Skip to content

Economy of Eritrea vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 179/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Eritrea vs Latvia GDP by year

Eritrea
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Latvia
2024 - $43,684,254,432
2023 - $42,779,550,937
2022 - $38,003,198,509
2021 - $38,183,326,785
2020 - $33,379,927,435
2019 - $33,099,503,951
2018 - $33,247,935,477
2017 - $29,391,059,767
2016 - $27,117,105,060
2015 - $26,344,565,877
2014 - $30,277,203,767
2013 - $29,152,128,168
2012 - $27,116,149,949
2011 $2,065,001,626 $26,575,547,901
2010 $1,589,515,447 $23,468,324,572
2009 $1,856,695,551 $25,691,530,442
2008 $1,380,188,800 $34,135,200,994
2007 $1,317,974,491 $29,420,499,248
2006 $1,211,161,880 $20,434,922,247
2005 $1,098,424,686 $16,306,935,905
2004 $1,109,054,005 $13,827,070,379
2003 $870,248,268 $11,244,337,720
2002 $729,321,680 $9,249,030,241
2001 $752,371,689 $8,190,888,740
2000 $706,370,816 $7,761,252,607
1999 $688,918,537 $7,324,192,890
1998 $745,523,117 $6,974,112,951
1997 $686,490,090 $6,349,481,007
1996 $693,535,954 $5,799,465,288
1995 $578,015,625 $5,608,208,785
1994 $531,688,312 -
1993 $467,872,715 -
1992 $477,101,652 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Latvia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $23,409 $43,394
2023 - - $22,710 $42,576
2022 - - $20,221 $40,559
2021 - - $20,262 $36,912
2020 - - $17,564 $32,741
2019 - - $17,295 $32,199
2018 - - $17,252 $29,818
2017 - - $15,132 $25,764
2016 - - $13,839 $24,063
2015 - - $13,322 $22,544
2014 - - $15,186 $21,554
2013 - - $14,484 $20,474
2012 - - $13,329 $19,417
2011 $689 $1,742 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $540 $1,599 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $643 $1,577 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $490 $1,547 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $480 $1,727 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $448 $1,682 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $413 $1,674 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $427 $1,621 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $349 $1,621 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $305 $1,702 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $325 $1,684 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $314 $1,558 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $311 $1,597 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $342 $1,598 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $319 $1,573 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $326 $1,449 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $277.8 $1,379 - $5,012
1993 $252.1 $1,149 - $4,722
1992 $265.2 $1,021 - $4,760
1991 - - - $6,762
1990 - - - $7,448

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Latvia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
99/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
53/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$17,033
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
1.27%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
6.88%
2024
Population
3700586
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 44.5% 46.8%
2023 - - 43.1% 44.6%
2022 - - 43.5% 44.4%
2021 - - 44.6% 45.9%
2020 - - 42.6% 44%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 39% 37.9%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 34.8% 9%
2006 50.5% 199% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 58.1% 264% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 35% 17.8%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 37% 15.1%
1999 106.1% - 40.4% 14.8%
1998 88% - 38.1% 9.81%
1997 60.1% - - -
1996 68.6% - - -
1995 81.2% - - -
1994 50.4% - - -
1993 67.2% - - -
1992 32.7% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 2/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Latvia
2024 - -1.82%
2023 - -3.38%
2022 - -3.94%
2021 - -5.71%
2020 - -3.85%
2019 2.72% -0.39%
2018 5.22% -0.77%
2017 -5.74% -0.85%
2016 -1.44% -0.41%
2015 -2.77% -1.57%
2014 -0.12% -1.74%
2013 -7.62% -0.58%
2012 -5.21% 0.18%
2011 -5.5% -3.38%
2010 -16.5% -6.56%
2009 -22.2% -7.14%
2008 -38% -3.29%
2007 -19.8% 0.63%
2006 -15.5% -0.48%
2005 -31% -1.06%
2004 -7.65% -1.04%
2003 6.23% -1.67%
2002 -13.3% -2.59%
2001 -9.62% -2.03%
2000 -25.4% -2.57%
1999 -59.7% -3.54%
1998 -40.3% -0.66%
1997 -5.65% -
1996 -18.4% -
1995 -22.9% -
1994 8.69% -
1993 4.22% -
1992 6.85% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $900M, or 3.38% of GDP.

Over the past 14 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 13 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 21.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.53% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Latvia
2024 - 1.27%
2023 - 8.94%
2022 - 17.3%
2021 - 3.28%
2020 - 0.22%
2019 1.3% 2.81%
2018 -14.4% 2.53%
2017 -13.3% 2.93%
2016 -5.6% 0.14%
2015 28.5% 0.17%
2014 8.4% 0.62%
2013 6.3% -0.03%
2012 6% 2.26%
2011 5.9% 4.37%
2010 10.3% -1.08%
2009 33.9% 3.53%
2008 22.2% 15.4%
2007 9.4% 10.1%
2006 7.7% 6.54%
2005 12.5% 6.75%
2004 25.1% 6.19%
2003 22.7% 2.94%
2002 16.9% 1.94%
2001 14.6% 2.49%
2000 19.9% 2.65%
1999 8.4% 2.36%
1998 9.5% 4.64%
1997 3.7% 8.45%

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/latvia | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 3.86% in Latvia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 1.27% in Latvia.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Latvia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Latvia
Economic freedom 39.6 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 31/197
Property rights 4.8 88.8
Government integrity 10.9 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 70.9
Tax burden 80.3 70.9
Government spending 62.3 42.7
Fiscal health 69 80.8
Business freedom 30.7 80.7
Labor freedom 43.4 60.5
Monetary freedom 80 76.3
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 80
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Latvia
2026 39.6 71.6
2025 38.6 71.4
2024 39.5 71.5
2023 39.5 72.8
2022 39.7 74.8
2021 42.3 72.3
2020 38.5 71.9
2019 38.9 70.4
2018 41.7 73.6
2017 42.2 74.8
2016 42.7 70.4
2015 38.9 69.7
2014 38.5 68.7
2013 36.3 66.5
2012 36.2 65.2
2011 36.7 65.8
2010 35.3 66.2
2009 38.5 66.6
2008 - 68.3
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 66.9
2005 - 66.3
2004 - 67.4
2003 - 66
2002 - 65
2001 - 66.4
2000 - 63.4
1999 - 64.2
1998 - 63.4
1997 - 62.4
1996 - 55

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Latvia
Services, % of GDP n/a
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$257M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
20.9%
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/latvia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.