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Economy of Ethiopia vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $280B for Iraq, ranking 60/197 and 50/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $130B (46.5% of GDP) in Iraq.

Ethiopia vs Iraq GDP by year

Ethiopia
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Iraq
2024 $149,740,297,953 $279,641,257,615
2023 $135,874,093,202 $268,881,051,644
2022 $123,140,304,666 $287,372,232,138
2021 $109,070,960,372 $209,691,945,713
2020 $98,676,811,061 $180,898,797,517
2019 $91,834,517,113 $233,636,097,800
2018 $83,337,901,072 $227,367,469,034
2017 $76,366,081,767 $187,217,660,051
2016 $68,475,871,210 $166,743,557,748
2015 $62,103,418,182 $166,774,104,959
2014 $55,612,228,234 $228,415,656,175
2013 $47,648,276,605 $234,637,675,129
2012 $43,310,721,414 $218,002,476,129
2011 $31,952,763,089 $185,749,664,444
2010 $29,933,790,334 $138,516,722,650
2009 $32,437,389,116 $111,657,580,326
2008 $27,066,912,635 $131,614,434,154
2007 $19,707,616,773 $88,837,057,320
2006 $15,280,861,835 $65,147,051,918
2005 $12,401,139,454 $50,065,104,668
2004 $10,131,187,261 $36,633,669,269
2003 $8,623,691,300 $21,921,569,479
2002 $7,850,809,498 $32,928,454,672
2001 $8,231,326,016 $36,176,430,129
2000 $8,242,349,618 $48,364,250,944
1999 $7,892,973,532 $36,881,601,584
1998 $8,013,274,132 $20,617,405,044
1997 $8,803,539,988 $20,764,857,056
1996 $8,761,215,548 $10,433,698,621
1995 $7,855,205,207 $12,894,029,888
1994 $7,100,806,754 $3,991,349,283
1993 $9,051,043,870 $1,031,944,881
1992 $10,754,799,037 $553,671,958
1991 $13,799,799,324 $407,796,350
1990 $12,478,943,895 $180,408,064,516
1989 $11,762,932,007 $65,831,935,484
1988 $11,181,119,718 $62,684,516,129
1987 $10,790,001,558 $56,774,193,548
1986 $10,094,328,898 $47,264,516,129
1985 $9,717,392,687 $48,425,161,290
1984 $8,298,309,581 $46,938,387,097
1983 $8,781,664,427 $40,712,903,226
1982 $7,899,988,841 $42,382,333,333
1981 $7,507,663,567 $37,823,000,000
1980 $7,012,585,454 $52,569,000,000
1979 $6,586,048,398 $37,816,457,839
1978 $6,014,961,435 $23,762,275,652
1977 $5,651,840,585 $19,838,130,715
1976 $4,943,806,093 $17,754,825,601
1975 $4,577,047,854 $13,458,516,763
1974 $4,577,209,966 $11,516,762,614
1973 $4,070,570,550 $5,134,367,778
1972 $3,520,252,938 $4,113,848,002
1971 $3,224,280,835 $3,865,346,535
1970 $3,045,354,455 $3,281,318,687
1969 $2,768,987,372 $3,007,758,797
1968 $2,619,948,865 $2,896,598,841
1967 $2,461,762,003 $2,551,522,656
1966 $2,324,466,416 $2,530,306,096
1965 $2,159,998,591 $2,335,785,506
1964 $1,984,129,186 $2,136,408,198
1963 $1,825,058,828 $1,805,901,510
1962 $1,747,566,307 $1,784,174,541
1961 $1,680,859,514 $1,671,960,965
1960 $1,610,511,694 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Iraq by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $982 $2,845 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $893 $2,588 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $830 $2,407 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $793 $2,242 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $740 $2,095 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $696 $2,005 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $642 $1,858 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $598 $1,633 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $550 $1,485 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $484 $1,253 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $452 $1,179 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $343 $1,098 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $331 $996 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $369 $899 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $316 $845 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $237.1 $770 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $189.3 $693 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $158.2 $625 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $133.2 $558 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $116.8 $493 $818 $6,068
2002 $109.6 $509 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $122.3 $474 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $120.7 $450 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $126.5 $436 $901 $7,964
1997 $143.4 $461 $936 $6,020
1996 $147.3 $453 $485 $5,034
1995 $136.5 $409 $619 $4,598
1994 $127.7 $391 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $168.5 $384 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $207.4 $343 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $277.6 $383 $23 $2,694
1990 $262.1 $417 $10,261 -
1989 $256.4 - $3,791 -
1988 $253.2 - $3,707 -
1987 $254.1 - $3,436 -
1986 $246 - $2,940 -
1985 $243.9 - $3,088 -
1984 $214.2 - $3,066 -
1983 $232.7 - $2,743 -
1982 $215.3 - $2,942 -
1981 $212.7 - $2,700 -
1980 $203.7 - $3,868 -
1979 $192.4 - $2,871 -
1978 $178.3 - $1,863 -
1977 $170.4 - $1,609 -
1976 $152 - $1,489 -
1975 $144.3 - $1,166 -
1974 $147.9 - $1,031 -
1973 $134.9 - $476 -
1972 $119.8 - $394 -
1971 $112.7 - $384 -
1970 $109.4 - $337 -
1969 $102.3 - $320 -
1968 $99.5 - $319 -
1967 $96.1 - $290.6 -
1966 $93.2 - $298.2 -
1965 $88.9 - $284.8 -
1964 $83.8 - $269.4 -
1963 $79.2 - $235.5 -
1962 $77.8 - $240.7 -
1961 $76.7 - $232.4 -
1960 $75.3 - $218.9 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $6,074 in Iraq, ranking 113/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Iraq
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$280B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
50/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
-1.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$6,074
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
46.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$2,822
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
105/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$5,928
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
42.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
-12.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
16.2%
2021
Population
139917664
48289334

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 42.9% 46.5%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 33.9% 39%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 18% 55.3% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 48.2% 32%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 17.1% 30% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 44% 117.1%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 91.5% 344%
2003 27% 103.7% - -
2002 24.9% 107.4% - -
2001 22.4% 97.3% - -
2000 25.6% 93.6% - -
1999 25.8% 94.3% - -
1998 20.4% 86% - -
1997 17.3% 77.4% - -
1996 18.2% 129% - -
1995 16.9% 142.3% - -
1994 17.1% 150.7% - -
1993 13.4% 136.9% - -
1992 13.8% 85.4% - -
1991 16.8% 89.3% - -
1990 20.3% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $120B, or 42.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 46.5% in Iraq, ranking 150/185 and 117/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Iraq
2024 -1.99% -4.14%
2023 -2.6% -1.14%
2022 -4.16% 8.1%
2021 -2.77% -0.38%
2020 -2.76% -12.8%
2019 -2.53% 0.83%
2018 -3.03% 7.69%
2017 -3.24% -1.52%
2016 -2.3% -14.4%
2015 -1.95% -12.8%
2014 -2.58% -5.63%
2013 -1.93% -6.06%
2012 -1.17% 4.09%
2011 -1.61% 4.74%
2010 -1.32% -4.18%
2009 -0.93% -14.9%
2008 -2.88% -0.86%
2007 -3.57% 9.98%
2006 -3.79% 10.7%
2005 -4.12% 4.07%
2004 -2.65% -35.4%
2003 -5.59% -
2002 -5.76% -
2001 -3.76% -
2000 -8.88% -
1999 -8.23% -
1998 -3.51% -
1997 -1.7% -
1996 -3.81% -
1995 -2.68% -
1994 -5.23% -
1993 -4% -
1992 -4.78% -
1991 -5.83% -
1990 -6.66% -
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.98B, equivalent to 1.99% of GDP. This compares to Iraq's deficit of $11.6B, or 4.14% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.05% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Iraq
2024 21% -12.3%
2023 30.2% 4.36%
2022 33.9% 4.99%
2021 26.8% 6.04%
2020 20.4% 0.57%
2019 15.8% -0.2%
2018 13.8% 0.37%
2017 10.7% 0.18%
2016 6.63% 0.56%
2015 9.57% 1.39%
2014 6.89% 2.24%
2013 7.46% 1.88%
2012 23.6% 6.09%
2011 33.2% 5.8%
2010 8.15% 2.88%
2009 8.48% 6.87%
2008 44.4% 12.7%
2007 17.2% -10.1%
2006 12.3% 53.2%
2005 9.97% 37%
2004 3.33% 27%
2003 13.7% 33.6%
2002 0.68% 19.3%
2001 -8.24% 16.4%
2000 0.66% 4.98%
1999 7.94% 12.6%
1998 0.89% 14.8%
1997 2.4% 23.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 9.86% in Iraq. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and -12.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.51M
Textiles & consumer goods $831K
Raw agricultural goods $697K
Chemicals & pharma $223K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Metals $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Iraq
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
24/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
33.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
37.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Iraq
Economic freedom 48.1 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 196/197
Property rights 22.1 8.3
Government integrity 33.2 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 5.8
Tax burden 78.6 85.5
Government spending 96.4 65.3
Fiscal health 84.3 95.7
Business freedom 44.5 42.8
Labor freedom 37.8 60.6
Monetary freedom 53.7 68.6
Trade freedom 57.4 40
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Iraq
2026 48.1 -
2025 48.1 -
2024 47.9 -
2023 48.3 -
2022 49.6 -
2021 51.7 -
2020 53.6 -
2019 53.6 -
2018 52.8 -
2017 52.7 -
2016 51.5 -
2015 51.5 -
2014 50 -
2013 49.4 -
2012 52 -
2011 50.5 -
2010 51.2 -
2009 53 -
2008 52.5 -
2007 53.6 -
2006 50.9 -
2005 51.1 -
2004 54.5 -
2003 48.8 -
2002 49.8 15.6
2001 48.9 17.2
2000 50.2 17.2
1999 46.7 17.2
1998 49.2 17.2
1997 48.1 17.2
1996 45.9 17.2
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Iraq
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
45.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
51.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
3.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$277B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$14,530
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
28/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
28.2%
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/ethiopia/iraq | 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 (2020–2023, 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.