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Economy of Eritrea vs Guinea-Bissau compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $2.53B for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 179/197 and 176/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $1.9B (75.3% of GDP) in Guinea-Bissau.

Eritrea vs Guinea-Bissau GDP by year

Eritrea
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
2025 - $2,527,930,273
2024 - $2,197,777,210
2023 - $2,076,748,678
2022 - $1,856,239,955
2021 - $1,907,611,288
2020 - $1,705,062,170
2019 - $1,596,214,680
2018 - $1,554,133,594
2017 - $1,469,978,606
2016 - $1,245,074,264
2015 - $1,152,384,167
2014 - $1,135,250,721
2013 - $1,109,682,824
2012 - $1,049,412,177
2011 $2,065,001,626 $1,157,074,319
2010 $1,589,515,447 $940,112,539
2009 $1,856,695,551 $890,167,833
2008 $1,380,188,800 $952,667,544
2007 $1,317,974,491 $753,162,998
2006 $1,211,161,880 $634,781,901
2005 $1,098,424,686 $639,776,041
2004 $1,109,054,005 $582,169,841
2003 $870,248,268 $553,614,800
2002 $729,321,680 $466,773,711
2001 $752,371,689 $412,610,872
2000 $706,370,816 $391,345,597
1999 $688,918,537 $579,365,780
1998 $745,523,117 $591,034,143
1997 $686,490,090 $698,107,222
1996 $693,535,954 $702,965,148
1995 $578,015,625 $660,195,402
1994 $531,688,312 $612,502,085
1993 $467,872,715 $615,779,519
1992 $477,101,652 $588,309,271
1991 - $668,470,891
1990 - $634,187,269
1989 - $554,072,303
1988 - $427,514,322
1987 - $451,893,375
1986 - $338,524,233
1985 - $373,959,151
1984 - $359,980,491
1983 - $425,225,177
1982 - $430,284,022
1981 - $402,230,865
1980 - $287,648,258
1979 - $308,143,183
1978 - $318,876,550
1977 - $298,871,675
1976 - $292,152,321
1975 - $283,311,997
1974 - $256,769,730
1973 - $232,331,281
1972 - $227,986,203
1971 - $204,167,297
1970 - $204,670,551

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Guinea-Bissau by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $1,124 -
2024 - - $998 $3,119
2023 - - $964 $2,990
2022 - - $882 $2,789
2021 - - $927 $2,523
2020 - - $847 $2,340
2019 - - $811 $2,247
2018 - - $809 $2,058
2017 - - $783 $2,082
2016 - - $680 $1,824
2015 - - $645 $1,730
2014 - - $652 $1,456
2013 - - $654 $1,416
2012 - - $635 $1,402
2011 $689 $1,742 $720 $1,472
2010 $540 $1,599 $600 $1,370
2009 $643 $1,577 $583 $1,315
2008 $490 $1,547 $640 $1,309
2007 $480 $1,727 $519 $1,260
2006 $448 $1,682 $449 $1,226
2005 $413 $1,674 $463 $1,187
2004 $427 $1,621 $431 $1,105
2003 $349 $1,621 $420 $1,089
2002 $305 $1,702 $362 $1,095
2001 $325 $1,684 $327 $1,064
2000 $314 $1,558 $317 $1,014
1999 $311 $1,597 $479 $1,001
1998 $342 $1,598 $498 $861
1997 $319 $1,573 $599 $1,118
1996 $326 $1,449 $615 $1,052
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $589 $945
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $561 $909
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $582 $890
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $574 $880
1991 - - $672 $877
1990 - - $651 $824
1989 - - $578 -
1988 - - $454 -
1987 - - $488 -
1986 - - $371 -
1985 - - $417 -
1984 - - $407 -
1983 - - $489 -
1982 - - $503 -
1981 - - $477 -
1980 - - $347 -
1979 - - $376 -
1978 - - $403 -
1977 - - $403 -
1976 - - $421 -
1975 - - $435 -
1974 - - $419 -
1973 - - $392 -
1972 - - $389 -
1971 - - $348 -
1970 - - $350 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $1,124 in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 177/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$2.53B
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
176/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
5.82%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$1,124
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
177/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$3,119
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
179/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$1.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
75.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$846
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
149/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$1,483
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
19.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
0.9%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
2.67%
2022
Population
3722489
2323460

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 19.9% 75.3%
2024 - - 20.4% 82.4%
2023 - - 21.9% 79.4%
2022 - - 21.3% 80.7%
2021 - - 25% 78.8%
2020 - - 25% 77.6%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 18.8% 65.1%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 19.5% 59.1%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 18.1% 51.8%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 20.5% 59.1%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 21.5% 56.3%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 23% 60.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 12.4% 49.6%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 13% 47.4%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 17.3% 45.6%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 18.5% 61.7%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 20.6% 148.3%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 21.8% 148.8%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 23.7% 164%
2006 50.5% 199% 19.8% 190.4%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 20.2% 203.7%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 23% 202%
2003 58.1% 264% 17% 183.4%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 14.1% 197.5%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 19.1% 204.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 23.5% 217.1%
1999 106.1% - 12.1% 109.9%
1998 88% - 8.72% 109.1%
1997 60.1% - 12.7% 94.3%
1996 68.6% - 8.93% 117.3%
1995 81.2% - 8.14% 103.3%
1994 50.4% - 18.4% 105.5%
1993 67.2% - 13.1% 112.4%
1992 32.7% - 10.1% 85.3%
1991 - - 9.19% 88.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Guinea-Bissau spent $502M, or 19.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 75.3% in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 2/185 and 49/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
2025 - -6.69%
2024 - -7.26%
2023 - -8.15%
2022 - -6.06%
2021 - -5.88%
2020 - -9.64%
2019 2.72% -3.86%
2018 5.22% -4.76%
2017 -5.74% -1.32%
2016 -1.44% -5.34%
2015 -2.77% -3.16%
2014 -0.12% -2.44%
2013 -7.62% -1.67%
2012 -5.21% -2.12%
2011 -5.5% -1.35%
2010 -16.5% -0.23%
2009 -22.2% 2.68%
2008 -38% -0.73%
2007 -19.8% -8.77%
2006 -15.5% -4.57%
2005 -31% -4.96%
2004 -7.65% -5.92%
2003 6.23% -5.63%
2002 -13.3% -3.7%
2001 -9.62% -1.83%
2000 -25.4% -2.8%
1999 -59.7% -4.06%
1998 -40.3% -5.95%
1997 -5.65% -2.56%
1996 -18.4% 3.48%
1995 -22.9% 2.45%
1994 8.69% -5.54%
1993 4.22% -0.34%
1992 6.85% -0.25%
1991 - 1.61%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/guinea-bissau | 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-Bissau's deficit of $15.7M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Guinea-Bissau ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.53% of GDP for Guinea-Bissau.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
2025 - 0.9%
2024 - 3.7%
2023 - 7.2%
2022 - 7.9%
2021 - 3.3%
2020 - 1.5%
2019 1.3% 0.3%
2018 -14.4% 0.4%
2017 -13.3% -0.2%
2016 -5.6% 2.7%
2015 28.5% 1.5%
2014 8.4% -1%
2013 6.3% 0.8%
2012 6% 2.1%
2011 5.9% 5.1%
2010 10.3% 1.1%
2009 33.9% -1.6%
2008 22.2% 10.4%
2007 9.4% 4.6%
2006 7.7% 2%
2005 12.5% 3.4%
2004 25.1% 0.8%
2003 22.7% -3.5%
2002 16.9% 3.3%
2001 14.6% 3.3%
2000 19.9% 8.6%
1999 8.4% -2.1%
1998 9.5% 8.1%
1997 3.7% 49.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 4.31% in Guinea-Bissau. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 0.9% in Guinea-Bissau.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$162M
2024
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
87/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-7.36%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$414M
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$229M
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$198M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$51M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
27%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
13.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
Economic freedom 39.6 43.2
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 181/197
Property rights 4.8 28.4
Government integrity 10.9 21
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 13.2
Tax burden 80.3 89
Government spending 62.3 86.5
Fiscal health 69 6.5
Business freedom 30.7 34.6
Labor freedom 43.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 80 75.9
Trade freedom 68.4 47
Investment freedom 0 30
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
2026 39.6 43.2
2025 38.6 43.6
2024 39.5 42.7
2023 39.5 44.6
2022 39.7 46
2021 42.3 54.9
2020 38.5 53.3
2019 38.9 54
2018 41.7 56.9
2017 42.2 56.1
2016 42.7 51.8
2015 38.9 52
2014 38.5 51.3
2013 36.3 51.1
2012 36.2 50.1
2011 36.7 46.5
2010 35.3 43.6
2009 38.5 45.4
2008 - 44.4
2007 - 46.1
2006 - 46.5
2005 - 46
2004 - 42.6
2003 - 43.1
2002 - 42.3
2001 - 42.5
2000 - 34.7
1999 - 33.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 43.2 for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 181/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Guinea-Bissau
Services, % of GDP n/a
39.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
15.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
40.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$2.45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$3,320
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
n/a
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$26.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$26.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$389K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
1.77%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
50.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
25.8%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1970–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1999–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.