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Economy of Eritrea vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $100B for Serbia, ranking 179/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $42.4B (42.4% of GDP) in Serbia.

Eritrea vs Serbia GDP by year

Eritrea
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Serbia
2025 - $99,953,324,473
2024 - $90,088,366,320
2023 - $81,343,999,280
2022 - $66,809,895,701
2021 - $66,159,884,073
2020 - $55,874,017,669
2019 - $53,864,693,665
2018 - $52,787,520,249
2017 - $45,972,834,714
2016 - $42,225,495,910
2015 - $41,297,410,635
2014 - $49,114,321,280
2013 - $50,455,529,604
2012 - $45,103,269,969
2011 $2,065,001,626 $51,251,098,408
2010 $1,589,515,447 $43,536,629,233
2009 $1,856,695,551 $46,955,984,410
2008 $1,380,188,800 $54,220,641,202
2007 $1,317,974,491 $44,888,028,946
2006 $1,211,161,880 $33,298,057,362
2005 $1,098,424,686 $28,334,256,181
2004 $1,109,054,005 $26,845,632,342
2003 $870,248,268 $23,593,044,418
2002 $729,321,680 $17,930,583,571
2001 $752,371,689 $13,599,378,662
2000 $706,370,816 $7,326,373,882
1999 $688,918,537 $20,878,694,851
1998 $745,523,117 $21,004,077,441
1997 $686,490,090 $27,153,408,995
1996 $693,535,954 $23,277,430,168
1995 $578,015,625 $17,921,892,655
1994 $531,688,312 -
1993 $467,872,715 -
1992 $477,101,652 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Serbia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 - - $15,262 -
2024 - - $13,678 $32,832
2023 - - $12,282 $29,777
2022 - - $10,025 $26,143
2021 - - $9,681 $23,406
2020 - - $8,099 $21,013
2019 - - $7,756 $20,587
2018 - - $7,560 $18,469
2017 - - $6,548 $17,285
2016 - - $5,982 $16,455
2015 - - $5,820 $15,546
2014 - - $6,887 $15,296
2013 - - $7,040 $15,247
2012 - - $6,263 $14,506
2011 $689 $1,742 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $540 $1,599 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $643 $1,577 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $490 $1,547 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $480 $1,727 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $448 $1,682 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $413 $1,674 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $427 $1,621 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $349 $1,621 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $305 $1,702 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $314 $1,558 $975 $6,416
1999 $311 $1,597 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $342 $1,598 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $319 $1,573 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $326 $1,449 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $277.8 $1,379 - -
1993 $252.1 $1,149 - -
1992 $265.2 $1,021 - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 189/197, compared to $15,262 in Serbia, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Serbia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$100B
2025
GDP rank
179/197
2011
76/197
2025
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$15,262
2025
GDP per capita rank
189/197
2011
69/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
69/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$42.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
42.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$6,478
2025
Government debt per person rank
137/185
2011
75/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,350
2026
$12,492
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.5%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
43.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.89%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
7.3%
2025
Population
3722489
6500256

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 - - 43.2% 42.4%
2024 - - 42.2% 44.1%
2023 - - 40.6% 45.7%
2022 - - 41.4% 50.9%
2021 - - 44.4% 53.6%
2020 - - 46% 54.3%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 39% 51.1%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 40.3% 65%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 41% 67.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 40.6% 61.2%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 43.3% 58%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 40% 46%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 41.2% 42.4%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 41.1% 35.3%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 40.6% 30%
2006 50.5% 199% 41.3% 37%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 58.1% 264% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 28% 200.6%
1999 106.1% - - -
1998 88% - - -
1997 60.1% - - -
1996 68.6% - - -
1995 81.2% - - -
1994 50.4% - - -
1993 67.2% - - -
1992 32.7% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $43.2B, or 43.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 42.4% in Serbia, ranking 2/185 and 123/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Serbia
2025 - -2.21%
2024 - -1.73%
2023 - -1.21%
2022 - -0.14%
2021 - -3.16%
2020 - -6.91%
2019 2.72% -0.004%
2018 5.22% 0.78%
2017 -5.74% 1.32%
2016 -1.44% -1.08%
2015 -2.77% -3.25%
2014 -0.12% -5.61%
2013 -7.62% -4.79%
2012 -5.21% -6.11%
2011 -5.5% -3.75%
2010 -16.5% -3.35%
2009 -22.2% -3.3%
2008 -38% -4.25%
2007 -19.8% -0.8%
2006 -15.5% -0.9%
2005 -31% 1.02%
2004 -7.65% 0.06%
2003 6.23% -2.39%
2002 -13.3% -2.33%
2001 -9.62% 0.32%
2000 -25.4% -0.15%
1999 -59.7% -
1998 -40.3% -
1997 -5.65% -
1996 -18.4% -
1995 -22.9% -
1994 8.69% -
1993 4.22% -
1992 6.85% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.92B, or 3.75% of GDP.

Over the past 12 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.65% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Serbia
2025 - 3.89%
2024 - 4.67%
2023 - 12.4%
2022 - 12%
2021 - 4.09%
2020 - 1.58%
2019 1.3% 1.85%
2018 -14.4% 1.96%
2017 -13.3% 3.13%
2016 -5.6% 1.12%
2015 28.5% 1.39%
2014 8.4% 2.08%
2013 6.3% 7.69%
2012 6% 7.33%
2011 5.9% 11.1%
2010 10.3% 6.14%
2009 33.9% 8.12%
2008 22.2% 12.4%
2007 9.4% 6.39%
2006 7.7% 11.7%
2005 12.5% 16.1%
2004 25.1% 11%
2003 22.7% 9.88%
2002 16.9% 19.5%
2001 14.6% 95%
2000 19.9% 71.1%
1999 8.4% 42.5%
1998 9.5% 30.2%
1997 3.7% 23.3%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2019, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 17.4% in Serbia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.89% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Serbia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $3K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Serbia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$4.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
82/190
2000
164/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-4.9%
2025
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$44B
2025
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$36.7B
2025
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$17.2B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
58.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
54.3%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Serbia
Economic freedom 39.6 65
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 68/197
Property rights 4.8 57.2
Government integrity 10.9 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 50.1
Tax burden 80.3 88
Government spending 62.3 48.2
Fiscal health 69 94.3
Business freedom 30.7 73.6
Labor freedom 43.4 61.8
Monetary freedom 80 73
Trade freedom 68.4 76.6
Investment freedom 0 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Serbia
2026 39.6 65
2025 38.6 64.4
2024 39.5 62.7
2023 39.5 63.5
2022 39.7 65.2
2021 42.3 67.2
2020 38.5 66
2019 38.9 63.9
2018 41.7 62.5
2017 42.2 58.9
2016 42.7 62.1
2015 38.9 60
2014 38.5 59.4
2013 36.3 58.6
2012 36.2 58
2011 36.7 58
2010 35.3 56.9
2009 38.5 56.6
2008 - -
2007 - -
2006 - -
2005 - -
2004 - -
2003 - 43.5
2002 - 46.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Serbia
Services, % of GDP n/a
59.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
22.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
3.29%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$88.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$31,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$34.2B
2025
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
55/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$2.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
23.4%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2002–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.