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Economy of Eritrea vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 179/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Eritrea vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Eritrea
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Saint Lucia
2024 - $2,549,062,963
2023 - $2,430,166,667
2022 - $2,342,714,815
2021 - $1,867,185,185
2020 - $1,499,274,074
2019 - $2,095,344,444
2018 - $2,060,955,556
2017 - $1,998,503,704
2016 - $1,868,544,444
2015 - $1,807,640,741
2014 - $1,749,185,185
2013 - $1,660,392,593
2012 - $1,598,207,407
2011 $2,065,001,626 $1,568,370,370
2010 $1,589,515,447 $1,482,385,185
2009 $1,856,695,551 $1,401,507,889
2008 $1,380,188,800 $1,437,731,111
2007 $1,317,974,491 $1,336,088,815
2006 $1,211,161,880 $1,268,319,185
2005 $1,098,424,686 $1,135,555,556
2004 $1,109,054,005 $1,066,666,667
2003 $870,248,268 $987,407,407
2002 $729,321,680 $900,000,000
2001 $752,371,689 $892,592,593
2000 $706,370,816 $932,592,593
1999 $688,918,537 $921,851,852
1998 $745,523,117 $877,407,407
1997 $686,490,090 $805,925,926
1996 $693,535,954 $788,888,889
1995 $578,015,625 $762,962,963
1994 $531,688,312 $713,703,704
1993 $467,872,715 $684,814,815
1992 $477,101,652 $674,074,074
1991 - $613,703,704
1990 - $579,629,630
1989 - $486,666,667
1988 - $429,629,630
1987 - $375,555,556
1986 - $340,000,000
1985 - $284,444,444
1984 - $251,481,481
1983 - $197,037,037
1982 - $183,333,333
1981 - $194,444,444
1980 - $170,370,370

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Saint Lucia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $14,182 $27,567
2023 - - $13,555 $25,975
2022 - - $13,104 $24,599
2021 - - $10,459 $19,101
2020 - - $8,411 $14,912
2019 - - $11,794 $18,710
2018 - - $11,643 $17,433
2017 - - $11,333 $16,131
2016 - - $10,638 $15,307
2015 - - $10,335 $14,353
2014 - - $10,045 $14,403
2013 - - $9,577 $14,010
2012 - - $9,260 $13,443
2011 $689 $1,742 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $540 $1,599 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $643 $1,577 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $490 $1,547 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $480 $1,727 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $448 $1,682 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $413 $1,674 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $427 $1,621 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $349 $1,621 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $305 $1,702 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $325 $1,684 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $314 $1,558 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $311 $1,597 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $342 $1,598 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $319 $1,573 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $326 $1,449 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $4,760 $7,753
1991 - - $4,399 $7,127
1990 - - $4,205 $6,951
1989 - - $3,565 -
1988 - - $3,182 -
1987 - - $2,819 -
1986 - - $2,591 -
1985 - - $2,202 -
1984 - - $1,979 -
1983 - - $1,576 -
1982 - - $1,489 -
1981 - - $1,605 -
1980 - - $1,428 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saint-lucia | CC BY

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
173/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
75/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
10.1%
2024
Population
3700586
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 24.5% 77.2%
2023 - - 25.6% 76.6%
2022 - - 23% 74.4%
2021 - - 27.4% 87%
2020 - - 34.9% 100%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 23% 61.3%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 28% 60.8%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 27% 55.2%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 26% 53%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 24.5% 51%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 50.5% 199% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 26% 51.9%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 58.1% 264% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 106.1% - 20.9% 28.9%
1998 88% - 18.8% 29.4%
1997 60.1% - 19.5% 27.2%
1996 68.6% - 18.9% 24.1%
1995 81.2% - 19.2% 22.9%
1994 50.4% - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 67.2% - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 32.7% - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 2/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Saint Lucia
2024 - -2.13%
2023 - -3.09%
2022 - -1.67%
2021 - -5.1%
2020 - -12%
2019 2.72% -3.51%
2018 5.22% -1.03%
2017 -5.74% -1.14%
2016 -1.44% -0.79%
2015 -2.77% -2.35%
2014 -0.12% -3.08%
2013 -7.62% -4.84%
2012 -5.21% -7.62%
2011 -5.5% -5.38%
2010 -16.5% -4.17%
2009 -22.2% -2.67%
2008 -38% -0.72%
2007 -19.8% -1.62%
2006 -15.5% -5.07%
2005 -31% -6.18%
2004 -7.65% -2.63%
2003 6.23% -3.23%
2002 -13.3% -3.1%
2001 -9.62% -3.08%
2000 -25.4% -1.16%
1999 -59.7% 1.62%
1998 -40.3% 2.25%
1997 -5.65% -1.13%
1996 -18.4% -0.58%
1995 -22.9% -0.13%
1994 8.69% -0.02%
1993 4.22% -0.26%
1992 6.85% -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $84.3M, or 5.38% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.89% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Saint Lucia
2024 - -0.11%
2023 - 4.07%
2022 - 6.38%
2021 - 2.41%
2020 - -1.76%
2019 1.3% 0.54%
2018 -14.4% 1.94%
2017 -13.3% 0.1%
2016 -5.6% -3.08%
2015 28.5% -0.98%
2014 8.4% 3.52%
2013 6.3% 1.47%
2012 6% 4.18%
2011 5.9% 2.77%
2010 10.3% 3.25%
2009 33.9% -0.16%
2008 22.2% 5.55%
2007 9.4% 2.82%
2006 7.7% 2.4%
2005 12.5% 3.9%
2004 25.1% 1.46%
2003 22.7% 1.03%
2002 16.9% -0.26%
2001 14.6% 5.31%
2000 19.9% 3.71%
1999 8.4% 3.5%
1998 9.5% 3.2%
1997 3.7% -0.006%

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 2.01% in Saint Lucia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$137M
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$598M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 39.6 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 57/197
Property rights 4.8 64.3
Government integrity 10.9 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 77.3
Tax burden 80.3 77.7
Government spending 62.3 82.6
Fiscal health 69 80
Business freedom 30.7 71.9
Labor freedom 43.4 65.2
Monetary freedom 80 81
Trade freedom 68.4 60
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Saint Lucia
2026 39.6 67.5
2025 38.6 67
2024 39.5 62.2
2023 39.5 60.7
2022 39.7 64.3
2021 42.3 67.5
2020 38.5 68.2
2019 38.9 68.7
2018 41.7 67.6
2017 42.2 65
2016 42.7 70
2015 38.9 70.2
2014 38.5 70.7
2013 36.3 70.4
2012 36.2 71.3
2011 36.7 70.8
2010 35.3 70.5
2009 38.5 68.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP n/a
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
25%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
n/a

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/saint-lucia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2009–2026, 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.