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Economy of Eritrea vs France compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $3.16T for France, ranking 179/197 and 7/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $3.58T (113.1% of GDP) in France.

Eritrea vs France GDP by year

Eritrea
France
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea France
2024 - $3,160,442,622,465
2023 - $3,056,250,648,138
2022 - $2,794,788,137,067
2021 - $2,966,433,692,008
2020 - $2,647,926,055,110
2019 - $2,722,793,515,172
2018 - $2,781,576,320,884
2017 - $2,588,868,323,335
2016 - $2,470,407,619,777
2015 - $2,442,483,452,643
2014 - $2,861,236,112,552
2013 - $2,816,077,607,875
2012 - $2,683,007,095,787
2011 $2,065,001,626 $2,870,408,553,990
2010 $1,589,515,447 $2,646,230,027,988
2009 $1,856,695,551 $2,700,075,882,519
2008 $1,380,188,800 $2,926,802,941,586
2007 $1,317,974,491 $2,655,816,911,867
2006 $1,211,161,880 $2,317,861,544,691
2005 $1,098,424,686 $2,192,146,403,028
2004 $1,109,054,005 $2,109,792,297,237
2003 $870,248,268 $1,835,095,983,049
2002 $729,321,680 $1,492,427,756,382
2001 $752,371,689 $1,370,376,677,299
2000 $706,370,816 $1,360,959,069,477
1999 $688,918,537 $1,486,915,879,702
1998 $745,523,117 $1,496,906,382,032
1997 $686,490,090 $1,449,392,222,971
1996 $693,535,954 $1,598,889,216,566
1995 $578,015,625 $1,595,219,345,512
1994 $531,688,312 $1,385,822,778,828
1993 $467,872,715 $1,314,383,368,080
1992 $477,101,652 $1,389,663,073,110
1991 - $1,258,961,748,634
1990 - $1,257,649,439,827
1989 - $1,016,742,237,302
1988 - $1,010,827,662,152
1987 - $926,320,855,615
1986 - $764,946,585,851
1985 - $547,220,981,165
1984 - $525,033,325,828
1983 - $553,356,312,936
1982 - $578,152,310,610
1981 - $609,184,791,792
1980 - $694,529,183,483
1979 - $608,218,624,730
1978 - $501,724,418,605
1977 - $406,401,711,688
1976 - $368,363,152,144
1975 - $357,324,307,786
1974 - $282,739,225,314
1973 - $261,970,536,240
1972 - $201,738,881,664
1971 - $164,694,210,962
1970 - $147,312,861,698
1969 - $140,660,914,841
1968 - $128,710,572,572
1967 - $118,088,635,381
1966 - $109,306,730,313
1965 - $100,927,668,584
1964 - $93,424,179,943
1963 - $84,227,606,650
1962 - $75,196,980,365
1961 - $67,158,050,215
1960 - $61,959,085,885

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs France by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea France
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $46,103 $62,557
2023 - - $44,700 $60,839
2022 - - $40,989 $57,043
2021 - - $43,725 $52,517
2020 - - $39,170 $49,482
2019 - - $40,408 $51,130
2018 - - $41,418 $46,381
2017 - - $38,687 $44,469
2016 - - $37,024 $42,880
2015 - - $36,702 $40,905
2014 - - $43,148 $40,218
2013 - - $42,669 $39,583
2012 - - $40,864 $37,671
2011 $689 $1,742 $43,930 $37,510
2010 $540 $1,599 $40,695 $35,908
2009 $643 $1,577 $41,728 $34,685
2008 $490 $1,547 $45,465 $35,053
2007 $480 $1,727 $41,486 $34,066
2006 $448 $1,682 $36,432 $32,424
2005 $413 $1,674 $34,696 $30,431
2004 $427 $1,621 $33,645 $28,921
2003 $349 $1,621 $29,480 $28,024
2002 $305 $1,702 $24,145 $28,350
2001 $325 $1,684 $22,332 $27,347
2000 $314 $1,558 $22,341 $26,007
1999 $311 $1,597 $24,576 $24,204
1998 $342 $1,598 $24,869 $23,263
1997 $319 $1,573 $24,169 $22,190
1996 $326 $1,449 $26,758 $21,268
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $26,792 $20,701
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $23,360 $19,892
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $22,239 $19,094
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $23,615 $18,801
1991 - - $21,501 $18,198
1990 - - $21,586 $17,475
1989 - - $17,547 -
1988 - - $17,550 -
1987 - - $16,176 -
1986 - - $13,430 -
1985 - - $9,657 -
1984 - - $9,312 -
1983 - - $9,862 -
1982 - - $10,360 -
1981 - - $10,956 -
1980 - - $12,565 -
1979 - - $11,063 -
1978 - - $9,167 -
1977 - - $7,459 -
1976 - - $6,792 -
1975 - - $6,617 -
1974 - - $5,261 -
1973 - - $4,907 -
1972 - - $3,809 -
1971 - - $3,137 -
1970 - - $2,833 -
1969 - - $2,729 -
1968 - - $2,518 -
1967 - - $2,328 -
1966 - - $2,173 -
1965 - - $2,024 -
1964 - - $1,891 -
1963 - - $1,723 -
1962 - - $1,554 -
1961 - - $1,402 -
1960 - - $1,307 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $46,103 in France, ranking 27/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while France ranks 30th at $62,557.

Economic indicators

Eritrea France
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$3.16T
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
7/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.19%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$46,103
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
27/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$62,557
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
30/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$3.58T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
113.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$52,165
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
8/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$35,669
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.37T
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
2,897,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
52
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
57.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
7.44%
2024
Population
3700586
68788006

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
France
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea France
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 57.2% 113.1%
2023 - - 56.8% 109.6%
2022 - - 58.4% 111.4%
2021 - - 59.5% 112.8%
2020 - - 61.7% 114.9%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 55.3% 98.1%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 56.4% 98.5%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 57.7% 98.7%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 57.4% 98.1%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 57.6% 96.9%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 58.4% 96.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 58.6% 94.5%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 57.9% 91.7%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 57% 88.7%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 57.7% 86.3%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 58% 84.1%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 54.3% 69.8%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 53.6% 65.5%
2006 50.5% 199% 53.7% 65.4%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 54.3% 68.2%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 54% 66.9%
2003 58.1% 264% 54.4% 65.4%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 53.9% 61.3%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 52.8% 59.3%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 52.6% 59.7%
1999 106.1% - 53.7% 61.4%
1998 88% - 54% 62.1%
1997 60.1% - 55.6% 62%
1996 68.6% - 56% 60.6%
1995 81.2% - 56% 57.8%
1994 50.4% - 55.9% 51.6%
1993 67.2% - 56.5% 48.2%
1992 32.7% - 54% 41.7%
1991 - - 52.7% 37.8%
1990 - - 51.6% 36.8%
1989 - - 48.9% 34%
1988 - - 50.1% 33.3%
1987 - - 50.7% 33.4%
1986 - - 51.3% 31.1%
1985 - - 51.9% 30.6%
1984 - - 51.2% 29%
1983 - - 50.2% 26.6%
1982 - - 49.9% 25.3%
1981 - - 48.5% 22%
1980 - - 46% 20.7%
1979 - - 44.9% 21.1%
1978 - - 44.7% 21.2%
1977 - - 21.4% 15%
1976 - - 21.7% 15.1%
1975 - - 22% 16.1%
1974 - - 19.9% 15.4%
1973 - - 19.7% 15.8%
1972 - - 19.8% 17.7%
1971 - - 20% 20.1%
1970 - - 20.5% 21%
1969 - - 21.5% 14.4%
1968 - - 22.7% 15.8%
1967 - - 21.4% 16.1%
1966 - - 21.4% 15.3%
1965 - - 21.1% 17.6%
1964 - - 21% 19.6%
1963 - - 22.6% 22.2%
1962 - - 21.7% 23.6%
1961 - - 21.9% 26.3%
1960 - - 22.2% 28.5%

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/france | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while France spent $1.81T, or 57.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 113.1% in France, ranking 2/185 and 14/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

France
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea France
2024 - -5.77%
2023 - -5.44%
2022 - -4.74%
2021 - -6.58%
2020 - -8.93%
2019 2.72% -2.39%
2018 5.22% -2.32%
2017 -5.74% -3.36%
2016 -1.44% -3.76%
2015 -2.77% -3.89%
2014 -0.12% -4.57%
2013 -7.62% -4.94%
2012 -5.21% -5.17%
2011 -5.5% -5.3%
2010 -16.5% -7.16%
2009 -22.2% -7.38%
2008 -38% -3.5%
2007 -19.8% -2.99%
2006 -15.5% -2.66%
2005 -31% -3.5%
2004 -7.65% -3.55%
2003 6.23% -4.09%
2002 -13.3% -3.18%
2001 -9.62% -1.42%
2000 -25.4% -1.32%
1999 -59.7% -1.55%
1998 -40.3% -2.39%
1997 -5.65% -3.71%
1996 -18.4% -3.89%
1995 -22.9% -5.11%
1994 8.69% -5.46%
1993 4.22% -6.4%
1992 6.85% -4.64%
1991 - -2.89%
1990 - -2.45%
1989 - -1.9%
1988 - -2.7%
1987 - -2.13%
1986 - -3.3%
1985 - -3.08%
1984 - -2.8%
1983 - -2.58%
1982 - -2.91%
1981 - -2.39%
1980 - -0.27%
1979 - -0.36%
1978 - -1.73%
1977 - 0.9%
1976 - 1.01%
1975 - -0.28%
1974 - 3.05%
1973 - 1.97%
1972 - 1.94%
1971 - -0.13%
1970 - 0.02%
1969 - -0.49%
1968 - -2.54%
1967 - -0.8%
1966 - -0.57%
1965 - -0.07%
1964 - -0.25%
1963 - -2.24%
1962 - -1.53%
1961 - -1.36%
1960 - -1.95%
1959 - 0.56%
1958 - 0.08%
1957 - -1.99%
1956 - -2.62%
1955 - -1.04%
1954 - -0.78%
1953 - -4.79%
1952 - -6.82%
1951 - -4.42%
1950 - -5.56%
1949 - -7.31%
1948 - -9.11%
1947 - -7.6%
1946 - -8.1%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -6.89%
1936 - -4.76%
1935 - -4.22%
1934 - -4.31%
1933 - -4.96%
1932 - -1.86%
1931 - -2.06%
1930 - -1.65%
1929 - 1.48%
1928 - 1.13%
1927 - -0.04%
1926 - -0.02%
1925 - -0.87%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.05%
1912 - 0.23%
1911 - 0.31%
1910 - -0.12%
1909 - -0.11%
1908 - -0.15%
1907 - 0.23%
1906 - -0.04%
1905 - 0.18%
1904 - 0.3%
1903 - 0.21%
1902 - -0.37%
1901 - -0.39%
1900 - 0.21%
1899 - 0.21%
1898 - 0.29%
1897 - 0.01%
1896 - -0.03%
1895 - -0.07%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - -0.3%
1892 - -0.03%
1891 - 0.36%
1890 - 0.31%
1889 - 0.09%
1888 - 0.18%
1887 - -0.07%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - -0.59%
1884 - -0.35%
1883 - -0.23%
1882 - -0.15%
1881 - 0.64%
1880 - 0.65%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/france | 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 France's deficit of $152B, or 5.3% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while France ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.96% of GDP for France.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

France
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea France
2024 - 2%
2023 - 4.88%
2022 - 5.22%
2021 - 1.64%
2020 - 0.48%
2019 1.3% 1.11%
2018 -14.4% 1.85%
2017 -13.3% 1.03%
2016 -5.6% 0.18%
2015 28.5% 0.04%
2014 8.4% 0.51%
2013 6.3% 0.86%
2012 6% 1.95%
2011 5.9% 2.11%
2010 10.3% 1.53%
2009 33.9% 0.09%
2008 22.2% 2.81%
2007 9.4% 1.49%
2006 7.7% 1.68%
2005 12.5% 1.75%
2004 25.1% 2.14%
2003 22.7% 2.1%
2002 16.9% 1.92%
2001 14.6% 1.63%
2000 19.9% 1.68%
1999 8.4% 0.54%
1998 9.5% 0.65%
1997 3.7% 1.2%

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/france | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.34% in France. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 2% in France.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $172K
France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.03M
Chemicals & pharma $952K
Raw materials & minerals $443K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $385K
Metals $128K
Wood & paper products $74K
Textiles & consumer goods $35K
Animal & marine products $21K
Miscellaneous $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Eritrea France
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$2.69B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
42/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+0.09%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$733B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$668B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$341B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$403B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
34.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
33.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea France
Economic freedom 39.6 64.6
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 72/197
Property rights 4.8 91.2
Government integrity 10.9 73.4
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 84.7
Tax burden 80.3 54.6
Government spending 62.3 0.9
Fiscal health 69 34.8
Business freedom 30.7 78.4
Labor freedom 43.4 59.1
Monetary freedom 80 73.2
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 75
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
France
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea France
2026 39.6 64.6
2025 38.6 64.4
2024 39.5 62.5
2023 39.5 63.6
2022 39.7 65.9
2021 42.3 65.7
2020 38.5 66
2019 38.9 63.8
2018 41.7 63.9
2017 42.2 63.3
2016 42.7 62.3
2015 38.9 62.5
2014 38.5 63.5
2013 36.3 64.1
2012 36.2 63.2
2011 36.7 64.6
2010 35.3 64.2
2009 38.5 63.3
2008 - 64.7
2007 - 62.1
2006 - 61.1
2005 - 60.5
2004 - 60.9
2003 - 59.2
2002 - 58
2001 - 58
2000 - 57.4
1999 - 59.1
1998 - 58.9
1997 - 59.1
1996 - 63.7
1995 - 64.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 64.6 for France, ranking 72/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea France
Services, % of GDP n/a
70.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
1.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$3.1T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$63,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$283B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
13/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$10.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$52.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$41.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
15.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
21.5%
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/france | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, 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 (2003–2024, 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.