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Economy of Ethiopia vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $19.7B for Nicaragua, ranking 60/197 and 131/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $7.71B (39.1% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Ethiopia vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Ethiopia
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Nicaragua
2024 $149,740,297,953 $19,693,982,968
2023 $135,874,093,202 $17,805,842,284
2022 $123,140,304,666 $15,634,572,502
2021 $109,070,960,372 $14,209,020,362
2020 $98,676,811,061 $12,726,422,432
2019 $91,834,517,113 $12,699,023,614
2018 $83,337,901,072 $13,025,221,974
2017 $76,366,081,767 $13,785,893,007
2016 $68,475,871,210 $13,286,093,388
2015 $62,103,418,182 $12,756,696,261
2014 $55,612,228,234 $11,880,438,824
2013 $47,648,276,605 $10,982,988,249
2012 $43,310,721,414 $10,532,017,232
2011 $31,952,763,089 $9,774,329,333
2010 $29,933,790,334 $8,758,602,233
2009 $32,437,389,116 $8,298,702,489
2008 $27,066,912,635 $8,496,967,597
2007 $19,707,616,773 $7,423,375,015
2006 $15,280,861,835 $6,763,672,381
2005 $12,401,139,454 $6,321,324,279
2004 $10,131,187,261 $5,792,932,838
2003 $8,623,691,300 $5,322,228,351
2002 $7,850,809,498 $5,223,727,303
2001 $8,231,326,016 $5,351,752,034
2000 $8,242,349,618 $5,109,587,050
1999 $7,892,973,532 $4,856,026,259
1998 $8,013,274,132 $4,635,347,386
1997 $8,803,539,988 $4,389,973,490
1996 $8,761,215,548 $4,308,351,903
1995 $7,855,205,207 $4,140,470,000
1994 $7,100,806,754 $3,863,185,119
1993 $9,051,043,870 $1,756,454,248
1992 $10,754,799,037 $1,792,800,000
1991 $13,799,799,324 $1,488,804,124
1990 $12,478,943,895 $1,009,455,484
1989 $11,762,932,007 $1,013,184,756
1988 $11,181,119,718 $2,630,900,096
1987 $10,790,001,558 $3,851,200,118
1986 $10,094,328,898 $2,885,799,994
1985 $9,717,392,687 $2,683,699,935
1984 $8,298,309,581 $3,117,599,872
1983 $8,781,664,427 $2,753,100,058
1982 $7,899,988,841 $2,454,499,872
1981 $7,507,663,567 $2,474,700,227
1980 $7,012,585,454 $2,144,300,006
1979 $6,586,048,398 $1,567,599,982
1978 $6,014,961,435 $2,127,699,979
1977 $5,651,840,585 $2,226,999,874
1976 $4,943,806,093 $1,836,899,999
1975 $4,577,047,854 $1,581,599,959
1974 $4,577,209,966 $1,521,400,012
1973 $4,070,570,550 $1,092,900,015
1972 $3,520,252,938 $878,570,045
1971 $3,224,280,835 $828,569,953
1970 $3,045,354,455 $778,569,939
1969 $2,768,987,372 $750,000,003
1968 $2,619,948,865 $692,859,985
1967 $2,461,762,003 $657,140,011
1966 $2,324,466,416 $607,140,010
1965 $2,159,998,591 $564,290,020
1964 $1,984,129,186 $347,119,918
1963 $1,825,058,828 $297,324,163
1962 $1,747,566,307 $269,283,804
1961 $1,680,859,514 $244,144,237
1960 $1,610,511,694 $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Nicaragua by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $982 $2,845 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $893 $2,588 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $830 $2,407 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $793 $2,242 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $740 $2,095 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $696 $2,005 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $642 $1,858 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $598 $1,633 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $484 $1,253 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $343 $1,098 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $331 $996 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $369 $899 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $316 $845 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $237.1 $770 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $189.3 $693 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $158.2 $625 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $133.2 $558 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $116.8 $493 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $109.6 $509 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $122.3 $474 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $120.7 $450 $980 $2,672
1998 $126.5 $436 $949 $2,497
1997 $143.4 $461 $913 $2,418
1996 $147.3 $453 $911 $2,325
1995 $136.5 $409 $892 $2,187
1994 $127.7 $391 $849 $2,064
1993 $168.5 $384 $394 $1,998
1992 $207.4 $343 $411 $2,003
1991 $277.6 $383 $350 $1,995
1990 $262.1 $417 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $256.4 - $249.2 -
1988 $253.2 - $662 -
1987 $254.1 - $992 -
1986 $246 - $761 -
1985 $243.9 - $724 -
1984 $214.2 - $861 -
1983 $232.7 - $780 -
1982 $215.3 - $714 -
1981 $212.7 - $740 -
1980 $203.7 - $659 -
1979 $192.4 - $495 -
1978 $178.3 - $691 -
1977 $170.4 - $744 -
1976 $152 - $633 -
1975 $144.3 - $561 -
1974 $147.9 - $557 -
1973 $134.9 - $413 -
1972 $119.8 - $341 -
1971 $112.7 - $331 -
1970 $109.4 - $321 -
1969 $102.3 - $319 -
1968 $99.5 - $304 -
1967 $96.1 - $297.9 -
1966 $93.2 - $284 -
1965 $88.9 - $272.3 -
1964 $83.8 - $172.7 -
1963 $79.2 - $152.5 -
1962 $77.8 - $142.3 -
1961 $76.7 - $132.9 -
1960 $75.3 - $127.5 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $2,848 in Nicaragua, ranking 141/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$19.7B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
3.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$2,848
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
141/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$7.71B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
39.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$1,115
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
138/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$2,318
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
5.2%
2018
Population
139917664
7124343

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 27.1% 39.1%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 26% 42.3%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 30% 48.4%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 18% 55.3% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 17.1% 30% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 21.9% 26%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 20.8% 84%
2003 27% 103.7% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 20.4% 86% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 18.2% 129% 18% -
1995 16.9% 142.3% 17.7% -
1994 17.1% 150.7% 18.4% -
1993 13.4% 136.9% 18.4% -
1992 13.8% 85.4% 18.4% -
1991 16.8% 89.3% 16.8% -
1990 20.3% 91.6% 28.2% -
1989 24% 84.7% - -
1988 21.6% 84.3% 24.8% -
1987 18.4% 82.3% - 266.6%
1986 19.8% 75.7% 26.1% 159.2%
1985 19.7% 67.7% 29.9% 218%
1984 18.8% 65.4% 31.9% 198%
1983 21.3% 55.2% 33.8% 211.6%
1982 16.4% 48.8% 49.4% 159.1%
1981 14.2% 30.6% 39.3% 149.1%
1980 13.5% 18.5% 30.4% 152.1%
1979 - - 20.7% 116.3%
1978 - - 17.7% 76.9%
1977 - - 19.9% 62.7%
1976 - - 16.2% 59.5%
1975 - - 17.5% 57.8%
1974 - - 15.3% 40%
1973 - - 12.8% 32.9%
1972 - - 15.1% 30.2%
1971 - - 15.1% 31.6%
1970 - - 13.2% 35.4%
1969 - - 11.1% -
1968 - - 10.9% -
1967 - - 12.7% -
1966 - - 12.2% -
1965 - - 10.9% -
1964 - - 10.2% -
1963 - - 10.5% -
1962 - - 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.34B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 39.1% in Nicaragua, ranking 150/185 and 136/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Nicaragua
2024 -1.99% 2.48%
2023 -2.6% 2.31%
2022 -4.16% 0.65%
2021 -2.77% -1.26%
2020 -2.76% -2.57%
2019 -2.53% -1.12%
2018 -3.03% -4.35%
2017 -3.24% -1.75%
2016 -2.3% -1.92%
2015 -1.95% -1.64%
2014 -2.58% -0.89%
2013 -1.93% -0.3%
2012 -1.17% 0.22%
2011 -1.61% 0.59%
2010 -1.32% 0.69%
2009 -0.93% -0.9%
2008 -2.88% 0.27%
2007 -3.57% 1.88%
2006 -3.79% 1.36%
2005 -4.12% 1.72%
2004 -2.65% 1.69%
2003 -5.59% 1.3%
2002 -5.76% 2.07%
2001 -3.76% 0.34%
2000 -8.88% 2.15%
1999 -8.23% -6.86%
1998 -3.51% -2.88%
1997 -1.7% -3.31%
1996 -3.81% -5%
1995 -2.68% -4.62%
1994 -5.23% -5.79%
1993 -4% -4.66%
1992 -4.78% -3.8%
1991 -5.83% -3.45%
1990 -6.66% -15.2%
1989 -4.33% -
1988 -3.48% -22.4%
1987 -3.54% -
1986 -3.98% -7.33%
1985 -4.71% -11.3%
1984 -3.69% -11.8%
1983 -7.59% -15.6%
1982 -3.6% -20.2%
1981 -2.19% -10.6%
1980 -2.56% -6.53%
1979 - -5.89%
1978 - -4.44%
1977 - -5.91%
1976 - -2.2%
1975 - -3.53%
1974 - -1.41%
1973 - 1.21%
1972 - -2.61%
1971 - -2.33%
1970 - -2.69%
1969 - -1.57%
1968 - -1.21%
1967 - -2.11%
1966 - -1.04%
1965 - 0.3%
1964 - 0.2%
1963 - 0.75%
1962 - -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $489M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.68% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Nicaragua
2024 21% 4.6%
2023 30.2% 8.4%
2022 33.9% 10.5%
2021 26.8% 4.9%
2020 20.4% 3.7%
2019 15.8% 5.4%
2018 13.8% 4.9%
2017 10.7% 3.9%
2016 6.63% 3.5%
2015 9.57% 4%
2014 6.89% 6%
2013 7.46% 7.1%
2012 23.6% 7.2%
2011 33.2% 8.1%
2010 8.15% 5.5%
2009 8.48% 3.7%
2008 44.4% 19.8%
2007 17.2% 11.1%
2006 12.3% 9.1%
2005 9.97% 9.6%
2004 3.33% 8.5%
2003 13.7% 5.3%
2002 0.68% 3.8%
2001 -8.24% 7.4%
2000 0.66% 11.5%
1999 7.94% 11.2%
1998 0.89% 13%
1997 2.4% 9.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 7.53% in Nicaragua. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 4.6% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $199K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $4K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Nicaragua
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
55/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
40.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Nicaragua
Economic freedom 48.1 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 139/197
Property rights 22.1 23.8
Government integrity 33.2 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 8.8
Tax burden 78.6 74.5
Government spending 96.4 77.7
Fiscal health 84.3 96.9
Business freedom 44.5 54.4
Labor freedom 37.8 47.3
Monetary freedom 53.7 69.4
Trade freedom 57.4 67
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Nicaragua
2026 48.1 53.6
2025 48.1 54
2024 47.9 53.4
2023 48.3 54.9
2022 49.6 54.8
2021 51.7 56.3
2020 53.6 57.2
2019 53.6 57.7
2018 52.8 58.9
2017 52.7 59.2
2016 51.5 58.6
2015 51.5 57.6
2014 50 58.4
2013 49.4 56.6
2012 52 57.9
2011 50.5 58.8
2010 51.2 58.3
2009 53 59.8
2008 52.5 60.8
2007 53.6 62.7
2006 50.9 63.8
2005 51.1 62.5
2004 54.5 61.4
2003 48.8 62.6
2002 49.8 61.1
2001 48.9 58
2000 50.2 56.9
1999 46.7 54
1998 49.2 53.8
1997 48.1 53.3
1996 45.9 54.1
1995 42.6 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
46.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
27.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
14.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$8,270
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$6.1B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
91/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
24.7%
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/nicaragua | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.