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Economy of Eritrea vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 179/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Eritrea vs Suriname GDP by year

Eritrea
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Suriname
2024 - $4,416,775,112
2023 - $3,472,693,412
2022 - $3,791,603,200
2021 - $3,107,923,198
2020 - $2,911,807,496
2019 - $4,016,040,575
2018 - $3,996,198,867
2017 - $3,591,679,431
2016 - $3,317,421,648
2015 - $5,126,237,646
2014 - $5,240,606,061
2013 - $5,145,757,576
2012 - $4,980,000,000
2011 $2,065,001,626 $4,422,276,622
2010 $1,589,515,447 $4,368,370,998
2009 $1,856,695,551 $3,875,409,836
2008 $1,380,188,800 $3,532,969,035
2007 $1,317,974,491 $2,936,612,022
2006 $1,211,161,880 $2,626,380,435
2005 $1,098,424,686 $1,793,410,397
2004 $1,109,054,005 $1,484,092,538
2003 $870,248,268 $1,274,190,311
2002 $729,321,680 $1,093,574,468
2001 $752,371,689 $834,279,358
2000 $706,370,816 $947,671,970
1999 $688,918,537 $886,290,698
1998 $745,523,117 $1,110,850,000
1997 $686,490,090 $926,422,500
1996 $693,535,954 $861,372,806
1995 $578,015,625 $691,590,498
1994 $531,688,312 $605,492,537
1993 $467,872,715 $428,764,706
1992 $477,101,652 $404,600,000
1991 - $448,100,000
1990 - $388,400,000
1989 - $542,600,000
1988 - $1,161,000,000
1987 - $980,000,000
1986 - $891,000,000
1985 - $873,000,000
1984 - $864,000,000
1983 - $883,500,000
1982 - $915,000,000
1981 - $889,000,000
1980 - $795,000,000
1979 - $782,500,000
1978 - $735,500,000
1977 - $641,500,000
1976 - $505,500,000
1975 - $465,500,000
1974 - $409,850,000
1973 - $339,450,000
1972 - $311,950,000
1971 - $301,000,000
1970 - $274,900,000
1969 - $259,650,000
1968 - $241,350,000
1967 - $220,700,000
1966 - $190,350,000
1965 - $154,150,000
1964 - $134,400,000
1963 - $125,950,000
1962 - $116,150,000
1961 - $107,700,000
1960 - $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Suriname by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $6,962 $21,801
2023 - - $5,522 $21,110
2022 - - $6,084 $20,079
2021 - - $5,030 $18,458
2020 - - $4,755 $16,947
2019 - - $6,630 $19,772
2018 - - $6,666 $17,855
2017 - - $6,050 $17,568
2016 - - $5,644 $14,475
2015 - - $8,814 $16,544
2014 - - $9,108 $16,598
2013 - - $9,043 $16,173
2012 - - $8,851 $15,185
2011 $689 $1,742 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $540 $1,599 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $643 $1,577 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $490 $1,547 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $480 $1,727 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $448 $1,682 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $413 $1,674 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $427 $1,621 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $305 $1,702 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $314 $1,558 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $311 $1,597 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $342 $1,598 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $319 $1,573 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $326 $1,449 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $969 $6,992
1991 - - $1,080 $6,852
1990 - - $942 $6,493
1989 - - $1,329 -
1988 - - $2,886 -
1987 - - $2,469 -
1986 - - $2,271 -
1985 - - $2,256 -
1984 - - $2,261 -
1983 - - $2,333 -
1982 - - $2,430 -
1981 - - $2,368 -
1980 - - $2,118 -
1979 - - $2,072 -
1978 - - $1,928 -
1977 - - $1,666 -
1976 - - $1,302 -
1975 - - $1,190 -
1974 - - $1,041 -
1973 - - $858 -
1972 - - $785 -
1971 - - $768 -
1970 - - $724 -
1969 - - $708 -
1968 - - $681 -
1967 - - $644 -
1966 - - $575 -
1965 - - $482 -
1964 - - $435 -
1963 - - $424 -
1962 - - $409 -
1961 - - $395 -
1960 - - $378 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Suriname
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
164/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
89/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$3,263
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
7.92%
2016
Population
3700586
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 29.2% 87.3%
2023 - - 29% 98.2%
2022 - - 29.5% 116.9%
2021 - - 32% 115.8%
2020 - - 30.2% 146.4%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 40.5% 84%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 28.7% 73%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 21% 18.7%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 21% 17.3%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 24% 14.6%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 58.1% 264% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 106.1% - 19.6% 32.3%
1998 88% - 30.3% 21.6%
1997 60.1% - 21.1% 16.8%
1996 68.6% - 21.4% 11.8%
1995 81.2% - 20.2% 16.3%
1994 50.4% - 19.8% 30.5%
1993 67.2% - 21.2% 51.1%
1992 32.7% - 24.4% 64.4%
1991 - - 26.6% 75.7%
1990 - - 22.7% 72.9%

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

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 2/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Suriname
2024 - -2.42%
2023 - -1.68%
2022 - -2.69%
2021 - -5.66%
2020 - -12%
2019 2.72% -20.2%
2018 5.22% -8.56%
2017 -5.74% -8.62%
2016 -1.44% -10.2%
2015 -2.77% -8.29%
2014 -0.12% -2.65%
2013 -7.62% -2.64%
2012 -5.21% -0.38%
2011 -5.5% 2.32%
2010 -16.5% -0.15%
2009 -22.2% 2.03%
2008 -38% 2.39%
2007 -19.8% 5.01%
2006 -15.5% 0.59%
2005 -31% -3.39%
2004 -7.65% -1.2%
2003 6.23% -0.11%
2002 -13.3% -3.3%
2001 -9.62% 3.49%
2000 -25.4% -7.76%
1999 -59.7% -4.92%
1998 -40.3% -6.39%
1997 -5.65% -0.32%
1996 -18.4% 3.42%
1995 -22.9% 1.17%
1994 8.69% -1.89%
1993 4.22% -4.68%
1992 6.85% -6.45%
1991 - -9.8%
1990 - -3.04%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/suriname | 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 Suriname's surplus of $103M, or 2.32% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.01% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Suriname
2024 - 16.2%
2023 - 51.6%
2022 - 52.4%
2021 - 59.1%
2020 - 34.9%
2019 1.3% -
2018 -14.4% -
2017 -13.3% 22%
2016 -5.6% 55.4%
2015 28.5% 6.89%
2014 8.4% 3.38%
2013 6.3% 1.92%
2012 6% 5.01%
2011 5.9% 17.7%
2010 10.3% 6.94%
2009 33.9% -0.13%
2008 22.2% 14.7%
2007 9.4% 6.43%
2006 7.7% 11.3%
2005 12.5% 9.9%
2004 25.1% 9.99%
2003 22.7% 23%
2002 16.9% 15.5%
2001 14.6% 38.6%
2000 19.9% 59.4%
1999 8.4% 98.8%
1998 9.5% 19%
1997 3.7% 7.15%

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/suriname | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 20.6% in Suriname. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 16.2% in Suriname.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Suriname
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$921M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Suriname
Economic freedom 39.6 53
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 143/197
Property rights 4.8 40.5
Government integrity 10.9 41
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 46.5
Tax burden 80.3 69.1
Government spending 62.3 74.3
Fiscal health 69 76.6
Business freedom 30.7 56.9
Labor freedom 43.4 69
Monetary freedom 80 56.4
Trade freedom 68.4 65.2
Investment freedom 0 20
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Suriname
2026 39.6 53
2025 38.6 50.9
2024 39.5 46.7
2023 39.5 46.1
2022 39.7 48.1
2021 42.3 46.4
2020 38.5 49.5
2019 38.9 48.1
2018 41.7 48.1
2017 42.2 48
2016 42.7 53.8
2015 38.9 54.2
2014 38.5 54.2
2013 36.3 52
2012 36.2 52.6
2011 36.7 53.1
2010 35.3 52.5
2009 38.5 54.1
2008 - 54.3
2007 - 54.8
2006 - 55.1
2005 - 51.9
2004 - 47.9
2003 - 46.9
2002 - 48
2001 - 44.3
2000 - 45.8
1999 - 40.1
1998 - 39.9
1997 - 35.9
1996 - 36.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Suriname
Services, % of GDP n/a
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.