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Economy of Eritrea vs Panama compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $86.5B for Panama, ranking 179/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $49.6B (57.4% of GDP) in Panama.

Eritrea vs Panama GDP by year

Eritrea
Panama
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Panama
2024 - $86,523,959,132
2023 - $83,812,155,244
2022 - $76,479,304,471
2021 - $67,396,392,506
2020 - $57,059,846,522
2019 - $69,778,991,193
2018 - $67,316,471,181
2017 - $64,327,688,826
2016 - $59,760,858,718
2015 - $55,767,806,073
2014 - $51,427,104,882
2013 - $46,949,496,479
2012 - $41,595,439,721
2011 $2,065,001,626 $35,687,738,252
2010 $1,589,515,447 $30,231,009,533
2009 $1,856,695,551 $27,791,215,547
2008 $1,380,188,800 $25,721,327,955
2007 $1,317,974,491 $21,717,433,808
2006 $1,211,161,880 $18,659,721,513
2005 $1,098,424,686 $16,623,906,739
2004 $1,109,054,005 $15,100,203,362
2003 $870,248,268 $13,603,456,003
2002 $729,321,680 $12,800,851,271
2001 $752,371,689 $12,252,906,341
2000 $706,370,816 $11,966,497,049
1999 $688,918,537 $11,660,704,777
1998 $745,523,117 $11,019,557,689
1997 $686,490,090 $10,058,854,386
1996 $693,535,954 $9,197,503,323
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $19,161 in Panama, ranking 60/197. 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
$86.5B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
78/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$19,161
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
60/197
2024
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
$49.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$10,995
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
51/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$10,196
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$18.3B
2024
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
23.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
0.69%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
8.61%
2024
Population
3700586
4642198

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
2024 - - 23.1% 57.4%
2023 - - 21.4% 51.2%
2022 - - 21.3% 52.7%
2021 - - 23.8% 54.4%
2020 - - 27.5% 61.5%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 20.6% 39.8%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 21.8% 35.6%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 21.2% 33.6%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 21.3% 33.6%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 21.4% 34.2%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 23% 34.7%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 23.4% 33.7%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 22.8% 34%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 23.5% 35.6%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 24.2% 38.1%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 22.7% 39.1%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 22.7% 40%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 21.8% 47.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 21.9% 54.7%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 22.4% 59.3%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 23.3% 58.8%
2003 58.1% 264% 24.2% 56.5%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 23.5% 57%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 23.4% 57.8%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 22.8% 53.6%
1999 106.1% - 23% 55.1%
1998 88% - 23.4% 58.1%
1997 60.1% - 22.2% 60.2%
1996 68.6% - 21.5% 65%
1995 81.2% - 25.9% 76.6%
1994 50.4% - 25.2% 78.3%
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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Panama spent $20B, or 23.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 57.4% in Panama, ranking 2/185 and 88/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Panama
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Panama
2024 - -7.42%
2023 - -3.9%
2022 - -3.98%
2021 - -6.48%
2020 - -10.2%
2019 2.72% -2.89%
2018 5.22% -2.88%
2017 -5.74% -1.92%
2016 -1.44% -1.89%
2015 -2.77% -2.3%
2014 -0.12% -3.21%
2013 -7.62% -2.38%
2012 -5.21% -1.31%
2011 -5.5% -1.96%
2010 -16.5% -1.68%
2009 -22.2% -0.9%
2008 -38% 0.37%
2007 -19.8% 3.12%
2006 -15.5% 0.51%
2005 -31% -2.21%
2004 -7.65% -4.33%
2003 6.23% -2.27%
2002 -13.3% -0.96%
2001 -9.62% -0.42%
2000 -25.4% 2.05%
1999 -59.7% -0.65%
1998 -40.3% -1.11%
1997 -5.65% 1.24%
1996 -18.4% 2.48%
1995 -22.9% 2.3%
1994 8.69% 2.12%
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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 $698M, or 1.96% 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 0.71% of GDP for Panama.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Panama
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Panama
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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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 0.69% in Panama.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Panama
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$1.67B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
51/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+1.93%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$25.1B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$19.1B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$5.75B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$18.3B
2024
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 2026-03-09).

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
69.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.68%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$81.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$39,260
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$6.86B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
88/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$2.38B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$3.24B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$865M
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 (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1946–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.