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Economy of Eritrea vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $90.5B for Panama, ranking 179/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $51.2B (56.6% of GDP) in Panama.

Eritrea vs Panama GDP by year

Eritrea
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Panama
2025 - $90,462,600,000
2024 - $86,523,959,100
2023 - $83,812,155,200
2022 - $76,479,304,500
2021 - $67,396,392,500
2020 - $57,059,846,500
2019 - $69,778,991,200
2018 - $67,316,471,200
2017 - $64,327,688,800
2016 - $59,760,858,700
2015 - $55,767,806,100
2014 - $51,427,104,900
2013 - $46,949,496,500
2012 - $41,595,439,700
2011 $2,065,001,626 $35,687,738,300
2010 $1,589,515,447 $30,231,009,500
2009 $1,856,695,551 $27,791,215,500
2008 $1,380,188,800 $25,721,328,000
2007 $1,317,974,491 $21,717,433,800
2006 $1,211,161,880 $18,659,721,500
2005 $1,098,424,686 $16,623,906,700
2004 $1,109,054,005 $15,100,203,400
2003 $870,248,268 $13,603,456,000
2002 $729,321,680 $12,800,851,300
2001 $752,371,689 $12,252,906,300
2000 $706,370,816 $11,966,497,000
1999 $688,918,537 $11,660,704,800
1998 $745,523,117 $11,019,557,700
1997 $686,490,090 $10,058,854,400
1996 $693,535,954 $9,197,503,300
1995 $578,015,625 $9,573,813,700
1994 $531,688,312 $9,365,289,800
1993 $467,872,715 $8,782,585,400
1992 $477,101,652 $8,042,337,700
1991 - $7,074,675,500
1990 - $6,433,967,000
1989 - $5,918,469,800
1988 - $5,902,783,400
1987 - $6,827,665,300
1986 - $6,797,834,200
1985 - $6,541,517,100
1984 - $6,183,387,100
1983 - $5,923,755,900
1982 - $5,769,767,900
1981 - $5,222,421,500
1980 - $4,614,086,400
1979 - $3,704,551,600
1978 - $3,244,558,600
1977 - $2,738,261,900
1976 - $2,588,106,000
1975 - $2,435,304,100
1974 - $2,188,307,600
1973 - $1,913,793,400
1972 - $1,673,411,700
1971 - $1,523,917,200
1970 - $1,351,006,400
1969 - $1,221,305,700
1968 - $1,112,791,100
1967 - $1,034,376,400
1966 - $928,833,000
1965 - $852,485,300
1964 - $776,137,500
1963 - $722,784,500
1962 - $652,120,900
1961 - $599,026,300
1960 - $537,147,100

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Panama by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Panama
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Panama
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $19,790 -
2024 - - $19,161 $41,369
2023 - - $18,797 $39,813
2022 - - $17,379 $36,333
2021 - - $15,510 $30,933
2020 - - $13,291 $27,017
2019 - - $16,478 $33,240
2018 - - $16,151 $32,464
2017 - - $15,695 $33,533
2016 - - $14,832 $30,277
2015 - - $14,083 $27,245
2014 - - $13,213 $24,376
2013 - - $12,273 $21,924
2012 - - $11,065 $19,473
2011 $689 $1,742 $9,662 $17,474
2010 $540 $1,599 $8,331 $15,573
2009 $643 $1,577 $7,797 $14,766
2008 $490 $1,547 $7,348 $14,705
2007 $480 $1,727 $6,318 $13,333
2006 $448 $1,682 $5,529 $11,685
2005 $413 $1,674 $5,018 $10,511
2004 $427 $1,621 $4,645 $9,592
2003 $349 $1,621 $4,265 $8,801
2002 $305 $1,702 $4,091 $8,370
2001 $325 $1,684 $3,992 $8,197
2000 $314 $1,558 $3,975 $8,097
1999 $311 $1,597 $3,950 $7,749
1998 $342 $1,598 $3,808 $7,408
1997 $319 $1,573 $3,546 $6,895
1996 $326 $1,449 $3,308 $6,421
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $3,514 $6,182
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $3,508 $6,073
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $3,358 $5,902
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $3,140 $5,582
1991 - - $2,821 $5,150
1990 - - $2,620 $4,651
1989 - - $2,462 -
1988 - - $2,509 -
1987 - - $2,966 -
1986 - - $3,019 -
1985 - - $2,972 -
1984 - - $2,875 -
1983 - - $2,819 -
1982 - - $2,811 -
1981 - - $2,605 -
1980 - - $2,357 -
1979 - - $1,938 -
1978 - - $1,738 -
1977 - - $1,503 -
1976 - - $1,457 -
1975 - - $1,406 -
1974 - - $1,296 -
1973 - - $1,164 -
1972 - - $1,046 -
1971 - - $979 -
1970 - - $893 -
1969 - - $830 -
1968 - - $778 -
1967 - - $745 -
1966 - - $689 -
1965 - - $651 -
1964 - - $611 -
1963 - - $587 -
1962 - - $546 -
1961 - - $516 -
1960 - - $477 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $19,790 in Panama, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Panama ranks 56th at $41,369.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Panama
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$90.5B
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
82/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
4.35%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$19,790
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
62/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$41,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
56/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$51.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
56.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$11,198
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
56/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$11,056
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$27.2B
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
37.6%
2024
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
20.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
-0.19%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
8.31%
2025
Population
3722489
4654479

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Panama
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Panama
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 20.9% 56.6%
2024 - - 23.1% 57.8%
2023 - - 21.4% 54.4%
2022 - - 21.3% 56.2%
2021 - - 23.7% 58%
2020 - - 27% 62.4%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 20.5% 42.5%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 21.7% 36.3%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 21.1% 34.3%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 21.3% 34%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 21.4% 34.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 22.9% 32.9%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 23.6% 30.8%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 23% 31.3%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 23.7% 35.9%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 24.4% 38.5%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 22.9% 39.5%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 23% 40.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 22.2% 48.2%
2006 50.5% 199% 22.4% 56.1%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 23.2% 61.5%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 24.4% 61.5%
2003 58.1% 264% 25.7% 59.9%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 25.1% 60.9%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 25.2% 62.1%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 24.7% 58%
1999 106.1% - 25.2% 60.4%
1998 88% - 25.9% 64.3%
1997 60.1% - 24.8% 67.3%
1996 68.6% - 24.3% 73.6%
1995 81.2% - 29.3% 86.7%
1994 50.4% - 28.5% 88.7%
1993 67.2% - 33.8% 83.6%
1992 32.7% - 27.8% 91.2%
1991 - - 20.9% 103.7%
1990 - - 41.5% 112.7%
1989 - - 43% 104.4%
1988 - - 41.8% 105%
1987 - - 40.1% 92.2%
1986 - - 38.6% 84%
1985 - - 39.7% 82.5%
1984 - - 44% 82.5%
1983 - - 44.6% 86.6%
1982 - - 48% 80.9%
1981 - - 30.7% 68.7%
1980 - - 30.5% 69.4%
1979 - - 35% 78.9%
1978 - - 27.6% 83.1%
1977 - - 16.9% 77.7%
1976 - - 15.9% 69.7%
1975 - - 15.3% 52.6%
1974 - - 15.3% 37.6%
1973 - - 14.4% 32.6%
1972 - - 15.6% 29.5%
1971 - - 15% 26.2%
1970 - - 22.4% 25.7%
1969 - - 20.5% 23.2%
1968 - - 14.2% 18%
1967 - - 14.9% 17.8%
1966 - - 14% 17.9%
1965 - - 13.2% 18.7%
1964 - - 14.1% 20%
1963 - - 19.1% 22.6%
1962 - - 16.4% 19.8%
1961 - - 18.9% 20.5%
1960 - - 16.6% 21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Panama spent $18.9B, or 20.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 56.6% in Panama, ranking 2/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Panama
2025 - -3.67%
2024 - -6.23%
2023 - -3.9%
2022 - -3.98%
2021 - -6.45%
2020 - -9.68%
2019 2.72% -2.74%
2018 5.22% -2.76%
2017 -5.74% -1.8%
2016 -1.44% -1.76%
2015 -2.77% -2.17%
2014 -0.12% -3.04%
2013 -7.62% -2.4%
2012 -5.21% -1.32%
2011 -5.5% -1.97%
2010 -16.5% -1.69%
2009 -22.2% -0.91%
2008 -38% 0.38%
2007 -19.8% 3.17%
2006 -15.5% 0.53%
2005 -31% -2.29%
2004 -7.65% -4.54%
2003 6.23% -2.41%
2002 -13.3% -1.03%
2001 -9.62% -0.45%
2000 -25.4% 2.22%
1999 -59.7% -0.71%
1998 -40.3% -1.23%
1997 -5.65% 1.39%
1996 -18.4% 2.81%
1995 -22.9% 2.61%
1994 8.69% 2.4%
1993 4.22% -9.4%
1992 6.85% -2.62%
1991 - -0.6%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -13.6%
1988 - -13.5%
1987 - -1.7%
1986 - -1%
1985 - -2.57%
1984 - -7.56%
1983 - -7.62%
1982 - -13.3%
1981 - -6.77%
1980 - -5.17%
1979 - -12.1%
1978 - -5.21%
1977 - -1.61%
1976 - -2.65%
1975 - -0.74%
1974 - -0.6%
1973 - -0.01%
1972 - -1.17%
1971 - -0.51%
1970 - -8.02%
1969 - -7.56%
1968 - -1.5%
1967 - -1.97%
1966 - -1.18%
1965 - -1.17%
1964 - -2.51%
1963 - -6.71%
1962 - -3.01%
1961 - -5.45%
1960 - -3.05%
1959 - -3.79%
1958 - -1.62%
1957 - -0.89%
1956 - -3.69%
1955 - -1.33%
1954 - -0.2%
1953 - -0.55%
1952 - -3.84%
1951 - -2.54%
1950 - -3.89%
1949 - -1%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.94%
1946 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/panama | 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 Panama's deficit of $703M, or 1.97% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Panama ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.69% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Panama
2025 - -0.19%
2024 - 0.69%
2023 - 1.49%
2022 - 2.86%
2021 - 1.63%
2020 - -1.55%
2019 1.3% -0.36%
2018 -14.4% 0.76%
2017 -13.3% 0.88%
2016 -5.6% 0.74%
2015 28.5% 0.14%
2014 8.4% 2.63%
2013 6.3% 4.03%
2012 6% 5.7%
2011 5.9% 5.88%
2010 10.3% 3.49%
2009 33.9% 2.41%
2008 22.2% 8.76%
2007 9.4% 4.17%
2006 7.7% 2.46%
2005 12.5% 2.86%
2004 25.1% 0.47%
2003 22.7% 0.39%
2002 16.9% 1.01%
2001 14.6% 0.31%
2000 19.9% 1.5%
1999 8.4% 1.25%
1998 9.5% 0.56%
1997 3.7% 1.32%

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/panama | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 2.23% in Panama. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and -0.19% in Panama.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Panama
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$169M
2025
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
91/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-0.19%
2025
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$28.2B
2025
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$18.6B
2025
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$5.91B
2025
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$20.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
39.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
44.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Panama
Economic freedom 39.6 64.9
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 70/197
Property rights 4.8 56.7
Government integrity 10.9 37.4
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 49.6
Tax burden 80.3 86.1
Government spending 62.3 85.5
Fiscal health 69 51.8
Business freedom 30.7 72.6
Labor freedom 43.4 60.9
Monetary freedom 80 78.2
Trade freedom 68.4 80.2
Investment freedom 0 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Panama
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Panama
2026 39.6 64.9
2025 38.6 65.5
2024 39.5 64.1
2023 39.5 63.8
2022 39.7 65.4
2021 42.3 66.2
2020 38.5 67.2
2019 38.9 67.2
2018 41.7 67
2017 42.2 66.3
2016 42.7 64.8
2015 38.9 64.1
2014 38.5 63.4
2013 36.3 62.5
2012 36.2 65.2
2011 36.7 64.9
2010 35.3 64.8
2009 38.5 64.7
2008 - 64.7
2007 - 64.6
2006 - 65.6
2005 - 64.3
2004 - 65.3
2003 - 68.4
2002 - 68.5
2001 - 70.6
2000 - 71.6
1999 - 72.6
1998 - 72.6
1997 - 72.4
1996 - 71.8
1995 - 71.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 64.9 for Panama, ranking 70/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Panama
Services, % of GDP n/a
70%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
24.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.62%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$87.5B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$41,770
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$6.24B
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
93/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$1.81B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$2.09B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
33.5%
2024

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/panama | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. 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.