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Economy of Ethiopia vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $51.3B for Tunisia, ranking 60/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $42.8B (83.4% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Ethiopia vs Tunisia GDP by year

Ethiopia
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Tunisia
2024 $149,740,297,953 $51,332,285,657
2023 $135,874,093,202 $48,205,328,303
2022 $123,140,304,666 $44,929,920,093
2021 $109,070,960,372 $47,073,234,359
2020 $98,676,811,061 $42,491,780,918
2019 $91,834,517,113 $41,905,642,419
2018 $83,337,901,072 $42,686,504,460
2017 $76,366,081,767 $42,163,530,591
2016 $68,475,871,210 $44,360,072,680
2015 $62,103,418,182 $45,779,494,042
2014 $55,612,228,234 $50,271,812,921
2013 $47,648,276,605 $48,685,446,414
2012 $43,310,721,414 $47,311,401,813
2011 $31,952,763,089 $48,123,325,825
2010 $29,933,790,334 $46,206,091,938
2009 $32,437,389,116 $43,455,740,497
2008 $27,066,912,635 $44,859,439,902
2007 $19,707,616,773 $38,915,353,867
2006 $15,280,861,835 $34,376,664,601
2005 $12,401,139,454 $32,272,186,695
2004 $10,131,187,261 $31,183,885,241
2003 $8,623,691,300 $27,453,902,261
2002 $7,850,809,498 $23,141,616,605
2001 $8,231,326,016 $22,065,832,449
2000 $8,242,349,618 $21,473,528,161
1999 $7,892,973,532 $22,943,202,175
1998 $8,013,274,132 $21,802,893,587
1997 $8,803,539,988 $20,746,210,354
1996 $8,761,215,548 $19,587,161,807
1995 $7,855,205,207 $18,030,876,599
1994 $7,100,806,754 $15,633,174,304
1993 $9,051,043,870 $14,608,335,608
1992 $10,754,799,037 $15,496,708,060
1991 $13,799,799,324 $13,074,782,609
1990 $12,478,943,895 $12,290,568,182
1989 $11,762,932,007 $10,101,851,745
1988 $11,181,119,718 $10,096,245,762
1987 $10,790,001,558 $9,696,715,911
1986 $10,094,328,898 $9,017,806,654
1985 $9,717,392,687 $8,410,226,053
1984 $8,298,309,581 $8,254,541,195
1983 $8,781,664,427 $8,350,582,748
1982 $7,899,988,841 $8,133,580,052
1981 $7,507,663,567 $8,428,445,294
1980 $7,012,585,454 $8,744,134,354
1979 $6,586,048,398 $7,188,863,904
1978 $6,014,961,435 $5,968,460,080
1977 $5,651,840,585 $5,109,324,009
1976 $4,943,806,093 $4,508,191,942
1975 $4,577,047,854 $4,328,965,588
1974 $4,577,209,966 $3,545,868,575
1973 $4,070,570,550 $2,730,813,385
1972 $3,520,252,938 $2,237,556,149
1971 $3,224,280,835 $1,685,162,272
1970 $3,045,354,455 $1,439,238,095
1969 $2,768,987,372 $1,289,904,762
1968 $2,619,948,865 $1,214,666,667
1967 $2,461,762,003 $1,085,714,286
1966 $2,324,466,416 $1,040,952,381
1965 $2,159,998,591 $991,047,619
1964 $1,984,129,186 $1,025,866,792
1963 $1,825,058,828 $1,026,737,600
1962 $1,747,566,307 $880,027,733
1961 $1,680,859,514 $866,155,429
1960 $1,610,511,694 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Tunisia by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $4,181 $14,521
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $982 $2,845 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $893 $2,588 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $830 $2,407 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $793 $2,242 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $740 $2,095 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $696 $2,005 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $642 $1,858 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $598 $1,633 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $550 $1,485 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $484 $1,253 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $452 $1,179 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $343 $1,098 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $331 $996 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $369 $899 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $316 $845 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $237.1 $770 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $189.3 $693 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $158.2 $625 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $133.2 $558 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $116.8 $493 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $109.6 $509 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $118.5 $509 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $122.3 $474 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $120.7 $450 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $126.5 $436 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $143.4 $461 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $147.3 $453 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $136.5 $409 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $127.7 $391 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $168.5 $384 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $207.4 $343 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $262.1 $417 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $256.4 - $1,239 -
1988 $253.2 - $1,266 -
1987 $254.1 - $1,245 -
1986 $246 - $1,187 -
1985 $243.9 - $1,135 -
1984 $214.2 - $1,143 -
1983 $232.7 - $1,184 -
1982 $215.3 - $1,177 -
1981 $212.7 - $1,247 -
1980 $203.7 - $1,324 -
1979 $192.4 - $1,113 -
1978 $178.3 - $946 -
1977 $170.4 - $830 -
1976 $152 - $752 -
1975 $144.3 - $741 -
1974 $147.9 - $624 -
1973 $134.9 - $493 -
1972 $119.8 - $415 -
1971 $112.7 - $320 -
1970 $109.4 - $280.5 -
1969 $102.3 - $257.7 -
1968 $99.5 - $248.9 -
1967 $96.1 - $228 -
1966 $93.2 - $223.8 -
1965 $88.9 - $217.3 -
1964 $83.8 - $228.5 -
1963 $79.2 - $231.9 -
1962 $77.8 - $201.4 -
1961 $76.7 - $200.7 -
1960 $75.3 - - -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $4,181 in Tunisia, ranking 129/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$51.3B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
1.61%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$4,181
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
129/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$42.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
83.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$3,487
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
94/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$3,951
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$8.3B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
15.1%
2023
Population
139917664
12437803

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 33.8% 83.4%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 35.7% 84%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 36.5% 83%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 33.2% 79.7%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 18% 55.3% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 28.3% 49%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 24% 38.8%
2009 17.1% 30% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 23% 50%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 23% 51.6%
2003 27% 103.7% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 24% 52.2%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 24% 62.9%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 24% 61.9%
1998 20.4% 86% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 18.2% 129% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 27.6% 63.3%
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 (1980–1991, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $17.4B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 83.4% in Tunisia, ranking 150/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Tunisia
2024 -1.99% -5.92%
2023 -2.6% -7.03%
2022 -4.16% -6.91%
2021 -2.77% -7.6%
2020 -2.76% -9.06%
2019 -2.53% -3.6%
2018 -3.03% -4.27%
2017 -3.24% -5.61%
2016 -2.3% -5.87%
2015 -1.95% -4.95%
2014 -2.58% -3.11%
2013 -1.93% -7.05%
2012 -1.17% -4.9%
2011 -1.61% -3.19%
2010 -1.32% -0.46%
2009 -0.93% -2.59%
2008 -2.88% -0.62%
2007 -3.57% -2.47%
2006 -3.79% -2.33%
2005 -4.12% -2.59%
2004 -2.65% -2.1%
2003 -5.59% -2.64%
2002 -5.76% -2.55%
2001 -3.76% -2.87%
2000 -8.88% -3.22%
1999 -8.23% -3.05%
1998 -3.51% -2.84%
1997 -1.7% -3.7%
1996 -3.81% -5.18%
1995 -2.68% -4.53%
1994 -5.23% -2.87%
1993 -4% -3.22%
1992 -4.78% -3.45%
1991 -5.83% -5.25%
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/tunisia | 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 Tunisia's deficit of $3.04B, or 5.92% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.05% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Tunisia
2024 21% 7%
2023 30.2% 9.3%
2022 33.9% 8.3%
2021 26.8% 5.7%
2020 20.4% 5.6%
2019 15.8% 6.7%
2018 13.8% 7.3%
2017 10.7% 5.3%
2016 6.63% 3.6%
2015 9.57% 4.4%
2014 6.89% 4.6%
2013 7.46% 5.3%
2012 23.6% 4.6%
2011 33.2% 3.2%
2010 8.15% 4.4%
2009 8.48% 3.5%
2008 44.4% 4.9%
2007 17.2% 3.4%
2006 12.3% 4.1%
2005 9.97% 2%
2004 3.33% 3.7%
2003 13.7% 2.7%
2002 0.68% 2.7%
2001 -8.24% 1.9%
2000 0.66% 2.8%
1999 7.94% 2.8%
1998 0.89% 3.1%
1997 2.4% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 4.52% in Tunisia. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 7% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $267K
Textiles & consumer goods $172K
Machinery & equipment $7K
Miscellaneous $4K
Wood & paper products $3K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $11.6M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.58M
Wood & paper products $732K
Raw materials & minerals $332K
Machinery & equipment $301K
Metals $6K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Miscellaneous $2K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Tunisia
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
117/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
56.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
50%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Tunisia
Economic freedom 48.1 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 172/197
Property rights 22.1 55.7
Government integrity 33.2 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 39.7
Tax burden 78.6 68.5
Government spending 96.4 62.5
Fiscal health 84.3 16
Business freedom 44.5 59.4
Labor freedom 37.8 55.8
Monetary freedom 53.7 72.4
Trade freedom 57.4 54.6
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Tunisia
2026 48.1 48.1
2025 48.1 49.1
2024 47.9 48.8
2023 48.3 52.9
2022 49.6 54.2
2021 51.7 56.6
2020 53.6 55.8
2019 53.6 55.4
2018 52.8 58.9
2017 52.7 55.7
2016 51.5 57.6
2015 51.5 57.7
2014 50 57.3
2013 49.4 57
2012 52 58.6
2011 50.5 58.5
2010 51.2 58.9
2009 53 58
2008 52.5 60.1
2007 53.6 60.3
2006 50.9 57.5
2005 51.1 55.4
2004 54.5 58.4
2003 48.8 58.1
2002 49.8 60.2
2001 48.9 60.8
2000 50.2 61.3
1999 46.7 61.1
1998 49.2 63.9
1997 48.1 63.8
1996 45.9 63.9
1995 42.6 63.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
22.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
9.74%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$47.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$14,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
80/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
7.86%
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/tunisia | 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 (2020–2023, 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.