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Economy of East Timor vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

East Timor has a GDP of $1.9B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 181/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $273M in government debt (14.3% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.

East Timor vs Japan GDP by year

East Timor
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Japan
2025 $1,902,180,258 $4,435,162,999,977
2024 $1,865,608,515 $4,190,008,188,359
2023 $2,079,767,200 $4,384,854,269,962
2022 $3,208,599,900 $4,447,976,207,315
2021 $3,625,024,300 $5,225,933,520,753
2020 $2,162,619,200 $5,189,197,543,645
2019 $2,032,550,400 $5,245,755,000,479
2018 $1,555,988,600 $5,154,293,721,630
2017 $1,584,878,400 $5,038,231,631,661
2016 $1,640,464,600 $5,110,357,383,254
2015 $1,590,282,400 $4,534,438,580,495
2014 $1,447,535,200 $4,985,763,289,561
2013 $1,395,727,400 $5,272,297,037,397
2012 $1,160,555,000 $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $1,042,534,600 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $881,909,300 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $726,937,800 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $648,523,600 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $542,795,400 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $453,792,400 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $462,268,000 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $440,772,000 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $490,439,100 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $469,455,500 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $477,359,300 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $366,924,300 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 $225,357,600 $4,688,983,449,627
1998 $325,729,800 $4,150,359,076,370
1997 $319,972,700 $4,579,780,793,432
1996 $306,956,900 $5,021,441,618,840
1995 $262,819,900 $5,639,649,753,986
1994 $239,040,500 $5,104,063,486,348
1993 $216,914,400 $4,632,480,515,091
1992 $187,891,500 $4,064,529,567,505
1991 $147,713,000 $3,724,887,648,862
1990 $128,210,142 $3,252,994,239,867
1989 - $3,174,934,735,896
1988 - $3,191,546,727,316
1987 - $2,635,094,473,494
1986 - $2,164,729,071,349
1985 - $1,457,070,301,468
1984 - $1,374,165,212,365
1983 - $1,297,622,008,229
1982 - $1,183,132,285,328
1981 - $1,271,443,597,067
1980 - $1,153,159,955,513
1979 - $1,100,608,979,757
1978 - $1,057,419,758,047
1977 - $752,590,681,822
1976 - $611,495,350,304
1975 - $544,082,569,364
1974 - $500,355,087,138
1973 - $450,756,970,744
1972 - $331,776,379,992
1971 - $250,530,994,765
1970 - $221,798,003,144
1969 - $188,179,852,753
1968 - $160,201,483,788
1967 - $135,265,319,098
1966 - $115,427,351,851
1965 - $99,387,878,008
1964 - $89,332,989,729
1963 - $75,945,582,324
1962 - $66,356,388,224
1961 - $58,472,696,006
1960 - $48,417,804,545

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Japan by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,341 - $35,951 -
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $33,797 $52,039
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $35,215 $50,662
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $35,548 $47,192
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $41,581 $44,355
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $41,099 $42,426
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $41,425 $42,678
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $40,645 $42,142
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $39,680 $41,444
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $40,215 $40,597
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $35,665 $40,899
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $39,173 $39,555
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $41,369 $39,402
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $49,627 $37,606
2011 $939 $2,066 $49,122 $36,214
2010 $813 $1,955 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $687 $1,810 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $628 $1,675 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $540 $1,516 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $465 $1,377 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $487 $1,435 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $474 $1,379 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $535 $1,355 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $534 $1,417 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $588 $1,619 $34,910 $27,943
2000 $492 $1,483 $39,753 $27,288
1999 $270 $819 $37,029 $25,736
1998 $346 $1,108 $32,835 $25,508
1997 $349 $1,149 $36,331 $25,619
1996 $344 $1,116 $39,930 $24,999
1995 $303 $1,043 $44,947 $23,858
1994 $283.1 $985 $40,774 $22,823
1993 $264.1 $925 $37,111 $22,168
1992 $235.1 $843 $32,667 $21,825
1991 $189.8 $766 $30,048 $21,227
1990 $168.6 $685 $26,345 $19,912
1989 - - $25,798 -
1988 - - $26,037 -
1987 - - $21,587 -
1986 - - $17,819 -
1985 - - $12,058 -
1984 - - $11,443 -
1983 - - $10,876 -
1982 - - $9,986 -
1981 - - $10,806 -
1980 - - $9,872 -
1979 - - $9,497 -
1978 - - $9,202 -
1977 - - $6,609 -
1976 - - $5,422 -
1975 - - $4,876 -
1974 - - $4,542 -
1973 - - $4,147 -
1972 - - $3,095 -
1971 - - $2,370 -
1970 - - $2,145 -
1969 - - $1,841 -
1968 - - $1,586 -
1967 - - $1,354 -
1966 - - $1,168 -
1965 - - $1,015 -
1964 - - $922 -
1963 - - $792 -
1962 - - $699 -
1961 - - $622 -
1960 - - $519 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,341, ranking 168/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

East Timor Japan
Gross domestic product
$1.9B
2025
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
181/197
2025
4/197
2025
GDP growth
6.98%
2024-2025
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,341
2025
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
168/197
2025
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
41/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.3%
2025
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$192.3
2025
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2025
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,644
2026
$22,962
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.61T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,902,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
93.9%
2025
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.5%
2024-2025
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
2.5%
2025
Population
1446322
122704252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 93.9% 14.3% 36.9% 206.5%
2024 98% 14.4% 37.3% 214.5%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 37.8% 220.3%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 40.2% 227.8%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 41.3% 222.7%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 43.6% 228.8%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 36.4% 206.3%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 36% 203.7%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 35.9% 203.1%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 36.5% 202.1%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 36.6% 200.1%
2014 111% 1.52% 37.8% 203.6%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 38.4% 201.2%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 38.4% 197.1%
2011 133.3% 0% 38.4% 190.6%
2010 121.3% 0% 37.4% 178.6%
2009 121.8% 0% 38.3% 172.9%
2008 122.4% 0% 33.7% 153.6%
2007 75.8% 0% 32.8% 150.4%
2006 59.8% 0% 32.7% 152.1%
2005 58.3% 0% 33.2% 153.4%
2004 74.2% 0% 33.3% 148.8%
2003 80.1% 0% 34.6% 140.2%
2002 93.5% 0% 34.9% 134.6%
2001 95.7% 0% 34.7% 126.8%
2000 - - 35.4% 118.5%
1999 - - 35.2% 113.5%
1998 - - 38.1% 101.6%
1997 - - 32.4% 91.3%
1996 - - 33.1% 85.3%
1995 - - 32.8% 80.7%
1994 - - 32.1% 73.3%
1993 - - 31.4% 63.2%
1992 - - 29.6% 57.9%
1991 - - 28.6% 54.1%
1990 - - 28.8% 54.8%
1989 - - 29.2% 65.7%
1988 - - 29.9% 71.9%
1987 - - 30.6% 75.8%
1986 - - 30.4% 74.1%
1985 - - 30.4% 68.3%
1984 - - 31.2% 65.6%
1983 - - 31.8% 63.5%
1982 - - 31.7% 57.7%
1981 - - 31.5% 52.8%
1980 - - 33.5% 47.8%
1979 - - 33.2% 43.8%
1978 - - 32.1% 39%
1977 - - 30.4% 31.1%
1976 - - 29.1% 26.1%
1975 - - 28.5% 20.9%
1974 - - 25.5% 16.7%
1973 - - 23.3% 15.9%
1972 - - 23.1% 16.3%
1971 - - 21.8% 12.6%
1970 - - 20.2% 11.2%
1969 - - 19.8% 11.4%
1968 - - 20.1% 11.8%
1967 - - 19.9% 11.4%
1966 - - 20.8% 11.2%
1965 - - 20.4% 9.78%
1964 - - 19.8% 8.53%
1963 - - 20% 8.66%
1962 - - 19.4% 9.01%
1961 - - 18.2% 8.44%
1960 - - 18.4% 10.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, East Timor's government spending was $1.79B, accounting for 93.9% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.3% in East Timor and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 178/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Japan
2025 -48% -1.05%
2024 -47% -1.67%
2023 -34.7% -2.39%
2022 -29.5% -4.23%
2021 -20.1% -6.32%
2020 -18.9% -9.04%
2019 -25.4% -3.05%
2018 -26.9% -2.44%
2017 -33.8% -3.05%
2016 -55.7% -3.58%
2015 -33.2% -3.64%
2014 -37.5% -5.58%
2013 -14.4% -7.62%
2012 -38.7% -8.22%
2011 -25.4% -9.02%
2010 -19.8% -9.05%
2009 -17.2% -9.62%
2008 -18.6% -4.07%
2007 -29.9% -2.86%
2006 41% -3%
2005 -10.5% -4.39%
2004 -7.48% -5.26%
2003 -8.24% -7.35%
2002 -7.64% -7.22%
2001 3.24% -6.11%
2000 - -7.17%
1999 - -6.68%
1998 - -9.91%
1997 - -3.44%
1996 - -4.75%
1995 - -4.22%
1994 - -3.7%
1993 - -2.34%
1992 - 0.56%
1991 - 1.64%
1990 - 1.91%
1989 - 1.23%
1988 - 0.49%
1987 - -0.36%
1986 - -1.36%
1985 - -1.37%
1984 - -2.62%
1983 - -3.95%
1982 - -3.81%
1981 - -3.85%
1980 - -4.66%
1979 - -5%
1978 - -5.79%
1977 - -4.02%
1976 - -3.89%
1975 - -2.92%
1974 - 0.38%
1973 - 0.56%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - 1.21%
1970 - 1.74%
1969 - 1.26%
1968 - 0.88%
1967 - 0.8%
1966 - -0.34%
1965 - 0.48%
1964 - 0.85%
1963 - 1.08%
1962 - 1.49%
1961 - 2.58%
1960 - 1.85%
1959 - 0.97%
1958 - -0.1%
1957 - 1.27%
1956 - 1.39%
1955 - -0.67%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.65%
1952 - 2.22%
1951 - 5.06%
1950 - 6.99%
1949 - 12.5%
1948 - 7.53%
1947 - 6.09%
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - 0.32%
1942 - -0.13%
1941 - -0.19%
1940 - 0.31%
1939 - 0.11%
1938 - 0.45%
1937 - 0.71%
1936 - 0.34%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.34%
1933 - 0.28%
1932 - 0.31%
1931 - 0.23%
1930 - 0.19%
1929 - 0.5%
1928 - 0.42%
1927 - 0.58%
1926 - 0.65%
1925 - 0.75%
1924 - 0.84%
1923 - 0.87%
1922 - 0.89%
1921 - 1.43%
1920 - 1.19%
1919 - 1.21%
1918 - 1.58%
1917 - 1.54%
1916 - 1.37%
1915 - 1.41%
1914 - 1.31%
1913 - 1.21%
1912 - 1.27%
1911 - 1.21%
1910 - 1.57%
1909 - 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, East Timor's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $914M, equivalent to 48% of GDP. This compares to Japan's deficit of $46.7B, or 1.05% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 22.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.19% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Japan
2025 0.5% 3.17%
2024 2.1% 2.74%
2023 8.4% 3.27%
2022 7% 2.5%
2021 3.8% -0.23%
2020 0.5% -0.02%
2019 0.9% 0.47%
2018 2.3% 0.99%
2017 0.5% 0.48%
2016 -1.5% -0.13%
2015 0.6% 0.8%
2014 0.8% 2.76%
2013 9.5% 0.34%
2012 10.9% -0.04%
2011 13.2% -0.27%
2010 5.2% -0.73%
2009 -0.2% -1.35%
2008 7.4% 1.38%
2007 8.6% 0.06%
2006 5.2% 0.25%
2005 1.6% -0.28%
2004 2.2% -0.009%
2003 8% -0.26%
2002 4.1% -0.92%
2001 3.6% -0.74%
2000 - -0.68%
1999 - -0.34%
1998 - 0.66%
1997 - 1.75%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2001–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 25 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.21%, compared with 0.57% in Japan. In 2025, inflation was 0.5% in East Timor and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.86M
Raw agricultural goods $987K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $388K
Japan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $16.3M
Miscellaneous $535K
Precious metals & jewellery $373K
Raw materials & minerals $178K
Chemicals & pharma $65K
Textiles & consumer goods $21K
Metals $5K
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

East Timor Japan
Current account balance
-$701M
2025
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2025
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-36.9%
2025
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports
$842M
2025
$729B
2025
Goods exports
$126M
2025
$725B
2025
Service imports
$475M
2025
$269B
2025
Service exports
$147M
2025
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Japan
Economic freedom 47.9 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 36/197
Property rights 43.5 94.2
Government integrity 43.9 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 97.9
Tax burden 97.1 63
Government spending 0 52
Fiscal health 19.6 41.7
Business freedom 62.7 77.8
Labor freedom 56.5 65.9
Monetary freedom 72.2 74.3
Trade freedom 79.8 76.2
Investment freedom 45 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Japan
2026 47.9 70.3
2025 47.9 70.2
2024 50.2 67.5
2023 47.2 69.3
2022 46.3 69.9
2021 44.7 74.1
2020 45.9 73.3
2019 44.2 72.1
2018 48.1 72.3
2017 46.3 69.6
2016 45.8 73.1
2015 45.5 73.3
2014 43.2 72.4
2013 43.7 71.8
2012 43.3 71.6
2011 42.8 72.8
2010 45.8 72.9
2009 50.5 72.8
2008 - 73
2007 - 72.7
2006 - 73.3
2005 - 67.3
2004 - 64.3
2003 - 67.6
2002 - 66.7
2001 - 70.9
2000 - 70.7
1999 - 69.1
1998 - 70.2
1997 - 70.3
1996 - 72.6
1995 - 75

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Japan
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.14B
2025
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,120
2025
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$851M
2025
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
145/177
2025
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$253M
2025
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$225M
2024
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$207B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
27.7%
2024

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/east-timor/japan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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)

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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.