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Economy of Eritrea vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $15.1B for Namibia, ranking 179/197 and 146/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (70.2% of GDP) in Namibia.

Eritrea vs Namibia GDP by year

Eritrea
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Namibia
2025 - $15,080,340,654
2024 - $13,641,190,683
2023 - $12,522,012,874
2022 - $12,569,449,123
2021 - $12,402,486,184
2020 - $10,583,748,542
2019 - $12,541,928,303
2018 - $13,682,019,076
2017 - $12,895,153,371
2016 - $10,722,018,732
2015 - $11,335,161,084
2014 - $12,435,430,970
2013 - $12,043,307,277
2012 - $13,042,053,592
2011 $2,065,001,626 $12,523,359,441
2010 $1,589,515,447 $11,431,412,421
2009 $1,856,695,551 $8,938,847,189
2008 $1,380,188,800 $8,607,431,497
2007 $1,317,974,491 $8,839,536,476
2006 $1,211,161,880 $8,001,779,551
2005 $1,098,424,686 $7,248,374,838
2004 $1,109,054,005 $6,609,205,995
2003 $870,248,268 $4,926,439,384
2002 $729,321,680 $3,349,169,826
2001 $752,371,689 $3,557,341,215
2000 $706,370,816 $3,922,232,165
1999 $688,918,537 $3,868,551,730
1998 $745,523,117 $3,873,109,866
1997 $686,490,090 $4,154,989,950
1996 $693,535,954 $3,989,163,197
1995 $578,015,625 $3,978,514,206
1994 $531,688,312 $3,666,503,530
1993 $467,872,715 $3,251,188,833
1992 $477,101,652 $3,429,521,699
1991 - $2,996,869,281
1990 - $2,789,921,854
1989 - $2,535,135,798
1988 - $2,495,094,746
1987 - $2,300,068,217
1986 - $1,809,048,527
1985 - $1,608,237,350
1984 - $1,951,260,038
1983 - $2,297,400,688
1982 - $2,118,710,248
1981 - $2,249,908,578
1980 - $2,421,990,338

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Namibia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $4,876 -
2024 - - $4,502 $11,687
2023 - - $4,226 $11,251
2022 - - $4,350 $10,663
2021 - - $4,413 $9,709
2020 - - $3,879 $9,354
2019 - - $4,732 $9,609
2018 - - $5,309 $9,854
2017 - - $5,144 $9,888
2016 - - $4,396 $10,200
2015 - - $4,774 $10,466
2014 - - $5,378 $10,365
2013 - - $5,347 $9,699
2012 - - $5,943 $9,364
2011 $689 $1,742 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $540 $1,599 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $643 $1,577 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $490 $1,547 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $480 $1,727 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $448 $1,682 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $413 $1,674 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $427 $1,621 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $305 $1,702 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $314 $1,558 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $311 $1,597 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $342 $1,598 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $319 $1,573 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $326 $1,449 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $2,347 $4,452
1991 - - $2,117 $4,192
1990 - - $2,037 $3,875
1989 - - $1,967 -
1988 - - $2,063 -
1987 - - $1,969 -
1986 - - $1,599 -
1985 - - $1,466 -
1984 - - $1,830 -
1983 - - $2,214 -
1982 - - $2,097 -
1981 - - $2,267 -
1980 - - $2,468 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $4,876 in Namibia, ranking 125/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Namibia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$15.1B
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
146/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$4,876
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
125/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
128/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
70.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$3,425
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
97/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$3,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
39.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
19.9%
2018
Population
3722489
3185686

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 39.4% 70.2%
2024 - - 39.6% 69.8%
2023 - - 37% 67.9%
2022 - - 36.6% 70.1%
2021 - - 39.3% 69.6%
2020 - - 41.5% 64.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 35% 24.6%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 32% 15.9%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 58.1% 264% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 106.1% - 31.8% 21.8%
1998 88% - 31.3% 19.6%
1997 60.1% - 30.9% 17.7%
1996 68.6% - 30.4% 18.7%
1995 81.2% - 29.6% 18%
1994 50.4% - 28.7% 16.4%
1993 67.2% - 32.4% 17.2%
1992 32.7% - 32.8% 14.1%
1991 - - 33% 11.8%
1990 - - 30.2% 12.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.94B, or 39.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 70.2% in Namibia, ranking 2/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Namibia
2025 - -6.46%
2024 - -3.84%
2023 - -3.14%
2022 - -6.33%
2021 - -8.68%
2020 - -8.07%
2019 2.72% -5.49%
2018 5.22% -5.09%
2017 -5.74% -4.99%
2016 -1.44% -9.3%
2015 -2.77% -8.3%
2014 -0.12% -6.44%
2013 -7.62% -4.69%
2012 -5.21% -3.1%
2011 -5.5% -7.09%
2010 -16.5% -4.98%
2009 -22.2% -0.4%
2008 -38% 3.48%
2007 -19.8% 6.01%
2006 -15.5% 3.41%
2005 -31% -0.31%
2004 -7.65% -2.67%
2003 6.23% -4.47%
2002 -13.3% -1.38%
2001 -9.62% -2.01%
2000 -25.4% -0.79%
1999 -59.7% -1.88%
1998 -40.3% -2.76%
1997 -5.65% -2.38%
1996 -18.4% -3.7%
1995 -22.9% -1.74%
1994 8.69% -0.57%
1993 4.22% -2.73%
1992 6.85% -2.55%
1991 - -1.59%
1990 - 1.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $888M, or 7.09% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.48% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Namibia
2025 - 3.5%
2024 - 4.2%
2023 - 5.9%
2022 - 6.1%
2021 - 3.6%
2020 - 2.2%
2019 1.3% 3.7%
2018 -14.4% 4.3%
2017 -13.3% 6.1%
2016 -5.6% 6.7%
2015 28.5% 3.4%
2014 8.4% 5.3%
2013 6.3% 5.6%
2012 6% 6.7%
2011 5.9% 5%
2010 10.3% 4.9%
2009 33.9% 9.5%
2008 22.2% 9.1%
2007 9.4% 6.5%
2006 7.7% 5%
2005 12.5% 2.3%
2004 25.1% 4.1%
2003 22.7% 7.2%
2002 16.9% 12.7%
2001 14.6% 10.2%
2000 19.9% 10.2%
1999 8.4% 9.4%
1998 9.5% 6.6%
1997 3.7% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 6.7% in Namibia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.5% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Namibia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Namibia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$1.83B
2024
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-13.4%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
63.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
44.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Namibia
Economic freedom 39.6 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 95/197
Property rights 4.8 63.1
Government integrity 10.9 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 67.2
Tax burden 80.3 66.4
Government spending 62.3 57.1
Fiscal health 69 60.5
Business freedom 30.7 58
Labor freedom 43.4 62.7
Monetary freedom 80 76.1
Trade freedom 68.4 69.8
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Namibia
2026 39.6 60.2
2025 38.6 58.7
2024 39.5 57.5
2023 39.5 57.7
2022 39.7 59.2
2021 42.3 62.6
2020 38.5 60.9
2019 38.9 58.7
2018 41.7 58.5
2017 42.2 62.5
2016 42.7 61.9
2015 38.9 59.6
2014 38.5 59.4
2013 36.3 60.3
2012 36.2 61.9
2011 36.7 62.7
2010 35.3 62.2
2009 38.5 62.4
2008 - 61.4
2007 - 63.5
2006 - 60.7
2005 - 61.4
2004 - 62.4
2003 - 67.3
2002 - 65.1
2001 - 64.8
2000 - 66.7
1999 - 66.1
1998 - 66.1
1997 - 61.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Namibia
Services, % of GDP n/a
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
28.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
6.99%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$11,260
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$3.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
119/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$1.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.93B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$44.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
18.7%
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/namibia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. TradeMap (2022, 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.