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Economy of Ethiopia vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ethiopia has a GDP of $150B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 60/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ethiopia has $48.9B in government debt (32.7% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Ethiopia vs Yemen GDP by year

Ethiopia
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ethiopia Yemen
2024 $149,740,297,953 -
2023 $135,874,093,202 -
2022 $123,140,304,666 -
2021 $109,070,960,372 -
2020 $98,676,811,061 -
2019 $91,834,517,113 -
2018 $83,337,901,072 $21,606,160,663
2017 $76,366,081,767 $26,842,229,045
2016 $68,475,871,210 $31,317,825,274
2015 $62,103,418,182 $42,444,490,074
2014 $55,612,228,234 $43,228,585,321
2013 $47,648,276,605 $40,415,233,436
2012 $43,310,721,414 $35,401,331,610
2011 $31,952,763,089 $32,726,417,878
2010 $29,933,790,334 $30,906,749,533
2009 $32,437,389,116 $25,130,278,213
2008 $27,066,912,635 $26,910,855,807
2007 $19,707,616,773 $21,650,528,674
2006 $15,280,861,835 $19,063,143,370
2005 $12,401,139,454 $16,731,566,717
2004 $10,131,187,261 $13,867,634,371
2003 $8,623,691,300 $11,777,532,662
2002 $7,850,809,498 $10,693,430,511
2001 $8,231,326,016 $9,852,990,693
2000 $8,242,349,618 $9,679,316,770
1999 $7,892,973,532 $7,639,325,296
1998 $8,013,274,132 $6,322,175,566
1997 $8,803,539,988 $6,838,298,531
1996 $8,761,215,548 $6,496,163,616
1995 $7,855,205,207 $12,796,345,679
1994 $7,100,806,754 $28,019,483,764
1993 $9,051,043,870 $21,736,802,664
1992 $10,754,799,037 $17,959,367,194
1991 $13,799,799,324 $14,665,445,462
1990 $12,478,943,895 $12,643,821,569
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Ethiopia vs Yemen by year

Ethiopia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ethiopia Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,134 $3,288 - -
2023 $1,056 $3,061 - -
2022 $982 $2,845 - -
2021 $893 $2,588 - -
2020 $830 $2,407 - -
2019 $793 $2,242 - -
2018 $740 $2,095 $634 -
2017 $696 $2,005 $811 -
2016 $642 $1,858 $975 -
2015 $598 $1,633 $1,362 -
2014 $550 $1,485 $1,430 -
2013 $484 $1,253 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $452 $1,179 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $343 $1,098 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $331 $996 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $369 $899 $969 $3,411
2008 $316 $845 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $237.1 $770 $890 $3,294
2006 $189.3 $693 $810 $3,205
2005 $158.2 $625 $734 $3,113
2004 $133.2 $558 $628 $2,949
2003 $116.8 $493 $549 $2,844
2002 $109.6 $509 $513 $2,768
2001 $118.5 $509 $487 $2,702
2000 $122.3 $474 $493 $2,624
1999 $120.7 $450 $401 $2,492
1998 $126.5 $436 $343 $2,442
1997 $143.4 $461 $383 $2,351
1996 $147.3 $453 $375 $2,268
1995 $136.5 $409 $764 $2,201
1994 $127.7 $391 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $168.5 $384 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $207.4 $343 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $277.6 $383 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $262.1 $417 $910 $1,742
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ethiopia's GDP per capita is $1,134, ranking 171/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ethiopia ranks 175th at $3,288, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Ethiopia Yemen
Gross domestic product
$150B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
60/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
7.61%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$1,134
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
171/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,288
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
175/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$48.9B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
32.7%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$370
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
172/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,946
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
24.8%
2021
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.5%
2021
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
9.54%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
21%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.94%
2021
13.5%
2014
Population
139917664
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ethiopia
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ethiopia Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 9.54% 32.7% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 10.8% 38.7% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 12.7% 46.9% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 13.8% 53.8% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 14.5% 53.7% 10.6% 87%
2019 15.4% 54.7% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 16.1% 58.4% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 18% 55.3% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 17.9% 51.8% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 17.3% 50.7% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 17.5% 44.2% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 17.8% 44.1% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 16.6% 39.4% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 18.2% 44.6% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 18.5% 39.4% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 17.1% 30% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 18.8% 56.1% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 20.5% 55.7% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 22.1% 79.6% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 22.9% 78.2% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 23.1% 103.1% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 27% 103.7% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 24.9% 107.4% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 22.4% 97.3% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 25.6% 93.6% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 25.8% 94.3% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 20.4% 86% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 17.3% 77.4% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 18.2% 129% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 16.9% 142.3% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 17.1% 150.7% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 13.4% 136.9% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 13.8% 85.4% 24.6% 78%
1991 16.8% 89.3% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 20.3% 91.6% 26.6% 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 (1980–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ethiopia's government spending was $14.3B, accounting for 9.54% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 32.7% in Ethiopia and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 150/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ethiopia

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ethiopia Yemen
2024 -1.99% -2.48%
2023 -2.6% -5.63%
2022 -4.16% -2.15%
2021 -2.77% -0.89%
2020 -2.76% -4.3%
2019 -2.53% -5.89%
2018 -3.03% -7.85%
2017 -3.24% -4.9%
2016 -2.3% -8.51%
2015 -1.95% -8.75%
2014 -2.58% -4.14%
2013 -1.93% -6.9%
2012 -1.17% -6.32%
2011 -1.61% -4.51%
2010 -1.32% -4.06%
2009 -0.93% -10.2%
2008 -2.88% -4.53%
2007 -3.57% -7.18%
2006 -3.79% 1.19%
2005 -4.12% -1.82%
2004 -2.65% -2.15%
2003 -5.59% -4.2%
2002 -5.76% -0.56%
2001 -3.76% 2.79%
2000 -8.88% 6.09%
1999 -8.23% 0.06%
1998 -3.51% -7.77%
1997 -1.7% -1.5%
1996 -3.81% -0.92%
1995 -2.68% -5.74%
1994 -5.23% -14%
1993 -4% -12.8%
1992 -4.78% -10.9%
1991 -5.83% -5.76%
1990 -6.66% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Ethiopia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $2.52B, equivalent to 3.03% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Ethiopia recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Ethiopia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.71% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ethiopia

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ethiopia Yemen
2024 21% 33.9%
2023 30.2% 0.9%
2022 33.9% 29.5%
2021 26.8% 31.5%
2020 20.4% 21.7%
2019 15.8% 15.7%
2018 13.8% 33.6%
2017 10.7% 30.4%
2016 6.63% 21.3%
2015 9.57% 22%
2014 6.89% 8.2%
2013 7.46% 11%
2012 23.6% 9.9%
2011 33.2% 19.5%
2010 8.15% 11.2%
2009 8.48% 3.7%
2008 44.4% 19%
2007 17.2% 7.9%
2006 12.3% 10.8%
2005 9.97% 9.9%
2004 3.33% 12.5%
2003 13.7% 10.8%
2002 0.68% 12.2%
2001 -8.24% 11.9%
2000 0.66% 11%
1999 7.94% 7.9%
1998 0.89% 11.5%
1997 2.4% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ethiopia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 13.6%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 21% in Ethiopia and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Ethiopia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $22.5M
Animal & marine products $9.27M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $65K
Raw materials & minerals $32K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.4M
Animal & marine products $679K
Chemicals & pharma $148K
Machinery & equipment $70K
Raw agricultural goods $29K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Raw materials & minerals $4K

Balance of trade

Ethiopia Yemen
Current account balance
-$3.79B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
160/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-2.53%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$19.6B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$5.58B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$5.51B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$7.61B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
11.9%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
5.54%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Ethiopia Yemen
Economic freedom 48.1 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 171/197 138/197
Property rights 22.1 3.5
Government integrity 33.2 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 19.1 9.9
Tax burden 78.6 93.7
Government spending 96.4 0
Fiscal health 84.3 71.2
Business freedom 44.5 31.3
Labor freedom 37.8 31.2
Monetary freedom 53.7 48.1
Trade freedom 57.4 67.4
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 20 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ethiopia
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ethiopia Yemen
2026 48.1 -
2025 48.1 -
2024 47.9 -
2023 48.3 -
2022 49.6 -
2021 51.7 -
2020 53.6 -
2019 53.6 -
2018 52.8 -
2017 52.7 -
2016 51.5 -
2015 51.5 53.7
2014 50 55.5
2013 49.4 55.9
2012 52 55.3
2011 50.5 54.2
2010 51.2 54.4
2009 53 56.9
2008 52.5 53.8
2007 53.6 54.1
2006 50.9 52.6
2005 51.1 53.8
2004 54.5 50.5
2003 48.8 50.3
2002 49.8 48.6
2001 48.9 44.3
2000 50.2 44.5
1999 46.7 43.3
1998 49.2 46.1
1997 48.1 48.4
1996 45.9 49.6
1995 42.6 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ethiopia is 48.1, ranking 171/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ethiopia Yemen
Services, % of GDP
37.5%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
34.8%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$146B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,280
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$3.78B
2024
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
109/177
2024
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$4.02B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$4.02B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.91%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.1%
2021
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1980–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2015–2023, 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.