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Economy of Eritrea vs Spain compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $1.73T for Spain, ranking 179/197 and 15/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $1.75T (101.6% of GDP) in Spain.

Eritrea vs Spain GDP by year

Eritrea
Spain
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Spain
2024 - $1,725,671,652,742
2023 - $1,619,481,980,720
2022 - $1,448,850,658,407
2021 - $1,461,244,901,853
2020 - $1,289,783,836,971
2019 - $1,403,496,387,686
2018 - $1,431,642,809,327
2017 - $1,321,754,088,819
2016 - $1,243,015,667,917
2015 - $1,206,164,777,553
2014 - $1,380,244,561,362
2013 - $1,362,186,923,158
2012 - $1,330,994,811,670
2011 $2,065,001,626 $1,487,568,659,241
2010 $1,589,515,447 $1,427,989,078,917
2009 $1,856,695,551 $1,496,587,590,848
2008 $1,380,188,800 $1,636,115,447,613
2007 $1,317,974,491 $1,476,746,276,855
2006 $1,211,161,880 $1,261,846,683,275
2005 $1,098,424,686 $1,154,667,551,776
2004 $1,109,054,005 $1,069,829,382,515
2003 $870,248,268 $907,963,217,058
2002 $729,321,680 $708,938,227,244
2001 $752,371,689 $627,798,682,379
2000 $706,370,816 $598,102,854,756
1999 $688,918,537 $634,394,904,387
1998 $745,523,117 $618,731,484,575
1997 $686,490,090 $589,739,772,727
1996 $693,535,954 $642,251,412,058
1995 $578,015,625 $614,170,002,669
1994 $531,688,312 $530,183,651,720
1993 $467,872,715 $524,700,572,624
1992 $477,101,652 $630,465,353,486
1991 - $576,753,902,322
1990 - $536,175,326,477
1989 - $414,460,794,097
1988 - $375,891,716,898
1987 - $318,520,253,335
1986 - $251,141,555,186
1985 - $180,664,322,896
1984 - $171,979,977,230
1983 - $170,829,074,246
1982 - $195,856,752,991
1981 - $202,663,023,968
1980 - $232,600,556,974
1979 - $214,448,666,336
1978 - $160,484,969,618
1977 - $132,354,665,936
1976 - $118,422,534,195
1975 - $114,695,060,870
1974 - $97,204,522,642
1973 - $78,583,355,226
1972 - $59,090,176,029
1971 - $46,586,119,760
1970 - $40,963,715,237
1969 - $37,090,689,288
1968 - $32,394,326,464
1967 - $32,570,905,397
1966 - $29,559,436,183
1965 - $25,479,619,607
1964 - $21,966,876,027
1963 - $19,631,714,760
1962 - $16,609,632,791
1961 - $14,238,126,760
1960 - $12,424,514,014

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Spain by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Spain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Spain
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $35,327 $57,965
2023 - - $33,493 $55,682
2022 - - $30,319 $51,399
2021 - - $30,799 $44,252
2020 - - $27,234 $39,328
2019 - - $29,787 $44,043
2018 - - $30,602 $41,015
2017 - - $28,381 $39,825
2016 - - $26,756 $37,613
2015 - - $25,982 $35,229
2014 - - $29,708 $33,761
2013 - - $29,229 $32,614
2012 - - $28,456 $31,870
2011 $689 $1,742 $31,825 $32,016
2010 $540 $1,599 $30,659 $31,805
2009 $643 $1,577 $32,280 $32,218
2008 $490 $1,547 $35,603 $33,350
2007 $480 $1,727 $32,652 $32,536
2006 $448 $1,682 $28,422 $30,749
2005 $413 $1,674 $26,451 $27,630
2004 $427 $1,621 $24,925 $26,160
2003 $349 $1,621 $21,522 $25,057
2002 $305 $1,702 $17,111 $24,378
2001 $325 $1,684 $15,368 $22,952
2000 $314 $1,558 $14,743 $21,582
1999 $311 $1,597 $15,708 $19,938
1998 $342 $1,598 $15,382 $19,083
1997 $319 $1,573 $14,722 $17,903
1996 $326 $1,449 $16,101 $16,971
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $15,461 $16,276
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $13,406 $15,582
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $13,330 $14,973
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $16,101 $14,855
1991 - - $14,801 $14,461
1990 - - $13,795 $13,676
1989 - - $10,674 -
1988 - - $9,696 -
1987 - - $8,234 -
1986 - - $6,509 -
1985 - - $4,696 -
1984 - - $4,487 -
1983 - - $4,475 -
1982 - - $5,156 -
1981 - - $5,367 -
1980 - - $6,204 -
1979 - - $5,766 -
1978 - - $4,353 -
1977 - - $3,625 -
1976 - - $3,277 -
1975 - - $3,208 -
1974 - - $2,748 -
1973 - - $2,246 -
1972 - - $1,708 -
1971 - - $1,361 -
1970 - - $1,211 -
1969 - - $1,109 -
1968 - - $978 -
1967 - - $997 -
1966 - - $916 -
1965 - - $797 -
1964 - - $695 -
1963 - - $627 -
1962 - - $535 -
1961 - - $463 -
1960 - - $408 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $35,327 in Spain, ranking 32/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Spain ranks 34th at $57,965.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Spain
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$1.73T
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
15/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
3.46%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$35,327
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
32/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$57,965
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
34/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$1.75T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
101.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$35,909
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
20/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$25,470
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$754B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
1,202,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
34
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
24.5%
2023
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
45.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
2.77%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
11.3%
2024
Population
3700586
48806901

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Spain
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Spain
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 45.3% 101.6%
2023 - - 45.5% 105.1%
2022 - - 46.4% 109.2%
2021 - - 49.5% 115.6%
2020 - - 51.4% 119.2%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 42% 97.6%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 41.5% 99.7%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 41% 101.1%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 42.1% 102%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 43.7% 102.4%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 45.1% 104.4%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 46.2% 100%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 49.2% 89.6%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 45.9% 69.5%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 45.8% 60.3%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 46.1% 53.1%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 41.3% 39.6%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 39.2% 35.7%
2006 50.5% 199% 38.4% 39%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 38.4% 42.4%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 38.8% 45.3%
2003 58.1% 264% 38.4% 47.7%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 38.6% 51.2%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 38.4% 54.1%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 39.1% 57.8%
1999 106.1% - 40% 60.9%
1998 88% - 41% 62.4%
1997 60.1% - 41.5% 64.3%
1996 68.6% - 42.9% 65.4%
1995 81.2% - 44.1% 61.6%
1994 50.4% - 44.8% 57%
1993 67.2% - 46.3% 54.6%
1992 32.7% - 43.9% 44.1%
1991 - - 42.6% 41.9%
1990 - - 41.1% 41.3%
1989 - - 32.1% 39.2%
1988 - - 28.6% 38.2%
1987 - - 31.1% 42.1%
1986 - - 28.4% 36.5%
1985 - - 27.6% 31.5%
1984 - - 27% 18.3%
1983 - - 26% 13.4%
1982 - - 21.5% 12%
1981 - - 18.1% 10.9%
1980 - - 16.3% 10.2%
1979 - - 14.3% 9.88%
1978 - - 14.3% 9.93%
1977 - - 12.8% 8.75%
1976 - - 11.5% 8.21%
1975 - - 11.4% 11.9%
1974 - - 11.4% 13.6%
1973 - - 9.88% 16.3%
1972 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1971 - - 14% 17.9%
1970 - - 12.3% 19.2%
1969 - - 12.3% 18.8%
1968 - - 12.8% 18.3%
1967 - - 12.5% 17.6%
1966 - - 11.8% 17.7%
1965 - - 14% 18.1%
1964 - - 12.7% 19.5%
1963 - - 12.4% 21%
1962 - - 10.6% 24.4%
1961 - - 9.97% 26.7%
1960 - - 11% 29.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Spain spent $782B, or 45.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 101.6% in Spain, ranking 2/185 and 21/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Spain
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Spain
2024 - -3.15%
2023 - -3.52%
2022 - -4.63%
2021 - -6.66%
2020 - -10%
2019 2.72% -3.04%
2018 5.22% -2.58%
2017 -5.74% -3.1%
2016 -1.44% -4.26%
2015 -2.77% -5.26%
2014 -0.12% -6.07%
2013 -7.62% -7.49%
2012 -5.21% -11.5%
2011 -5.5% -9.69%
2010 -16.5% -9.49%
2009 -22.2% -11.2%
2008 -38% -4.56%
2007 -19.8% 1.88%
2006 -15.5% 2.12%
2005 -31% 1.23%
2004 -7.65% -0.1%
2003 6.23% -0.37%
2002 -13.3% -0.32%
2001 -9.62% -0.45%
2000 -25.4% -1.16%
1999 -59.7% -1.24%
1998 -40.3% -2.63%
1997 -5.65% -3.86%
1996 -18.4% -5.87%
1995 -22.9% -6.79%
1994 8.69% -6.31%
1993 4.22% -6.89%
1992 6.85% -4.26%
1991 - -4.58%
1990 - -3.9%
1989 - -3.24%
1988 - -2.95%
1987 - -3.52%
1986 - -5.18%
1985 - -6.04%
1984 - -5.25%
1983 - -4.77%
1982 - -5.76%
1981 - -2.88%
1980 - -2.55%
1979 - -1.51%
1978 - -1.63%
1977 - -0.24%
1976 - 0.43%
1975 - 0.26%
1974 - 0.11%
1973 - 1.09%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.96%
1970 - 0.09%
1969 - -0.06%
1968 - -0.55%
1967 - -0.32%
1966 - 0.07%
1965 - -0.04%
1964 - 0.18%
1963 - -0.54%
1962 - 1.27%
1961 - 1.9%
1960 - 0.69%
1959 - 0.54%
1958 - 0.23%
1957 - 1.13%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - 0.7%
1953 - 1.02%
1952 - 0.81%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.44%
1949 - -0.35%
1948 - -1.21%
1947 - -1.09%
1946 - -2.24%
1945 - -4.56%
1944 - -5.44%
1943 - -7.73%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -4.34%
1940 - -3.54%
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -
1936 - -
1935 - -0.49%
1934 - -1.17%
1933 - -0.72%
1932 - -0.3%
1931 - 0.1%
1930 - 0.3%
1929 - -0.07%
1928 - -0.31%
1927 - -0.54%
1926 - -0.65%
1925 - -1.19%
1924 - -1.76%
1923 - -1.89%
1922 - -2.26%
1921 - -3.33%
1920 - -2.4%
1919 - -1.82%
1918 - -1.8%
1917 - -1.49%
1916 - -1.15%
1915 - -2.97%
1914 - -1.04%
1913 - -0.09%
1912 - -0.33%
1911 - 0.19%
1910 - 0.09%
1909 - -0.29%
1908 - 0.59%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.91%
1905 - 0.71%
1904 - 0.52%
1903 - 0.28%
1902 - 0.74%
1901 - 0.69%
1900 - 1.04%
1899 - 2.75%
1898 - 0.13%
1897 - -0.64%
1896 - 0.46%
1895 - 0.83%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - 0.87%
1892 - -0.67%
1891 - -0.41%
1890 - -0.4%
1889 - -0.38%
1888 - -0.97%
1887 - -0.73%
1886 - -0.08%
1885 - -0.78%
1884 - -0.23%
1883 - -0.38%
1882 - 0.38%
1881 - 0.08%
1880 - -0.02%
1879 - -0.52%
1878 - -0.08%
1877 - 0.11%
1876 - 0.1%
1875 - -1.42%
1874 - -0.1%
1873 - 2.22%
1872 - -2.27%
1871 - -2.64%
1870 - -3.42%
1869 - -2.64%
1868 - -1.46%
1867 - -0.79%
1866 - -0.83%
1865 - -1.84%
1864 - -2.48%
1863 - -1.55%
1862 - -1.76%
1861 - -1.77%
1860 - -0.94%
1859 - 0.39%
1858 - -0.44%
1857 - -0.41%
1856 - -0.46%
1855 - -0.76%
1854 - -0.32%
1853 - -0.02%
1852 - -0.11%
1851 - -0.25%
1850 - 0.31%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/spain | 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 Spain's deficit of $144B, or 9.69% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Spain ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.5% of GDP for Spain.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Spain
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Spain
2024 - 2.77%
2023 - 3.53%
2022 - 8.39%
2021 - 3.09%
2020 - -0.32%
2019 1.3% 0.7%
2018 -14.4% 1.67%
2017 -13.3% 1.96%
2016 -5.6% -0.2%
2015 28.5% -0.5%
2014 8.4% -0.15%
2013 6.3% 1.41%
2012 6% 2.45%
2011 5.9% 3.2%
2010 10.3% 1.8%
2009 33.9% -0.29%
2008 22.2% 4.08%
2007 9.4% 2.79%
2006 7.7% 3.52%
2005 12.5% 3.37%
2004 25.1% 3.04%
2003 22.7% 3.04%
2002 16.9% 3.07%
2001 14.6% 3.59%
2000 19.9% 3.43%
1999 8.4% 2.31%
1998 9.5% 1.83%
1997 3.7% 1.97%

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/spain | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 2.09% in Spain. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 2.77% in Spain.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $6K
Spain
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.17M
Raw materials & minerals $1.13M
Weapons & explosives $1.08M
Machinery & equipment $520K
Chemicals & pharma $40K
Wood & paper products $15K
Metals $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Spain
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$54.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
13/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+3.18%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$456B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$419B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$111B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$220B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
32.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
37.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Spain
Economic freedom 39.6 66.8
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 59/197
Property rights 4.8 88
Government integrity 10.9 64.2
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 74.3
Tax burden 80.3 58.2
Government spending 62.3 37.3
Fiscal health 69 57.3
Business freedom 30.7 82.6
Labor freedom 43.4 61.7
Monetary freedom 80 78.2
Trade freedom 68.4 79.4
Investment freedom 0 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Spain
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Spain
2026 39.6 66.8
2025 38.6 66.3
2024 39.5 63.3
2023 39.5 65
2022 39.7 68.2
2021 42.3 69.9
2020 38.5 66.9
2019 38.9 65.7
2018 41.7 65.1
2017 42.2 63.6
2016 42.7 68.5
2015 38.9 67.6
2014 38.5 67.2
2013 36.3 68
2012 36.2 69.1
2011 36.7 70.2
2010 35.3 69.6
2009 38.5 70.1
2008 - 69.1
2007 - 69.2
2006 - 68.2
2005 - 67
2004 - 68.9
2003 - 68.8
2002 - 68.8
2001 - 68.1
2000 - 65.9
1999 - 65.1
1998 - 62.6
1997 - 59.6
1996 - 59.6
1995 - 62.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 66.8 for Spain, ranking 59/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Spain
Services, % of GDP n/a
68.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
19.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
2.75%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$1.64T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$57,670
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$108B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
26/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$28.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$42.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$71.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
20.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
21.2%
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/spain | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1850–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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. TradeMap (2003–2024, 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.