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Economy of Eritrea vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 179/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Eritrea vs Romania GDP by year

Eritrea
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Romania
2024 - $382,564,217,989
2023 - $347,757,995,759
2022 - $295,319,437,557
2021 - $285,071,280,114
2020 - $250,625,048,304
2019 - $250,080,428,512
2018 - $241,791,427,224
2017 - $210,147,385,855
2016 - $185,290,759,249
2015 - $177,885,131,240
2014 - $199,722,319,676
2013 - $189,798,603,751
2012 - $179,117,323,107
2011 $2,065,001,626 $192,623,977,894
2010 $1,589,515,447 $170,064,350,672
2009 $1,856,695,551 $174,110,532,659
2008 $1,380,188,800 $214,315,932,061
2007 $1,317,974,491 $174,588,782,939
2006 $1,211,161,880 $122,023,735,993
2005 $1,098,424,686 $98,454,380,120
2004 $1,109,054,005 $74,973,656,852
2003 $870,248,268 $57,806,384,143
2002 $729,321,680 $46,065,502,703
2001 $752,371,689 $40,395,116,581
2000 $706,370,816 $37,253,739,511
1999 $688,918,537 $35,953,156,754
1998 $745,523,117 $41,696,091,974
1997 $686,490,090 $35,575,214,078
1996 $693,535,954 $36,937,074,278
1995 $578,015,625 $37,430,162,103
1994 $531,688,312 $30,072,805,104
1993 $467,872,715 $26,361,160,450
1992 $477,101,652 $25,121,666,667
1991 - $28,850,634,900
1990 - $38,247,882,300
1989 - $41,450,777,202
1988 - $40,424,528,302
1987 - $38,067,567,568

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Romania by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $20,080 $49,077
2023 - - $18,244 $45,982
2022 - - $15,504 $41,979
2021 - - $14,908 $37,534
2020 - - $13,009 $34,194
2019 - - $12,910 $33,425
2018 - - $12,416 $29,383
2017 - - $10,728 $26,943
2016 - - $9,405 $23,905
2015 - - $8,977 $21,625
2014 - - $10,032 $20,633
2013 - - $9,498 $19,678
2012 - - $8,930 $19,808
2011 $689 $1,742 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $540 $1,599 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $643 $1,577 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $490 $1,547 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $480 $1,727 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $448 $1,682 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $413 $1,674 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $427 $1,621 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $305 $1,702 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $314 $1,558 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $311 $1,597 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $342 $1,598 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $319 $1,573 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $326 $1,449 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $1,102 $4,515
1991 - - $1,254 $4,795
1990 - - $1,648 $5,280
1989 - - $1,790 -
1988 - - $1,753 -
1987 - - $1,659 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1987–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Romania
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$383B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
42/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
47/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
5.43%
2024
Population
3700586
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 39.9% 57.4%
2023 - - 36.6% 52.1%
2022 - - 37.4% 51.7%
2021 - - 37% 51.5%
2020 - - 38.1% 49.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 31% 37.1%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 35.3% 13%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 58.1% 264% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 35% 29.6%
1999 106.1% - 35.1% 21.7%
1998 88% - 34.7% 16.5%
1997 60.1% - 33.5% 15%
1996 68.6% - 33.5% 11%
1995 81.2% - 34.4% 6.91%
1994 50.4% - 33.1% -
1993 67.2% - 33.5% -
1992 32.7% - 41.5% -
1991 - - 38.3% -
1990 - - 38.4% -
1989 - - 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 2/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Romania
2024 - -8.68%
2023 - -5.61%
2022 - -5.83%
2021 - -6.7%
2020 - -9.54%
2019 2.72% -4.55%
2018 5.22% -2.74%
2017 -5.74% -2.86%
2016 -1.44% -2.5%
2015 -2.77% -1.35%
2014 -0.12% -1.76%
2013 -7.62% -2.44%
2012 -5.21% -2.39%
2011 -5.5% -4.14%
2010 -16.5% -6.22%
2009 -22.2% -6.86%
2008 -38% -4.6%
2007 -19.8% -3.05%
2006 -15.5% -1.36%
2005 -31% -0.69%
2004 -7.65% -3.39%
2003 6.23% -2.29%
2002 -13.3% -2.59%
2001 -9.62% -3.2%
2000 -25.4% -3.99%
1999 -59.7% -3.58%
1998 -40.3% -5.33%
1997 -5.65% -5.19%
1996 -18.4% -4.74%
1995 -22.9% -3.32%
1994 8.69% -2.2%
1993 4.22% -0.35%
1992 6.85% -4.55%
1991 - 3.23%
1990 - 1.03%
1989 - -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $7.97B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.58% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Romania
2024 - 5.6%
2023 - 10.4%
2022 - 13.8%
2021 - 5%
2020 - 2.6%
2019 1.3% 3.8%
2018 -14.4% 4.6%
2017 -13.3% 1.3%
2016 -5.6% -1.6%
2015 28.5% -0.6%
2014 8.4% 1.1%
2013 6.3% 4%
2012 6% 3.3%
2011 5.9% 5.8%
2010 10.3% 6.1%
2009 33.9% 5.6%
2008 22.2% 7.8%
2007 9.4% 4.8%
2006 7.7% 6.6%
2005 12.5% 9%
2004 25.1% 11.9%
2003 22.7% 15.4%
2002 16.9% 22.5%
2001 14.6% 34.5%
2000 19.9% 45.7%
1999 8.4% 45.8%
1998 9.5% 59.1%
1997 3.7% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 19.6% in Romania. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Romania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Machinery & equipment $3K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Romania
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Romania
Economic freedom 39.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 64/197
Property rights 4.8 81
Government integrity 10.9 50
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 67
Tax burden 80.3 89.1
Government spending 62.3 56.7
Fiscal health 69 21.4
Business freedom 30.7 74.4
Labor freedom 43.4 63.6
Monetary freedom 80 72.7
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Romania
2026 39.6 65.4
2025 38.6 66.5
2024 39.5 64.4
2023 39.5 64.5
2022 39.7 67.1
2021 42.3 69.5
2020 38.5 69.7
2019 38.9 68.6
2018 41.7 69.4
2017 42.2 69.7
2016 42.7 65.6
2015 38.9 66.6
2014 38.5 65.5
2013 36.3 65.1
2012 36.2 64.4
2011 36.7 64.7
2010 35.3 64.2
2009 38.5 63.2
2008 - 61.7
2007 - 61.2
2006 - 58.2
2005 - 52.1
2004 - 50
2003 - 50.6
2002 - 48.7
2001 - 50
2000 - 52.1
1999 - 50.1
1998 - 54.4
1997 - 50.8
1996 - 46.2
1995 - 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Romania
Services, % of GDP n/a
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
25%
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/romania | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, 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. TradeMap (2021, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.