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Economy of Ethiopia vs Tajikistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $17.7B for Tajikistan, ranking 66/197 and 140/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $3.82B (21.6% of GDP) in Tajikistan.

Ethiopia vs Tajikistan GDP by year

Ethiopia
Tajikistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Tajikistan
2025 $126,358,758,448 $17,660,626,562
2024 $149,740,297,952 $14,425,113,700
2023 $135,874,093,203 $12,244,169,293
2022 $123,140,304,665 $10,713,525,200
2021 $109,070,960,371 $8,937,805,347
2020 $98,676,811,062 $8,133,963,551
2019 $91,834,517,114 $8,300,813,599
2018 $83,337,901,072 $7,764,999,999
2017 $76,366,081,767 $7,536,402,853
2016 $68,475,871,210 $6,992,416,097
2015 $62,103,418,182 $8,271,431,485
2014 $55,612,228,234 $9,112,605,459
2013 $47,648,276,605 $8,448,411,318
2012 $43,310,721,414 $7,633,036,903
2011 $31,952,763,089 $6,522,756,255
2010 $29,933,790,334 $5,642,221,099
2009 $32,437,389,116 $4,979,472,364
2008 $27,066,912,635 $5,161,299,725
2007 $19,707,616,773 $3,719,524,541
2006 $15,280,861,835 $2,830,213,849
2005 $12,401,139,454 $2,312,352,021
2004 $10,131,187,261 $2,076,176,869
2003 $8,623,691,300 $1,555,318,261
2002 $7,850,809,498 $1,221,106,220
2001 $8,231,326,016 $1,080,772,551
2000 $8,242,349,618 $860,541,842
1999 $7,892,973,532 $1,086,612,290
1998 $8,013,274,132 $1,320,199,582
1997 $8,803,539,988 $921,518,033
1996 $8,761,215,548 $1,043,654,822
1995 $7,855,205,207 $1,231,561,860
1994 $7,100,806,754 $1,522,001,206
1993 $9,051,043,870 $1,646,623,195
1992 $10,754,799,037 $1,908,554,572
1991 $13,799,799,324 $2,536,585,366
1990 $12,478,943,895 $2,629,395,066
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Tajikistan by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tajikistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Tajikistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - $1,637 -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $1,362 $5,406
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $1,178 $4,964
2022 $982 $2,845 $1,052 $4,514
2021 $893 $2,588 $897 $3,986
2020 $830 $2,407 $834 $3,654
2019 $793 $2,242 $871 $3,460
2018 $740 $2,095 $834 $3,069
2017 $696 $2,005 $829 $3,017
2016 $642 $1,858 $789 $2,914
2015 $598 $1,633 $957 $2,975
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,082 $3,152
2013 $484 $1,253 $1,028 $2,919
2012 $452 $1,179 $952 $2,679
2011 $343 $1,098 $834 $2,456
2010 $331 $996 $737 $2,291
2009 $369 $899 $665 $2,171
2008 $316 $845 $703 $2,120
2007 $237.1 $770 $517 $1,966
2006 $189.3 $693 $401 $1,810
2005 $158.2 $625 $334 $1,673
2004 $133.2 $558 $306 $1,550
2003 $116.8 $493 $233.6 $1,396
2002 $109.6 $509 $187 $1,257
2001 $118.5 $509 $168.7 $1,139
2000 $122.3 $474 $136.9 $1,036
1999 $120.7 $450 $175 $947
1998 $126.5 $436 $213.7 $905
1997 $143.4 $461 $150.1 $855
1996 $147.3 $453 $172 $836
1995 $136.5 $409 $207 $1,006
1994 $127.7 $391 $261.3 $1,148
1993 $168.5 $384 $287.6 $1,454
1992 $207.4 $343 $338 $1,721
1991 $277.6 $383 $458 $2,417
1990 $262.1 $417 $487 $2,583
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $1,637 in Tajikistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Tajikistan ranks 157th at $5,406.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Tajikistan
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$17.7B
2025
GDP rank
66/197
2025
140/197
2025
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
8.4%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$1,637
2025
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
163/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$5,406
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
157/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$3.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
21.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$354
2025
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
174/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$1,705
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
28.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.9%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
29.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
3.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
0.08%
2016
Population
140722974
11080415

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Tajikistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Tajikistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 29.3% 21.6%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 27.2% 24.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 28% 29.9%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 27.4% 31.8%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 27.6% 42%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 29.2% 50.9%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 28.8% 43.2%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 30.9% 46.3%
2017 18% 55.3% 33.8% 46.3%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 32.7% 42.2%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 31.9% 35%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 27.5% 27.9%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 27.7% 29.3%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 24.7% 32.5%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 24.3% 35.5%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 25.9% 36.8%
2009 17.1% 30% 23.6% 36.9%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 20.2% 30.2%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 20.3% 34.3%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 21.6% 36.8%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 22.9% 45.8%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 20.2% 49.4%
2003 27% 103.7% 19.1% 69.8%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 19.1% 98.3%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 17.3% 99.4%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 18.1% 111.4%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 17.5% 107.8%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 17.1% 96.6%
1997 17.9% 80.3% - -
1996 18.8% 132.8% - -
1995 17.4% 146.6% - -
1994 17.6% 155.2% - -
1993 13.8% 141% - -
1992 14.2% 87.9% - -
1991 17.3% 89.3% - -
1990 20.9% 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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Tajikistan spent $5.17B, or 29.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 21.6% in Tajikistan, ranking 122/185 and 171/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Tajikistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Tajikistan
2025 -1.19% -1.79%
2024 -1.99% 0.32%
2023 -2.6% -0.92%
2022 -4.16% -0.23%
2021 -2.77% -0.64%
2020 -2.76% -4.34%
2019 -2.53% -2.04%
2018 -3.03% -2.69%
2017 -3.24% -5.65%
2016 -2.3% -2.91%
2015 -1.95% -1.96%
2014 -2.58% 0.92%
2013 -1.93% -0.73%
2012 -1.17% 0.41%
2011 -1.61% 0.6%
2010 -1.32% -2.71%
2009 -0.93% -0.2%
2008 -2.88% 1.94%
2007 -3.57% 2.13%
2006 -3.79% 2%
2005 -4.12% -2.83%
2004 -2.65% -2.32%
2003 -5.59% -1.74%
2002 -5.76% -2.4%
2001 -3.76% -2.11%
2000 -8.88% -4.51%
1999 -8.54% -4.03%
1998 -3.65% -5.09%
1997 -1.76% -
1996 -3.93% -
1995 -2.76% -
1994 -5.39% -
1993 -4.12% -
1992 -4.92% -
1991 -6% -
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/tajikistan | 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 Tajikistan's deficit of $316M, or 1.79% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Tajikistan ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.26% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.55% of GDP for Tajikistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Tajikistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Tajikistan
2025 13.2% 3.4%
2024 21% 3.5%
2023 30.2% 3.7%
2022 33.9% 6.6%
2021 26.8% 9%
2020 20.4% 8.6%
2019 15.8% 7.8%
2018 13.8% 3.8%
2017 10.7% 7.3%
2016 6.63% 5.9%
2015 9.57% 5.8%
2014 6.89% 6.1%
2013 7.46% 5%
2012 23.6% 5.8%
2011 33.2% 12.4%
2010 8.15% 6.5%
2009 8.48% 6.4%
2008 44.4% 20.4%
2007 17.2% 13.2%
2006 12.3% 10%
2005 9.97% 7.3%
2004 3.33% 7.2%
2003 13.7% 16.4%
2002 0.68% 12.2%
2001 -8.24% 38.6%
2000 0.66% 32.9%
1999 7.94% 27.5%
1998 0.89% 43.2%
1997 2.4% 88%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 14.6% in Tajikistan. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 3.4% in Tajikistan.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $86K
Tajikistan
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Tajikistan
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$3.02B
2025
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
38/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+17.1%
2025
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$7.45B
2025
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$1.95B
2025
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.14B
2025
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$168M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
47.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
11.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Tajikistan
Economic freedom 48.1 52.5
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 147/197
Property rights 22.1 28.4
Government integrity 33.2 18.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 10.1
Tax burden 78.6 94.2
Government spending 96.4 77
Fiscal health 84.3 98.6
Business freedom 44.5 60.6
Labor freedom 37.8 43.4
Monetary freedom 53.7 72.6
Trade freedom 57.4 72.2
Investment freedom 30 25
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Tajikistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Tajikistan
2026 48.1 52.5
2025 48.1 51.5
2024 47.9 51.3
2023 48.3 50.6
2022 49.6 49.7
2021 51.7 55.2
2020 53.6 52.2
2019 53.6 55.6
2018 52.8 58.3
2017 52.7 58.2
2016 51.5 51.3
2015 51.5 52.7
2014 50 52
2013 49.4 53.4
2012 52 53.4
2011 50.5 53.5
2010 51.2 53
2009 53 54.6
2008 52.5 54.4
2007 53.6 53.6
2006 50.9 52.6
2005 51.1 50.4
2004 54.5 48.7
2003 48.8 46.5
2002 49.8 47.3
2001 48.9 46.8
2000 50.2 44.8
1999 46.7 41.2
1998 49.2 41.1
1997 48.1 -
1996 45.9 -
1995 42.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 52.5 for Tajikistan, ranking 147/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Tajikistan
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
36.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
32.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
23.1%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$22.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$8,240
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$4.31B
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
109/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$8.2M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$291M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$101M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
3.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
19.8%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
32.4%
2024

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/tajikistan | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2020, 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.