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Economy of Ethiopia vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 60/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Ethiopia vs Samoa GDP by year

Ethiopia
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Samoa
2024 $149,740,297,953 $1,175,749,786
2023 $135,874,093,202 $1,044,909,500
2022 $123,140,304,666 $889,554,712
2021 $109,070,960,372 $859,724,936
2020 $98,676,811,061 $868,884,903
2019 $91,834,517,113 $912,950,466
2018 $83,337,901,072 $878,448,433
2017 $76,366,081,767 $884,844,384
2016 $68,475,871,210 $843,924,797
2015 $62,103,418,182 $824,150,499
2014 $55,612,228,234 $796,683,520
2013 $47,648,276,605 $797,736,334
2012 $43,310,721,414 $773,141,661
2011 $31,952,763,089 $744,097,050
2010 $29,933,790,334 $680,260,907
2009 $32,437,389,116 $628,006,115
2008 $27,066,912,635 $641,346,192
2007 $19,707,616,773 $573,548,460
2006 $15,280,861,835 $499,923,758
2005 $12,401,139,454 $476,801,793
2004 $10,131,187,261 $407,747,565
2003 $8,623,691,300 $333,426,188
2002 $7,850,809,498 $281,790,134
2001 $8,231,326,016 $266,299,591
2000 $8,242,349,618 $258,856,140
1999 $7,892,973,532 $255,408,060
1998 $8,013,274,132 $269,485,244
1997 $8,803,539,988 $285,475,592
1996 $8,761,215,548 $249,907,869
1995 $7,855,205,207 $224,865,731
1994 $7,100,806,754 $221,098,107
1993 $9,051,043,870 $133,122,897
1992 $10,754,799,037 $132,303,041
1991 $13,799,799,324 $125,597,205
1990 $12,478,943,895 $125,766,270
1989 $11,762,932,007 $122,888,610
1988 $11,181,119,718 $133,016,065
1987 $10,790,001,558 $111,713,922
1986 $10,094,328,898 $100,947,849
1985 $9,717,392,687 $95,572,173
1984 $8,298,309,581 $109,200,934
1983 $8,781,664,427 $111,862,824
1982 $7,899,988,841 $121,221,652
1981 $7,507,663,567 $118,190,655
1980 $7,012,585,454 $125,747,038
1979 $6,586,048,398 $122,257,393
1978 $6,014,961,435 $108,223,444
1977 $5,651,840,585 $98,295,671
1976 $4,943,806,093 $85,003,078
1975 $4,577,047,854 $93,489,283
1974 $4,577,209,966 $93,549,611
1973 $4,070,570,550 $82,452,985
1972 $3,520,252,938 $62,566,116
1971 $3,224,280,835 $53,719,569
1970 $3,045,354,455 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Samoa by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $982 $2,845 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $893 $2,588 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $830 $2,407 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $793 $2,242 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $740 $2,095 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $696 $2,005 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $642 $1,858 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $598 $1,633 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $550 $1,485 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $484 $1,253 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $452 $1,179 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $343 $1,098 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $331 $996 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $369 $899 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $316 $845 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $237.1 $770 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $189.3 $693 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $158.2 $625 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $133.2 $558 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $116.8 $493 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $109.6 $509 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $122.3 $474 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $120.7 $450 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $126.5 $436 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $143.4 $461 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $147.3 $453 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $136.5 $409 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $127.7 $391 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $168.5 $384 $775 $2,323
1992 $207.4 $343 $777 $2,198
1991 $277.6 $383 $742 $2,166
1990 $262.1 $417 $744 $2,148
1989 $256.4 - $728 -
1988 $253.2 - $790 -
1987 $254.1 - $666 -
1986 $246 - $604 -
1985 $243.9 - $573 -
1984 $214.2 - $655 -
1983 $232.7 - $671 -
1982 $215.3 - $728 -
1981 $212.7 - $713 -
1980 $203.7 - $765 -
1979 $192.4 - $751 -
1978 $178.3 - $671 -
1977 $170.4 - $615 -
1976 $152 - $541 -
1975 $144.3 - $610 -
1974 $147.9 - $626 -
1973 $134.9 - $563 -
1972 $119.8 - $433 -
1971 $112.7 - $377 -
1970 $109.4 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Samoa
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$3,750
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
5.05%
2022
Population
139917664
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 31.1% 41%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 30% 49.4%
2017 18% 55.3% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 27.3% 49%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 17.1% 30% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 27% 103.7% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 30% 53.8%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 20.4% 86% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 31% -
1996 18.2% 129% 38.9% -
1995 16.9% 142.3% 42.2% -
1994 17.1% 150.7% 54.1% -
1993 13.4% 136.9% 49.5% -
1992 13.8% 85.4% 43.4% -
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/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 150/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Samoa
2024 -1.99% 9.29%
2023 -2.6% 2.7%
2022 -4.16% 5.03%
2021 -2.77% 1.71%
2020 -2.76% 5.41%
2019 -2.53% 1.51%
2018 -3.03% 0.06%
2017 -3.24% -1.98%
2016 -2.3% -0.35%
2015 -1.95% -3.79%
2014 -2.58% -5.38%
2013 -1.93% -3.82%
2012 -1.17% -7.43%
2011 -1.61% -5.25%
2010 -1.32% -5.49%
2009 -0.93% -2.98%
2008 -2.88% -0.36%
2007 -3.57% 0.55%
2006 -3.79% -0.44%
2005 -4.12% 0.23%
2004 -2.65% -0.74%
2003 -5.59% -0.51%
2002 -5.76% -1.77%
2001 -3.76% -1.96%
2000 -8.88% -0.62%
1999 -8.23% 0.27%
1998 -3.51% 1.64%
1997 -1.7% 1.92%
1996 -3.81% 1.21%
1995 -2.68% -5.82%
1994 -5.23% -9.51%
1993 -4% -13.2%
1992 -4.78% -9.89%
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/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Samoa
2024 21% 2.17%
2023 30.2% 7.92%
2022 33.9% 11%
2021 26.8% 3.13%
2020 20.4% -1.57%
2019 15.8% 0.98%
2018 13.8% 4.2%
2017 10.7% 1.75%
2016 6.63% 1.3%
2015 9.57% 0.72%
2014 6.89% -0.41%
2013 7.46% 0.61%
2012 23.6% 2.05%
2011 33.2% 5.24%
2010 8.15% 0.78%
2009 8.48% 6.32%
2008 44.4% 11.6%
2007 17.2% 5.58%
2006 12.3% 3.7%
2005 9.97% 1.86%
2004 3.33% 16.3%
2003 13.7% 0.12%
2002 0.68% 8.05%
2001 -8.24% 3.84%
2000 0.66% 0.97%
1999 7.94% 0.27%
1998 0.89% 2.22%
1997 2.4% 6.86%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 2.17% in Samoa.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Samoa
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Samoa
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$128M
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Samoa
Economic freedom 48.1 68
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 52/197
Property rights 22.1 77.1
Government integrity 33.2 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 77.6
Tax burden 78.6 79.3
Government spending 96.4 75.2
Fiscal health 84.3 98.7
Business freedom 44.5 63.7
Labor freedom 37.8 73.7
Monetary freedom 53.7 69.4
Trade freedom 57.4 67.2
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Samoa
2026 48.1 68
2025 48.1 66.6
2024 47.9 67.2
2023 48.3 68.3
2022 49.6 68.3
2021 51.7 61.9
2020 53.6 62.1
2019 53.6 62.2
2018 52.8 61.5
2017 52.7 58.4
2016 51.5 63.5
2015 51.5 61.9
2014 50 61.1
2013 49.4 57.1
2012 52 60.5
2011 50.5 60.6
2010 51.2 60.4
2009 53 59.5
2008 52.5 -
2007 53.6 -
2006 50.9 -
2005 51.1 -
2004 54.5 -
2003 48.8 -
2002 49.8 -
2001 48.9 63.1
2000 50.2 60.8
1999 46.7 58.7
1998 49.2 49.9
1997 48.1 51.5
1996 45.9 47.6
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Samoa
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
29%
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/samoa | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.