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Economy of Ethiopia vs United Arab Emirates compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ethiopia has a GDP of $126B compared to $552B for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 66/197 and 31/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $54.4B in government debt (43.1% of GDP), compared to $193B (34.3% of GDP) in the United Arab Emirates.

Ethiopia vs United Arab Emirates GDP by year

Ethiopia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia UAE
2025 $126,358,758,448 -
2024 $149,740,297,952 $552,324,919,096
2023 $135,874,093,203 $522,622,268,401
2022 $123,140,304,665 $511,403,404,642
2021 $109,070,960,371 $422,441,282,436
2020 $98,676,811,062 $357,161,776,271
2019 $91,834,517,114 $433,926,218,686
2018 $83,337,901,072 $440,560,003,161
2017 $76,366,081,767 $403,365,056,079
2016 $68,475,871,210 $381,717,208,621
2015 $62,103,418,182 $381,973,135,513
2014 $55,612,228,234 $424,935,834,104
2013 $47,648,276,605 $409,632,574,703
2012 $43,310,721,414 $392,793,559,051
2011 $31,952,763,089 $368,881,033,963
2010 $29,933,790,334 $307,736,348,527
2009 $32,437,389,116 $253,547,358,747
2008 $27,066,912,635 $315,474,615,741
2007 $19,707,616,773 $257,916,148,767
2006 $15,280,861,835 $222,116,532,963
2005 $12,401,139,454 $180,617,467,954
2004 $10,131,187,261 $147,824,249,958
2003 $8,623,691,300 $124,346,476,180
2002 $7,850,809,498 $109,816,091,079
2001 $8,231,326,016 $103,311,631,797
2000 $8,242,349,618 $104,337,463,730
1999 $7,892,973,532 $84,445,399,335
1998 $8,013,274,132 $75,674,384,205
1997 $8,803,539,988 $78,838,886,862
1996 $8,761,215,548 $73,571,217,377
1995 $7,855,205,207 $65,743,604,966
1994 $7,100,806,754 $59,305,111,228
1993 $9,051,043,870 $55,625,269,485
1992 $10,754,799,037 $54,239,188,746
1991 $13,799,799,324 $51,552,058,250
1990 $12,478,943,895 $50,701,374,187
1989 $11,762,932,007 $41,464,966,302
1988 $11,181,119,718 $36,275,613,877
1987 $10,790,001,558 $36,384,802,310
1986 $10,094,328,898 $33,943,568,481
1985 $9,717,392,687 $40,603,631,079
1984 $8,298,309,581 $41,807,931,453
1983 $8,781,664,427 $42,803,373,390
1982 $7,899,988,841 $46,622,715,281
1981 $7,507,663,567 $49,333,471,895
1980 $7,012,585,454 $43,599,134,193
1979 $6,586,048,398 $31,225,557,022
1978 $6,014,961,435 $23,775,718,541
1977 $5,651,840,585 $24,871,660,292
1976 $4,943,806,093 $19,213,212,475
1975 $4,577,047,854 $14,720,729,969
1974 $4,577,209,966 $11,651,505,689
1973 $4,070,570,550 $4,231,243,616
1972 $3,520,252,938 $1,415,086,929
1971 $3,224,280,835 $939,893,600
1970 $3,045,354,455 $685,986,701
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs United Arab Emirates by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Arab Emirates
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia UAE
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $933 - - -
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $50,274 $79,229
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $49,851 $77,955
2022 $982 $2,845 $50,760 $75,072
2021 $893 $2,588 $44,118 $68,580
2020 $830 $2,407 $37,992 $66,791
2019 $793 $2,242 $45,939 $79,816
2018 $740 $2,095 $47,135 $77,446
2017 $696 $2,005 $43,734 $70,282
2016 $642 $1,858 $42,721 $69,987
2015 $598 $1,633 $44,910 $73,986
2014 $550 $1,485 $52,725 $87,478
2013 $484 $1,253 $53,247 $87,526
2012 $452 $1,179 $53,142 $89,198
2011 $343 $1,098 $51,922 $89,665
2010 $331 $996 $44,795 $85,120
2009 $369 $899 $37,803 $84,780
2008 $316 $845 $50,054 $94,628
2007 $237.1 $770 $45,855 $100,813
2006 $189.3 $693 $44,343 $106,814
2005 $158.2 $625 $38,719 $101,301
2004 $133.2 $558 $33,377 $98,661
2003 $116.8 $493 $29,660 $92,636
2002 $109.6 $509 $27,754 $88,467
2001 $118.5 $509 $27,745 $90,370
2000 $122.3 $474 $29,866 $92,899
1999 $120.7 $450 $25,856 $87,658
1998 $126.5 $436 $24,889 $90,229
1997 $143.4 $461 $27,983 $96,009
1996 $147.3 $453 $28,323 $94,620
1995 $136.5 $409 $27,003 $93,702
1994 $127.7 $391 $25,473 $89,959
1993 $168.5 $384 $25,033 $86,330
1992 $207.4 $343 $25,648 $87,509
1991 $277.6 $383 $25,691 $87,250
1990 $262.1 $417 $26,710 $88,455
1989 $256.4 - $23,167 -
1988 $253.2 - $21,570 -
1987 $254.1 - $23,113 -
1986 $246 - $23,132 -
1985 $243.9 - $29,468 -
1984 $214.2 - $32,012 -
1983 $232.7 - $34,650 -
1982 $215.3 - $39,972 -
1981 $212.7 - $44,855 -
1980 $203.7 - $42,925 -
1979 $192.4 - $34,238 -
1978 $178.3 - $29,379 -
1977 $170.4 - $35,020 -
1976 $152 - $31,197 -
1975 $144.3 - $27,117 -
1974 $147.9 - $23,823 -
1973 $134.9 - $9,696 -
1972 $119.8 - $3,675 -
1971 $112.7 - $2,805 -
1970 $109.4 - $2,394 -
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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $933, ranking 182/197, compared to $50,274 in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 25/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while the United Arab Emirates ranks 16th at $79,229.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia UAE
Gross domestic product
$126B
2025
$552B
2024
GDP rank
66/197
2025
31/197
2024
GDP growth
9.77%
2024-2025
3.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$933
2025
$50,274
2024
GDP per capita rank
182/197
2025
25/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$79,229
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
16/197
2024
Government debt
$54.4B
2025
$193B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
43.1%
2025
34.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$402
2025
$17,568
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2025
37/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,030
2026
$40,096
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$1.11T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
183,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
20.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
2.8%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2025
22.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
13.2%
2024-2025
1.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.65%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
1.88%
2024
Population
140722974
11885001

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
United Arab Emirates
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia UAE
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 12% 43.1% 22.6% 34.3%
2024 9.54% 33.4% 21.4% 34.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 22.7% 31.9%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 22.7% 31.5%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 25.9% 35.7%
2020 14.5% 53.2% 30.5% 30.1%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 27.4% 25.8%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 25.9% 20.7%
2017 18% 55.3% 27.2% 21.2%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 31.7% 18.6%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 26.4% 15.6%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 31.4% 13.5%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 28.9% 15.3%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 27.8% 20.2%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 29.6% 20.4%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 30.4% 18.3%
2009 17.1% 30% 35% 21.1%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 22% 8.95%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 17.7% 8.89%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 15.6% 5.05%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 15.7% 4.48%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 17.7% 4.08%
2003 27% 103.7% 20% 3.33%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 21.3% 3.43%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 25.2% 2.69%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 21.8% 3.12%
1999 26.8% 97.8% 24.3% 4.73%
1998 21.1% 89.3% 25.8% 4.18%
1997 17.9% 80.3% 22.6% 2.86%
1996 18.8% 132.8% 27.6% 3.48%
1995 17.4% 146.6% 26.1% 5.06%
1994 17.6% 155.2% 30.1% 5.58%
1993 13.8% 141% 31.5% 6.01%
1992 14.2% 87.9% 29.6% 5.31%
1991 17.3% 89.3% 36% 4.97%
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 (1980–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

In 2025, Ethiopia's government spending was $15.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while the United Arab Emirates spent $118B, or 22.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 43.1% in Ethiopia and 34.3% in the United Arab Emirates, ranking 122/185 and 146/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia UAE
2025 -1.19% 5.15%
2024 -1.99% 6.41%
2023 -2.6% 5.82%
2022 -4.16% 9.8%
2021 -2.77% 3.96%
2020 -2.76% -2.42%
2019 -2.53% 2.5%
2018 -3.03% 3.65%
2017 -3.24% -0.16%
2016 -2.3% -2.95%
2015 -1.95% -6.35%
2014 -2.58% 1.74%
2013 -1.93% 7.99%
2012 -1.17% 8.59%
2011 -1.61% 5.05%
2010 -1.32% 0.52%
2009 -0.93% -6.13%
2008 -2.88% 17.6%
2007 -3.57% 17.1%
2006 -3.79% 20.2%
2005 -4.12% 16%
2004 -2.65% 6.4%
2003 -5.59% 2.35%
2002 -5.76% -1.24%
2001 -3.76% 1.21%
2000 -8.88% 10.7%
1999 -8.54% 1.31%
1998 -3.65% 1%
1997 -1.76% 6.71%
1996 -3.93% 0.92%
1995 -2.76% 3.58%
1994 -5.39% -1.78%
1993 -4.12% -2.89%
1992 -4.92% 3.34%
1991 -6% 3.89%
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/united-arab-emirates | 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 the United Arab Emirates' surplus of $35.4B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while the United Arab Emirates ran a deficit in 8 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.5% of GDP, compared to surplus of 4.25% of GDP for the United Arab Emirates.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia UAE
2025 13.2% 1.3%
2024 21% 1.7%
2023 30.2% 1.6%
2022 33.9% 4.8%
2021 26.8% -0.1%
2020 20.4% -2.1%
2019 15.8% -1.9%
2018 13.8% 3.1%
2017 10.7% 2%
2016 6.63% 1.6%
2015 9.57% 4.1%
2014 6.89% 2.3%
2013 7.46% 1.1%
2012 23.6% 0.7%
2011 33.2% 0.9%
2010 8.15% 0.9%
2009 8.48% -4.7%
2008 44.4% 12.3%
2007 17.2% 11.1%
2006 12.3% 9.3%
2005 9.97% 6.2%
2004 3.33% 5%
2003 13.7% 3.1%
2002 0.68% 2.9%
2001 -8.24% 2.8%
2000 0.66% 1.3%
1999 7.94% 2.1%
1998 0.89% 2%
1997 2.4% 3%

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 2.7% in the United Arab Emirates. In 2025, inflation was 13.2% in Ethiopia and 1.3% in the United Arab Emirates.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $126M
Animal & marine products $30.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.19M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.32M
Machinery & equipment $1.01M
Precious metals & jewellery $301K
Metals $298K
Raw materials & minerals $184K
Chemicals & pharma $117K
Miscellaneous $77K
UAE
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $296M
Precious metals & jewellery $267M
Chemicals & pharma $87.7M
Raw materials & minerals $64.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $42.1M
Metals $32.7M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $31.2M
Raw agricultural goods $12.7M
Wood & paper products $11.9M
Animal & marine products $5.2M

Balance of trade

Ethiopia UAE
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
$80B
2024
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
9/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$400B
2024
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$467B
2024
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$117B
2024
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$181B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.2%
2025
92.2%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.3%
2025
106.8%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia UAE
Economic freedom 48.1 71.9
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 29/197
Property rights 22.1 62.9
Government integrity 33.2 65.3
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 34.4
Tax burden 78.6 99.9
Government spending 96.4 85.1
Fiscal health 84.3 97.6
Business freedom 44.5 84.5
Labor freedom 37.8 63.2
Monetary freedom 53.7 81.2
Trade freedom 57.4 78.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
United Arab Emirates
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia UAE
2026 48.1 71.9
2025 48.1 71.6
2024 47.9 71.1
2023 48.3 70.9
2022 49.6 70.2
2021 51.7 76.9
2020 53.6 76.2
2019 53.6 77.6
2018 52.8 77.6
2017 52.7 76.9
2016 51.5 72.6
2015 51.5 72.4
2014 50 71.4
2013 49.4 71.1
2012 52 69.3
2011 50.5 67.8
2010 51.2 67.3
2009 53 64.7
2008 52.5 62.6
2007 53.6 62.6
2006 50.9 62.2
2005 51.1 65.2
2004 54.5 67.2
2003 48.8 73.4
2002 49.8 73.6
2001 48.9 74.9
2000 50.2 74.2
1999 46.7 71.5
1998 49.2 72.2
1997 48.1 71.9
1996 45.9 71.6
1995 42.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 71.9 for the United Arab Emirates, ranking 29/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia UAE
Services, % of GDP
36.6%
2025
54.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
27.8%
2025
44.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
32.8%
2025
0.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$151B
2025
$566B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2025
$81,640
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$292B
2025
Total reserves ranking
113/177
2024
14/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$31.5B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$45.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$77.2B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
19.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
26.6%
2023

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/united-arab-emirates | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (1980–1998, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (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.