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Economy of Eritrea vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 179/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Eritrea vs Tunisia GDP by year

Eritrea
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Tunisia
2024 - $51,332,285,657
2023 - $48,205,328,303
2022 - $44,929,920,093
2021 - $47,073,234,359
2020 - $42,491,780,918
2019 - $41,905,642,419
2018 - $42,686,504,460
2017 - $42,163,530,591
2016 - $44,360,072,680
2015 - $45,779,494,042
2014 - $50,271,812,921
2013 - $48,685,446,414
2012 - $47,311,401,813
2011 $2,065,001,626 $48,123,325,825
2010 $1,589,515,447 $46,206,091,938
2009 $1,856,695,551 $43,455,740,497
2008 $1,380,188,800 $44,859,439,902
2007 $1,317,974,491 $38,915,353,867
2006 $1,211,161,880 $34,376,664,601
2005 $1,098,424,686 $32,272,186,695
2004 $1,109,054,005 $31,183,885,241
2003 $870,248,268 $27,453,902,261
2002 $729,321,680 $23,141,616,605
2001 $752,371,689 $22,065,832,449
2000 $706,370,816 $21,473,528,161
1999 $688,918,537 $22,943,202,175
1998 $745,523,117 $21,802,893,587
1997 $686,490,090 $20,746,210,354
1996 $693,535,954 $19,587,161,807
1995 $578,015,625 $18,030,876,599
1994 $531,688,312 $15,633,174,304
1993 $467,872,715 $14,608,335,608
1992 $477,101,652 $15,496,708,060
1991 - $13,074,782,609
1990 - $12,290,568,182
1989 - $10,101,851,745
1988 - $10,096,245,762
1987 - $9,696,715,911
1986 - $9,017,806,654
1985 - $8,410,226,053
1984 - $8,254,541,195
1983 - $8,350,582,748
1982 - $8,133,580,052
1981 - $8,428,445,294
1980 - $8,744,134,354
1979 - $7,188,863,904
1978 - $5,968,460,080
1977 - $5,109,324,009
1976 - $4,508,191,942
1975 - $4,328,965,588
1974 - $3,545,868,575
1973 - $2,730,813,385
1972 - $2,237,556,149
1971 - $1,685,162,272
1970 - $1,439,238,095
1969 - $1,289,904,762
1968 - $1,214,666,667
1967 - $1,085,714,286
1966 - $1,040,952,381
1965 - $991,047,619
1964 - $1,025,866,792
1963 - $1,026,737,600
1962 - $880,027,733
1961 - $866,155,429

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Tunisia by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,181 $14,521
2023 - - $3,951 $14,041
2022 - - $3,707 $13,619
2021 - - $3,907 $12,444
2020 - - $3,549 $11,918
2019 - - $3,529 $12,495
2018 - - $3,628 $11,841
2017 - - $3,619 $11,289
2016 - - $3,848 $10,994
2015 - - $4,015 $10,783
2014 - - $4,459 $10,947
2013 - - $4,370 $10,672
2012 - - $4,297 $10,615
2011 $689 $1,742 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $540 $1,599 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $643 $1,577 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $490 $1,547 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $480 $1,727 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $448 $1,682 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $413 $1,674 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $427 $1,621 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $349 $1,621 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $305 $1,702 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $325 $1,684 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $314 $1,558 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $311 $1,597 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $342 $1,598 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $319 $1,573 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $326 $1,449 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $1,785 $4,292
1991 - - $1,538 $3,975
1990 - - $1,476 $3,780
1989 - - $1,239 -
1988 - - $1,266 -
1987 - - $1,245 -
1986 - - $1,187 -
1985 - - $1,135 -
1984 - - $1,143 -
1983 - - $1,184 -
1982 - - $1,177 -
1981 - - $1,247 -
1980 - - $1,324 -
1979 - - $1,113 -
1978 - - $946 -
1977 - - $830 -
1976 - - $752 -
1975 - - $741 -
1974 - - $624 -
1973 - - $493 -
1972 - - $415 -
1971 - - $320 -
1970 - - $280.5 -
1969 - - $257.7 -
1968 - - $248.9 -
1967 - - $228 -
1966 - - $223.8 -
1965 - - $217.3 -
1964 - - $228.5 -
1963 - - $231.9 -
1962 - - $201.4 -
1961 - - $200.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
93/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
114/197
2024
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
15.1%
2023
Population
3700586
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 33.8% 83.4%
2023 - - 35.7% 84%
2022 - - 36.5% 83%
2021 - - 33.2% 79.7%
2020 - - 34.5% 77.7%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 28.3% 49%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 24% 38.8%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 50.5% 199% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 23% 50%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 23% 51.6%
2003 58.1% 264% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 24% 52.2%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 24% 62.9%
1999 106.1% - 24% 61.9%
1998 88% - 24.2% 58.2%
1997 60.1% - 24.5% 66.6%
1996 68.6% - 26.7% 66.8%
1995 81.2% - 26.6% 65.6%
1994 50.4% - 25.9% 63.9%
1993 67.2% - 26.7% 63.8%
1992 32.7% - 25.7% 62.1%
1991 - - 27.6% 63.3%

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

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 2/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Tunisia
2024 - -5.92%
2023 - -7.03%
2022 - -6.91%
2021 - -7.6%
2020 - -9.06%
2019 2.72% -3.6%
2018 5.22% -4.27%
2017 -5.74% -5.61%
2016 -1.44% -5.87%
2015 -2.77% -4.95%
2014 -0.12% -3.11%
2013 -7.62% -7.05%
2012 -5.21% -4.9%
2011 -5.5% -3.19%
2010 -16.5% -0.46%
2009 -22.2% -2.59%
2008 -38% -0.62%
2007 -19.8% -2.47%
2006 -15.5% -2.33%
2005 -31% -2.59%
2004 -7.65% -2.1%
2003 6.23% -2.64%
2002 -13.3% -2.55%
2001 -9.62% -2.87%
2000 -25.4% -3.22%
1999 -59.7% -3.05%
1998 -40.3% -2.84%
1997 -5.65% -3.7%
1996 -18.4% -5.18%
1995 -22.9% -4.53%
1994 8.69% -2.87%
1993 4.22% -3.22%
1992 6.85% -3.45%
1991 - -5.25%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $1.54B, or 3.19% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.82% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Tunisia
2024 - 7%
2023 - 9.3%
2022 - 8.3%
2021 - 5.7%
2020 - 5.6%
2019 1.3% 6.7%
2018 -14.4% 7.3%
2017 -13.3% 5.3%
2016 -5.6% 3.6%
2015 28.5% 4.4%
2014 8.4% 4.6%
2013 6.3% 5.3%
2012 6% 4.6%
2011 5.9% 3.2%
2010 10.3% 4.4%
2009 33.9% 3.5%
2008 22.2% 4.9%
2007 9.4% 3.4%
2006 7.7% 4.1%
2005 12.5% 2%
2004 25.1% 3.7%
2003 22.7% 2.7%
2002 16.9% 2.7%
2001 14.6% 1.9%
2000 19.9% 2.8%
1999 8.4% 2.8%
1998 9.5% 3.1%
1997 3.7% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 3.94% in Tunisia. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Eritrea
Export category Export value
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Eritrea Tunisia
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Tunisia
Economic freedom 39.6 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 172/197
Property rights 4.8 55.7
Government integrity 10.9 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 39.7
Tax burden 80.3 68.5
Government spending 62.3 62.5
Fiscal health 69 16
Business freedom 30.7 59.4
Labor freedom 43.4 55.8
Monetary freedom 80 72.4
Trade freedom 68.4 54.6
Investment freedom 0 20
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Tunisia
2026 39.6 48.1
2025 38.6 49.1
2024 39.5 48.8
2023 39.5 52.9
2022 39.7 54.2
2021 42.3 56.6
2020 38.5 55.8
2019 38.9 55.4
2018 41.7 58.9
2017 42.2 55.7
2016 42.7 57.6
2015 38.9 57.7
2014 38.5 57.3
2013 36.3 57
2012 36.2 58.6
2011 36.7 58.5
2010 35.3 58.9
2009 38.5 58
2008 - 60.1
2007 - 60.3
2006 - 57.5
2005 - 55.4
2004 - 58.4
2003 - 58.1
2002 - 60.2
2001 - 60.8
2000 - 61.3
1999 - 61.1
1998 - 63.9
1997 - 63.8
1996 - 63.9
1995 - 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Tunisia
Services, % of GDP n/a
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
7.86%
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/tunisia | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1961–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, 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)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.