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Economy of Ethiopia vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $21.4B for Gabon, ranking 66/197 and 132/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $16.9B (78.9% of GDP) in Gabon.

Ethiopia vs Gabon GDP by year

Ethiopia
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Gabon
2025 $126,358,758,448 $21,427,119,323
2024 $149,740,297,952 $20,895,684,426
2023 $135,874,093,203 $19,388,372,071
2022 $123,140,304,665 $20,440,655,695
2021 $109,070,960,371 $19,444,935,097
2020 $98,676,811,062 $15,342,236,164
2019 $91,834,517,114 $16,874,405,465
2018 $83,337,901,072 $16,867,326,402
2017 $76,366,081,767 $14,929,487,485
2016 $68,475,871,210 $14,023,890,265
2015 $62,103,418,182 $14,383,107,763
2014 $55,612,228,234 $18,203,966,896
2013 $47,648,276,605 $17,595,744,798
2012 $43,310,721,414 $17,170,464,016
2011 $31,952,763,089 $18,210,307,744
2010 $29,933,790,334 $14,372,593,020
2009 $32,437,389,116 $12,113,699,068
2008 $27,066,912,635 $15,571,348,344
2007 $19,707,616,773 $12,455,409,587
2006 $15,280,861,835 $10,327,598,306
2005 $12,401,139,454 $9,582,783,991
2004 $10,131,187,261 $7,770,219,008
2003 $8,623,691,300 $6,511,903,365
2002 $7,850,809,498 $5,335,451,100
2001 $8,231,326,016 $5,023,265,413
2000 $8,242,349,618 $5,080,483,629
1999 $7,892,973,532 $4,662,992,036
1998 $8,013,274,132 $4,483,417,310
1997 $8,803,539,988 $5,326,817,115
1996 $8,761,215,548 $5,694,040,003
1995 $7,855,205,207 $4,958,845,648
1994 $7,100,806,754 $4,190,819,344
1993 $9,051,043,870 $4,378,645,081
1992 $10,754,799,037 $5,592,390,827
1991 $13,799,799,324 $5,402,919,785
1990 $12,478,943,895 $5,952,293,765
1989 $11,762,932,007 $4,186,411,464
1988 $11,181,119,718 $3,834,503,376
1987 $10,790,001,558 $3,281,797,043
1986 $10,094,328,898 $3,403,638,189
1985 $9,717,392,687 $3,339,914,757
1984 $8,298,309,581 $3,561,451,561
1983 $8,781,664,427 $3,391,275,732
1982 $7,899,988,841 $3,618,007,841
1981 $7,507,663,567 $3,862,269,121
1980 $7,012,585,454 $4,279,637,942
1979 $6,586,048,398 $3,030,251,120
1978 $6,014,961,435 $2,389,479,272
1977 $5,651,840,585 $2,809,349,069
1976 $4,943,806,093 $3,009,409,974
1975 $4,577,047,854 $2,157,592,940
1974 $4,577,209,966 $1,544,216,002
1973 $4,070,570,550 $722,780,701
1972 $3,520,252,938 $430,508,359
1971 $3,224,280,835 $381,687,073
1970 $3,045,354,455 $323,802,476
1969 $2,768,987,372 $318,124,701
1968 $2,619,948,865 $294,468,564
1967 $2,461,762,003 $271,543,680
1966 $2,324,466,416 $245,849,781
1965 $2,159,998,591 $226,474,286
1964 $1,984,129,186 $215,679,855
1963 $1,825,058,828 $154,480,244
1962 $1,747,566,307 $182,796,536
1961 $1,680,859,514 $167,637,907
1960 $1,610,511,694 $141,468,978

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Gabon by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $8,263 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $982 $2,845 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $893 $2,588 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $830 $2,407 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $793 $2,242 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $740 $2,095 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $696 $2,005 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $642 $1,858 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $598 $1,633 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $550 $1,485 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $484 $1,253 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $452 $1,179 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $343 $1,098 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $331 $996 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $369 $899 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $316 $845 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $237.1 $770 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $189.3 $693 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $158.2 $625 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $133.2 $558 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $116.8 $493 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $109.6 $509 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $118.5 $509 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $122.3 $474 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $120.7 $450 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $126.5 $436 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $143.4 $461 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $147.3 $453 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $136.5 $409 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $127.7 $391 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $168.5 $384 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $207.4 $343 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $277.6 $383 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $262.1 $417 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $256.4 - $4,374 -
1988 $253.2 - $4,119 -
1987 $254.1 - $3,624 -
1986 $246 - $3,865 -
1985 $243.9 - $3,898 -
1984 $214.2 - $4,273 -
1983 $232.7 - $4,182 -
1982 $215.3 - $4,584 -
1981 $212.7 - $5,026 -
1980 $203.7 - $5,718 -
1979 $192.4 - $4,155 -
1978 $178.3 - $3,360 -
1977 $170.4 - $4,048 -
1976 $152 - $4,441 -
1975 $144.3 - $3,258 -
1974 $147.9 - $2,384 -
1973 $134.9 - $1,140 -
1972 $119.8 - $693 -
1971 $112.7 - $627 -
1970 $109.4 - $543 -
1969 $102.3 - $545 -
1968 $99.5 - $515 -
1967 $96.1 - $482 -
1966 $93.2 - $443 -
1965 $88.9 - $415 -
1964 $83.8 - $400 -
1963 $79.2 - $290.7 -
1962 $77.8 - $348 -
1961 $76.7 - $323 -
1960 $75.3 - $276.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $8,263 in Gabon, ranking 96/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Gabon
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$21.4B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
132/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
2.47%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$8,263
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
96/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$16.9B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
78.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$6,521
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
74/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$5,617
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
28.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
1.77%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
17.4%
2024
Population
140722974
2676097

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 28.6% 78.9%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 24.8% 70.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 19.8% 83%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 18% 55.3% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 17.1% 30% 22.6% 26%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 27% 103.7% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 27.8% 81%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 29.7% 57%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 13.8% 141% 26.9% 90.1%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 26.5% 87.9%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 25.1% 89.3%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 22.6% 90%
1989 24% 84.7% - -
1988 21.6% 84.3% - -
1987 18.4% 82.3% - -
1986 19.8% 75.7% - -
1985 19.7% 67.7% - -
1984 18.8% 65.4% - -
1983 21.3% 55.2% - -
1982 16.4% 48.8% - -
1981 14.2% 30.6% - -
1980 13.5% 18.5% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $6.14B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 78.9% in Gabon, ranking 122/185 and 44/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Gabon
2025 -1.19% -8.47%
2024 -1.99% -3.3%
2023 -2.6% 1.79%
2022 -4.16% -0.89%
2021 -2.77% -1.93%
2020 -2.76% -2.19%
2019 -2.53% 2.13%
2018 -3.03% -0.21%
2017 -3.24% -1.7%
2016 -2.3% -4.71%
2015 -1.95% -1.12%
2014 -2.58% 5.98%
2013 -1.93% -3.07%
2012 -1.17% 6.2%
2011 -1.61% 1.41%
2010 -1.32% 2.7%
2009 -0.93% 6.77%
2008 -2.88% 11%
2007 -3.57% 8.06%
2006 -3.79% 8.67%
2005 -4.12% 7.98%
2004 -2.65% 6.99%
2003 -5.59% 7.75%
2002 -5.76% 3.72%
2001 -3.76% 4.07%
2000 -8.88% 11.1%
1999 -8.54% 1.11%
1998 -3.65% -13.1%
1997 -1.76% 1.41%
1996 -3.93% 2.12%
1995 -2.76% 2.64%
1994 -5.39% -1.53%
1993 -4.12% -5.35%
1992 -4.92% -4.9%
1991 -6% -2.03%
1990 -6.86% -3.83%
1989 -4.33% -
1988 -3.48% -
1987 -3.54% -
1986 -3.98% -
1985 -4.71% -
1984 -3.69% -
1983 -7.59% -
1982 -3.6% -
1981 -2.19% -
1980 -2.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.5B, equivalent to 1.19% of GDP. This compares to Gabon's deficit of $1.82B, or 8.47% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.53% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.26% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Gabon
2025 13.2% 1.77%
2024 21% 1.17%
2023 30.2% 3.63%
2022 33.9% 4.23%
2021 26.8% 1.09%
2020 20.4% 1.35%
2019 15.8% 2.46%
2018 13.8% 4.75%
2017 10.7% 2.65%
2016 6.63% 2.11%
2015 9.57% -0.34%
2014 6.89% 4.69%
2013 7.46% 0.51%
2012 23.6% 2.65%
2011 33.2% 1.26%
2010 8.15% 1.46%
2009 8.48% 1.89%
2008 44.4% 5.26%
2007 17.2% 5.03%
2006 12.3% -1.41%
2005 9.97% 3.71%
2004 3.33% 0.41%
2003 13.7% 2.24%
2002 0.68% 0.04%
2001 -8.24% 2.14%
2000 0.66% 0.5%
1999 7.94% -1.94%
1998 0.89% 1.45%
1997 2.4% 3.97%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 1.77% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $309K
Raw agricultural goods $48K
Chemicals & pharma $21K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $10.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $36K
Wood & paper products $20K
Machinery & equipment $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Gabon
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
61/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
29.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
55.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Gabon
Economic freedom 48.1 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 120/197
Property rights 22.1 30
Government integrity 33.2 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 19.9
Tax burden 78.6 76.5
Government spending 96.4 85.5
Fiscal health 84.3 87.9
Business freedom 44.5 63.6
Labor freedom 37.8 55.4
Monetary freedom 53.7 80.9
Trade freedom 57.4 57.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Gabon
2026 48.1 56.6
2025 48.1 56.3
2024 47.9 56.9
2023 48.3 56.1
2022 49.6 55.8
2021 51.7 58.1
2020 53.6 56.7
2019 53.6 56.3
2018 52.8 58
2017 52.7 58.6
2016 51.5 59
2015 51.5 58.3
2014 50 57.8
2013 49.4 57.8
2012 52 56.4
2011 50.5 56.7
2010 51.2 55.4
2009 53 55
2008 52.5 54.2
2007 53.6 54.8
2006 50.9 56.1
2005 51.1 54.8
2004 54.5 57.1
2003 48.8 58.7
2002 49.8 58
2001 48.9 55
2000 50.2 58.2
1999 46.7 60.5
1998 49.2 59.2
1997 48.1 58.8
1996 45.9 55.7
1995 42.6 57.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Gabon
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
42.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
47.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
6.75%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$21B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$21,660
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$639M
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
5.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
24.8%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/gabon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.