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Economy of Eritrea vs North Macedonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $17B for North Macedonia, ranking 179/197 and 138/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $9.3B (54.8% of GDP) in North Macedonia.

Eritrea vs North Macedonia GDP by year

Eritrea
North Macedonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea North Macedonia
2024 - $16,951,682,245
2023 - $15,855,131,189
2022 - $13,932,436,550
2021 - $14,000,283,827
2020 - $12,361,036,914
2019 - $12,606,338,449
2018 - $12,683,068,114
2017 - $11,307,067,070
2016 - $10,672,467,073
2015 - $10,064,519,963
2014 - $11,362,265,253
2013 - $10,817,702,346
2012 - $9,745,261,301
2011 $2,065,001,626 $10,494,626,768
2010 $1,589,515,447 $9,407,170,321
2009 $1,856,695,551 $9,401,736,825
2008 $1,380,188,800 $9,909,552,435
2007 $1,317,974,491 $8,336,474,974
2006 $1,211,161,880 $6,861,226,972
2005 $1,098,424,686 $6,258,602,873
2004 $1,109,054,005 $5,682,784,472
2003 $870,248,268 $4,946,296,599
2002 $729,321,680 $4,018,365,747
2001 $752,371,689 $3,709,636,031
2000 $706,370,816 $3,772,859,034
1999 $688,918,537 $3,863,619,285
1998 $745,523,117 $3,765,745,023
1997 $686,490,090 $3,912,986,091
1996 $693,535,954 $4,642,021,256
1995 $578,015,625 $4,707,041,315
1994 $531,688,312 $3,559,608,640
1993 $467,872,715 $2,682,456,897
1992 $477,101,652 $2,436,849,342
1991 - $4,938,775,510
1990 - $4,699,646,643

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/north-macedonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs North Macedonia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
North Macedonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea North Macedonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $9,292 $26,995
2023 - - $8,674 $25,354
2022 - - $7,606 $24,212
2021 - - $7,621 $22,144
2020 - - $6,660 $19,962
2019 - - $6,719 $20,223
2018 - - $6,714 $18,460
2017 - - $5,955 $17,161
2016 - - $5,598 $16,458
2015 - - $5,263 $15,034
2014 - - $5,925 $14,485
2013 - - $5,626 $13,663
2012 - - $5,050 $12,726
2011 $689 $1,742 $5,417 $12,421
2010 $540 $1,599 $4,833 $11,992
2009 $643 $1,577 $4,800 $11,532
2008 $490 $1,547 $5,026 $10,924
2007 $480 $1,727 $4,204 $9,639
2006 $448 $1,682 $3,440 $8,888
2005 $413 $1,674 $3,121 $7,972
2004 $427 $1,621 $2,819 $7,229
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,445 $6,608
2002 $305 $1,702 $1,989 $6,395
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,823 $6,051
2000 $314 $1,558 $1,862 $6,154
1999 $311 $1,597 $1,915 $5,724
1998 $342 $1,598 $1,876 $5,448
1997 $319 $1,573 $1,960 $5,227
1996 $326 $1,449 $2,307 $5,026
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $2,355 $4,912
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,786 $4,880
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,337 $4,829
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $1,199 $5,033
1991 - - $2,402 $5,207
1990 - - $2,277 $5,348

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/north-macedonia | CC BY

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $9,292 in North Macedonia, ranking 88/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while North Macedonia ranks 78th at $26,995.

Economic indicators

Eritrea North Macedonia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$17B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
138/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$9,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
88/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$26,995
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
78/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$9.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
54.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$5,095
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
77/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$7,534
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.9%
2019
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
36.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.35%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
12.3%
2024
Population
3700586
1805954

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
North Macedonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea North Macedonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 36.7% 54.8%
2023 - - 35.5% 50.8%
2022 - - 35% 50.4%
2021 - - 35.3% 52.7%
2020 - - 36.4% 50.8%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 31.4% 40.4%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 30.3% 40.4%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 31.8% 39.4%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 31.1% 39.7%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 32.2% 38%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 31.7% 38%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 31.7% 34%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 33.3% 33.7%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 31.9% 27.7%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 32.5% 24.3%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 33.6% 23.7%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 33.8% 20.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 31.4% 23.5%
2006 50.5% 199% 31.5% 30.6%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 32.5% 36.7%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 34.1% 34.6%
2003 58.1% 264% 36% 36.5%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 38.2% 40.5%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 37.4% 45.2%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 32% 45.6%
1999 106.1% - 33.2% 30.4%
1998 88% - 32.8% 33.1%
1997 60.1% - 32.9% 29.3%
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/north-macedonia | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while North Macedonia spent $6.23B, or 36.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 54.8% in North Macedonia, ranking 2/185 and 96/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

North Macedonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea North Macedonia
2024 - -4.45%
2023 - -4.61%
2022 - -5.23%
2021 - -5.32%
2020 - -8.05%
2019 2.72% -1.97%
2018 5.22% -1.76%
2017 -5.74% -2.73%
2016 -1.44% -2.7%
2015 -2.77% -3.48%
2014 -0.12% -4.19%
2013 -7.62% -3.84%
2012 -5.21% -3.81%
2011 -5.5% -2.47%
2010 -16.5% -2.41%
2009 -22.2% -2.63%
2008 -38% -0.93%
2007 -19.8% 0.58%
2006 -15.5% -0.51%
2005 -31% 0.21%
2004 -7.65% 0.37%
2003 6.23% -0.07%
2002 -13.3% -5.24%
2001 -9.62% -5.88%
2000 -25.4% 2.37%
1999 -59.7% 0.03%
1998 -40.3% -1.63%
1997 -5.65% -0.36%
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/north-macedonia | 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 North Macedonia's deficit of $260M, or 2.47% of GDP.

Over the past 15 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 14 of those years, while North Macedonia ran a deficit in 10 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 20.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.24% of GDP for North Macedonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

North Macedonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea North Macedonia
2024 - 3.5%
2023 - 9.4%
2022 - 14.2%
2021 - 3.2%
2020 - 1.2%
2019 1.3% 0.8%
2018 -14.4% 1.5%
2017 -13.3% 1.4%
2016 -5.6% -0.2%
2015 28.5% -0.3%
2014 8.4% -0.3%
2013 6.3% 2.8%
2012 6% 3.3%
2011 5.9% 3.9%
2010 10.3% 1.5%
2009 33.9% -0.7%
2008 22.2% 8.3%
2007 9.4% 2.3%
2006 7.7% 3.2%
2005 12.5% 0.5%
2004 25.1% -0.4%
2003 22.7% 0.9%
2002 16.9% 1.1%
2001 14.6% 5.2%
2000 19.9% 6.6%
1999 8.4% -1.3%
1998 9.5% 0.5%
1997 3.7% 1.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/north-macedonia | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.82% in North Macedonia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.5% in North Macedonia.

Balance of trade

Eritrea North Macedonia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$356M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
102/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-2.1%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$10.6B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$7.3B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$2.01B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$3.16B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
74.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
61.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea North Macedonia
Economic freedom 39.6 63.3
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 81/197
Property rights 4.8 56.2
Government integrity 10.9 43.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 49.5
Tax burden 80.3 94.9
Government spending 62.3 61.7
Fiscal health 69 57.7
Business freedom 30.7 72.2
Labor freedom 43.4 51.4
Monetary freedom 80 69.6
Trade freedom 68.4 77.8
Investment freedom 0 65
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
North Macedonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea North Macedonia
2026 39.6 63.3
2025 38.6 63.2
2024 39.5 61.4
2023 39.5 63.7
2022 39.7 65.7
2021 42.3 68.6
2020 38.5 69.5
2019 38.9 71.1
2018 41.7 71.3
2017 42.2 70.7
2016 42.7 67.5
2015 38.9 67.1
2014 38.5 68.6
2013 36.3 68.2
2012 36.2 68.5
2011 36.7 66
2010 35.3 65.7
2009 38.5 61.2
2008 - 61.1
2007 - 60.6
2006 - 59.2
2005 - 56.1
2004 - 56.8
2003 - 60.1
2002 - 58

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/north-macedonia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 63.3 for North Macedonia, ranking 81/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea North Macedonia
Services, % of GDP n/a
56.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
24.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
6.08%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$15.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$25,610
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$5.25B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
97/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$1.12B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.06B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$64.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
9.59%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
22.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
30.6%
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/north-macedonia | CC BY

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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 (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1997–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.