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Economy of Ethiopia vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 60/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Ethiopia vs Singapore GDP by year

Ethiopia
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Singapore
2024 $149,740,297,953 $547,386,645,892
2023 $135,874,093,202 $505,439,514,078
2022 $123,140,304,666 $509,017,841,147
2021 $109,070,960,372 $436,591,382,250
2020 $98,676,811,061 $349,165,858,545
2019 $91,834,517,113 $376,161,998,830
2018 $83,337,901,072 $377,123,710,561
2017 $76,366,081,767 $343,673,334,902
2016 $68,475,871,210 $319,646,468,521
2015 $62,103,418,182 $307,998,545,269
2014 $55,612,228,234 $314,863,580,758
2013 $47,648,276,605 $307,576,360,585
2012 $43,310,721,414 $295,092,888,077
2011 $31,952,763,089 $279,356,499,090
2010 $29,933,790,334 $239,807,980,591
2009 $32,437,389,116 $194,150,283,772
2008 $27,066,912,635 $193,617,323,539
2007 $19,707,616,773 $180,941,701,358
2006 $15,280,861,835 $148,627,286,361
2005 $12,401,139,454 $127,807,848,728
2004 $10,131,187,261 $115,033,593,101
2003 $8,623,691,300 $97,646,401,096
2002 $7,850,809,498 $92,538,372,870
2001 $8,231,326,016 $89,793,790,670
2000 $8,242,349,618 $96,076,539,926
1999 $7,892,973,532 $86,286,849,755
1998 $8,013,274,132 $85,728,207,782
1997 $8,803,539,988 $100,123,787,215
1996 $8,761,215,548 $96,293,086,513
1995 $7,855,205,207 $87,812,540,788
1994 $7,100,806,754 $73,688,724,431
1993 $9,051,043,870 $60,603,815,716
1992 $10,754,799,037 $52,131,320,033
1991 $13,799,799,324 $45,466,164,978
1990 $12,478,943,895 $36,144,336,769
1989 $11,762,932,007 $30,465,364,739
1988 $11,181,119,718 $25,371,462,488
1987 $10,790,001,558 $20,919,215,578
1986 $10,094,328,898 $18,586,746,057
1985 $9,717,392,687 $19,156,532,746
1984 $8,298,309,581 $19,749,361,098
1983 $8,781,664,427 $17,784,112,150
1982 $7,899,988,841 $16,084,252,378
1981 $7,507,663,567 $14,175,228,844
1980 $7,012,585,454 $11,896,256,783
1979 $6,586,048,398 $9,296,921,724
1978 $6,014,961,435 $7,517,176,355
1977 $5,651,840,585 $6,618,585,074
1976 $4,943,806,093 $6,327,077,974
1975 $4,577,047,854 $5,633,673,930
1974 $4,577,209,966 $5,221,534,956
1973 $4,070,570,550 $3,696,213,333
1972 $3,520,252,938 $2,721,440,981
1971 $3,224,280,835 $2,263,785,444
1970 $3,045,354,455 $1,920,574,150
1969 $2,768,987,372 $1,659,893,768
1968 $2,619,948,865 $1,425,706,091
1967 $2,461,762,003 $1,238,035,816
1966 $2,324,466,416 $1,096,425,608
1965 $2,159,998,591 $974,644,096
1964 $1,984,129,186 $894,153,311
1963 $1,825,058,828 $917,608,012
1962 $1,747,566,307 $826,239,212
1961 $1,680,859,514 $764,629,788
1960 $1,610,511,694 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Singapore by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $982 $2,845 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $893 $2,588 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $830 $2,407 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $793 $2,242 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $740 $2,095 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $696 $2,005 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $642 $1,858 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $598 $1,633 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $550 $1,485 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $484 $1,253 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $452 $1,179 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $343 $1,098 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $331 $996 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $369 $899 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $316 $845 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $237.1 $770 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $189.3 $693 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $158.2 $625 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $133.2 $558 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $116.8 $493 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $109.6 $509 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $118.5 $509 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $122.3 $474 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $120.7 $450 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $126.5 $436 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $143.4 $461 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $147.3 $453 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $136.5 $409 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $127.7 $391 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $168.5 $384 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $207.4 $343 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $277.6 $383 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $262.1 $417 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $256.4 - $10,395 -
1988 $253.2 - $8,914 -
1987 $254.1 - $7,539 -
1986 $246 - $6,800 -
1985 $243.9 - $7,002 -
1984 $214.2 - $7,228 -
1983 $232.7 - $6,633 -
1982 $215.3 - $6,078 -
1981 $212.7 - $5,597 -
1980 $203.7 - $4,928 -
1979 $192.4 - $3,901 -
1978 $178.3 - $3,194 -
1977 $170.4 - $2,846 -
1976 $152 - $2,759 -
1975 $144.3 - $2,490 -
1974 $147.9 - $2,342 -
1973 $134.9 - $1,685 -
1972 $119.8 - $1,264 -
1971 $112.7 - $1,071 -
1970 $109.4 - $926 -
1969 $102.3 - $813 -
1968 $99.5 - $709 -
1967 $96.1 - $626 -
1966 $93.2 - $567 -
1965 $88.9 - $517 -
1964 $83.8 - $486 -
1963 $79.2 - $511 -
1962 $77.8 - $472 -
1961 $76.7 - $449 -
1960 $75.3 - $428 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Singapore
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
2.74%
2024
Population
139917664
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 15% 154.3%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 14% 127.9%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 18% 55.3% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 17.1% 30% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 14% 97.9%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 27% 103.7% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 20.4% 86% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 18.2% 129% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 14.5% 79%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 20.3% 91.6% 15.1% 73.5%
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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 150/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Singapore
2024 -1.99% 4.44%
2023 -2.6% 3.47%
2022 -4.16% 1.21%
2021 -2.77% 1.13%
2020 -2.76% -6.73%
2019 -2.53% 3.77%
2018 -3.03% 3.68%
2017 -3.24% 5.24%
2016 -2.3% 3.25%
2015 -1.95% 2.86%
2014 -2.58% 4.6%
2013 -1.93% 5.96%
2012 -1.17% 7.34%
2011 -1.61% 7.96%
2010 -1.32% 5.68%
2009 -0.93% -0.09%
2008 -2.88% 3.59%
2007 -3.57% 7.12%
2006 -3.79% 2.16%
2005 -4.12% 2.56%
2004 -2.65% 2.06%
2003 -5.59% 0.68%
2002 -5.76% 2.23%
2001 -3.76% 1.2%
2000 -8.88% 4.59%
1999 -8.23% 5.2%
1998 -3.51% 2.41%
1997 -1.7% 5.66%
1996 -3.81% 1.98%
1995 -2.68% 4.8%
1994 -5.23% 7.9%
1993 -4% 4.36%
1992 -4.78% 2.7%
1991 -5.83% 0.68%
1990 -6.66% 1.97%
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/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Singapore
2024 21% 2.39%
2023 30.2% 4.83%
2022 33.9% 6.13%
2021 26.8% 2.32%
2020 20.4% -0.17%
2019 15.8% 0.57%
2018 13.8% 0.44%
2017 10.7% 0.58%
2016 6.63% -0.53%
2015 9.57% -0.52%
2014 6.89% 1.03%
2013 7.46% 2.36%
2012 23.6% 4.58%
2011 33.2% 5.25%
2010 8.15% 2.83%
2009 8.48% 0.59%
2008 44.4% 6.64%
2007 17.2% 2.11%
2006 12.3% 0.97%
2005 9.97% 0.43%
2004 3.33% 1.66%
2003 13.7% 0.51%
2002 0.68% -0.39%
2001 -8.24% 1%
2000 0.66% 1.36%
1999 7.94% 0.02%
1998 0.89% -0.27%
1997 2.4% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $70.5M
Machinery & equipment $3.86M
Raw materials & minerals $2.58M
Textiles & consumer goods $503K
Metals $383K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $258K
Animal & marine products $8K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Wood & paper products $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $2K
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $110M
Miscellaneous $23.9M
Chemicals & pharma $3.34M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $858K
Textiles & consumer goods $528K
Metals $301K
Raw materials & minerals $72K
Wood & paper products $18K
Precious metals & jewellery $12K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Singapore
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$583B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$351B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Singapore
Economic freedom 48.1 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 1/197
Property rights 22.1 89.2
Government integrity 33.2 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 58.3
Tax burden 78.6 89.5
Government spending 96.4 93.4
Fiscal health 84.3 80
Business freedom 44.5 90.6
Labor freedom 37.8 77
Monetary freedom 53.7 83.5
Trade freedom 57.4 95
Investment freedom 30 90
Financial freedom 20 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Singapore
2026 48.1 84.4
2025 48.1 84.1
2024 47.9 83.5
2023 48.3 83.9
2022 49.6 84.4
2021 51.7 89.7
2020 53.6 89.4
2019 53.6 89.4
2018 52.8 88.8
2017 52.7 88.6
2016 51.5 87.8
2015 51.5 89.4
2014 50 89.4
2013 49.4 88
2012 52 87.5
2011 50.5 87.2
2010 51.2 86.1
2009 53 87.1
2008 52.5 87.3
2007 53.6 87.1
2006 50.9 88
2005 51.1 88.6
2004 54.5 88.9
2003 48.8 88.2
2002 49.8 87.4
2001 48.9 87.8
2000 50.2 87.7
1999 46.7 86.9
1998 49.2 87
1997 48.1 87.3
1996 45.9 86.5
1995 42.6 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Singapore
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$55.3B
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
20.6%
2024
22.2%
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/singapore | 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.