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Economy of Eritrea vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $475B for Iran, ranking 179/197 and 34/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $162B (34% of GDP) in Iran.

Eritrea vs Iran GDP by year

Eritrea
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Iran
2024 - $475,252,089,215
2023 - $457,510,482,317
2022 - $422,662,261,526
2021 - $407,350,685,583
2020 - $280,934,329,280
2019 - $347,988,400,958
2018 - $411,903,303,606
2017 - $510,239,893,418
2016 - $478,618,064,871
2015 - $409,191,686,497
2014 - $462,284,793,281
2013 - $500,399,839,840
2012 - $644,019,315,004
2011 $2,065,001,626 $629,082,257,472
2010 $1,589,515,447 $487,069,570,464
2009 $1,856,695,551 $414,059,094,949
2008 $1,380,188,800 $406,070,949,554
2007 $1,317,974,491 $349,736,591,832
2006 $1,211,161,880 $265,602,187,404
2005 $1,098,424,686 $224,970,371,325
2004 $1,109,054,005 $187,754,571,248
2003 $870,248,268 $151,911,222,119
2002 $729,321,680 $128,626,917,504
2001 $752,371,689 $126,878,750,296
2000 $706,370,816 $109,591,707,802
1999 $688,918,537 $113,848,450,088
1998 $745,523,117 $110,276,913,363
1997 $686,490,090 $113,919,163,421
1996 $693,535,954 $120,403,931,885
1995 $578,015,625 $96,419,225,744
1994 $531,688,312 $71,841,461,173
1993 $467,872,715 $63,743,623,232
1992 $477,101,652 $119,768,691,217
1991 - $131,637,664,958
1990 - $124,813,263,926
1989 - $120,496,362,916
1988 - $123,057,861,334
1987 - $134,009,995,923
1986 - $209,094,561,833
1985 - $180,183,629,600
1984 - $162,276,728,620
1983 - $156,365,156,618
1982 - $125,948,756,439
1981 - $100,499,312,750
1980 - $94,362,275,580
1979 - $90,391,877,326
1978 - $77,994,316,621
1977 - $80,600,122,702
1976 - $68,055,295,081
1975 - $51,776,222,350
1974 - $46,209,092,072
1973 - $27,081,698,250
1972 - $17,153,463,263
1971 - $13,731,802,833
1970 - $10,976,245,154
1969 - $9,743,089,607
1968 - $8,623,172,960
1967 - $7,555,383,690
1966 - $6,789,938,672
1965 - $6,197,319,929
1964 - $5,379,845,648
1963 - $4,928,628,018
1962 - $4,693,566,416
1961 - $4,426,949,095
1960 - $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Iran by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $5,190 $19,874
2023 - - $5,049 $18,917
2022 - - $4,721 $17,546
2021 - - $4,605 $15,884
2020 - - $3,203 $15,119
2019 - - $3,997 $13,928
2018 - - $4,783 $15,324
2017 - - $6,001 $15,719
2016 - - $5,711 $15,195
2015 - - $4,953 $14,274
2014 - - $5,672 $16,065
2013 - - $6,223 $16,215
2012 - - $8,114 $17,021
2011 $689 $1,742 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $540 $1,599 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $643 $1,577 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $490 $1,547 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $480 $1,727 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $448 $1,682 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $413 $1,674 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $427 $1,621 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $305 $1,702 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $314 $1,558 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $311 $1,597 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $342 $1,598 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $319 $1,573 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $326 $1,449 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $1,957 $8,888
1991 - - $2,194 $8,580
1990 - - $2,138 $7,566
1989 - - $2,125 -
1988 - - $2,234 -
1987 - - $2,513 -
1986 - - $4,064 -
1985 - - $3,634 -
1984 - - $3,395 -
1983 - - $3,397 -
1982 - - $2,845 -
1981 - - $2,393 -
1980 - - $2,368 -
1979 - - $2,352 -
1978 - - $2,101 -
1977 - - $2,243 -
1976 - - $1,954 -
1975 - - $1,532 -
1974 - - $1,409 -
1973 - - $851 -
1972 - - $555 -
1971 - - $457 -
1970 - - $377 -
1969 - - $345 -
1968 - - $314 -
1967 - - $283.7 -
1966 - - $262.9 -
1965 - - $247.5 -
1964 - - $221.7 -
1963 - - $209.6 -
1962 - - $205.8 -
1961 - - $200.1 -
1960 - - $195.6 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $5,190 in Iran, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Iran
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$475B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
34/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
3.66%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$5,190
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
119/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
97/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$162B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
34%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$1,764
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
122/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$2,964
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$172B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
14.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
32.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
7.63%
2024
Population
3700586
93468444

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 14.2% 34%
2023 - - 12.8% 29.6%
2022 - - 12.8% 34.5%
2021 - - 13.4% 39.9%
2020 - - 12.1% 47.1%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 50.5% 199% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 58.1% 264% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 13.6% 21%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 106.1% - 15.7% 22.2%
1998 88% - 16.9% 29.6%
1997 60.1% - 17.4% 30.9%
1996 68.6% - 17.3% 29.3%
1995 81.2% - 21% 31.2%
1994 50.4% - 23% 41.7%
1993 67.2% - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 32.7% - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - - 14% 29.3%
1990 - - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Iran spent $67.5B, or 14.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 34% in Iran, ranking 2/185 and 147/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Iran
2024 - -3.83%
2023 - -2.54%
2022 - -2.64%
2021 - -3.01%
2020 - -4.87%
2019 2.72% -4.3%
2018 5.22% -1.59%
2017 -5.74% -1.55%
2016 -1.44% -1.7%
2015 -2.77% -1.3%
2014 -0.12% -0.91%
2013 -7.62% -0.72%
2012 -5.21% -0.5%
2011 -5.5% -0.66%
2010 -16.5% -0.84%
2009 -22.2% -3.3%
2008 -38% -4.39%
2007 -19.8% -2.41%
2006 -15.5% -4.91%
2005 -31% -2.44%
2004 -7.65% -2.45%
2003 6.23% -2.76%
2002 -13.3% -2.88%
2001 -9.62% 0.02%
2000 -25.4% 5.42%
1999 -59.7% -0.51%
1998 -40.3% -5.03%
1997 -5.65% -1.81%
1996 -18.4% -0.75%
1995 -22.9% -2.63%
1994 8.69% -3.36%
1993 4.22% -5.15%
1992 6.85% -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/iran | 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 Iran's deficit of $4.13B, or 0.66% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.08% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Iran
2024 - 32.5%
2023 - 44.6%
2022 - 43.5%
2021 - 43.4%
2020 - 30.6%
2019 1.3% 39.9%
2018 -14.4% 18%
2017 -13.3% 8.04%
2016 -5.6% 7.25%
2015 28.5% 12.5%
2014 8.4% 16.6%
2013 6.3% 36.6%
2012 6% 27.3%
2011 5.9% 26.3%
2010 10.3% 10.1%
2009 33.9% 13.6%
2008 22.2% 25.4%
2007 9.4% 17.3%
2006 7.7% 10%
2005 12.5% 13.4%
2004 25.1% 14.8%
2003 22.7% 16.5%
2002 16.9% 14.3%
2001 14.6% 11.3%
2000 19.9% 14.5%
1999 8.4% 20.1%
1998 9.5% 17.9%
1997 3.7% 17.3%

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/iran | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 17.8% in Iran. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 32.5% in Iran.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Iran
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
28.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
23.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Iran
Economic freedom 39.6 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 185/197
Property rights 4.8 20.2
Government integrity 10.9 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 18.7
Tax burden 80.3 81.3
Government spending 62.3 94.7
Fiscal health 69 83.3
Business freedom 30.7 37.4
Labor freedom 43.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 80 42.2
Trade freedom 68.4 55.8
Investment freedom 0 5
Financial freedom 20 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Iran
2026 39.6 41.8
2025 38.6 42.5
2024 39.5 41.2
2023 39.5 42.2
2022 39.7 42.4
2021 42.3 47.2
2020 38.5 49.2
2019 38.9 51.1
2018 41.7 50.9
2017 42.2 50.5
2016 42.7 43.5
2015 38.9 41.8
2014 38.5 40.3
2013 36.3 43.2
2012 36.2 42.3
2011 36.7 42.1
2010 35.3 43.4
2009 38.5 44.6
2008 - 45
2007 - 45
2006 - 45
2005 - 50.5
2004 - 42.8
2003 - 43.2
2002 - 36.4
2001 - 35.9
2000 - 36.1
1999 - 36.8
1998 - 36
1997 - 34.5
1996 - 36.1

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Iran
Services, % of GDP n/a
49.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
36.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
10.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$469B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$19,820
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
85/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
44.3%
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/iran | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.