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Economy of Eritrea vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 179/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Eritrea vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Eritrea
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Saudi Arabia
2024 - $1,239,804,533,333
2023 - $1,218,584,533,333
2022 - $1,239,075,200,000
2021 - $982,661,066,667
2020 - $767,951,200,000
2019 - $888,890,133,333
2018 - $886,564,800,000
2017 - $741,266,133,333
2016 - $689,279,466,667
2015 - $693,414,400,000
2014 - $787,153,066,667
2013 - $769,755,733,333
2012 - $751,921,333,333
2011 $2,065,001,626 $680,660,800,000
2010 $1,589,515,447 $528,207,466,667
2009 $1,856,695,551 $429,097,866,667
2008 $1,380,188,800 $519,796,800,000
2007 $1,317,974,491 $415,964,509,673
2006 $1,211,161,880 $376,900,133,511
2005 $1,098,424,686 $328,459,608,764
2004 $1,109,054,005 $258,742,133,333
2003 $870,248,268 $215,807,733,333
2002 $729,321,680 $189,605,866,667
2001 $752,371,689 $184,137,600,000
2000 $706,370,816 $189,514,933,333
1999 $688,918,537 $161,717,066,667
1998 $745,523,117 $146,775,466,667
1997 $686,490,090 $165,963,684,913
1996 $693,535,954 $158,662,483,311
1995 $578,015,625 $143,343,124,166
1994 $531,688,312 $135,174,899,866
1993 $467,872,715 $132,967,957,276
1992 $477,101,652 $137,087,850,467
1991 - $132,223,230,975
1990 - $117,630,173,565
1989 - $95,344,459,279
1988 - $88,256,074,766
1987 - $85,695,861,148
1986 - $86,961,922,765
1985 - $103,897,846,494
1984 - $119,624,858,116
1983 - $129,171,635,311
1982 - $153,240,313,858
1981 - $184,291,360,139
1980 - $164,539,660,725
1979 - $111,858,444,786
1978 - $80,266,516,687
1977 - $74,188,986,586
1976 - $64,005,665,722
1975 - $46,773,208,643
1974 - $45,412,957,746
1973 - $14,947,435,499
1972 - $9,664,267,087
1971 - $7,184,806,909
1970 - $5,377,333,333
1969 - $4,485,777,644
1968 - $4,187,777,711
1967 - $3,257,022,223
1966 - $2,920,555,557
1965 - $2,647,955,558
1964 - $2,371,808,713
1963 - $2,207,393,172
1962 - $2,130,606,532
1961 - $1,920,811,284
1960 - $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Saudi Arabia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $35,122 $71,375
2023 - - $36,157 $71,565
2022 - - $38,510 $71,968
2021 - - $31,921 $62,690
2020 - - $24,339 $47,518
2019 - - $29,567 $59,560
2018 - - $29,360 $59,378
2017 - - $23,929 $53,120
2016 - - $22,268 $49,937
2015 - - $23,256 $53,931
2014 - - $27,805 $62,578
2013 - - $27,865 $62,203
2012 - - $28,733 $65,034
2011 $689 $1,742 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $540 $1,599 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $643 $1,577 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $490 $1,547 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $480 $1,727 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $448 $1,682 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $413 $1,674 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $427 $1,621 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $349 $1,621 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $305 $1,702 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $325 $1,684 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $314 $1,558 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $311 $1,597 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $342 $1,598 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $319 $1,573 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $326 $1,449 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $11,730 $50,355
1991 - - $11,847 $49,295
1990 - - $11,055 $46,214
1989 - - $9,414 -
1988 - - $9,165 -
1987 - - $9,386 -
1986 - - $10,078 -
1985 - - $12,745 -
1984 - - $15,541 -
1983 - - $17,810 -
1982 - - $22,454 -
1981 - - $28,703 -
1980 - - $27,206 -
1979 - - $19,612 -
1978 - - $14,914 -
1977 - - $14,595 -
1976 - - $13,313 -
1975 - - $10,266 -
1974 - - $10,503 -
1973 - - $3,640 -
1972 - - $2,474 -
1971 - - $1,929 -
1970 - - $1,509 -
1969 - - $1,313 -
1968 - - $1,276 -
1967 - - $1,032 -
1966 - - $961 -
1965 - - $904 -
1964 - - $840 -
1963 - - $812 -
1962 - - $813 -
1961 - - $760 -
1960 - - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
18/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
24/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
3.52%
2024
Population
3700586
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 29.6% 26.2%
2023 - - 28.3% 23%
2022 - - 25.3% 21.3%
2021 - - 28.2% 25.5%
2020 - - 37.4% 29.7%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 33% 8.43%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 37.1% 14%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 50.5% 199% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 58.1% 264% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 106.1% - 30.3% 103%
1998 88% - 34.5% 101.5%
1997 60.1% - 35.6% 76.7%
1996 68.6% - 33.3% 75.2%
1995 81.2% - 32.4% 74.2%
1994 50.4% - 33.8% 67.9%
1993 67.2% - 37.7% 58.6%
1992 32.7% - 41.2% 47.8%
1991 - - 34.9% 39.4%
1990 - - 39.3% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 2/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Saudi Arabia
2024 - -2.49%
2023 - -1.77%
2022 - 2.24%
2021 - -1.99%
2020 - -10.2%
2019 2.72% -3.96%
2018 5.22% -5.21%
2017 -5.74% -8.57%
2016 -1.44% -13.2%
2015 -2.77% -14.9%
2014 -0.12% -3.4%
2013 -7.62% 5.47%
2012 -5.21% 11.7%
2011 -5.5% 11.4%
2010 -16.5% 4.39%
2009 -22.2% -5.38%
2008 -38% 29.8%
2007 -19.8% 11.8%
2006 -15.5% 20.8%
2005 -31% 18%
2004 -7.65% 9.72%
2003 6.23% 1.2%
2002 -13.3% -5.91%
2001 -9.62% -3.91%
2000 -25.4% 3.18%
1999 -59.7% -5.99%
1998 -40.3% -8.88%
1997 -5.65% -2.51%
1996 -18.4% -3.25%
1995 -22.9% -5.12%
1994 8.69% -8.31%
1993 4.22% -9.33%
1992 6.85% -8.12%
1991 - -3.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's surplus of $77.6B, or 11.4% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Saudi Arabia
2024 - 1.69%
2023 - 2.33%
2022 - 2.47%
2021 - 3.06%
2020 - 3.37%
2019 1.3% -1.19%
2018 -14.4% 2.47%
2017 -13.3% -0.83%
2016 -5.6% 2.05%
2015 28.5% 1.22%
2014 8.4% 2.24%
2013 6.3% 3.51%
2012 6% 2.87%
2011 5.9% 5.83%
2010 10.3% 5.34%
2009 33.9% 5.06%
2008 22.2% 9.87%
2007 9.4% 4.17%
2006 7.7% 2.21%
2005 12.5% 0.48%
2004 25.1% 0.52%
2003 22.7% 0.61%
2002 16.9% 0.25%
2001 14.6% -1.12%
2000 19.9% -1.12%
1999 8.4% -1.33%
1998 9.5% -0.37%
1997 3.7% 0.06%

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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 1.86% in Saudi Arabia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $23K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.2M
Raw materials & minerals $1.56M
Textiles & consumer goods $871K
Metals $681K
Chemicals & pharma $283K
Machinery & equipment $261K
Miscellaneous $180K
Raw agricultural goods $131K
Wood & paper products $46K
Animal & marine products $42K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$306B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$125B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 39.6 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 65/197
Property rights 4.8 51.4
Government integrity 10.9 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 38.2
Tax burden 80.3 99.2
Government spending 62.3 77
Fiscal health 69 97.9
Business freedom 30.7 71.2
Labor freedom 43.4 41.8
Monetary freedom 80 81.2
Trade freedom 68.4 73.8
Investment freedom 0 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Saudi Arabia
2026 39.6 65.4
2025 38.6 64.4
2024 39.5 61.9
2023 39.5 58.3
2022 39.7 55.5
2021 42.3 66
2020 38.5 62.4
2019 38.9 60.7
2018 41.7 59.6
2017 42.2 64.4
2016 42.7 62.1
2015 38.9 62.1
2014 38.5 62.2
2013 36.3 60.6
2012 36.2 62.5
2011 36.7 66.2
2010 35.3 64.1
2009 38.5 64.3
2008 - 62.5
2007 - 60.9
2006 - 63
2005 - 63
2004 - 60.4
2003 - 63.2
2002 - 65.3
2001 - 62.2
2000 - 66.5
1999 - 65.5
1998 - 69.3
1997 - 68.7
1996 - 68.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP n/a
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$27.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2003–2024, 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.