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Economy of Ethiopia vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 60/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Ethiopia vs Venezuela GDP by year

Ethiopia
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Venezuela
2024 $149,740,297,953 $119,802,963,258
2023 $135,874,093,202 $102,376,526,556
2022 $123,140,304,666 $89,013,255,585
2021 $109,070,960,372 $56,614,976,855
2020 $98,676,811,061 $42,838,020,721
2019 $91,834,517,113 $73,014,084,091
2018 $83,337,901,072 $102,021,093,965
2017 $76,366,081,767 $115,883,275,163
2016 $68,475,871,210 $112,915,034,262
2015 $62,103,418,182 $125,449,241,571
2014 $55,612,228,234 $214,689,614,733
2013 $47,648,276,605 $258,930,655,486
2012 $43,310,721,414 $372,592,062,768
2011 $31,952,763,089 $316,482,190,800
2010 $29,933,790,334 $393,192,354,511
2009 $32,437,389,116 $329,787,628,928
2008 $27,066,912,635 $315,953,388,511
2007 $19,707,616,773 $230,364,012,576
2006 $15,280,861,835 $183,477,522,124
2005 $12,401,139,454 $145,513,489,652
2004 $10,131,187,261 $112,451,400,425
2003 $8,623,691,300 $83,620,628,582
2002 $7,850,809,498 $92,893,587,734
2001 $8,231,326,016 $122,911,036,747
2000 $8,242,349,618 $117,146,466,003
1999 $7,892,973,532 $97,972,842,462
1998 $8,013,274,132 $91,336,763,255
1997 $8,803,539,988 $85,837,678,560
1996 $8,761,215,548 $70,543,211,119
1995 $7,855,205,207 $77,389,487,770
1994 $7,100,806,754 $58,418,666,667
1993 $9,051,043,870 $60,037,460,783
1992 $10,754,799,037 $60,416,519,620
1991 $13,799,799,324 $53,453,444,787
1990 $12,478,943,895 $48,606,952,195
1989 $11,762,932,007 $43,536,709,104
1988 $11,181,119,718 $60,226,413,793
1987 $10,790,001,558 $48,029,034,483
1986 $10,094,328,898 $60,516,123,711
1985 $9,717,392,687 $61,965,466,667
1984 $8,298,309,581 $59,867,743,468
1983 $8,781,664,427 $67,556,279,070
1982 $7,899,988,841 $67,736,744,186
1981 $7,507,663,567 $66,327,441,860
1980 $7,012,585,454 $59,116,511,628
1979 $6,586,048,398 $48,310,930,233
1978 $6,014,961,435 $39,316,279,070
1977 $5,651,840,585 $36,210,697,674
1976 $4,943,806,093 $31,419,534,884
1975 $4,577,047,854 $27,464,651,163
1974 $4,577,209,966 $26,100,930,233
1973 $4,070,570,550 $17,035,581,395
1972 $3,520,252,938 $13,977,727,273
1971 $3,224,280,835 $12,986,590,909
1970 $3,045,354,455 $11,561,111,111
1969 $2,768,987,372 $10,285,111,111
1968 $2,619,948,865 $10,034,444,444
1967 $2,461,762,003 $9,250,000,000
1966 $2,324,466,416 $8,781,333,333
1965 $2,159,998,591 $8,427,777,778
1964 $1,984,129,186 $8,192,413,793
1963 $1,825,058,828 $9,608,717,288
1962 $1,747,566,307 $8,814,309,884
1961 $1,680,859,514 $8,067,267,031
1960 $1,610,511,694 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Venezuela by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 $4,218 -
2023 $1,056 $3,061 $3,617 -
2022 $982 $2,845 $3,155 -
2021 $893 $2,588 $2,005 -
2020 $830 $2,407 $1,506 -
2019 $793 $2,242 $2,523 -
2018 $740 $2,095 $3,423 -
2017 $696 $2,005 $3,791 -
2016 $642 $1,858 $3,670 -
2015 $598 $1,633 $4,103 -
2014 $550 $1,485 $7,096 -
2013 $484 $1,253 $8,656 -
2012 $452 $1,179 $12,607 -
2011 $343 $1,098 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $331 $996 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $369 $899 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $316 $845 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $237.1 $770 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $189.3 $693 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $158.2 $625 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $133.2 $558 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $116.8 $493 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $109.6 $509 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $118.5 $509 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $122.3 $474 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $120.7 $450 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $126.5 $436 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $143.4 $461 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $147.3 $453 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $136.5 $409 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $127.7 $391 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $168.5 $384 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $207.4 $343 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $277.6 $383 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $262.1 $417 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $256.4 - $2,250 -
1988 $253.2 - $3,191 -
1987 $254.1 - $2,611 -
1986 $246 - $3,376 -
1985 $243.9 - $3,549 -
1984 $214.2 - $3,520 -
1983 $232.7 - $4,079 -
1982 $215.3 - $4,202 -
1981 $212.7 - $4,228 -
1980 $203.7 - $3,874 -
1979 $192.4 - $3,257 -
1978 $178.3 - $2,727 -
1977 $170.4 - $2,585 -
1976 $152 - $2,309 -
1975 $144.3 - $2,078 -
1974 $147.9 - $2,034 -
1973 $134.9 - $1,367 -
1972 $119.8 - $1,155 -
1971 $112.7 - $1,106 -
1970 $109.4 - $1,015 -
1969 $102.3 - $932 -
1968 $99.5 - $938 -
1967 $96.1 - $893 -
1966 $93.2 - $876 -
1965 $88.9 - $869 -
1964 $83.8 - $874 -
1963 $79.2 - $1,060 -
1962 $77.8 - $1,007 -
1961 $76.7 - $954 -
1960 $75.3 - $939 -

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

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
60/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
7.53%
2020
Population
139917664
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 11.2% 337%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 21% 206%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 18% 55.3% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 38% 58.4%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 17.1% 30% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 27% 103.7% 32.2% 56%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 31% 48.2%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 20.4% 86% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 31% 34.8%
1996 18.2% 129% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 20.3% 91.6% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 24% 84.7% 32.5% 61.8%
1988 21.6% 84.3% 33.2% 46.3%
1987 18.4% 82.3% 25.1% 58.3%
1986 19.8% 75.7% 21.5% 45.9%
1985 19.7% 67.7% 20.3% 34.1%
1984 18.8% 65.4% 19.7% 36.4%
1983 21.3% 55.2% 25.3% 21.4%
1982 16.4% 48.8% 29% 18.6%
1981 14.2% 30.6% 29.6% 18.9%
1980 13.5% 18.5% 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 150/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Venezuela
2024 -1.99% -3.6%
2023 -2.6% -1.25%
2022 -4.16% -5.29%
2021 -2.77% -5.85%
2020 -2.76% -6.63%
2019 -2.53% -10.9%
2018 -3.03% -31%
2017 -3.24% -13.3%
2016 -2.3% -8.46%
2015 -1.95% -8.06%
2014 -2.58% -9.81%
2013 -1.93% -10.4%
2012 -1.17% -9.86%
2011 -1.61% -8.24%
2010 -1.32% -4.74%
2009 -0.93% -8.69%
2008 -2.88% -3.46%
2007 -3.57% -2.82%
2006 -3.79% -1.6%
2005 -4.12% 4.09%
2004 -2.65% 2.47%
2003 -5.59% 0.17%
2002 -5.76% -1.48%
2001 -3.76% -4.59%
2000 -8.88% 4.45%
1999 -8.23% 0.74%
1998 -3.51% -4.49%
1997 -1.7% 2.58%
1996 -3.81% 7.94%
1995 -2.68% -5.86%
1994 -5.23% -11.2%
1993 -4% -2.92%
1992 -4.78% -6.37%
1991 -5.83% -2.28%
1990 -6.66% 3.84%
1989 -4.33% -0.91%
1988 -3.48% -9.24%
1987 -3.54% -7.47%
1986 -3.98% 0.82%
1985 -4.71% 6.97%
1984 -3.69% 5.33%
1983 -7.59% 1.24%
1982 -3.6% -0.17%
1981 -2.19% 4.74%
1980 -2.56% 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ethiopia/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 45 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 45 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.64% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.58% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Venezuela
2024 21% 49%
2023 30.2% 338%
2022 33.9% 186.5%
2021 26.8% 1,589%
2020 20.4% 2,355%
2019 15.8% 19,906%
2018 13.8% 65,374%
2017 10.7% 438%
2016 6.63% 254.9%
2015 9.57% 121.7%
2014 6.89% 62.2%
2013 7.46% 40.6%
2012 23.6% 21.1%
2011 33.2% 26.1%
2010 8.15% 28.2%
2009 8.48% 26%
2008 44.4% 31.4%
2007 17.2% 18.7%
2006 12.3% 13.7%
2005 9.97% 16%
2004 3.33% 21.7%
2003 13.7% 31.1%
2002 0.68% 22.4%
2001 -8.24% 12.5%
2000 0.66% 16.2%
1999 7.94% 23.6%
1998 0.89% 35.8%
1997 2.4% 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $898K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Miscellaneous $3K
Metals $2K
Venezuela
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Venezuela
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Venezuela
Economic freedom 48.1 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 194/197
Property rights 22.1 0
Government integrity 33.2 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 5.1
Tax burden 78.6 73.4
Government spending 96.4 93
Fiscal health 84.3 29.1
Business freedom 44.5 31.1
Labor freedom 37.8 35.5
Monetary freedom 53.7 0
Trade freedom 57.4 43.2
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 20 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Venezuela
2026 48.1 27.3
2025 48.1 27.6
2024 47.9 28.1
2023 48.3 25.8
2022 49.6 24.8
2021 51.7 24.7
2020 53.6 25.2
2019 53.6 25.9
2018 52.8 25.2
2017 52.7 27
2016 51.5 33.7
2015 51.5 34.3
2014 50 36.3
2013 49.4 36.1
2012 52 38.1
2011 50.5 37.6
2010 51.2 37.1
2009 53 39.9
2008 52.5 44.7
2007 53.6 47.9
2006 50.9 44.6
2005 51.1 45.2
2004 54.5 46.7
2003 48.8 54.8
2002 49.8 54.7
2001 48.9 54.6
2000 50.2 57.4
1999 46.7 56.1
1998 49.2 54
1997 48.1 52.8
1996 45.9 54.5
1995 42.6 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021, 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.