Total debt service in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Total debt service was 11.5% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total debt service in Ethiopia, 1977–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of exports of goods, services and primary income.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total debt service in Ethiopia is 11.5%, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 19.5% on the previous year and down 2.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total debt service in Ethiopia peaked at 44.9% in 1988 and was at its lowest, 2.8%, in 2009.
That places Ethiopia 64th out of 120 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total debt service in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % of exports of goods, services and primary income | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1977 | 5.8% | — |
| 1978 | 6.7% | +16.8% |
| 1979 | 5.3% | -20.7% |
| 1980 | 7.8% | +46.6% |
| 1981 | 10.9% | +39.3% |
| 1982 | 13.1% | +20.1% |
| 1983 | 18.8% | +43.6% |
| 1984 | 20.7% | +10.4% |
| 1985 | 24.6% | +18.5% |
| 1986 | 29.7% | +21.1% |
| 1987 | 36.9% | +24.2% |
| 1988 | 44.9% | +21.6% |
| 1989 | 40.8% | -9.2% |
| 1990 | 39.0% | -4.4% |
| 1991 | 30.6% | -21.4% |
| 1992 | 23.8% | -22.2% |
| 1993 | 18.9% | -20.6% |
| 1994 | 15.8% | -16.4% |
| 1995 | 18.5% | +16.9% |
| 1996 | 41.6% | +125.1% |
| 1997 | 10.0% | -76.1% |
| 1998 | 12.2% | +22.7% |
| 1999 | 16.3% | +33.5% |
| 2000 | 13.7% | -15.9% |
| 2001 | 18.5% | +34.3% |
| 2002 | 8.0% | -56.9% |
| 2003 | 7.3% | -8.7% |
| 2004 | 5.6% | -22.5% |
| 2005 | 4.5% | -20.4% |
| 2006 | 5.9% | +32.4% |
| 2007 | 4.6% | -22.2% |
| 2008 | 2.9% | -36.5% |
| 2009 | 2.8% | -4.8% |
| 2010 | 3.9% | +38.3% |
| 2011 | 5.9% | +52.8% |
| 2012 | 7.1% | +21.3% |
| 2013 | 10.7% | +49.5% |
| 2014 | 11.9% | +11.2% |
| 2015 | 18.3% | +54.1% |
| 2016 | 20.9% | +14.4% |
| 2017 | 22.2% | +6.2% |
| 2018 | 21.5% | -3.3% |
| 2019 | 28.9% | +34.6% |
| 2020 | 26.1% | -9.8% |
| 2021 | 21.2% | -18.7% |
| 2022 | 18.3% | -13.7% |
| 2023 | 14.3% | -21.7% |
| 2024 | 11.5% | -19.5% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 11.5% is above the median for low income countries, which is 9.3%, 1.2× the median. (22 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 11.5% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 11.8%, 98% of the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 5.9% | 5.3% | 6.7% | 3 |
| 1980s | 24.8% | 7.8% | 44.9% | 10 |
| 1990s | 22.7% | 10.0% | 41.6% | 10 |
| 2000s | 7.4% | 2.8% | 18.5% | 10 |
| 2010s | 15.1% | 3.9% | 28.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 18.3% | 11.5% | 26.1% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More economy & growth data for Ethiopia
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 0 BoP, current US$ (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 0 BoP, current US$ per person (1989)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 4.02 billion BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual 23.25 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0269 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 30.45 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 86.59 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), per unit of GDP 0.0253 includes gold, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), per capita 28.66 includes gold, current US$ per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total debt service in Ethiopia?
- Total debt service in Ethiopia was 11.5% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total debt service recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 44.9% in 1988.
- What is the lowest total debt service recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8% in 2009.
- How does Ethiopia rank for total debt service?
- Ethiopia ranks 64th out of 120 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total debt service rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 2.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total debt service to exports of goods, services and primary income. Total debt service is the sum of principal repayments and interest actually paid in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt, interest paid on short-term debt, and repayments (repurchases and charges) to the IMF.