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Economy of Eritrea vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 179/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Eritrea vs Tonga GDP by year

Eritrea
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Tonga
2023 - $591,139,749
2022 - $556,514,555
2021 - $519,306,353
2020 - $506,571,468
2019 - $506,031,239
2018 - $493,530,783
2017 - $459,976,850
2016 - $420,828,262
2015 - $437,525,514
2014 - $440,997,738
2013 - $451,788,498
2012 - $471,122,971
2011 $2,065,001,626 $414,143,828
2010 $1,589,515,447 $366,887,375
2009 $1,856,695,551 $312,415,028
2008 $1,380,188,800 $344,438,844
2007 $1,317,974,491 $298,519,623
2006 $1,211,161,880 $292,232,703
2005 $1,098,424,686 $261,823,805
2004 $1,109,054,005 $230,678,011
2003 $870,248,268 $202,246,591
2002 $729,321,680 $182,764,281
2001 $752,371,689 $181,117,230
2000 $706,370,816 $204,848,488
1999 $688,918,537 $199,208,718
1998 $745,523,117 $191,504,893
1997 $686,490,090 $214,991,452
1996 $693,535,954 $222,100,576
1995 $578,015,625 $208,871,666
1994 $531,688,312 $195,990,986
1993 $467,872,715 $138,489,884
1992 $477,101,652 $137,066,291
1991 - $132,201,141
1990 - $113,563,822
1989 - $106,344,855
1988 - $106,657,267
1987 - $81,667,133
1986 - $68,195,856
1985 - $60,058,663
1984 - $64,248,355
1983 - $60,863,964
1982 - $62,068,161
1981 - $62,242,013
1980 - $53,260,077
1979 - $44,667,002
1978 - $41,567,472
1977 - $34,139,388
1976 - $30,036,417
1975 - $32,506,742

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Tonga by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2023 - - $5,652 $7,803
2022 - - $5,298 $7,296
2021 - - $4,923 $6,929
2020 - - $4,792 $6,676
2019 - - $4,789 $6,473
2018 - - $4,675 $6,393
2017 - - $4,366 $6,229
2016 - - $3,988 $5,920
2015 - - $4,124 $5,472
2014 - - $4,137 $5,336
2013 - - $4,219 $5,120
2012 - - $4,384 $4,996
2011 $689 $1,742 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $540 $1,599 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $643 $1,577 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $490 $1,547 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $480 $1,727 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $448 $1,682 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $413 $1,674 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $427 $1,621 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $349 $1,621 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $305 $1,702 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $325 $1,684 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $314 $1,558 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $311 $1,597 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $342 $1,598 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $319 $1,573 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $326 $1,449 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $1,370 $2,716
1991 - - $1,323 $2,652
1990 - - $1,139 $2,416
1989 - - $1,070 -
1988 - - $1,078 -
1987 - - $830 -
1986 - - $696 -
1985 - - $613 -
1984 - - $656 -
1983 - - $621 -
1982 - - $633 -
1981 - - $636 -
1980 - - $545 -
1979 - - $458 -
1978 - - $428 -
1977 - - $353 -
1976 - - $315 -
1975 - - $349 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Tonga
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$591M
2023
GDP rank
179/197
2011
191/197
2023
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
144/197
2023
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
1.65%
2023
Population
3700586
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 51.3% 37%
2023 - - 48.2% 43.3%
2022 - - 44.4% 43.2%
2021 - - 44.6% 43%
2020 - - 37.9% 42.6%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 32% 60%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 24% 34%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 50.5% 199% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 58.1% 264% 20% 56.2%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 20% 43.6%
1999 106.1% - 18.8% 38.4%
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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 37% in Tonga, ranking 2/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Tonga
2024 - 4.17%
2023 - 6.14%
2022 - -0.1%
2021 - -0.87%
2020 - 5.25%
2019 2.72% 3.28%
2018 5.22% 2.92%
2017 -5.74% 3.58%
2016 -1.44% 1.47%
2015 -2.77% -2.75%
2014 -0.12% 6.38%
2013 -7.62% -1.3%
2012 -5.21% -1.74%
2011 -5.5% -6.02%
2010 -16.5% -1.22%
2009 -22.2% 6.85%
2008 -38% 2.14%
2007 -19.8% 5.39%
2006 -15.5% 1.34%
2005 -31% 4.23%
2004 -7.65% 4.23%
2003 6.23% 2.37%
2002 -13.3% 2.59%
2001 -9.62% 2.23%
2000 -25.4% 1.35%
1999 -59.7% 1.55%
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 (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/tonga | 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 Tonga's deficit of $24.9M, or 6.02% of GDP.

Over the past 13 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 12 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 19.8% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.08% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Tonga
2024 - 3.18%
2023 - 6.35%
2022 - 11%
2021 - 5.64%
2020 - -0.35%
2019 1.3% 1.18%
2018 -14.4% 5.03%
2017 -13.3% 7.52%
2016 -5.6% 2.58%
2015 28.5% -1.05%
2014 8.4% 2.51%
2013 6.3% 0.78%
2012 6% 1.15%
2011 5.9% 6.27%
2010 10.3% 3.53%
2009 33.9% 1.43%
2008 22.2% 10.4%
2007 9.4% 5.84%
2006 7.7% 6.15%
2005 12.5% 8.67%
2004 25.1% 11%
2003 22.7% 11.6%
2002 16.9% 10.4%
2001 14.6% 8.29%
2000 19.9% 6.33%
1999 8.4% 4.46%
1998 9.5% 3.27%
1997 3.7% 2.12%

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/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Tonga
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$161M
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Tonga
Economic freedom 39.6 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 107/197
Property rights 4.8 71.1
Government integrity 10.9 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 64.9
Tax burden 80.3 85.6
Government spending 62.3 31
Fiscal health 69 97.3
Business freedom 30.7 59.2
Labor freedom 43.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 80 61
Trade freedom 68.4 75.4
Investment freedom 0 40
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Tonga
2026 39.6 58.9
2025 38.6 58.5
2024 39.5 59.2
2023 39.5 60
2022 39.7 60.8
2021 42.3 57.5
2020 38.5 58.8
2019 38.9 57.7
2018 41.7 63.1
2017 42.2 63
2016 42.7 59.6
2015 38.9 59.3
2014 38.5 58.2
2013 36.3 56
2012 36.2 57
2011 36.7 55.8
2010 35.3 53.4
2009 38.5 54.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Tonga
Services, % of GDP n/a
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1975–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, 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. 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.