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Economy of Ethiopia vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $21.6B for Niger, ranking 66/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $9.82B (45.4% of GDP) in Niger.

Ethiopia vs Niger GDP by year

Ethiopia
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Niger
2025 $126,358,758,448 $21,646,191,388
2024 $149,740,297,952 $19,729,786,047
2023 $135,874,093,203 $16,949,765,464
2022 $123,140,304,665 $15,531,799,641
2021 $109,070,960,371 $14,936,154,253
2020 $98,676,811,062 $13,648,332,190
2019 $91,834,517,114 $12,420,836,507
2018 $83,337,901,072 $12,800,907,986
2017 $76,366,081,767 $11,359,273,443
2016 $68,475,871,210 $10,341,025,540
2015 $62,103,418,182 $9,683,867,926
2014 $55,612,228,234 $10,862,943,544
2013 $47,648,276,605 $10,224,897,438
2012 $43,310,721,414 $9,426,912,648
2011 $31,952,763,089 $8,772,950,778
2010 $29,933,790,334 $7,851,192,502
2009 $32,437,389,116 $7,352,131,310
2008 $27,066,912,635 $7,297,600,226
2007 $19,707,616,773 $5,731,485,052
2006 $15,280,861,835 $4,756,361,252
2005 $12,401,139,454 $4,383,315,965
2004 $10,131,187,261 $3,760,443,738
2003 $8,623,691,300 $3,394,084,732
2002 $7,850,809,498 $2,782,192,879
2001 $8,231,326,016 $2,448,714,704
2000 $8,242,349,618 $2,241,753,193
1999 $7,892,973,532 $2,537,789,821
1998 $8,013,274,132 $2,643,363,519
1997 $8,803,539,988 $2,290,318,910
1996 $8,761,215,548 $2,405,686,940
1995 $7,855,205,207 $2,302,537,562
1994 $7,100,806,754 $1,938,058,175
1993 $9,051,043,870 $3,052,673,849
1992 $10,754,799,037 $3,386,232,579
1991 $13,799,799,324 $3,285,796,875
1990 $12,478,943,895 $3,512,356,508
1989 $11,762,932,007 $2,179,567,114
1988 $11,181,119,718 $2,280,356,193
1987 $10,790,001,558 $2,233,006,105
1986 $10,094,328,898 $1,904,096,998
1985 $9,717,392,687 $1,440,581,652
1984 $8,298,309,581 $1,461,243,326
1983 $8,781,664,427 $1,803,099,561
1982 $7,899,988,841 $2,017,612,216
1981 $7,507,663,567 $2,170,893,414
1980 $7,012,585,454 $2,508,524,721
1979 $6,586,048,398 $2,109,277,666
1978 $6,014,961,435 $1,774,365,590
1977 $5,651,840,585 $1,291,458,041
1976 $4,943,806,093 $1,064,517,601
1975 $4,577,047,854 $1,048,690,933
1974 $4,577,209,966 $1,026,137,111
1973 $4,070,570,550 $946,385,105
1972 $3,520,252,938 $742,779,661
1971 $3,224,280,835 $693,573,704
1970 $3,045,354,455 $649,916,621
1969 $2,768,987,372 $625,867,985
1968 $2,619,948,865 $641,214,226
1967 $2,461,762,003 $665,586,872
1966 $2,324,466,416 $702,296,079
1965 $2,159,998,591 $673,383,511
1964 $1,984,129,186 $582,816,396
1963 $1,825,058,828 $586,294,879
1962 $1,747,566,307 $531,736,599
1961 $1,680,859,514 $485,785,231
1960 $1,610,511,694 $449,526,873

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Niger by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $775 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $730 $2,050
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $648 $1,875
2022 $982 $2,845 $614 $1,840
2021 $893 $2,588 $610 $1,586
2020 $830 $2,407 $575 $1,497
2019 $793 $2,242 $541 $1,419
2018 $740 $2,095 $577 $1,276
2017 $696 $2,005 $530 $1,208
2016 $642 $1,858 $500 $1,189
2015 $598 $1,633 $486 $1,172
2014 $550 $1,485 $565 $1,161
2013 $484 $1,253 $552 $1,138
2012 $452 $1,179 $529 $1,162
2011 $343 $1,098 $511 $1,064
2010 $331 $996 $474 $1,058
2009 $369 $899 $461 $999
2008 $316 $845 $475 $1,010
2007 $237.1 $770 $387 $955
2006 $189.3 $693 $333 $935
2005 $158.2 $625 $319 $888
2004 $133.2 $558 $283.5 $832
2003 $116.8 $493 $265.2 $837
2002 $109.6 $509 $225.3 $832
2001 $118.5 $509 $205.4 $809
2000 $122.3 $474 $194.8 $764
1999 $120.7 $450 $228.3 $783
1998 $126.5 $436 $246.1 $801
1997 $143.4 $461 $220.6 $745
1996 $147.3 $453 $239.5 $746
1995 $136.5 $409 $237 $757
1994 $127.7 $391 $206.2 $748
1993 $168.5 $384 $335 $742
1992 $207.4 $343 $384 $746
1991 $277.6 $383 $384 $738
1990 $262.1 $417 $424 $739
1989 $256.4 - $271.3 -
1988 $253.2 - $292.6 -
1987 $254.1 - $295.3 -
1986 $246 - $259.6 -
1985 $243.9 - $202.4 -
1984 $214.2 - $211.5 -
1983 $232.7 - $268.8 -
1982 $215.3 - $310 -
1981 $212.7 - $343 -
1980 $203.7 - $409 -
1979 $192.4 - $354 -
1978 $178.3 - $307 -
1977 $170.4 - $229.8 -
1976 $152 - $194.8 -
1975 $144.3 - $197.2 -
1974 $147.9 - $198.3 -
1973 $134.9 - $187.9 -
1972 $119.8 - $151.4 -
1971 $112.7 - $145.2 -
1970 $109.4 - $139.8 -
1969 $102.3 - $138.3 -
1968 $99.5 - $145.6 -
1967 $96.1 - $155.4 -
1966 $93.2 - $168.6 -
1965 $88.9 - $166.3 -
1964 $83.8 - $148.1 -
1963 $79.2 - $153.3 -
1962 $77.8 - $143.2 -
1961 $76.7 - $134.6 -
1960 $75.3 - $128.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $775 in Niger, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Niger
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$21.6B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
129/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
7.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$775
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
188/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$9.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
45.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$352
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
175/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$1,418
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
14.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
-4.45%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
0.4%
2022
Population
140722974
29294628

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 14.8% 45.4%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 13.4% 47.7%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 21.6% 50.7%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 22.4% 45%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 21.2% 37%
2017 18% 55.3% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 17.1% 30% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 16.1% 55%
2003 27% 103.7% 14% 60.6%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 14.4% 69%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 13.7% 74%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 15% 63.3%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 10.9% 63.5%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 12.5% 69.4%
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/niger | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Niger spent $3.2B, or 14.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 45.4% in Niger, ranking 122/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Niger
2025 -1.19% -3.28%
2024 -1.99% -4.27%
2023 -2.6% -5.37%
2022 -4.16% -6.77%
2021 -2.77% -6.1%
2020 -2.76% -4.82%
2019 -2.53% -3.56%
2018 -3.03% -3.01%
2017 -3.24% -4.12%
2016 -2.3% -4.46%
2015 -1.95% -6.75%
2014 -2.58% -6.12%
2013 -1.93% -1.93%
2012 -1.17% -0.83%
2011 -1.61% -2.19%
2010 -1.32% -0.99%
2009 -0.93% -3.93%
2008 -2.88% 1.11%
2007 -3.57% -0.75%
2006 -3.79% 31%
2005 -4.12% -1.53%
2004 -2.65% -2.76%
2003 -5.59% -2.17%
2002 -5.76% -2.21%
2001 -3.76% -2.59%
2000 -8.88% -2.83%
1999 -8.54% -4.27%
1998 -3.65% -2.23%
1997 -1.76% -2.39%
1996 -3.93% -0.36%
1995 -2.76% -3.19%
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/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $711M, or 3.28% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.22% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Niger
2025 13.2% -4.45%
2024 21% 9.07%
2023 30.2% 3.7%
2022 33.9% 4.23%
2021 26.8% 3.84%
2020 20.4% 2.9%
2019 15.8% -2.49%
2018 13.8% 2.97%
2017 10.7% 2.8%
2016 6.63% 1.65%
2015 9.57% -0.58%
2014 6.89% -0.93%
2013 7.46% 2.3%
2012 23.6% 0.46%
2011 33.2% 2.94%
2010 8.15% 0.8%
2009 8.48% 0.58%
2008 44.4% 11.3%
2007 17.2% 0.05%
2006 12.3% 0.04%
2005 9.97% 7.8%
2004 3.33% 0.26%
2003 13.7% -1.61%
2002 0.68% 2.63%
2001 -8.24% 4.01%
2000 0.66% 2.9%
1999 7.94% -2.3%
1998 0.89% 4.55%
1997 2.4% 2.93%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 2.15% in Niger. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and -4.45% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $426K
Raw agricultural goods $53K
Machinery & equipment $34K
Textiles & consumer goods $27K
Metals $11K
Wood & paper products $4K
Miscellaneous $3K
Niger
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.69M
Machinery & equipment $49K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Niger
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$1.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
123/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-6.09%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$2B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$1.52B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.03B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$248M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
18.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Niger
Economic freedom 48.1 51
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 156/197
Property rights 22.1 16.6
Government integrity 33.2 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 28
Tax burden 78.6 78.2
Government spending 96.4 91.4
Fiscal health 84.3 47.6
Business freedom 44.5 32.4
Labor freedom 37.8 54.7
Monetary freedom 53.7 67.9
Trade freedom 57.4 65.8
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Niger
2026 48.1 51
2025 48.1 51.5
2024 47.9 52.3
2023 48.3 53.7
2022 49.6 54.9
2021 51.7 57.3
2020 53.6 54.7
2019 53.6 51.6
2018 52.8 49.5
2017 52.7 50.8
2016 51.5 54.3
2015 51.5 54.6
2014 50 55.1
2013 49.4 53.9
2012 52 54.3
2011 50.5 54.3
2010 51.2 52.9
2009 53 53.8
2008 52.5 52.9
2007 53.6 53.2
2006 50.9 52.5
2005 51.1 54.1
2004 54.5 54.6
2003 48.8 54.2
2002 49.8 48.2
2001 48.9 48.9
2000 50.2 45.9
1999 46.7 48.6
1998 49.2 47.5
1997 48.1 46.6
1996 45.9 45.8
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Niger
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
31.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
47.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$20.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$2,150
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
-$337M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
1.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
22%
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/niger | 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 (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2024, 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.