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Economy of Ethiopia vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $407B for Pakistan, ranking 66/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $297B (72.8% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Ethiopia vs Pakistan GDP by year

Ethiopia
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Pakistan
2025 $126,358,758,448 $407,307,214,476
2024 $149,740,297,952 $371,747,087,751
2023 $135,874,093,203 $336,686,348,609
2022 $123,140,304,665 $374,890,295,667
2021 $109,070,960,371 $348,516,647,445
2020 $98,676,811,062 $300,425,609,818
2019 $91,834,517,114 $320,909,472,771
2018 $83,337,901,072 $356,128,166,705
2017 $76,366,081,767 $339,205,534,861
2016 $68,475,871,210 $313,630,000,130
2015 $62,103,418,182 $299,963,590,535
2014 $55,612,228,234 $271,390,474,858
2013 $47,648,276,605 $258,657,231,672
2012 $43,310,721,414 $250,106,966,105
2011 $31,952,763,089 $230,586,581,060
2010 $29,933,790,334 $196,709,621,850
2009 $32,437,389,116 $187,337,783,856
2008 $27,066,912,635 $202,203,748,584
2007 $19,707,616,773 $184,140,869,997
2006 $15,280,861,835 $161,871,385,506
2005 $12,401,139,454 $145,208,562,961
2004 $10,131,187,261 $132,216,048,339
2003 $8,623,691,300 $112,371,913,741
2002 $7,850,809,498 $97,923,302,809
2001 $8,231,326,016 $97,145,618,480
2000 $8,242,349,618 $99,484,802,345
1999 $7,892,973,532 $62,973,857,069
1998 $8,013,274,132 $62,191,955,814
1997 $8,803,539,988 $62,433,340,468
1996 $8,761,215,548 $63,320,170,084
1995 $7,855,205,207 $60,636,071,684
1994 $7,100,806,754 $52,293,470,813
1993 $9,051,043,870 $51,809,999,353
1992 $10,754,799,037 $48,884,671,947
1991 $13,799,799,324 $45,625,336,680
1990 $12,478,943,895 $40,010,423,970
1989 $11,762,932,007 $40,171,106,279
1988 $11,181,119,718 $38,472,742,808
1987 $10,790,001,558 $33,351,529,275
1986 $10,094,328,898 $31,899,070,056
1985 $9,717,392,687 $31,144,920,844
1984 $8,298,309,581 $31,151,825,467
1983 $8,781,664,427 $28,691,889,764
1982 $7,899,988,841 $30,725,971,564
1981 $7,507,663,567 $28,100,606,061
1980 $7,012,585,454 $23,654,444,444
1979 $6,586,048,398 $19,688,383,838
1978 $6,014,961,435 $17,811,515,152
1977 $5,651,840,585 $15,126,060,606
1976 $4,943,806,093 $13,168,080,808
1975 $4,577,047,854 $11,230,606,061
1974 $4,577,209,966 $8,899,191,919
1973 $4,070,570,550 $6,383,429,490
1972 $3,520,252,938 $9,415,016,360
1971 $3,224,280,835 $10,665,896,682
1970 $3,045,354,455 $10,027,509,450
1969 $2,768,987,372 $8,683,116,338
1968 $2,619,948,865 $8,041,999,160
1967 $2,461,762,003 $7,464,510,710
1966 $2,324,466,416 $6,561,108,778
1965 $2,159,998,591 $5,929,231,415
1964 $1,984,129,186 $5,204,955,901
1963 $1,825,058,828 $4,630,827,383
1962 $1,747,566,307 $4,310,163,797
1961 $1,680,859,514 $4,118,647,627
1960 $1,610,511,694 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Pakistan by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $1,596 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $982 $2,845 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $893 $2,588 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $830 $2,407 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $793 $2,242 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $740 $2,095 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $696 $2,005 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $642 $1,858 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $598 $1,633 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $484 $1,253 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $343 $1,098 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $331 $996 $987 $3,786
2009 $369 $899 $964 $3,777
2008 $316 $845 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $237.1 $770 $998 $3,672
2006 $189.3 $693 $901 $3,515
2005 $158.2 $625 $828 $3,293
2004 $133.2 $558 $772 $3,048
2003 $116.8 $493 $672 $2,822
2002 $109.6 $509 $600 $2,688
2001 $118.5 $509 $610 $2,644
2000 $122.3 $474 $642 $2,565
1999 $120.7 $450 $418 $2,475
1998 $126.5 $436 $424 $2,419
1997 $143.4 $461 $438 $2,398
1996 $147.3 $453 $457 $2,401
1995 $136.5 $409 $451 $2,315
1994 $127.7 $391 $400 $2,224
1993 $168.5 $384 $408 $2,160
1992 $207.4 $343 $396 $2,132
1991 $277.6 $383 $380 $1,992
1990 $262.1 $417 $344 $1,895
1989 $256.4 - $358 -
1988 $253.2 - $354 -
1987 $254.1 - $317 -
1986 $246 - $314 -
1985 $243.9 - $317 -
1984 $214.2 - $327 -
1983 $232.7 - $311 -
1982 $215.3 - $345 -
1981 $212.7 - $328 -
1980 $203.7 - $287.4 -
1979 $192.4 - $249.2 -
1978 $178.3 - $233.4 -
1977 $170.4 - $204.7 -
1976 $152 - $183.9 -
1975 $144.3 - $161.7 -
1974 $147.9 - $132 -
1973 $134.9 - $97.5 -
1972 $119.8 - $148.1 -
1971 $112.7 - $172.5 -
1970 $109.4 - $166.7 -
1969 $102.3 - $148.5 -
1968 $99.5 - $141.6 -
1967 $96.1 - $135.2 -
1966 $93.2 - $122.2 -
1965 $88.9 - $113.6 -
1964 $83.8 - $102.5 -
1963 $79.2 - $93.7 -
1962 $77.8 - $89.5 -
1961 $76.7 - $87.8 -
1960 $75.3 - $82 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $1,596 in Pakistan, ranking 164/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$407B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
41/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
3.7%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$1,596
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
164/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$297B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
72.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$1,162
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
138/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$1,775
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.3B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
27.7%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.4%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
21.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
3.55%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
11.5%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
6.96%
2025
Population
140722974
261421997

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 21.2% 72.8%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 19.4% 70.2%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 20% 77.3%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 18% 55.3% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 17.1% 30% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 18% 49.5%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 13% 47.9%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 27% 103.7% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 15% 52.5%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 14% 52.3%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 13.8% 141% 17% 57.9%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 23.9% 48.3%
1989 24% 84.7% 26.1% 46.6%
1988 21.6% 84.3% 27.9% 45%
1987 18.4% 82.3% 29.5% 44.4%
1986 19.8% 75.7% 27.6% 43.1%
1985 19.7% 67.7% 28.3% 37%
1984 18.8% 65.4% 25.4% 33.4%
1983 21.3% 55.2% 24.8% 33.6%
1982 16.4% 48.8% 24.5% 33.8%
1981 14.2% 30.6% 21.6% 29.7%
1980 13.5% 18.5% 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $86.4B, or 21.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 72.8% in Pakistan, ranking 122/185 and 53/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Pakistan
2025 -1.19% -5.37%
2024 -1.99% -6.79%
2023 -2.6% -7.76%
2022 -4.16% -7.84%
2021 -2.77% -6.04%
2020 -2.76% -7.03%
2019 -2.53% -7.79%
2018 -3.03% -5.67%
2017 -3.24% -5.17%
2016 -2.3% -3.92%
2015 -1.95% -4.74%
2014 -2.58% -4.37%
2013 -1.93% -7.48%
2012 -1.17% -7.74%
2011 -1.61% -6.23%
2010 -1.32% -5.42%
2009 -0.93% -4.53%
2008 -2.88% -5.94%
2007 -3.57% -4.23%
2006 -3.79% -2.79%
2005 -4.12% -2.29%
2004 -2.65% -1.29%
2003 -5.59% -0.12%
2002 -5.76% -2.64%
2001 -3.76% -2.45%
2000 -8.88% -3.21%
1999 -8.54% -3.07%
1998 -3.65% -4.46%
1997 -1.76% -3.87%
1996 -3.93% -4.33%
1995 -2.76% -3.9%
1994 -5.39% -3.63%
1993 -4.12% -5.53%
1992 -4.92% -11.3%
1991 -6% -10.8%
1990 -6.86% -11.9%
1989 -4.33% -7.01%
1988 -3.48% -9.35%
1987 -3.54% -11.7%
1986 -3.98% -9.79%
1985 -4.71% -10.6%
1984 -3.69% -8.9%
1983 -7.59% -7.55%
1982 -3.6% -8.24%
1981 -2.19% -5.83%
1980 -2.56% -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $21.9B, or 5.37% of GDP.

Over the past 46 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 46 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 46 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.62% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Pakistan
2025 13.2% 3.55%
2024 21% 12.6%
2023 30.2% 30.8%
2022 33.9% 19.9%
2021 26.8% 9.5%
2020 20.4% 9.74%
2019 15.8% 10.6%
2018 13.8% 5.08%
2017 10.7% 4.09%
2016 6.63% 3.77%
2015 9.57% 2.53%
2014 6.89% 7.19%
2013 7.46% 7.69%
2012 23.6% 9.68%
2011 33.2% 11.9%
2010 8.15% 12.9%
2009 8.48% 13.6%
2008 44.4% 20.3%
2007 17.2% 7.6%
2006 12.3% 7.92%
2005 9.97% 9.06%
2004 3.33% 7.44%
2003 13.7% 2.91%
2002 0.68% 3.29%
2001 -8.24% 3.15%
2000 0.66% 4.37%
1999 7.94% 4.14%
1998 0.89% 6.23%
1997 2.4% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 9.07% in Pakistan. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 3.55% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $35.8M
Textiles & consumer goods $549K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $124K
Animal & marine products $70K
Metals $10K
Chemicals & pharma $5K
Wood & paper products $3K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $669K
Animal & marine products $96K
Textiles & consumer goods $90K
Raw agricultural goods $23K
Chemicals & pharma $14K
Metals $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Pakistan
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$448M
2025
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
102/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-0.11%
2025
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$62.6B
2025
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$31.5B
2025
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$12B
2025
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$9.09B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
17.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
9.99%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Pakistan
Economic freedom 48.1 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 168/197
Property rights 22.1 25.7
Government integrity 33.2 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 27.6
Tax burden 78.6 78.2
Government spending 96.4 88.5
Fiscal health 84.3 10.1
Business freedom 44.5 54.4
Labor freedom 37.8 51.7
Monetary freedom 53.7 54.1
Trade freedom 57.4 70.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Pakistan
2026 48.1 48.9
2025 48.1 49.1
2024 47.9 49.5
2023 48.3 49.4
2022 49.6 48.8
2021 51.7 51.7
2020 53.6 54.8
2019 53.6 55
2018 52.8 54.4
2017 52.7 52.8
2016 51.5 55.9
2015 51.5 55.6
2014 50 55.2
2013 49.4 55.1
2012 52 54.7
2011 50.5 55.1
2010 51.2 55.2
2009 53 57
2008 52.5 55.6
2007 53.6 57.2
2006 50.9 57.9
2005 51.1 53.3
2004 54.5 54.9
2003 48.8 55
2002 49.8 55.8
2001 48.9 56
2000 50.2 56.4
1999 46.7 53
1998 49.2 53.2
1997 48.1 56
1996 45.9 58.4
1995 42.6 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
50.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
20.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
23%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$382B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$6,430
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$26.5B
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
62/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.58B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
14.3%
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/pakistan | 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 (1950–1993, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, 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.