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Economy of Ethiopia vs Syria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $20B for Syria, ranking 66/197 and 134/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $18.4B (30% of GDP) in Syria.

Ethiopia vs Syria GDP by year

Ethiopia
Syria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Syria
2025 $126,358,758,448 -
2024 $149,740,297,952 -
2023 $135,874,093,203 $19,993,439,950
2022 $123,140,304,665 $23,737,634,644
2021 $109,070,960,371 $14,892,885,528
2020 $98,676,811,062 $12,501,503,673
2019 $91,834,517,114 $22,583,046,645
2018 $83,337,901,072 $21,497,779,248
2017 $76,366,081,767 $16,369,842,725
2016 $68,475,871,210 $12,597,854,088
2015 $62,103,418,182 $16,466,861,435
2014 $55,612,228,234 $21,502,061,466
2013 $47,648,276,605 $21,361,254,635
2012 $43,310,721,414 $43,190,318,033
2011 $31,952,763,089 $67,539,433,544
2010 $29,933,790,334 $61,390,833,273
2009 $32,437,389,116 $54,111,721,044
2008 $27,066,912,635 $52,557,913,397
2007 $19,707,616,773 $40,465,331,020
2006 $15,280,861,835 $33,751,812,959
2005 $12,401,139,454 $28,858,937,499
2004 $10,131,187,261 $25,086,910,448
2003 $8,623,691,300 $21,828,144,686
2002 $7,850,809,498 $20,786,986,580
2001 $8,231,326,016 $20,078,599,626
2000 $8,242,349,618 $18,937,031,610
1999 $7,892,973,532 $15,873,875,969
1998 $8,013,274,132 $15,200,846,154
1997 $8,803,539,988 $14,505,233,463
1996 $8,761,215,548 $13,789,560,878
1995 $7,855,205,207 $11,396,706,587
1994 $7,100,806,754 $10,122,020,000
1993 $9,051,043,870 $13,695,962,055
1992 $10,754,799,037 $13,253,565,861
1991 $13,799,799,324 $12,981,833,333
1990 $12,478,943,895 $12,308,624,418
1989 $11,762,932,007 $9,853,395,762
1988 $11,181,119,718 $10,577,041,645
1987 $10,790,001,558 $11,356,215,543
1986 $10,094,328,898 $13,293,205,278
1985 $9,717,392,687 $16,403,539,893
1984 $8,298,309,581 $17,503,078,174
1983 $8,781,664,427 $17,589,277,143
1982 $7,899,988,841 $16,298,929,011
1981 $7,507,663,567 $15,518,201,335
1980 $7,012,585,454 $13,062,420,382
1979 $6,586,048,398 $9,929,681,529
1978 $6,014,961,435 $9,275,200,458
1977 $5,651,840,585 $7,696,011,396
1976 $4,943,806,093 $7,633,528,867
1975 $4,577,047,854 $6,826,980,444
1974 $4,577,209,966 $5,159,557,148
1973 $4,070,570,550 $3,239,487,516
1972 $3,520,252,938 $3,059,681,698
1971 $3,224,280,835 $2,589,851,325
1970 $3,045,354,455 $2,140,384,010
1969 $2,768,987,372 $2,245,011,515
1968 $2,619,948,865 $1,753,746,430
1967 $2,461,762,003 $1,580,229,799
1966 $2,324,466,416 $1,342,287,553
1965 $2,159,998,591 $1,472,036,540
1964 $1,984,129,186 $1,339,494,267
1963 $1,825,058,828 $1,200,447,408
1962 $1,747,566,307 $1,110,565,881
1961 $1,680,859,514 $945,244,972
1960 $1,610,511,694 $857,704,413

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Syria by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Syria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Syria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - - -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 - -
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $847 $4,650
2022 $982 $2,845 $1,057 $4,772
2021 $893 $2,588 $689 $4,593
2020 $830 $2,407 $594 $3,738
2019 $793 $2,242 $1,110 $3,502
2018 $740 $2,095 $1,098 $3,456
2017 $696 $2,005 $852 $3,265
2016 $642 $1,858 $656 -
2015 $598 $1,633 $848 -
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,061 -
2013 $484 $1,253 $986 -
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,898 -
2011 $343 $1,098 $2,952 -
2010 $331 $996 $2,731 -
2009 $369 $899 $2,462 -
2008 $316 $845 $2,429 -
2007 $237.1 $770 $1,938 -
2006 $189.3 $693 $1,719 -
2005 $158.2 $625 $1,534 -
2004 $133.2 $558 $1,368 -
2003 $116.8 $493 $1,220 -
2002 $109.6 $509 $1,190 -
2001 $118.5 $509 $1,178 -
2000 $122.3 $474 $1,138 -
1999 $120.7 $450 $978 -
1998 $126.5 $436 $961 -
1997 $143.4 $461 $941 -
1996 $147.3 $453 $918 -
1995 $136.5 $409 $780 -
1994 $127.7 $391 $712 -
1993 $168.5 $384 $993 -
1992 $207.4 $343 $990 -
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,000 -
1990 $262.1 $417 $978 -
1989 $256.4 - $809 -
1988 $253.2 - $898 -
1987 $254.1 - $997 -
1986 $246 - $1,208 -
1985 $243.9 - $1,544 -
1984 $214.2 - $1,706 -
1983 $232.7 - $1,776 -
1982 $215.3 - $1,703 -
1981 $212.7 - $1,676 -
1980 $203.7 - $1,458 -
1979 $192.4 - $1,146 -
1978 $178.3 - $1,108 -
1977 $170.4 - $951 -
1976 $152 - $976 -
1975 $144.3 - $904 -
1974 $147.9 - $707 -
1973 $134.9 - $459 -
1972 $119.8 - $448 -
1971 $112.7 - $393 -
1970 $109.4 - $335 -
1969 $102.3 - $364 -
1968 $99.5 - $293.3 -
1967 $96.1 - $272.9 -
1966 $93.2 - $239.3 -
1965 $88.9 - $270.8 -
1964 $83.8 - $254.2 -
1963 $79.2 - $234.9 -
1962 $77.8 - $223.9 -
1961 $76.7 - $196.3 -
1960 $75.3 - $183.5 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $847 in Syria, ranking 185/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Syria ranks 160th at $4,650.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Syria
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$20B
2023
GDP rank
66/197
2025
134/197
2023
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
-1.85%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$847
2023
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
185/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$4,650
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
160/197
2023
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$18.4B
2010
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
30%
2010
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$820
2010
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
150/185
2010
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
20.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
28.6%
2010
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
13.4%
2018-2019
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
14.9%
2011
Population
140722974
26956472

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Syria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Syria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% - -
2024 9.54% 33.4% - -
2023 10.8% 38.7% - -
2022 12.7% 46.9% - -
2021 13.8% 53.8% - -
2020 14.5% 53.2% - -
2019 15.4% 54.7% - -
2018 16.1% 58.4% - -
2017 18% 55.3% - -
2016 17.9% 51.8% - -
2015 17.3% 50.7% - -
2014 17.5% 44.2% - -
2013 17.8% 44.1% - -
2012 16.6% 39.4% - -
2011 18.2% 44.6% - -
2010 18.5% 39.4% 28.6% 30%
2009 17.1% 30% 26.7% 31.2%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 22.9% 37.3%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 25.7% 42.7%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 26.3% 45%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 28.2% 50.7%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 31.3% 113%
2003 27% 103.7% 32.6% 133.4%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 28.5% 132.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 28% 144.5%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 27.4% 152.1%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 28% 147.7%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 28.8% 151.2%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 29% 147.6%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 27.7% 141.5%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 29.8% 152.6%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 30.3% 163%
1993 13.8% 141% 29.4% 171.9%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 34.2% 173.6%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 34.3% 182.4%
1990 20.9% 91.6% 28.3% 189.8%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Syria spent $17.6B, or 28.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 30% in Syria, ranking 122/185 and 155/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Syria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Syria
2025 -1.19% -
2024 -1.99% -
2023 -2.6% -
2022 -4.16% -
2021 -2.77% -
2020 -2.76% -
2019 -2.53% -
2018 -3.03% -
2017 -3.24% -
2016 -2.3% -
2015 -1.95% -
2014 -2.58% -
2013 -1.93% -
2012 -1.17% -
2011 -1.61% -
2010 -1.32% -7.79%
2009 -0.93% -2.89%
2008 -2.88% -2.86%
2007 -3.57% -2.99%
2006 -3.79% -1.12%
2005 -4.12% -4.41%
2004 -2.65% -4.18%
2003 -5.59% -2.7%
2002 -5.76% -2.02%
2001 -3.76% 2.3%
2000 -8.88% -1.36%
1999 -8.54% -1.47%
1998 -3.65% -2.81%
1997 -1.76% -1.78%
1996 -3.93% -2.83%
1995 -2.76% -3.81%
1994 -5.39% -6%
1993 -4.12% -4.96%
1992 -4.92% -7.26%
1991 -6% -6.57%
1990 -6.86% -3.92%
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/syria | CC BY

In 2010, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $395M, equivalent to 1.32% of GDP. This compares to Syria's deficit of $4.78B, or 7.79% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Syria ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 4.34% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Syria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Syria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Syria
2025 13.2% -
2024 21% -
2023 30.2% -
2022 33.9% -
2021 26.8% -
2020 20.4% -
2019 15.8% 13.4%
2018 13.8% 0.94%
2017 10.7% 18.1%
2016 6.63% 47.7%
2015 9.57% 38.5%
2014 6.89% 10.9%
2013 7.46% 40%
2012 23.6% 36.7%
2011 33.2% 4.75%
2010 8.15% 4.4%
2009 8.48% 2.92%
2008 44.4% 15.7%
2007 17.2% 3.91%
2006 12.3% 10%
2005 9.97% 7.24%
2004 3.33% 4.43%
2003 13.7% 5.8%
2002 0.68% -0.13%
2001 -8.24% 3%
2000 0.66% -3.85%
1999 7.94% -3.7%
1998 0.89% -0.8%
1997 2.4% 1.89%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 10.9%, compared with 11.4% in Syria. In 2019, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 13.4% in Syria.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $196K
Syria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $132K
Textiles & consumer goods $127K
Precious metals & jewellery $4K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Metals $1K
Miscellaneous $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Syria
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$367M
2010
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
99/190
2010
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-0.6%
2010
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$15.9B
2010
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$12.3B
2010
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$3.53B
2010
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$7.33B
2010
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
28.7%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
6.78%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Syria
Economic freedom 48.1 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 155/197
Property rights 22.1 4
Government integrity 33.2 3.6
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 3.7
Tax burden 78.6 87.3
Government spending 96.4 78.5
Fiscal health 84.3 13.8
Business freedom 44.5 33.8
Labor freedom 37.8 37.2
Monetary freedom 53.7 80
Trade freedom 57.4 47
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Syria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Syria
2026 48.1 -
2025 48.1 -
2024 47.9 -
2023 48.3 -
2022 49.6 -
2021 51.7 -
2020 53.6 -
2019 53.6 -
2018 52.8 -
2017 52.7 -
2016 51.5 -
2015 51.5 -
2014 50 -
2013 49.4 -
2012 52 51.2
2011 50.5 51.3
2010 51.2 49.4
2009 53 51.3
2008 52.5 47.2
2007 53.6 48.3
2006 50.9 51.2
2005 51.1 46.3
2004 54.5 40.6
2003 48.8 41.3
2002 49.8 36.3
2001 48.9 36.6
2000 50.2 37.2
1999 46.7 39
1998 49.2 42.2
1997 48.1 43
1996 45.9 42.3
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 51.2 for Syria, ranking 155/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Syria
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
44.7%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
11.9%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
42.9%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$18.2B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$4,480
2023
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$20.6B
2010
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
66/177
2010
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.47B
2010
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
0.15%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
35.2%
2007
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
16%
1969

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/syria | 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 (2010–2023, 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.