🇪🇷 Eritrea
Eritrea (Africa) has a population of 3,607,003 (2025), ranking 129 out of 213 countries by population. GDP per capita – Eritrea: $689 /inh. (2011), ranking 203 out of 211. Economic growth is 8.7 % (2011). The unemployment rate is 6 % (2025).
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Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths – Eritrea, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Share of adults with the right to vote (1/173), Women's legal equality: property and inheritance (1/186), Women's legal equality: mobility (1/186).
Weaknesses – Eritrea, according to global rankings (rank/countries ranked): Liberal democracy index (173/173), Participatory democracy index (173/173), Regulatory quality (WGI) (203/203).
Regional comparison
- GDP per capita: Eritrea has $689 /inh., below the regional median (Africa: $1,658 /inh.).
- Unemployment: Eritrea has 6 %, close to the regional median (Africa: 6 %).
- GDP growth: Eritrea has 8.7 %, above the regional median (Africa: 4.6 %).
Comparable countries
From closest to furthest. The proximity score (0 to 100) compares each country’s position across all the indicators they have in common: 100 = identical profiles.
- 1🇧🇮Burundi218 indicators compared44/100
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- 3🇧🇫Burkina Faso222 indicators compared41/100
- 4🇸🇩Sudan221 indicators compared40/100
- 5🇬🇼Guinea-Bissau222 indicators compared39/100
- 6🇪🇹Ethiopia225 indicators compared38/100
- 7🇺🇬Uganda221 indicators compared35/100
- 8🇲🇿Mozambique223 indicators compared34/100
- 9🇹🇩Chad222 indicators compared34/100
- 10🇨🇫Central African Republic223 indicators compared33/100
- 11🇲🇱Mali221 indicators compared33/100
- 12🇾🇪Yemen223 indicators compared32/100
All indicators
·Wealth & Growth 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP growth | 8.7 % | 2011 | 8 of 211 |
| GDP per capita growth | 6.7 % | 2011 | 12 of 211 |
| Natural resource rents | 27 % | 2011 | 16 of 211 |
| Net national income per capita | $485 /inh. | 2011 | 172 of 184 |
| GDP, purchasing power parity | $5.2B | 2011 | 176 of 201 |
| GDP | $2.1B | 2011 | 188 of 211 |
| GDP per capita, purchasing power parity | $1,742 /inh. | 2011 | 197 of 201 |
| Gross national income per capita (Atlas method) | $650 /inh. | 2011 | 198 of 205 |
| GDP per capita | $689 /inh. | 2011 | 203 of 211 |
Prices, Inflation & Currency 3
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broad money supply (M3) | 176.8 % | 2014 | 7 of 164 |
| Official exchange rate | 15.08 LCU/$ | 2025 | 102 of 211 |
| Inflation (GDP deflator) | 19.5 % | 2011 | 196 of 210 |
Employment 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor force participation rate (ages 15 and over) | 78.3 % | 2025 | 13 of 184 |
| Employment in agriculture | 55.5 % | 2025 | 15 of 184 |
| Employment rate (ages 15 and over) | 73.7 % | 2025 | 15 of 184 |
| Self-employed workers | 52.4 % | 2025 | 54 of 184 |
| Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) | 10.2 % | 2025 | 75 of 184 |
| Unemployment | 6 % | 2025 | 110 of 184 |
| Employment in industry | 12.7 % | 2025 | 153 of 184 |
| Employment in services | 31.8 % | 2025 | 169 of 184 |
Foreign Trade 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Imports of goods and services | 29.2 % | 2011 | 143 of 192 |
| Trade openness | 47.4 % | 2011 | 155 of 192 |
| Exports of goods and services | 18.2 % | 2011 | 158 of 192 |
| Merchandise exports | $631M | 2025 | 163 of 205 |
| Current account balance | -14.8 % | 2000 | 182 of 198 |
| Services exports | $54.1M | 2000 | 186 of 198 |
Investment, Tourism & Aid 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Official development aid received | 6.5 % | 2011 | 37 of 160 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows (amount) | $82.4M | 2025 | 151 of 203 |
| Migrant remittances received | 0.5 % | 2000 | 151 of 196 |
| International tourist arrivals | 142,000 arr. | 2016 | 165 of 202 |
| Foreign direct investment inflows | 0.3 % | 2011 | 167 of 201 |
| International tourism receipts | $48M | 2016 | 173 of 201 |
Public finances 2
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Military spending | 20.9 % | 2003 | 2 of 165 |
| Government final consumption | 26.6 % | 2011 | 16 of 187 |
Finance & Reserves 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Domestic credit to the private sector | 53.2 % | 2014 | 69 of 184 |
| External debt | 51.5 % | 2011 | 80 of 121 |
| Reserves in months of imports | 0.8 months | 2000 | 164 of 177 |
| Total reserves (including gold) | $191.7M | 2019 | 174 of 180 |
Economic structure 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Household final consumption | 98.2 % | 2011 | 10 of 189 |
| Agriculture, forestry and fishing | 14.1 % | 2009 | 59 of 203 |
| Industry (including construction) | 21.8 % | 2009 | 118 of 205 |
| Gross savings | 15.8 % | 2000 | 129 of 178 |
| Manufacturing | 5.5 % | 2009 | 149 of 201 |
| Gross capital formation | 12.6 % | 2011 | 170 of 185 |
Population & Vital Statistics 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age dependency ratio | 72 per 100 | 2025 | 34 of 213 |
| Share of 0-14 year olds | 37.6 % | 2025 | 36 of 213 |
| Share of women in the population | 50.6 % | 2025 | 82 of 213 |
| Population | 3,607,003 inhab. | 2025 | 129 of 213 |
| Number of men per 100 women | 97.6 per 100 women | 2025 | 132 of 213 |
| Share of men in the population | 49.4 % | 2025 | 132 of 213 |
| Share of people aged 65 and over | 4.3 % | 2025 | 160 of 213 |
| Share of 15-64 year olds | 58.2 % | 2025 | 180 of 213 |
| Boys per 100 girls at birth | 103.2 per 100 girls | 2024 | 183 of 213 |
| Urban population | 34.5 % | 2025 | 183 of 213 |
| Median age of the population | 18.7 yrs | 2023 | 198 of 226 |
Births, deaths and life expectancy 14
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children per woman | 3.68 children/woman | 2024 | 35 of 213 |
| Birth rate | 28.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 35 of 213 |
| Population growth | 2 % | 2025 | 47 of 213 |
| Infant mortality | 24.7 per 1,000 | 2024 | 140 of 194 |
| Under-5 mortality | 34.3 per 1,000 | 2024 | 143 of 194 |
| Healthy life expectancy | 56.4 yrs | 2023 | 152 of 183 |
| Male life expectancy at birth | 66.8 yrs | 2024 | 156 of 213 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 68.9 yrs | 2024 | 159 of 213 |
| Death rate | 6 per 1,000 | 2024 | 159 of 213 |
| Female life expectancy at birth | 70.9 yrs | 2024 | 165 of 213 |
| Female suicide rate | 10.4 per 100,000 | 2023 | 173 of 183 |
| Suicide rate | 25.8 per 100,000 | 2023 | 178 of 183 |
| Male suicide rate | 45 per 100,000 | 2023 | 178 of 183 |
| Road traffic deaths | 37.9 per 100,000 | 2019 | 184 of 188 |
Health and healthcare system 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIV prevalence | 0.4 % | 2024 | 73 of 152 |
| Measles vaccination | 93 % | 2024 | 74 of 191 |
| Hospital beds | 1 per 1,000 | 2023 | 145 of 190 |
| New tuberculosis cases | 115 per 100,000 | 2024 | 148 of 206 |
| Nurses and midwives | 1.54 per 1,000 | 2022 | 154 of 196 |
| Share of health spending paid directly by patients | 48.4 % | 2023 | 156 of 191 |
| Health expenditure | 3.7 % | 2023 | 162 of 191 |
| Physicians | 0.09 per 1,000 | 2022 | 185 of 193 |
| Access to basic drinking water | 51.8 % | 2016 | 208 of 211 |
| Access to basic sanitation | 11.9 % | 2016 | 210 of 211 |
| Open defecation | 67 % | 2016 | 211 of 211 |
Body and lifestyle 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adult obesity | 4.3 % | 2024 | 4 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult men | 2.6 % | 2024 | 5 of 196 |
| Obesity among adult women | 5.8 % | 2024 | 7 of 196 |
| Diabetes prevalence | 4.4 % | 2024 | 16 of 207 |
| Average height of men | 168.4 cm | 2014 | 129 of 198 |
| Average height of women | 156.4 cm | 2014 | 147 of 198 |
| Alcohol consumption per capita | 1.4 L/person | 2024 | 162 of 202 |
| Mean body mass index of women | 21.1 kg/m² | 2016 | 188 of 190 |
| Mean body mass index of men | 20.2 kg/m² | 2016 | 189 of 190 |
Origins, languages and religions 12
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Linguistic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.65 | 2003 | 45 of 203 |
| Share of the population: Muslims | 51.7 % | 2020 | 50 of 192 |
| Ethnic diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.65 | 2003 | 51 of 205 |
| Share of the population: Hindus | 0 % | 2020 | 89 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Jews | 0 % | 2020 | 94 of 192 |
| Share of the population: other religions (including folk religions) | 0.6 % | 2020 | 117 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Christians | 46.7 % | 2020 | 117 of 192 |
| Religious diversity (fractionalization index) | 0.43 | 2003 | 119 of 204 |
| Share of the population: people with no religious affiliation | 1.1 % | 2020 | 128 of 192 |
| Share of the population: Buddhists | 0 % | 2020 | 133 of 192 |
| Share of immigrants in the population | 0.4 % | 2024 | 194 of 212 |
| Majority religion | Muslims (over 50%) | 2020 | 50 countries out of 192 in the same category |
Territory & Borders 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Length of coastline | 2,234 km | 2026 | 56 of 227 |
| Number of neighboring countries | 3 countries | 2026 | 81 of 223 |
| Length of land borders | 1,840 km | 2026 | 92 of 230 |
| Land area | 120,800 km² | 2024 | 96 of 212 |
| Total area | 121,630 km² | 2024 | 98 of 212 |
| Latitude of the country's center | 15.4 ° | 2026 | 126 of 232 |
| Population density | 29.3 inh./km² | 2024 | 170 of 212 |
| Landlocked country | Has sea access | 2026 | 183 countries out of 227 in the same category |
Terrain, Water & Climate 6
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average elevation | 853 m | 2026 | 38 of 166 |
| Highest point | 3,018 m | 2026 | 61 of 229 |
| Renewable fresh water per person | 821 m³/inh. | 2022 | 135 of 181 |
| Average annual rainfall | 384 mm | 2022 | 150 of 180 |
| Population living less than 5 m above sea level | 15.5 % | 2015 | 186 of 212 |
| Lowest point | -75 m | 2026 | 219 of 228 |
Land & Nature 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agricultural land | 62.8 % | 2024 | 35 of 207 |
| Arable land | 5.7 % | 2024 | 129 of 204 |
| Forest cover | 12 % | 2024 | 157 of 210 |
| Protected land areas | 0 % | 2025 | 207 of 210 |
Democracy & Elections 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Share of adults with the right to vote | 100 % | 2025 | 1 of 173 |
| Minimum voting age | 18 yrs | 2026 | 12 of 222 |
| Egalitarian democracy index | 0.11 | 2025 | 153 of 173 |
| Free and fair elections index | 0 | 2025 | 156 of 173 |
| Core civil society index | 0.03 | 2025 | 168 of 173 |
| Electoral democracy index | 0.07 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Civil society participation index | 0.03 | 2025 | 172 of 173 |
| Liberal democracy index | 0.01 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Participatory democracy index | 0.01 | 2025 | 173 of 173 |
| Head of the executive chosen through multiparty elections | Executive not from multiparty elections | 2025 | 32 countries out of 173 in the same category |
| Political regime | Closed autocracy | 2025 | 32 countries out of 173 in the same category |
Civil Liberties & Human Rights 9
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Equality of civil liberties across social groups | -0.94 | 2025 | 157 of 173 |
| Protection from physical violence by the state (V-Dem) | 0.1 | 2025 | 169 of 174 |
| Freedom of association index | 0.02 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Freedom of expression index | 0.02 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Political civil liberties index | 0.02 | 2025 | 170 of 173 |
| Academic freedom index | 0.03 | 2025 | 171 of 173 |
| Human rights index (V-Dem) | 0.05 | 2025 | 171 of 173 |
| Index of individual liberties and equality before the law | 0.03 | 2025 | 171 of 173 |
| Private civil liberties index | 0.01 | 2025 | 172 of 173 |
Governance & Rule of Law 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Absence of corruption in the judiciary | -0.72 | 2025 | 115 of 173 |
| Political corruption index | 0.75 | 2025 | 127 of 173 |
| Political stability and absence of violence (WGI) | -0.6 | 2025 | 162 of 205 |
| Judicial constraints on the executive index | 0.03 | 2025 | 163 of 173 |
| Rule of law index (V-Dem) | 0.06 | 2025 | 164 of 173 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index | 13 pts | 2024 | 173 of 179 |
| Government effectiveness (WGI) | -1.53 | 2025 | 195 of 203 |
| Rule of law (WGI) | -1.77 | 2025 | 200 of 205 |
| Control of corruption (WGI) | -1.61 | 2025 | 203 of 205 |
| Regulatory quality (WGI) | -2.11 | 2025 | 203 of 203 |
| Voice and accountability (WGI) | -2.35 | 2025 | 203 of 203 |
Women's rights 16
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year women gained the right to vote | 1,993 | 2025 | 7 of 189 |
| Share of women among ministers | 26.7 % | 2025 | 67 of 192 |
| Share of women in parliament | 22 % | 2019 | 112 of 192 |
| Paid maternity leave | Paid leave of less than 98 days | 2025 | 59 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Paid paternity leave | No paid leave | 2025 | 65 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to vote | Right to vote granted to all women | 2025 | 189 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Women's right to take a job without permission | Same right as men | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to travel abroad | Same right as men | 2025 | 171 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal inheritance between sons and daughters | Equal rights for sons and daughters | 2025 | 146 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal pay for work of equal value | Not written into law | 2025 | 88 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Equal property ownership rights | Equal rights for men and women | 2025 | 165 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Ban on gender discrimination in employment | Discrimination prohibited by law | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Femicide law | No specific provision | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on sexual harassment | One to three areas covered | 2025 | 151 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Law on domestic violence | No law meeting these criteria | 2025 | 55 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal quota for women on company boards | No mandatory quota | 2025 | 147 countries out of 186 in the same category |
Women's Legal Equality (Indices) 11
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Women's legal equality: property and inheritance | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: mobility | 100 /100 | 2025 | 1 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: pay and occupations | 75 /100 | 2025 | 87 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: marriage | 75 /100 | 2025 | 110 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: entrepreneurship | 25 /100 | 2025 | 122 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: access to employment | 50 /100 | 2025 | 128 of 186 |
| Legal protection of women against violence | 12.5 /100 | 2025 | 144 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: childcare | 0 /100 | 2025 | 147 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: overall index | 50.3 /100 | 2025 | 151 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: parental leave and pregnancy | 40.3 /100 | 2025 | 159 of 186 |
| Women's legal equality: retirement | 25 /100 | 2025 | 177 of 186 |
LGBTQ+ rights 17
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| LGBT rights index (composite policy index) | -1.6 pts | 2025 | 156 of 194 |
| Joint adoption by a same-sex couple | Not allowed | 2025 | 155 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Age of sexual consent: same-sex couples | No legal provision | 2025 | 61 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal change of gender marker | Not legally possible | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Anti-LGBT hate crimes: aggravating circumstance | Not covered | 2025 | 126 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on incitement to anti-LGBT hatred | Not prohibited | 2025 | 141 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on non-consensual surgeries on intersex children | Not banned | 2025 | 182 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Ban on conversion therapies | Not banned | 2025 | 169 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Laws limiting public LGBT expression (“propaganda”) | No restrictions | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex marriage and civil union | Marriage defined as the union of a man and a woman | 2025 | 98 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Death penalty for same-sex relations | No death penalty provided for | 2025 | 185 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection against employment discrimination (sexual orientation, gender identity) | No protection | 2025 | 107 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection from discrimination in goods and services (LGBT) | No protection | 2025 | 125 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Protection of sexual orientation and gender identity in the constitution | Not mentioned | 2025 | 180 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Legal recognition of a third gender | Not recognized | 2025 | 174 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Same-sex sexual relations | Criminalized | 2025 | 61 countries out of 194 in the same category |
| Gender-affirming care: coverage and restrictions | Neither coverage nor national restriction | 2025 | 149 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Justice and security 8
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homicide rate | 15.6 per 100,000 | 2012 | 165 of 192 |
| United Nations Convention against Torture | State party | 2026 | 171 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR) | State party | 2026 | 172 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Civilian access to handguns | Prohibited for civilians | 2026 | 60 countries out of 113 in the same category |
| Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court | Signed, not ratified | 2026 | 25 countries out of 202 in the same category |
| Legal status of the death penalty | Abolitionist in practice (no executions for 10 years) | 2026 | 23 countries out of 195 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (medical use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 126 countries out of 180 in the same category |
| Legal status of cannabis (recreational use) | Prohibited | 2026 | 144 countries out of 194 in the same category |
Health and reproductive rights 7
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Family planning needs met by modern methods | 19.9 % | 2002 | 75 of 78 |
| Unmet need for contraception | 27.4 % | 2010 | 128 of 150 |
| Adolescent birth rate | 65.2 per 1,000 | 2024 | 167 of 213 |
| Maternal mortality | 291 per 100,000 | 2023 | 170 of 192 |
| Use of modern contraceptives | 7.1 % | 2010 | 178 of 181 |
| Births attended by skilled health personnel | 34.1 % | 2010 | 203 of 204 |
| Abortion: grounds allowed by law | Allowed for health reasons, rape or fetal impairment | 2026 | 70 countries out of 191 in the same category |
Work and social rights 2
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Non-respect of freedom of association and collective bargaining | 2.7 /10 | 2024 | 124 of 186 |
| Population covered by at least one social benefit | 8.4 % | 2021 | 188 of 210 |
Family & Nationality 10
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Years of residence required for naturalization | 20 yrs | 2026 | 5 of 152 |
| Age of civil majority | 18 yrs | 2026 | 21 of 187 |
| Women married before age 18 | 40.7 % | 2010 | 136 of 144 |
| Dual nationality | Not recognised | 2026 | 98 countries out of 191 in the same category |
| Women's right to be head of household | Same right as men | 2025 | 157 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Women's right to divorce | Same right as men | 2025 | 142 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal framework on child marriage | At least one condition is missing | 2025 | 141 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Nationality acquired by birth on the territory | Not acquired automatically by birth in the country | 2026 | 154 countries out of 192 in the same category |
| Wife's legal duty of obedience to her husband | No duty of obedience in the law | 2025 | 168 countries out of 186 in the same category |
| Legal status of polygamy | Not recognized (prohibited) | 2026 | 107 countries out of 167 in the same category |
Civic duties 4
| Indicator | Value | Year | World position |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age of entry into primary school | 6 yrs | 2025 | 33 of 207 |
| Duration of compulsory schooling | 8 yrs | 2025 | 154 of 194 |
| Compulsory military service | Compulsory military service | 2025 | 61 countries out of 134 in the same category |
| Compulsory voting | Voluntary voting | 2026 | 199 countries out of 226 in the same category |
Frequently asked questions
How many people live in Eritrea?
Eritrea has about 3,607,003 inhabitants (2025), ranking 129 worldwide out of 213 countries.
What is the GDP per capita of Eritrea?
GDP per capita is $689 /inh. (2011): Eritrea ranks 203 out of 211 countries.
What is the unemployment rate in Eritrea?
The unemployment rate is 6 % (2025); Eritrea ranks 110 out of 184 (ranked from lowest to highest).
Where does Eritrea stand in its region (Africa)?
GDP per capita: Eritrea has $689 /inh., below the regional median (Africa: $1,658 /inh.).
Where do the figures on Eritrea come from?
The data comes from public sources (World Bank, CIA World Factbook…), cited on each indicator page, with the year of each value.
Rank is the position in the world ranking for each indicator (the ranking direction is given on the indicator's page). Sources and update dates are on each indicator's page.