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Economy of Eritrea vs Italy compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $2.55T for Italy, ranking 179/197 and 9/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $3.5T (137.1% of GDP) in Italy.

Eritrea vs Italy GDP by year

Eritrea
Italy
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Italy
2025 - $2,551,556,954,100
2024 - $2,383,435,562,458
2023 - $2,316,882,296,366
2022 - $2,104,067,630,319
2021 - $2,179,207,773,596
2020 - $1,907,481,094,079
2019 - $2,019,606,796,584
2018 - $2,099,435,266,459
2017 - $1,970,720,904,585
2016 - $1,887,111,188,177
2015 - $1,845,428,048,839
2014 - $2,173,255,507,986
2013 - $2,153,225,581,941
2012 - $2,097,929,495,122
2011 $2,065,001,626 $2,306,974,020,278
2010 $1,589,515,447 $2,144,936,254,535
2009 $1,856,695,551 $2,209,484,319,013
2008 $1,380,188,800 $2,417,508,414,187
2007 $1,317,974,491 $2,222,524,108,128
2006 $1,211,161,880 $1,958,563,654,386
2005 $1,098,424,686 $1,864,982,261,287
2004 $1,109,054,005 $1,812,808,753,295
2003 $870,248,268 $1,582,930,016,539
2002 $729,321,680 $1,281,746,271,196
2001 $752,371,689 $1,172,041,488,806
2000 $706,370,816 $1,149,661,363,439
1999 $688,918,537 $1,255,004,736,464
1998 $745,523,117 $1,272,729,786,997
1997 $686,490,090 $1,244,988,176,444
1996 $693,535,954 $1,314,776,508,972
1995 $578,015,625 $1,177,369,428,266
1994 $531,688,312 $1,101,750,159,702
1993 $467,872,715 $1,067,412,587,671
1992 $477,101,652 $1,323,204,350,354
1991 - $1,249,092,439,519
1990 - $1,183,945,130,899
1989 - $930,801,709,004
1988 - $893,663,934,841
1987 - $807,570,134,449
1986 - $641,862,313,287
1985 - $453,259,761,687
1984 - $438,896,930,791
1983 - $444,063,496,940
1982 - $428,257,421,618
1981 - $431,695,533,981
1980 - $478,356,755,596
1979 - $394,584,507,108
1978 - $315,784,469,541
1977 - $258,190,019,750
1976 - $225,235,205,862
1975 - $228,220,643,535
1974 - $200,024,444,775
1973 - $175,896,529,392
1972 - $145,594,833,997
1971 - $124,959,712,859
1970 - $113,656,669,765
1969 - $100,996,667,239
1968 - $91,485,448,148
1967 - $84,401,995,573
1966 - $76,622,444,787
1965 - $70,717,012,186
1964 - $65,720,771,779
1963 - $60,035,924,618
1962 - $52,413,872,628
1961 - $46,649,487,320
1960 - $42,012,422,612

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Italy by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Italy
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Italy
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $43,309 -
2024 - - $40,430 $62,014
2023 - - $39,280 $60,030
2022 - - $35,654 $57,261
2021 - - $36,853 $49,825
2020 - - $32,091 $44,436
2019 - - $33,813 $46,662
2018 - - $35,062 $43,387
2017 - - $32,844 $42,142
2016 - - $31,392 $40,483
2015 - - $30,640 $37,384
2014 - - $36,028 $36,666
2013 - - $35,702 $36,459
2012 - - $34,854 $36,281
2011 $689 $1,742 $38,432 $36,392
2010 $540 $1,599 $35,857 $34,974
2009 $643 $1,577 $37,100 $34,502
2008 $490 $1,547 $40,829 $35,422
2007 $480 $1,727 $37,826 $34,108
2006 $448 $1,682 $33,537 $32,454
2005 $413 $1,674 $32,063 $30,138
2004 $427 $1,621 $31,348 $29,581
2003 $349 $1,621 $27,578 $29,249
2002 $305 $1,702 $22,451 $28,833
2001 $325 $1,684 $20,570 $28,134
2000 $314 $1,558 $20,190 $27,152
1999 $311 $1,597 $22,050 $25,655
1998 $342 $1,598 $22,365 $25,075
1997 $319 $1,573 $21,884 $23,937
1996 $326 $1,449 $23,123 $23,101
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $20,712 $22,446
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $19,382 $21,369
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $18,782 $20,485
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $23,297 $20,196
1991 - - $22,007 $19,596
1990 - - $20,874 $18,680
1989 - - $16,424 -
1988 - - $15,781 -
1987 - - $14,268 -
1986 - - $11,341 -
1985 - - $8,009 -
1984 - - $7,758 -
1983 - - $7,851 -
1982 - - $7,574 -
1981 - - $7,640 -
1980 - - $8,476 -
1979 - - $7,006 -
1978 - - $5,623 -
1977 - - $4,614 -
1976 - - $4,042 -
1975 - - $4,116 -
1974 - - $3,629 -
1973 - - $3,213 -
1972 - - $2,677 -
1971 - - $2,311 -
1970 - - $2,112 -
1969 - - $1,886 -
1968 - - $1,718 -
1967 - - $1,595 -
1966 - - $1,459 -
1965 - - $1,357 -
1964 - - $1,272 -
1963 - - $1,171 -
1962 - - $1,030 -
1961 - - $923 -
1960 - - $837 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $43,309 in Italy, ranking 29/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Italy ranks 31st at $62,014.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Italy
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$2.55T
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
9/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
0.54%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$43,309
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
29/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$62,014
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
31/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$3.5T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
137.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$59,371
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
6/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$23,424
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$587B
2014
Number of millionaires n/a
1,235,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
89
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
25.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
51.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
1.53%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
6.1%
2025
Population
3722489
58708169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Italy
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Italy
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 51.1% 137.1%
2024 - - 50.4% 134.7%
2023 - - 53.6% 133.9%
2022 - - 54.9% 138.4%
2021 - - 56% 145.8%
2020 - - 56.8% 154.4%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 48.4% 133.9%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 48.3% 134.2%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 48.8% 133.7%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 49% 134.2%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 50.2% 134.8%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 50.7% 134.8%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 50.9% 131.9%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 50.5% 125.9%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 49% 119.1%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 49.8% 118.8%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 51.1% 116.1%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 47.8% 105.8%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 46.6% 103.5%
2006 50.5% 199% 47.6% 106.3%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 47.1% 106.2%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 46.7% 104.7%
2003 58.1% 264% 47% 105.1%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 46.5% 105.9%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 47.1% 108.5%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 46.4% 108.7%
1999 106.1% - 47.1% 113.1%
1998 88% - 48% 113.9%
1997 60.1% - 49.3% 116.5%
1996 68.6% - 51.3% 118.9%
1995 81.2% - 51.4% 119.1%
1994 50.4% - 55.1% 130.8%
1993 67.2% - 57.8% 124.1%
1992 32.7% - 56.8% 113%
1991 - - 55.3% 105.3%
1990 - - 54.2% 101.7%
1989 - - 51.6% 91.8%
1988 - - 50.4% 89.2%
1987 - - 49.8% 87.4%
1986 - - 50.5% 83.4%
1985 - - 49.8% 79.1%
1984 - - 49.1% 73.1%
1983 - - 48.9% 67.8%
1982 - - 46.7% 61.8%
1981 - - 44.6% 57.3%
1980 - - 40.8% 55.1%
1979 - - 40.1% 58.9%
1978 - - 40.9% 59.9%
1977 - - 38.5% 56%
1976 - - 38.1% 57.3%
1975 - - 39.1% 57.9%
1974 - - 34.8% 50.8%
1973 - - 35.3% 51.1%
1972 - - 36.4% 48.2%
1971 - - 34.4% 42.4%
1970 - - 32.3% 37.8%
1969 - - 32.1% 37%
1968 - - 32.6% 36.4%
1967 - - 17.9% 33.3%
1966 - - 19.1% 33.4%
1965 - - 18.6% 28.4%
1964 - - 18.2% 27.2%
1963 - - 16.7% 27.2%
1962 - - 17.5% 29%
1961 - - 17.3% 30%
1960 - - 16.5% 31.4%

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/italy | CC BY

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Italy spent $1.3T, or 51.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 137.1% in Italy, ranking 2/185 and 9/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Italy
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Italy
2025 - -3.11%
2024 - -3.35%
2023 - -7.13%
2022 - -8.1%
2021 - -8.88%
2020 - -9.38%
2019 2.72% -1.45%
2018 5.22% -2.19%
2017 -5.74% -2.51%
2016 -1.44% -2.4%
2015 -2.77% -2.46%
2014 -0.12% -2.82%
2013 -7.62% -2.87%
2012 -5.21% -2.99%
2011 -5.5% -3.52%
2010 -16.5% -4.16%
2009 -22.2% -5.06%
2008 -38% -2.58%
2007 -19.8% -1.33%
2006 -15.5% -3.61%
2005 -31% -4.1%
2004 -7.65% -3.46%
2003 6.23% -3.23%
2002 -13.3% -2.88%
2001 -9.62% -3.18%
2000 -25.4% -2.42%
1999 -59.7% -1.77%
1998 -40.3% -2.99%
1997 -5.65% -2.98%
1996 -18.4% -6.61%
1995 -22.9% -7.2%
1994 8.69% -8.84%
1993 4.22% -9.76%
1992 6.85% -10.1%
1991 - -11.1%
1990 - -11.1%
1989 - -11.4%
1988 - -11%
1987 - -11.5%
1986 - -12%
1985 - -12.4%
1984 - -11.5%
1983 - -10.1%
1982 - -10%
1981 - -10.9%
1980 - -6.97%
1979 - -8.23%
1978 - -8.47%
1977 - -6.96%
1976 - -7.88%
1975 - -10.3%
1974 - -6.24%
1973 - -6.36%
1972 - -6.84%
1971 - -4.71%
1970 - -3.22%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.55%
1967 - -0.97%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.67%
1964 - -2.35%
1963 - -0.3%
1962 - -0.95%
1961 - -0.57%
1960 - -0.28%
1959 - -1%
1958 - -0.98%
1957 - -1.09%
1956 - -1.46%
1955 - -2.03%
1954 - -1.84%
1953 - -2.33%
1952 - -4.08%
1951 - -3.86%
1950 - -2.42%
1949 - -2.82%
1948 - -4.58%
1947 - -6.62%
1946 - -9.82%
1945 - -16.9%
1944 - -35.1%
1943 - -16.1%
1942 - -26.9%
1941 - -25.1%
1940 - -24.3%
1939 - -9.49%
1938 - -5.97%
1937 - -5.78%
1936 - -7.93%
1935 - -9.83%
1934 - -2.5%
1933 - -4.85%
1932 - -3.06%
1931 - -2.14%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -0.59%
1928 - -2.09%
1927 - -1.71%
1926 - -0.09%
1925 - 1.7%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - -3.21%
1922 - -11%
1921 - -7.77%
1920 - -5.89%
1919 - -11.2%
1918 - -22.7%
1917 - -27.6%
1916 - -28.2%
1915 - -25.8%
1914 - -12.4%
1913 - -0.86%
1912 - -1.86%
1911 - -0.63%
1910 - -0.32%
1909 - -0.69%
1908 - -1.31%
1907 - -0.51%
1906 - -0.69%
1905 - -1.57%
1904 - 0.58%
1903 - 0.32%
1902 - 0.48%
1901 - 0.36%
1900 - 0.28%
1899 - -0.11%
1898 - -0.21%
1897 - 0.009%
1896 - -0.43%
1895 - -0.69%
1894 - -0.23%
1893 - -0.49%
1892 - -0.25%
1891 - -1.41%
1890 - -0.32%
1889 - -1.32%
1888 - -2.11%
1887 - -1.94%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - 0.2%
1884 - -1.46%
1883 - -0.51%
1882 - -0.5%
1881 - -0.04%
1880 - 0.38%
1879 - 0.73%
1878 - 0.09%
1877 - -0.009%
1876 - -0.05%
1875 - 0.58%
1874 - -0.08%
1873 - 0.21%
1872 - 0%
1871 - -0.13%
1870 - -0.82%
1869 - 0.33%
1868 - -0.79%
1867 - -1.45%
1866 - -3.1%
1865 - -2.72%
1864 - -3.06%
1863 - -4.16%
1862 - -3.96%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/italy | 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 Italy's deficit of $81.3B, or 3.52% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Italy ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.49% of GDP for Italy.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Italy
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Italy
2025 - 1.53%
2024 - 0.98%
2023 - 5.62%
2022 - 8.2%
2021 - 1.87%
2020 - -0.14%
2019 1.3% 0.61%
2018 -14.4% 1.14%
2017 -13.3% 1.23%
2016 -5.6% -0.09%
2015 28.5% 0.04%
2014 8.4% 0.24%
2013 6.3% 1.22%
2012 6% 3.04%
2011 5.9% 2.78%
2010 10.3% 1.53%
2009 33.9% 0.77%
2008 22.2% 3.35%
2007 9.4% 1.83%
2006 7.7% 2.09%
2005 12.5% 1.99%
2004 25.1% 2.21%
2003 22.7% 2.67%
2002 16.9% 2.47%
2001 14.6% 2.79%
2000 19.9% 2.54%
1999 8.4% 1.66%
1998 9.5% 1.96%
1997 3.7% 2.04%

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/italy | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.74% in Italy. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 1.53% in Italy.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $636K
Chemicals & pharma $55K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Raw agricultural goods $18K
Metals $10K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2K
Italy
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $11.8M
Metals $8.98M
Chemicals & pharma $3.24M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.9M
Wood & paper products $1.85M
Raw materials & minerals $602K
Animal & marine products $486K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $442K
Miscellaneous $373K
Raw agricultural goods $173K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Italy
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$29.3B
2025
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
19/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+1.15%
2025
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$597B
2025
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$655B
2025
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$177B
2025
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$168B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
30.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
32.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Italy
Economic freedom 39.6 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 80/197
Property rights 4.8 84.8
Government integrity 10.9 60.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 80.9
Tax burden 80.3 57.5
Government spending 62.3 15.3
Fiscal health 69 17.2
Business freedom 30.7 74.5
Labor freedom 43.4 70.6
Monetary freedom 80 79.1
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 80
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Italy
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Italy
2026 39.6 63.3
2025 38.6 60.9
2024 39.5 60.1
2023 39.5 62.3
2022 39.7 65.4
2021 42.3 64.9
2020 38.5 63.8
2019 38.9 62.2
2018 41.7 62.5
2017 42.2 62.5
2016 42.7 61.2
2015 38.9 61.7
2014 38.5 60.9
2013 36.3 60.6
2012 36.2 58.8
2011 36.7 60.3
2010 35.3 62.7
2009 38.5 61.4
2008 - 62.6
2007 - 62.8
2006 - 62
2005 - 64.9
2004 - 64.2
2003 - 64.3
2002 - 63.6
2001 - 63
2000 - 61.9
1999 - 61.6
1998 - 59.1
1997 - 58.1
1996 - 60.8
1995 - 61.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 63.3 for Italy, ranking 80/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Italy
Services, % of GDP n/a
64.5%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
22.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.07%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$2.48T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$62,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$434B
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
10/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$22B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$28.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$45.9B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
20.1%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
22.2%
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/italy | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1862–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2003–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.