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Economy of Eritrea vs India compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $3.91T for India, ranking 179/197 and 5/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $3.19T (81.6% of GDP) in India.

Eritrea vs India GDP by year

Eritrea
India
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea India
2024 - $3,909,891,533,858
2023 - $3,638,489,096,034
2022 - $3,346,107,287,731
2021 - $3,167,270,623,260
2020 - $2,674,851,578,587
2019 - $2,835,606,256,558
2018 - $2,702,929,641,649
2017 - $2,651,474,262,755
2016 - $2,294,796,885,663
2015 - $2,103,588,360,045
2014 - $2,039,126,479,155
2013 - $1,856,721,507,622
2012 - $1,827,637,590,410
2011 $2,065,001,626 $1,823,051,829,895
2010 $1,589,515,447 $1,675,615,519,485
2009 $1,856,695,551 $1,341,888,016,995
2008 $1,380,188,800 $1,198,895,139,006
2007 $1,317,974,491 $1,216,736,438,835
2006 $1,211,161,880 $940,259,888,788
2005 $1,098,424,686 $820,383,763,511
2004 $1,109,054,005 $709,152,728,831
2003 $870,248,268 $607,700,687,237
2002 $729,321,680 $514,939,140,319
2001 $752,371,689 $485,440,139,204
2000 $706,370,816 $468,395,521,654
1999 $688,918,537 $458,821,052,616
1998 $745,523,117 $421,351,317,225
1997 $686,490,090 $415,867,563,593
1996 $693,535,954 $392,896,866,205
1995 $578,015,625 $360,281,909,643
1994 $531,688,312 $327,274,843,459
1993 $467,872,715 $279,295,648,983
1992 $477,101,652 $288,208,070,278
1991 - $270,105,341,879
1990 - $320,979,026,420
1989 - $296,042,052,945
1988 - $296,589,670,896
1987 - $279,033,584,092
1986 - $248,985,994,041
1985 - $232,511,554,840
1984 - $212,157,645,178
1983 - $218,262,146,413
1982 - $200,715,624,831
1981 - $193,491,368,446
1980 - $186,328,579,302
1979 - $152,995,442,498
1978 - $137,302,319,829
1977 - $121,486,641,441
1976 - $102,716,451,980
1975 - $98,473,832,017
1974 - $99,526,597,934
1973 - $85,517,673,173
1972 - $71,464,700,667
1971 - $67,351,404,352
1970 - $62,422,483,055
1969 - $58,447,995,017
1968 - $53,085,455,871
1967 - $50,134,942,204
1966 - $45,581,230,504
1965 - $59,556,105,229
1964 - $56,480,289,941
1963 - $48,421,923,459
1962 - $42,161,481,858
1961 - $39,232,435,784
1960 - $37,029,883,876

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs India by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
India
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea India
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $2,695 $11,160
2023 - - $2,530 $10,323
2022 - - $2,347 $9,207
2021 - - $2,240 $8,050
2020 - - $1,907 $6,966
2019 - - $2,041 $7,151
2018 - - $1,966 $6,715
2017 - - $1,950 $6,145
2016 - - $1,708 $5,800
2015 - - $1,584 $5,425
2014 - - $1,554 $5,192
2013 - - $1,433 $5,014
2012 - - $1,429 $4,820
2011 $689 $1,742 $1,445 $4,455
2010 $540 $1,599 $1,348 $4,206
2009 $643 $1,577 $1,095 $3,887
2008 $490 $1,547 $993 $3,633
2007 $480 $1,727 $1,022 $3,508
2006 $448 $1,682 $802 $3,221
2005 $413 $1,674 $710 $2,937
2004 $427 $1,621 $624 $2,682
2003 $349 $1,621 $544 $2,461
2002 $305 $1,702 $469 $2,277
2001 $325 $1,684 $450 $2,200
2000 $314 $1,558 $443 $2,091
1999 $311 $1,597 $442 $2,006
1998 $342 $1,598 $414 $1,852
1997 $319 $1,573 $416 $1,759
1996 $326 $1,449 $401 $1,695
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $375 $1,579
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $348 $1,467
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $303 $1,374
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $319 $1,309
1991 - - $306 $1,239
1990 - - $371 $1,212
1989 - - $350 -
1988 - - $358 -
1987 - - $345 -
1986 - - $315 -
1985 - - $301 -
1984 - - $281 -
1983 - - $296 -
1982 - - $278.7 -
1981 - - $275 -
1980 - - $271.1 -
1979 - - $228 -
1978 - - $209.4 -
1977 - - $189.6 -
1976 - - $164.1 -
1975 - - $161.1 -
1974 - - $166.7 -
1973 - - $146.6 -
1972 - - $125.3 -
1971 - - $120.7 -
1970 - - $114.4 -
1969 - - $109.5 -
1968 - - $101.6 -
1967 - - $98 -
1966 - - $91 -
1965 - - $121.5 -
1964 - - $117.9 -
1963 - - $103.4 -
1962 - - $92.2 -
1961 - - $87.9 -
1960 - - $84.9 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $2,695 in India, ranking 143/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while India ranks 130th at $11,160.

Economic indicators

Eritrea India
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$3.91T
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
5/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
6.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$2,695
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
143/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$11,160
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
130/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$3.19T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
81.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$2,200
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
118/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$4,596
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$5.13T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
917,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
205
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4.5%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
28.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
4.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
4.17%
2024
Population
3700586
1480351380

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
India
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea India
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 28.4% 81.6%
2023 - - 27.9% 80.7%
2022 - - 29.1% 82.2%
2021 - - 29.9% 83.5%
2020 - - 31% 88.4%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 26.8% 75.1%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 26.3% 70.4%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 26.2% 69.7%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 27.2% 68.9%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 27.1% 69%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 26.2% 67.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 26.6% 67.7%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 27.4% 68%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 27.6% 68.7%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 28% 67.7%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 28.5% 72.7%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 29.3% 74.3%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 26.9% 75.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 26.9% 77.9%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 26.9% 82.4%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 28.4% 84.9%
2003 58.1% 264% 29.9% 85.9%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 29.1% 84.3%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 28.3% 80.1%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 26.1% 74.9%
1999 106.1% - 25.8% 71.3%
1998 88% - 26% 69.3%
1997 60.1% - 25.2% 69%
1996 68.6% - 24.4% 67.1%
1995 81.2% - 25% 70.9%
1994 50.4% - 26.2% 74.8%
1993 67.2% - 26.2% 78.3%
1992 32.7% - 26.7% 78.8%
1991 - - 27.3% 76.7%
1990 - - 25.8% 50.8%
1989 - - 25.7% 50.5%
1988 - - 24.9% 48.9%
1987 - - 22.5% 48.9%
1986 - - 23.2% 47.9%
1985 - - 21.6% 44.3%
1984 - - 19.8% 41.6%
1983 - - 17.8% 39.6%
1982 - - 17.8% 41.7%
1981 - - 16.6% 37.2%
1980 - - 17.5% 38%
1979 - - 15.6% 32.2%
1978 - - 15% 30.8%
1977 - - 13.9% 29.9%
1976 - - 14.4% 31.3%
1975 - - 12.7% 29.5%
1974 - - 11.3% 29%
1973 - - 12.9% 34.1%
1972 - - 13.5% 37.2%
1971 - - 12.4% 37.6%
1970 - - 11.7% 38.1%
1969 - - 11.5% 38.8%
1968 - - 12.6% 40.3%
1967 - - 13.8% 38.5%
1966 - - 13.8% 36.2%
1965 - - 13.7% 36.8%
1964 - - 13.2% 33.8%
1963 - - 12.3% 35.5%
1962 - - 11.5% 36.2%
1961 - - 11.8% 38.7%
1960 - - 11.2% 36.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while India spent $1.11T, or 28.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 81.6% in India, ranking 2/185 and 43/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

India
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea India
2024 - -7.9%
2023 - -7.4%
2022 - -8.97%
2021 - -9.45%
2020 - -12.9%
2019 2.72% -7.69%
2018 5.22% -6.34%
2017 -5.74% -6.23%
2016 -1.44% -7.12%
2015 -2.77% -7.21%
2014 -0.12% -7.07%
2013 -7.62% -7%
2012 -5.21% -7.55%
2011 -5.5% -8.35%
2010 -16.5% -8.79%
2009 -22.2% -9.7%
2008 -38% -9.17%
2007 -19.8% -4.59%
2006 -15.5% -6.38%
2005 -31% -7.49%
2004 -7.65% -9.22%
2003 6.23% -11.4%
2002 -13.3% -11.1%
2001 -9.62% -11%
2000 -25.4% -8.41%
1999 -59.7% -8.7%
1998 -40.3% -9.74%
1997 -5.65% -8.28%
1996 -18.4% -6.71%
1995 -22.9% -6.81%
1994 8.69% -8%
1993 4.22% -8.57%
1992 6.85% -7.89%
1991 - -7.9%
1990 - -8.07%
1989 - -7.68%
1988 - -7.01%
1987 - -9.53%
1986 - -10.6%
1985 - -9.58%
1984 - -8.54%
1983 - -7.28%
1982 - -6.78%
1981 - -6.07%
1980 - -7.27%
1979 - -4.87%
1978 - -4.45%
1977 - -4.1%
1976 - -4.1%
1975 - -3.11%
1974 - -2.3%
1973 - -3.53%
1972 - -3.14%
1971 - -2.9%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.66%
1968 - -3.98%
1967 - -4.97%
1966 - -4.18%
1965 - -4.49%
1964 - -4.41%
1963 - -4.16%
1962 - -3.3%
1961 - -4.1%
1960 - -4.05%
1959 - -5.29%
1958 - -5.08%
1957 - -3.35%
1956 - -2.93%
1955 - -2.77%
1954 - -2.61%
1953 - -1.83%
1952 - 0.03%
1951 - -0.5%
1950 - -1.01%
1949 - -0.73%
1948 - -0.82%
1947 - -0.86%
1946 - -2.89%
1945 - -4.4%
1944 - -3.32%
1943 - -3.48%
1942 - -3.62%
1941 - -0.37%
1940 - -0.59%
1939 - -0.32%
1938 - -0.16%
1937 - -0.1%
1936 - -0.45%
1935 - -0.4%
1934 - -0.09%
1933 - 0%
1932 - 0.03%
1931 - -0.68%
1930 - -1.02%
1929 - -0.91%
1928 - -0.87%
1927 - -0.98%
1926 - -0.88%
1925 - -0.67%
1924 - -0.3%
1923 - -0.66%
1922 - -1.05%
1921 - -1.45%
1920 - -1.57%
1919 - -1.04%
1918 - -0.48%
1917 - -5.69%
1916 - 0.25%
1915 - -0.51%
1914 - -0.98%
1913 - -0.85%
1912 - -0.58%
1911 - -0.42%
1910 - -0.85%
1909 - -0.7%
1908 - -1.25%
1907 - -1.22%
1906 - -0.8%
1905 - -2%
1904 - -0.53%
1903 - -0.56%
1902 - -0.56%
1901 - -0.27%
1900 - -1.06%
1899 - -0.56%
1898 - -0.49%
1897 - -1.02%
1896 - -1%
1895 - -0.41%
1894 - -0.5%
1893 - -0.59%
1892 - -0.56%
1891 - -0.64%
1890 - -0.8%
1889 - -0.45%
1888 - -1.94%
1887 - -1.28%
1886 - -0.75%
1885 - -1.48%
1884 - -1.22%
1883 - -0.81%
1882 - -0.77%
1881 - -0.05%
1880 - -0.69%
1879 - -0.39%
1878 - -0.12%
1877 - -0.84%
1876 - -0.8%
1875 - -0.87%
1874 - -0.15%
1873 - -0.28%
1872 - 0.31%
1871 - 0.42%
1870 - 0.19%
1869 - 0.01%
1868 - -0.38%
1867 - -0.12%
1866 - -0.31%
1865 - 0.21%
1864 - -0.11%
1863 - -0.06%
1862 - 0.15%
1861 - -0.16%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1861–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/india | 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 India's deficit of $152B, or 8.35% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while India ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 8.52% of GDP for India.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

India
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea India
2024 - 4.95%
2023 - 5.65%
2022 - 6.7%
2021 - 5.13%
2020 - 6.62%
2019 1.3% 3.73%
2018 -14.4% 3.94%
2017 -13.3% 3.33%
2016 -5.6% 4.95%
2015 28.5% 4.91%
2014 8.4% 6.67%
2013 6.3% 10%
2012 6% 9.48%
2011 5.9% 8.91%
2010 10.3% 12%
2009 33.9% 10.9%
2008 22.2% 8.35%
2007 9.4% 6.37%
2006 7.7% 5.8%
2005 12.5% 4.25%
2004 25.1% 3.77%
2003 22.7% 3.81%
2002 16.9% 4.3%
2001 14.6% 3.78%
2000 19.9% 4.01%
1999 8.4% 4.67%
1998 9.5% 13.2%
1997 3.7% 7.16%

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/india | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 6.45% in India. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 4.95% in India.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $210K
Animal & marine products $163K
Metals $105K
India
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $5.05M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.33M
Machinery & equipment $1.88M
Weapons & explosives $985K
Metals $587K
Raw agricultural goods $578K
Raw materials & minerals $457K
Wood & paper products $360K
Textiles & consumer goods $243K
Miscellaneous $81K

Balance of trade

Eritrea India
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$32.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
186/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-0.82%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$727B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$447B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$197B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$375B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
23.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
21.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea India
Economic freedom 39.6 52.5
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 146/197
Property rights 4.8 48.3
Government integrity 10.9 37.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 52.6
Tax burden 80.3 71.2
Government spending 62.3 75.7
Fiscal health 69 6.7
Business freedom 30.7 67.4
Labor freedom 43.4 59
Monetary freedom 80 70.9
Trade freedom 68.4 61
Investment freedom 0 40
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
India
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea India
2026 39.6 52.5
2025 38.6 53
2024 39.5 52.9
2023 39.5 52.9
2022 39.7 53.9
2021 42.3 56.5
2020 38.5 56.5
2019 38.9 55.2
2018 41.7 54.5
2017 42.2 52.6
2016 42.7 56.2
2015 38.9 54.6
2014 38.5 55.7
2013 36.3 55.2
2012 36.2 54.6
2011 36.7 54.6
2010 35.3 53.8
2009 38.5 54.4
2008 - 54.1
2007 - 53.9
2006 - 52.2
2005 - 54.2
2004 - 51.5
2003 - 51.2
2002 - 51.2
2001 - 49
2000 - 47.4
1999 - 50.2
1998 - 49.7
1997 - 49.7
1996 - 47.4
1995 - 45.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 52.5 for India, ranking 146/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea India
Services, % of GDP n/a
49.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
24.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
16.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$3.84T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$11,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$643B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
5/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$2.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$27.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$24.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
2.38%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
21.9%
2011
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
32.9%
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/india | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1861–1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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.