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Economy of Ethiopia vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $15.1B for Namibia, ranking 66/197 and 146/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $10.6B (70.2% of GDP) in Namibia.

Ethiopia vs Namibia GDP by year

Ethiopia
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Namibia
2025 $126,358,758,448 $15,080,340,654
2024 $149,740,297,952 $13,641,190,683
2023 $135,874,093,203 $12,522,012,874
2022 $123,140,304,665 $12,569,449,123
2021 $109,070,960,371 $12,402,486,184
2020 $98,676,811,062 $10,583,748,542
2019 $91,834,517,114 $12,541,928,303
2018 $83,337,901,072 $13,682,019,076
2017 $76,366,081,767 $12,895,153,371
2016 $68,475,871,210 $10,722,018,732
2015 $62,103,418,182 $11,335,161,084
2014 $55,612,228,234 $12,435,430,970
2013 $47,648,276,605 $12,043,307,277
2012 $43,310,721,414 $13,042,053,592
2011 $31,952,763,089 $12,523,359,441
2010 $29,933,790,334 $11,431,412,421
2009 $32,437,389,116 $8,938,847,189
2008 $27,066,912,635 $8,607,431,497
2007 $19,707,616,773 $8,839,536,476
2006 $15,280,861,835 $8,001,779,551
2005 $12,401,139,454 $7,248,374,838
2004 $10,131,187,261 $6,609,205,995
2003 $8,623,691,300 $4,926,439,384
2002 $7,850,809,498 $3,349,169,826
2001 $8,231,326,016 $3,557,341,215
2000 $8,242,349,618 $3,922,232,165
1999 $7,892,973,532 $3,868,551,730
1998 $8,013,274,132 $3,873,109,866
1997 $8,803,539,988 $4,154,989,950
1996 $8,761,215,548 $3,989,163,197
1995 $7,855,205,207 $3,978,514,206
1994 $7,100,806,754 $3,666,503,530
1993 $9,051,043,870 $3,251,188,833
1992 $10,754,799,037 $3,429,521,699
1991 $13,799,799,324 $2,996,869,281
1990 $12,478,943,895 $2,789,921,854
1989 $11,762,932,007 $2,535,135,798
1988 $11,181,119,718 $2,495,094,746
1987 $10,790,001,558 $2,300,068,217
1986 $10,094,328,898 $1,809,048,527
1985 $9,717,392,687 $1,608,237,350
1984 $8,298,309,581 $1,951,260,038
1983 $8,781,664,427 $2,297,400,688
1982 $7,899,988,841 $2,118,710,248
1981 $7,507,663,567 $2,249,908,578
1980 $7,012,585,454 $2,421,990,338
1979 $6,586,048,398 -
1978 $6,014,961,435 -
1977 $5,651,840,585 -
1976 $4,943,806,093 -
1975 $4,577,047,854 -
1974 $4,577,209,966 -
1973 $4,070,570,550 -
1972 $3,520,252,938 -
1971 $3,224,280,835 -
1970 $3,045,354,455 -
1969 $2,768,987,372 -
1968 $2,619,948,865 -
1967 $2,461,762,003 -
1966 $2,324,466,416 -
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Namibia by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $4,876 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $4,502 $11,687
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $4,226 $11,251
2022 $982 $2,845 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $893 $2,588 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $830 $2,407 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $793 $2,242 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $740 $2,095 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $696 $2,005 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $642 $1,858 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $598 $1,633 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $550 $1,485 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $484 $1,253 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $452 $1,179 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $343 $1,098 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $331 $996 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $369 $899 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $316 $845 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $237.1 $770 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $189.3 $693 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $158.2 $625 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $133.2 $558 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $116.8 $493 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $109.6 $509 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $122.3 $474 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $120.7 $450 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $126.5 $436 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $143.4 $461 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $147.3 $453 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $136.5 $409 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $127.7 $391 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $168.5 $384 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $207.4 $343 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $277.6 $383 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $262.1 $417 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $256.4 - $1,967 -
1988 $253.2 - $2,063 -
1987 $254.1 - $1,969 -
1986 $246 - $1,599 -
1985 $243.9 - $1,466 -
1984 $214.2 - $1,830 -
1983 $232.7 - $2,214 -
1982 $215.3 - $2,097 -
1981 $212.7 - $2,267 -
1980 $203.7 - $2,468 -
1979 $192.4 - - -
1978 $178.3 - - -
1977 $170.4 - - -
1976 $152 - - -
1975 $144.3 - - -
1974 $147.9 - - -
1973 $134.9 - - -
1972 $119.8 - - -
1971 $112.7 - - -
1970 $109.4 - - -
1969 $102.3 - - -
1968 $99.5 - - -
1967 $96.1 - - -
1966 $93.2 - - -
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/namibia | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $4,876 in Namibia, ranking 125/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Namibia
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$15.1B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
1.73%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$4,876
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
125/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$10.6B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
70.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$3,425
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
97/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$3,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
39.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
19.9%
2018
Population
140722974
3185686

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 39.4% 70.2%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 39.6% 69.8%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 37% 67.9%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 36.6% 70.1%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 18% 55.3% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 35% 24.6%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 17.1% 30% 32% 15.9%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 27% 103.7% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 29.6% 18%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 13.8% 141% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 33% 11.8%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 30.2% 12.9%
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 (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.94B, or 39.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 70.2% in Namibia, ranking 122/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Namibia
2025 -1.19% -6.46%
2024 -1.99% -3.84%
2023 -2.6% -3.14%
2022 -4.16% -6.33%
2021 -2.77% -8.68%
2020 -2.76% -8.07%
2019 -2.53% -5.49%
2018 -3.03% -5.09%
2017 -3.24% -4.99%
2016 -2.3% -9.3%
2015 -1.95% -8.3%
2014 -2.58% -6.44%
2013 -1.93% -4.69%
2012 -1.17% -3.1%
2011 -1.61% -7.09%
2010 -1.32% -4.98%
2009 -0.93% -0.4%
2008 -2.88% 3.48%
2007 -3.57% 6.01%
2006 -3.79% 3.41%
2005 -4.12% -0.31%
2004 -2.65% -2.67%
2003 -5.59% -4.47%
2002 -5.76% -1.38%
2001 -3.76% -2.01%
2000 -8.88% -0.79%
1999 -8.54% -1.88%
1998 -3.65% -2.76%
1997 -1.76% -2.38%
1996 -3.93% -3.7%
1995 -2.76% -1.74%
1994 -5.39% -0.57%
1993 -4.12% -2.73%
1992 -4.92% -2.55%
1991 -6% -1.59%
1990 -6.86% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $974M, or 6.46% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 32 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.53% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Namibia
2025 13.2% 3.5%
2024 21% 4.2%
2023 30.2% 5.9%
2022 33.9% 6.1%
2021 26.8% 3.6%
2020 20.4% 2.2%
2019 15.8% 3.7%
2018 13.8% 4.3%
2017 10.7% 6.1%
2016 6.63% 6.7%
2015 9.57% 3.4%
2014 6.89% 5.3%
2013 7.46% 5.6%
2012 23.6% 6.7%
2011 33.2% 5%
2010 8.15% 4.9%
2009 8.48% 9.5%
2008 44.4% 9.1%
2007 17.2% 6.5%
2006 12.3% 5%
2005 9.97% 2.3%
2004 3.33% 4.1%
2003 13.7% 7.2%
2002 0.68% 12.7%
2001 -8.24% 10.2%
2000 0.66% 10.2%
1999 7.94% 9.4%
1998 0.89% 6.6%
1997 2.4% 9.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 6.2% in Namibia. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 3.5% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $243K
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Raw agricultural goods $9K
Metals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Namibia
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$1.83B
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
138/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-13.4%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
63.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
44.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Namibia
Economic freedom 48.1 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 95/197
Property rights 22.1 63.1
Government integrity 33.2 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 67.2
Tax burden 78.6 66.4
Government spending 96.4 57.1
Fiscal health 84.3 60.5
Business freedom 44.5 58
Labor freedom 37.8 62.7
Monetary freedom 53.7 76.1
Trade freedom 57.4 69.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Namibia
2026 48.1 60.2
2025 48.1 58.7
2024 47.9 57.5
2023 48.3 57.7
2022 49.6 59.2
2021 51.7 62.6
2020 53.6 60.9
2019 53.6 58.7
2018 52.8 58.5
2017 52.7 62.5
2016 51.5 61.9
2015 51.5 59.6
2014 50 59.4
2013 49.4 60.3
2012 52 61.9
2011 50.5 62.7
2010 51.2 62.2
2009 53 62.4
2008 52.5 61.4
2007 53.6 63.5
2006 50.9 60.7
2005 51.1 61.4
2004 54.5 62.4
2003 48.8 67.3
2002 49.8 65.1
2001 48.9 64.8
2000 50.2 66.7
1999 46.7 66.1
1998 49.2 66.1
1997 48.1 61.6
1996 45.9 -
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Namibia
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
55%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
28.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
6.99%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$13.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$11,260
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$3.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
119/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.93B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$44.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
18.7%
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/namibia | 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 (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.