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Economy of East Timor vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

East Timor has a GDP of $1.9B compared to $264B for New Zealand, ranking 181/197 and 53/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $273M in government debt (14.3% of GDP), compared to $145B (54.7% of GDP) in New Zealand.

East Timor vs New Zealand GDP by year

East Timor
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor New Zealand
2025 $1,902,180,258 $264,057,413,740
2024 $1,865,608,515 $261,497,198,364
2023 $2,079,767,200 $256,372,177,758
2022 $3,208,599,900 $249,723,029,451
2021 $3,625,024,300 $253,732,493,988
2020 $2,162,619,200 $213,318,129,989
2019 $2,032,550,400 $213,088,034,258
2018 $1,555,988,600 $211,726,161,989
2017 $1,584,878,400 $206,561,943,051
2016 $1,640,464,600 $188,980,351,891
2015 $1,590,282,400 $178,147,457,243
2014 $1,447,535,200 $201,435,445,068
2013 $1,395,727,400 $190,943,478,290
2012 $1,160,555,000 $176,508,049,114
2011 $1,042,534,600 $168,458,838,711
2010 $881,909,300 $146,887,902,524
2009 $726,937,800 $121,663,439,315
2008 $648,523,600 $133,437,126,590
2007 $542,795,400 $137,188,946,866
2006 $453,792,400 $111,538,810,713
2005 $462,268,000 $114,720,129,550
2004 $440,772,000 $103,905,210,084
2003 $490,439,100 $88,250,885,550
2002 $469,455,500 $66,627,729,311
2001 $477,359,300 $53,872,425,917
2000 $366,924,300 $52,623,281,957
1999 $225,357,600 $58,762,260,626
1998 $325,729,800 $56,227,169,851
1997 $319,972,700 $66,075,143,415
1996 $306,956,900 $70,140,835,299
1995 $262,819,900 $63,918,703,507
1994 $239,040,500 $55,314,732,279
1993 $216,914,400 $46,775,620,817
1992 $187,891,500 $41,649,829,860
1991 $147,713,000 $42,745,329,732
1990 $128,210,142 $45,495,129,385
1989 - $43,920,222,525
1988 - $45,176,811,594
1987 - $40,376,354,070
1986 - $30,604,668,357
1985 - $24,679,795,396
1984 - $21,665,975,319
1983 - $24,309,279,706
1982 - $24,164,603,059
1981 - $24,417,617,184
1980 - $23,244,547,385
1979 - $20,731,243,113
1978 - $18,530,518,395
1977 - $15,446,825,318
1976 - $13,604,832,424
1975 - $12,861,983,284
1974 - $13,940,981,798
1973 - $12,802,281,898
1972 - $9,567,331,065
1971 - $7,911,136,757
1970 - $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs New Zealand by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,341 - $49,591 -
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $49,432 $55,551
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $49,302 $54,697
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $49,142 $54,034
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $49,902 $48,249
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $42,055 $45,513
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $42,872 $45,278
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $43,204 $42,527
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $42,912 $42,244
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $40,088 $39,989
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $38,649 $37,513
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $44,600 $37,331
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $42,985 $36,263
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $40,042 $33,055
2011 $939 $2,066 $38,426 $32,739
2010 $813 $1,955 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $687 $1,810 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $628 $1,675 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $540 $1,516 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $465 $1,377 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $487 $1,435 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $474 $1,379 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $535 $1,355 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $534 $1,417 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $588 $1,619 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $492 $1,483 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $270 $819 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $346 $1,108 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $349 $1,149 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $344 $1,116 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $303 $1,043 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $283.1 $985 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $264.1 $925 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $235.1 $843 $11,793 $14,877
1991 $189.8 $766 $12,230 $14,501
1990 $168.6 $685 $13,663 $14,812
1989 - - $13,312 -
1988 - - $13,759 -
1987 - - $12,331 -
1986 - - $9,428 -
1985 - - $7,601 -
1984 - - $6,714 -
1983 - - $7,598 -
1982 - - $7,656 -
1981 - - $7,814 -
1980 - - $7,467 -
1979 - - $6,668 -
1978 - - $5,937 -
1977 - - $4,951 -
1976 - - $4,374 -
1975 - - $4,172 -
1974 - - $4,611 -
1973 - - $4,323 -
1972 - - $3,295 -
1971 - - $2,773 -
1970 - - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/new-zealand | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,341, ranking 168/197, compared to $49,591 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

East Timor New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$1.9B
2025
$264B
2025
GDP rank
181/197
2025
53/197
2025
GDP growth
6.98%
2024-2025
0.46%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,341
2025
$49,591
2025
GDP per capita rank
168/197
2025
26/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
38/197
2024
Government debt
$273M
2025
$145B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
14.3%
2025
54.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$192.3
2025
$27,139
2025
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2025
27/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,644
2026
$36,222
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$103B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
93.9%
2025
41.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0.5%
2024-2025
2.84%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
5.26%
2025
Population
1446322
5380024

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 93.9% 14.3% 41.6% 54.7%
2024 98% 14.4% 41.7% 51.4%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 41% 47.3%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 41.7% 46.9%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 41.8% 47.5%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 41.9% 43.2%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 38.7% 31.8%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 36.4% 33.4%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 111% 1.52% 37.6% 34.2%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 38.6% 34.6%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 133.3% 0% 42.3% 34.7%
2010 121.3% 0% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 121.8% 0% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 122.4% 0% 38.4% 19%
2007 75.8% 0% 37% 16.3%
2006 59.8% 0% 37.8% 18.4%
2005 58.3% 0% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 74.2% 0% 36.1% 22.5%
2003 80.1% 0% 36.6% 24.7%
2002 93.5% 0% 36.7% 26.4%
2001 95.7% 0% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 - - 38.2% 30%
1999 - - 39.2% 32%
1998 - - 40.1% 34.5%
1997 - - 39.3% 34.6%
1996 - - 39.8% 37.3%
1995 - - 41.6% 43.5%
1994 - - 42.7% 48.9%
1993 - - 46.7% 54.6%
1992 - - 52.4% 58.7%
1991 - - 52.9% 58%
1990 - - 49.5% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2025, East Timor's government spending was $1.79B, accounting for 93.9% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $110B, or 41.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 14.3% in East Timor and 54.7% in New Zealand, ranking 178/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor New Zealand
2025 -48% -3.86%
2024 -47% -3.21%
2023 -34.7% -3.22%
2022 -29.5% -3.96%
2021 -20.1% -3.35%
2020 -18.9% -4.21%
2019 -25.4% -2.44%
2018 -26.9% 1.31%
2017 -33.8% 1.38%
2016 -55.7% 0.98%
2015 -33.2% 0.37%
2014 -37.5% -0.33%
2013 -14.4% -1.28%
2012 -38.7% -2.18%
2011 -25.4% -4.94%
2010 -19.8% -5.49%
2009 -17.2% -1.8%
2008 -18.6% 1.48%
2007 -29.9% 3.6%
2006 41% 4.62%
2005 -10.5% 5.13%
2004 -7.48% 4.49%
2003 -8.24% 3.69%
2002 -7.64% 2.56%
2001 3.24% 1.29%
2000 - 0.18%
1999 - -1.1%
1998 - -0.47%
1997 - 1.24%
1996 - 2.58%
1995 - 3.7%
1994 - 2%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - -6.25%
1991 - -6.12%
1990 - -2.72%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $10.2B, or 3.86% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 22.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.37% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor New Zealand
2025 0.5% 2.84%
2024 2.1% 2.92%
2023 8.4% 5.73%
2022 7% 7.17%
2021 3.8% 3.94%
2020 0.5% 1.71%
2019 0.9% 1.62%
2018 2.3% 1.6%
2017 0.5% 1.85%
2016 -1.5% 0.65%
2015 0.6% 0.29%
2014 0.8% 1.23%
2013 9.5% 1.13%
2012 10.9% 1.06%
2011 13.2% 4.03%
2010 5.2% 2.3%
2009 -0.2% 2.12%
2008 7.4% 3.96%
2007 8.6% 2.38%
2006 5.2% 3.37%
2005 1.6% 3.04%
2004 2.2% 2.29%
2003 8% 1.75%
2002 4.1% 2.68%
2001 3.6% 2.63%
2000 - 2.62%
1999 - -0.11%
1998 - 1.27%
1997 - 1.19%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 25 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.21%, compared with 2.57% in New Zealand. In 2025, inflation was 0.5% in East Timor and 2.84% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $272K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Miscellaneous $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.1M
Transport & tourism services $600K
Animal & marine products $558K
Textiles & consumer goods $105K
Chemicals & pharma $96K
Raw agricultural goods $79K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $50K
Wood & paper products $9K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

East Timor New Zealand
Current account balance
-$701M
2025
-$9.56B
2025
Current account balance ranking
109/190
2025
174/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-36.9%
2025
-3.62%
2025
Goods imports
$842M
2025
$48.2B
2025
Goods exports
$126M
2025
$47.2B
2025
Service imports
$475M
2025
$20.3B
2025
Service exports
$147M
2025
$19.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor New Zealand
Economic freedom 47.9 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 13/197
Property rights 43.5 85.4
Government integrity 43.9 90
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 95.9
Tax burden 97.1 66.1
Government spending 0 48
Fiscal health 19.6 72.2
Business freedom 62.7 89.1
Labor freedom 56.5 68.6
Monetary freedom 72.2 77.4
Trade freedom 79.8 90.6
Investment freedom 45 70
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor New Zealand
2026 47.9 77.8
2025 47.9 78.1
2024 50.2 77.8
2023 47.2 78.9
2022 46.3 80.6
2021 44.7 83.9
2020 45.9 84.1
2019 44.2 84.4
2018 48.1 84.2
2017 46.3 83.7
2016 45.8 81.6
2015 45.5 82.1
2014 43.2 81.2
2013 43.7 81.4
2012 43.3 82.1
2011 42.8 82.3
2010 45.8 82.1
2009 50.5 82
2008 - 80.7
2007 - 81.4
2006 - 82
2005 - 82.3
2004 - 81.5
2003 - 81.1
2002 - 80.7
2001 - 81.1
2000 - 80.9
1999 - 81.7
1998 - 79.2
1997 - 79
1996 - 78.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor New Zealand
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
68.2%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
19.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
4.01%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$2.14B
2025
$248B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,120
2025
$53,600
2025
Total reserves including gold
$851M
2025
$28.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
145/177
2025
59/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$253M
2025
-$3.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$225M
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$882M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
23.1%
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/new-zealand | 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 (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, 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.