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Economy of Eritrea vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 179/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Eritrea vs Gabon GDP by year

Eritrea
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Gabon
2024 - $20,895,684,426
2023 - $19,388,372,071
2022 - $20,440,655,695
2021 - $19,444,935,097
2020 - $15,342,236,164
2019 - $16,874,405,465
2018 - $16,867,326,402
2017 - $14,929,487,485
2016 - $14,023,890,265
2015 - $14,383,107,763
2014 - $18,203,966,896
2013 - $17,595,744,798
2012 - $17,170,464,016
2011 $2,065,001,626 $18,210,307,744
2010 $1,589,515,447 $14,372,593,020
2009 $1,856,695,551 $12,113,699,068
2008 $1,380,188,800 $15,571,348,344
2007 $1,317,974,491 $12,455,409,587
2006 $1,211,161,880 $10,327,598,306
2005 $1,098,424,686 $9,582,783,991
2004 $1,109,054,005 $7,770,219,008
2003 $870,248,268 $6,511,903,365
2002 $729,321,680 $5,335,451,100
2001 $752,371,689 $5,023,265,413
2000 $706,370,816 $5,080,483,629
1999 $688,918,537 $4,662,992,036
1998 $745,523,117 $4,483,417,310
1997 $686,490,090 $5,326,817,115
1996 $693,535,954 $5,694,040,003
1995 $578,015,625 $4,958,845,648
1994 $531,688,312 $4,190,819,344
1993 $467,872,715 $4,378,645,081
1992 $477,101,652 $5,592,390,827
1991 - $5,402,919,785
1990 - $5,952,293,765
1989 - $4,186,411,464
1988 - $3,834,503,376
1987 - $3,281,797,043
1986 - $3,403,638,189
1985 - $3,339,914,757
1984 - $3,561,451,561
1983 - $3,391,275,732
1982 - $3,618,007,841
1981 - $3,862,269,121
1980 - $4,279,637,942
1979 - $3,030,251,120
1978 - $2,389,479,272
1977 - $2,809,349,069
1976 - $3,009,409,974
1975 - $2,157,592,940
1974 - $1,544,216,002
1973 - $722,780,701
1972 - $430,508,359
1971 - $381,687,073
1970 - $323,802,476
1969 - $318,124,701
1968 - $294,468,564
1967 - $271,543,680
1966 - $245,849,781
1965 - $226,474,286
1964 - $215,679,855
1963 - $154,480,244
1962 - $182,796,536
1961 - $167,637,907
1960 - $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Gabon by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $8,230 $21,510
2023 - - $7,803 $20,756
2022 - - $8,409 $19,993
2021 - - $8,181 $18,524
2020 - - $6,606 $14,477
2019 - - $7,441 $15,950
2018 - - $7,624 $15,432
2017 - - $6,922 $14,797
2016 - - $6,677 $13,998
2015 - - $7,047 $14,306
2014 - - $9,201 $14,854
2013 - - $9,198 $14,498
2012 - - $9,297 $14,620
2011 $689 $1,742 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $540 $1,599 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $643 $1,577 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $490 $1,547 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $480 $1,727 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $448 $1,682 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $413 $1,674 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $427 $1,621 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $349 $1,621 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $305 $1,702 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $325 $1,684 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $314 $1,558 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $311 $1,597 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $342 $1,598 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $319 $1,573 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $326 $1,449 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $5,386 $12,312
1991 - - $5,345 $12,760
1990 - - $6,051 $11,952
1989 - - $4,374 -
1988 - - $4,119 -
1987 - - $3,624 -
1986 - - $3,865 -
1985 - - $3,898 -
1984 - - $4,273 -
1983 - - $4,182 -
1982 - - $4,584 -
1981 - - $5,026 -
1980 - - $5,718 -
1979 - - $4,155 -
1978 - - $3,360 -
1977 - - $4,048 -
1976 - - $4,441 -
1975 - - $3,258 -
1974 - - $2,384 -
1973 - - $1,140 -
1972 - - $693 -
1971 - - $627 -
1970 - - $543 -
1969 - - $545 -
1968 - - $515 -
1967 - - $482 -
1966 - - $443 -
1965 - - $415 -
1964 - - $400 -
1963 - - $290.7 -
1962 - - $348 -
1961 - - $323 -
1960 - - $276.1 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Gabon
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
127/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
90/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$5,368
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
1.17%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
20.4%
2010
Population
3700586
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 24.8% 72.7%
2023 - - 21.5% 70.6%
2022 - - 19.7% 65.6%
2021 - - 17.3% 72.9%
2020 - - 19.8% 83%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 22.6% 26%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 50.5% 199% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 58.1% 264% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 27.8% 81%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 106.1% - 25.5% 73.1%
1998 88% - 45.5% 87.6%
1997 60.1% - 29.7% 57%
1996 68.6% - 22.2% 64.5%
1995 81.2% - 25.1% 73.4%
1994 50.4% - 23.9% 71.3%
1993 67.2% - 26.9% 90.1%
1992 32.7% - 26.5% 87.9%
1991 - - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 - - 22.6% 90%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 2/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Gabon
2024 - -3.84%
2023 - 1.79%
2022 - -0.89%
2021 - -1.93%
2020 - -2.19%
2019 2.72% 2.13%
2018 5.22% -0.21%
2017 -5.74% -1.7%
2016 -1.44% -4.71%
2015 -2.77% -1.12%
2014 -0.12% 5.98%
2013 -7.62% -3.07%
2012 -5.21% 6.2%
2011 -5.5% 1.41%
2010 -16.5% 2.7%
2009 -22.2% 6.77%
2008 -38% 11%
2007 -19.8% 8.06%
2006 -15.5% 8.67%
2005 -31% 7.98%
2004 -7.65% 6.99%
2003 6.23% 7.75%
2002 -13.3% 3.72%
2001 -9.62% 4.07%
2000 -25.4% 11.1%
1999 -59.7% 1.11%
1998 -40.3% -13.1%
1997 -5.65% 1.41%
1996 -18.4% 2.12%
1995 -22.9% 2.64%
1994 8.69% -1.53%
1993 4.22% -5.35%
1992 6.85% -4.9%
1991 - -2.03%
1990 - -3.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/gabon | 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 Gabon's surplus of $257M, or 1.41% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.13% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Gabon
2024 - 1.17%
2023 - 3.63%
2022 - 4.23%
2021 - 1.09%
2020 - 1.35%
2019 1.3% 2.46%
2018 -14.4% 4.75%
2017 -13.3% 2.65%
2016 -5.6% 2.11%
2015 28.5% -0.34%
2014 8.4% 4.69%
2013 6.3% 0.51%
2012 6% 2.65%
2011 5.9% 1.26%
2010 10.3% 1.46%
2009 33.9% 1.89%
2008 22.2% 5.26%
2007 9.4% 5.03%
2006 7.7% -1.41%
2005 12.5% 3.71%
2004 25.1% 0.41%
2003 22.7% 2.24%
2002 16.9% 0.04%
2001 14.6% 2.14%
2000 19.9% 0.5%
1999 8.4% -1.94%
1998 9.5% 1.45%
1997 3.7% 3.97%

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/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.98% in Gabon. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Gabon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Gabon
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Gabon
Economic freedom 39.6 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 120/197
Property rights 4.8 30
Government integrity 10.9 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 19.9
Tax burden 80.3 76.5
Government spending 62.3 85.5
Fiscal health 69 87.9
Business freedom 30.7 63.6
Labor freedom 43.4 55.4
Monetary freedom 80 80.9
Trade freedom 68.4 57.4
Investment freedom 0 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Gabon
2026 39.6 56.6
2025 38.6 56.3
2024 39.5 56.9
2023 39.5 56.1
2022 39.7 55.8
2021 42.3 58.1
2020 38.5 56.7
2019 38.9 56.3
2018 41.7 58
2017 42.2 58.6
2016 42.7 59
2015 38.9 58.3
2014 38.5 57.8
2013 36.3 57.8
2012 36.2 56.4
2011 36.7 56.7
2010 35.3 55.4
2009 38.5 55
2008 - 54.2
2007 - 54.8
2006 - 56.1
2005 - 54.8
2004 - 57.1
2003 - 58.7
2002 - 58
2001 - 55
2000 - 58.2
1999 - 60.5
1998 - 59.2
1997 - 58.8
1996 - 55.7
1995 - 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Gabon
Services, % of GDP n/a
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
19.1%
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/gabon | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2022, 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.