Eritrea Government Debt to GDP
General government gross debt as a percentage of GDP.
Government Debt to GDP in Eritrea decreased to 260.40 percent of GDP in 2019 from 267.10 percent of GDP in 2018.
Eritrea Government Debt to GDP — History
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Eritrea Government Debt to GDP — analysis in simple words
Latest reading
Government Debt to GDP in Eritrea decreased to 260.40 percent of GDP in 2019 from 267.10 percent of GDP in 2018.
Over the last three years it rose once and fell twice.
Recent trend
A year earlier (2018) it was 267.1%, so the latest figure is 6.7 percentage points lower.
Over the past five years the average was 268.1%, with a range from 251.2% to 290.4%. The latest value is below that five-year average.
Historical context
This data series starts in 2000 and has 20 annual observations. The latest reading is higher than 75% of all of them.
The highest value on record is 290.4% (2017) and the lowest is 171.6% (2011). The long-run average is 227.7%.
Compared with other countries
Among 191 economies with recent data, Eritrea ranks 1st from the top. The median across all these economies is 52.9%, so Eritrea is above the typical country.
Within Sub-Saharan Africa (48 economies with data) it ranks 1st; the regional median is 53.1%.
Statistics
- Latest
- 260.4%2019
- Previous
- 267.1%
- 5-year average
- 268.1%
- Long-run average
- 227.7%since 2000
- All-time high
- 290.4%2017
- All-time low
- 171.6%2011
- Observations
- 20Annual
Recent Data
| Period | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 260.4% | ▼ −6.7 pp |
| 2018 | 267.1% | ▼ −23.3 pp |
| 2017 | 290.4% | ▲ +39.2 pp |
| 2016 | 251.2% | ▼ −20.2 pp |
| 2015 | 271.4% | ▲ +66.9 pp |
| 2014 | 204.5% | ▼ −27.9 pp |
| 2013 | 232.4% | ▲ +60.8 pp |
| 2012 | 171.6% | ■ 0.0 pp |
| 2011 | 171.6% | ▼ −30.2 pp |
| 2010 | 201.8% | ▼ −5.3 pp |
| 2009 | 207.1% | ▼ −52.6 pp |
| 2008 | 259.7% | ▲ +58.4 pp |
| 2007 | 201.3% | ▲ +2.3 pp |
| 2006 | 199.0% | ▼ −6.4 pp |
| 2005 | 205.4% | ▲ +11.9 pp |
| 2004 | 193.5% | ▼ −70.5 pp |
| 2003 | 264.0% | ▲ +20.6 pp |
| 2002 | 243.4% | ▲ +4.8 pp |
| 2001 | 238.6% | ▲ +19.5 pp |
| 2000 | 219.1% |
Government Debt to GDP — Eritrea vs Peers
Latest available reading for each economy (periods may differ). Eritrea highlighted.
More Eritrea indicators
Understanding Government Debt to GDP — a simple guide
What it measures
General government gross debt as a percentage of the country’s annual GDP.
How it is calculated
Total debt owed by all levels of government (central, state and local) at the end of the year ÷ the country’s GDP for that year × 100.
If a government owes 84 and the economy produces 100 in a year, government debt to GDP is 84%.
A higher ratio means a larger debt relative to the size of the economy. More of the budget may go to interest payments, and credit rating agencies watch the trend closely.
A lower ratio usually gives the government more room to borrow in a crisis.
Why it matters for the economy and markets
The ratio shows the size of public debt relative to the economy’s capacity to service it. It influences sovereign credit ratings, bond yields and the room governments have for fiscal support.
How to read it
There is no single safe level — countries borrowing in their own currency with deep domestic markets can sustain higher ratios. The trend, interest cost and growth rate matter as much as the level.
What to look at alongside it
The budget deficit, interest rates, GDP growth and credit ratings.
Key terms
- General government
- Central plus state and local governments together.
- Fiscal deficit
- When government spending is higher than its revenue.
- Debt sustainability
- Whether a government can keep servicing its debt without default.
Data source
IMF — World Economic Outlook (series GGXWDG_NGDP), annual data from 2000 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 debt to gdp of Eritrea?
What is the highest and lowest government debt to gdp of Eritrea?
What does government debt to gdp measure?
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.