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Economy of Ethiopia vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $429B for Romania, ranking 66/197 and 39/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $260B (60.6% of GDP) in Romania.

Ethiopia vs Romania GDP by year

Ethiopia
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Romania
2025 $126,358,758,448 $428,677,977,855
2024 $149,740,297,952 $382,564,217,989
2023 $135,874,093,203 $347,757,995,759
2022 $123,140,304,665 $295,317,862,856
2021 $109,070,960,371 $285,072,444,957
2020 $98,676,811,062 $250,624,575,872
2019 $91,834,517,114 $250,080,428,512
2018 $83,337,901,072 $241,791,427,224
2017 $76,366,081,767 $210,147,385,855
2016 $68,475,871,210 $185,290,759,249
2015 $62,103,418,182 $177,885,131,240
2014 $55,612,228,234 $199,722,319,676
2013 $47,648,276,605 $189,798,603,751
2012 $43,310,721,414 $179,117,323,107
2011 $31,952,763,089 $192,623,977,894
2010 $29,933,790,334 $170,064,350,672
2009 $32,437,389,116 $174,110,532,659
2008 $27,066,912,635 $214,315,932,061
2007 $19,707,616,773 $174,588,782,939
2006 $15,280,861,835 $122,023,735,993
2005 $12,401,139,454 $98,454,380,120
2004 $10,131,187,261 $74,973,656,852
2003 $8,623,691,300 $57,806,384,143
2002 $7,850,809,498 $46,065,502,703
2001 $8,231,326,016 $40,395,116,581
2000 $8,242,349,618 $37,253,739,511
1999 $7,892,973,532 $35,953,156,754
1998 $8,013,274,132 $41,696,091,974
1997 $8,803,539,988 $35,575,214,078
1996 $8,761,215,548 $36,937,074,278
1995 $7,855,205,207 $37,430,162,103
1994 $7,100,806,754 $30,072,805,104
1993 $9,051,043,870 $26,361,160,450
1992 $10,754,799,037 $25,121,666,667
1991 $13,799,799,324 $28,850,634,900
1990 $12,478,943,895 $38,247,882,300
1989 $11,762,932,007 $41,450,777,202
1988 $11,181,119,718 $40,424,528,302
1987 $10,790,001,558 $38,067,567,568
1986 $10,094,328,898 -
1985 $9,717,392,687 -
1984 $8,298,309,581 -
1983 $8,781,664,427 -
1982 $7,899,988,841 -
1981 $7,507,663,567 -
1980 $7,012,585,454 -
1979 $6,586,048,398 -
1978 $6,014,961,435 -
1977 $5,651,840,585 -
1976 $4,943,806,093 -
1975 $4,577,047,854 -
1974 $4,577,209,966 -
1973 $4,070,570,550 -
1972 $3,520,252,938 -
1971 $3,224,280,835 -
1970 $3,045,354,455 -
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Romania by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $22,538 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $982 $2,845 $15,503 $41,979
2021 $893 $2,588 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $830 $2,407 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $793 $2,242 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $740 $2,095 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $696 $2,005 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $642 $1,858 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $598 $1,633 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $550 $1,485 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $484 $1,253 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $452 $1,179 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $343 $1,098 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $331 $996 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $369 $899 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $316 $845 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $237.1 $770 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $189.3 $693 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $158.2 $625 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $133.2 $558 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $116.8 $493 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $109.6 $509 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $122.3 $474 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $120.7 $450 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $126.5 $436 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $143.4 $461 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $147.3 $453 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $136.5 $409 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $127.7 $391 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $168.5 $384 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $207.4 $343 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $262.1 $417 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $256.4 - $1,790 -
1988 $253.2 - $1,753 -
1987 $254.1 - $1,659 -
1986 $246 - - -
1985 $243.9 - - -
1984 $214.2 - - -
1983 $232.7 - - -
1982 $215.3 - - -
1981 $212.7 - - -
1980 $203.7 - - -
1979 $192.4 - - -
1978 $178.3 - - -
1977 $170.4 - - -
1976 $152 - - -
1975 $144.3 - - -
1974 $147.9 - - -
1973 $134.9 - - -
1972 $119.8 - - -
1971 $112.7 - - -
1970 $109.4 - - -
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/romania | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $22,538 in Romania, ranking 57/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Romania
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$429B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
39/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
0.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$22,538
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
57/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$260B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
60.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$13,650
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
48/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$13,510
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$70.9B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
40.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
7.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
6.1%
2025
Population
140722974
18912567

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 40.5% 60.6%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 40% 57.5%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 37% 52.6%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 37.5% 51.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 37.2% 51.8%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 38.3% 49.5%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 33.4% 36.8%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 31.9% 36.4%
2017 18% 55.3% 31% 37.1%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 35% 32.6%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 17.1% 30% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 35.3% 13%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 27% 103.7% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 35% 29.6%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 33.5% 15%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 33.5% 11%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 33.1% -
1993 13.8% 141% 33.5% -
1992 14.2% 87.9% 41.5% -
1991 17.3% 89.3% 38.3% -
1990 20.9% 91.6% 38.4% -
1989 24% 84.7% 40.1% -
1988 21.6% 84.3% 36.6% -
1987 18.4% 82.3% 40.7% -
1986 19.8% 75.7% 42.5% -
1985 19.7% 67.7% 41.6% -
1984 18.8% 65.4% 28.6% -
1983 21.3% 55.2% 25.8% -
1982 16.4% 48.8% 28.5% -
1981 14.2% 30.6% 30.4% -
1980 13.5% 18.5% 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Romania spent $173B, or 40.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 60.6% in Romania, ranking 122/185 and 76/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Romania
2025 -1.19% -7.64%
2024 -1.99% -8.68%
2023 -2.6% -5.66%
2022 -4.16% -5.85%
2021 -2.77% -6.74%
2020 -2.76% -9.6%
2019 -2.53% -4.58%
2018 -3.03% -2.76%
2017 -3.24% -2.86%
2016 -2.3% -2.5%
2015 -1.95% -1.35%
2014 -2.58% -1.76%
2013 -1.93% -2.44%
2012 -1.17% -2.39%
2011 -1.61% -4.14%
2010 -1.32% -6.22%
2009 -0.93% -6.86%
2008 -2.88% -4.6%
2007 -3.57% -3.05%
2006 -3.79% -1.36%
2005 -4.12% -0.69%
2004 -2.65% -3.39%
2003 -5.59% -2.29%
2002 -5.76% -2.59%
2001 -3.76% -3.2%
2000 -8.88% -3.99%
1999 -8.54% -3.58%
1998 -3.65% -5.33%
1997 -1.76% -5.19%
1996 -3.93% -4.74%
1995 -2.76% -3.32%
1994 -5.39% -2.2%
1993 -4.12% -0.35%
1992 -4.92% -4.55%
1991 -6% 3.23%
1990 -6.86% 1.03%
1989 -4.33% -2.87%
1988 -3.48% 8.4%
1987 -3.54% 2.37%
1986 -3.98% 5.72%
1985 -4.71% 6.36%
1984 -3.69% 15.2%
1983 -7.59% 9.35%
1982 -3.6% 0.36%
1981 -2.19% 0.61%
1980 -2.56% -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $32.8B, or 7.64% of GDP.

Over the past 39 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 39 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.19% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Romania
2025 13.2% 7.3%
2024 21% 5.6%
2023 30.2% 10.4%
2022 33.9% 13.8%
2021 26.8% 5%
2020 20.4% 2.6%
2019 15.8% 3.8%
2018 13.8% 4.6%
2017 10.7% 1.3%
2016 6.63% -1.6%
2015 9.57% -0.6%
2014 6.89% 1.1%
2013 7.46% 4%
2012 23.6% 3.3%
2011 33.2% 5.8%
2010 8.15% 6.1%
2009 8.48% 5.6%
2008 44.4% 7.8%
2007 17.2% 4.8%
2006 12.3% 6.6%
2005 9.97% 9%
2004 3.33% 11.9%
2003 13.7% 15.4%
2002 0.68% 22.5%
2001 -8.24% 34.5%
2000 0.66% 45.7%
1999 7.94% 45.8%
1998 0.89% 59.1%
1997 2.4% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 17.1% in Romania. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 7.3% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $1.39M
Animal & marine products $211K
Chemicals & pharma $115K
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Wood & paper products $5K
Metals $4K
Miscellaneous $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Romania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $19M
Miscellaneous $189K
Textiles & consumer goods $103K
Raw materials & minerals $89K
Chemicals & pharma $44K
Machinery & equipment $43K
Metals $16K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Romania
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$33.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
186/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-7.9%
2025
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$139B
2025
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$102B
2025
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$35.9B
2025
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$50.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
40.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
35.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Romania
Economic freedom 48.1 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 64/197
Property rights 22.1 81
Government integrity 33.2 50
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 67
Tax burden 78.6 89.1
Government spending 96.4 56.7
Fiscal health 84.3 21.4
Business freedom 44.5 74.4
Labor freedom 37.8 63.6
Monetary freedom 53.7 72.7
Trade freedom 57.4 79.4
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Romania
2026 48.1 65.4
2025 48.1 66.5
2024 47.9 64.4
2023 48.3 64.5
2022 49.6 67.1
2021 51.7 69.5
2020 53.6 69.7
2019 53.6 68.6
2018 52.8 69.4
2017 52.7 69.7
2016 51.5 65.6
2015 51.5 66.6
2014 50 65.5
2013 49.4 65.1
2012 52 64.4
2011 50.5 64.7
2010 51.2 64.2
2009 53 63.2
2008 52.5 61.7
2007 53.6 61.2
2006 50.9 58.2
2005 51.1 52.1
2004 54.5 50
2003 48.8 50.6
2002 49.8 48.7
2001 48.9 50
2000 50.2 52.1
1999 46.7 50.1
1998 49.2 54.4
1997 48.1 50.8
1996 45.9 46.2
1995 42.6 42.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Romania
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
61.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
25.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$384B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$49,550
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$90.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
31/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$8.57B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
25.9%
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/romania | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1962–1999, 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.