
2022 7% 10.3%
2021 3.8% 5.86%
2020 0.5% 5.23%
2019 0.9% 3.91%
2018 2.3% 3.74%
2017 0.5% 4.38%
2016 -1.5% 2.35%
2015 0.6% 3.69%
2014 0.8% 8.27%
2013 9.5% 9.34%
2012 10.9% 6.87%
2011 13.2% 7.56%
2010 5.2% 12.6%
2009 -0.2% 9.59%
2008 7.4% 22%
2007 8.6% 9.24%
2006 5.2% 8.56%
2005 1.6% 15.1%
2004 2.2% 13.6%
2003 8% 10.1%
2002 4.1% 7.08%
2001 3.6% 6.8%
2000 - 8.17%
1999 - 5.95%
1998 - 8.63%
1997 - 9.66%

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/jamaica | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 8.25% in Jamaica. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 5.41% in Jamaica.

Balance of trade

East Timor Jamaica
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$679M
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
56/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+3.08%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$6.07B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$1.87B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$3.46B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$5.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
52.1%
2019
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
38%
2019

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Jamaica
Economic freedom 47.9 68.2
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 48/197
Property rights 43.5 66.8
Government integrity 43.9 49.4
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 75.6
Tax burden 97.1 76.3
Government spending 0 76
Fiscal health 19.6 92.2
Business freedom 62.7 68.5
Labor freedom 56.5 59.2
Monetary freedom 72.2 74.2
Trade freedom 79.8 70.4
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Jamaica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Jamaica
2026 47.9 68.2
2025 47.9 68.7
2024 50.2 68.1
2023 47.2 68.1
2022 46.3 67.4
2021 44.7 69
2020 45.9 68.5
2019 44.2 68.6
2018 48.1 69.1
2017 46.3 69.5
2016 45.8 67.5
2015 45.5 67.7
2014 43.2 66.7
2013 43.7 66.8
2012 43.3 65.1
2011 42.8 65.7
2010 45.8 65.5
2009 50.5 65.2
2008 - 65.7
2007 - 65.5
2006 - 66.4
2005 - 67
2004 - 66.7
2003 - 67
2002 - 61.7
2001 - 63.7
2000 - 65.5
1999 - 64.7
1998 - 67.1
1997 - 67.7
1996 - 66.7
1995 - 64.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 68.2 for Jamaica, ranking 48/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Jamaica
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
60%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
16.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
7.97%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$20.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$12,690
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$5.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
93/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$304M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$305M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$1.07M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
8.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
22.6%
2019

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/jamaica | CC BY

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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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.