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Economy of Ethiopia vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 60/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Ethiopia vs Qatar GDP by year

Ethiopia
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Qatar
2024 $149,740,297,953 $219,162,637,363
2023 $135,874,093,202 $217,308,516,484
2022 $123,140,304,666 $235,709,340,659
2021 $109,070,960,372 $179,732,142,857
2020 $98,676,811,061 $144,411,538,462
2019 $91,834,517,113 $176,371,428,571
2018 $83,337,901,072 $183,335,164,835
2017 $76,366,081,767 $161,099,175,824
2016 $68,475,871,210 $151,732,142,857
2015 $62,103,418,182 $161,739,835,165
2014 $55,612,228,234 $206,224,725,275
2013 $47,648,276,605 $198,727,747,253
2012 $43,310,721,414 $186,833,516,484
2011 $31,952,763,089 $167,775,274,725
2010 $29,933,790,334 $123,627,197,802
2009 $32,437,389,116 $97,798,351,648
2008 $27,066,912,635 $115,270,054,945
2007 $19,707,616,773 $79,712,087,912
2006 $15,280,861,835 $60,882,142,857
2005 $12,401,139,454 $44,530,494,505
2004 $10,131,187,261 $31,734,065,934
2003 $8,623,691,300 $23,533,791,209
2002 $7,850,809,498 $19,363,736,264
2001 $8,231,326,016 $17,538,461,538
2000 $8,242,349,618 $17,759,890,110
1999 $7,892,973,532 $12,393,131,868
1998 $8,013,274,132 $10,255,495,027
1997 $8,803,539,988 $11,297,802,115
1996 $8,761,215,548 $9,059,340,385
1995 $7,855,205,207 $8,137,911,978
1994 $7,100,806,754 $7,374,450,769
1993 $9,051,043,870 $7,156,593,654
1992 $10,754,799,037 $7,646,153,984
1991 $13,799,799,324 $6,883,516,484
1990 $12,478,943,895 $7,360,439,423
1989 $11,762,932,007 $6,487,912,088
1988 $11,181,119,718 $6,038,187,033
1987 $10,790,001,558 $5,446,428,681
1986 $10,094,328,898 $5,053,021,951
1985 $9,717,392,687 $6,153,296,456
1984 $8,298,309,581 $6,704,395,824
1983 $8,781,664,427 $6,467,582,308
1982 $7,899,988,841 $7,596,703,214
1981 $7,507,663,567 $8,661,263,764
1980 $7,012,585,454 $7,829,165,262
1979 $6,586,048,398 $5,632,962,997
1978 $6,014,961,435 $4,052,000,413
1977 $5,651,840,585 $3,617,564,638
1976 $4,943,806,093 $3,284,273,987
1975 $4,577,047,854 $2,512,773,166
1974 $4,577,209,966 $2,401,403,227
1973 $4,070,570,550 $793,885,560
1972 $3,520,252,938 $510,262,500
1971 $3,224,280,835 $387,703,106
1970 $3,045,354,455 $301,791,302
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Qatar by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $982 $2,845 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $893 $2,588 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $830 $2,407 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $793 $2,242 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $740 $2,095 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $696 $2,005 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $642 $1,858 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $598 $1,633 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $550 $1,485 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $484 $1,253 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $452 $1,179 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $343 $1,098 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $331 $996 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $369 $899 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $316 $845 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $237.1 $770 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $189.3 $693 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $158.2 $625 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $133.2 $558 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $116.8 $493 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $109.6 $509 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $118.5 $509 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $122.3 $474 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $120.7 $450 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $126.5 $436 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $143.4 $461 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $147.3 $453 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $136.5 $409 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $127.7 $391 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $168.5 $384 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $207.4 $343 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $277.6 $383 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $262.1 $417 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $256.4 - $15,243 -
1988 $253.2 - $14,682 -
1987 $254.1 - $13,719 -
1986 $246 - $13,213 -
1985 $243.9 - $16,815 -
1984 $214.2 - $19,272 -
1983 $232.7 - $19,616 -
1982 $215.3 - $24,385 -
1981 $212.7 - $29,505 -
1980 $203.7 - $28,375 -
1979 $192.4 - $21,777 -
1978 $178.3 - $16,757 -
1977 $170.4 - $16,058 -
1976 $152 - $15,710 -
1975 $144.3 - $13,014 -
1974 $147.9 - $13,540 -
1973 $134.9 - $4,905 -
1972 $119.8 - $3,483 -
1971 $112.7 - $2,952 -
1970 $109.4 - $2,594 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Qatar
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
0.13%
2022
Population
139917664
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 26% 41.2%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 18% 55.3% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 31% 32.1%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 32% 30.4%
2009 17.1% 30% 36.4% 36%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 29% 19.1%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 27% 103.7% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 20.4% 86% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 18.2% 129% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 20.3% 91.6% 50% 12.6%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 150/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Qatar
2024 -1.99% 0.69%
2023 -2.6% 5.56%
2022 -4.16% 10.4%
2021 -2.77% 0.24%
2020 -2.76% -2.13%
2019 -2.53% 1%
2018 -3.03% 2.26%
2017 -3.24% -6.82%
2016 -2.3% -9.2%
2015 -1.95% 18.4%
2014 -2.58% 13.4%
2013 -1.93% 19.3%
2012 -1.17% 8.55%
2011 -1.61% 5.24%
2010 -1.32% 4.6%
2009 -0.93% 14.1%
2008 -2.88% 9.49%
2007 -3.57% 10.3%
2006 -3.79% 8.39%
2005 -4.12% 9.8%
2004 -2.65% 17.7%
2003 -5.59% 6.71%
2002 -5.76% 7.89%
2001 -3.76% 4.48%
2000 -8.88% 4.62%
1999 -8.23% -4.35%
1998 -3.51% -7%
1997 -1.7% -9.4%
1996 -3.81% -8.73%
1995 -2.68% -5.78%
1994 -5.23% -11.8%
1993 -4% -9.53%
1992 -4.78% -2.74%
1991 -5.83% -2.57%
1990 -6.66% 3.23%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Qatar
2024 21% 1.27%
2023 30.2% 3.03%
2022 33.9% 5%
2021 26.8% 2.3%
2020 20.4% -2.54%
2019 15.8% -0.67%
2018 13.8% 0.26%
2017 10.7% 0.39%
2016 6.63% 2.68%
2015 9.57% 1.81%
2014 6.89% 3.35%
2013 7.46% 3.22%
2012 23.6% 2.32%
2011 33.2% 1.14%
2010 8.15% -2.43%
2009 8.48% -4.86%
2008 44.4% 15.1%
2007 17.2% 13.8%
2006 12.3% 11.8%
2005 9.97% 8.81%
2004 3.33% 6.8%
2003 13.7% 2.26%
2002 0.68% 0.24%
2001 -8.24% 1.47%
2000 0.66% 1.65%
1999 7.94% 2.18%
1998 0.89% 2.95%
1997 2.4% 4.83%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.09M
Animal & marine products $3.72M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53K
Machinery & equipment $43K
Chemicals & pharma $26K
Precious metals & jewellery $8K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Wood & paper products $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.25M
Wood & paper products $671K
Machinery & equipment $624K
Miscellaneous $506K
Chemicals & pharma $352K
Metals $210K
Weapons & explosives $49K
Precious metals & jewellery $25K
Raw agricultural goods $18K
Textiles & consumer goods $17K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Qatar
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Qatar
Economic freedom 48.1 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 37/197
Property rights 22.1 66.2
Government integrity 33.2 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 41.5
Tax burden 78.6 99.9
Government spending 96.4 79.9
Fiscal health 84.3 96.6
Business freedom 44.5 68
Labor freedom 37.8 58.5
Monetary freedom 53.7 76
Trade freedom 57.4 81.8
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Qatar
2026 48.1 70.2
2025 48.1 70.2
2024 47.9 68.8
2023 48.3 68.6
2022 49.6 67.7
2021 51.7 72
2020 53.6 72.3
2019 53.6 72.6
2018 52.8 72.6
2017 52.7 73.1
2016 51.5 70.7
2015 51.5 70.8
2014 50 71.2
2013 49.4 71.3
2012 52 71.3
2011 50.5 70.5
2010 51.2 69
2009 53 65.8
2008 52.5 62.2
2007 53.6 62.9
2006 50.9 62.4
2005 51.1 63.5
2004 54.5 66.5
2003 48.8 65.9
2002 49.8 61.9
2001 48.9 60
2000 50.2 62
1999 46.7 62
1998 49.2 -
1997 48.1 -
1996 45.9 -
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Qatar
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.56B
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
20.6%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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.