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Economy of Egypt vs Eritrea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Egypt has a GDP of $389B compared to $2.07B for Eritrea, ranking 41/197 and 179/197 by economy size, respectively.

Egypt has $354B in government debt (90.9% of GDP), compared to $3.54B (260.4% of GDP) in Eritrea.

Egypt vs Eritrea GDP by year

Egypt
Eritrea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Egypt Eritrea
2024 $389,059,911,004 -
2023 $395,926,075,163 -
2022 $476,747,720,365 -
2021 $424,671,765,456 -
2020 $383,817,841,547 -
2019 $318,678,815,490 -
2018 $262,588,632,527 -
2017 $248,362,771,739 -
2016 $332,441,717,791 -
2015 $329,366,576,819 -
2014 $305,595,408,895 -
2013 $288,434,108,527 -
2012 $279,116,666,667 -
2011 $235,989,672,978 $2,065,001,626
2010 $218,983,666,062 $1,589,515,447
2009 $189,147,005,445 $1,856,695,551
2008 $162,818,181,818 $1,380,188,800
2007 $130,437,828,371 $1,317,974,491
2006 $107,426,086,957 $1,211,161,880
2005 $89,660,339,660 $1,098,424,686
2004 $78,782,467,532 $1,109,054,005
2003 $80,288,461,538 $870,248,268
2002 $85,146,067,416 $729,321,680
2001 $96,684,636,119 $752,371,689
2000 $99,838,543,960 $706,370,816
1999 $90,710,704,807 $688,918,537
1998 $84,828,807,556 $745,523,117
1997 $78,436,578,171 $686,490,090
1996 $67,629,716,981 $693,535,954
1995 $60,159,245,060 $578,015,625
1994 $51,897,983,393 $531,688,312
1993 $46,578,631,453 $467,872,715
1992 $41,855,986,519 $477,101,652
1991 $37,387,836,491 -
1990 $42,978,914,311 -
1989 $39,756,299,050 -
1988 $34,980,124,929 -
1987 $40,455,616,654 -
1986 $41,253,507,951 -
1985 $39,053,502,251 -
1984 $33,971,188,992 -
1983 $30,966,239,814 -
1982 $27,655,172,414 -
1981 $22,136,081,081 -
1980 $21,669,908,176 -
1979 $18,020,571,429 -
1978 $14,811,704,063 -
1977 $14,400,806,876 -
1976 $13,315,988,083 -
1975 $11,632,178,869 -
1974 $9,228,963,225 -
1973 $10,098,534,613 -
1972 $9,299,638,056 -
1971 $8,609,283,346 -
1970 $8,042,200,452 -
1969 $6,524,455,206 -
1968 $5,932,242,991 -
1967 $5,605,484,299 -
1966 $5,278,005,612 -
1965 $4,948,667,540 -
1964 $4,709,245,762 -
1963 $4,187,146,232 -
1962 $4,035,462,027 -
1961 $4,494,575,611 -
1960 $4,206,270,352 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/egypt/eritrea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Egypt vs Eritrea by year

Egypt
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Egypt Eritrea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $3,338 $19,094 - -
2023 $3,457 $18,525 - -
2022 $4,233 $17,527 - -
2021 $3,827 $15,579 - -
2020 $3,511 $15,232 - -
2019 $2,963 $13,364 - -
2018 $2,485 $12,329 - -
2017 $2,395 $11,125 - -
2016 $3,271 $10,666 - -
2015 $3,307 $10,903 - -
2014 $3,133 $10,256 - -
2013 $3,026 $10,511 - -
2012 $2,996 $10,342 - -
2011 $2,591 $8,988 $689 $1,742
2010 $2,455 $8,838 $540 $1,599
2009 $2,162 $8,465 $643 $1,577
2008 $1,896 $8,191 $490 $1,547
2007 $1,548 $7,641 $480 $1,727
2006 $1,299 $7,079 $448 $1,682
2005 $1,106 $6,554 $413 $1,674
2004 $991 $6,207 $427 $1,621
2003 $1,031 $5,928 $349 $1,621
2002 $1,117 $5,753 $305 $1,702
2001 $1,295 $5,650 $325 $1,684
2000 $1,366 $5,452 $314 $1,558
1999 $1,268 $5,121 $311 $1,597
1998 $1,213 $4,869 $342 $1,598
1997 $1,146 $4,661 $319 $1,573
1996 $1,009 $4,434 $326 $1,449
1995 $916 $4,235 $285.4 $1,369
1994 $807 $4,048 $277.8 $1,379
1993 $740 $3,895 $252.1 $1,149
1992 $681 $3,784 $265.2 $1,021
1991 $623 $3,627 - -
1990 $736 $3,566 - -
1989 $701 - - -
1988 $634 - - -
1987 $754 - - -
1986 $790 - - -
1985 $770 - - -
1984 $690 - - -
1983 $648 - - -
1982 $596 - - -
1981 $490 - - -
1980 $493 - - -
1979 $421 - - -
1978 $355 - - -
1977 $353 - - -
1976 $335 - - -
1975 $299.2 - - -
1974 $243.1 - - -
1973 $272.2 - - -
1972 $256.5 - - -
1971 $243 - - -
1970 $232.3 - - -
1969 $193 - - -
1968 $179.8 - - -
1967 $174.1 - - -
1966 $168.1 - - -
1965 $161.6 - - -
1964 $157.7 - - -
1963 $143.9 - - -
1962 $142.4 - - -
1961 $162.8 - - -
1960 $156.4 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/egypt/eritrea | CC BY

Egypt's GDP per capita is $3,338, ranking 138/197, compared to $689 in Eritrea, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094, while Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742.

Economic indicators

Egypt Eritrea
Gross domestic product
$389B
2024
$2.07B
2011
GDP rank
41/197
2024
179/197
2011
GDP growth
2.4%
2023-2024
8.68%
2010-2011
GDP per capita
$3,338
2024
$689
2011
GDP per capita rank
138/197
2024
188/197
2011
GDP per capita, PPP
$19,094
2024
$1,742
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
99/197
2024
191/197
2011
Government debt
$354B
2024
$3.54B
2011
Debt-to-GDP ratio
90.9%
2024
260.4%
2019
Government debt per person
$3,036
2024
$1,182
2011
Government debt per person rank
99/185
2024
136/185
2011
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,948
2026
$1,129
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$42.6B
2024
n/a
Number of billionaires
5
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
24.6%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
4.2%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
22.9%
2024
31.3%
2019
Consumer prices inflation
28.3%
2023-2024
1.3%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate
21%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.95%
2024
5.8%
2017
Population
120697176
3700586

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Egypt
Spending

Debt
Eritrea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Egypt Eritrea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 22.9% 90.9% - -
2023 22.7% 95.9% - -
2022 24.9% 88.5% - -
2021 25.5% 89.9% - -
2020 25.7% 86.2% - -
2019 26.9% 80.1% 31.3% 260.4%
2018 28.6% 87.9% 26.4% 267.1%
2017 30.6% 97.8% 42.5% 290.4%
2016 31% 91.6% 30.9% 251.2%
2015 31.3% 83.8% 31.1% 271.4%
2014 33.9% 80.9% 21.6% 204.5%
2013 32.9% 79.8% 32.7% 232.4%
2012 29.2% 69.9% 33.3% 171.6%
2011 30.5% 72.8% 32.3% 171.6%
2010 31.4% 69.6% 42.4% 201.8%
2009 32.5% 69.5% 44.9% 207.1%
2008 32.7% 66.8% 69.4% 259.7%
2007 31.3% 76.3% 51.2% 201.3%
2006 34.5% 85.9% 50.5% 199%
2005 30.3% 98.3% 76.6% 205.4%
2004 30.1% 96.5% 57.1% 193.5%
2003 30.6% 97.1% 58.1% 264%
2002 30.9% 85.8% 60.1% 243.4%
2001 27.9% 79.1% 59.5% 238.6%
2000 26% 71.7% 84.7% 219.1%
1999 26.3% 72.4% 106.1% -
1998 - 73.8% 88% -
1997 - - 60.1% -
1996 - - 68.6% -
1995 - - 81.2% -
1994 - - 50.4% -
1993 - - 67.2% -
1992 - - 32.7% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/egypt/eritrea | CC BY

In 2024, Egypt's government spending was $89.2B, accounting for 22.9% of its GDP, while Eritrea spent $666M, or 31.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 90.9% in Egypt and 260.4% in Eritrea, ranking 31/185 and 2/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Egypt

Eritrea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Egypt Eritrea
2024 -7.12% -
2023 -5.77% -
2022 -5.74% -
2021 -6.96% -
2020 -7.47% -
2019 -7.6% 2.72%
2018 -8.97% 5.22%
2017 -9.9% -5.74%
2016 -11.8% -1.44%
2015 -10.4% -2.77%
2014 -10.7% -0.12%
2013 -12.3% -7.62%
2012 -9.47% -5.21%
2011 -9.6% -5.5%
2010 -7.45% -16.5%
2009 -6.2% -22.2%
2008 -6.05% -38%
2007 -4.9% -19.8%
2006 -7.35% -15.5%
2005 -6.69% -31%
2004 -5.76% -7.65%
2003 -5.73% 6.23%
2002 -6.77% -13.3%
2001 -1.07% -9.62%
2000 1.32% -25.4%
1999 2.14% -59.7%
1998 - -40.3%
1997 - -5.65%
1996 - -18.4%
1995 - -22.9%
1994 - 8.69%
1993 - 4.22%
1992 - 6.85%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/egypt/eritrea | CC BY

In 2011, Egypt's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $22.7B, equivalent to 9.6% of GDP. This compares to Eritrea's deficit of $114M, or 5.5% of GDP.

Over the past 13 years, Egypt recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Eritrea ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Egypt posted an annual deficit equal to 4.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 19.8% of GDP for Eritrea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Egypt

Eritrea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Egypt Eritrea
2024 28.3% -
2023 33.9% -
2022 13.9% -
2021 5.21% -
2020 5.04% -
2019 9.15% 1.3%
2018 14.4% -14.4%
2017 29.5% -13.3%
2016 13.8% -5.6%
2015 10.4% 28.5%
2014 10.1% 8.4%
2013 9.47% 6.3%
2012 7.11% 6%
2011 10.1% 5.9%
2010 11.3% 10.3%
2009 11.8% 33.9%
2008 18.3% 22.2%
2007 9.32% 9.4%
2006 7.64% 7.7%
2005 4.87% 12.5%
2004 11.3% 25.1%
2003 4.51% 22.7%
2002 2.74% 16.9%
2001 2.27% 14.6%
2000 2.68% 19.9%
1999 3.08% 8.4%
1998 3.87% 9.5%
1997 4.63% 3.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/egypt/eritrea | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Egypt has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 9.23%, compared with 10.4% in Eritrea. In 2019, inflation was 28.3% in Egypt and 1.3% in Eritrea.

Top exports between countries

Egypt
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.79M
Raw agricultural goods $1.91M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $762K
Metals $374K
Chemicals & pharma $304K
Machinery & equipment $286K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Wood & paper products $17K
Eritrea
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Egypt Eritrea
Current account balance
-$22.3B
2024
-$105M
2000
Current account balance ranking
184/190
2024
89/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-5.72%
2024
-14.8%
2000
Goods imports
$72.9B
2024
$471M
2000
Goods exports
$34.8B
2024
$36.8M
2000
Service imports
$27.5B
2024
$28.5M
2000
Service exports
$29.6B
2024
$60.9M
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
29.2%
2011
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.4%
2024
18.2%
2011

Economic freedom indices

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

Egypt Eritrea
Economic freedom 50.3 39.6
Economic freedom ranking 160/197 188/197
Property rights 35.5 4.8
Government integrity 27.1 10.9
Judicial effectiveness 24 5.5
Tax burden 85.7 80.3
Government spending 83.4 62.3
Fiscal health 21.8 69
Business freedom 51.4 30.7
Labor freedom 43.1 43.4
Monetary freedom 56 80
Trade freedom 60.2 68.4
Investment freedom 65 0
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Egypt
Eritrea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Egypt Eritrea
2026 50.3 39.6
2025 50.9 38.6
2024 49.7 39.5
2023 49.6 39.5
2022 49.1 39.7
2021 55.7 42.3
2020 54 38.5
2019 52.5 38.9
2018 53.4 41.7
2017 52.6 42.2
2016 56 42.7
2015 55.2 38.9
2014 52.9 38.5
2013 54.8 36.3
2012 57.9 36.2
2011 59.1 36.7
2010 59 35.3
2009 58 38.5
2008 58.5 -
2007 54.4 -
2006 53.2 -
2005 55.8 -
2004 55.5 -
2003 55.3 -
2002 54.1 -
2001 51.5 -
2000 51.7 -
1999 58 -
1998 55.8 -
1997 54.5 -
1996 52 -
1995 45.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/egypt/eritrea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Egypt is 50.3, ranking 160/197, compared to 39.6 for Eritrea, ranking 188/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Egypt Eritrea
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
32.6%
2024
21.8%
2009
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.7%
2024
14.1%
2009
GNI, Atlas method
$409B
2024
$1.94B
2011
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,230
2024
$1,720
2011
Total reserves including gold
$44.9B
2024
$192M
2019
Total reserves ranking
44/177
2024
170/177
2019
Net foreign direct investment
-$46.1B
2024
-$27.9M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$46.6B
2024
-$27.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$508M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
8.86%
2024
1.07%
2011
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.5%
2021
50%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
13%
2024
12.6%
2011

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/egypt/eritrea | 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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, 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.