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Economy of Ethiopia vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 60/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Ethiopia vs Mauritania GDP by year

Ethiopia
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Mauritania
2024 $149,740,297,953 $10,908,045,687
2023 $135,874,093,202 $10,726,838,461
2022 $123,140,304,666 $9,557,966,698
2021 $109,070,960,372 $9,222,536,364
2020 $98,676,811,061 $8,260,752,385
2019 $91,834,517,113 $7,894,764,886
2018 $83,337,901,072 $7,473,550,557
2017 $76,366,081,767 $6,800,135,898
2016 $68,475,871,210 $6,398,747,592
2015 $62,103,418,182 $6,166,863,897
2014 $55,612,228,234 $6,592,537,782
2013 $47,648,276,605 $7,223,071,097
2012 $43,310,721,414 $6,728,208,836
2011 $31,952,763,089 $6,764,627,746
2010 $29,933,790,334 $5,628,878,798
2009 $32,437,389,116 $4,714,595,548
2008 $27,066,912,635 $5,206,437,194
2007 $19,707,616,773 $4,346,212,355
2006 $15,280,861,835 $3,919,577,286
2005 $12,401,139,454 $2,936,019,526
2004 $10,131,187,261 $2,362,501,023
2003 $8,623,691,300 $2,051,147,607
2002 $7,850,809,498 $1,777,057,481
2001 $8,231,326,016 $1,746,063,558
2000 $8,242,349,618 $1,779,520,886
1999 $7,892,973,532 $1,985,922,776
1998 $8,013,274,132 $2,032,347,665
1997 $8,803,539,988 $2,071,996,564
1996 $8,761,215,548 $2,132,087,009
1995 $7,855,205,207 $2,091,726,101
1994 $7,100,806,754 $1,944,876,755
1993 $9,051,043,870 $1,847,353,211
1992 $10,754,799,037 $2,164,298,425
1991 $13,799,799,324 $2,133,692,697
1990 $12,478,943,895 $1,506,914,408
1989 $11,762,932,007 $1,450,647,019
1988 $11,181,119,718 $1,414,951,290
1987 $10,790,001,558 $1,344,664,725
1986 $10,094,328,898 $1,186,628,778
1985 $9,717,392,687 $1,009,723,326
1984 $8,298,309,581 $1,074,373,230
1983 $8,781,664,427 $1,165,171,263
1982 $7,899,988,841 $1,108,776,653
1981 $7,507,663,567 $1,105,494,682
1980 $7,012,585,454 $1,047,925,106
1979 $6,586,048,398 $951,900,945
1978 $6,014,961,435 $804,629,877
1977 $5,651,840,585 $799,030,017
1976 $4,943,806,093 $775,045,517
1975 $4,577,047,854 $703,377,837
1974 $4,577,209,966 $613,010,553
1973 $4,070,570,550 $493,237,876
1972 $3,520,252,938 $391,669,449
1971 $3,224,280,835 $335,568,907
1970 $3,045,354,455 $309,405,316
1969 $2,768,987,372 $295,062,308
1968 $2,619,948,865 $311,395,937
1967 $2,461,762,003 $282,615,310
1966 $2,324,466,416 $266,533,605
1965 $2,159,998,591 $255,340,475
1964 $1,984,129,186 $224,495,744
1963 $1,825,058,828 $168,186,297
1962 $1,747,566,307 $164,271,558
1961 $1,680,859,514 $159,213,430
1960 $1,610,511,694 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Mauritania by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $982 $2,845 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $893 $2,588 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $830 $2,407 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $793 $2,242 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $740 $2,095 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $696 $2,005 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $642 $1,858 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $598 $1,633 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $484 $1,253 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $343 $1,098 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $331 $996 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $369 $899 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $316 $845 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $237.1 $770 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $189.3 $693 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $158.2 $625 $999 $2,809
2004 $133.2 $558 $824 $2,570
2003 $116.8 $493 $732 $2,447
2002 $109.6 $509 $649 $2,296
2001 $118.5 $509 $652 $2,280
2000 $122.3 $474 $681 $2,304
1999 $120.7 $450 $781 $2,411
1998 $126.5 $436 $821 $2,355
1997 $143.4 $461 $859 $2,325
1996 $147.3 $453 $904 $2,436
1995 $136.5 $409 $905 $2,306
1994 $127.7 $391 $865 $2,114
1993 $168.5 $384 $850 $2,209
1992 $207.4 $343 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $262.1 $417 $772 $2,070
1989 $256.4 - $762 -
1988 $253.2 - $762 -
1987 $254.1 - $746 -
1986 $246 - $677 -
1985 $243.9 - $593 -
1984 $214.2 - $650 -
1983 $232.7 - $725 -
1982 $215.3 - $710 -
1981 $212.7 - $729 -
1980 $203.7 - $711 -
1979 $192.4 - $664 -
1978 $178.3 - $578 -
1977 $170.4 - $590 -
1976 $152 - $589 -
1975 $144.3 - $551 -
1974 $147.9 - $494 -
1973 $134.9 - $410 -
1972 $119.8 - $335 -
1971 $112.7 - $296 -
1970 $109.4 - $281.3 -
1969 $102.3 - $276.6 -
1968 $99.5 - $301 -
1967 $96.1 - $281.5 -
1966 $93.2 - $273.6 -
1965 $88.9 - $270 -
1964 $83.8 - $244.3 -
1963 $79.2 - $188.2 -
1962 $77.8 - $189 -
1961 $76.7 - $188.2 -
1960 $75.3 - - -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$2,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
10.4%
2019
Population
139917664
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 19% 59.2%
2017 18% 55.3% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 17% 38.8%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 17.1% 30% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 19% 38%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 23.9% 22%
2003 27% 103.7% - 22.9%
2002 24.9% 107.4% - 59.5%
2001 22.4% 97.3% - 63.5%
2000 25.6% 93.6% - 55.5%
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 150/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Mauritania
2024 -1.99% -1.35%
2023 -2.6% -2.45%
2022 -4.16% -3.09%
2021 -2.77% 2.6%
2020 -2.76% 2.78%
2019 -2.53% 2.65%
2018 -3.03% 3.23%
2017 -3.24% 0.53%
2016 -2.3% 0.13%
2015 -1.95% -2.44%
2014 -2.58% -2.64%
2013 -1.93% -0.66%
2012 -1.17% 1.67%
2011 -1.61% 0.07%
2010 -1.32% -0.45%
2009 -0.93% -3.59%
2008 -2.88% -3.32%
2007 -3.57% -1.38%
2006 -3.79% 2.05%
2005 -4.12% -3.16%
2004 -2.65% -3.06%
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.57% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Mauritania
2024 21% 2.49%
2023 30.2% 4.95%
2022 33.9% 9.53%
2021 26.8% 3.57%
2020 20.4% 2.39%
2019 15.8% 2.3%
2018 13.8% 3.07%
2017 10.7% 2.25%
2016 6.63% 1.47%
2015 9.57% 3.25%
2014 6.89% 3.53%
2013 7.46% 4.13%
2012 23.6% 4.9%
2011 33.2% 5.69%
2010 8.15% 6.28%
2009 8.48% 2.22%
2008 44.4% 7.35%
2007 17.2% 7.25%
2006 12.3% 6.24%
2005 9.97% 12.1%
2004 3.33% 10.4%
2003 13.7% 5.15%
2002 0.68% 3.9%
2001 -8.24% 4.71%
2000 0.66% 3.25%
1999 7.94% 4.07%
1998 0.89% 8.03%
1997 2.4% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $80K
Machinery & equipment $60K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Metals $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Mauritania
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Mauritania
Economic freedom 48.1 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 136/197
Property rights 22.1 32.6
Government integrity 33.2 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 26.4
Tax burden 78.6 75.5
Government spending 96.4 80.2
Fiscal health 84.3 87.9
Business freedom 44.5 38.7
Labor freedom 37.8 53.6
Monetary freedom 53.7 77.8
Trade freedom 57.4 59.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Mauritania
2026 48.1 53.9
2025 48.1 54.9
2024 47.9 55.3
2023 48.3 55.3
2022 49.6 55.3
2021 51.7 56.1
2020 53.6 55.3
2019 53.6 55.7
2018 52.8 54
2017 52.7 54.4
2016 51.5 54.8
2015 51.5 53.3
2014 50 53.2
2013 49.4 52.3
2012 52 53
2011 50.5 52.1
2010 51.2 52
2009 53 53.9
2008 52.5 55.2
2007 53.6 53.6
2006 50.9 55.7
2005 51.1 59.4
2004 54.5 61.8
2003 48.8 59
2002 49.8 52.5
2001 48.9 48.5
2000 50.2 46
1999 46.7 42.8
1998 49.2 43.7
1997 48.1 47
1996 45.9 45.5
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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 (2021–2024, 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.