Ethiopia: economy

What is Ethiopia's GDP growth rate?

Ethiopia's real GDP grew 9.2% in fiscal year 2024/25 (EFY 2017), up from 8.1% in 2023/24, according to the Ministry of Finance mid-year budget implementation review for 2025/26, published in April 2026. The ministry projects growth of 10.2% for 2025/26 (EFY 2018).

Ethiopia's fiscal year runs from July to early July, and its own calendar (EFY) is seven to eight years behind the Gregorian one. The ministry credits agriculture, mining, construction and manufacturing for the growth. The national accounts behind these figures come from the Ministry of Planning and Development, and the 2025/26 figure is a projection that will be replaced by an estimate once the year's accounts are compiled.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Mid-Year Budget Implementation Review 2025/26 (PDF)

What is Ethiopia's GDP per capita?

Ethiopia's GDP per person was US$933 in 2025, down from US$1,134 in 2024, according to the World Bank World Development Indicators. In 2023 it was US$1,056.

The fall in dollar terms reflects the birr's depreciation after Ethiopia moved to a market-determined exchange rate in July 2024, not a fall in output: real GDP kept growing. The World Bank's official exchange rate series shows the birr averaging 82.6 per US dollar in 2024, against 54.6 in 2023. Per capita figures in birr, or adjusted for purchasing power, give a steadier picture of living standards over time.

Official sources: World Bank: GDP per capita (current US$), Ethiopia · World Bank: official exchange rate, Ethiopia

What is the inflation rate in Ethiopia?

Consumer price inflation in Ethiopia was 15.1% in August 2026 (August EFY2018) compared with a year earlier, according to the Ethiopian Statistical Service monthly CPI release. A year earlier the rate was 13.6%. Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices rose 14.9% and non-food prices 15.4%. Prices rose 0.9% in the month.

Inflation fell to 9.4% in March 2026 and then rose each month to 15.3% in July before easing slightly in August. The 12-month average rate for the year to August 2026 was 11.7%, down from 16.0% a year earlier. ESS publishes each month's release on its price statistics page; dates in the release use the Ethiopian calendar.

Official sources: ESS: CPI monthly release, August EFY2018 (PDF) · ESS: price statistics

What is the National Bank of Ethiopia's policy rate?

The National Bank of Ethiopia's policy rate (NBR) is 16%, according to the NBE website on 15 October 2026. The same page shows a treasury bill annual weighted average yield of 5.361%.

The policy rate is the NBE's main signal for the cost of short-term money and guides the rates banks charge each other and, in turn, lending rates. The treasury bill yield is set at government auctions and is a separate measure. The Ministry of Finance mid-year budget review links the fall in inflation to December 2025 to tighter monetary and fiscal policy. Check the NBE site for the date of the latest rate decision before quoting it.

Official sources: National Bank of Ethiopia · Ministry of Finance: Mid-Year Budget Implementation Review 2025/26 (PDF)

How much does Ethiopia export?

Ethiopia exported US$5.0 billion of goods in the first half of fiscal year 2025/26 (July to December 2025), up 53.1% from US$3.3 billion a year earlier, according to National Bank of Ethiopia figures in the Ministry of Finance mid-year budget review. Imports of goods were US$11.3 billion, up 23.3%, leaving a trade deficit of US$6.3 billion.

The ministry attributes the rise to the exchange rate reform, which gave exporters better incentives and moved trade from informal to formal channels, and to high world prices for key exports, especially gold. The figures cover goods only; services exports such as air transport are counted separately in the balance of payments.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Mid-Year Budget Implementation Review 2025/26 (PDF)

What happened to the birr after the exchange rate reform?

The premium of the parallel market exchange rate over the official rate averaged about 101% between August 2023 and July 2024, and fell to about 12% between August 2024 and June 2025 after the move to a market-determined exchange rate, according to the Ministry of Finance mid-year budget review for 2025/26.

Before July 2024 the birr was managed by the central bank and foreign currency was rationed, so a large informal market grew up. Since then banks set rates with customers and the National Bank of Ethiopia publishes an indicative daily rate in birr per US dollar on its website, updated on weekdays. The World Bank's official exchange rate series shows an average of 82.6 birr per dollar in 2024.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: Mid-Year Budget Implementation Review 2025/26 (PDF) · National Bank of Ethiopia · World Bank: official exchange rate, Ethiopia

Is Ethiopia's economy growing?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is 9.8%. Since 2005 it has ranged from 5.3% (2022) to 12.6% (2010). It is 1st highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 4.6%. Of 180 countries with 2025 data, 5th highest.

What is Ethiopia's GDP per person?

In 2025, GDP per person in Ethiopia was $933, according to the World Bank. Since 2005 it has ranged from $158 (2005) to $1,134 (2024). It is 35th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $1,351. Worldwide: 169th of 180.

How does Ethiopia's income per person compare after prices?

In 2025, GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Ethiopia was $3,622 in international dollars, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $4,425 in international dollars; Ethiopia is 30th highest of 46. Worldwide: 161st of 179.

How big are Ethiopia's exports?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in Ethiopia at 13.3% of GDP in 2025. The peak was 16.7% of GDP in 2011 and the low 5.5% of GDP in 2024. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 26.1% of GDP, and Ethiopia placed 32nd highest of 38. Worldwide: 123rd of 133.

Does Ethiopia have a current account surplus or deficit?

The IMF puts the current account balance in Ethiopia at -2.5% of GDP in 2024 (a deficit). Its high point since 2005 was 2010, at -2.1% of GDP; its low point was 2005, at -12.6% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: -4.2% of GDP; Ethiopia is 12th highest of 36. World rank, highest first: 97th of 162.

How much foreign direct investment goes into Ethiopia?

3.0% of GDP: that is net inflows of foreign direct investment in Ethiopia for 2025, according to the IMF. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 6.1% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 0.4% of GDP. It is 18th highest of 46 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 2.0% of GDP. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 65th highest.