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Economy of East Timor vs Thailand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $527B for Thailand, ranking 181/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $333B (63.2% of GDP) in Thailand.

East Timor vs Thailand GDP by year

East Timor
Thailand
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor Thailand
2024 $1,865,608,515 $526,517,658,842
2023 $2,079,767,170 $515,906,283,941
2022 $3,208,599,889 $495,644,697,588
2021 $3,625,024,341 $506,194,668,790
2020 $2,162,619,241 $500,461,898,480
2019 $2,032,550,389 $543,976,691,794
2018 $1,555,988,614 $506,754,208,404
2017 $1,584,878,440 $456,356,813,537
2016 $1,640,464,612 $413,366,349,748
2015 $1,590,282,371 $401,296,238,228
2014 $1,447,535,183 $407,339,040,198
2013 $1,395,727,421 $420,333,654,593
2012 $1,160,555,040 $397,558,325,279
2011 $1,042,534,598 $370,818,739,624
2010 $881,909,347 $341,104,766,329
2009 $726,937,836 $281,710,630,187
2008 $648,523,571 $291,382,982,431
2007 $542,795,447 $262,942,621,455
2006 $453,792,415 $221,758,296,022
2005 $462,267,954 $189,318,408,469
2004 $440,771,962 $172,895,685,155
2003 $490,439,116 $152,280,615,246
2002 $469,455,491 $134,300,904,400
2001 $477,359,253 $120,296,476,180
2000 $366,924,277 $126,392,224,254
1999 $225,357,600 $126,669,211,779
1998 $325,729,800 $113,675,596,788
1997 $319,972,700 $150,180,456,566
1996 $306,956,900 $183,035,237,429
1995 $262,819,900 $169,278,916,593
1994 $239,040,500 $146,683,778,959
1993 $216,914,400 $128,889,262,951
1992 $187,891,500 $111,452,746,518
1991 $147,713,000 $98,234,714,971
1990 $128,210,142 $85,343,190,719
1989 - $72,250,748,100
1988 - $61,667,253,471
1987 - $50,535,446,555
1986 - $43,096,773,981
1985 - $38,900,711,333
1984 - $41,797,647,776
1983 - $40,042,798,388
1982 - $36,589,772,404
1981 - $34,846,039,194
1980 - $32,353,514,989
1979 - $27,371,650,825
1978 - $24,006,566,637
1977 - $19,779,312,261
1976 - $16,985,208,648
1975 - $14,882,770,594
1974 - $13,702,998,512
1973 - $10,838,587,358
1972 - $8,177,873,151
1971 - $7,375,000,024
1970 - $7,086,538,438
1969 - $6,695,336,567
1968 - $6,081,009,428
1967 - $5,638,461,442
1966 - $5,279,230,817
1965 - $4,388,937,649
1964 - $3,889,129,942
1963 - $3,540,403,457
1962 - $3,308,912,797
1961 - $3,034,037,811
1960 - $2,760,750,861

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

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

GDP per capita in East Timor vs Thailand by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Thailand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor Thailand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $7,347 $24,712
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $7,195 $23,519
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $6,909 $22,243
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $7,057 $20,243
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $6,986 $19,164
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $7,606 $19,963
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $7,100 $18,876
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $6,413 $17,573
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $5,834 $16,671
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $5,689 $15,791
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $5,801 $15,365
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $6,018 $15,216
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $5,726 $14,617
2011 $939 $2,066 $5,374 $13,227
2010 $813 $1,955 $4,974 $12,932
2009 $687 $1,810 $4,135 $11,964
2008 $628 $1,675 $4,309 $12,062
2007 $540 $1,516 $3,919 $11,723
2006 $465 $1,377 $3,331 $10,912
2005 $487 $1,435 $2,868 $10,169
2004 $474 $1,379 $2,642 $9,545
2003 $535 $1,355 $2,348 $8,824
2002 $534 $1,417 $2,090 $8,148
2001 $588 $1,619 $1,890 $7,632
2000 $492 $1,483 $2,006 $7,289
1999 $270 $819 $2,033 $6,901
1998 $346 $1,108 $1,848 $6,590
1997 $349 $1,149 $2,473 $7,148
1996 $344 $1,116 $3,055 $7,322
1995 $303 $1,043 $2,864 $6,901
1994 $283.1 $985 $2,518 $6,341
1993 $264.1 $925 $2,245 $5,834
1992 $235.1 $843 $1,972 $5,347
1991 $189.8 $766 $1,766 $4,914
1990 $168.6 $685 $1,559 $4,451
1989 - - $1,342 -
1988 - - $1,164 -
1987 - - $970 -
1986 - - $842 -
1985 - - $774 -
1984 - - $847 -
1983 - - $827 -
1982 - - $770 -
1981 - - $748 -
1980 - - $709 -
1979 - - $612 -
1978 - - $548 -
1977 - - $462 -
1976 - - $405 -
1975 - - $364 -
1974 - - $343 -
1973 - - $278.3 -
1972 - - $215.6 -
1971 - - $199.7 -
1970 - - $197.1 -
1969 - - $191.4 -
1968 - - $178.8 -
1967 - - $170.7 -
1966 - - $164.5 -
1965 - - $140.9 -
1964 - - $128.6 -
1963 - - $120.7 -
1962 - - $116.2 -
1961 - - $109.7 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

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

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

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $7,347 in Thailand, ranking 100/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while Thailand ranks 85th at $24,712.

Economic indicators

East Timor Thailand
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$527B
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
31/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
2.54%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$7,347
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$24,712
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
85/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$333B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
63.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$4,643
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
84/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$6,733
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$520B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
100,001
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
25
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
26.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
3.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
22.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
1.37%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
0.78%
2024
Population
1441764
71571743

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
Thailand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor Thailand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 22.7% 63.2%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 22.8% 62.3%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 24.7% 60.5%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 26.8% 58.3%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 24.9% 49.4%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 20.6% 41.1%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 21.2% 41.9%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 21.5% 41.8%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 21.4% 41.7%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 22.3% 42.6%
2014 111% 1.52% 22.2% 43.3%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 21.6% 42.2%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 22.3% 41.9%
2011 133.3% 0% 21.1% 39.1%
2010 121.3% 0% 22% 39.8%
2009 121.8% 0% 21.7% 42.4%
2008 122.4% 0% 19.2% 34.9%
2007 75.8% 0% 20% 36%
2006 59.8% 0% 18.7% 39.2%
2005 58.3% 0% 19.6% 45.5%
2004 74.2% 0% 19.3% 46.3%
2003 80.1% 0% 18.3% 47.5%
2002 93.5% 0% 25.7% 54.9%
2001 95.7% 0% 20.8% 57.5%
2000 - - 19.3% 57.8%
1999 - - 26.5% 56.6%
1998 - - 23.9% 49.9%
1997 - - 21.6% 40.5%
1996 - - 18% 15.2%
1995 - - 17.2% 5.12%
1994 - - 16% 6.69%
1993 - - 18.8% 9.14%
1992 - - 17.8% 11.4%
1991 - - 17% 14.1%
1990 - - 16.6% 18%
1989 - - 16.5% 23.7%
1988 - - 15.1% 30.3%
1987 - - 17.5% 38.8%
1986 - - 19.5% 40.1%
1985 - - 20.5% 36.8%
1984 - - 19.3% 30.6%
1983 - - 19.5% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.2% 27.1%
1981 - - 19.1% 24.4%
1980 - - 18.7% 22.1%
1979 - - 16.9% 23.7%
1978 - - 16.6% 22.8%
1977 - - 16.1% 22.4%
1976 - - 15.6% 22%
1975 - - 14.2% 15.8%
1974 - - 13.2% 16.3%
1973 - - 15.9% 21.2%
1972 - - 18.5% 26.8%
1971 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1970 - - 17.6% 18.5%
1969 - - 15.9% 17.7%
1968 - - 16% 15.5%
1967 - - 15.5% 15%
1966 - - 14.7% 14.4%
1965 - - 14.7% 14.8%
1964 - - 13.3% 13.3%
1963 - - 12% 12.6%
1962 - - 11.9% 13.4%
1961 - - 9.58% 12.9%
1960 - - 12.1% 14.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while Thailand spent $120B, or 22.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 63.2% in Thailand, ranking 178/185 and 74/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

Thailand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor Thailand
2024 -43.5% -1.29%
2023 -34.7% -1.98%
2022 -29.5% -4.61%
2021 -20.1% -6.74%
2020 -18.9% -4.47%
2019 -25.4% 0.43%
2018 -26.9% 0.2%
2017 -33.8% -0.42%
2016 -55.7% 0.41%
2015 -33.2% 0.19%
2014 -37.5% -0.7%
2013 -14.4% 0.6%
2012 -38.7% -0.86%
2011 -25.4% 0.09%
2010 -19.8% -1.07%
2009 -17.2% -2.21%
2008 -18.6% 0.8%
2007 -29.9% 0.22%
2006 41% 1.87%
2005 -10.5% 2.17%
2004 -7.48% 1.11%
2003 -8.24% 1.98%
2002 -7.64% -6.72%
2001 3.24% -1.77%
2000 - -1.79%
1999 - -9.02%
1998 - -6.29%
1997 - -1.68%
1996 - 2.75%
1995 - 3.05%
1994 - 2.78%
1993 - 6.67%
1992 - -0.18%
1991 - 1.6%
1990 - 1.41%
1989 - 0.16%
1988 - 0.58%
1987 - -2.38%
1986 - -4.32%
1985 - -5.11%
1984 - -3.85%
1983 - -4.02%
1982 - -6.18%
1981 - -4.07%
1980 - -4.41%
1979 - -3.62%
1978 - -3.31%
1977 - -2.91%
1976 - -3.35%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 1.29%
1973 - -2.7%
1972 - -4.81%
1971 - -5.47%
1970 - -3.73%
1969 - -2.53%
1968 - -2.79%
1967 - -2.1%
1966 - -1.13%
1965 - -1.05%
1964 - -1.01%
1963 - -0.81%
1962 - -0.27%
1961 - 0.05%
1960 - 0.48%
1959 - -1.15%
1958 - -0.91%
1957 - -1.31%
1956 - -1.38%
1955 - -1.65%
1954 - -3.46%
1953 - -3.56%
1952 - -2.4%
1951 - -3.54%
1950 - -0.7%
1949 - 0.7%
1948 - -0.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/thailand | 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 Thailand's deficit of $6.81B, or 1.29% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Thailand ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.95% of GDP for Thailand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

Thailand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor Thailand
2024 2.1% 1.37%
2023 8.4% 8.48%
2022 7% -1.61%
2021 3.8% 1.23%
2020 0.5% -0.85%
2019 0.9% 0.71%
2018 2.3% 1.06%
2017 0.5% 0.67%
2016 -1.5% 0.19%
2015 0.6% -0.9%
2014 0.8% 1.9%
2013 9.5% 2.18%
2012 10.9% 3.01%
2011 13.2% 3.81%
2010 5.2% 3.25%
2009 -0.2% -0.85%
2008 7.4% 5.47%
2007 8.6% 2.24%
2006 5.2% 4.64%
2005 1.6% 4.54%
2004 2.2% 2.76%
2003 8% 1.8%
2002 4.1% 0.7%
2001 3.6% 1.63%
2000 - 1.59%
1999 - 0.28%
1998 - 7.99%
1997 - 5.63%

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/thailand | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 1.98% in Thailand. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 1.37% in Thailand.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $29.2M
Raw agricultural goods $216K
Textiles & consumer goods $30K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Metals $24K
Wood & paper products $11K
Miscellaneous $10K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Thailand
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $33.1M
Raw agricultural goods $8.36M
Raw materials & minerals $1.78M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.5M
Chemicals & pharma $348K
Textiles & consumer goods $242K
Metals $25K
Animal & marine products $24K
Wood & paper products $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

East Timor Thailand
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
$11.6B
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
23/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
+2.21%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$276B
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$297B
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$74B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$71.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
66.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
70%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor Thailand
Economic freedom 47.9 62.2
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 88/197
Property rights 43.5 41.8
Government integrity 43.9 38.9
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 35
Tax burden 97.1 80.8
Government spending 0 83.6
Fiscal health 19.6 81
Business freedom 62.7 69.9
Labor freedom 56.5 56.4
Monetary freedom 72.2 73.3
Trade freedom 79.8 70.2
Investment freedom 45 55
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
Thailand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor Thailand
2026 47.9 62.2
2025 47.9 60.6
2024 50.2 59
2023 47.2 60.6
2022 46.3 63.2
2021 44.7 69.7
2020 45.9 69.4
2019 44.2 68.3
2018 48.1 67.1
2017 46.3 66.2
2016 45.8 63.9
2015 45.5 62.4
2014 43.2 63.3
2013 43.7 64.1
2012 43.3 64.9
2011 42.8 64.7
2010 45.8 64.1
2009 50.5 63
2008 - 62.3
2007 - 63.5
2006 - 63.3
2005 - 62.5
2004 - 63.7
2003 - 65.8
2002 - 69.1
2001 - 68.9
2000 - 66.6
1999 - 66.9
1998 - 67.3
1997 - 66.1
1996 - 71
1995 - 71.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 62.2 for Thailand, ranking 88/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor Thailand
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
32.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
8.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$509B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$23,960
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$237B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
15/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
-$6.95B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$14.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$7.36B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
3.52%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
5.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
21.6%
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/thailand | 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 (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1948–1995, 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.