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Economy of Eritrea vs Japan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $4.03T 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 $9.51T (236.1% of GDP) in Japan.

Eritrea vs Japan GDP by year

Eritrea
Japan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Japan
2024 - $4,027,597,523,551
2023 - $4,213,167,237,906
2022 - $4,262,463,317,797
2021 - $5,039,148,168,861
2020 - $5,054,068,005,376
2019 - $5,117,993,853,017
2018 - $5,040,880,939,325
2017 - $4,930,837,369,151
2016 - $5,003,677,627,544
2015 - $4,444,930,651,964
2014 - $4,896,994,405,353
2013 - $5,212,328,181,166
2012 - $6,272,362,996,105
2011 $2,065,001,626 $6,233,147,172,341
2010 $1,589,515,447 $5,759,071,769,013
2009 $1,856,695,551 $5,289,493,117,994
2008 $1,380,188,800 $5,106,679,115,127
2007 $1,317,974,491 $4,579,750,920,355
2006 $1,211,161,880 $4,601,663,122,650
2005 $1,098,424,686 $4,831,467,035,390
2004 $1,109,054,005 $4,893,116,005,657
2003 $870,248,268 $4,519,561,645,254
2002 $729,321,680 $4,182,846,045,874
2001 $752,371,689 $4,374,711,694,091
2000 $706,370,816 $4,968,359,075,957
1999 $688,918,537 $4,635,982,224,064
1998 $745,523,117 $4,098,362,709,531
1997 $686,490,090 $4,492,448,605,639
1996 $693,535,954 $4,923,391,533,852
1995 $578,015,625 $5,545,563,663,890
1994 $531,688,312 $4,998,797,547,741
1993 $467,872,715 $4,536,940,479,038
1992 $477,101,652 $3,980,702,922,118
1991 - $3,648,065,760,649
1990 - $3,185,904,656,664
1989 - $3,109,455,047,824
1988 - $3,125,724,434,401
1987 - $2,580,748,422,781
1986 - $2,120,083,812,110
1985 - $1,427,019,759,717
1984 - $1,345,824,500,837
1983 - $1,270,859,919,743
1982 - $1,158,731,426,906
1981 - $1,245,221,410,764
1980 - $1,129,377,244,854
1979 - $1,077,910,077,676
1978 - $1,035,611,588,217
1977 - $737,069,290,928
1976 - $598,883,902,156
1975 - $532,861,438,885
1974 - $490,035,789,970
1973 - $441,460,582,536
1972 - $324,933,841,269
1971 - $245,364,056,622
1970 - $217,223,652,719
1969 - $184,298,841,305
1968 - $156,897,496,759
1967 - $132,475,614,227
1966 - $113,046,784,179
1965 - $97,338,107,606
1964 - $87,490,590,818
1963 - $74,379,284,603
1962 - $64,987,857,542
1961 - $57,266,758,180
1960 - $47,419,238,274

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

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
2024 - - $32,487 $52,039
2023 - - $33,836 $50,662
2022 - - $34,066 $47,192
2021 - - $40,095 $44,355
2020 - - $40,029 $42,426
2019 - - $40,416 $42,678
2018 - - $39,751 $42,142
2017 - - $38,834 $41,444
2016 - - $39,375 $40,597
2015 - - $34,961 $40,899
2014 - - $38,475 $39,555
2013 - - $40,899 $39,402
2012 - - $49,145 $37,606
2011 $689 $1,742 $48,760 $36,214
2010 $540 $1,599 $44,968 $35,336
2009 $643 $1,577 $41,309 $33,543
2008 $490 $1,547 $39,876 $35,274
2007 $480 $1,727 $35,779 $35,015
2006 $448 $1,682 $35,992 $33,632
2005 $413 $1,674 $37,813 $32,170
2004 $427 $1,621 $38,299 $30,832
2003 $349 $1,621 $35,387 $29,392
2002 $305 $1,702 $32,821 $28,624
2001 $325 $1,684 $34,406 $27,943
2000 $314 $1,558 $39,169 $27,288
1999 $311 $1,597 $36,610 $25,736
1998 $342 $1,598 $32,424 $25,508
1997 $319 $1,573 $35,638 $25,619
1996 $326 $1,449 $39,150 $24,999
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $44,198 $23,858
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $39,934 $22,823
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $36,345 $22,168
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $31,993 $21,825
1991 - - $29,428 $21,227
1990 - - $25,801 $19,912
1989 - - $25,266 -
1988 - - $25,500 -
1987 - - $21,142 -
1986 - - $17,452 -
1985 - - $11,809 -
1984 - - $11,207 -
1983 - - $10,652 -
1982 - - $9,780 -
1981 - - $10,583 -
1980 - - $9,669 -
1979 - - $9,301 -
1978 - - $9,012 -
1977 - - $6,473 -
1976 - - $5,310 -
1975 - - $4,776 -
1974 - - $4,448 -
1973 - - $4,061 -
1972 - - $3,031 -
1971 - - $2,321 -
1970 - - $2,101 -
1969 - - $1,803 -
1968 - - $1,553 -
1967 - - $1,326 -
1966 - - $1,144 -
1965 - - $994 -
1964 - - $903 -
1963 - - $776 -
1962 - - $685 -
1961 - - $609 -
1960 - - $509 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $32,487 in Japan, ranking 38/197. 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
$4.03T
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
4/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
0.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$32,487
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
38/197
2024
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
$9.51T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
236.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$76,704
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
3/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$23,653
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$6.31T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
2,732,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
23.9%
2020
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
39.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
2.74%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
2.54%
2024
Population
3700586
122677250

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
2024 - - 39.1% 236.1%
2023 - - 39.2% 240.5%
2022 - - 41.8% 248.2%
2021 - - 42.5% 253.7%
2020 - - 44.5% 258.4%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 37.3% 236.4%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 36.7% 232.4%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 36.7% 231.3%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 37.2% 232.4%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 37.3% 228.3%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 38.4% 233.3%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 38.8% 229.5%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 38.6% 226.1%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 38.6% 219.2%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 37.7% 205.9%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 38.7% 198.8%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 34.1% 180.9%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 33.1% 173%
2006 50.5% 199% 33.1% 174.1%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 33.5% 174.6%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 33.7% 169.5%
2003 58.1% 264% 35% 160%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 35.4% 154.1%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 35.2% 145.1%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 36% 135.6%
1999 106.1% - 35.6% 129.5%
1998 88% - 38.6% 116%
1997 60.1% - 33.1% 105%
1996 68.6% - 33.8% 98.1%
1995 81.2% - 33.4% 92.5%
1994 50.4% - 32.8% 84.4%
1993 67.2% - 32.1% 72.8%
1992 32.7% - 30.3% 66.8%
1991 - - 29.3% 62.4%
1990 - - 29.5% 63.2%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Japan spent $1.57T, or 39.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 236.1% 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
2024 - -1.53%
2023 - -2.26%
2022 - -4.21%
2021 - -6.13%
2020 - -9.08%
2019 2.72% -3.04%
2018 5.22% -2.47%
2017 -5.74% -3.1%
2016 -1.44% -3.6%
2015 -2.77% -3.68%
2014 -0.12% -5.62%
2013 -7.62% -7.61%
2012 -5.21% -8.2%
2011 -5.5% -8.99%
2010 -16.5% -9.08%
2009 -22.2% -9.69%
2008 -38% -4.11%
2007 -19.8% -2.9%
2006 -15.5% -3.03%
2005 -31% -4.44%
2004 -7.65% -5.31%
2003 6.23% -7.43%
2002 -13.3% -7.34%
2001 -9.62% -6.2%
2000 -25.4% -7.28%
1999 -59.7% -6.75%
1998 -40.3% -10%
1997 -5.65% -3.53%
1996 -18.4% -4.87%
1995 -22.9% -4.3%
1994 8.69% -3.76%
1993 4.22% -2.39%
1992 6.85% 0.57%
1991 - 1.67%
1990 - 1.96%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 $560B, or 8.99% 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 5.54% of GDP for Japan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Japan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Japan
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 2.74% in Japan.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Japan
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $205K
Machinery & equipment $62K
Raw materials & minerals $51K
Metals $43K
Textiles & consumer goods $39K
Miscellaneous $7K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Japan
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$194B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
3/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+4.82%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$719B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$694B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$246B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$228B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
23.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
22.8%
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 2026-03-09).

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
69.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
28.6%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
0.94%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$4.46T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$55,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$1.23T
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
2/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$191B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$16.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$203B
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
26.2%
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/japan | 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 (1875–1989, 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 (2021–2024, 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.