Skip to content

Economy of Ethiopia vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 60/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Ethiopia vs Tanzania GDP by year

Ethiopia
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Tanzania
2024 $149,740,297,953 $78,844,405,385
2023 $135,874,093,202 $79,030,935,627
2022 $123,140,304,666 $75,749,121,843
2021 $109,070,960,372 $70,655,628,148
2020 $98,676,811,061 $66,068,737,786
2019 $91,834,517,113 $61,026,731,926
2018 $83,337,901,072 $57,003,712,892
2017 $76,366,081,767 $53,274,884,533
2016 $68,475,871,210 $49,774,409,374
2015 $62,103,418,182 $47,413,919,817
2014 $55,612,228,234 $49,986,726,461
2013 $47,648,276,605 $45,648,857,242
2012 $43,310,721,414 $39,650,394,363
2011 $31,952,763,089 $34,657,140,096
2010 $29,933,790,334 $32,012,892,919
2009 $32,437,389,116 $29,400,573,554
2008 $27,066,912,635 $27,947,821,398
2007 $19,707,616,773 $21,860,434,823
2006 $15,280,861,835 $18,619,859,795
2005 $12,401,139,454 $18,395,383,647
2004 $10,131,187,261 $16,673,062,473
2003 $8,623,691,300 $15,211,487,709
2002 $7,850,809,498 $14,129,651,896
2001 $8,231,326,016 $13,563,990,022
2000 $8,242,349,618 $13,371,767,082
1999 $7,892,973,532 $12,704,334,196
1998 $8,013,274,132 $12,172,790,056
1997 $8,803,539,988 $11,158,197,942
1996 $8,761,215,548 $9,433,528,150
1995 $7,855,205,207 $7,631,431,840
1994 $7,100,806,754 $6,550,480,484
1993 $9,051,043,870 $6,182,872,708
1992 $10,754,799,037 $6,681,997,469
1991 $13,799,799,324 $7,197,768,159
1990 $12,478,943,895 $6,184,384,225
1989 $11,762,932,007 $6,418,799,007
1988 $11,181,119,718 $7,406,614,407
1987 $10,790,001,558 $7,824,193,222
1986 $10,094,328,898 $10,840,864,521
1985 $9,717,392,687 $15,328,295,175
1984 $8,298,309,581 $12,906,635,133
1983 $8,781,664,427 $14,049,883,809
1982 $7,899,988,841 $13,927,383,240
1981 $7,507,663,567 $13,161,540,378
1980 $7,012,585,454 $11,409,228,087
1979 $6,586,048,398 $9,804,637,491
1978 $6,014,961,435 $9,261,675,710
1977 $5,651,840,585 $7,732,598,995
1976 $4,943,806,093 $6,472,511,988
1975 $4,577,047,854 $5,729,917,840
1974 $4,577,209,966 $4,977,337,978
1973 $4,070,570,550 $4,144,104,535
1972 $3,520,252,938 $3,472,787,266
1971 $3,224,280,835 $3,050,673,517
1970 $3,045,354,455 $2,851,419,386
1969 $2,768,987,372 $5,142,066,811
1968 $2,619,948,865 $4,895,251,824
1967 $2,461,762,003 $4,565,132,048
1966 $2,324,466,416 $4,377,998,825
1965 $2,159,998,591 $3,817,226,546
1964 $1,984,129,186 $3,748,840,925
1963 $1,825,058,828 $3,456,579,293
1962 $1,747,566,307 $3,101,589,993
1961 $1,680,859,514 $2,826,179,031
1960 $1,610,511,694 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Tanzania by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $982 $2,845 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $893 $2,588 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $830 $2,407 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $793 $2,242 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $740 $2,095 $992 $2,728
2017 $696 $2,005 $957 $2,472
2016 $642 $1,858 $925 $2,435
2015 $598 $1,633 $911 $2,317
2014 $550 $1,485 $993 $2,221
2013 $484 $1,253 $935 $2,176
2012 $452 $1,179 $837 $2,083
2011 $343 $1,098 $753 $2,211
2010 $331 $996 $715 $2,069
2009 $369 $899 $674 $1,972
2008 $316 $845 $657 $1,908
2007 $237.1 $770 $528 $1,820
2006 $189.3 $693 $462 $1,707
2005 $158.2 $625 $469 $1,598
2004 $133.2 $558 $438 $1,482
2003 $116.8 $493 $410 $1,379
2002 $109.6 $509 $391 $1,302
2001 $118.5 $509 $385 $1,229
2000 $122.3 $474 $390 $1,164
1999 $120.7 $450 $382 $1,120
1998 $126.5 $436 $375 $1,082
1997 $143.4 $461 $353 $1,059
1996 $147.3 $453 $305 $1,026
1995 $136.5 $409 $251.2 $981
1994 $127.7 $391 $222.5 $958
1993 $168.5 $384 $218.2 $959
1992 $207.4 $343 $243.4 $955
1991 $277.6 $383 $268.8 $952
1990 $262.1 $417 $236.9 $925
1989 $256.4 - $252.3 -
1988 $253.2 - $299 -
1987 $254.1 - $326 -
1986 $246 - $466 -
1985 $243.9 - $681 -
1984 $214.2 - $593 -
1983 $232.7 - $667 -
1982 $215.3 - $683 -
1981 $212.7 - $665 -
1980 $203.7 - $595 -
1979 $192.4 - $527 -
1978 $178.3 - $515 -
1977 $170.4 - $446 -
1976 $152 - $387 -
1975 $144.3 - $355 -
1974 $147.9 - $320 -
1973 $134.9 - $276.1 -
1972 $119.8 - $239.8 -
1971 $112.7 - $218.4 -
1970 $109.4 - $211.3 -
1969 $102.3 - $394 -
1968 $99.5 - $388 -
1967 $96.1 - $374 -
1966 $93.2 - $370 -
1965 $88.9 - $333 -
1964 $83.8 - $337 -
1963 $79.2 - $320 -
1962 $77.8 - $295.7 -
1961 $76.7 - $277.4 -
1960 $75.3 - $267.8 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
2.43%
2024
Population
139917664
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 19% 47.8%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 17.3% 42%
2017 18% 55.3% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 19.6% 30%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 19% 28.4%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 17.1% 30% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 17% 44.5%
2003 27% 103.7% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 20.4% 86% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 18.2% 129% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 16.8% 126%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1980–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 150/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Tanzania
2024 -1.99% -3.03%
2023 -2.6% -3.67%
2022 -4.16% -3.92%
2021 -2.77% -3.55%
2020 -2.76% -2.56%
2019 -2.53% -2.06%
2018 -3.03% -2.01%
2017 -3.24% -1.14%
2016 -2.3% -2.08%
2015 -1.95% -3.17%
2014 -2.58% -2.91%
2013 -1.93% -3.76%
2012 -1.17% -4%
2011 -1.61% -3.51%
2010 -1.32% -4.74%
2009 -0.93% -4.46%
2008 -2.88% -1.92%
2007 -3.57% -1.44%
2006 -3.79% -3.38%
2005 -4.12% -3.28%
2004 -2.65% -2.43%
2003 -5.59% -1.77%
2002 -5.76% -0.73%
2001 -3.76% -0.41%
2000 -8.88% -0.73%
1999 -8.23% -1.14%
1998 -3.51% 0.13%
1997 -1.7% -0.03%
1996 -3.81% 1.57%
1995 -2.68% -2.12%
1994 -5.23% -3.74%
1993 -4% -2.02%
1992 -4.78% -4.96%
1991 -5.83% 0.6%
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/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Tanzania
2024 21% 3.06%
2023 30.2% 3.8%
2022 33.9% 4.35%
2021 26.8% 3.69%
2020 20.4% 3.29%
2019 15.8% 3.46%
2018 13.8% 3.49%
2017 10.7% 5.32%
2016 6.63% 5.17%
2015 9.57% 5.59%
2014 6.89% 6.13%
2013 7.46% 7.87%
2012 23.6% 16%
2011 33.2% 12.7%
2010 8.15% 6.2%
2009 8.48% 12.1%
2008 44.4% 10.3%
2007 17.2% 7.03%
2006 12.3% 7.25%
2005 9.97% 5.03%
2004 3.33% 4.74%
2003 13.7% 5.3%
2002 0.68% 5.32%
2001 -8.24% 5.15%
2000 0.66% 5.92%
1999 7.94% 7.89%
1998 0.89% 12.8%
1997 2.4% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $85K
Raw materials & minerals $58K
Textiles & consumer goods $39K
Animal & marine products $12K
Chemicals & pharma $11K
Metals $5K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $3K
Miscellaneous $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.61M
Chemicals & pharma $1.53M
Machinery & equipment $325K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $248K
Raw agricultural goods $217K
Textiles & consumer goods $201K
Animal & marine products $158K
Weapons & explosives $137K
Precious metals & jewellery $22K
Wood & paper products $6K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Tanzania
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Tanzania
Economic freedom 48.1 59
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 106/197
Property rights 22.1 45.2
Government integrity 33.2 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 29.6
Tax burden 78.6 80.4
Government spending 96.4 89.1
Fiscal health 84.3 75
Business freedom 44.5 48.1
Labor freedom 37.8 62.3
Monetary freedom 53.7 73.4
Trade freedom 57.4 58.8
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Tanzania
2026 48.1 59
2025 48.1 59.3
2024 47.9 59.1
2023 48.3 60
2022 49.6 59.5
2021 51.7 61.3
2020 53.6 61.7
2019 53.6 60.2
2018 52.8 59.9
2017 52.7 58.6
2016 51.5 58.5
2015 51.5 57.5
2014 50 57.8
2013 49.4 57.9
2012 52 57
2011 50.5 57
2010 51.2 58.3
2009 53 58.3
2008 52.5 56.5
2007 53.6 56.8
2006 50.9 58.5
2005 51.1 56.3
2004 54.5 60.1
2003 48.8 56.9
2002 49.8 58.3
2001 48.9 54.9
2000 50.2 56
1999 46.7 60
1998 49.2 59.6
1997 48.1 59.3
1996 45.9 57.5
1995 42.6 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1980–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2024, 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.