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Economy of Eritrea vs New Zealand compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $260B for New Zealand, ranking 179/197 and 52/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $131B (50.2% of GDP) in New Zealand.

Eritrea vs New Zealand GDP by year

Eritrea
New Zealand
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea New Zealand
2024 - $260,172,385,098
2023 - $255,194,972,673
2022 - $249,509,991,440
2021 - $253,977,931,815
2020 - $213,029,554,654
2019 - $213,006,341,102
2018 - $211,985,631,173
2017 - $206,745,969,246
2016 - $189,100,085,275
2015 - $178,224,167,088
2014 - $201,518,402,787
2013 - $191,012,364,177
2012 - $176,560,711,239
2011 $2,065,001,626 $168,484,908,960
2010 $1,589,515,447 $146,887,902,524
2009 $1,856,695,551 $121,663,439,315
2008 $1,380,188,800 $133,437,126,590
2007 $1,317,974,491 $137,188,946,866
2006 $1,211,161,880 $111,538,810,713
2005 $1,098,424,686 $114,720,129,550
2004 $1,109,054,005 $103,905,210,084
2003 $870,248,268 $88,250,885,550
2002 $729,321,680 $66,627,729,311
2001 $752,371,689 $53,872,425,917
2000 $706,370,816 $52,623,281,957
1999 $688,918,537 $58,762,260,626
1998 $745,523,117 $56,227,169,851
1997 $686,490,090 $66,075,143,415
1996 $693,535,954 $70,140,835,299
1995 $578,015,625 $63,918,703,507
1994 $531,688,312 $55,314,732,279
1993 $467,872,715 $46,775,620,817
1992 $477,101,652 $41,649,829,860
1991 - $42,745,329,732
1990 - $45,495,129,385
1989 - $43,920,222,525
1988 - $45,176,811,594
1987 - $40,376,354,070
1986 - $30,604,668,357
1985 - $24,679,795,396
1984 - $21,665,975,319
1983 - $24,309,279,706
1982 - $24,164,603,059
1981 - $24,417,617,184
1980 - $23,244,547,385
1979 - $20,731,243,113
1978 - $18,530,518,395
1977 - $15,446,825,318
1976 - $13,604,832,424
1975 - $12,861,983,284
1974 - $13,940,981,798
1973 - $12,802,281,898
1972 - $9,567,331,065
1971 - $7,911,136,757
1970 - $6,495,605,331
1969 - $5,814,357,709
1968 - $5,228,045,415
1967 - $6,016,017,227
1966 - $5,917,437,693
1965 - $5,706,251,400
1964 - $7,340,766,415
1963 - $6,699,741,645
1962 - $6,133,158,532
1961 - $5,721,994,864
1960 - $5,536,098,360

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/new-zealand | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs New Zealand by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
New Zealand
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea New Zealand
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $49,205 $55,551
2023 - - $49,076 $54,697
2022 - - $49,100 $54,034
2021 - - $49,950 $48,249
2020 - - $41,998 $45,513
2019 - - $42,856 $45,278
2018 - - $43,257 $42,527
2017 - - $42,950 $42,244
2016 - - $40,114 $39,989
2015 - - $38,665 $37,513
2014 - - $44,618 $37,331
2013 - - $43,000 $36,263
2012 - - $40,054 $33,055
2011 $689 $1,742 $38,432 $32,739
2010 $540 $1,599 $33,762 $31,305
2009 $643 $1,577 $28,277 $30,746
2008 $490 $1,547 $31,325 $29,896
2007 $480 $1,727 $32,480 $29,331
2006 $448 $1,682 $26,655 $27,732
2005 $413 $1,674 $27,751 $25,677
2004 $427 $1,621 $25,420 $25,124
2003 $349 $1,621 $21,914 $23,996
2002 $305 $1,702 $16,874 $23,306
2001 $325 $1,684 $13,883 $22,511
2000 $314 $1,558 $13,641 $21,500
1999 $311 $1,597 $15,322 $20,579
1998 $342 $1,598 $14,738 $19,323
1997 $319 $1,573 $17,474 $19,100
1996 $326 $1,449 $18,794 $18,392
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $17,400 $17,864
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $15,280 $17,108
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $13,094 $15,900
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $11,793 $14,877
1991 - - $12,230 $14,501
1990 - - $13,663 $14,812
1989 - - $13,312 -
1988 - - $13,759 -
1987 - - $12,331 -
1986 - - $9,428 -
1985 - - $7,601 -
1984 - - $6,714 -
1983 - - $7,598 -
1982 - - $7,656 -
1981 - - $7,814 -
1980 - - $7,467 -
1979 - - $6,668 -
1978 - - $5,937 -
1977 - - $4,951 -
1976 - - $4,374 -
1975 - - $4,172 -
1974 - - $4,611 -
1973 - - $4,323 -
1972 - - $3,295 -
1971 - - $2,773 -
1970 - - $2,311 -
1969 - - $2,097 -
1968 - - $1,902 -
1967 - - $2,208 -
1966 - - $2,211 -
1965 - - $2,171 -
1964 - - $2,839 -
1963 - - $2,646 -
1962 - - $2,471 -
1961 - - $2,365 -
1960 - - $2,334 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/new-zealand | CC BY

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $49,205 in New Zealand, ranking 26/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while New Zealand ranks 38th at $55,551.

Economic indicators

Eritrea New Zealand
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$260B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
52/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$49,205
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
26/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$55,551
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
38/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$131B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
50.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$24,722
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
28/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$37,758
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$92.9B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
41.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
2.92%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
4.76%
2024
Population
3700586
5374272

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
New Zealand
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea New Zealand
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 41.9% 50.2%
2023 - - 41.2% 46.9%
2022 - - 41.8% 46.9%
2021 - - 41.9% 47.5%
2020 - - 42% 43.2%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 38.8% 31.8%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 36.1% 28.1%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 35.6% 31.1%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 36.4% 33.3%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 37.2% 34.2%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 37.7% 34.2%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 38.6% 34.5%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 39.7% 35.7%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 42.4% 34.7%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 42.9% 29.6%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 40.3% 24.3%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 38.5% 19%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 37.1% 16.3%
2006 50.5% 199% 37.9% 18.4%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 37.1% 20.8%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 36.2% 22.5%
2003 58.1% 264% 36.7% 24.7%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 36.8% 26.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 37.2% 28.2%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 38.3% 30%
1999 106.1% - 39.3% 32%
1998 88% - 40.1% 34.5%
1997 60.1% - 39.3% 34.6%
1996 68.6% - 39.9% 37.3%
1995 81.2% - 41.6% 43.5%
1994 50.4% - 42.8% 48.9%
1993 67.2% - 46.8% 54.6%
1992 32.7% - 52.5% 58.7%
1991 - - 53% 58%
1990 - - 49.6% 55.5%
1989 - - 47.8% 54.9%
1988 - - 46.1% 54.7%
1987 - - 46.1% 62.9%
1986 - - 46.9% 68.5%
1985 - - 46.2% 64.1%
1984 - - 40.7% 62.8%
1983 - - 41.4% 59.6%
1982 - - 39.9% 51.5%
1981 - - 39.1% 50.5%
1980 - - 38% 52.2%
1979 - - 38.4% 52%
1978 - - 36.6% 50%
1977 - - 30% 44.6%
1976 - - 31.6% 47.6%
1975 - - 30.1% 41.4%
1974 - - 27.3% 39.6%
1973 - - 27.1% 44%
1972 - - 26.4% 46%
1971 - - 26.8% 71.3%
1970 - - 24.8% 76.5%
1969 - - 25.9% 85.8%
1968 - - 26.2% 86.5%
1967 - - 26% 59.7%
1966 - - 25% 58.2%
1965 - - 24.9% 59.6%
1964 - - 19.4% 61.8%
1963 - - 19.4% 64.5%
1962 - - 21.6% 65%
1961 - - 21.1% 64.6%
1960 - - 25.3% 68.1%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while New Zealand spent $109B, or 41.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 50.2% in New Zealand, ranking 2/185 and 107/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

New Zealand
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea New Zealand
2024 - -3.61%
2023 - -3.54%
2022 - -4.16%
2021 - -3.5%
2020 - -4.35%
2019 2.72% -2.5%
2018 5.22% 1.27%
2017 -5.74% 1.36%
2016 -1.44% 0.98%
2015 -2.77% 0.36%
2014 -0.12% -0.34%
2013 -7.62% -1.29%
2012 -5.21% -2.19%
2011 -5.5% -4.96%
2010 -16.5% -5.51%
2009 -22.2% -1.81%
2008 -38% 1.47%
2007 -19.8% 3.6%
2006 -15.5% 4.62%
2005 -31% 5.13%
2004 -7.65% 4.49%
2003 6.23% 3.68%
2002 -13.3% 2.55%
2001 -9.62% 1.29%
2000 -25.4% 0.17%
1999 -59.7% -1.11%
1998 -40.3% -0.48%
1997 -5.65% 1.23%
1996 -18.4% 2.58%
1995 -22.9% 3.7%
1994 8.69% 1.99%
1993 4.22% -1.53%
1992 6.85% -6.27%
1991 - -6.14%
1990 - -2.74%
1989 - -2.16%
1988 - -1.88%
1987 - -3.43%
1986 - -5.33%
1985 - -6.97%
1984 - -8.68%
1983 - -6.64%
1982 - -6.26%
1981 - -6.02%
1980 - -4.9%
1979 - -6.55%
1978 - -3.41%
1977 - -1.09%
1976 - -2.07%
1975 - 0.11%
1974 - 0.03%
1973 - -0.07%
1972 - 0.12%
1971 - 0.09%
1970 - -0.05%
1969 - 0.17%
1968 - 0.03%
1967 - 0.02%
1966 - 0.09%
1965 - 0.26%
1964 - -0.08%
1963 - -0.26%
1962 - 0.02%
1961 - 0.03%
1960 - 0.05%
1959 - 0.03%
1958 - -0.02%
1957 - 0.32%
1956 - 1.33%
1955 - 0.73%
1954 - 0.22%
1953 - 0.43%
1952 - 1.73%
1951 - 1.17%
1950 - 0.78%
1949 - 0.53%
1948 - 0.36%
1947 - 1.07%
1946 - 0.31%
1945 - 0.32%
1944 - 0.59%
1943 - 1.24%
1942 - 0.56%
1941 - 0.64%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - 0.34%
1938 - 0.38%
1937 - 0.23%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 1.19%
1934 - -0.55%
1933 - 0.02%
1932 - -1.77%
1931 - -1.12%
1930 - 0.09%
1929 - -0.37%
1928 - 0.12%
1927 - 0.4%
1926 - 0.72%
1925 - 0.78%
1924 - 1.2%
1923 - 0.95%
1922 - -0.2%
1921 - 3.55%
1920 - 1.51%
1919 - 2.9%
1918 - 4.35%
1917 - 3.89%
1916 - 1.46%
1915 - 0.06%
1914 - 0.45%
1913 - 0.79%
1912 - 0.89%
1911 - 1.24%
1910 - 0.36%
1909 - 0.31%
1908 - 1.26%
1907 - 1.13%
1906 - 0.97%
1905 - 1.41%
1904 - 1.42%
1903 - 0.55%
1902 - 0.63%
1901 - 1.11%
1900 - 1.59%
1899 - 1.15%
1898 - 1.38%
1897 - 0.86%
1896 - 0.65%
1895 - 0.32%
1894 - 0.76%
1893 - 1.14%
1892 - 0.09%
1891 - 0.46%
1890 - 0.05%
1889 - 0.59%
1888 - -1.64%
1887 - -1.63%
1886 - -0.53%
1885 - -0.47%
1884 - -0.1%
1883 - 0.38%
1882 - 0.18%
1881 - -2.33%
1880 - -2.39%
1879 - -0.55%
1878 - -0.85%
1877 - -2.53%
1876 - -5.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/new-zealand | 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 New Zealand's deficit of $8.36B, or 4.96% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while New Zealand ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 0.74% of GDP for New Zealand.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

New Zealand
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea New Zealand
2024 - 2.92%
2023 - 5.73%
2022 - 7.17%
2021 - 3.94%
2020 - 1.71%
2019 1.3% 1.62%
2018 -14.4% 1.6%
2017 -13.3% 1.85%
2016 -5.6% 0.65%
2015 28.5% 0.29%
2014 8.4% 1.23%
2013 6.3% 1.13%
2012 6% 1.06%
2011 5.9% 4.03%
2010 10.3% 2.3%
2009 33.9% 2.12%
2008 22.2% 3.96%
2007 9.4% 2.38%
2006 7.7% 3.37%
2005 12.5% 3.04%
2004 25.1% 2.29%
2003 22.7% 1.75%
2002 16.9% 2.68%
2001 14.6% 2.63%
2000 19.9% 2.62%
1999 8.4% -0.11%
1998 9.5% 1.27%
1997 3.7% 1.19%

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/new-zealand | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.95% in New Zealand. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 2.92% in New Zealand.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
New Zealand
Export category Export value
Transport & tourism services $100K
Machinery & equipment $6K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Eritrea New Zealand
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$12.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
178/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-4.65%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$47.3B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$43.3B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$19.5B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$18.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
26.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
24.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea New Zealand
Economic freedom 39.6 77.8
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 13/197
Property rights 4.8 85.4
Government integrity 10.9 90
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 95.9
Tax burden 80.3 66.1
Government spending 62.3 48
Fiscal health 69 72.2
Business freedom 30.7 89.1
Labor freedom 43.4 68.6
Monetary freedom 80 77.4
Trade freedom 68.4 90.6
Investment freedom 0 70
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
New Zealand
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea New Zealand
2026 39.6 77.8
2025 38.6 78.1
2024 39.5 77.8
2023 39.5 78.9
2022 39.7 80.6
2021 42.3 83.9
2020 38.5 84.1
2019 38.9 84.4
2018 41.7 84.2
2017 42.2 83.7
2016 42.7 81.6
2015 38.9 82.1
2014 38.5 81.2
2013 36.3 81.4
2012 36.2 82.1
2011 36.7 82.3
2010 35.3 82.1
2009 38.5 82
2008 - 80.7
2007 - 81.4
2006 - 82
2005 - 82.3
2004 - 81.5
2003 - 81.1
2002 - 80.7
2001 - 81.1
2000 - 80.9
1999 - 81.7
1998 - 79.2
1997 - 79
1996 - 78.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/new-zealand | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 77.8 for New Zealand, ranking 13/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea New Zealand
Services, % of GDP n/a
67.4%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
19.6%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
4.57%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$252B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$53,600
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$22.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
59/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$878M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.76B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$882M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
22.5%
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/new-zealand | 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 (1876–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.