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Economy of Ethiopia vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $1.28T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 66/197 and 19/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $405B (31.7% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Ethiopia vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Ethiopia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
2025 $126,358,758,448 $1,276,942,933,333
2024 $149,740,297,952 $1,254,140,800,000
2023 $135,874,093,203 $1,218,584,800,000
2022 $123,140,304,665 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $109,070,960,371 $982,661,066,667
2020 $98,676,811,062 $767,951,200,000
2019 $91,834,517,114 $888,890,133,333
2018 $83,337,901,072 $886,564,800,000
2017 $76,366,081,767 $741,266,133,333
2016 $68,475,871,210 $689,279,466,667
2015 $62,103,418,182 $693,414,400,000
2014 $55,612,228,234 $787,153,066,667
2013 $47,648,276,605 $769,755,733,333
2012 $43,310,721,414 $751,921,333,333
2011 $31,952,763,089 $680,660,800,000
2010 $29,933,790,334 $528,207,466,667
2009 $32,437,389,116 $429,097,866,667
2008 $27,066,912,635 $519,796,800,000
2007 $19,707,616,773 $415,964,509,673
2006 $15,280,861,835 $376,900,133,511
2005 $12,401,139,454 $328,459,608,764
2004 $10,131,187,261 $258,742,133,333
2003 $8,623,691,300 $215,807,733,333
2002 $7,850,809,498 $189,605,866,667
2001 $8,231,326,016 $184,137,600,000
2000 $8,242,349,618 $189,514,933,333
1999 $7,892,973,532 $161,717,066,667
1998 $8,013,274,132 $146,775,466,667
1997 $8,803,539,988 $165,963,684,913
1996 $8,761,215,548 $158,662,483,311
1995 $7,855,205,207 $143,343,124,166
1994 $7,100,806,754 $135,174,899,866
1993 $9,051,043,870 $132,967,957,276
1992 $10,754,799,037 $137,087,850,467
1991 $13,799,799,324 $132,223,230,975
1990 $12,478,943,895 $117,630,173,565
1989 $11,762,932,007 $95,344,459,279
1988 $11,181,119,718 $88,256,074,766
1987 $10,790,001,558 $85,695,861,148
1986 $10,094,328,898 $86,961,922,765
1985 $9,717,392,687 $103,897,846,494
1984 $8,298,309,581 $119,624,858,116
1983 $8,781,664,427 $129,171,635,311
1982 $7,899,988,841 $153,240,313,858
1981 $7,507,663,567 $184,291,360,139
1980 $7,012,585,454 $164,539,660,725
1979 $6,586,048,398 $111,858,444,786
1978 $6,014,961,435 $80,266,516,687
1977 $5,651,840,585 $74,188,986,586
1976 $4,943,806,093 $64,005,665,722
1975 $4,577,047,854 $46,773,208,643
1974 $4,577,209,966 $45,412,957,746
1973 $4,070,570,550 $14,947,435,499
1972 $3,520,252,938 $9,664,267,087
1971 $3,224,280,835 $7,184,806,909
1970 $3,045,354,455 $5,377,333,333
1969 $2,768,987,372 $4,485,777,644
1968 $2,619,948,865 $4,187,777,711
1967 $2,461,762,003 $3,257,022,223
1966 $2,324,466,416 $2,920,555,557
1965 $2,159,998,591 $2,647,955,558
1964 $1,984,129,186 $2,371,808,713
1963 $1,825,058,828 $2,207,393,172
1962 $1,747,566,307 $2,130,606,532
1961 $1,680,859,514 $1,920,811,284
1960 $1,610,511,694 $1,748,124,064

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Saudi Arabia by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $34,537 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $35,528 $71,375
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $982 $2,845 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $893 $2,588 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $830 $2,407 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $793 $2,242 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $740 $2,095 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $696 $2,005 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $642 $1,858 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $598 $1,633 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $550 $1,485 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $484 $1,253 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $452 $1,179 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $343 $1,098 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $331 $996 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $369 $899 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $316 $845 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $237.1 $770 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $189.3 $693 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $158.2 $625 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $133.2 $558 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $116.8 $493 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $109.6 $509 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $118.5 $509 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $122.3 $474 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $120.7 $450 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $126.5 $436 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $143.4 $461 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $147.3 $453 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $136.5 $409 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $127.7 $391 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $168.5 $384 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $207.4 $343 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $277.6 $383 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $262.1 $417 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $256.4 - $9,414 -
1988 $253.2 - $9,165 -
1987 $254.1 - $9,386 -
1986 $246 - $10,078 -
1985 $243.9 - $12,745 -
1984 $214.2 - $15,541 -
1983 $232.7 - $17,810 -
1982 $215.3 - $22,454 -
1981 $212.7 - $28,703 -
1980 $203.7 - $27,206 -
1979 $192.4 - $19,612 -
1978 $178.3 - $14,914 -
1977 $170.4 - $14,595 -
1976 $152 - $13,313 -
1975 $144.3 - $10,266 -
1974 $147.9 - $10,503 -
1973 $134.9 - $3,640 -
1972 $119.8 - $2,474 -
1971 $112.7 - $1,929 -
1970 $109.4 - $1,509 -
1969 $102.3 - $1,313 -
1968 $99.5 - $1,276 -
1967 $96.1 - $1,032 -
1966 $93.2 - $961 -
1965 $88.9 - $904 -
1964 $83.8 - $840 -
1963 $79.2 - $812 -
1962 $77.8 - $813 -
1961 $76.7 - $760 -
1960 $75.3 - $718 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $34,537 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$1.28T
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
4.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$34,537
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
36/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$405B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
31.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$10,956
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
57/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$22,010
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.36T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
348,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
29%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
2.08%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
3.24%
2025
Population
140722974
37955120

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 29% 31.7%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 29.2% 25.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 28.3% 23%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 18% 55.3% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 33% 8.43%
2009 17.1% 30% 37.1% 14%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 27% 103.7% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 30.3% 103%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 13.8% 141% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $370B, or 29% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 31.7% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 122/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
2025 -1.19% -5.77%
2024 -1.99% -2.46%
2023 -2.6% -1.77%
2022 -4.16% 2.24%
2021 -2.77% -1.99%
2020 -2.76% -10.2%
2019 -2.53% -3.96%
2018 -3.03% -5.21%
2017 -3.24% -8.57%
2016 -2.3% -13.2%
2015 -1.95% -14.9%
2014 -2.58% -3.4%
2013 -1.93% 5.47%
2012 -1.17% 11.7%
2011 -1.61% 11.4%
2010 -1.32% 4.39%
2009 -0.93% -5.38%
2008 -2.88% 29.8%
2007 -3.57% 11.8%
2006 -3.79% 20.8%
2005 -4.12% 18%
2004 -2.65% 9.72%
2003 -5.59% 1.2%
2002 -5.76% -5.91%
2001 -3.76% -3.91%
2000 -8.88% 3.18%
1999 -8.54% -5.99%
1998 -3.65% -8.88%
1997 -1.76% -2.51%
1996 -3.93% -3.25%
1995 -2.76% -5.12%
1994 -5.39% -8.31%
1993 -4.12% -9.33%
1992 -4.92% -8.12%
1991 -6% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $73.7B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.34% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
2025 13.2% 2.08%
2024 21% 1.69%
2023 30.2% 2.33%
2022 33.9% 2.47%
2021 26.8% 3.06%
2020 20.4% 3.37%
2019 15.8% -1.19%
2018 13.8% 2.47%
2017 10.7% -0.83%
2016 6.63% 2.05%
2015 9.57% 1.22%
2014 6.89% 2.24%
2013 7.46% 3.51%
2012 23.6% 2.87%
2011 33.2% 5.83%
2010 8.15% 5.34%
2009 8.48% 5.06%
2008 44.4% 9.87%
2007 17.2% 4.17%
2006 12.3% 2.21%
2005 9.97% 0.48%
2004 3.33% 0.52%
2003 13.7% 0.61%
2002 0.68% 0.25%
2001 -8.24% -1.12%
2000 0.66% -1.12%
1999 7.94% -1.33%
1998 0.89% -0.37%
1997 2.4% 0.06%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 2.08% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $270M
Animal & marine products $27.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $519K
Chemicals & pharma $329K
Machinery & equipment $171K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $124K
Precious metals & jewellery $41K
Wood & paper products $37K
Raw materials & minerals $36K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $55.7M
Chemicals & pharma $23.6M
Machinery & equipment $12M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.89M
Wood & paper products $967K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $901K
Miscellaneous $844K
Metals $492K
Raw agricultural goods $301K
Animal & marine products $177K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$32.7B
2025
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
185/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-2.56%
2025
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$230B
2025
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$311B
2025
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$129B
2025
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$69.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
28.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
29.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 48.1 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 65/197
Property rights 22.1 51.4
Government integrity 33.2 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 38.2
Tax burden 78.6 99.2
Government spending 96.4 77
Fiscal health 84.3 97.9
Business freedom 44.5 71.2
Labor freedom 37.8 41.8
Monetary freedom 53.7 81.2
Trade freedom 57.4 73.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
2026 48.1 65.4
2025 48.1 64.4
2024 47.9 61.9
2023 48.3 58.3
2022 49.6 55.5
2021 51.7 66
2020 53.6 62.4
2019 53.6 60.7
2018 52.8 59.6
2017 52.7 64.4
2016 51.5 62.1
2015 51.5 62.1
2014 50 62.2
2013 49.4 60.6
2012 52 62.5
2011 50.5 66.2
2010 51.2 64.1
2009 53 64.3
2008 52.5 62.5
2007 53.6 60.9
2006 50.9 63
2005 51.1 63
2004 54.5 60.4
2003 48.8 63.2
2002 49.8 65.3
2001 48.9 62.2
2000 50.2 66.5
1999 46.7 65.5
1998 49.2 69.3
1997 48.1 68.7
1996 45.9 68.3
1995 42.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
48.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
43%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
2.59%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$1.33T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$74,400
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$505B
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
8/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$5.6B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$27.6B
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
20.1%
2025
31.6%
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/saudi-arabia | 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. TradeMap (2022–2025, 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.