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Economy of Eritrea vs Finland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $299B for Finland, ranking 179/197 and 47/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $245B (82.1% of GDP) in Finland.

Eritrea vs Finland GDP by year

Eritrea
Finland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Finland
2024 - $298,696,961,298
2023 - $295,021,982,463
2022 - $280,253,099,309
2021 - $294,223,210,496
2020 - $270,000,311,606
2019 - $267,014,821,129
2018 - $273,869,255,596
2017 - $253,846,138,440
2016 - $238,777,818,793
2015 - $233,210,733,506
2014 - $273,478,528,955
2013 - $270,268,036,626
2012 - $257,443,384,493
2011 $2,065,001,626 $275,126,915,516
2010 $1,589,515,447 $249,429,613,683
2009 $1,856,695,551 $253,480,783,439
2008 $1,380,188,800 $285,698,662,071
2007 $1,317,974,491 $256,360,251,538
2006 $1,211,161,880 $217,044,068,234
2005 $1,098,424,686 $204,859,368,791
2004 $1,109,054,005 $197,458,297,640
2003 $870,248,268 $171,612,867,736
2002 $729,321,680 $140,360,963,812
2001 $752,371,689 $129,519,672,869
2000 $706,370,816 $125,967,821,111
1999 $688,918,537 $135,234,241,918
1998 $745,523,117 $133,990,876,725
1997 $686,490,090 $126,862,902,302
1996 $693,535,954 $131,991,975,149
1995 $578,015,625 $134,060,457,516
1994 $531,688,312 $103,182,697,780
1993 $467,872,715 $89,112,105,756
1992 $477,101,652 $112,537,828,511
1991 - $127,794,441,994
1990 - $141,446,120,355
1989 - $118,991,270,611
1988 - $109,039,090,263
1987 - $91,564,993,913
1986 - $73,511,611,541
1985 - $55,856,676,899
1984 - $52,870,993,273
1983 - $50,956,447,481
1982 - $52,784,013,815
1981 - $52,440,066,134
1980 - $53,649,984,061
1979 - $44,469,218,440
1978 - $36,259,392,058
1977 - $33,502,784,418
1976 - $31,852,352,670
1975 - $29,475,251,333
1974 - $24,851,036,710
1973 - $19,474,098,335
1972 - $14,744,499,570
1971 - $12,528,522,307
1970 - $11,358,529,162
1969 - $10,177,524,839
1968 - $8,916,565,041
1967 - $9,468,272,357
1966 - $9,306,142,172
1965 - $8,680,393,839
1964 - $7,848,987,793
1963 - $6,958,916,548
1962 - $6,407,796,043
1961 - $5,984,433,774
1960 - $5,279,481,824

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Finland by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Finland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Finland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $53,150 $65,378
2023 - - $52,834 $63,415
2022 - - $50,441 $62,133
2021 - - $53,099 $56,790
2020 - - $48,829 $53,297
2019 - - $48,358 $52,276
2018 - - $49,654 $49,249
2017 - - $46,085 $47,235
2016 - - $43,451 $44,562
2015 - - $42,560 $42,258
2014 - - $50,074 $41,547
2013 - - $49,691 $41,326
2012 - - $47,552 $40,739
2011 $689 $1,742 $51,060 $40,846
2010 $540 $1,599 $46,506 $38,946
2009 $643 $1,577 $47,478 $37,988
2008 $490 $1,547 $53,769 $40,081
2007 $480 $1,727 $48,473 $37,843
2006 $448 $1,682 $41,214 $34,440
2005 $413 $1,674 $39,050 $32,048
2004 $427 $1,621 $37,768 $31,195
2003 $349 $1,621 $32,920 $29,043
2002 $305 $1,702 $26,989 $28,596
2001 $325 $1,684 $24,965 $27,798
2000 $314 $1,558 $24,336 $26,783
1999 $311 $1,597 $26,180 $24,762
1998 $342 $1,598 $26,000 $23,570
1997 $319 $1,573 $24,682 $21,787
1996 $326 $1,449 $25,757 $20,067
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $26,246 $19,568
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $20,278 $18,458
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $17,589 $17,458
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $22,320 $17,271
1991 - - $25,489 $17,563
1990 - - $28,366 $18,149
1989 - - $23,969 -
1988 - - $22,044 -
1987 - - $18,565 -
1986 - - $14,947 -
1985 - - $11,394 -
1984 - - $10,830 -
1983 - - $10,494 -
1982 - - $10,935 -
1981 - - $10,925 -
1980 - - $11,225 -
1979 - - $9,333 -
1978 - - $7,629 -
1977 - - $7,070 -
1976 - - $6,740 -
1975 - - $6,256 -
1974 - - $5,298 -
1973 - - $4,174 -
1972 - - $3,178 -
1971 - - $2,716 -
1970 - - $2,466 -
1969 - - $2,201 -
1968 - - $1,927 -
1967 - - $2,056 -
1966 - - $2,032 -
1965 - - $1,902 -
1964 - - $1,726 -
1963 - - $1,538 -
1962 - - $1,427 -
1961 - - $1,341 -
1960 - - $1,192 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $53,150 in Finland, ranking 23/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Finland ranks 27th at $65,378.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Finland
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$299B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
47/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
0.42%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$53,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
23/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$65,378
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
27/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$245B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
82.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$43,662
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
12/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$36,394
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$20.3B
2004
Number of billionaires n/a
7
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
57.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
1.57%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
8.34%
2024
Population
3700586
5631965

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Finland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Finland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 57.7% 82.1%
2023 - - 55.9% 77.5%
2022 - - 52.6% 74%
2021 - - 55.2% 73.2%
2020 - - 56.5% 75.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 52.6% 65.3%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 52.7% 65.3%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 52.8% 66.6%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 55.1% 68.6%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 55.7% 68.8%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 57.6% 64.8%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 57.1% 60.8%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 55.7% 57.9%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 53.8% 52%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 54% 50.1%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 54.1% 41.5%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 47.9% 32.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 46.7% 33.9%
2006 50.5% 199% 48.3% 38%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 49.2% 39.9%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 48.2% 42.6%
2003 58.1% 264% 48.3% 42.7%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 47.5% 40.1%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 46.2% 40.9%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 46.9% 42.4%
1999 106.1% - 49.9% 44%
1998 88% - 51.3% 46.8%
1997 60.1% - 54.9% 52.2%
1996 68.6% - 58.5% 55.4%
1995 81.2% - 60% 55.2%
1994 50.4% - 62.2% 56.2%
1993 67.2% - 63.7% 54.2%
1992 32.7% - 60.8% 39.3%
1991 - - 55.8% 21.9%
1990 - - 47.1% 13.9%
1989 - - 44.4% 14.3%
1988 - - 46.4% 16.5%
1987 - - 47.8% 17.6%
1986 - - 46.9% 16.4%
1985 - - 46.3% 15.8%
1984 - - 44.4% 15.2%
1983 - - 44.4% 15.4%
1982 - - 42.7% 13.9%
1981 - - 41% 11.5%
1980 - - 40.1% 10.9%
1979 - - 40.3% 11%
1978 - - 41.3% 10.7%
1977 - - 41.7% 8.22%
1976 - - 39.8% 7.09%
1975 - - 38.6% 6.76%
1974 - - 22.9% 2.97%
1973 - - 21.8% 4.42%
1972 - - 20.4% 6.46%
1971 - - 22.8% 7.94%
1970 - - 21.9% 9.19%
1969 - - 22.2% 10.8%
1968 - - 25.5% 13.9%
1967 - - 23.5% 14.2%
1966 - - 23.3% 13.7%
1965 - - 23.2% 13%
1964 - - 22.8% 12.5%
1963 - - 21.6% 12.2%
1962 - - 23.9% 10.3%
1961 - - 22.7% 9.12%
1960 - - 22.5% 9.96%

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/eritrea/finland | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Finland spent $172B, or 57.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 82.1% in Finland, ranking 2/185 and 42/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Finland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Finland
2024 - -4.41%
2023 - -2.98%
2022 - -0.18%
2021 - -2.69%
2020 - -5.53%
2019 2.72% -0.93%
2018 5.22% -0.87%
2017 -5.74% -0.63%
2016 -1.44% -1.7%
2015 -2.77% -2.43%
2014 -0.12% -2.99%
2013 -7.62% -2.52%
2012 -5.21% -2.15%
2011 -5.5% -1.01%
2010 -16.5% -2.57%
2009 -22.2% -2.48%
2008 -38% 4.18%
2007 -19.8% 5.12%
2006 -15.5% 3.93%
2005 -31% 2.59%
2004 -7.65% 2.16%
2003 6.23% 2.34%
2002 -13.3% 3.97%
2001 -9.62% 4.89%
2000 -25.4% 6.73%
1999 -59.7% 1.6%
1998 -40.3% 1.54%
1997 -5.65% -1.33%
1996 -18.4% -3.37%
1995 -22.9% -5.98%
1994 8.69% -6.41%
1993 4.22% -8.09%
1992 6.85% -4.88%
1991 - 0.3%
1990 - 6.63%
1989 - 6.73%
1988 - 5.09%
1987 - 1.63%
1986 - 3.83%
1985 - 3.33%
1984 - 3.23%
1983 - 1.52%
1982 - 3.06%
1981 - 5.11%
1980 - 3.7%
1979 - 3.41%
1978 - 3.83%
1977 - 6.27%
1976 - 7.65%
1975 - 4.96%
1974 - -0.03%
1973 - 1.48%
1972 - -0.18%
1971 - 0.15%
1970 - 1.06%
1969 - 0.94%
1968 - -1.69%
1967 - -0.26%
1966 - -1.08%
1965 - -1.67%
1964 - -1.35%
1963 - -2.5%
1962 - -2.37%
1961 - -3.03%
1960 - -0.52%
1959 - -0.12%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -1.14%
1955 - -1%
1954 - -0.17%
1953 - 0.02%
1952 - -1.24%
1951 - 1.1%
1950 - -0.26%
1949 - -2.77%
1948 - 1.88%
1947 - -5.99%
1946 - -15.3%
1945 - -6.35%
1944 - -21.5%
1943 - -14.2%
1942 - -16.4%
1941 - -35.8%
1940 - -36.9%
1939 - -9.76%
1938 - -1.48%
1937 - -4.44%
1936 - -3.75%
1935 - -3.81%
1934 - -2.81%
1933 - -1.63%
1932 - -2.61%
1931 - -2.32%
1930 - -1.94%
1929 - -0.78%
1928 - -2.07%
1927 - -0.32%
1926 - -2.9%
1925 - -2.92%
1924 - 0.04%
1923 - -2.3%
1922 - 0.62%
1921 - -2.59%
1920 - -2.6%
1919 - -7.49%
1918 - -11.4%
1917 - -1.27%
1916 - 1.48%
1915 - -0.29%
1914 - -1.15%
1913 - -0.25%
1912 - 0.33%
1911 - -0.14%
1910 - -0.3%
1909 - -2.64%
1908 - -1.92%
1907 - 0.24%
1906 - 0.86%
1905 - -1.28%
1904 - -1.63%
1903 - -0.3%
1902 - -1.74%
1901 - -2.13%
1900 - -0.52%
1899 - -1%
1898 - -4.55%
1897 - -0.37%
1896 - -0.56%
1895 - -1.21%
1894 - -0.62%
1893 - 0%
1892 - 0.82%
1891 - 0.16%
1890 - 0.17%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - -0.59%
1887 - -1.46%
1886 - 0%
1885 - -1.2%
1884 - -0.2%
1883 - 0%
1882 - 0.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/finland | 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 Finland's deficit of $2.79B, or 1.01% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Finland ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.15% of GDP for Finland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Finland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Finland
2024 - 1.57%
2023 - 6.25%
2022 - 7.12%
2021 - 2.19%
2020 - 0.29%
2019 1.3% 1.02%
2018 -14.4% 1.08%
2017 -13.3% 0.75%
2016 -5.6% 0.36%
2015 28.5% -0.21%
2014 8.4% 1.04%
2013 6.3% 1.48%
2012 6% 2.81%
2011 5.9% 3.42%
2010 10.3% 1.18%
2009 33.9% -0%
2008 22.2% 4.07%
2007 9.4% 2.51%
2006 7.7% 1.57%
2005 12.5% 0.62%
2004 25.1% 0.19%
2003 22.7% 0.88%
2002 16.9% 1.57%
2001 14.6% 2.58%
2000 19.9% 3.04%
1999 8.4% 1.16%
1998 9.5% 1.4%
1997 3.7% 1.19%

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/eritrea/finland | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.47% in Finland. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 1.57% in Finland.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Finland
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.24M
Wood & paper products $9K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Metals $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Chemicals & pharma $1K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Finland
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$1.99B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
143/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-0.67%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$76.6B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$83.1B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$47.4B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
41.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Finland
Economic freedom 39.6 76.6
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 15/197
Property rights 4.8 99.9
Government integrity 10.9 95.4
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 96.4
Tax burden 80.3 68.4
Government spending 62.3 7.9
Fiscal health 69 76.3
Business freedom 30.7 85.3
Labor freedom 43.4 65.4
Monetary freedom 80 80.3
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 85
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Finland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Finland
2026 39.6 76.6
2025 38.6 77
2024 39.5 76.3
2023 39.5 77.1
2022 39.7 78.3
2021 42.3 76.1
2020 38.5 75.7
2019 38.9 74.9
2018 41.7 74.1
2017 42.2 74
2016 42.7 72.6
2015 38.9 73.4
2014 38.5 73.4
2013 36.3 74
2012 36.2 72.3
2011 36.7 74
2010 35.3 73.8
2009 38.5 74.5
2008 - 74.6
2007 - 74
2006 - 72.9
2005 - 71
2004 - 73.4
2003 - 73.7
2002 - 73.6
2001 - 69.7
2000 - 64.3
1999 - 63.9
1998 - 63.5
1997 - 65.2
1996 - 63.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 76.6 for Finland, ranking 15/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Finland
Services, % of GDP n/a
62.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.47%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$290B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$65,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$18B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
65/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$3.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$8.74B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$12B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
12.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
22.3%
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/finland | 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 (1882–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.