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Economy of East Timor vs Switzerland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $937B for Switzerland, ranking 181/197 and 20/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $351B (37.5% of GDP) in Switzerland.

East Timor vs Switzerland GDP by year

East Timor
Switzerland
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Switzerland
2024 $1,865,608,515 $936,564,198,049
2023 $2,079,767,170 $894,424,821,645
2022 $3,208,599,889 $828,508,926,958
2021 $3,625,024,341 $815,309,330,987
2020 $2,162,619,241 $741,999,406,006
2019 $2,032,550,389 $721,369,112,727
2018 $1,555,988,614 $725,568,717,468
2017 $1,584,878,440 $695,200,833,086
2016 $1,640,464,612 $687,895,460,903
2015 $1,590,282,371 $694,118,186,380
2014 $1,447,535,183 $726,537,808,338
2013 $1,395,727,421 $706,234,937,371
2012 $1,160,555,040 $686,420,221,558
2011 $1,042,534,598 $715,888,126,682
2010 $881,909,347 $598,851,028,907
2009 $726,937,836 $554,212,916,092
2008 $648,523,571 $567,267,767,519
2007 $542,795,447 $490,740,715,595
2006 $453,792,415 $441,634,672,197
2005 $462,267,954 $418,284,865,885
2004 $440,771,962 $403,912,891,033
2003 $490,439,116 $362,075,086,508
2002 $469,455,491 $309,301,422,430
2001 $477,359,253 $286,582,672,434
2000 $366,924,277 $279,216,033,870
1999 $225,357,600 $297,873,643,323
1998 $325,729,800 $303,459,014,347
1997 $319,972,700 $294,788,198,856
1996 $306,956,900 $340,103,959,547
1995 $262,819,900 $352,835,806,342
1994 $239,040,500 $301,375,055,202
1993 $216,914,400 $272,237,527,071
1992 $187,891,500 $279,921,425,828
1991 $147,713,000 $268,901,693,863
1990 $128,210,142 $265,763,573,999
1989 - $208,105,846,934
1988 - $215,540,625,299
1987 - $199,236,370,038
1986 - $159,089,921,063
1985 - $110,980,314,192
1984 - $109,455,312,168
1983 - $114,634,358,535
1982 - $115,043,365,512
1981 - $112,244,805,519
1980 - $122,557,843,886
1979 - $114,970,094,425
1978 - $102,280,472,036
1977 - $73,135,771,167
1976 - $68,476,524,644
1975 - $65,466,081,819
1974 - $57,103,011,446
1973 - $49,550,006,320
1972 - $36,844,318,854
1971 - $30,040,171,751
1970 - $24,998,066,773
1969 - $22,442,043,274
1968 - $20,712,102,794
1967 - $19,397,044,714
1966 - $18,019,402,374
1965 - $16,780,226,225
1964 - $15,833,133,858
1963 - $14,283,872,299
1962 - $12,989,649,694
1961 - $11,713,348,834
1960 - $10,412,232,621

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

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

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Switzerland by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Switzerland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Switzerland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $103,998 $96,498
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $100,624 $95,142
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $94,395 $94,421
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $93,665 $81,001
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $85,898 $72,998
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $84,122 $73,732
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $85,217 $70,689
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $82,254 $68,194
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $82,153 $67,351
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $83,806 $65,265
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $88,725 $63,417
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $87,304 $61,656
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $85,836 $59,441
2011 $939 $2,066 $90,477 $57,494
2010 $813 $1,955 $76,531 $54,426
2009 $687 $1,810 $71,568 $52,999
2008 $628 $1,675 $74,175 $53,809
2007 $540 $1,516 $64,989 $50,928
2006 $465 $1,377 $59,011 $46,266
2005 $487 $1,435 $56,243 $41,525
2004 $474 $1,379 $54,659 $40,171
2003 $535 $1,355 $49,336 $38,732
2002 $534 $1,417 $42,459 $38,705
2001 $588 $1,619 $39,639 $37,819
2000 $492 $1,483 $38,865 $36,703
1999 $270 $819 $41,696 $34,743
1998 $346 $1,108 $42,681 $33,860
1997 $349 $1,149 $41,584 $32,736
1996 $344 $1,116 $48,093 $31,509
1995 $303 $1,043 $50,114 $30,842
1994 $283.1 $985 $43,092 $30,265
1993 $264.1 $925 $39,237 $29,495
1992 $235.1 $843 $40,714 $29,113
1991 $189.8 $766 $39,544 $28,792
1990 $168.6 $685 $39,575 $28,461
1989 - - $31,309 -
1988 - - $32,690 -
1987 - - $30,441 -
1986 - - $24,460 -
1985 - - $17,152 -
1984 - - $16,991 -
1983 - - $17,859 -
1982 - - $18,000 -
1981 - - $17,665 -
1980 - - $19,394 -
1979 - - $18,266 -
1978 - - $16,282 -
1977 - - $11,644 -
1976 - - $10,865 -
1975 - - $10,328 -
1974 - - $9,005 -
1973 - - $7,856 -
1972 - - $5,885 -
1971 - - $4,835 -
1970 - - $4,044 -
1969 - - $3,657 -
1968 - - $3,413 -
1967 - - $3,237 -
1966 - - $3,045 -
1965 - - $2,865 -
1964 - - $2,735 -
1963 - - $2,508 -
1962 - - $2,330 -
1961 - - $2,155 -
1960 - - $1,954 -

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

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $103,998 in Switzerland, ranking 5/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Switzerland ranks 8th at $96,498.

Economic indicators

East Timor Switzerland
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$937B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
20/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
1.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$103,998
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
5/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$96,498
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
8/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$351B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
37.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$39,021
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
15/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$85,867
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.97T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,119,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
26.6%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
31.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
1.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
4.34%
2024
Population
1441764
9107866

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Switzerland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Switzerland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 31.9% 37.5%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 32.1% 38.7%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 31.6% 37.2%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 34.4% 41%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 37% 43.2%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 32% 39.6%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 31.7% 39.8%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 32.4% 41.8%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 32.4% 40.9%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 32.5% 42.2%
2014 111% 1.52% 32.2% 42.1%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 32.5% 41.9%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 31.7% 42.6%
2011 133.3% 0% 31.4% 41.9%
2010 121.3% 0% 31.4% 41.5%
2009 121.8% 0% 31.8% 43.1%
2008 122.4% 0% 30% 44.8%
2007 75.8% 0% 29.4% 44.8%
2006 59.8% 0% 30.5% 48.5%
2005 58.3% 0% 32.4% 54.9%
2004 74.2% 0% 33.1% 57.8%
2003 80.1% 0% 33.2% 56.9%
2002 93.5% 0% 34.1% 57.7%
2001 95.7% 0% 31.6% 51.1%
2000 - - 32.2% 52.2%
1999 - - 33.2% 52.7%
1998 - - 32.7% 55.9%
1997 - - 32.9% 53.7%
1996 - - 33% 51.3%
1995 - - 32.4% 50%
1994 - - 32.5% 47.1%
1993 - - 32.5% 44.4%
1992 - - 31.3% 39.5%
1991 - - 29.5% 35.1%
1990 - - 27.6% 33.3%
1989 - - 30% 32.5%
1988 - - 30.3% 35%
1987 - - 29.8% 36.5%
1986 - - 29.8% 37.6%
1985 - - 30.1% 39.1%
1984 - - 30.4% 39.8%
1983 - - 31.2% 40.2%
1982 - - 30.5% 40%
1981 - - 29.4% 40.8%
1980 - - 29.9% 43.9%
1979 - - 30.5% 44.6%
1978 - - 30.4% 46.6%
1977 - - 31% 46.9%
1976 - - 31.6% 46.7%
1975 - - 29.3% 42.3%
1974 - - 27.5% 38.4%
1973 - - 26.5% 37%
1972 - - 25.7% 38%
1971 - - 25.4% 38.7%
1970 - - 25.8% 38.9%
1969 - - 9.45% 7.08%
1968 - - 8.87% 6.99%
1967 - - 8.68% 7.26%
1966 - - 8.95% 7.62%
1965 - - 8.33% 8.28%
1964 - - 8.85% 9.43%
1963 - - 8.2% 10.8%
1962 - - 8.1% 12%
1961 - - 7.97% 14%
1960 - - 7.11% 16.2%

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/switzerland | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Switzerland spent $299B, or 31.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 37.5% in Switzerland, ranking 178/185 and 141/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Switzerland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Switzerland
2024 -43.5% 0.58%
2023 -34.7% 0.12%
2022 -29.5% 1.19%
2021 -20.1% -0.29%
2020 -18.9% -3.01%
2019 -25.4% 1.34%
2018 -26.9% 1.29%
2017 -33.8% 1.13%
2016 -55.7% 0.24%
2015 -33.2% 0.55%
2014 -37.5% -0.25%
2013 -14.4% -0.43%
2012 -38.7% 0.24%
2011 -25.4% 0.68%
2010 -19.8% 0.35%
2009 -17.2% 0.5%
2008 -18.6% 1.93%
2007 -29.9% 1.57%
2006 41% 0.85%
2005 -10.5% -0.65%
2004 -7.48% -1.39%
2003 -8.24% -1.36%
2002 -7.64% -1.75%
2001 3.24% 0.21%
2000 - 0.28%
1999 - -1.57%
1998 - -1.31%
1997 - -2.33%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -1.86%
1994 - -2.59%
1993 - -3.15%
1992 - -2.96%
1991 - -1.85%
1990 - -0.05%
1989 - 0.2%
1988 - 0.42%
1987 - 0.78%
1986 - 0.93%
1985 - -0.25%
1984 - -0.52%
1983 - -1.23%
1982 - -1.21%
1981 - -0.54%
1980 - -1.34%
1979 - -1.79%
1978 - -1.12%
1977 - -1.64%
1976 - -1.89%
1975 - -0.93%
1974 - -1.01%
1973 - -0.93%
1972 - -1.39%
1971 - -1.41%
1970 - -1.44%
1969 - -0.98%
1968 - -0.73%
1967 - -1.07%
1966 - -0.87%
1965 - 0.05%
1964 - 0.77%
1963 - 0.25%
1962 - 0.95%
1961 - 0.34%
1960 - 1.95%
1959 - 0.72%
1958 - 0.59%
1957 - 0.66%
1956 - 2.24%
1955 - 1.1%
1954 - 1.44%
1953 - 0.38%
1952 - -1.17%
1951 - -0.36%
1950 - 1.49%
1949 - 0.04%
1948 - 1.37%
1947 - 1.27%
1946 - 0.52%
1945 - -7.57%
1944 - -9.37%
1943 - -8.55%
1942 - -7.28%
1941 - -8.78%
1940 - -10%
1939 - -5.05%
1938 - -1.53%
1937 - -0.17%
1936 - -0.33%
1935 - -0.23%
1934 - -0.33%
1933 - -0.88%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.03%
1930 - 0.07%
1929 - 0.22%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -
1925 - -
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.12%
1912 - 0.03%
1911 - -0.006%
1910 - -0.14%
1909 - -0.78%
1908 - -0.1%
1907 - -0.02%
1906 - 0.15%
1905 - 0.41%
1904 - 0.002%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - 0.02%
1901 - -0.14%
1900 - -0.07%
1899 - 0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/switzerland | 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 Switzerland's surplus of $5.4B, or 0.58% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Switzerland ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.15% of GDP for Switzerland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Switzerland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Switzerland
2024 2.1% 1.06%
2023 8.4% 2.14%
2022 7% 2.84%
2021 3.8% 0.58%
2020 0.5% -0.73%
2019 0.9% 0.36%
2018 2.3% 0.94%
2017 0.5% 0.53%
2016 -1.5% -0.43%
2015 0.6% -1.14%
2014 0.8% -0.01%
2013 9.5% -0.22%
2012 10.9% -0.69%
2011 13.2% 0.23%
2010 5.2% 0.69%
2009 -0.2% -0.48%
2008 7.4% 2.43%
2007 8.6% 0.73%
2006 5.2% 1.06%
2005 1.6% 1.17%
2004 2.2% 0.8%
2003 8% 0.64%
2002 4.1% 0.64%
2001 3.6% 0.99%
2000 - 1.56%
1999 - 0.81%
1998 - 0.02%
1997 - 0.52%

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/switzerland | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 0.59% in Switzerland. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 1.06% in Switzerland.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $106K
Switzerland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $199K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
Metals $5K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

East Timor Switzerland
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
10/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+7.69%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$371B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$502B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$203B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$186B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
61.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
72.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Switzerland
Economic freedom 47.9 83.7
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 2/197
Property rights 43.5 94.4
Government integrity 43.9 93.3
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 98.3
Tax burden 97.1 70.9
Government spending 0 69.5
Fiscal health 19.6 97.2
Business freedom 62.7 86.3
Labor freedom 56.5 60
Monetary freedom 72.2 82.3
Trade freedom 79.8 87
Investment freedom 45 85
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Switzerland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Switzerland
2026 47.9 83.7
2025 47.9 83.7
2024 50.2 83
2023 47.2 83.8
2022 46.3 84.2
2021 44.7 81.9
2020 45.9 82
2019 44.2 81.9
2018 48.1 81.7
2017 46.3 81.5
2016 45.8 81
2015 45.5 80.5
2014 43.2 81.6
2013 43.7 81
2012 43.3 81.1
2011 42.8 81.9
2010 45.8 81.1
2009 50.5 79.4
2008 - 79.5
2007 - 78
2006 - 78.9
2005 - 79.3
2004 - 79.5
2003 - 79
2002 - 79.3
2001 - 76
2000 - 76.8
1999 - 79.1
1998 - 79
1997 - 78.6
1996 - 76.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 83.7 for Switzerland, ranking 2/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Switzerland
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
72%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
24.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
0.63%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$857B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$93,420
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$909B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
4/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$59.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
-$108B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
-$27.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
15.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
27%
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/switzerland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1899–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.