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Economy of Ethiopia vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 60/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Ethiopia vs Rwanda GDP by year

Ethiopia
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Rwanda
2024 $149,740,297,953 $14,251,642,235
2023 $135,874,093,202 $14,331,722,703
2022 $123,140,304,666 $13,316,161,002
2021 $109,070,960,372 $11,078,787,090
2020 $98,676,811,061 $10,174,386,857
2019 $91,834,517,113 $10,349,300,277
2018 $83,337,901,072 $9,637,904,521
2017 $76,366,081,767 $9,252,833,891
2016 $68,475,871,210 $8,695,272,058
2015 $62,103,418,182 $8,543,760,200
2014 $55,612,228,234 $8,238,966,124
2013 $47,648,276,605 $7,819,964,030
2012 $43,310,721,414 $7,654,761,050
2011 $31,952,763,089 $6,884,913,658
2010 $29,933,790,334 $6,124,756,654
2009 $32,437,389,116 $5,674,476,969
2008 $27,066,912,635 $5,179,854,065
2007 $19,707,616,773 $4,070,507,895
2006 $15,280,861,835 $3,319,784,539
2005 $12,401,139,454 $2,933,819,766
2004 $10,131,187,261 $2,376,496,067
2003 $8,623,691,300 $2,138,237,279
2002 $7,850,809,498 $1,966,003,468
2001 $8,231,326,016 $1,966,600,715
2000 $8,242,349,618 $2,068,836,754
1999 $7,892,973,532 $2,157,108,263
1998 $8,013,274,132 $1,989,343,546
1997 $8,803,539,988 $1,851,558,197
1996 $8,761,215,548 $1,382,334,879
1995 $7,855,205,207 $1,293,535,193
1994 $7,100,806,754 $753,636,370
1993 $9,051,043,870 $1,971,525,712
1992 $10,754,799,037 $2,029,026,962
1991 $13,799,799,324 $1,911,600,237
1990 $12,478,943,895 $2,550,185,679
1989 $11,762,932,007 $2,405,022,593
1988 $11,181,119,718 $2,395,492,687
1987 $10,790,001,558 $2,157,432,668
1986 $10,094,328,898 $1,944,710,684
1985 $9,717,392,687 $1,715,626,331
1984 $8,298,309,581 $1,587,413,084
1983 $8,781,664,427 $1,479,687,587
1982 $7,899,988,841 $1,407,243,139
1981 $7,507,663,567 $1,407,062,527
1980 $7,012,585,454 $1,254,765,642
1979 $6,586,048,398 $1,109,346,131
1978 $6,014,961,435 $905,709,076
1977 $5,651,840,585 $746,650,613
1976 $4,943,806,093 $637,753,853
1975 $4,577,047,854 $571,863,500
1974 $4,577,209,966 $308,458,423
1973 $4,070,570,550 $290,746,157
1972 $3,520,252,938 $246,457,838
1971 $3,224,280,835 $222,952,504
1970 $3,045,354,455 $219,900,006
1969 $2,768,987,372 $188,700,037
1968 $2,619,948,865 $172,200,018
1967 $2,461,762,003 $159,560,018
1966 $2,324,466,416 $124,525,703
1965 $2,159,998,591 $148,799,980
1964 $1,984,129,186 $129,999,994
1963 $1,825,058,828 $128,000,000
1962 $1,747,566,307 $125,000,008
1961 $1,680,859,514 $122,000,016
1960 $1,610,511,694 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Rwanda by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $982 $2,845 $975 $3,099
2021 $893 $2,588 $830 $2,733
2020 $830 $2,407 $779 $2,285
2019 $793 $2,242 $810 $2,336
2018 $740 $2,095 $772 $2,125
2017 $696 $2,005 $758 $1,968
2016 $642 $1,858 $730 $1,866
2015 $598 $1,633 $734 $1,781
2014 $550 $1,485 $725 $1,678
2013 $484 $1,253 $705 $1,512
2012 $452 $1,179 $707 $1,455
2011 $343 $1,098 $651 $1,413
2010 $331 $996 $594 $1,314
2009 $369 $899 $564 $1,241
2008 $316 $845 $528 $1,191
2007 $237.1 $770 $426 $1,079
2006 $189.3 $693 $357 $1,002
2005 $158.2 $625 $324 $914
2004 $133.2 $558 $269.5 $832
2003 $116.8 $493 $249 $775
2002 $109.6 $509 $234 $760
2001 $118.5 $509 $237.3 $670
2000 $122.3 $474 $251.9 $609
1999 $120.7 $450 $264.7 $554
1998 $126.5 $436 $246.2 $528
1997 $143.4 $461 $238.7 $500
1996 $147.3 $453 $206 $499
1995 $136.5 $409 $228 $514
1994 $127.7 $391 $111 $311
1993 $168.5 $384 $247 $521
1992 $207.4 $343 $264.1 $575
1991 $277.6 $383 $254 $542
1990 $262.1 $417 $346 $549
1989 $256.4 - $335 -
1988 $253.2 - $344 -
1987 $254.1 - $320 -
1986 $246 - $297.7 -
1985 $243.9 - $271.6 -
1984 $214.2 - $259.9 -
1983 $232.7 - $250.6 -
1982 $215.3 - $246.4 -
1981 $212.7 - $254.6 -
1980 $203.7 - $234.4 -
1979 $192.4 - $213.8 -
1978 $178.3 - $179.9 -
1977 $170.4 - $152.7 -
1976 $152 - $134.4 -
1975 $144.3 - $124.1 -
1974 $147.9 - $68.9 -
1973 $134.9 - $66.9 -
1972 $119.8 - $58.4 -
1971 $112.7 - $54.4 -
1970 $109.4 - $55.2 -
1969 $102.3 - $48.9 -
1968 $99.5 - $46 -
1967 $96.1 - $44 -
1966 $93.2 - $35.4 -
1965 $88.9 - $43.5 -
1964 $83.8 - $39 -
1963 $79.2 - $39.3 -
1962 $77.8 - $39.2 -
1961 $76.7 - $39.3 -
1960 $75.3 - $39.4 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
11.3%
2024
Population
139917664
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 27% 63.4%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 18% 55.3% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 17.1% 30% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 27% 103.7% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 20.5% 92%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 19.1% 84%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 18.2% 86%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 20.4% 86% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 17% 72.2%
1996 18.2% 129% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 18% 100.8%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 13.3% -
1993 13.4% 136.9% 20.3% -
1992 13.8% 85.4% 21.5% -
1991 16.8% 89.3% - -
1990 20.3% 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 150/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Rwanda
2024 -1.99% -6.57%
2023 -2.6% -5.04%
2022 -4.16% -5.74%
2021 -2.77% -7%
2020 -2.76% -9.54%
2019 -2.53% -5.08%
2018 -3.03% -2.57%
2017 -3.24% -2.52%
2016 -2.3% -2.27%
2015 -1.95% -2.68%
2014 -2.58% -3.92%
2013 -1.93% -1.27%
2012 -1.17% -2.38%
2011 -1.61% -0.86%
2010 -1.32% -0.64%
2009 -0.93% 0.26%
2008 -2.88% 0.83%
2007 -3.57% -1.56%
2006 -3.79% -0.03%
2005 -4.12% 1.12%
2004 -2.65% 2.27%
2003 -5.59% -1.23%
2002 -5.76% -2.03%
2001 -3.76% -1.8%
2000 -8.88% -0.22%
1999 -8.23% -4.41%
1998 -3.51% -2.59%
1997 -1.7% -2.22%
1996 -3.81% -5.01%
1995 -2.68% -2.04%
1994 -5.23% -9.54%
1993 -4% -6.6%
1992 -4.78% -7.21%
1991 -5.83% -
1990 -6.66% -
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Rwanda
2024 21% 1.77%
2023 30.2% 19.8%
2022 33.9% 17.7%
2021 26.8% -0.39%
2020 20.4% 9.85%
2019 15.8% 3.35%
2018 13.8% -0.31%
2017 10.7% 8.28%
2016 6.63% 7.17%
2015 9.57% 2.53%
2014 6.89% 2.35%
2013 7.46% 5.92%
2012 23.6% 10.3%
2011 33.2% 3.08%
2010 8.15% -0.25%
2009 8.48% 12.9%
2008 44.4% 15.4%
2007 17.2% 9.08%
2006 12.3% 8.88%
2005 9.97% 9.01%
2004 3.33% 12.3%
2003 13.7% 7.45%
2002 0.68% 1.99%
2001 -8.24% 3.34%
2000 0.66% 3.9%
1999 7.94% -2.41%
1998 0.89% 6.21%
1997 2.4% 12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $420K
Animal & marine products $36K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $26M
Raw materials & minerals $4.05M
Chemicals & pharma $361K
Machinery & equipment $161K
Textiles & consumer goods $32K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Rwanda
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Rwanda
Economic freedom 48.1 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 121/197
Property rights 22.1 60.3
Government integrity 33.2 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 27.5
Tax burden 78.6 80.6
Government spending 96.4 75.7
Fiscal health 84.3 37.5
Business freedom 44.5 60.1
Labor freedom 37.8 49.1
Monetary freedom 53.7 72.3
Trade freedom 57.4 61.8
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Rwanda
2026 48.1 56.5
2025 48.1 54.8
2024 47.9 51.6
2023 48.3 52.2
2022 49.6 57.1
2021 51.7 68.3
2020 53.6 70.9
2019 53.6 71.1
2018 52.8 69.1
2017 52.7 67.6
2016 51.5 63.1
2015 51.5 64.8
2014 50 64.7
2013 49.4 64.1
2012 52 64.9
2011 50.5 62.7
2010 51.2 59.1
2009 53 54.2
2008 52.5 54.2
2007 53.6 52.4
2006 50.9 52.8
2005 51.1 51.7
2004 54.5 53.3
2003 48.8 47.8
2002 49.8 50.4
2001 48.9 45.4
2000 50.2 42.3
1999 46.7 39.8
1998 49.2 39.1
1997 48.1 38.3
1996 45.9 -
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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.