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Economy of Eritrea vs Poland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $918B for Poland, ranking 179/197 and 21/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $507B (55.3% of GDP) in Poland.

Eritrea vs Poland GDP by year

Eritrea
Poland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Poland
2024 - $917,767,106,147
2023 - $812,451,193,396
2022 - $695,607,470,875
2021 - $689,170,230,665
2020 - $605,914,237,904
2019 - $602,683,770,145
2018 - $594,616,687,350
2017 - $528,356,676,667
2016 - $473,259,583,970
2015 - $480,054,118,583
2014 - $542,134,167,179
2013 - $518,179,836,405
2012 - $498,148,649,703
2011 $2,065,001,626 $527,848,543,023
2010 $1,589,515,447 $478,111,630,684
2009 $1,856,695,551 $440,891,472,247
2008 $1,380,188,800 $535,612,030,672
2007 $1,317,974,491 $429,715,132,138
2006 $1,211,161,880 $345,897,630,736
2005 $1,098,424,686 $306,999,913,151
2004 $1,109,054,005 $256,268,656,145
2003 $870,248,268 $218,561,225,998
2002 $729,321,680 $199,694,463,256
2001 $752,371,689 $191,823,200,371
2000 $706,370,816 $172,953,527,033
1999 $688,918,537 $170,704,452,715
1998 $745,523,117 $175,282,269,667
1997 $686,490,090 $159,893,964,917
1996 $693,535,954 $160,813,026,223
1995 $578,015,625 $142,838,527,115
1994 $531,688,312 $110,803,635,288
1993 $467,872,715 $96,043,157,273
1992 $477,101,652 $94,337,050,693
1991 - $85,500,935,935
1990 - $65,977,748,211

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Poland by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Poland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Poland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $25,104 $51,263
2023 - - $22,145 $48,473
2022 - - $18,891 $46,778
2021 - - $18,636 $41,060
2020 - - $16,151 $37,089
2019 - - $15,875 $35,882
2018 - - $15,658 $32,345
2017 - - $13,913 $30,170
2016 - - $12,464 $28,360
2015 - - $12,638 $26,988
2014 - - $14,262 $25,460
2013 - - $13,622 $24,434
2012 - - $13,087 $23,728
2011 $689 $1,742 $13,868 $22,809
2010 $540 $1,599 $12,568 $20,991
2009 $643 $1,577 $11,556 $19,300
2008 $490 $1,547 $14,049 $18,372
2007 $480 $1,727 $11,273 $16,833
2006 $448 $1,682 $9,069 $15,205
2005 $413 $1,674 $8,044 $13,936
2004 $427 $1,621 $6,712 $13,413
2003 $349 $1,621 $5,721 $12,329
2002 $305 $1,702 $5,223 $11,841
2001 $325 $1,684 $5,015 $11,175
2000 $314 $1,558 $4,521 $10,721
1999 $311 $1,597 $4,416 $10,081
1998 $342 $1,598 $4,534 $9,521
1997 $319 $1,573 $4,137 $8,967
1996 $326 $1,449 $4,164 $8,310
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $3,701 $7,715
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $2,875 $7,040
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $2,497 $6,560
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $2,459 $6,193
1991 - - $2,236 $5,925
1990 - - $1,731 $6,185

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $25,104 in Poland, ranking 48/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Poland ranks 43rd at $51,263.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Poland
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$918B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
21/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
3.03%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$25,104
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
48/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$51,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
43/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$507B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
55.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$13,874
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
41/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$20,736
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$197B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
10
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
49.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.78%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
2.81%
2024
Population
3700586
35806942

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Poland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Poland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 49.4% 55.3%
2023 - - 46.9% 49.5%
2022 - - 43.2% 48.8%
2021 - - 43.6% 53%
2020 - - 47.7% 56.6%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 41.4% 45.2%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 41% 48.2%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 41.1% 50.4%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 41.1% 54.1%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 41.5% 51.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 42.7% 51.1%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 43.2% 56.9%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 43.2% 54.5%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 44.1% 54.8%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 46% 53.7%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 44.9% 49.7%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 44% 46.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 42.8% 44.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 44.3% 47.1%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 44.1% 46.5%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 43.3% 44.9%
2003 58.1% 264% 45.5% 46.4%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 45.1% 41.6%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 44.7% 37.2%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 43.1% 36.4%
1999 106.1% - 42.5% 39.4%
1998 88% - 44% 38.7%
1997 60.1% - 46.1% 42.7%
1996 68.6% - 50.7% 43.2%
1995 81.2% - 47.5% 48.7%
1994 50.4% - - 64.3%
1993 67.2% - - 83.9%
1992 32.7% - - 81.9%
1991 - - - 76.9%
1990 - - - 89.7%
1989 - - - -
1988 - - - -
1987 - - - -
1986 - - - -
1985 - - - -
1984 - - - -
1983 - - - -
1982 - - - -
1981 - - - -
1980 - - - -
1979 - - 35.6% -
1978 - - 35.8% -
1977 - - 35.6% -
1976 - - 34.8% -
1975 - - 34.1% -
1974 - - 28.6% -
1973 - - 24.5% -
1972 - - 24.1% -
1971 - - 24.1% -
1970 - - 25.8% -
1969 - - 26.3% -
1968 - - 27.3% -
1967 - - 29.6% -
1966 - - 31.7% -
1965 - - 31.8% -
1964 - - 33.5% -
1963 - - 33.3% -
1962 - - 43% -
1961 - - 42.8% -
1960 - - 39.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Poland spent $453B, or 49.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 55.3% in Poland, ranking 2/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Poland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Poland
2024 - -6.59%
2023 - -5.27%
2022 - -3.44%
2021 - -1.75%
2020 - -6.85%
2019 2.72% -0.73%
2018 5.22% -0.24%
2017 -5.74% -1.49%
2016 -1.44% -2.38%
2015 -2.77% -2.59%
2014 -0.12% -3.66%
2013 -7.62% -4.25%
2012 -5.21% -3.8%
2011 -5.5% -4.97%
2010 -16.5% -7.43%
2009 -22.2% -7.24%
2008 -38% -3.6%
2007 -19.8% -1.88%
2006 -15.5% -3.53%
2005 -31% -3.93%
2004 -7.65% -4.99%
2003 6.23% -6.02%
2002 -13.3% -4.8%
2001 -9.62% -4.73%
2000 -25.4% -4%
1999 -59.7% -2.3%
1998 -40.3% -4.25%
1997 -5.65% -4.61%
1996 -18.4% -4.84%
1995 -22.9% -4.39%
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/poland | 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 Poland's deficit of $26.3B, or 4.97% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Poland ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 20.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.56% of GDP for Poland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Poland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Poland
2024 - 3.78%
2023 - 11.5%
2022 - 14.4%
2021 - 5.06%
2020 - 3.37%
2019 1.3% 2.23%
2018 -14.4% 1.81%
2017 -13.3% 2.08%
2016 -5.6% -0.66%
2015 28.5% -0.87%
2014 8.4% 0.05%
2013 6.3% 0.99%
2012 6% 3.56%
2011 5.9% 4.24%
2010 10.3% 2.58%
2009 33.9% 3.8%
2008 22.2% 4.16%
2007 9.4% 2.46%
2006 7.7% 1.28%
2005 12.5% 2.18%
2004 25.1% 3.38%
2003 22.7% 0.68%
2002 16.9% 1.91%
2001 14.6% 5.41%
2000 19.9% 9.9%
1999 8.4% 7.15%
1998 9.5% 11.6%
1997 3.7% 14.9%

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/poland | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 3.69% in Poland. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.78% in Poland.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Poland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $97K
Raw materials & minerals $29K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Poland
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$2.8B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
40/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+0.3%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$367B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$361B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$74.9B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$118B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
48.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
52.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Poland
Economic freedom 39.6 68.5
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 46/197
Property rights 4.8 71.8
Government integrity 10.9 60.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 62.5
Tax burden 80.3 72.7
Government spending 62.3 35.1
Fiscal health 69 74.8
Business freedom 30.7 77.5
Labor freedom 43.4 53.7
Monetary freedom 80 73.8
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 80
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Poland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Poland
2026 39.6 68.5
2025 38.6 67.1
2024 39.5 66
2023 39.5 67.7
2022 39.7 68.7
2021 42.3 69.7
2020 38.5 69.1
2019 38.9 67.8
2018 41.7 68.5
2017 42.2 68.3
2016 42.7 69.3
2015 38.9 68.6
2014 38.5 67
2013 36.3 66
2012 36.2 64.2
2011 36.7 64.1
2010 35.3 63.2
2009 38.5 60.3
2008 - 60.3
2007 - 58.1
2006 - 59.3
2005 - 59.6
2004 - 58.7
2003 - 61.8
2002 - 65
2001 - 61.8
2000 - 60
1999 - 59.6
1998 - 59.2
1997 - 56.8
1996 - 57.8
1995 - 50.7

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 68.5 for Poland, ranking 46/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Poland
Services, % of GDP n/a
59.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
27.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$789B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$49,540
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$223B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
17/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$10.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$20.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$10B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
13.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
17.8%
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/poland | 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 (1995–2026, 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 (1960–1994, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.