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Economy of Eritrea vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $4.44T for Japan, ranking 179/197 and 4/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $9.16T (206.5% of GDP) in Japan.

Eritrea vs Japan GDP by year

Eritrea
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Japan
2025 - $4,435,162,999,977
2024 - $4,190,008,188,359
2023 - $4,384,854,269,962
2022 - $4,447,976,207,315
2021 - $5,225,933,520,753
2020 - $5,189,197,543,645
2019 - $5,245,755,000,479
2018 - $5,154,293,721,630
2017 - $5,038,231,631,661
2016 - $5,110,357,383,254
2015 - $4,534,438,580,495
2014 - $4,985,763,289,561
2013 - $5,272,297,037,397
2012 - $6,333,803,928,788
2011 $2,065,001,626 $6,279,422,550,219
2010 $1,589,515,447 $5,811,578,109,447
2009 $1,856,695,551 $5,336,765,697,589
2008 $1,380,188,800 $5,160,197,175,876
2007 $1,317,974,491 $4,624,670,179,655
2006 $1,211,161,880 $4,648,058,930,707
2005 $1,098,424,686 $4,875,648,486,366
2004 $1,109,054,005 $4,941,485,123,807
2003 $870,248,268 $4,573,413,206,709
2002 $729,321,680 $4,245,946,980,572
2001 $752,371,689 $4,438,792,748,062
2000 $706,370,816 $5,042,381,838,343
1999 $688,918,537 $4,688,983,449,627
1998 $745,523,117 $4,150,359,076,370
1997 $686,490,090 $4,579,780,793,432
1996 $693,535,954 $5,021,441,618,840
1995 $578,015,625 $5,639,649,753,986
1994 $531,688,312 $5,104,063,486,348
1993 $467,872,715 $4,632,480,515,091
1992 $477,101,652 $4,064,529,567,505
1991 - $3,724,887,648,862
1990 - $3,252,994,239,867
1989 - $3,174,934,735,896
1988 - $3,191,546,727,316
1987 - $2,635,094,473,494
1986 - $2,164,729,071,349
1985 - $1,457,070,301,468
1984 - $1,374,165,212,365
1983 - $1,297,622,008,229
1982 - $1,183,132,285,328
1981 - $1,271,443,597,067
1980 - $1,153,159,955,513
1979 - $1,100,608,979,757
1978 - $1,057,419,758,047
1977 - $752,590,681,822
1976 - $611,495,350,304
1975 - $544,082,569,364
1974 - $500,355,087,138
1973 - $450,756,970,744
1972 - $331,776,379,992
1971 - $250,530,994,765
1970 - $221,798,003,144
1969 - $188,179,852,753
1968 - $160,201,483,788
1967 - $135,265,319,098
1966 - $115,427,351,851
1965 - $99,387,878,008
1964 - $89,332,989,729
1963 - $75,945,582,324
1962 - $66,356,388,224
1961 - $58,472,696,006
1960 - $48,417,804,545

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Japan by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Japan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Japan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $35,951 -
2024 - - $33,797 $52,039
2023 - - $35,215 $50,662
2022 - - $35,548 $47,192
2021 - - $41,581 $44,355
2020 - - $41,099 $42,426
2019 - - $41,425 $42,678
2018 - - $40,645 $42,142
2017 - - $39,680 $41,444
2016 - - $40,215 $40,597
2015 - - $35,665 $40,899
2014 - - $39,173 $39,555
2013 - - $41,369 $39,402
2012 - - $49,627 $37,606
2011 $689 $1,742 $49,122 $36,214
2010 $540 $1,599 $45,378 $35,336
2009 $643 $1,577 $41,678 $33,543
2008 $490 $1,547 $40,294 $35,274
2007 $480 $1,727 $36,130 $35,015
2006 $448 $1,682 $36,354 $33,632
2005 $413 $1,674 $38,159 $32,170
2004 $427 $1,621 $38,678 $30,832
2003 $349 $1,621 $35,809 $29,392
2002 $305 $1,702 $33,316 $28,624
2001 $325 $1,684 $34,910 $27,943
2000 $314 $1,558 $39,753 $27,288
1999 $311 $1,597 $37,029 $25,736
1998 $342 $1,598 $32,835 $25,508
1997 $319 $1,573 $36,331 $25,619
1996 $326 $1,449 $39,930 $24,999
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $44,947 $23,858
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $40,774 $22,823
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $37,111 $22,168
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $32,667 $21,825
1991 - - $30,048 $21,227
1990 - - $26,345 $19,912
1989 - - $25,798 -
1988 - - $26,037 -
1987 - - $21,587 -
1986 - - $17,819 -
1985 - - $12,058 -
1984 - - $11,443 -
1983 - - $10,876 -
1982 - - $9,986 -
1981 - - $10,806 -
1980 - - $9,872 -
1979 - - $9,497 -
1978 - - $9,202 -
1977 - - $6,609 -
1976 - - $5,422 -
1975 - - $4,876 -
1974 - - $4,542 -
1973 - - $4,147 -
1972 - - $3,095 -
1971 - - $2,370 -
1970 - - $2,145 -
1969 - - $1,841 -
1968 - - $1,586 -
1967 - - $1,354 -
1966 - - $1,168 -
1965 - - $1,015 -
1964 - - $922 -
1963 - - $792 -
1962 - - $699 -
1961 - - $622 -
1960 - - $519 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $35,951 in Japan, ranking 34/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Japan ranks 41st at $52,039.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Japan
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$4.44T
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
4/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.19%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$35,951
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
34/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$52,039
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
41/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$9.16T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
206.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$74,248
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
3/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$22,962
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.61T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
2,902,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.3%
2020
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.3%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
36.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.17%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
2.5%
2025
Population
3722489
122704252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Japan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Japan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 36.9% 206.5%
2024 - - 37.3% 214.5%
2023 - - 37.8% 220.3%
2022 - - 40.2% 227.8%
2021 - - 41.3% 222.7%
2020 - - 43.6% 228.8%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 36.4% 206.3%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 36% 203.7%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 35.9% 203.1%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 36.5% 202.1%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 36.6% 200.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 37.8% 203.6%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 38.4% 201.2%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 38.4% 197.1%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 38.4% 190.6%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 37.4% 178.6%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 38.3% 172.9%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 33.7% 153.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 32.8% 150.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 32.7% 152.1%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 33.2% 153.4%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 33.3% 148.8%
2003 58.1% 264% 34.6% 140.2%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 34.9% 134.6%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 34.7% 126.8%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 35.4% 118.5%
1999 106.1% - 35.2% 113.5%
1998 88% - 38.1% 101.6%
1997 60.1% - 32.4% 91.3%
1996 68.6% - 33.1% 85.3%
1995 81.2% - 32.8% 80.7%
1994 50.4% - 32.1% 73.3%
1993 67.2% - 31.4% 63.2%
1992 32.7% - 29.6% 57.9%
1991 - - 28.6% 54.1%
1990 - - 28.8% 54.8%
1989 - - 29.2% 65.7%
1988 - - 29.9% 71.9%
1987 - - 30.6% 75.8%
1986 - - 30.4% 74.1%
1985 - - 30.4% 68.3%
1984 - - 31.2% 65.6%
1983 - - 31.8% 63.5%
1982 - - 31.7% 57.7%
1981 - - 31.5% 52.8%
1980 - - 33.5% 47.8%
1979 - - 33.2% 43.8%
1978 - - 32.1% 39%
1977 - - 30.4% 31.1%
1976 - - 29.1% 26.1%
1975 - - 28.5% 20.9%
1974 - - 25.5% 16.7%
1973 - - 23.3% 15.9%
1972 - - 23.1% 16.3%
1971 - - 21.8% 12.6%
1970 - - 20.2% 11.2%
1969 - - 19.8% 11.4%
1968 - - 20.1% 11.8%
1967 - - 19.9% 11.4%
1966 - - 20.8% 11.2%
1965 - - 20.4% 9.78%
1964 - - 19.8% 8.53%
1963 - - 20% 8.66%
1962 - - 19.4% 9.01%
1961 - - 18.2% 8.44%
1960 - - 18.4% 10.4%

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/japan | CC BY

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.63T, or 36.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 206.5% in Japan, ranking 2/185 and 3/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Japan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Japan
2025 - -1.05%
2024 - -1.67%
2023 - -2.39%
2022 - -4.23%
2021 - -6.32%
2020 - -9.04%
2019 2.72% -3.05%
2018 5.22% -2.44%
2017 -5.74% -3.05%
2016 -1.44% -3.58%
2015 -2.77% -3.64%
2014 -0.12% -5.58%
2013 -7.62% -7.62%
2012 -5.21% -8.22%
2011 -5.5% -9.02%
2010 -16.5% -9.05%
2009 -22.2% -9.62%
2008 -38% -4.07%
2007 -19.8% -2.86%
2006 -15.5% -3%
2005 -31% -4.39%
2004 -7.65% -5.26%
2003 6.23% -7.35%
2002 -13.3% -7.22%
2001 -9.62% -6.11%
2000 -25.4% -7.17%
1999 -59.7% -6.68%
1998 -40.3% -9.91%
1997 -5.65% -3.44%
1996 -18.4% -4.75%
1995 -22.9% -4.22%
1994 8.69% -3.7%
1993 4.22% -2.34%
1992 6.85% 0.56%
1991 - 1.64%
1990 - 1.91%
1989 - 1.23%
1988 - 0.49%
1987 - -0.36%
1986 - -1.36%
1985 - -1.37%
1984 - -2.62%
1983 - -3.95%
1982 - -3.81%
1981 - -3.85%
1980 - -4.66%
1979 - -5%
1978 - -5.79%
1977 - -4.02%
1976 - -3.89%
1975 - -2.92%
1974 - 0.38%
1973 - 0.56%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - 1.21%
1970 - 1.74%
1969 - 1.26%
1968 - 0.88%
1967 - 0.8%
1966 - -0.34%
1965 - 0.48%
1964 - 0.85%
1963 - 1.08%
1962 - 1.49%
1961 - 2.58%
1960 - 1.85%
1959 - 0.97%
1958 - -0.1%
1957 - 1.27%
1956 - 1.39%
1955 - -0.67%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.65%
1952 - 2.22%
1951 - 5.06%
1950 - 6.99%
1949 - 12.5%
1948 - 7.53%
1947 - 6.09%
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - 0.32%
1942 - -0.13%
1941 - -0.19%
1940 - 0.31%
1939 - 0.11%
1938 - 0.45%
1937 - 0.71%
1936 - 0.34%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.34%
1933 - 0.28%
1932 - 0.31%
1931 - 0.23%
1930 - 0.19%
1929 - 0.5%
1928 - 0.42%
1927 - 0.58%
1926 - 0.65%
1925 - 0.75%
1924 - 0.84%
1923 - 0.87%
1922 - 0.89%
1921 - 1.43%
1920 - 1.19%
1919 - 1.21%
1918 - 1.58%
1917 - 1.54%
1916 - 1.37%
1915 - 1.41%
1914 - 1.31%
1913 - 1.21%
1912 - 1.27%
1911 - 1.21%
1910 - 1.57%
1909 - 1.51%
1908 - 1.63%
1907 - 1.77%
1906 - 0.46%
1905 - -0.68%
1904 - -0.81%
1903 - 0.19%
1902 - 0.44%
1901 - 0.21%
1900 - 0.53%
1899 - 0.2%
1898 - 0.6%
1897 - 0.33%
1896 - 0.88%
1895 - 0.28%
1894 - -0.24%
1893 - 0.6%
1892 - 0.63%
1891 - 0.61%
1890 - 0.74%
1889 - 0.18%
1888 - 0.13%
1887 - 0.11%
1886 - 0.03%
1885 - 0.01%
1884 - 0.001%
1883 - 0.03%
1882 - 0.001%
1881 - 0.001%
1880 - 0.004%
1879 - 0.02%
1878 - 0.02%
1877 - -0.29%
1876 - -0.42%
1875 - 0.005%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1875–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/japan | 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 Japan's deficit of $566B, or 9.02% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Japan ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.48% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Japan
2025 - 3.17%
2024 - 2.74%
2023 - 3.27%
2022 - 2.5%
2021 - -0.23%
2020 - -0.02%
2019 1.3% 0.47%
2018 -14.4% 0.99%
2017 -13.3% 0.48%
2016 -5.6% -0.13%
2015 28.5% 0.8%
2014 8.4% 2.76%
2013 6.3% 0.34%
2012 6% -0.04%
2011 5.9% -0.27%
2010 10.3% -0.73%
2009 33.9% -1.35%
2008 22.2% 1.38%
2007 9.4% 0.06%
2006 7.7% 0.25%
2005 12.5% -0.28%
2004 25.1% -0.009%
2003 22.7% -0.26%
2002 16.9% -0.92%
2001 14.6% -0.74%
2000 19.9% -0.68%
1999 8.4% -0.34%
1998 9.5% 0.66%
1997 3.7% 1.75%

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/japan | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 0.18% in Japan. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.17% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Japan
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $228K
Machinery & equipment $111K
Raw materials & minerals $51K
Metals $43K
Textiles & consumer goods $42K
Miscellaneous $7K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Japan
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$216B
2025
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
3/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+4.86%
2025
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$729B
2025
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$725B
2025
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$269B
2025
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$246B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
22.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
22%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Japan
Economic freedom 39.6 70.3
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 36/197
Property rights 4.8 94.2
Government integrity 10.9 81.1
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 97.9
Tax burden 80.3 63
Government spending 62.3 52
Fiscal health 69 41.7
Business freedom 30.7 77.8
Labor freedom 43.4 65.9
Monetary freedom 80 74.3
Trade freedom 68.4 76.2
Investment freedom 0 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Japan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Japan
2026 39.6 70.3
2025 38.6 70.2
2024 39.5 67.5
2023 39.5 69.3
2022 39.7 69.9
2021 42.3 74.1
2020 38.5 73.3
2019 38.9 72.1
2018 41.7 72.3
2017 42.2 69.6
2016 42.7 73.1
2015 38.9 73.3
2014 38.5 72.4
2013 36.3 71.8
2012 36.2 71.6
2011 36.7 72.8
2010 35.3 72.9
2009 38.5 72.8
2008 - 73
2007 - 72.7
2006 - 73.3
2005 - 67.3
2004 - 64.3
2003 - 67.6
2002 - 66.7
2001 - 70.9
2000 - 70.7
1999 - 69.1
1998 - 70.2
1997 - 70.3
1996 - 72.6
1995 - 75

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 70.3 for Japan, ranking 36/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Japan
Services, % of GDP n/a
71.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
26.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
0.96%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$4.73T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$58,920
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$1.37T
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
3/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$172B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$18.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$207B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
16.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
27.7%
2024

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/japan | 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 (1875–1989, 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 (2021–2025, 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)

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.