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Economy of East Timor vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 181/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

East Timor vs Portugal GDP by year

East Timor
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Portugal
2024 $1,865,608,515 $313,271,185,085
2023 $2,079,767,170 $292,323,800,949
2022 $3,208,599,889 $256,898,677,175
2021 $3,625,024,341 $256,055,879,091
2020 $2,162,619,241 $229,618,773,423
2019 $2,032,550,389 $240,115,970,063
2018 $1,555,988,614 $242,092,894,543
2017 $1,584,878,440 $220,862,990,767
2016 $1,640,464,612 $206,305,431,242
2015 $1,590,282,371 $199,038,523,120
2014 $1,447,535,183 $230,078,616,300
2013 $1,395,727,421 $226,677,408,292
2012 $1,160,555,040 $216,536,676,772
2011 $1,042,534,598 $245,426,767,676
2010 $881,909,347 $238,443,864,993
2009 $726,937,836 $244,667,762,836
2008 $648,523,571 $263,416,394,624
2007 $542,795,447 $240,496,147,317
2006 $453,792,415 $208,756,449,276
2005 $462,267,954 $197,253,876,705
2004 $440,771,962 $189,382,122,532
2003 $490,439,116 $165,226,175,537
2002 $469,455,491 $134,795,565,549
2001 $477,359,253 $121,604,107,165
2000 $366,924,277 $118,605,192,877
1999 $225,357,600 $127,470,385,557
1998 $325,729,800 $123,946,327,916
1997 $319,972,700 $117,016,535,163
1996 $306,956,900 $122,630,089,680
1995 $262,819,900 $118,122,007,430
1994 $239,040,500 $99,688,641,304
1993 $216,914,400 $95,009,751,901
1992 $187,891,500 $107,592,098,307
1991 $147,713,000 $89,233,599,278
1990 $128,210,142 $78,713,860,217
1989 - $60,594,092,182
1988 - $56,347,250,696
1987 - $48,182,925,857
1986 - $38,745,901,354
1985 - $27,115,807,742
1984 - $25,217,969,050
1983 - $27,239,650,742
1982 - $30,527,754,793
1981 - $31,977,276,873
1980 - $32,896,519,824
1979 - $26,622,819,672
1978 - $23,487,614,051
1977 - $21,439,523,311
1976 - $20,332,831,565
1975 - $19,347,607,843
1974 - $17,512,391,476
1973 - $15,090,564,186
1972 - $11,239,117,865
1971 - $9,201,604,240
1970 - $8,108,235,704
1969 - $7,287,555,035
1968 - $6,644,693,214
1967 - $6,002,607,030
1966 - $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Portugal by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $939 $2,066 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $813 $1,955 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $687 $1,810 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $628 $1,675 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $540 $1,516 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $465 $1,377 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $487 $1,435 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $474 $1,379 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $535 $1,355 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $534 $1,417 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $588 $1,619 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $492 $1,483 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $270 $819 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $346 $1,108 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $349 $1,149 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $344 $1,116 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $303 $1,043 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $283.1 $985 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $264.1 $925 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $235.1 $843 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $189.8 $766 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $168.6 $685 $7,885 $11,780
1989 - - $6,056 -
1988 - - $5,624 -
1987 - - $4,804 -
1986 - - $3,862 -
1985 - - $2,705 -
1984 - - $2,523 -
1983 - - $2,735 -
1982 - - $3,080 -
1981 - - $3,246 -
1980 - - $3,368 -
1979 - - $2,756 -
1978 - - $2,457 -
1977 - - $2,267 -
1976 - - $2,173 -
1975 - - $2,128 -
1974 - - $2,000 -
1973 - - $1,748 -
1972 - - $1,302 -
1971 - - $1,065 -
1970 - - $934 -
1969 - - $832 -
1968 - - $752 -
1967 - - $676 -
1966 - - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

East Timor Portugal
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
6.43%
2024
Population
1441764
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 45.5% 126%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 48.2% 131%
2014 111% 1.52% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 50% 130.8%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 133.3% 0% 50% 114%
2010 121.3% 0% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 121.8% 0% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 122.4% 0% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 75.8% 0% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 59.8% 0% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 58.3% 0% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 74.2% 0% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 80.1% 0% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 93.5% 0% 44.2% 60%
2001 95.7% 0% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 - - 42.8% 54.2%
1999 - - 42.5% 55.4%
1998 - - 42.6% 55.6%
1997 - - 42.4% 58.7%
1996 - - 43% 63.3%
1995 - - 42.6% 62.2%
1994 - - 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 178/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Portugal
2024 -43.5% 0.7%
2023 -34.7% 1.21%
2022 -29.5% -0.31%
2021 -20.1% -2.83%
2020 -18.9% -5.75%
2019 -25.4% 0.12%
2018 -26.9% -0.43%
2017 -33.8% -3%
2016 -55.7% -1.94%
2015 -33.2% -4.37%
2014 -37.5% -7.32%
2013 -14.4% -5.21%
2012 -38.7% -6.2%
2011 -25.4% -7.73%
2010 -19.8% -11.4%
2009 -17.2% -9.87%
2008 -18.6% -3.81%
2007 -29.9% -2.91%
2006 41% -4.07%
2005 -10.5% -6.11%
2004 -7.48% -5.99%
2003 -8.24% -5.66%
2002 -7.64% -3.73%
2001 3.24% -4.73%
2000 - -3.35%
1999 - -2.99%
1998 - -4.3%
1997 - -3.65%
1996 - -4.63%
1995 - -5.14%
1994 - -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.22% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Portugal
2024 2.1% 2.42%
2023 8.4% 4.31%
2022 7% 7.83%
2021 3.8% 1.27%
2020 0.5% -0.01%
2019 0.9% 0.34%
2018 2.3% 0.99%
2017 0.5% 1.37%
2016 -1.5% 0.61%
2015 0.6% 0.49%
2014 0.8% -0.28%
2013 9.5% 0.27%
2012 10.9% 2.77%
2011 13.2% 3.65%
2010 5.2% 1.4%
2009 -0.2% -0.84%
2008 7.4% 2.59%
2007 8.6% 2.45%
2006 5.2% 3.11%
2005 1.6% 2.28%
2004 2.2% 2.37%
2003 8% 3.22%
2002 4.1% 3.6%
2001 3.6% 4.37%
2000 - 2.85%
1999 - 2.34%
1998 - 2.57%
1997 - 2.34%

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/portugal | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 2.11% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.79M
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Metals $15K
Wood & paper products $5K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.39M
Wood & paper products $622K
Machinery & equipment $483K
Animal & marine products $445K
Chemicals & pharma $147K
Raw agricultural goods $86K
Textiles & consumer goods $69K
Metals $68K
Precious metals & jewellery $38K
Weapons & explosives $16K

Balance of trade

East Timor Portugal
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Portugal
Economic freedom 47.9 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 33/197
Property rights 43.5 88.9
Government integrity 43.9 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 90.1
Tax burden 97.1 60.6
Government spending 0 44.6
Fiscal health 19.6 82
Business freedom 62.7 83.1
Labor freedom 56.5 54.8
Monetary freedom 72.2 77.7
Trade freedom 79.8 79.4
Investment freedom 45 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Portugal
2026 47.9 71.2
2025 47.9 70.5
2024 50.2 68.7
2023 47.2 69.5
2022 46.3 70.8
2021 44.7 67.5
2020 45.9 67
2019 44.2 65.3
2018 48.1 63.4
2017 46.3 62.6
2016 45.8 65.1
2015 45.5 65.3
2014 43.2 63.5
2013 43.7 63.1
2012 43.3 63
2011 42.8 64
2010 45.8 64.4
2009 50.5 64.9
2008 - 63.9
2007 - 64
2006 - 62.9
2005 - 62.4
2004 - 64.9
2003 - 64.9
2002 - 65.4
2001 - 66
2000 - 65.5
1999 - 65.6
1998 - 65
1997 - 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Portugal
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
20.4%
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/portugal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.