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Economy of Ethiopia vs Serbia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $90.1B for Serbia, ranking 60/197 and 76/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $40.1B (44.5% of GDP) in Serbia.

Ethiopia vs Serbia GDP by year

Ethiopia
Serbia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Serbia
2024 $149,740,297,953 $90,097,765,959
2023 $135,874,093,202 $81,343,999,280
2022 $123,140,304,666 $66,809,895,701
2021 $109,070,960,372 $66,159,884,073
2020 $98,676,811,061 $55,874,017,669
2019 $91,834,517,113 $53,864,693,665
2018 $83,337,901,072 $52,787,520,249
2017 $76,366,081,767 $45,972,834,714
2016 $68,475,871,210 $42,225,495,910
2015 $62,103,418,182 $41,297,410,635
2014 $55,612,228,234 $49,114,321,280
2013 $47,648,276,605 $50,455,529,604
2012 $43,310,721,414 $45,103,269,969
2011 $31,952,763,089 $51,251,098,408
2010 $29,933,790,334 $43,536,629,233
2009 $32,437,389,116 $46,955,984,410
2008 $27,066,912,635 $54,220,641,202
2007 $19,707,616,773 $44,888,028,946
2006 $15,280,861,835 $33,298,057,362
2005 $12,401,139,454 $28,334,256,181
2004 $10,131,187,261 $26,845,632,342
2003 $8,623,691,300 $23,593,044,418
2002 $7,850,809,498 $17,930,583,571
2001 $8,231,326,016 $13,599,378,662
2000 $8,242,349,618 $7,326,373,882
1999 $7,892,973,532 $20,878,694,851
1998 $8,013,274,132 $21,004,077,441
1997 $8,803,539,988 $27,153,408,995
1996 $8,761,215,548 $23,277,430,168
1995 $7,855,205,207 $17,921,892,655
1994 $7,100,806,754 -
1993 $9,051,043,870 -
1992 $10,754,799,037 -
1991 $13,799,799,324 -
1990 $12,478,943,895 -
1989 $11,762,932,007 -
1988 $11,181,119,718 -
1987 $10,790,001,558 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Serbia by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Serbia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Serbia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $13,679 $32,832
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $12,282 $29,777
2022 $982 $2,845 $10,025 $26,143
2021 $893 $2,588 $9,681 $23,406
2020 $830 $2,407 $8,099 $21,013
2019 $793 $2,242 $7,756 $20,587
2018 $740 $2,095 $7,560 $18,469
2017 $696 $2,005 $6,548 $17,285
2016 $642 $1,858 $5,982 $16,455
2015 $598 $1,633 $5,820 $15,546
2014 $550 $1,485 $6,887 $15,296
2013 $484 $1,253 $7,040 $15,247
2012 $452 $1,179 $6,263 $14,506
2011 $343 $1,098 $7,082 $14,298
2010 $331 $996 $5,971 $13,320
2009 $369 $899 $6,414 $13,038
2008 $316 $845 $7,377 $13,123
2007 $237.1 $770 $6,081 $11,685
2006 $189.3 $693 $4,493 $10,463
2005 $158.2 $625 $3,808 $9,398
2004 $133.2 $558 $3,597 $8,715
2003 $116.8 $493 $3,154 $8,023
2002 $109.6 $509 $2,391 $7,563
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,812 $6,803
2000 $122.3 $474 $975 $6,416
1999 $120.7 $450 $2,769 $5,897
1998 $126.5 $436 $2,775 $6,460
1997 $143.4 $461 $3,574 $6,040
1996 $147.3 $453 $3,054 $5,434
1995 $136.5 $409 $2,349 $5,022
1994 $127.7 $391 - -
1993 $168.5 $384 - -
1992 $207.4 $343 - -
1991 $277.6 $383 - -
1990 $262.1 $417 - -
1989 $256.4 - - -
1988 $253.2 - - -
1987 $254.1 - - -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $13,679 in Serbia, ranking 73/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Serbia ranks 69th at $32,832.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Serbia
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$90.1B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
3.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$13,679
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$32,832
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
69/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$40.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
44.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$6,084
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
73/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$12,252
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$4.06B
2011
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
24.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.4%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
42.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
4.67%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.75%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
7.24%
2024
Population
139917664
6494521

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Serbia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Serbia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 42.7% 44.5%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 40.6% 45.7%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 41.4% 50.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 44.4% 53.6%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 46% 54.3%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 40.2% 49.5%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 39% 51.1%
2017 18% 55.3% 38.5% 55.3%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 40.3% 65%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 41% 67.1%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 42.9% 63.5%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 40.6% 54.1%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 43.3% 51.7%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 40% 42%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 41.2% 38.2%
2009 17.1% 30% 41.1% 32.6%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 43.7% 29.4%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 40.6% 30%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 41.3% 37%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 38.9% 50.1%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 37.8% 57.6%
2003 27% 103.7% 37.6% 64.4%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 38.6% 68.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 30.5% 95.9%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 28% 200.6%
1999 25.8% 94.3% - -
1998 20.4% 86% - -
1997 17.3% 77.4% - -
1996 18.2% 129% - -
1995 16.9% 142.3% - -
1994 17.1% 150.7% - -
1993 13.4% 136.9% - -
1992 13.8% 85.4% - -
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/serbia | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Serbia spent $38.4B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 44.5% in Serbia, ranking 150/185 and 121/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Serbia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Serbia
2024 -1.99% -1.75%
2023 -2.6% -1.21%
2022 -4.16% -0.14%
2021 -2.77% -3.16%
2020 -2.76% -6.91%
2019 -2.53% -0.004%
2018 -3.03% 0.78%
2017 -3.24% 1.32%
2016 -2.3% -1.08%
2015 -1.95% -3.25%
2014 -2.58% -5.61%
2013 -1.93% -4.79%
2012 -1.17% -6.11%
2011 -1.61% -3.75%
2010 -1.32% -3.35%
2009 -0.93% -3.3%
2008 -2.88% -4.25%
2007 -3.57% -0.8%
2006 -3.79% -0.9%
2005 -4.12% 1.02%
2004 -2.65% 0.06%
2003 -5.59% -2.39%
2002 -5.76% -2.33%
2001 -3.76% 0.32%
2000 -8.88% -0.15%
1999 -8.23% -
1998 -3.51% -
1997 -1.7% -
1996 -3.81% -
1995 -2.68% -
1994 -5.23% -
1993 -4% -
1992 -4.78% -
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/serbia | 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 Serbia's deficit of $1.58B, or 1.75% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Serbia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.12% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.07% of GDP for Serbia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Serbia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Serbia
2024 21% 4.67%
2023 30.2% 12.4%
2022 33.9% 12%
2021 26.8% 4.09%
2020 20.4% 1.58%
2019 15.8% 1.85%
2018 13.8% 1.96%
2017 10.7% 3.13%
2016 6.63% 1.12%
2015 9.57% 1.39%
2014 6.89% 2.08%
2013 7.46% 7.69%
2012 23.6% 7.33%
2011 33.2% 11.1%
2010 8.15% 6.14%
2009 8.48% 8.12%
2008 44.4% 12.4%
2007 17.2% 6.39%
2006 12.3% 11.7%
2005 9.97% 16.1%
2004 3.33% 11%
2003 13.7% 9.88%
2002 0.68% 19.5%
2001 -8.24% 95%
2000 0.66% 71.1%
1999 7.94% 42.5%
1998 0.89% 30.2%
1997 2.4% 23.3%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 15.6% in Serbia. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 4.67% in Serbia.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $708K
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Wood & paper products $5K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Serbia
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $3.59M
Raw agricultural goods $99K
Machinery & equipment $69K
Chemicals & pharma $46K
Textiles & consumer goods $39K
Metals $5K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Serbia
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$4.1B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
162/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-4.56%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$39.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$32.2B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$12.6B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$15.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
58.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
53.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Serbia
Economic freedom 48.1 65
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 68/197
Property rights 22.1 57.2
Government integrity 33.2 37.2
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 50.1
Tax burden 78.6 88
Government spending 96.4 48.2
Fiscal health 84.3 94.3
Business freedom 44.5 73.6
Labor freedom 37.8 61.8
Monetary freedom 53.7 73
Trade freedom 57.4 76.6
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Serbia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Serbia
2026 48.1 65
2025 48.1 64.4
2024 47.9 62.7
2023 48.3 63.5
2022 49.6 65.2
2021 51.7 67.2
2020 53.6 66
2019 53.6 63.9
2018 52.8 62.5
2017 52.7 58.9
2016 51.5 62.1
2015 51.5 60
2014 50 59.4
2013 49.4 58.6
2012 52 58
2011 50.5 58
2010 51.2 56.9
2009 53 56.6
2008 52.5 -
2007 53.6 -
2006 50.9 -
2005 51.1 -
2004 54.5 -
2003 48.8 43.5
2002 49.8 46.6
2001 48.9 -
2000 50.2 -
1999 46.7 -
1998 49.2 -
1997 48.1 -
1996 45.9 -
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 65 for Serbia, ranking 68/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Serbia
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
58.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
23.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
3.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$76.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$30,770
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$30.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
55/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$4.93B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$5.59B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$661M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
12.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
19.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
25%
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/serbia | 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 (2020–2024, 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.