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Economy of Eritrea vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Eritrea has a GDP of $2.07B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 179/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Eritrea has $3.54B in government debt (260.4% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Eritrea vs Venezuela GDP by year

Eritrea
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Eritrea Venezuela
2024 - $119,802,963,258
2023 - $102,376,526,556
2022 - $89,013,255,585
2021 - $56,614,976,855
2020 - $42,838,020,721
2019 - $73,014,084,091
2018 - $102,021,093,965
2017 - $115,883,275,163
2016 - $112,915,034,262
2015 - $125,449,241,571
2014 - $214,689,614,733
2013 - $258,930,655,486
2012 - $372,592,062,768
2011 $2,065,001,626 $316,482,190,800
2010 $1,589,515,447 $393,192,354,511
2009 $1,856,695,551 $329,787,628,928
2008 $1,380,188,800 $315,953,388,511
2007 $1,317,974,491 $230,364,012,576
2006 $1,211,161,880 $183,477,522,124
2005 $1,098,424,686 $145,513,489,652
2004 $1,109,054,005 $112,451,400,425
2003 $870,248,268 $83,620,628,582
2002 $729,321,680 $92,893,587,734
2001 $752,371,689 $122,911,036,747
2000 $706,370,816 $117,146,466,003
1999 $688,918,537 $97,972,842,462
1998 $745,523,117 $91,336,763,255
1997 $686,490,090 $85,837,678,560
1996 $693,535,954 $70,543,211,119
1995 $578,015,625 $77,389,487,770
1994 $531,688,312 $58,418,666,667
1993 $467,872,715 $60,037,460,783
1992 $477,101,652 $60,416,519,620
1991 - $53,453,444,787
1990 - $48,606,952,195
1989 - $43,536,709,104
1988 - $60,226,413,793
1987 - $48,029,034,483
1986 - $60,516,123,711
1985 - $61,965,466,667
1984 - $59,867,743,468
1983 - $67,556,279,070
1982 - $67,736,744,186
1981 - $66,327,441,860
1980 - $59,116,511,628
1979 - $48,310,930,233
1978 - $39,316,279,070
1977 - $36,210,697,674
1976 - $31,419,534,884
1975 - $27,464,651,163
1974 - $26,100,930,233
1973 - $17,035,581,395
1972 - $13,977,727,273
1971 - $12,986,590,909
1970 - $11,561,111,111
1969 - $10,285,111,111
1968 - $10,034,444,444
1967 - $9,250,000,000
1966 - $8,781,333,333
1965 - $8,427,777,778
1964 - $8,192,413,793
1963 - $9,608,717,288
1962 - $8,814,309,884
1961 - $8,067,267,031
1960 - $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Eritrea vs Venezuela by year

Eritrea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Eritrea Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 - - $4,218 -
2023 - - $3,617 -
2022 - - $3,155 -
2021 - - $2,005 -
2020 - - $1,506 -
2019 - - $2,523 -
2018 - - $3,423 -
2017 - - $3,791 -
2016 - - $3,670 -
2015 - - $4,103 -
2014 - - $7,096 -
2013 - - $8,656 -
2012 - - $12,607 -
2011 $689 $1,742 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $540 $1,599 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $643 $1,577 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $490 $1,547 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $480 $1,727 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $448 $1,682 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $413 $1,674 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $427 $1,621 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $349 $1,621 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $305 $1,702 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $325 $1,684 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $314 $1,558 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $311 $1,597 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $342 $1,598 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $319 $1,573 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $326 $1,449 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $285.4 $1,369 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $277.8 $1,379 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $252.1 $1,149 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $265.2 $1,021 $2,907 $13,652
1991 - - $2,633 $12,880
1990 - - $2,452 $11,628
1989 - - $2,250 -
1988 - - $3,191 -
1987 - - $2,611 -
1986 - - $3,376 -
1985 - - $3,549 -
1984 - - $3,520 -
1983 - - $4,079 -
1982 - - $4,202 -
1981 - - $4,228 -
1980 - - $3,874 -
1979 - - $3,257 -
1978 - - $2,727 -
1977 - - $2,585 -
1976 - - $2,309 -
1975 - - $2,078 -
1974 - - $2,034 -
1973 - - $1,367 -
1972 - - $1,155 -
1971 - - $1,106 -
1970 - - $1,015 -
1969 - - $932 -
1968 - - $938 -
1967 - - $893 -
1966 - - $876 -
1965 - - $869 -
1964 - - $874 -
1963 - - $1,060 -
1962 - - $1,007 -
1961 - - $954 -
1960 - - $939 -

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

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

Eritrea's GDP per capita is $689, ranking 188/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Eritrea ranks 191st at $1,742, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Eritrea Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$2.07B
2011
$120B
2024
GDP rank
179/197
2011
65/197
2024
GDP growth
8.68%
2010-2011
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$689
2011
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
188/197
2011
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$1,742
2011
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
191/197
2011
93/197
2011
Government debt
$3.54B
2011
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
260.4%
2019
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,182
2011
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
136/185
2011
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,129
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
31.3%
2019
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.3%
2018-2019
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.8%
2017
7.53%
2020
Population
3700586
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Eritrea
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Eritrea Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 - - 17.6% 164.3%
2023 - - 13.1% 138.5%
2022 - - 15.1% 164.4%
2021 - - 13.1% 254.2%
2020 - - 11.2% 337%
2019 31.3% 260.4% 21% 206%
2018 26.4% 267.1% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 42.5% 290.4% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 30.9% 251.2% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 31.1% 271.4% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 21.6% 204.5% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 32.7% 232.4% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 33.3% 171.6% 38% 58.4%
2011 32.3% 171.6% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 42.4% 201.8% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 44.9% 207.1% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 69.4% 259.7% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 51.2% 201.3% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 50.5% 199% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 76.6% 205.4% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 57.1% 193.5% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 58.1% 264% 32.2% 56%
2002 60.1% 243.4% 31% 48.2%
2001 59.5% 238.6% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 84.7% 219.1% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 106.1% - 26.1% 29.6%
1998 88% - 28.8% 30.7%
1997 60.1% - 31% 34.8%
1996 68.6% - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 81.2% - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 50.4% - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 67.2% - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 32.7% - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Eritrea's government spending was $666M, accounting for 31.3% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 260.4% in Eritrea and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 2/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Eritrea

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Eritrea Venezuela
2024 - -3.6%
2023 - -1.25%
2022 - -5.29%
2021 - -5.85%
2020 - -6.63%
2019 2.72% -10.9%
2018 5.22% -31%
2017 -5.74% -13.3%
2016 -1.44% -8.46%
2015 -2.77% -8.06%
2014 -0.12% -9.81%
2013 -7.62% -10.4%
2012 -5.21% -9.86%
2011 -5.5% -8.24%
2010 -16.5% -4.74%
2009 -22.2% -8.69%
2008 -38% -3.46%
2007 -19.8% -2.82%
2006 -15.5% -1.6%
2005 -31% 4.09%
2004 -7.65% 2.47%
2003 6.23% 0.17%
2002 -13.3% -1.48%
2001 -9.62% -4.59%
2000 -25.4% 4.45%
1999 -59.7% 0.74%
1998 -40.3% -4.49%
1997 -5.65% 2.58%
1996 -18.4% 7.94%
1995 -22.9% -5.86%
1994 8.69% -11.2%
1993 4.22% -2.92%
1992 6.85% -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/eritrea/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $26.1B, or 8.24% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Eritrea recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Eritrea posted an annual deficit equal to 16.3% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.2% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Eritrea

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Eritrea Venezuela
2024 - 49%
2023 - 338%
2022 - 186.5%
2021 - 1,589%
2020 - 2,355%
2019 1.3% 19,906%
2018 -14.4% 65,374%
2017 -13.3% 438%
2016 -5.6% 254.9%
2015 28.5% 121.7%
2014 8.4% 62.2%
2013 6.3% 40.6%
2012 6% 21.1%
2011 5.9% 26.1%
2010 10.3% 28.2%
2009 33.9% 26%
2008 22.2% 31.4%
2007 9.4% 18.7%
2006 7.7% 13.7%
2005 12.5% 16%
2004 25.1% 21.7%
2003 22.7% 31.1%
2002 16.9% 22.4%
2001 14.6% 12.5%
2000 19.9% 16.2%
1999 8.4% 23.6%
1998 9.5% 35.8%
1997 3.7% 50%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Eritrea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.4%, compared with 3,765% in Venezuela. In 2019, inflation was 1.3% in Eritrea and 49% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Eritrea Venezuela
Current account balance
-$105M
2000
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
89/190
2000
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-14.8%
2000
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$471M
2000
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$36.8M
2000
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$28.5M
2000
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$60.9M
2000
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.2%
2011
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.2%
2011
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Eritrea Venezuela
Economic freedom 39.6 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 188/197 194/197
Property rights 4.8 0
Government integrity 10.9 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 5.5 5.1
Tax burden 80.3 73.4
Government spending 62.3 93
Fiscal health 69 29.1
Business freedom 30.7 31.1
Labor freedom 43.4 35.5
Monetary freedom 80 0
Trade freedom 68.4 43.2
Investment freedom 0 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Eritrea
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Eritrea Venezuela
2026 39.6 27.3
2025 38.6 27.6
2024 39.5 28.1
2023 39.5 25.8
2022 39.7 24.8
2021 42.3 24.7
2020 38.5 25.2
2019 38.9 25.9
2018 41.7 25.2
2017 42.2 27
2016 42.7 33.7
2015 38.9 34.3
2014 38.5 36.3
2013 36.3 36.1
2012 36.2 38.1
2011 36.7 37.6
2010 35.3 37.1
2009 38.5 39.9
2008 - 44.7
2007 - 47.9
2006 - 44.6
2005 - 45.2
2004 - 46.7
2003 - 54.8
2002 - 54.7
2001 - 54.6
2000 - 57.4
1999 - 56.1
1998 - 54
1997 - 52.8
1996 - 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Eritrea is 39.6, ranking 188/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Eritrea Venezuela
Services, % of GDP n/a
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
21.8%
2009
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14.1%
2009
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$1.94B
2011
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$1,720
2011
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$192M
2019
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
170/177
2019
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2000
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
-$27.9M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.07%
2011
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
50%
2020
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
12.6%
2011
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017–2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.