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Economy of Eritrea vs Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $25B for Guinea, ranking 179/197 and 118/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $12.2B (48.8% of GDP) in Guinea.

Eritrea vs Guinea GDP by year

Eritrea
Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Guinea
2024 - $25,008,678,293
2023 - $22,407,615,556
2022 - $19,910,452,542
2021 - $17,069,115,738
2020 - $14,088,693,743
2019 - $13,442,861,496
2018 - $11,857,030,367
2017 - $10,324,668,271
2016 - $8,595,955,222
2015 - $8,794,201,743
2014 - $8,778,473,373
2013 - $8,376,613,539
2012 - $7,638,044,557
2011 $2,065,001,626 $6,785,137,203
2010 $1,589,515,447 $6,853,467,146
2009 $1,856,695,551 $6,716,905,340
2008 $1,380,188,800 $6,964,179,983
2007 $1,317,974,491 $6,281,918,226
2006 $1,211,161,880 $4,220,019,845
2005 $1,098,424,686 $4,282,468,637
2004 $1,109,054,005 $5,300,767,961
2003 $870,248,268 $5,025,167,975
2002 $729,321,680 $4,301,608,753
2001 $752,371,689 $4,125,527,603
2000 $706,370,816 $4,367,458,867
1999 $688,918,537 $5,046,806,783
1998 $745,523,117 $5,232,118,046
1997 $686,490,090 $5,516,916,163
1996 $693,535,954 $5,641,243,100
1995 $578,015,625 $5,385,704,166
1994 $531,688,312 $4,932,800,407
1993 $467,872,715 $4,781,166,117
1992 $477,101,652 $4,789,220,417
1991 - $4,396,178,694
1990 - $3,888,320,666
1989 - $3,546,079,263
1988 - $3,476,480,303
1987 - $2,976,714,019
1986 - $2,909,130,355
1985 - $22,787,644,566
1984 - $18,421,497,251
1983 - $15,129,893,722
1982 - $11,926,032,493
1981 - $9,646,440,667
1980 - $9,746,524,915
1979 - $8,877,094,497
1978 - $8,087,305,999
1977 - $6,914,381,291
1976 - $6,762,781,871
1975 - $6,102,769,605
1974 - $5,691,417,541
1973 - $5,152,080,388
1972 - $4,203,069,035
1971 - $3,594,302,908
1970 - $3,220,224,608

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Guinea by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $1,695 $4,565
2023 - - $1,555 $4,334
2022 - - $1,417 $4,062
2021 - - $1,245 $3,739
2020 - - $1,054 $3,332
2019 - - $1,031 $3,106
2018 - - $933 $2,844
2017 - - $834 $2,687
2016 - - $712 $2,255
2015 - - $747 $1,930
2014 - - $765 $1,873
2013 - - $748 $1,842
2012 - - $699 $1,790
2011 $689 $1,742 $637 $1,705
2010 $540 $1,599 $659 $1,622
2009 $643 $1,577 $662 $1,567
2008 $490 $1,547 $704 $1,614
2007 $480 $1,727 $650 $1,558
2006 $448 $1,682 $447 $1,453
2005 $413 $1,674 $463 $1,422
2004 $427 $1,621 $585 $1,366
2003 $349 $1,621 $566 $1,328
2002 $305 $1,702 $496 $1,315
2001 $325 $1,684 $483 $1,251
2000 $314 $1,558 $518 $1,196
1999 $311 $1,597 $611 $1,163
1998 $342 $1,598 $647 $1,130
1997 $319 $1,573 $696 $1,099
1996 $326 $1,449 $726 $1,048
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $713 $1,014
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $672 $976
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $671 $947
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $693 $908
1991 - - $656 $887
1990 - - $604 $871
1989 - - $570 -
1988 - - $574 -
1987 - - $505 -
1986 - - $506 -
1985 - - $4,062 -
1984 - - $3,362 -
1983 - - $2,823 -
1982 - - $2,273 -
1981 - - $1,876 -
1980 - - $1,931 -
1979 - - $1,790 -
1978 - - $1,658 -
1977 - - $1,440 -
1976 - - $1,431 -
1975 - - $1,311 -
1974 - - $1,243 -
1973 - - $1,143 -
1972 - - $948 -
1971 - - $825 -
1970 - - $753 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $1,695 in Guinea, ranking 160/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Guinea ranks 161st at $4,565.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Guinea
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$25B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
118/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
5.35%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$1,695
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
160/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$4,565
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
161/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$12.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
48.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$828
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
147/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$20,020
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
23.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.5%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
20.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
4.7%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
5.02%
2019
Population
3700586
15546235

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 20.6% 48.8%
2023 - - 18.3% 40.4%
2022 - - 15.7% 37.9%
2021 - - 15.1% 40.6%
2020 - - 17.1% 45.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 14.9% 37.3%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 15.9% 37.5%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 17.3% 39.9%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 16.1% 40.6%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 21.7% 41.5%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 20.1% 32.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 18.6% 30.5%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 19.6% 26.9%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 16% 53.8%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 20.5% 71.1%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 16.2% 61.3%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 10.1% 58.5%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 8.66% 60.8%
2006 50.5% 199% 13.2% 95.2%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 11% 97.9%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 13% 86.9%
2003 58.1% 264% 14.7% 81.6%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 14.4% 82.6%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 14.9% 90.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 12.6% 91.5%
1999 106.1% - 11.6% 92.3%
1998 88% - 10.3% 75.9%
1997 60.1% - 12.6% 67.9%
1996 68.6% - 12% 67.7%
1995 81.2% - 12.7% 66.5%
1994 50.4% - 12.6% 71.3%
1993 67.2% - 13.3% 68.9%
1992 32.7% - 13.8% 62%
1991 - - 16.3% 70.9%
1990 - - 18.7% 71.6%

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

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Guinea spent $5.14B, or 20.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 48.8% in Guinea, ranking 2/185 and 111/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Guinea
2024 - -4.99%
2023 - -3.86%
2022 - -1.88%
2021 - -1.7%
2020 - -3.08%
2019 2.72% -0.17%
2018 5.22% -0.97%
2017 -5.74% -1.98%
2016 -1.44% -0.08%
2015 -2.77% -6.53%
2014 -0.12% -3.01%
2013 -7.62% -3.86%
2012 -5.21% 23.7%
2011 -5.5% -0.92%
2010 -16.5% -9.66%
2009 -22.2% -4.87%
2008 -38% 0.38%
2007 -19.8% 1.28%
2006 -15.5% -2.13%
2005 -31% -1.06%
2004 -7.65% -3.85%
2003 6.23% -4.65%
2002 -13.3% -3.37%
2001 -9.62% -3.23%
2000 -25.4% -2.42%
1999 -59.7% -1.3%
1998 -40.3% 2.46%
1997 -5.65% 0.07%
1996 -18.4% -2.2%
1995 -22.9% -1.07%
1994 8.69% -2.59%
1993 4.22% -2.33%
1992 6.85% -0.89%
1991 - -3.25%
1990 - -3.76%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/guinea | 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 Guinea's deficit of $62.5M, or 0.92% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Guinea ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.12% of GDP for Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Guinea
2024 - 4.7%
2023 - 5.4%
2022 - 10.5%
2021 - 12.6%
2020 - 10.6%
2019 1.3% 9.5%
2018 -14.4% 9.8%
2017 -13.3% 8.9%
2016 -5.6% 8.2%
2015 28.5% 8.2%
2014 8.4% 9.7%
2013 6.3% 11.9%
2012 6% 15.2%
2011 5.9% 21.4%
2010 10.3% 15.5%
2009 33.9% 4.7%
2008 22.2% 18.4%
2007 9.4% 22.9%
2006 7.7% 34.7%
2005 12.5% 31.4%
2004 25.1% 17.5%
2003 22.7% 11%
2002 16.9% 3%
2001 14.6% 5.4%
2000 19.9% 6.8%
1999 8.4% 4.6%
1998 9.5% 5.1%
1997 3.7% 1.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 12.4% in Guinea. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 4.7% in Guinea.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Guinea
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$392M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
104/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$7.08B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$11.6B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$3.15B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$71.2M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
56.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Guinea
Economic freedom 39.6 53.1
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 141/197
Property rights 4.8 21.3
Government integrity 10.9 26.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 26
Tax burden 80.3 70.1
Government spending 62.3 90.1
Fiscal health 69 74.8
Business freedom 30.7 44.8
Labor freedom 43.4 56.4
Monetary freedom 80 75.3
Trade freedom 68.4 61.8
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Guinea
2026 39.6 53.1
2025 38.6 54.6
2024 39.5 53.3
2023 39.5 53.2
2022 39.7 54.2
2021 42.3 56.5
2020 38.5 56.5
2019 38.9 55.7
2018 41.7 52.2
2017 42.2 47.6
2016 42.7 53.3
2015 38.9 52.1
2014 38.5 53.5
2013 36.3 51.2
2012 36.2 50.8
2011 36.7 51.7
2010 35.3 51.8
2009 38.5 51
2008 - 52.8
2007 - 54.5
2006 - 52.8
2005 - 57.4
2004 - 56.1
2003 - 54.6
2002 - 52.9
2001 - 58.4
2000 - 58.2
1999 - 59.4
1998 - 61
1997 - 52.9
1996 - 58.5
1995 - 59.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 53.1 for Guinea, ranking 141/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Guinea
Services, % of GDP n/a
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
25.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
31%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$21.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$1.89B
2023
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
128/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$1.4B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.4B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$30K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
47%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
32.1%
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/guinea | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2024, 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)

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.