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Economy of East Timor vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

East Timor has a GDP of $1.87B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 181/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

East Timor has $249M in government debt (13.3% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

East Timor vs United States GDP by year

East Timor
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
East Timor United States
2024 $1,865,608,515 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $2,079,767,170 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $3,208,599,889 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $3,625,024,341 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $2,162,619,241 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $2,032,550,389 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $1,555,988,614 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $1,584,878,440 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $1,640,464,612 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $1,590,282,371 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $1,447,535,183 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $1,395,727,421 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $1,160,555,040 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $1,042,534,598 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $881,909,347 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $726,937,836 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $648,523,571 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $542,795,447 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $453,792,415 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $462,267,954 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $440,771,962 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $490,439,116 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $469,455,491 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $477,359,253 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $366,924,277 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $225,357,600 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $325,729,800 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $319,972,700 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $306,956,900 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $262,819,900 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $239,040,500 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $216,914,400 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $187,891,500 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $147,713,000 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $128,210,142 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 - $5,641,580,000,000
1988 - $5,236,438,000,000
1987 - $4,855,215,000,000
1986 - $4,579,631,000,000
1985 - $4,338,979,000,000
1984 - $4,037,613,000,000
1983 - $3,634,038,000,000
1982 - $3,343,789,000,000
1981 - $3,207,041,000,000
1980 - $2,857,307,000,000
1979 - $2,627,333,000,000
1978 - $2,351,599,000,000
1977 - $2,081,826,000,000
1976 - $1,873,412,000,000
1975 - $1,684,904,000,000
1974 - $1,545,243,000,000
1973 - $1,425,376,000,000
1972 - $1,279,110,000,000
1971 - $1,164,850,000,000
1970 - $1,073,303,000,000
1969 - $1,017,438,172,414
1968 - $940,225,000,000
1967 - $859,620,034,483
1966 - $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in East Timor vs United States by year

East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
East Timor United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,332 $4,423 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $1,502 $4,807 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $2,343 $5,730 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $2,685 $6,825 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $1,631 $6,132 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $1,562 $4,557 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $1,219 $3,561 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $1,266 $3,463 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $1,336 $3,391 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $1,320 $3,108 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $1,225 $2,860 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $1,205 $2,566 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $1,023 $2,386 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $939 $2,066 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $813 $1,955 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $687 $1,810 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $628 $1,675 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $540 $1,516 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $465 $1,377 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $487 $1,435 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $474 $1,379 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $535 $1,355 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $534 $1,417 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $588 $1,619 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $492 $1,483 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $270 $819 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $346 $1,108 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $349 $1,149 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $344 $1,116 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $303 $1,043 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $283.1 $985 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $264.1 $925 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $235.1 $843 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $189.8 $766 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $168.6 $685 $23,840 $23,889
1989 - - $22,857 -
1988 - - $21,417 -
1987 - - $20,039 -
1986 - - $19,071 -
1985 - - $18,237 -
1984 - - $17,121 -
1983 - - $15,544 -
1982 - - $14,434 -
1981 - - $13,976 -
1980 - - $12,613 -
1979 - - $11,674 -
1978 - - $10,565 -
1977 - - $9,453 -
1976 - - $8,592 -
1975 - - $7,801 -
1974 - - $7,226 -
1973 - - $6,726 -
1972 - - $6,094 -
1971 - - $5,609 -
1970 - - $5,234 -
1969 - - $5,020 -
1968 - - $4,685 -
1967 - - $4,326 -
1966 - - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/united-states | CC BY

East Timor's GDP per capita is $1,332, ranking 167/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

East Timor United States
Gross domestic product
$1.87B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
181/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
-9.1%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,332
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
167/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,423
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
163/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$249M
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
13.3%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$177.5
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
182/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,440
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24%
2014
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2014
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
90.8%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
2.1%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.54%
2022
4.02%
2024
Population
1441764
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

East Timor
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
East Timor United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 90.8% 13.3% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 78.6% 12.4% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 59.9% 7.9% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 45.7% 6.53% 43.2% 125%
2020 61.7% 10.1% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 68.8% 9.51% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 85.5% 9.31% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 87.3% 6.71% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 112.2% 4.71% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 98.1% 2.95% 35% 105.4%
2014 111% 1.52% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 96.1% 0.46% 35.8% 105%
2012 129.3% 0.002% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 133.3% 0% 38.8% 100%
2010 121.3% 0% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 121.8% 0% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 122.4% 0% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 75.8% 0% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 59.8% 0% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 58.3% 0% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 74.2% 0% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 80.1% 0% 34% 59%
2002 93.5% 0% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 95.7% 0% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 - - 31.7% 54.5%
1999 - - 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, East Timor's government spending was $1.69B, accounting for 90.8% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 13.3% in East Timor and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 178/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
East Timor

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
East Timor United States
2024 -43.5% -8.03%
2023 -34.7% -7.8%
2022 -29.5% -3.72%
2021 -20.1% -11.4%
2020 -18.9% -14.1%
2019 -25.4% -5.81%
2018 -26.9% -5.33%
2017 -33.8% -4.79%
2016 -55.7% -4.36%
2015 -33.2% -3.53%
2014 -37.5% -4.03%
2013 -14.4% -4.56%
2012 -38.7% -8.11%
2011 -25.4% -9.72%
2010 -19.8% -11%
2009 -17.2% -13.2%
2008 -18.6% -6.61%
2007 -29.9% -2.91%
2006 41% -2.04%
2005 -10.5% -3.07%
2004 -7.48% -4.24%
2003 -8.24% -4.77%
2002 -7.64% -3.82%
2001 3.24% -0.54%
2000 - 3.62%
1999 - 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, East Timor recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, East Timor posted an annual deficit equal to 21.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.15% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
East Timor

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
East Timor United States
2024 2.1% 2.95%
2023 8.4% 4.12%
2022 7% 8%
2021 3.8% 4.7%
2020 0.5% 1.23%
2019 0.9% 1.81%
2018 2.3% 2.44%
2017 0.5% 2.13%
2016 -1.5% 1.26%
2015 0.6% 0.12%
2014 0.8% 1.62%
2013 9.5% 1.46%
2012 10.9% 2.07%
2011 13.2% 3.16%
2010 5.2% 1.64%
2009 -0.2% -0.36%
2008 7.4% 3.84%
2007 8.6% 2.85%
2006 5.2% 3.23%
2005 1.6% 3.39%
2004 2.2% 2.68%
2003 8% 2.27%
2002 4.1% 1.59%
2001 3.6% 2.83%
2000 - 3.38%
1999 - 2.19%
1998 - 1.55%
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/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, East Timor has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.36%, compared with 2.54% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 2.1% in East Timor and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

East Timor
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2.15M
Metals $194K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $176K
Machinery & equipment $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $32K
Precious metals & jewellery $27K
Miscellaneous $10K
Wood & paper products $5K
United States
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $12.2M
Machinery & equipment $4.58M
Weapons & explosives $1.15M
Chemicals & pharma $865K
Textiles & consumer goods $695K
Raw agricultural goods $576K
Miscellaneous $375K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $260K
Wood & paper products $175K
Precious metals & jewellery $58K

Balance of trade

East Timor United States
Current account balance
-$587M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
108/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-31.5%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$839M
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$196M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$432M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$82.1M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
84.9%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.6%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

East Timor United States
Economic freedom 47.9 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 173/197 27/197
Property rights 43.5 91.6
Government integrity 43.9 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 34.5 76.4
Tax burden 97.1 75.3
Government spending 0 57.9
Fiscal health 19.6 18.5
Business freedom 62.7 88.6
Labor freedom 56.5 76.3
Monetary freedom 72.2 84.2
Trade freedom 79.8 67.6
Investment freedom 45 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

East Timor
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
East Timor United States
2026 47.9 72.8
2025 47.9 70.2
2024 50.2 70.1
2023 47.2 70.6
2022 46.3 72.1
2021 44.7 74.8
2020 45.9 76.6
2019 44.2 76.8
2018 48.1 75.7
2017 46.3 75.1
2016 45.8 75.4
2015 45.5 76.2
2014 43.2 75.5
2013 43.7 76
2012 43.3 76.3
2011 42.8 77.8
2010 45.8 78
2009 50.5 80.7
2008 - 81
2007 - 81.2
2006 - 81.2
2005 - 79.9
2004 - 78.7
2003 - 78.2
2002 - 78.4
2001 - 79.1
2000 - 76.4
1999 - 75.5
1998 - 75.4
1997 - 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/east-timor/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for East Timor is 47.9, ranking 173/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

East Timor United States
Services, % of GDP
71.6%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
11.8%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.2%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.31B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,040
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$737M
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
147/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$211M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$216M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$4.5M
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.23%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
41.8%
2014
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.1%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | 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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2001–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.