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Economy of Eritrea vs Norway compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $531B for Norway, ranking 179/197 and 32/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $239B (45% of GDP) in Norway.

Eritrea vs Norway GDP by year

Eritrea
Norway
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Norway
2025 - $530,755,719,439
2024 - $500,886,328,034
2023 - $502,197,633,323
2022 - $617,321,834,099
2021 - $521,592,200,233
2020 - $382,252,517,922
2019 - $424,244,886,364
2018 - $454,588,871,811
2017 - $415,673,181,543
2016 - $383,284,047,619
2015 - $400,669,174,331
2014 - $515,829,568,897
2013 - $540,132,255,319
2012 - $525,082,939,407
2011 $2,065,001,626 $512,868,581,628
2010 $1,589,515,447 $440,132,138,425
2009 $1,856,695,551 $395,664,488,017
2008 $1,380,188,800 $472,060,283,688
2007 $1,317,974,491 $407,813,774,161
2006 $1,211,161,880 $349,773,283,645
2005 $1,098,424,686 $311,417,306,946
2004 $1,109,054,005 $265,662,977,688
2003 $870,248,268 $229,192,678,173
2002 $729,321,680 $195,359,978,957
2001 $752,371,689 $173,590,978,347
2000 $706,370,816 $170,620,327,660
1999 $688,918,537 $161,304,620,987
1998 $745,523,117 $152,955,958,172
1997 $686,490,090 $160,013,571,974
1996 $693,535,954 $162,427,517,132
1995 $578,015,625 $151,083,627,983
1994 $531,688,312 $126,324,387,894
1993 $467,872,715 $119,841,699,440
1992 $477,101,652 $129,998,873,602
1991 - $121,149,331,318
1990 - $119,344,377,526
1989 - $102,226,808,603
1988 - $101,497,621,605
1987 - $93,913,320,965
1986 - $78,438,205,742
1985 - $65,211,464,198
1984 - $61,866,078,539
1983 - $61,417,685,434
1982 - $62,453,362,256
1981 - $63,392,804,251
1980 - $64,176,789,764
1979 - $52,935,763,512
1978 - $46,355,988,784
1977 - $41,362,637,363
1976 - $35,815,449,464
1975 - $32,742,543,381
1974 - $27,033,413,362
1973 - $22,433,660,550
1972 - $17,283,931,878
1971 - $14,523,306,736
1970 - $12,753,503,479
1969 - $11,083,505,596
1968 - $10,178,705,992
1967 - $9,532,076,026
1966 - $8,712,528,095
1965 - $8,073,570,566
1964 - $7,172,430,304
1963 - $6,522,268,053
1962 - $6,078,186,245
1961 - $5,642,867,672
1960 - $5,172,811,442

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Norway by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Norway
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Norway
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $94,594 -
2024 - - $89,889 $102,038
2023 - - $90,984 $103,638
2022 - - $113,122 $125,490
2021 - - $96,443 $88,984
2020 - - $71,058 $67,111
2019 - - $79,329 $70,940
2018 - - $85,579 $70,254
2017 - - $78,771 $64,590
2016 - - $73,222 $59,280
2015 - - $77,221 $60,738
2014 - - $100,410 $66,332
2013 - - $106,333 $67,378
2012 - - $104,628 $65,774
2011 $689 $1,742 $103,545 $62,460
2010 $540 $1,599 $90,020 $58,213
2009 $643 $1,577 $81,940 $55,648
2008 $490 $1,547 $99,002 $62,073
2007 $480 $1,727 $86,600 $56,179
2006 $448 $1,682 $75,048 $54,358
2005 $413 $1,674 $67,358 $47,967
2004 $427 $1,621 $57,855 $42,667
2003 $349 $1,621 $50,208 $38,680
2002 $305 $1,702 $43,048 $38,056
2001 $325 $1,684 $38,458 $37,829
2000 $314 $1,558 $37,992 $36,994
1999 $311 $1,597 $36,151 $30,574
1998 $342 $1,598 $34,516 $28,200
1997 $319 $1,573 $36,324 $28,610
1996 $326 $1,449 $37,073 $26,826
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $34,659 $24,360
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $29,130 $23,027
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $27,793 $21,584
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $30,328 $20,623
1991 - - $28,427 $19,580
1990 - - $28,137 $18,461
1989 - - $24,185 -
1988 - - $24,112 -
1987 - - $22,430 -
1986 - - $18,822 -
1985 - - $15,704 -
1984 - - $14,943 -
1983 - - $14,877 -
1982 - - $15,178 -
1981 - - $15,463 -
1980 - - $15,708 -
1979 - - $12,998 -
1978 - - $11,421 -
1977 - - $10,230 -
1976 - - $8,896 -
1975 - - $8,171 -
1974 - - $6,783 -
1973 - - $5,664 -
1972 - - $4,395 -
1971 - - $3,721 -
1970 - - $3,291 -
1969 - - $2,881 -
1968 - - $2,667 -
1967 - - $2,519 -
1966 - - $2,321 -
1965 - - $2,168 -
1964 - - $1,941 -
1963 - - $1,779 -
1962 - - $1,670 -
1961 - - $1,563 -
1960 - - $1,444 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $94,594 in Norway, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Norway ranks 7th at $102,038.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Norway
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$531B
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
32/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.09%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$94,594
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
9/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$102,038
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
7/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$239B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
45%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$42,567
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
15/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$50,036
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$296B
2019
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
17
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.6%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
49.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.06%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2026
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
4.5%
2025
Population
3722489
5660666

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Norway
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Norway
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 49.6% 45%
2024 - - 46.9% 52.8%
2023 - - 44.2% 42.4%
2022 - - 36.2% 34.8%
2021 - - 44.7% 40.1%
2020 - - 54.5% 44.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 48.4% 39%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 46.1% 38.1%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 47.6% 36.9%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 48.8% 36.7%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 46.7% 33.2%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 44% 28.8%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 42.3% 30.6%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 41.4% 30.2%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 42.3% 28.9%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 43.6% 42.1%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 44.7% 41.7%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 39.2% 46.8%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 40.5% 48.9%
2006 50.5% 199% 40.1% 52.2%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 41.6% 42.1%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 44.7% 43.8%
2003 58.1% 264% 47.7% 43.1%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 46.3% 34%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 43.4% 27.3%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 41.5% 28.8%
1999 106.1% - 46.7% 25.1%
1998 88% - 48.2% 23.8%
1997 60.1% - 45.9% 26%
1996 68.6% - 47.4% 28.6%
1995 81.2% - 49.6% 32.9%
1994 50.4% - 49.7% 51%
1993 67.2% - 50.5% 54%
1992 32.7% - 51.6% 45.3%
1991 - - 50.3% 39.5%
1990 - - 49.1% 29.1%
1989 - - 52.2% 30.4%
1988 - - 52.6% 30.5%
1987 - - 50.5% 31.3%
1986 - - 48.1% 37.8%
1985 - - 44% 30.2%
1984 - - 44.5% 27.8%
1983 - - 46.4% 27.4%
1982 - - 46.6% 29.7%
1981 - - 46.1% 32.9%
1980 - - 46.1% 36.8%
1979 - - 47.2% 39.6%
1978 - - 47.9% 49.9%
1977 - - 46.5% 43.8%
1976 - - 45.2% 38.5%
1975 - - 43.5% 36.7%
1974 - - 42.2% 35.4%
1973 - - 42.3% 37.7%
1972 - - 42.2% 38.9%
1971 - - 40.7% 38.5%
1970 - - 38.9% 38.6%
1969 - - 38% 22.3%
1968 - - 36.2% 22.5%
1967 - - 34.9% 22.6%
1966 - - 33.5% 22.4%
1965 - - 32.9% 23%
1964 - - 32% 24.2%
1963 - - 31.9% 25.3%
1962 - - 30.6% 26.7%
1961 - - 20.4% 27.7%
1960 - - 18% 29.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Norway spent $263B, or 49.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 45% in Norway, ranking 2/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Norway
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Norway
2025 - 9.34%
2024 - 12.8%
2023 - 15.9%
2022 - 24.7%
2021 - 9.93%
2020 - -2.46%
2019 2.72% 6.28%
2018 5.22% 7.56%
2017 -5.74% 4.79%
2016 -1.44% 3.91%
2015 -2.77% 5.8%
2014 -0.12% 8.34%
2013 -7.62% 10.3%
2012 -5.21% 13.4%
2011 -5.5% 13%
2010 -16.5% 10.6%
2009 -22.2% 10%
2008 -38% 18.3%
2007 -19.8% 16.8%
2006 -15.5% 17.7%
2005 -31% 14.7%
2004 -7.65% 10.8%
2003 6.23% 7.21%
2002 -13.3% 9.05%
2001 -9.62% 13.2%
2000 -25.4% 15.1%
1999 -59.7% 5.75%
1998 -40.3% 3.09%
1997 -5.65% 7.41%
1996 -18.4% 6.05%
1995 -22.9% 2.98%
1994 8.69% 0.04%
1993 4.22% -1.65%
1992 6.85% -2.08%
1991 - -0.12%
1990 - 1.96%
1989 - 1.81%
1988 - 2.65%
1987 - 4.56%
1986 - 5.87%
1985 - 9.84%
1984 - 6.97%
1983 - 6.03%
1982 - 3.96%
1981 - 4.82%
1980 - 5.38%
1979 - 2.16%
1978 - 0.94%
1977 - 1.01%
1976 - 2.2%
1975 - 2.88%
1974 - 4.06%
1973 - 4.99%
1972 - 3.93%
1971 - 3.71%
1970 - 2.83%
1969 - 3.57%
1968 - 3.38%
1967 - 4.19%
1966 - 3.59%
1965 - 2.78%
1964 - 3.08%
1963 - 2.6%
1962 - 4%
1961 - -0.7%
1960 - 1.42%
1959 - 1.89%
1958 - 1.7%
1957 - 1.55%
1956 - 1.22%
1955 - 0.82%
1954 - -0.54%
1953 - 1.3%
1952 - 2.15%
1951 - 1.59%
1950 - -0.89%
1949 - -0.72%
1948 - -0.35%
1947 - -4.66%
1946 - -3.82%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -0.54%
1938 - 0.03%
1937 - -0.16%
1936 - -0.7%
1935 - -1.1%
1934 - -0.59%
1933 - -1.29%
1932 - -1.14%
1931 - -1.15%
1930 - -0.46%
1929 - -0.83%
1928 - -0.81%
1927 - -0.76%
1926 - -1.59%
1925 - -1.92%
1924 - -2.96%
1923 - -3.58%
1922 - -4.28%
1921 - -5.47%
1920 - -1.15%
1919 - -2.11%
1918 - -1.17%
1917 - 0.2%
1916 - -0.36%
1915 - -2.04%
1914 - -1.09%
1913 - -0.9%
1912 - -0.89%
1911 - -0.05%
1910 - 0.3%
1909 - -0.52%
1908 - -0.06%
1907 - 0.16%
1906 - -0.59%
1905 - -0.52%
1904 - -0.75%
1903 - -1.12%
1902 - -1.52%
1901 - -1.41%
1900 - -1.99%
1899 - -1.35%
1898 - -1.39%
1897 - -0.63%
1896 - -1.57%
1895 - -1.66%
1894 - -1.13%
1893 - -1.25%
1892 - -0.94%
1891 - -0.44%
1890 - -0.2%
1889 - -0.07%
1888 - -0.23%
1887 - -0.17%
1886 - -0.2%
1885 - -0.005%
1884 - -0.08%
1883 - -0.17%
1882 - -0.62%
1881 - -1.13%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/norway | 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 Norway's surplus of $66.5B, or 13% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Norway ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 8.9% of GDP for Norway.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Norway
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Norway
2025 - 3.06%
2024 - 3.15%
2023 - 5.52%
2022 - 5.76%
2021 - 3.48%
2020 - 1.29%
2019 1.3% 2.17%
2018 -14.4% 2.76%
2017 -13.3% 1.88%
2016 -5.6% 3.55%
2015 28.5% 2.17%
2014 8.4% 2.04%
2013 6.3% 2.12%
2012 6% 0.7%
2011 5.9% 1.28%
2010 10.3% 2.42%
2009 33.9% 2.2%
2008 22.2% 3.75%
2007 9.4% 0.71%
2006 7.7% 2.33%
2005 12.5% 1.53%
2004 25.1% 0.45%
2003 22.7% 2.49%
2002 16.9% 1.29%
2001 14.6% 3%
2000 19.9% 3.09%
1999 8.4% 2.37%
1998 9.5% 2.25%
1997 3.7% 2.57%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 2.14% in Norway. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.06% in Norway.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Norway
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $90K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Raw materials & minerals $25K
Chemicals & pharma $15K
Miscellaneous $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Wood & paper products $4K
Metals $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Norway
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$74.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
10/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+14%
2025
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$105B
2025
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$177B
2025
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$73.9B
2025
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$63.5B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
33.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
45.4%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Norway
Economic freedom 39.6 78.8
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 9/197
Property rights 4.8 99.6
Government integrity 10.9 94.3
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 96.4
Tax burden 80.3 63.3
Government spending 62.3 42
Fiscal health 69 96.4
Business freedom 30.7 91.2
Labor freedom 43.4 69.3
Monetary freedom 80 72.4
Trade freedom 68.4 85.6
Investment freedom 0 75
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Norway
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Norway
2026 39.6 78.8
2025 38.6 78.3
2024 39.5 77.5
2023 39.5 76.9
2022 39.7 76.9
2021 42.3 73.4
2020 38.5 73.4
2019 38.9 73
2018 41.7 74.3
2017 42.2 74
2016 42.7 70.8
2015 38.9 71.8
2014 38.5 70.9
2013 36.3 70.5
2012 36.2 68.8
2011 36.7 70.3
2010 35.3 69.4
2009 38.5 70.2
2008 - 68.6
2007 - 67.9
2006 - 67.9
2005 - 64.5
2004 - 66.2
2003 - 67.2
2002 - 67.4
2001 - 67.1
2000 - 70.1
1999 - 68.6
1998 - 68
1997 - 65.1
1996 - 65.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 78.8 for Norway, ranking 9/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Norway
Services, % of GDP n/a
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
34.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
1.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$546B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$107,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$85.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
34/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$8.93B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$12.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.62B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
12.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
23.2%
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/norway | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1881–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, 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.