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Economy of Eritrea vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $38.6B for Iceland, ranking 179/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $21.6B (56.1% of GDP) in Iceland.

Eritrea vs Iceland GDP by year

Eritrea
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Iceland
2025 - $38,582,528,789
2024 - $33,186,621,855
2023 - $31,701,996,434
2022 - $29,176,227,825
2021 - $26,234,872,402
2020 - $22,034,665,041
2019 - $24,985,687,022
2018 - $26,677,652,544
2017 - $25,060,086,488
2016 - $21,083,713,310
2015 - $17,700,486,957
2014 - $18,052,183,515
2013 - $16,244,319,959
2012 - $14,943,757,823
2011 $2,065,001,626 $15,394,005,872
2010 $1,589,515,447 $13,922,711,577
2009 $1,856,695,551 $13,212,543,838
2008 $1,380,188,800 $18,247,921,360
2007 $1,317,974,491 $21,960,110,030
2006 $1,211,161,880 $17,671,649,843
2005 $1,098,424,686 $17,146,410,561
2004 $1,109,054,005 $13,963,943,244
2003 $870,248,268 $11,564,687,742
2002 $729,321,680 $9,416,199,700
2001 $752,371,689 $8,323,401,820
2000 $706,370,816 $9,140,168,922
1999 $688,918,537 $9,107,644,691
1998 $745,523,117 $8,637,732,542
1997 $686,490,090 $7,716,781,803
1996 $693,535,954 $7,686,566,105
1995 $578,015,625 $7,372,640,169
1994 $531,688,312 $6,612,804,056
1993 $467,872,715 $6,435,952,174
1992 $477,101,652 $7,328,497,599
1991 - $7,151,260,062
1990 - $6,694,851,159
1989 - $5,870,854,233
1988 - $6,320,093,411
1987 - $5,713,281,235
1986 - $4,129,080,094
1985 - $3,088,359,967
1984 - $2,964,568,006
1983 - $2,862,634,164
1982 - $3,318,714,326
1981 - $3,615,094,820
1980 - $3,499,616,683
1979 - $2,953,176,971
1978 - $2,599,627,089
1977 - $2,285,707,749
1976 - $1,727,845,419
1975 - $1,456,052,700
1974 - $1,568,154,077
1973 - $1,194,794,186
1972 - $869,002,946
1971 - $693,679,545
1970 - $545,115,909
1969 - $435,659,610
1968 - $498,365,200
1967 - $652,609,076
1966 - $660,663,763
1965 - $550,150,988
1964 - $456,206,299
1963 - $357,240,896
1962 - $299,309,938
1961 - $266,711,460
1960 - $260,984,499

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Iceland by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $98,323 -
2024 - - $85,863 $84,257
2023 - - $82,201 $81,608
2022 - - $76,377 $75,333
2021 - - $70,425 $61,610
2020 - - $60,128 $55,797
2019 - - $69,296 $60,524
2018 - - $75,634 $57,198
2017 - - $72,976 $55,638
2016 - - $62,854 $53,480
2015 - - $53,506 $49,201
2014 - - $55,140 $45,997
2013 - - $50,173 $44,410
2012 - - $46,595 $42,004
2011 $689 $1,742 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $540 $1,599 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $643 $1,577 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $490 $1,547 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $480 $1,727 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $448 $1,682 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $413 $1,674 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $427 $1,621 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $349 $1,621 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $305 $1,702 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $325 $1,684 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $314 $1,558 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $311 $1,597 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $342 $1,598 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $319 $1,573 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $326 $1,449 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $28,072 $21,877
1991 - - $27,740 $22,416
1990 - - $26,272 $21,985
1989 - - $23,219 -
1988 - - $25,307 -
1987 - - $23,238 -
1986 - - $16,980 -
1985 - - $12,793 -
1984 - - $12,378 -
1983 - - $12,080 -
1982 - - $14,191 -
1981 - - $15,666 -
1980 - - $15,340 -
1979 - - $13,082 -
1978 - - $11,630 -
1977 - - $10,305 -
1976 - - $7,848 -
1975 - - $6,680 -
1974 - - $7,287 -
1973 - - $5,627 -
1972 - - $4,155 -
1971 - - $3,366 -
1970 - - $2,666 -
1969 - - $2,142 -
1968 - - $2,473 -
1967 - - $3,284 -
1966 - - $3,378 -
1965 - - $2,861 -
1964 - - $2,414 -
1963 - - $1,924 -
1962 - - $1,641 -
1961 - - $1,490 -
1960 - - $1,486 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $98,323 in Iceland, ranking 8/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Iceland
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$38.6B
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
105/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.28%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$98,323
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
8/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
13/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$21.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
56.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$55,165
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
9/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$54,153
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
45%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
4.09%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
4.5%
2025
Population
3722489
398674

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 45% 56.1%
2024 - - 47.1% 60.4%
2023 - - 45.2% 61.5%
2022 - - 46.2% 66.4%
2021 - - 48.7% 73.6%
2020 - - 50.4% 76.1%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 43% 65.7%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 43.4% 62.3%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 43% 96.3%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 45.3% 114.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 47.2% 132.2%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 50% 136.6%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 53.4% 128.2%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 44.2% 67.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 58.1% 264% 47.3% 84.1%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 45% 81.3%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 47% 82.5%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 106.1% - 44.8% 75.5%
1998 88% - 40.3% 43.3%
1997 60.1% - 41.4% 51.1%
1996 68.6% - 42.5% 53.7%
1995 81.2% - 43% 56.1%
1994 50.4% - 43.6% 53%
1993 67.2% - 43.7% 50.6%
1992 32.7% - 43.3% 43.9%
1991 - - 41.6% 36.4%
1990 - - 41.4% 34.4%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $17.4B, or 45% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 56.1% in Iceland, ranking 2/185 and 86/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Iceland
2025 - -2.77%
2024 - -3.71%
2023 - -2.32%
2022 - -3.82%
2021 - -7.96%
2020 - -8.81%
2019 2.72% -1.45%
2018 5.22% 1.04%
2017 -5.74% 1.28%
2016 -1.44% 12.7%
2015 -2.77% -0.14%
2014 -0.12% 0.59%
2013 -7.62% -0.88%
2012 -5.21% -2.59%
2011 -5.5% -6.42%
2010 -16.5% -6.56%
2009 -22.2% -8.5%
2008 -38% -12%
2007 -19.8% 5.57%
2006 -15.5% 6.42%
2005 -31% 4.96%
2004 -7.65% 0.33%
2003 6.23% -2.25%
2002 -13.3% -2.21%
2001 -9.62% -0.27%
2000 -25.4% 1.43%
1999 -59.7% 1.3%
1998 -40.3% -0.55%
1997 -5.65% 0.05%
1996 -18.4% -1.46%
1995 -22.9% -2.77%
1994 8.69% -4.44%
1993 4.22% -4.21%
1992 6.85% -1.8%
1991 - -0.63%
1990 - -3.06%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $988M, or 6.42% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.67% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Iceland
2025 - 4.09%
2024 - 5.86%
2023 - 8.74%
2022 - 8.31%
2021 - 4.44%
2020 - 2.85%
2019 1.3% 3.01%
2018 -14.4% 2.68%
2017 -13.3% 1.76%
2016 -5.6% 1.7%
2015 28.5% 1.63%
2014 8.4% 2.04%
2013 6.3% 3.87%
2012 6% 5.19%
2011 5.9% 4%
2010 10.3% 5.4%
2009 33.9% 12%
2008 22.2% 12.7%
2007 9.4% 5.05%
2006 7.7% 6.69%
2005 12.5% 3.99%
2004 25.1% 3.16%
2003 22.7% 2.06%
2002 16.9% 5.2%
2001 14.6% 6.41%
2000 19.9% 5.14%
1999 8.4% 3.23%
1998 9.5% 1.66%
1997 3.7% 1.82%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 4.36% in Iceland. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 4.09% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $9K
Iceland
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Eritrea Iceland
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$1.34B
2025
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
127/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-3.48%
2025
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$10.4B
2025
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$7.4B
2025
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$5.98B
2025
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$8.16B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
42.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
40.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Iceland
Economic freedom 39.6 75
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 19/197
Property rights 4.8 94.9
Government integrity 10.9 85
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 95.2
Tax burden 80.3 72.2
Government spending 62.3 37
Fiscal health 69 76.2
Business freedom 30.7 86.8
Labor freedom 43.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 80 73.5
Trade freedom 68.4 79.8
Investment freedom 0 70
Financial freedom 20 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Iceland
2026 39.6 75
2025 38.6 72.8
2024 39.5 70.5
2023 39.5 72.2
2022 39.7 77
2021 42.3 77.4
2020 38.5 77.1
2019 38.9 77.1
2018 41.7 77
2017 42.2 74.4
2016 42.7 73.3
2015 38.9 72
2014 38.5 72.4
2013 36.3 72.1
2012 36.2 70.9
2011 36.7 68.2
2010 35.3 73.7
2009 38.5 75.9
2008 - 75.8
2007 - 76
2006 - 75.8
2005 - 76.6
2004 - 72.1
2003 - 73.5
2002 - 73.1
2001 - 73.4
2000 - 74
1999 - 71.4
1998 - 71.2
1997 - 70.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Iceland
Services, % of GDP n/a
66.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
3.65%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$35B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$83,250
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$7.73B
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
88/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$650M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$2.83B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$300M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
26.6%
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/iceland | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, 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)
  9. TradeMap (2003, 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.