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Ethiopia economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia ranked 60/197 by economy size with a GDP of $150B and 171/197 by GDP per capita at $1,134. Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 32.7%.

In 2024, Ethiopia made up 0.13% of the world's economy, compared to 0.12% in 1960.

Ethiopia GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $149,740,297,953 7.61%
2023 $135,874,093,202 6.59%
2022 $123,140,304,666 5.32%
2021 $109,070,960,372 5.64%
2020 $98,676,811,061 6.06%
2019 $91,834,517,113 8.36%
2018 $83,337,901,072 6.82%
2017 $76,366,081,767 9.56%
2016 $68,475,871,210 9.43%
2015 $62,103,418,182 10.4%
2014 $55,612,228,234 10.3%
2013 $47,648,276,605 10.6%
2012 $43,310,721,414 8.65%
2011 $31,952,763,089 11.2%
2010 $29,933,790,334 12.6%
2009 $32,437,389,116 8.8%
2008 $27,066,912,635 10.8%
2007 $19,707,616,773 11.5%
2006 $15,280,861,835 10.8%
2005 $12,401,139,454 11.8%
2004 $10,131,187,261 13.6%
2003 $8,623,691,300 -2.16%
2002 $7,850,809,498 1.51%
2001 $8,231,326,016 8.3%
2000 $8,242,349,618 6.07%
1999 $7,892,973,532 5.16%
1998 $8,013,274,132 -3.46%
1997 $8,803,539,988 3.13%
1996 $8,761,215,548 12.4%
1995 $7,855,205,207 6.13%
1994 $7,100,806,754 3.19%
1993 $9,051,043,870 13.1%
1992 $10,754,799,037 -8.67%
1991 $13,799,799,324 -7.14%
1990 $12,478,943,895 2.73%
1989 $11,762,932,007 -0.36%
1988 $11,181,119,718 0.5%
1987 $10,790,001,558 13.9%
1986 $10,094,328,898 9.66%
1985 $9,717,392,687 -11.1%
1984 $8,298,309,581 -2.85%
1983 $8,781,664,427 8.24%
1982 $7,899,988,841 0.92%
1981 $7,507,663,567 4.38%
1980 $7,012,585,454 6.42%
1979 $6,586,048,398 -1.1%
1978 $6,014,961,435 2.74%
1977 $5,651,840,585 2.73%
1976 $4,943,806,093 0.15%
1975 $4,577,047,854 1.25%
1974 $4,577,209,966 3.27%
1973 $4,070,570,550 5.11%
1972 $3,520,252,938 4.23%
1971 $3,224,280,835 6.53%
1970 $3,045,354,455 3.48%
1969 $2,768,987,372 1.39%
1968 $2,619,948,865 4.14%
1967 $2,461,762,003 4.06%
1966 $2,324,466,416 7.26%
1965 $2,159,998,591 5.77%
1964 $1,984,129,186 4.09%
1963 $1,825,058,828 4.52%
1962 $1,747,566,307 4.33%
1961 $1,680,859,514 -
1960 $1,610,511,694 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia | CC BY

Ethiopia GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288
2023 $1,056 $3,061
2022 $982 $2,845
2021 $893 $2,588
2020 $830 $2,407
2019 $793 $2,242
2018 $740 $2,095
2017 $696 $2,005
2016 $642 $1,858
2015 $598 $1,633
2014 $550 $1,485
2013 $484 $1,253
2012 $452 $1,179
2011 $343 $1,098
2010 $331 $996
2009 $369 $899
2008 $316 $845
2007 $237.1 $770
2006 $189.3 $693
2005 $158.2 $625
2004 $133.2 $558
2003 $116.8 $493
2002 $109.6 $509
2001 $118.5 $509
2000 $122.3 $474
1999 $120.7 $450
1998 $126.5 $436
1997 $143.4 $461
1996 $147.3 $453
1995 $136.5 $409
1994 $127.7 $391
1993 $168.5 $384
1992 $207.4 $343
1991 $277.6 $383
1990 $262.1 $417
1989 $256.4 -
1988 $253.2 -
1987 $254.1 -
1986 $246 -
1985 $243.9 -
1984 $214.2 -
1983 $232.7 -
1982 $215.3 -
1981 $212.7 -
1980 $203.7 -
1979 $192.4 -
1978 $178.3 -
1977 $170.4 -
1976 $152 -
1975 $144.3 -
1974 $147.9 -
1973 $134.9 -
1972 $119.8 -
1971 $112.7 -
1970 $109.4 -
1969 $102.3 -
1968 $99.5 -
1967 $96.1 -
1966 $93.2 -
1965 $88.9 -
1964 $83.8 -
1963 $79.2 -
1962 $77.8 -
1961 $76.7 -
1960 $75.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia | CC BY

Ethiopia has a GDP per capita of $1,134, ranking 171/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $3,288, ranking 175/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,946, ranking 167/197.

Ethiopia GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 60 161 161
2023 60 170 171
2022 61 173 172
2021 62 176 172
2020 63 178 172
2019 64 180 176
2018 69 181 175
2017 69 184 177
2016 69 185 178
2015 71 187 181
2014 79 189 182
2013 84 191 186
2012 84 192 184
2011 93 194 186
2010 92 194 188
2009 87 193 190
2008 94 194 190
2007 99 193 190
2006 100 193 190
2005 100 192 189
2004 102 192 190
2003 103 192 191
2002 102 193 191
2001 99 193 190
2000 99 193 189
1999 96 190 189
1998 94 191 184
1997 91 188 183
1996 90 185 180
1995 91 186 180
1994 88 183 178
1993 81 180 179
1992 74 172 180
1991 68 165 179
1990 72 167 177
1989 62 152 -
1988 63 157 -
1987 63 150 -
1986 61 146 -
1985 63 141 -
1984 64 145 -
1983 63 144 -
1982 69 146 -
1981 70 147 -
1980 69 149 -
1979 65 139 -
1978 63 137 -
1977 62 136 -
1976 61 134 -
1975 61 135 -
1974 60 129 -
1973 57 126 -
1972 55 127 -
1971 55 127 -
1970 54 127 -
1969 55 108 -
1968 54 107 -
1967 53 109 -
1966 52 106 -
1965 51 106 -
1964 52 103 -
1963 50 101 -
1962 51 101 -
1961 50 99 -
1960 50 98 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Ethiopia is ranked 60th out of 182 by GDP (up from 99th), 161st by GDP per capita (up from 193rd), and 161st by GDP per capita PPP (up from 189th).

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Rank
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
60/197
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
9/194
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
171/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
175/197
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
75/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
150/185
Government debt per person
$370
2024
172/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
167/197
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
120/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
33/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
192/195
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
19/195
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
130/196
Population
139917664
10/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 9.54% 32.7% -1.99%
2023 10.8% 38.7% -2.6%
2022 12.7% 46.9% -4.16%
2021 13.8% 53.8% -2.77%
2020 14.5% 53.7% -2.76%
2019 15.4% 54.7% -2.53%
2018 16.1% 58.4% -3.03%
2017 18% 55.3% -3.24%
2016 17.9% 51.8% -2.3%
2015 17.3% 50.7% -1.95%
2014 17.5% 44.2% -2.58%
2013 17.8% 44.1% -1.93%
2012 16.6% 39.4% -1.17%
2011 18.2% 44.6% -1.61%
2010 18.5% 39.4% -1.32%
2009 17.1% 30% -0.93%
2008 18.8% 56.1% -2.88%
2007 20.5% 55.7% -3.57%
2006 22.1% 79.6% -3.79%
2005 22.9% 78.2% -4.12%
2004 23.1% 103.1% -2.65%
2003 27% 103.7% -5.59%
2002 24.9% 107.4% -5.76%
2001 22.4% 97.3% -3.76%
2000 25.6% 93.6% -8.88%
1999 25.8% 94.3% -8.23%
1998 20.4% 86% -3.51%
1997 17.3% 77.4% -1.7%
1996 18.2% 129% -3.81%
1995 16.9% 142.3% -2.68%
1994 17.1% 150.7% -5.23%
1993 13.4% 136.9% -4%
1992 13.8% 85.4% -4.78%
1991 16.8% 89.3% -5.83%
1990 20.3% 91.6% -6.66%
1989 24% 84.7% -4.33%
1988 21.6% 84.3% -3.48%
1987 18.4% 82.3% -3.54%
1986 19.8% 75.7% -3.98%
1985 19.7% 67.7% -4.71%
1984 18.8% 65.4% -3.69%
1983 21.3% 55.2% -7.59%
1982 16.4% 48.8% -3.6%
1981 14.2% 30.6% -2.19%
1980 13.5% 18.5% -2.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia | CC BY

This chart shows Ethiopia's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 3.64% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $14.3B (9.54% of GDP), with a deficit of 1.99%.

The national debt reached $48.9B, ranking 75th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 32.7%, ranking 150th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 21%
2023 30.2%
2022 33.9%
2021 26.8%
2020 20.4%
2019 15.8%
2018 13.8%
2017 10.7%
2016 6.63%
2015 9.57%
2014 6.89%
2013 7.46%
2012 23.6%
2011 33.2%
2010 8.15%
2009 8.48%
2008 44.4%
2007 17.2%
2006 12.3%
2005 9.97%
2004 3.33%
2003 13.7%
2002 0.68%
2001 -8.24%
2000 0.66%
1999 7.94%
1998 0.89%
1997 2.4%
1996 -8.48%
1995 10%
1994 7.59%
1993 3.54%
1992 10.5%
1991 35.7%
1990 5.15%
1989 7.82%
1988 7.08%
1987 -2.43%
1986 -9.81%
1985 19.1%
1984 8.42%
1983 -0.68%
1982 5.89%
1981 6.14%
1980 4.48%
1979 16%
1978 14.3%
1977 16.7%
1976 28.5%
1975 6.55%
1974 8.59%
1973 8.91%
1972 -6.08%
1971 0.54%
1970 10.1%
1969 1.43%
1968 0.18%
1967 0.81%
1966 -1.36%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Ethiopia has had an average annual inflation rate of 18%. In 2024, inflation was 21%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Rank
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
160/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
112/190
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
81/189
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
117/189
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
89/189
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
78/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
178/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
190/193

Ethiopia top 10 trading partners

Ethiopia's biggest trading partner accounting for 28.9% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of -$5.44B: Ethiopia exports $132M worth of goods and services to China and imports $5.57B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Ethiopia.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 China $5.7B 28.9% $132M $5.57B Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
2 India $1.78B 8.99% $139M $1.64B Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
3 Saudi Arabia $1.43B 7.22% $298M $1.13B Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
4 United States $1.36B 6.87% $276M $1.08B Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
5 Kuwait $1.33B 6.75% $5.76M $1.33B Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
6 Morocco $679M 3.44% $2.74M $676M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
7 Turkey $666M 3.37% $46.3M $619M Raw agricultural goods Processed food, beverages & tobacco
8 UAE $635M 3.22% $164M $472M Raw agricultural goods Chemicals & pharma
9 Japan $486M 2.46% $104M $382M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
10 Egypt $463M 2.34% $8.71M $454M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals

Top 10 exports

Ethiopia Rank
Transport & tourism services $6.48B 58/188
Raw agricultural goods $2.44B 52/193
Business & finance services $189M 113/188
Government & miscellaneous services $180M 57/180
IT & IP services $151M 97/183
Textiles & consumer goods $148M 117/193
Animal & marine products $103M 106/192
Machinery & equipment $76.5M 135/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38.8M 145/192
Raw materials & minerals $23.2M 160/193

Top 10 imports

Ethiopia Rank
Transport & tourism services $6.31B 60/188
Machinery & equipment $5.18B 85/193
Raw materials & minerals $4.22B 77/193
Chemicals & pharma $2.33B 82/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.39B 85/193
Textiles & consumer goods $1.25B 89/193
Metals $1.25B 88/193
Raw agricultural goods $950M 87/193
Business & finance services $738M 99/188
Wood & paper products $366M 90/193

Economic freedom indices

Ethiopia Rank
Economic freedom 48.1 171/197
Property rights 22.1 154/182
Government integrity 33.2 122/182
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 150/182
Tax burden 78.6 95/182
Government spending 96.4 3/180
Fiscal health 84.3 64/181
Business freedom 44.5 149/182
Labor freedom 37.8 173/182
Monetary freedom 53.7 167/180
Trade freedom 57.4 159/181
Investment freedom 30 149/181
Financial freedom 20 162/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 48.1 19.1 78.6 96.4 84.3
2025 48.1 19.7 78.2 95.4 80.9
2024 47.9 20.6 78.4 94.4 79
2023 48.3 34.5 77.9 93.7 82.8
2022 49.6 20.5 78.3 93 81.6
2021 51.7 33.8 78.2 91.9 79.6
2020 53.6 45.1 77.4 90.8 79.2
2019 53.6 40.9 77.2 90.4 83.3
2018 52.8 37.6 76.5 90.6 85.5
2017 52.7 29.6 77.1 90.3 86.5
2016 51.5 - 77.2 90.5 -
2015 51.5 - 77.4 91.4 -
2014 50 - 77.5 89.9 -
2013 49.4 - 74.2 89.6 -
2012 52 - 74.8 91.1 -
2011 50.5 - 74.5 88.7 -
2010 51.2 - 77.7 82.9 -
2009 53 - 77.4 82.7 -
2008 52.5 - 77.2 80.9 -
2007 53.6 - 77.2 81.3 -
2006 50.9 - 70.8 61.3 -
2005 51.1 - 73.5 65.3 -
2004 54.5 - 70.2 73.4 -
2003 48.8 - 69.9 67.1 -
2002 49.8 - 70.3 71.2 -
2001 48.9 - 66.7 78.1 -
2000 50.2 - 66.6 82.7 -
1999 46.7 - 48.3 78.9 -
1998 49.2 - 48.4 80.6 -
1997 48.1 - 48.7 79.9 -
1996 45.9 - 48.8 88.5 -
1995 42.6 - 41 88.5 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia | CC BY

Ethiopia is ranked 153/174 for economic freedom with a score of 48.1, compared to 137/162 and a score of 50.9 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Rank
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
182/191
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
83/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
7/193
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
60/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
170/191
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
109/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
158/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
52/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
148/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
112/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
53/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
117/178

Compare Ethiopia vs other countries

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/ethiopia | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.