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Economy of East Timor vs Papua New Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $31.8B for Papua New Guinea, ranking 181/197 and 110/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $16.6B (52.1% of GDP) in Papua New Guinea.

East Timor vs Papua New Guinea GDP by year

East Timor
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Papua New Guinea
2024 $1,865,608,515 $31,800,428,266
2023 $2,079,767,170 $30,816,367,067
2022 $3,208,599,889 $31,653,185,953
2021 $3,625,024,341 $26,109,413,521
2020 $2,162,619,241 $23,848,447,850
2019 $2,032,550,389 $24,750,626,030
2018 $1,555,988,614 $24,109,780,708
2017 $1,584,878,440 $22,742,699,138
2016 $1,640,464,612 $20,758,876,953
2015 $1,590,282,371 $21,723,437,010
2014 $1,447,535,183 $23,210,823,987
2013 $1,395,727,421 $21,261,338,065
2012 $1,160,555,040 $21,295,168,666
2011 $1,042,534,598 $17,985,138,066
2010 $881,909,347 $14,250,786,675
2009 $726,937,836 $11,619,456,449
2008 $648,523,571 $11,670,892,801
2007 $542,795,447 $9,545,028,944
2006 $453,792,415 $8,354,911,041
2005 $462,267,954 $4,865,892,972
2004 $440,771,962 $3,927,157,867
2003 $490,439,116 $3,536,411,824
2002 $469,455,491 $2,999,511,040
2001 $477,359,253 $3,081,024,212
2000 $366,924,277 $3,521,339,699
1999 $225,357,600 $3,477,038,204
1998 $325,729,800 $3,789,443,015
1997 $319,972,700 $4,936,615,299
1996 $306,956,900 $5,155,311,077
1995 $262,819,900 $4,636,057,476
1994 $239,040,500 $5,502,786,070
1993 $216,914,400 $4,974,550,286
1992 $187,891,500 $4,377,980,510
1991 $147,713,000 $3,787,394,958
1990 $128,210,142 $3,219,729,083
1989 - $3,546,472,566
1988 - $3,656,177,881
1987 - $3,143,851,794
1986 - $2,647,995,602
1985 - $2,423,339,172
1984 - $2,552,662,617
1983 - $2,562,351,551
1982 - $2,368,719,683
1981 - $2,498,190,847
1980 - $2,545,808,456
1979 - $2,293,760,511
1978 - $1,947,878,831
1977 - $1,640,746,619
1976 - $1,511,843,235
1975 - $1,356,603,608
1974 - $1,467,417,672
1973 - $1,299,079,410
1972 - $858,761,926
1971 - $717,750,278
1970 - $645,568,215
1969 - $551,263,864
1968 - $485,184,190
1967 - $441,728,183
1966 - $390,992,063
1965 - $344,176,055
1964 - $305,312,049
1963 - $275,968,044
1962 - $261,184,042
1961 - $244,832,039
1960 - $230,496,037

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

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

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Papua New Guinea by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Papua New Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $3,007 $4,875
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $2,966 $4,668
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $3,102 $4,420
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $2,608 $3,977
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $2,430 $3,900
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $2,576 $4,060
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $2,566 $3,910
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $2,478 $3,923
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $2,316 $3,813
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $2,485 $3,670
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $2,723 $3,500
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $2,561 $3,110
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $2,635 $3,026
2011 $939 $2,066 $2,288 $2,919
2010 $813 $1,955 $1,867 $2,912
2009 $687 $1,810 $1,569 $2,692
2008 $628 $1,675 $1,625 $2,583
2007 $540 $1,516 $1,371 $2,622
2006 $465 $1,377 $1,238 $2,444
2005 $487 $1,435 $744 $2,322
2004 $474 $1,379 $621 $2,187
2003 $535 $1,355 $577 $2,142
2002 $534 $1,417 $506 $2,125
2001 $588 $1,619 $538 $2,168
2000 $492 $1,483 $636 $2,196
1999 $270 $819 $650 $2,280
1998 $346 $1,108 $733 $2,285
1997 $349 $1,149 $990 $2,432
1996 $344 $1,116 $1,071 $2,578
1995 $303 $1,043 $998 $2,436
1994 $283.1 $985 $1,228 $2,558
1993 $264.1 $925 $1,151 $2,451
1992 $235.1 $843 $1,051 $2,100
1991 $189.8 $766 $942 $1,869
1990 $168.6 $685 $826 $1,703
1989 - - $934 -
1988 - - $985 -
1987 - - $865 -
1986 - - $745 -
1985 - - $697 -
1984 - - $750 -
1983 - - $769 -
1982 - - $726 -
1981 - - $781 -
1980 - - $813 -
1979 - - $748 -
1978 - - $648 -
1977 - - $558 -
1976 - - $525 -
1975 - - $482 -
1974 - - $533 -
1973 - - $483 -
1972 - - $327 -
1971 - - $279.7 -
1970 - - $257.6 -
1969 - - $225.3 -
1968 - - $202.9 -
1967 - - $189 -
1966 - - $171.1 -
1965 - - $153.9 -
1964 - - $139.5 -
1963 - - $128.9 -
1962 - - $124.7 -
1961 - - $119.7 -
1960 - - $115.5 -

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

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $3,007 in Papua New Guinea, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Papua New Guinea ranks 159th at $4,875.

Economic indicators

East Timor Papua New Guinea
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
110/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
3.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$3,007
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
140/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$4,875
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
159/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$16.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
52.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$1,566
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
129/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$2,362
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.68B
2017
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
31%
2009
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
1.9%
2009
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
0.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
2.69%
2022
Population
1441764
11002753

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Papua New Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Papua New Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 20.4% 52.1%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 22.3% 53.9%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 21.9% 48.2%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 22% 52.6%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 23.5% 48.7%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 21.3% 38.2%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 20.3% 36.7%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 18.4% 32.5%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 20.9% 33.7%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 22.8% 29.9%
2014 111% 1.52% 27.1% 26.9%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 27.6% 24.9%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 22.4% 19.1%
2011 133.3% 0% 19.7% 16.3%
2010 121.3% 0% 18.4% 17.3%
2009 121.8% 0% 24.7% 21.7%
2008 122.4% 0% 19.8% 21.6%
2007 75.8% 0% 18% 22.2%
2006 59.8% 0% 19.4% 26%
2005 58.3% 0% 20.6% 31.6%
2004 74.2% 0% 19.4% 37.2%
2003 80.1% 0% 18.7% 40.4%
2002 93.5% 0% 20.8% 48.4%
2001 95.7% 0% 21.6% 47.7%
2000 - - 20.5% 42.3%
1999 - - 21.4% 41.8%
1998 - - 20% 45.7%
1997 - - 20.6% 43.9%
1996 - - 17.6% 37.8%
1995 - - 17.1% 36.6%
1994 - - 19.3% 40.1%
1993 - - 23.5% 30%
1992 - - 22.8% 30.4%
1991 - - 22.4% -
1990 - - 24.5% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Papua New Guinea spent $6.48B, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 52.1% in Papua New Guinea, ranking 178/185 and 100/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Papua New Guinea
2024 -43.5% -3.23%
2023 -34.7% -4.34%
2022 -29.5% -5.25%
2021 -20.1% -6.84%
2020 -18.9% -8.85%
2019 -25.4% -4.98%
2018 -26.9% -2.58%
2017 -33.8% -2.47%
2016 -55.7% -4.75%
2015 -33.2% -4.55%
2014 -37.5% -6.27%
2013 -14.4% -6.87%
2012 -38.7% -1.19%
2011 -25.4% 2.22%
2010 -19.8% 3.06%
2009 -17.2% -5.48%
2008 -18.6% 2.73%
2007 -29.9% 6.9%
2006 41% 5.34%
2005 -10.5% 2.85%
2004 -7.48% 2.03%
2003 -8.24% 0.19%
2002 -7.64% -1.75%
2001 3.24% -1.33%
2000 - 0.3%
1999 - -1.94%
1998 - -0.16%
1997 - 0.67%
1996 - 2.05%
1995 - 1.08%
1994 - -1.01%
1993 - -4.9%
1992 - -4.33%
1991 - -0.62%
1990 - -2.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/papua-new-guinea | 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 Papua New Guinea's deficit of $1.03B, or 3.23% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Papua New Guinea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.89% of GDP for Papua New Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Papua New Guinea
2024 2.1% 0.6%
2023 8.4% 2.3%
2022 7% 5.25%
2021 3.8% 4.48%
2020 0.5% 4.87%
2019 0.9% 3.93%
2018 2.3% 4.37%
2017 0.5% 5.42%
2016 -1.5% 6.67%
2015 0.6% 6%
2014 0.8% 5.22%
2013 9.5% 4.96%
2012 10.9% 4.54%
2011 13.2% 4.44%
2010 5.2% 6.01%
2009 -0.2% 6.92%
2008 7.4% 10.8%
2007 8.6% 0.91%
2006 5.2% 2.37%
2005 1.6% 1.78%
2004 2.2% 2.16%
2003 8% 14.7%
2002 4.1% 11.8%
2001 3.6% 9.3%
2000 - 15.6%
1999 - 14.9%
1998 - 13.6%
1997 - 3.96%

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/papua-new-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 5.41% in Papua New Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 0.6% in Papua New Guinea.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $127K
Animal & marine products $13K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Miscellaneous $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Metals $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Papua New Guinea
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $29K
Machinery & equipment $22K
Metals $3K
Miscellaneous $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

East Timor Papua New Guinea
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$4.77B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
33/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+15%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$4.69B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$13.4B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$75.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
58.9%
2004
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
72.2%
2004

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Papua New Guinea
Economic freedom 47.9 54.3
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 134/197
Property rights 43.5 45
Government integrity 43.9 30.8
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 41.1
Tax burden 97.1 70.9
Government spending 0 86.1
Fiscal health 19.6 65.3
Business freedom 62.7 34.2
Labor freedom 56.5 65.1
Monetary freedom 72.2 77.4
Trade freedom 79.8 80.2
Investment freedom 45 25
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Papua New Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Papua New Guinea
2026 47.9 54.3
2025 47.9 52.5
2024 50.2 49.4
2023 47.2 51.7
2022 46.3 54.6
2021 44.7 58.9
2020 45.9 58.4
2019 44.2 58.4
2018 48.1 55.7
2017 46.3 50.9
2016 45.8 53.2
2015 45.5 53.1
2014 43.2 53.9
2013 43.7 53.6
2012 43.3 53.8
2011 42.8 52.6
2010 45.8 53.5
2009 50.5 54.8
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - -
2002 - -
2001 - 57.2
2000 - 55.8
1999 - 56.3
1998 - 55.2
1997 - 56.7
1996 - 58.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 54.3 for Papua New Guinea, ranking 134/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Papua New Guinea
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
41.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
37.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
17.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$30.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$4,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$3.9B
2023
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
107/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$968M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
-$198M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$770M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
19.7%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
39.9%
2009
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
20%
2004

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/papua-new-guinea | 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 (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1992–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.