Timor-Leste: economy

What is the GDP growth rate of Timor-Leste?

Timor-Leste's non-oil GDP grew 4.3% in real terms in 2025, the same rate as in 2024, according to the National Accounts 2006-2025 published by the National Institute of Statistics (INETL) in October 2026. The final estimate was revised down from a preliminary 4.5%. INETL's initial estimate for 2026 is growth of 4.2%.

Private spending added 3.5 percentage points to growth in 2025 and exports 2.0 points. Oil GDP was negative US$17 million after the Bayu-Undan field stopped producing in June 2025. INETL plans to rebase GDP to 2025 prices in September 2027.

Official sources: INETL: Timor-Leste National Accounts 2006-2025 (PDF) · INETL: National Accounts release page

What is the inflation rate in Timor-Leste?

Consumer prices in Timor-Leste were 0.1% lower in August 2026 than a year earlier, according to the INETL consumer price index for August 2026. Food and non-alcoholic drinks fell 0.6%, led by rice (-3.1%), while transport rose 6.2%.

A basket of goods and services that cost US$100.00 in August 2025 would have cost US$99.99 in August 2026. Timor-Leste uses the US dollar, so import prices and exchange rates of trading partners strongly affect the index. INETL lists the September 2026 figures for release on 20 October 2026.

Official sources: INETL: Consumer Price Index, August 2026 (PDF) · INETL: CPI release page

What is the GDP per capita of Timor-Leste?

Non-oil GDP per person in Timor-Leste was US$1,272 in 2025 at constant 2015 prices, slightly above the US$1,266 recorded in 2019, according to INETL's National Accounts 2006-2025. Total GDP was US$2,001 million at current prices and gross national income US$2,225 million.

GNI is higher than GDP mainly because of income from Petroleum Fund investments. The World Bank puts GDP per capita at about US$1,341 in 2025 at current prices. Per capita non-oil GDP in 2025 was still below its 2015 and 2016 levels.

Official sources: INETL: National Accounts 2006-2025 (PDF) · World Bank: GDP per capita, Timor-Leste

What does Timor-Leste import and export?

Timor-Leste imported US$91.3 million of merchandise in September 2026 and exported US$4.5 million, including US$1.4 million of re-exports, according to INETL's Monthly External Trade Statistics for September 2026. There were no oil exports in the month.

Coffee made up US$2.68 million of the US$3.12 million of domestic exports, with Australia, China, Eswatini (listed as Swaziland), New Zealand and Japan the main buyers. Merchandise imports leave out goods brought in for embassies, foreign forces and the UN, which are counted separately as US$6.3 million of non-merchandise imports.

Official sources: INETL: Monthly External Trade Statistics, September 2026 (PDF)

How much is in Timor-Leste's Petroleum Fund?

Timor-Leste's Petroleum Fund held investments of US$18.29 billion in August 2026, according to the Banco Central de Timor-Leste's economic indicators page. US$12.21 billion was in global fixed income, US$5.52 billion in global equities and US$561.41 million in private debt.

The page shows a US$300 million transfer to the state budget and a return of US$163.21 million for August 2026. The central bank manages the fund and publishes Petroleum Fund reports and a monthly balance sheet.

Official sources: Banco Central de Timor-Leste: Economic indicators

What is the interest rate in Timor-Leste?

The average lending interest rate in Timor-Leste was 7.5% in August 2026, according to the Banco Central de Timor-Leste's economic indicators page. Money supply was US$1,249.80 million in the same month.

Timor-Leste uses the US dollar, and lending rates are set by commercial banks. The central bank publishes interest rate series on its interest rate statistics page.

Official sources: Banco Central de Timor-Leste: Economic indicators · Banco Central de Timor-Leste: Interest rates

What is Timor-Leste's economic growth rate?

7.0%: that is real GDP growth in Timor-Leste for 2025, according to the World Bank. The peak was 31.7% in 2020 and the low -20.5% in 2022. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 3.6%, and Timor-Leste placed 2nd highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 18th of 180.

What is GDP per capita in Timor-Leste?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2025, is $1,341. Since 2005 it has ranged from $465 (2006) to $2,685 (2021). East Asia & Pacific median: $6,547; Timor-Leste is 29th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 157th of 180.

What is Timor-Leste's GDP per person adjusted for prices?

$4,809 in international dollars: that is GDP per person at purchasing power parity in Timor-Leste for 2025, according to the World Bank. The peak was $6,825 in international dollars in 2021 and the low $1,377 in international dollars in 2006. It is 25th highest of 29 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is $14,200 in international dollars. World rank, highest first: 150th of 179.

What share of Timor-Leste's economy is exports?

The World Bank puts exports of goods and services in Timor-Leste at 10.6% of GDP in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 63.5% of GDP; its low point was 2017, at 2.4% of GDP. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 32.7% of GDP, and Timor-Leste placed 24th highest of 25. World rank, highest first: 152nd of 162.

What is Timor-Leste's current account balance?

According to the IMF, the current account balance in Timor-Leste was -36.9% of GDP in 2025, which is a deficit. That is the lowest since at least 2006. It is 19th highest of 19 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 1.6% of GDP. Of 132 countries with 2025 data, 130th highest.

How much foreign investment does Timor-Leste receive?

In 2025, net inflows of foreign direct investment in Timor-Leste was 13.3% of GDP, according to the IMF. That is the highest since at least 2005. East Asia & Pacific median: 1.9% of GDP; Timor-Leste is 3rd highest of 28. Of 179 countries with 2025 data, 9th highest.

What are bank lending rates in Timor-Leste?

According to the IMF, the average bank lending rate in Timor-Leste was 10.4% in 2025. No year since 2011 has been lower. East Asia & Pacific median: 6.5%; Timor-Leste is 1st highest of 10. Of 73 countries with 2025 data, 30th highest.