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Economy of Ethiopia vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $176M for Nauru, ranking 66/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $25.8M (14.6% of GDP) in Nauru.

Ethiopia vs Nauru GDP by year

Ethiopia
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Nauru
2025 $126,358,758,448 $176,040,044
2024 $149,740,297,952 $167,833,415
2023 $135,874,093,203 $161,531,317
2022 $123,140,304,665 $180,671,357
2021 $109,070,960,371 $149,268,324
2020 $98,676,811,062 $124,685,688
2019 $91,834,517,114 $125,160,116
2018 $83,337,901,072 $130,995,566
2017 $76,366,081,767 $109,355,639
2016 $68,475,871,210 $97,541,943
2015 $62,103,418,182 $84,863,441
2014 $55,612,228,234 $99,149,244
2013 $47,648,276,605 $94,385,015
2012 $43,310,721,414 $101,055,723
2011 $31,952,763,089 $65,071,880
2010 $29,933,790,334 $47,562,845
2009 $32,437,389,116 $44,176,246
2008 $27,066,912,635 $37,602,265
2007 $19,707,616,773 $22,766,972
2006 $15,280,861,835 $29,200,359
2005 $12,401,139,454 $30,070,666
2004 $10,131,187,261 $30,587,566
2003 $8,623,691,300 $24,778,160
2002 $7,850,809,498 $21,017,424
2001 $8,231,326,016 $22,613,288
2000 $8,242,349,618 $26,930,980
1999 $7,892,973,532 $27,328,613
1998 $8,013,274,132 $29,664,451
1997 $8,803,539,988 $37,331,507
1996 $8,761,215,548 $37,458,801
1995 $7,855,205,207 $39,969,706
1994 $7,100,806,754 $39,742,511
1993 $9,051,043,870 $43,542,088
1992 $10,754,799,037 $51,133,123
1991 $13,799,799,324 $52,533,789
1990 $12,478,943,895 $55,572,376
1989 $11,762,932,007 $53,736,786
1988 $11,181,119,718 $45,931,134
1987 $10,790,001,558 $40,118,410
1986 $10,094,328,898 $39,939,391
1985 $9,717,392,687 $41,548,741
1984 $8,298,309,581 $47,363,231
1983 $8,781,664,427 $48,439,093
1982 $7,899,988,841 $52,877,742
1981 $7,507,663,567 $51,689,637
1980 $7,012,585,454 $46,947,124
1979 $6,586,048,398 $44,431,330
1978 $6,014,961,435 $41,754,147
1977 $5,651,840,585 $40,444,702
1976 $4,943,806,093 $40,287,427
1975 $4,577,047,854 $40,106,776
1974 $4,577,209,966 $35,994,511
1973 $4,070,570,550 $26,529,817
1972 $3,520,252,938 $21,734,269
1971 $3,224,280,835 $19,009,433
1970 $3,045,354,455 $17,570,366
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/nauru | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Nauru by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $14,640 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $14,048 $14,173
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $13,603 $13,732
2022 $982 $2,845 $15,310 $13,245
2021 $893 $2,588 $12,748 $12,112
2020 $830 $2,407 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $793 $2,242 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $740 $2,095 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $696 $2,005 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $642 $1,858 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $598 $1,633 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $550 $1,485 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $484 $1,253 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $452 $1,179 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $343 $1,098 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $331 $996 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $369 $899 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $316 $845 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $237.1 $770 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $189.3 $693 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $158.2 $625 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $133.2 $558 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $116.8 $493 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $109.6 $509 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $118.5 $509 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $122.3 $474 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $120.7 $450 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $126.5 $436 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $143.4 $461 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $147.3 $453 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $136.5 $409 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $127.7 $391 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $168.5 $384 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $207.4 $343 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $277.6 $383 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $262.1 $417 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $256.4 - $5,723 -
1988 $253.2 - $5,012 -
1987 $254.1 - $4,485 -
1986 $246 - $4,569 -
1985 $243.9 - $4,859 -
1984 $214.2 - $5,654 -
1983 $232.7 - $5,896 -
1982 $215.3 - $6,577 -
1981 $212.7 - $6,594 -
1980 $203.7 - $6,138 -
1979 $192.4 - $5,950 -
1978 $178.3 - $5,721 -
1977 $170.4 - $5,646 -
1976 $152 - $5,703 -
1975 $144.3 - $5,740 -
1974 $147.9 - $5,199 -
1973 $134.9 - $3,864 -
1972 $119.8 - $3,191 -
1971 $112.7 - $2,811 -
1970 $109.4 - $2,619 -
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/nauru | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $14,640 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Nauru
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$176M
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
195/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$14,640
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$25.8M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$2,145
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
118/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$9,187
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
128.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
6.1%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
5.06%
2021
Population
140722974
12139

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 128.7% 14.6%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 118.4% 16.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 111% 19.2%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 113.8% 18.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 109.5% 24.2%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 106% 59.6%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 18% 55.3% 102.3% 78%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 96% 86.3%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 85.4% 113%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 66% 166.9%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 46% 157.3%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 17.1% 30% 68% 295.6%
2008 18.8% 56.1% - -
2007 20.5% 55.7% - -
2006 22.1% 79.6% - -
2005 22.9% 78.2% - -
2004 23.1% 103.1% - -
2003 27% 103.7% - -
2002 24.9% 107.4% - -
2001 22.4% 97.3% - -
2000 25.6% 93.6% - -
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/nauru | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $227M, or 128.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 14.6% in Nauru, ranking 122/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Nauru
2025 -1.19% 3.51%
2024 -1.99% 28.9%
2023 -2.6% 18.2%
2022 -4.16% 20.5%
2021 -2.77% 52.4%
2020 -2.76% 42.8%
2019 -2.53% 31%
2018 -3.03% 29.6%
2017 -3.24% 16.2%
2016 -2.3% 18.9%
2015 -1.95% 10.7%
2014 -2.58% 29.6%
2013 -1.93% 1.71%
2012 -1.17% 8.12%
2011 -1.61% 2.73%
2010 -1.32% 0.09%
2009 -0.93% 0.37%
2008 -2.88% -
2007 -3.57% -
2006 -3.79% -
2005 -4.12% -
2004 -2.65% -
2003 -5.59% -
2002 -5.76% -
2001 -3.76% -
2000 -8.88% -
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/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $6.19M, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 2.24% of GDP, compared to surplus of 18.5% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Nauru
2025 13.2% 6.1%
2024 21% 9.3%
2023 30.2% 4.8%
2022 33.9% 1.1%
2021 26.8% 2%
2020 20.4% 0.9%
2019 15.8% 4.1%
2018 13.8% 1.1%
2017 10.7% 4.5%
2016 6.63% 8.1%
2015 9.57% 9.8%
2014 6.89% 0.3%
2013 7.46% -1.1%
2012 23.6% 0.3%
2011 33.2% -3.4%
2010 8.15% -2%
2009 8.48% 22.4%
2008 44.4% 1%
2007 17.2% 5.6%
2006 12.3% 19.3%
2005 9.97% 8.7%
2004 3.33% -
2003 13.7% -
2002 0.68% -
2001 -8.24% -
2000 0.66% -
1999 7.94% -
1998 0.89% -
1997 2.4% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 21 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.8%, compared with 4.9% in Nauru. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 6.1% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Nauru
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $314K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Nauru
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+5.8%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
103.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
61.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Nauru
Economic freedom 48.1 60
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 97/197
Property rights 22.1 n/a
Government integrity 33.2 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 n/a
Tax burden 78.6 n/a
Government spending 96.4 n/a
Fiscal health 84.3 n/a
Business freedom 44.5 n/a
Labor freedom 37.8 n/a
Monetary freedom 53.7 n/a
Trade freedom 57.4 n/a
Investment freedom 30 n/a
Financial freedom 20 n/a

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Nauru
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$249M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$20,200
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
n/a

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/nauru | 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 (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2023, 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.