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Economy of Ethiopia vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $114B for Ghana, ranking 66/197 and 69/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $55.8B (48.8% of GDP) in Ghana.

Ethiopia vs Ghana GDP by year

Ethiopia
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Ghana
2025 $126,358,758,448 $114,209,905,279
2024 $149,740,297,952 $83,288,585,604
2023 $135,874,093,203 $80,547,146,876
2022 $123,140,304,665 $73,919,003,212
2021 $109,070,960,371 $79,514,204,730
2020 $98,676,811,062 $70,008,243,860
2019 $91,834,517,114 $68,352,629,246
2018 $83,337,901,072 $67,259,353,966
2017 $76,366,081,767 $60,385,409,435
2016 $68,475,871,210 $56,144,179,398
2015 $62,103,418,182 $49,436,806,230
2014 $55,612,228,234 $54,678,533,806
2013 $47,648,276,605 $62,845,721,960
2012 $43,310,721,414 $41,271,701,061
2011 $31,952,763,089 $39,336,668,081
2010 $29,933,790,334 $32,197,655,567
2009 $32,437,389,116 $26,048,720,006
2008 $27,066,912,635 $28,679,383,241
2007 $19,707,616,773 $24,827,339,138
2006 $15,280,861,835 $20,885,037,597
2005 $12,401,139,454 $10,744,568,381
2004 $10,131,187,261 $8,881,417,907
2003 $8,623,691,300 $7,632,723,556
2002 $7,850,809,498 $6,166,197,848
2001 $8,231,326,016 $5,314,872,854
2000 $8,242,349,618 $4,982,850,662
1999 $7,892,973,532 $7,718,109,982
1998 $8,013,274,132 $7,482,069,162
1997 $8,803,539,988 $6,891,443,192
1996 $8,761,215,548 $6,932,991,739
1995 $7,855,205,207 $6,464,382,808
1994 $7,100,806,754 $5,446,383,727
1993 $9,051,043,870 $5,968,922,939
1992 $10,754,799,037 $6,416,103,926
1991 $13,799,799,324 $6,603,185,268
1990 $12,478,943,895 $5,889,106,573
1989 $11,762,932,007 $5,251,858,440
1988 $11,181,119,718 $5,197,765,032
1987 $10,790,001,558 $5,074,829,932
1986 $10,094,328,898 $5,735,677,434
1985 $9,717,392,687 $4,504,306,723
1984 $8,298,309,581 $4,412,279,843
1983 $8,781,664,427 $4,057,275,132
1982 $7,899,988,841 $4,035,994,398
1981 $7,507,663,567 $4,222,441,860
1980 $7,012,585,454 $4,445,228,216
1979 $6,586,048,398 $4,020,227,920
1978 $6,014,961,435 $3,662,478,185
1977 $5,651,840,585 $3,189,428,571
1976 $4,943,806,093 $2,765,254,237
1975 $4,577,047,854 $2,810,106,383
1974 $4,577,209,966 $2,894,409,938
1973 $4,070,570,550 $3,006,766,758
1972 $3,520,252,938 $2,112,293,280
1971 $3,224,280,835 $2,417,108,578
1970 $3,045,354,455 $2,215,028,588
1969 $2,768,987,372 $1,962,050,556
1968 $2,619,948,865 $1,666,909,518
1967 $2,461,762,003 $1,747,187,645
1966 $2,324,466,416 $2,126,300,672
1965 $2,159,998,591 $2,053,462,968
1964 $1,984,129,186 $1,731,296,200
1963 $1,825,058,828 $1,540,797,589
1962 $1,747,566,307 $1,382,515,654
1961 $1,680,859,514 $1,302,674,325
1960 $1,610,511,694 $1,217,230,095

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Ghana by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $3,257 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $2,419 $8,020
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $982 $2,845 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $893 $2,588 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $830 $2,407 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $793 $2,242 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $740 $2,095 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $696 $2,005 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $642 $1,858 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $598 $1,633 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $484 $1,253 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $343 $1,098 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $331 $996 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $369 $899 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $316 $845 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $237.1 $770 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $189.3 $693 $906 $3,103
2005 $158.2 $625 $479 $2,904
2004 $133.2 $558 $406 $2,729
2003 $116.8 $493 $358 $2,584
2002 $109.6 $509 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $118.5 $509 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $122.3 $474 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $120.7 $450 $403 $2,239
1998 $126.5 $436 $400 $2,167
1997 $143.4 $461 $378 $2,097
1996 $147.3 $453 $389 $2,026
1995 $136.5 $409 $372 $1,947
1994 $127.7 $391 $321 $1,875
1993 $168.5 $384 $360 $1,821
1992 $207.4 $343 $396 $1,739
1991 $277.6 $383 $418 $1,678
1990 $262.1 $417 $383 $1,581
1989 $256.4 - $350 -
1988 $253.2 - $355 -
1987 $254.1 - $355 -
1986 $246 - $411 -
1985 $243.9 - $330 -
1984 $214.2 - $330 -
1983 $232.7 - $311 -
1982 $215.3 - $319 -
1981 $212.7 - $344 -
1980 $203.7 - $372 -
1979 $192.4 - $347 -
1978 $178.3 - $326 -
1977 $170.4 - $292.3 -
1976 $152 - $261 -
1975 $144.3 - $273 -
1974 $147.9 - $289.4 -
1973 $134.9 - $310 -
1972 $119.8 - $223.8 -
1971 $112.7 - $263.4 -
1970 $109.4 - $248.2 -
1969 $102.3 - $225.8 -
1968 $99.5 - $196.7 -
1967 $96.1 - $211.2 -
1966 $93.2 - $263.3 -
1965 $88.9 - $260.5 -
1964 $83.8 - $225 -
1963 $79.2 - $205 -
1962 $77.8 - $188.4 -
1961 $76.7 - $181.9 -
1960 $75.3 - $174.9 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $3,257 in Ghana, ranking 139/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Ghana
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$114B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
5.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$3,257
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
139/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
48.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$1,590
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
128/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$2,135
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$16.4B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
17%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
14.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
14%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
3.97%
2024
Population
140722974
36032857

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 17% 48.8%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 22% 70.3%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 20.9% 62%
2017 18% 55.3% 17.6% 57%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 21% 50.1%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 19% 32.9%
2009 17.1% 30% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 27% 103.7% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 12% 74.5%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 12% 45.2%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 13% 47.6%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 12.7% 50.6%
1993 13.8% 141% 12.1% 34.1%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 9.2% 21.3%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 7.09% 17.3%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 6.59% 17.8%
1989 24% 84.7% 7.24% 23%
1988 21.6% 84.3% 7.23% 23.5%
1987 18.4% 82.3% 7.32% 26.8%
1986 19.8% 75.7% 7.29% 18.2%
1985 19.7% 67.7% 6.08% 14.4%
1984 18.8% 65.4% 4.64% 13%
1983 21.3% 55.2% 3.49% 9.21%
1982 16.4% 48.8% 4.73% 8.51%
1981 14.2% 30.6% 5.74% 8.77%
1980 13.5% 18.5% 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.4B, or 17% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 48.8% in Ghana, ranking 122/185 and 108/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Ghana
2025 -1.19% -1.35%
2024 -1.99% -6.23%
2023 -2.6% -3.37%
2022 -4.16% -11.8%
2021 -2.77% -12%
2020 -2.76% -17.4%
2019 -2.53% -7.52%
2018 -3.03% -6.79%
2017 -3.24% -3.97%
2016 -2.3% -6.75%
2015 -1.95% -4.01%
2014 -2.58% -7.81%
2013 -1.93% -9.12%
2012 -1.17% -8.36%
2011 -1.61% -5.47%
2010 -1.32% -7.13%
2009 -0.93% -5.05%
2008 -2.88% -5.56%
2007 -3.57% -4.91%
2006 -3.79% -3.11%
2005 -4.12% -1.87%
2004 -2.65% -2.02%
2003 -5.59% -1.99%
2002 -5.76% -2.73%
2001 -3.76% -3.64%
2000 -8.88% -3.98%
1999 -8.54% -5.64%
1998 -3.65% -5.27%
1997 -1.76% -6.14%
1996 -3.93% -5.61%
1995 -2.76% -4.52%
1994 -5.39% -4.99%
1993 -4.12% -5.39%
1992 -4.92% -4.5%
1991 -6% -1.47%
1990 -6.86% -1.93%
1989 -4.33% -0.81%
1988 -3.48% -1.08%
1987 -3.54% -0.92%
1986 -3.98% -1.26%
1985 -4.71% -1.19%
1984 -3.69% -0.98%
1983 -7.59% -1.13%
1982 -3.6% -2.03%
1981 -2.19% -3.8%
1980 -2.56% -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/ghana | 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 Ghana's deficit of $1.54B, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 46 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 46 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 46 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.62% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.73% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Ghana
2025 13.2% 14.2%
2024 21% 22.8%
2023 30.2% 38.1%
2022 33.9% 31.3%
2021 26.8% 9.97%
2020 20.4% 9.89%
2019 15.8% 7.14%
2018 13.8% 7.81%
2017 10.7% 12.4%
2016 6.63% 17.5%
2015 9.57% 17.1%
2014 6.89% 15.5%
2013 7.46% 11.7%
2012 23.6% 11.2%
2011 33.2% 8.73%
2010 8.15% 10.7%
2009 8.48% 19.2%
2008 44.4% 16.5%
2007 17.2% 10.7%
2006 12.3% 11.7%
2005 9.97% 15.4%
2004 3.33% 18%
2003 13.7% 29.8%
2002 0.68% 9.36%
2001 -8.24% 41.5%
2000 0.66% 40.2%
1999 7.94% 4.87%
1998 0.89% 14.6%
1997 2.4% 27.9%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 17.4% in Ghana. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 14.2% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $271K
Textiles & consumer goods $105K
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Machinery & equipment $20K
Metals $13K
Miscellaneous $11K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $611K
Textiles & consumer goods $180K
Chemicals & pharma $168K
Wood & paper products $77K
Animal & marine products $47K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Ghana
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$9.39B
2025
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
25/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+8.22%
2025
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$17.5B
2025
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$31.2B
2025
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$10.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
35.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Ghana
Economic freedom 48.1 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 118/197
Property rights 22.1 50.2
Government integrity 33.2 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 57.5
Tax burden 78.6 79.4
Government spending 96.4 84
Fiscal health 84.3 10.1
Business freedom 44.5 64.5
Labor freedom 37.8 54.9
Monetary freedom 53.7 56.7
Trade freedom 57.4 65.2
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Ghana
2026 48.1 57.3
2025 48.1 56
2024 47.9 55.8
2023 48.3 58
2022 49.6 59.8
2021 51.7 59.2
2020 53.6 59.4
2019 53.6 57.5
2018 52.8 56
2017 52.7 56.2
2016 51.5 63
2015 51.5 63
2014 50 64.2
2013 49.4 61.3
2012 52 60.7
2011 50.5 59.4
2010 51.2 60.2
2009 53 58.1
2008 52.5 57
2007 53.6 57.6
2006 50.9 55.6
2005 51.1 56.5
2004 54.5 59.1
2003 48.8 58.2
2002 49.8 57.2
2001 48.9 58
2000 50.2 58.1
1999 46.7 57.9
1998 49.2 57
1997 48.1 56.7
1996 45.9 57.7
1995 42.6 55.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Ghana
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
42.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
21.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$92.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$8,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$4.47B
2024
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
108/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.87B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
3.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
9.9%
2024

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/ghana | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.