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Economy of Ethiopia vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 66/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Ethiopia vs Samoa GDP by year

Ethiopia
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Samoa
2025 $126,358,758,448 $1,287,936,622
2024 $149,740,297,952 $1,175,749,786
2023 $135,874,093,203 $1,044,909,500
2022 $123,140,304,665 $889,554,712
2021 $109,070,960,371 $859,724,936
2020 $98,676,811,062 $868,884,903
2019 $91,834,517,114 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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
2025 $933 - $5,873 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. 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
$126B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$3,918
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
12%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
5.05%
2022
Population
140722974
221158

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
2025 12% 43.1% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 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% 53.2% 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 26.8% 97.8% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 31% -
1996 18.8% 132.8% 38.9% -
1995 17.4% 146.6% 42.2% -
1994 17.6% 155.2% 54.1% -
1993 13.8% 141% 49.5% -
1992 14.2% 87.9% 43.4% -
1991 17.3% 89.3% - -
1990 20.9% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 122/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Samoa
2025 -1.19% 4.68%
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 -8.54% 0.27%
1998 -3.65% 1.64%
1997 -1.76% 1.92%
1996 -3.93% 1.21%
1995 -2.76% -5.82%
1994 -5.39% -9.51%
1993 -4.12% -13.2%
1992 -4.92% -9.89%
1991 -6% -
1990 -6.86% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Samoa
2025 13.2% 2.21%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 2.21% 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
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$108M
2025
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
27.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
36.6%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.83M
2025
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
20.1%
2025
30%
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/samoa | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2023, 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.