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Economy of Ethiopia vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 60/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Ethiopia vs Sudan GDP by year

Ethiopia
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Sudan
2024 $149,740,297,953 $49,672,435,513
2023 $135,874,093,202 $39,898,289,821
2022 $123,140,304,666 $51,666,875,363
2021 $109,070,960,372 $34,229,513,775
2020 $98,676,811,061 $27,034,593,750
2019 $91,834,517,113 $32,338,079,165
2018 $83,337,901,072 $32,333,780,383
2017 $76,366,081,767 $41,283,617,976
2016 $68,475,871,210 $42,630,376,000
2015 $62,103,418,182 $51,726,758,677
2014 $55,612,228,234 $49,516,748,618
2013 $47,648,276,605 $43,024,018,082
2012 $43,310,721,414 $37,632,919,967
2011 $31,952,763,089 $55,018,567,211
2010 $29,933,790,334 $58,962,978,034
2009 $32,437,389,116 $51,621,044,077
2008 $27,066,912,635 $64,833,083,257
2007 $19,707,616,773 $59,440,139,775
2006 $15,280,861,835 $45,263,831,634
2005 $12,401,139,454 $35,182,711,988
2004 $10,131,187,261 $26,646,007,251
2003 $8,623,691,300 $21,355,298,460
2002 $7,850,809,498 $18,137,128,388
2001 $8,231,326,016 $15,716,361,792
2000 $8,242,349,618 $12,257,299,147
1999 $7,892,973,532 $10,682,028,340
1998 $8,013,274,132 $11,250,221,537
1997 $8,803,539,988 $11,681,175,864
1996 $8,761,215,548 $9,018,300,725
1995 $7,855,205,207 $13,830,363,900
1994 $7,100,806,754 $12,793,794,737
1993 $9,051,043,870 $8,881,005,436
1992 $10,754,799,037 $7,031,933,492
1991 $13,799,799,324 $44,171,194,366
1990 $12,478,943,895 $33,641,222,222
1989 $11,762,932,007 $21,408,111,111
1988 $11,181,119,718 $14,372,555,556
1987 $10,790,001,558 $12,093,333,333
1986 $10,094,328,898 $10,092,200,000
1985 $9,717,392,687 $8,075,259,600
1984 $8,298,309,581 $10,447,615,385
1983 $8,781,664,427 $8,230,153,846
1982 $7,899,988,841 $8,732,542,274
1981 $7,507,663,567 $10,753,888,154
1980 $7,012,585,454 $8,951,800,000
1979 $6,586,048,398 $8,418,407,787
1978 $6,014,961,435 $8,128,719,315
1977 $5,651,840,585 $7,499,005,639
1976 $4,943,806,093 $6,013,210,816
1975 $4,577,047,854 $4,823,090,192
1974 $4,577,209,966 $3,958,931,660
1973 $4,070,570,550 $3,077,254,460
1972 $3,520,252,938 $2,483,055,722
1971 $3,224,280,835 $2,288,340,041
1970 $3,045,354,455 $2,100,229,759
1969 $2,768,987,372 $1,847,501,441
1968 $2,619,948,865 $1,677,771,401
1967 $2,461,762,003 $1,607,409,539
1966 $2,324,466,416 $1,484,491,676
1965 $2,159,998,591 $1,446,869,619
1964 $1,984,129,186 $1,388,282,600
1963 $1,825,058,828 $1,351,234,926
1962 $1,747,566,307 $1,328,259,625
1961 $1,680,859,514 $1,222,860,429
1960 $1,610,511,694 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Sudan by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $985 $2,116
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $797 $2,421
2022 $982 $2,845 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $893 $2,588 $712 $3,249
2020 $830 $2,407 $578 $3,349
2019 $793 $2,242 $710 $3,914
2018 $740 $2,095 $731 $4,199
2017 $696 $2,005 $967 $4,252
2016 $642 $1,858 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $598 $1,633 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $484 $1,253 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $343 $1,098 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $331 $996 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $369 $899 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $316 $845 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $237.1 $770 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $189.3 $693 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $158.2 $625 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $133.2 $558 $872 $3,215
2003 $116.8 $493 $714 $3,058
2002 $109.6 $509 $621 $2,898
2001 $118.5 $509 $551 $2,769
2000 $122.3 $474 $441 $2,616
1999 $120.7 $450 $394 $2,475
1998 $126.5 $436 $425 $2,428
1997 $143.4 $461 $453 $2,358
1996 $147.3 $453 $357 $2,006
1995 $136.5 $409 $561 $1,902
1994 $127.7 $391 $532 $1,805
1993 $168.5 $384 $379 $1,794
1992 $207.4 $343 $307 $1,710
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $262.1 $417 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $256.4 - $992 -
1988 $253.2 - $680 -
1987 $254.1 - $584 -
1986 $246 - $497 -
1985 $243.9 - $406 -
1984 $214.2 - $534 -
1983 $232.7 - $431 -
1982 $215.3 - $472 -
1981 $212.7 - $605 -
1980 $203.7 - $525 -
1979 $192.4 - $515 -
1978 $178.3 - $518 -
1977 $170.4 - $497 -
1976 $152 - $413 -
1975 $144.3 - $343 -
1974 $147.9 - $291.5 -
1973 $134.9 - $235.8 -
1972 $119.8 - $198.2 -
1971 $112.7 - $189 -
1970 $109.4 - $179.6 -
1969 $102.3 - $163.5 -
1968 $99.5 - $153.7 -
1967 $96.1 - $152.4 -
1966 $93.2 - $145.6 -
1965 $88.9 - $146.8 -
1964 $83.8 - $145.7 -
1963 $79.2 - $146.6 -
1962 $77.8 - $148.9 -
1961 $76.7 - $141.6 -
1960 $75.3 - $134.7 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Sudan
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
7.53%
2022
Population
139917664
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 18% 55.3% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 17.1% 30% 18.8% 71%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 27% 103.7% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 20.4% 86% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 18.2% 129% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 12.9% 239%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 19.6% 386%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 50.4% 495%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 45.7% -
1990 20.3% 91.6% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 150/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Sudan
2024 -1.99% -3.46%
2023 -2.6% -3.7%
2022 -4.16% -2.15%
2021 -2.77% -0.29%
2020 -2.76% -6.03%
2019 -2.53% -10.8%
2018 -3.03% -7.92%
2017 -3.24% -6.07%
2016 -2.3% -3.92%
2015 -1.95% -3.87%
2014 -2.58% -4.72%
2013 -1.93% -5.76%
2012 -1.17% -7.37%
2011 -1.61% -2.33%
2010 -1.32% 0.11%
2009 -0.93% -3.8%
2008 -2.88% 0.49%
2007 -3.57% -2.84%
2006 -3.79% -1.32%
2005 -4.12% -1.88%
2004 -2.65% 0.16%
2003 -5.59% 0.77%
2002 -5.76% -0.69%
2001 -3.76% -0.77%
2000 -8.88% -0.7%
1999 -8.23% -0.8%
1998 -3.51% -0.56%
1997 -1.7% -0.59%
1996 -3.81% -2.61%
1995 -2.68% -3.48%
1994 -5.23% -3.03%
1993 -4% -8.04%
1992 -4.78% -24.5%
1991 -5.83% -26.5%
1990 -6.66% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.55% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Sudan
2024 21% -
2023 30.2% -
2022 33.9% 138.8%
2021 26.8% 359%
2020 20.4% 163.3%
2019 15.8% 51%
2018 13.8% 63.3%
2017 10.7% 32.4%
2016 6.63% 17.8%
2015 9.57% 16.9%
2014 6.89% 36.9%
2013 7.46% 36.5%
2012 23.6% 35.6%
2011 33.2% 18.1%
2010 8.15% 13%
2009 8.48% 11.3%
2008 44.4% 14.3%
2007 17.2% 14.8%
2006 12.3% 7.2%
2005 9.97% 8.51%
2004 3.33% 9.66%
2003 13.7% 6.49%
2002 0.68% 22.2%
2001 -8.24% 1.94%
2000 0.66% 7.12%
1999 7.94% 17.2%
1998 0.89% 24.6%
1997 2.4% 47.2%

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 12.7%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $53.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.33M
Wood & paper products $2.32M
Animal & marine products $1.44M
Chemicals & pharma $1.13M
Textiles & consumer goods $260K
Raw materials & minerals $232K
Metals $84K
Machinery & equipment $66K
Miscellaneous $12K
Sudan
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $69.9M
Raw agricultural goods $9.24M
Weapons & explosives $4.53M
Animal & marine products $2.53M
Chemicals & pharma $1.63M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $786K
Textiles & consumer goods $768K
Wood & paper products $87K
Machinery & equipment $82K
Metals $43K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Sudan
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Sudan
Economic freedom 48.1 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 191/197
Property rights 22.1 6.5
Government integrity 33.2 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 2.4
Tax burden 78.6 84.7
Government spending 96.4 96.5
Fiscal health 84.3 64.6
Business freedom 44.5 27.3
Labor freedom 37.8 33.6
Monetary freedom 53.7 6.2
Trade freedom 57.4 29.6
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Sudan
2026 48.1 32.5
2025 48.1 35.3
2024 47.9 33.9
2023 48.3 32.8
2022 49.6 32
2021 51.7 39.1
2020 53.6 45
2019 53.6 47.7
2018 52.8 49.4
2017 52.7 48.8
2016 51.5 -
2015 51.5 -
2014 50 -
2013 49.4 -
2012 52 -
2011 50.5 -
2010 51.2 -
2009 53 -
2008 52.5 -
2007 53.6 -
2006 50.9 -
2005 51.1 -
2004 54.5 -
2003 48.8 -
2002 49.8 -
2001 48.9 -
2000 50.2 47.2
1999 46.7 39.6
1998 49.2 38.3
1997 48.1 39.9
1996 45.9 39.2
1995 42.6 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Sudan
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2018–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.