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Economy of Ethiopia vs Gambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $2.59B for the Gambia, ranking 66/197 and 174/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $1.92B (73.9% of GDP) in the Gambia.

Ethiopia vs Gambia GDP by year

Ethiopia
Gambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Gambia
2025 $126,358,758,448 $2,593,673,988
2024 $149,740,297,952 $2,404,888,738
2023 $135,874,093,203 $2,382,262,185
2022 $123,140,304,665 $2,204,734,528
2021 $109,070,960,371 $2,014,158,842
2020 $98,676,811,062 $1,812,170,891
2019 $91,834,517,114 $1,813,609,692
2018 $83,337,901,072 $1,670,671,328
2017 $76,366,081,767 $1,504,909,463
2016 $68,475,871,210 $1,484,578,886
2015 $62,103,418,182 $1,378,176,609
2014 $55,612,228,234 $1,229,461,721
2013 $47,648,276,605 $1,375,609,453
2012 $43,310,721,414 $1,415,004,738
2011 $31,952,763,089 $1,409,693,597
2010 $29,933,790,334 $1,543,294,927
2009 $32,437,389,116 $1,450,142,509
2008 $27,066,912,635 $1,561,766,956
2007 $19,707,616,773 $1,279,703,047
2006 $15,280,861,835 $1,054,112,488
2005 $12,401,139,454 $1,027,701,068
2004 $10,131,187,261 $961,900,651
2003 $8,623,691,300 $487,038,685
2002 $7,850,809,498 $578,235,309
2001 $8,231,326,016 $687,410,645
2000 $8,242,349,618 $782,913,872
1999 $7,892,973,532 $814,724,032
1998 $8,013,274,132 $840,285,265
1997 $8,803,539,988 $803,633,342
1996 $8,761,215,548 $848,239,446
1995 $7,855,205,207 $785,999,865
1994 $7,100,806,754 $746,493,952
1993 $9,051,043,870 $755,040,974
1992 $10,754,799,037 $714,254,256
1991 $13,799,799,324 $690,311,081
1990 $12,478,943,895 $317,083,695
1989 $11,762,932,007 $284,120,329
1988 $11,181,119,718 $266,672,212
1987 $10,790,001,558 $220,626,484
1986 $10,094,328,898 $185,646,987
1985 $9,717,392,687 $225,726,359
1984 $8,298,309,581 $177,340,880
1983 $8,781,664,427 $213,448,585
1982 $7,899,988,841 $216,050,552
1981 $7,507,663,567 $218,767,743
1980 $7,012,585,454 $241,083,090
1979 $6,586,048,398 $207,112,628
1978 $6,014,961,435 $171,833,086
1977 $5,651,840,585 $138,093,099
1976 $4,943,806,093 $112,190,829
1975 $4,577,047,854 $115,179,719
1974 $4,577,209,966 $95,796,022
1973 $4,070,570,550 $75,187,749
1972 $3,520,252,938 $59,160,569
1971 $3,224,280,835 $55,728,663
1970 $3,045,354,455 $52,296,084
1969 $2,768,987,372 $45,168,072
1968 $2,619,948,865 $41,160,066
1967 $2,461,762,003 $46,695,007
1966 $2,324,466,416 $44,212,081
1965 $2,159,998,591 -
1964 $1,984,129,186 -
1963 $1,825,058,828 -
1962 $1,747,566,307 -
1961 $1,680,859,514 -
1960 $1,610,511,694 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Gambia by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Gambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $919 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $871 $3,476
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $883 $3,289
2022 $982 $2,845 $836 $3,067
2021 $893 $2,588 $782 $2,778
2020 $830 $2,407 $720 $2,531
2019 $793 $2,242 $738 $2,422
2018 $740 $2,095 $696 $2,277
2017 $696 $2,005 $643 $2,039
2016 $642 $1,858 $650 $2,013
2015 $598 $1,633 $620 $1,990
2014 $550 $1,485 $568 $1,934
2013 $484 $1,253 $654 $2,007
2012 $452 $1,179 $693 $2,065
2011 $343 $1,098 $711 $2,064
2010 $331 $996 $801 $2,267
2009 $369 $899 $775 $2,177
2008 $316 $845 $859 $2,088
2007 $237.1 $770 $725 $1,985
2006 $189.3 $693 $615 $1,931
2005 $158.2 $625 $616 $1,938
2004 $133.2 $558 $593 $1,979
2003 $116.8 $493 $309 $1,850
2002 $109.6 $509 $377 $1,744
2001 $118.5 $509 $460 $1,823
2000 $122.3 $474 $538 $1,731
1999 $120.7 $450 $575 $1,649
1998 $126.5 $436 $610 $1,572
1997 $143.4 $461 $600 $1,544
1996 $147.3 $453 $652 $1,489
1995 $136.5 $409 $622 $1,472
1994 $127.7 $391 $608 $1,473
1993 $168.5 $384 $635 $1,487
1992 $207.4 $343 $623 $1,462
1991 $277.6 $383 $628 $1,440
1990 $262.1 $417 $301 $1,409
1989 $256.4 - $280.9 -
1988 $253.2 - $274.9 -
1987 $254.1 - $237 -
1986 $246 - $207.7 -
1985 $243.9 - $262.8 -
1984 $214.2 - $214.8 -
1983 $232.7 - $268.6 -
1982 $215.3 - $282.1 -
1981 $212.7 - $296 -
1980 $203.7 - $338 -
1979 $192.4 - $300 -
1978 $178.3 - $257.6 -
1977 $170.4 - $213.8 -
1976 $152 - $179.3 -
1975 $144.3 - $189.8 -
1974 $147.9 - $162.6 -
1973 $134.9 - $131.4 -
1972 $119.8 - $106.5 -
1971 $112.7 - $103.3 -
1970 $109.4 - $99.8 -
1969 $102.3 - $88.7 -
1968 $99.5 - $83.1 -
1967 $96.1 - $97 -
1966 $93.2 - $94.4 -
1965 $88.9 - - -
1964 $83.8 - - -
1963 $79.2 - - -
1962 $77.8 - - -
1961 $76.7 - - -
1960 $75.3 - - -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $919 in the Gambia, ranking 183/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Gambia
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$2.59B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
174/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
5.89%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$919
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
183/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$3,476
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
172/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$1.92B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
73.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$679
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
156/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$710
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.6%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
11.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
14%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
7.05%
2025
Population
140722974
2916990

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Gambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Gambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 27.1% 73.9%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 25.3% 78.5%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 23.9% 77.4%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 24.6% 83.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 21.5% 83.1%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 25.3% 85.9%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 23.9% 83%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 19% 83.6%
2017 18% 55.3% 23.6% 87%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 19.4% 79.5%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 19.6% 69.4%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 19% 71.1%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 17.2% 58.2%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 19.1% 49.5%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 16.5% 49.2%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 14.6% 42.9%
2009 17.1% 30% 14.4% 38.9%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 11.6% 39.5%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 11.2% 38%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 14% 87.3%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 12.9% 82.6%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 12.4% 81.3%
2003 27% 103.7% 9.3% 91.7%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 8.59% 93.9%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 9.68% 75.2%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 9.54% 73.3%
1999 26.8% 97.8% - -
1998 21.1% 89.3% - -
1997 17.9% 80.3% - -
1996 18.8% 132.8% - -
1995 17.4% 146.6% - -
1994 17.6% 155.2% - -
1993 13.8% 141% - -
1992 14.2% 87.9% - -
1991 17.3% 89.3% - -
1990 20.9% 91.6% - -
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/gambia | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while the Gambia spent $704M, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 73.9% in the Gambia, ranking 122/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Gambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Gambia
2025 -1.19% -2.95%
2024 -1.99% -4%
2023 -2.6% -3.56%
2022 -4.16% -5.72%
2021 -2.77% -4.77%
2020 -2.76% -2.37%
2019 -2.53% -2.75%
2018 -3.03% -3.92%
2017 -3.24% -4.35%
2016 -2.3% -6.22%
2015 -1.95% -5.38%
2014 -2.58% -3.94%
2013 -1.93% -5.11%
2012 -1.17% -2.85%
2011 -1.61% -3.03%
2010 -1.32% -2.93%
2009 -0.93% -1.65%
2008 -2.88% -0.45%
2007 -3.57% 0.27%
2006 -3.79% -3.19%
2005 -4.12% -3.33%
2004 -2.65% -1.77%
2003 -5.59% -1.73%
2002 -5.76% 0.06%
2001 -3.76% -2.52%
2000 -8.88% -0.09%
1999 -8.54% -
1998 -3.65% -
1997 -1.76% -
1996 -3.93% -
1995 -2.76% -
1994 -5.39% -
1993 -4.12% -
1992 -4.92% -
1991 -6% -
1990 -6.86% -
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/gambia | 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 the Gambia's deficit of $76.5M, or 2.95% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while the Gambia ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.01% of GDP for the Gambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Gambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Gambia
2025 13.2% -
2024 21% 11.6%
2023 30.2% 17%
2022 33.9% 11.5%
2021 26.8% 7.37%
2020 20.4% 5.93%
2019 15.8% 7.12%
2018 13.8% 6.52%
2017 10.7% 8.03%
2016 6.63% 7.23%
2015 9.57% 6.81%
2014 6.89% 5.95%
2013 7.46% 5.7%
2012 23.6% 4.25%
2011 33.2% 4.8%
2010 8.15% 5.05%
2009 8.48% 4.56%
2008 44.4% 4.44%
2007 17.2% 5.37%
2006 12.3% 2.06%
2005 9.97% 4.84%
2004 3.33% 14.2%
2003 13.7% 17%
2002 0.68% 8.61%
2001 -8.24% 4.49%
2000 0.66% 0.84%
1999 7.94% 3.81%
1998 0.89% 1.11%
1997 2.4% 2.78%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 6.75% in the Gambia. In 2024, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 11.6% in the Gambia.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $52K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Wood & paper products $2K
Metals $1K
Gambia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Gambia
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$99.8M
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
81/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$363M
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$485M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
49.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
12.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Gambia
Economic freedom 48.1 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 123/197
Property rights 22.1 55.4
Government integrity 33.2 40.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 45.8
Tax burden 78.6 79.2
Government spending 96.4 81.1
Fiscal health 84.3 54.8
Business freedom 44.5 50.1
Labor freedom 37.8 46.4
Monetary freedom 53.7 57.3
Trade freedom 57.4 64.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Gambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Gambia
2026 48.1 56.3
2025 48.1 56.8
2024 47.9 58.2
2023 48.3 57.9
2022 49.6 58
2021 51.7 58.8
2020 53.6 56.3
2019 53.6 52.4
2018 52.8 52.3
2017 52.7 53.4
2016 51.5 57.1
2015 51.5 57.5
2014 50 59.5
2013 49.4 58.8
2012 52 58.8
2011 50.5 57.4
2010 51.2 55.1
2009 53 55.8
2008 52.5 56.9
2007 53.6 57.7
2006 50.9 57.3
2005 51.1 56.5
2004 54.5 55.3
2003 48.8 56.3
2002 49.8 57.7
2001 48.9 56.6
2000 50.2 52.7
1999 46.7 52.1
1998 49.2 53.4
1997 48.1 52.9
1996 45.9 -
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 56.3 for the Gambia, ranking 123/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Gambia
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
53.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
15.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
23.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$2.62B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$3,660
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$629M
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
151/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$232M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$232M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$665K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
3.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
53.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
40.4%
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/gambia | 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.