Eritrea Government Budget

General government net lending (+) / borrowing (-) as a percentage of GDP.

Government Budget in Eritrea decreased to 2.70 percent of GDP in 2019 from 5.20 percent of GDP in 2018.

2.7%
▼ −2.5 pp2019 · previous 5.2%Annual · percent of GDP · Source: IMF — World Economic Outlook

Eritrea Government Budget — History

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Eritrea Government Budget — analysis in simple words

Latest reading

Government Budget in Eritrea decreased to 2.70 percent of GDP in 2019 from 5.20 percent of GDP in 2018.

Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.

Recent trend

A year earlier (2018) it was 5.2%, so the latest figure is 2.5 percentage points lower.

Over the past five years the average was -0.4%, with a range from -5.7% to 5.2%. The latest value is above that five-year average.

Historical context

This data series starts in 1992 and has 28 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 79% of all of them.

The highest value on record is 8.7% (1994) and the lowest is -59.7% (1999). The long-run average is -12.2%.

Compared with other countries

Among 193 economies with recent data, Eritrea ranks 21st from the top. The median across all these economies is -2.6%, so Eritrea is above the typical country.

Within Sub-Saharan Africa (48 economies with data) it ranks 3rd; the regional median is -3.0%.

Statistics

Latest
2.7%2019
Previous
5.2%
5-year average
-0.4%
Long-run average
-12.2%since 1992
All-time high
8.7%1994
All-time low
-59.7%1999
Observations
28Annual

Recent Data

PeriodValueChange
20192.7%▼ −2.5 pp
20185.2%▲ +10.9 pp
2017-5.7%▼ −4.3 pp
2016-1.4%▲ +1.4 pp
2015-2.8%▼ −2.7 pp
2014-0.1%▲ +7.5 pp
2013-7.6%▼ −2.4 pp
2012-5.2%▲ +0.3 pp
2011-5.5%▲ +11.0 pp
2010-16.5%▲ +5.7 pp
2009-22.2%▲ +15.8 pp
2008-38.0%▼ −18.2 pp
2007-19.8%▼ −4.3 pp
2006-15.5%▲ +15.5 pp
2005-31.0%▼ −23.3 pp
2004-7.7%▼ −13.9 pp
20036.2%▲ +19.5 pp
2002-13.3%▼ −3.7 pp
2001-9.6%▲ +15.8 pp
2000-25.4%▲ +34.3 pp
1999-59.7%▼ −19.4 pp
1998-40.3%▼ −34.7 pp
1997-5.6%▲ +12.8 pp
1996-18.4%▲ +4.5 pp
1995-22.9%▼ −31.6 pp
19948.7%▲ +4.5 pp
19934.2%▼ −2.7 pp
19926.9%

Government Budget — Eritrea vs Peers

Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Eritrea highlighted.

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More Eritrea indicators

Understanding Government Budget — a simple guide

What it measures

General government net lending (+) or borrowing (−) — the overall fiscal balance — as a percentage of GDP.

How it is calculated

(Government revenue − government spending) ÷ GDP × 100. Negative means a deficit.

Simple example

−5% means the government spent 5% of GDP more than it collected.

▲ When it is high or rising

A surplus reduces debt.

▼ When it is low or falling

A deficit adds to government debt.

Why it matters for the economy and markets

Deficits add to government debt and can influence bond yields and inflation.

How to read it

Cyclical downturns widen deficits automatically; compare across several years.

Data source

IMF — World Economic Outlook (series GGXCNL_NGDP), annual data from 1992 to 2019. Values are shown exactly as published by the source and may be revised later.

How to use the chart

Use the 5Y / 10Y / 25Y / Max buttons to change the time range, or drag the slider under the chart. Hover (or tap) on the line to see the exact value for any period. Dashed lines and hatched bars are IMF projections, not actual data. The “Download CSV” button gives you the full data series.

Frequently asked questions

What is the current government budget of Eritrea?
Eritrea government budget was 2.7% in 2019, compared with 5.2% in the previous period, according to IMF — World Economic Outlook.
What is the highest and lowest government budget of Eritrea?
Since 1992, the highest reading was 8.7% (1994) and the lowest was -59.7% (1999).
What does government budget measure?
General government net lending (+) or borrowing (−) — the overall fiscal balance — as a percentage of GDP.

Data are sourced from official international organisations (IMF, World Bank, BIS) and national authorities, and are shown for educational and informational purposes only. They are not investment advice and no recommendation is made. Figures may be revised by the source; IMF figures for the current and future years are projections. This page was last updated on Saturday, October 17, 2026.