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Economy of Eritrea vs Eswatini compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $4.86B for Eswatini, ranking 179/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $1.93B (39.8% of GDP) in Eswatini.

Eritrea vs Eswatini GDP by year

Eritrea
Eswatini
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Eswatini
2024 - $4,858,885,841
2023 - $4,621,191,262
2022 - $4,746,660,274
2021 - $4,807,069,277
2020 - $4,134,677,810
2019 - $4,617,018,959
2018 - $4,643,751,059
2017 - $4,462,640,651
2016 - $3,722,306,117
2015 - $3,908,217,914
2014 - $4,285,065,665
2013 - $4,463,396,204
2012 - $4,747,813,067
2011 $2,065,001,626 $4,722,912,047
2010 $1,589,515,447 $4,360,714,359
2009 $1,856,695,551 $3,525,213,502
2008 $1,380,188,800 $3,235,921,171
2007 $1,317,974,491 $3,391,122,887
2006 $1,211,161,880 $3,215,307,901
2005 $1,098,424,686 $3,097,946,371
2004 $1,109,054,005 $2,710,331,785
2003 $870,248,268 $2,149,632,433
2002 $729,321,680 $1,393,945,031
2001 $752,371,689 $1,502,870,486
2000 $706,370,816 $1,697,161,558
1999 $688,918,537 $1,547,888,496
1998 $745,523,117 $1,576,908,856
1997 $686,490,090 $1,716,714,070
1996 $693,535,954 $1,602,741,834
1995 $578,015,625 $1,698,989,464
1994 $531,688,312 $1,419,294,254
1993 $467,872,715 $1,357,189,552
1992 $477,101,652 $1,284,759,928
1991 - $1,156,135,718
1990 - $1,114,694,041
1989 - $696,921,542
1988 - $692,026,455
1987 - $584,126,092
1986 - $449,140,318
1985 - $360,079,419
1984 - $494,483,409
1983 - $555,336,146
1982 - $537,568,059
1981 - $570,774,825
1980 - $541,976,853
1979 - $412,093,134
1978 - $340,630,085
1977 - $304,060,076
1976 - $272,550,068
1975 - $288,299,789
1974 - $264,320,941
1973 - $221,915,128
1972 - $146,736,479
1971 - $136,462,081
1970 - $112,139,955
1969 - $105,419,958
1968 - $79,799,968
1967 - $74,759,970
1966 - $76,859,969
1965 - $70,279,972
1964 - $64,980,554
1963 - $54,129,438
1962 - $45,927,962
1961 - $43,026,043
1960 - $35,076,846

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Eswatini by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Eswatini
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $3,910 $11,799
2023 - - $3,756 $11,300
2022 - - $3,894 $10,635
2021 - - $3,984 $9,990
2020 - - $3,467 $9,329
2019 - - $3,913 $9,248
2018 - - $3,973 $8,535
2017 - - $3,853 $8,584
2016 - - $3,238 $8,484
2015 - - $3,420 $8,391
2014 - - $3,771 $8,366
2013 - - $3,950 $8,231
2012 - - $4,225 $7,760
2011 $689 $1,742 $4,225 $7,571
2010 $540 $1,599 $3,923 $7,324
2009 $643 $1,577 $3,190 $7,011
2008 $490 $1,547 $2,947 $6,914
2007 $480 $1,727 $3,109 $6,732
2006 $448 $1,682 $2,965 $6,319
2005 $413 $1,674 $2,871 $5,773
2004 $427 $1,621 $2,526 $5,310
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,015 $5,020
2002 $305 $1,702 $1,316 $4,742
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,430 $4,521
2000 $314 $1,558 $1,630 $4,401
1999 $311 $1,597 $1,502 $4,272
1998 $342 $1,598 $1,547 $4,137
1997 $319 $1,573 $1,705 $4,038
1996 $326 $1,449 $1,619 $3,916
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $1,751 $3,777
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,461 $3,526
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,397 $3,371
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $1,362 $3,289
1991 - - $1,273 $3,236
1990 - - $1,278 $3,202
1989 - - $832 -
1988 - - $865 -
1987 - - $765 -
1986 - - $611 -
1985 - - $510 -
1984 - - $726 -
1983 - - $843 -
1982 - - $843 -
1981 - - $925 -
1980 - - $908 -
1979 - - $714 -
1978 - - $610 -
1977 - - $563 -
1976 - - $521 -
1975 - - $568 -
1974 - - $536 -
1973 - - $463 -
1972 - - $315 -
1971 - - $301 -
1970 - - $254.2 -
1969 - - $245.2 -
1968 - - $190.4 -
1967 - - $182.8 -
1966 - - $192.7 -
1965 - - $181 -
1964 - - $171.6 -
1963 - - $146.4 -
1962 - - $127.1 -
1961 - - $121.8 -
1960 - - $101.6 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $3,910 in Eswatini, ranking 131/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Eswatini
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$4.86B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
162/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$3,910
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
131/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$11,799
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
126/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$1.93B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
39.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$1,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
130/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$3,913
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$234M
2007
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
42.7%
2016
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.4%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
33.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
2.6%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
34.6%
2023
Population
3700586
1273390

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Eswatini
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Eswatini
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 33.3% 39.8%
2023 - - 32% 40%
2022 - - 29.6% 40.5%
2021 - - 30.1% 38.4%
2020 - - 32.7% 38.2%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 32.9% 30.7%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 32.2% 27%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 33.9% 21.9%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 34.7% 20.5%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 35.3% 16.4%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 33.3% 14.3%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 29.4% 15.5%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 27.8% 15.2%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 26% 15.1%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 31.6% 14.5%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 34.5% 10.8%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 34.4% 15%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 31.2% 16.6%
2006 50.5% 199% 28.2% 15%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 29.7% 13.9%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 32% 15.5%
2003 58.1% 264% 26.4% 18%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 27.2% 17.6%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 26.4% 22.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 25.3% 18.7%
1999 106.1% - 26.5% 17.2%
1998 88% - 22.5% 15.9%
1997 60.1% - 21.2% 13%
1996 68.6% - 23.3% 12%
1995 81.2% - 20.5% 12.9%
1994 50.4% - 24.7% 13.8%
1993 67.2% - 24% 15.6%
1992 32.7% - 26% 16.6%
1991 - - 20.3% 20.1%
1990 - - 18.7% 20.4%
1989 - - 15.8% 26.8%
1988 - - 15.6% 27.5%
1987 - - 17% 36.1%
1986 - - 19.8% 44%
1985 - - 22.3% 45.5%
1984 - - 22.2% 29.7%
1983 - - 23.2% 28.7%
1982 - - 24% 29.2%
1981 - - 23.8% 24.3%
1980 - - 19.6% 27.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Eswatini spent $1.62B, or 33.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 39.8% in Eswatini, ranking 2/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Eswatini
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Eswatini
2024 - -1.36%
2023 - -0.67%
2022 - -5.4%
2021 - -4.68%
2020 - -4.27%
2019 2.72% -6.26%
2018 5.22% -6.72%
2017 -5.74% -5.68%
2016 -1.44% -8.54%
2015 -2.77% -6.03%
2014 -0.12% -1.18%
2013 -7.62% 0.59%
2012 -5.21% 3.48%
2011 -5.5% -4.02%
2010 -16.5% -9.52%
2009 -22.2% -3.06%
2008 -38% 1.63%
2007 -19.8% 2.44%
2006 -15.5% 8.88%
2005 -31% -1.7%
2004 -7.65% -4.1%
2003 6.23% -2.15%
2002 -13.3% -3.78%
2001 -9.62% -2.31%
2000 -25.4% -1.22%
1999 -59.7% -1.27%
1998 -40.3% 1.07%
1997 -5.65% 2.11%
1996 -18.4% -1%
1995 -22.9% 0.9%
1994 8.69% -3.61%
1993 4.22% -3.29%
1992 6.85% -2.9%
1991 - 3.4%
1990 - 5.61%
1989 - 5.82%
1988 - 3.23%
1987 - 2.03%
1986 - -2.41%
1985 - -1.33%
1984 - 1.25%
1983 - -0.6%
1982 - 0.11%
1981 - -4.29%
1980 - 6.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2011, Eritrea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $114M, equivalent to 5.5% of GDP. This compares to Eswatini's deficit of $190M, or 4.02% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Eswatini ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.35% of GDP for Eswatini.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Eswatini
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Eswatini
2019 1.3% 2.6%
2018 -14.4% 4.82%
2017 -13.3% 6.22%
2016 -5.6% 7.85%
2015 28.5% 4.95%
2014 8.4% 5.68%
2013 6.3% 5.62%
2012 6% 8.94%
2011 5.9% 6.11%
2010 10.3% 4.51%
2009 33.9% 7.45%
2008 22.2% 12.7%
2007 9.4% 8.08%
2006 7.7% 5.3%
2005 12.5% 4.77%
2004 25.1% 3.45%
2003 22.7% 7.29%
2002 16.9% 12%
2001 14.6% 5.94%
2000 19.9% 12.2%
1999 8.4% 6.09%
1998 9.5% 8.11%
1997 3.7% 7.13%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 6.86% in Eswatini. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 2.6% in Eswatini.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Eswatini
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $933K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Eswatini
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$78.3M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+1.61%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$2.07B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$2.33B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$542M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$234M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
53.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
53.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Eswatini
Economic freedom 39.6 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 116/197
Property rights 4.8 42.5
Government integrity 10.9 29.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 35.5
Tax burden 80.3 78.6
Government spending 62.3 71
Fiscal health 69 87.5
Business freedom 30.7 49.9
Labor freedom 43.4 55.2
Monetary freedom 80 76.8
Trade freedom 68.4 73.6
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Eswatini
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Eswatini
2026 39.6 57.5
2025 38.6 56.4
2024 39.5 55.6
2023 39.5 54.9
2022 39.7 51.4
2021 42.3 55.1
2020 38.5 55.3
2019 38.9 54.7
2018 41.7 55.9
2017 42.2 61.1
2016 42.7 59.7
2015 38.9 59.9
2014 38.5 61.2
2013 36.3 57.2
2012 36.2 57.2
2011 36.7 59.1
2010 35.3 57.4
2009 38.5 59.1
2008 - 58.4
2007 - 60.1
2006 - 61.4
2005 - 59.4
2004 - 58.6
2003 - 59.6
2002 - 60.9
2001 - 63.6
2000 - 62.6
1999 - 62.1
1998 - 62
1997 - 59.4
1996 - 58.6
1995 - 63.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 57.5 for Eswatini, ranking 116/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Eswatini
Services, % of GDP n/a
51.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
34.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
6.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$4.46B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$10,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$479M
2023
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
159/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$11.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$75.5M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$63.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
4.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
58.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
15%
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/eritrea/eswatini | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, 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)
  9. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.