Skip to content

Economy of Eritrea vs Netherlands compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $1.21T for the Netherlands, ranking 179/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $532B (43.8% of GDP) in the Netherlands.

Eritrea vs Netherlands GDP by year

Eritrea
Netherlands
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Netherlands
2024 - $1,214,927,698,573
2023 - $1,135,475,867,551
2022 - $1,046,540,797,549
2021 - $1,054,472,123,450
2020 - $932,560,861,701
2019 - $928,903,005,576
2018 - $929,733,599,797
2017 - $848,233,537,846
2016 - $797,163,949,290
2015 - $775,743,675,303
2014 - $901,556,501,756
2013 - $883,951,539,007
2012 - $845,689,017,066
2011 $2,065,001,626 $913,140,741,333
2010 $1,589,515,447 $852,464,982,433
2009 $1,856,695,551 $878,954,223,140
2008 $1,380,188,800 $957,901,566,041
2007 $1,317,974,491 $853,499,460,873
2006 $1,211,161,880 $737,593,995,289
2005 $1,098,424,686 $688,133,699,636
2004 $1,109,054,005 $661,224,886,143
2003 $870,248,268 $582,435,617,082
2002 $729,321,680 $475,529,972,123
2001 $752,371,689 $432,536,219,669
2000 $706,370,816 $417,649,282,154
1999 $688,918,537 $447,778,514,140
1998 $745,523,117 $438,612,530,549
1997 $686,490,090 $417,506,211,882
1996 $693,535,954 $451,372,549,020
1995 $578,015,625 $452,967,334,614
1994 $531,688,312 $379,688,232,232
1993 $467,872,715 $354,070,495,966
1992 $477,101,652 $363,497,050,125
1991 - $327,982,316,124
1990 - $318,799,003,994
1989 - $258,716,904,292
1988 - $262,295,966,105
1987 - $245,406,949,521
1986 - $201,157,708,221
1985 - $144,057,523,222
1984 - $144,124,462,912
1983 - $153,671,294,109
1982 - $158,712,765,536
1981 - $164,375,775,854
1980 - $195,439,301,707
1979 - $179,933,827,310
1978 - $156,089,077,205
1977 - $127,203,923,857
1976 - $109,329,386,564
1975 - $100,397,061,694
1974 - $87,371,810,804
1973 - $71,946,639,603
1972 - $54,787,070,173
1971 - $44,644,730,576
1970 - $38,220,884,519
1969 - $34,086,038,090
1968 - $30,097,635,751
1967 - $27,143,828,099
1966 - $24,741,480,717
1965 - $22,721,869,808
1964 - $20,232,048,553
1963 - $17,193,744,109
1962 - $15,847,582,341
1961 - $14,599,836,396
1960 - $13,282,979,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Netherlands by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Netherlands
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Netherlands
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $67,520 $86,174
2023 - - $63,516 $81,729
2022 - - $59,123 $78,630
2021 - - $60,142 $68,574
2020 - - $53,468 $62,597
2019 - - $53,555 $62,345
2018 - - $53,955 $58,819
2017 - - $49,514 $56,038
2016 - - $46,809 $53,162
2015 - - $45,794 $50,957
2014 - - $53,457 $49,751
2013 - - $52,602 $49,622
2012 - - $50,474 $47,653
2011 $689 $1,742 $54,702 $47,004
2010 $540 $1,599 $51,306 $45,301
2009 $643 $1,577 $53,172 $44,959
2008 $490 $1,547 $58,247 $46,714
2007 $480 $1,727 $52,101 $44,203
2006 $448 $1,682 $45,124 $41,208
2005 $413 $1,674 $42,165 $37,778
2004 $427 $1,621 $40,611 $35,961
2003 $349 $1,621 $35,897 $34,286
2002 $305 $1,702 $29,447 $34,568
2001 $325 $1,684 $26,956 $33,259
2000 $314 $1,558 $26,225 $31,895
1999 $311 $1,597 $28,319 $29,316
1998 $342 $1,598 $27,924 $27,749
1997 $319 $1,573 $26,745 $26,062
1996 $326 $1,449 $29,064 $24,564
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $29,301 $23,480
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $24,683 $22,414
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $23,156 $21,443
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $23,939 $20,831
1991 - - $21,764 $20,177
1990 - - $21,322 $19,203
1989 - - $17,423 -
1988 - - $17,771 -
1987 - - $16,734 -
1986 - - $13,804 -
1985 - - $9,941 -
1984 - - $9,992 -
1983 - - $10,696 -
1982 - - $11,089 -
1981 - - $11,537 -
1980 - - $13,812 -
1979 - - $12,817 -
1978 - - $11,196 -
1977 - - $9,180 -
1976 - - $7,937 -
1975 - - $7,346 -
1974 - - $6,450 -
1973 - - $5,353 -
1972 - - $4,110 -
1971 - - $3,384 -
1970 - - $2,931 -
1969 - - $2,647 -
1968 - - $2,364 -
1967 - - $2,155 -
1966 - - $1,986 -
1965 - - $1,848 -
1964 - - $1,668 -
1963 - - $1,437 -
1962 - - $1,342 -
1961 - - $1,254 -
1960 - - $1,156 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $67,520 in the Netherlands, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while the Netherlands ranks 11th at $86,174.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Netherlands
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$1.21T
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
19/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.08%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$67,520
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
13/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$86,174
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
11/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$532B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
43.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$29,571
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
24/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$47,815
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.1T
2017
Number of millionaires n/a
1,267,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
13
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.4%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
44.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.35%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
3.64%
2024
Population
3700586
18252623

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Netherlands
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Netherlands
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 44.4% 43.8%
2023 - - 44% 45.9%
2022 - - 43.3% 48.4%
2021 - - 45.9% 50.5%
2020 - - 47.8% 53.4%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 42.1% 47.7%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 42.4% 51.6%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 42.8% 56%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 43.9% 60.9%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 45.3% 63.8%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 46.7% 67.2%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 47.5% 67.2%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 47.6% 65.7%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 47.8% 61.2%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 48.9% 58.9%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 48.4% 56.3%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 44.3% 54.4%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 43.3% 42.7%
2006 50.5% 199% 44% 45%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 43.4% 49.6%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 44.7% 50.1%
2003 58.1% 264% 45.8% 49.8%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 44.8% 48.7%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 44.1% 49.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 43.2% 52.2%
1999 106.1% - 44.3% 58.6%
1998 88% - 44.6% 62.7%
1997 60.1% - 45.7% 65.7%
1996 68.6% - 47.3% 71.2%
1995 81.2% - 53.9% 73%
1994 50.4% - 49.4% 73.5%
1993 67.2% - 50.9% 76.7%
1992 32.7% - 50.2% 75.6%
1991 - - 49.6% 74.8%
1990 - - 48.8% 75%
1989 - - 54.5% 73.7%
1988 - - 56.4% 73.7%
1987 - - 58.5% 71.3%
1986 - - 57% 68.9%
1985 - - 57.3% 67.1%
1984 - - 58.1% 61.9%
1983 - - 59.1% 58.4%
1982 - - 59.1% 52.4%
1981 - - 56.8% 46.9%
1980 - - 55.2% 43.6%
1979 - - 53.7% 39.5%
1978 - - 52.3% 38.1%
1977 - - 50.6% 34.9%
1976 - - 50.8% 35.2%
1975 - - 50.8% 36.1%
1974 - - 46.4% 36.3%
1973 - - 44.6% 38.1%
1972 - - 44.9% 41.3%
1971 - - 44.6% 43.7%
1970 - - 43.2% 46.1%
1969 - - 42.1% 48.2%
1968 - - 25.4% 54.4%
1967 - - 24.1% 55%
1966 - - 24.4% 55.6%
1965 - - 23.4% 55.8%
1964 - - 22.3% 57.1%
1963 - - 21.9% 61.7%
1962 - - 22.1% 63.8%
1961 - - 22.2% 65.9%
1960 - - 20.4% 66.7%

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/netherlands | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while the Netherlands spent $540B, or 44.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 43.8% in the Netherlands, ranking 2/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Netherlands
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Netherlands
2024 - -0.94%
2023 - -0.37%
2022 - 0.002%
2021 - -2.26%
2020 - -3.72%
2019 2.72% 1.91%
2018 5.22% 1.49%
2017 -5.74% 1.35%
2016 -1.44% 0.23%
2015 -2.77% -1.84%
2014 -0.12% -2.17%
2013 -7.62% -2.87%
2012 -5.21% -3.83%
2011 -5.5% -4.42%
2010 -16.5% -5.3%
2009 -22.2% -5.06%
2008 -38% -0.06%
2007 -19.8% -0.16%
2006 -15.5% 0.04%
2005 -31% -0.51%
2004 -7.65% -1.82%
2003 6.23% -3.19%
2002 -13.3% -2.23%
2001 -9.62% -0.47%
2000 -25.4% 1.14%
1999 -59.7% 0.28%
1998 -40.3% -1.34%
1997 -5.65% -1.6%
1996 -18.4% -1.91%
1995 -22.9% -8.72%
1994 8.69% -3.53%
1993 4.22% -3.13%
1992 6.85% -3.12%
1991 - -2.05%
1990 - -4.08%
1989 - -5%
1988 - -4.23%
1987 - -5.39%
1986 - -4.62%
1985 - -3.6%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -5.47%
1982 - -6.17%
1981 - -4.92%
1980 - -3.95%
1979 - -2.46%
1978 - -2.09%
1977 - -0.75%
1976 - -2.02%
1975 - -2.82%
1974 - -0.26%
1973 - 0.54%
1972 - -0.7%
1971 - -1.58%
1970 - -1.52%
1969 - -1.14%
1968 - -3.06%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -2.37%
1965 - -1.15%
1964 - -1.2%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - -1.38%
1961 - -0.38%
1960 - 0.9%
1959 - -0.74%
1958 - -0.89%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - -0.83%
1955 - -0.25%
1954 - 0.76%
1953 - -2.95%
1952 - 2.19%
1951 - 2.13%
1950 - 0.81%
1949 - 2.3%
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -3.19%
1938 - -0.37%
1937 - 0.02%
1936 - -0.41%
1935 - -0.69%
1934 - -0.92%
1933 - -2.55%
1932 - -1.97%
1931 - -1.66%
1930 - -0.55%
1929 - -1.16%
1928 - -0.62%
1927 - -0.33%
1926 - -0.78%
1925 - -2.04%
1924 - -3.37%
1923 - -2.62%
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.45%
1912 - -0.47%
1911 - -0.13%
1910 - -0.93%
1909 - -0.34%
1908 - -0.57%
1907 - 0.03%
1906 - 0.16%
1905 - 0.1%
1904 - -0.72%
1903 - 0.09%
1902 - -0.14%
1901 - 0.03%
1900 - 0.06%
1899 - -0.13%
1898 - -0.48%
1897 - -0.45%
1896 - 0.08%
1895 - -0.06%
1894 - 0.12%
1893 - -0.76%
1892 - -1.72%
1891 - -0.06%
1890 - -0.06%
1889 - 0.04%
1888 - -0.31%
1887 - -0.37%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.55%
1884 - 0%
1883 - -2.1%
1882 - -1.11%
1881 - -1.06%
1880 - 0.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/netherlands | 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 the Netherlands' deficit of $40.4B, or 4.42% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while the Netherlands ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.26% of GDP for the Netherlands.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Netherlands
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Netherlands
2024 - 3.35%
2023 - 3.84%
2022 - 10%
2021 - 2.68%
2020 - 1.27%
2019 1.3% 2.63%
2018 -14.4% 1.7%
2017 -13.3% 1.38%
2016 -5.6% 0.32%
2015 28.5% 0.6%
2014 8.4% 0.98%
2013 6.3% 2.51%
2012 6% 2.46%
2011 5.9% 2.34%
2010 10.3% 1.28%
2009 33.9% 1.19%
2008 22.2% 2.49%
2007 9.4% 1.61%
2006 7.7% 1.1%
2005 12.5% 1.69%
2004 25.1% 1.26%
2003 22.7% 2.09%
2002 16.9% 3.29%
2001 14.6% 4.16%
2000 19.9% 2.36%
1999 8.4% 2.16%
1998 9.5% 1.96%
1997 3.7% 2.11%

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/netherlands | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.9% in the Netherlands. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.35% in the Netherlands.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $685K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Netherlands
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.15M
Machinery & equipment $806K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $453K
Miscellaneous $386K
Textiles & consumer goods $208K
Metals $143K
Raw materials & minerals $126K
Raw agricultural goods $49K
Animal & marine products $37K
Wood & paper products $16K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Netherlands
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$111B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+9.13%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$606B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$693B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$262B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$308B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
71.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
82.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Netherlands
Economic freedom 39.6 78.5
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 11/197
Property rights 4.8 96
Government integrity 10.9 86.8
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 96.1
Tax burden 80.3 54
Government spending 62.3 42.2
Fiscal health 69 95.9
Business freedom 30.7 85
Labor freedom 43.4 59.3
Monetary freedom 80 77
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 90
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Netherlands
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Netherlands
2026 39.6 78.5
2025 38.6 78.2
2024 39.5 77.3
2023 39.5 78
2022 39.7 79.5
2021 42.3 76.8
2020 38.5 77
2019 38.9 76.8
2018 41.7 76.2
2017 42.2 75.8
2016 42.7 74.6
2015 38.9 73.7
2014 38.5 74.2
2013 36.3 73.5
2012 36.2 73.3
2011 36.7 74.7
2010 35.3 75
2009 38.5 77
2008 - 77.4
2007 - 75.5
2006 - 75.4
2005 - 72.9
2004 - 74.5
2003 - 74.6
2002 - 75.1
2001 - 73
2000 - 70.4
1999 - 70.2
1998 - 69.2
1997 - 70.4
1996 - 69.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 78.5 for the Netherlands, ranking 11/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Netherlands
Services, % of GDP n/a
70.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
17.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
1.73%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$1.12T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$84,970
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$79.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
34/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$11.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
-$17.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$5.93B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
14.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
19.7%
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/netherlands | 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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2003–2024, 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.