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Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — all countries

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Eritrea

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) in Eritrea in 2025 — 29.36%. Ranked 166 in the world out of 189. Since 1992, the indicator has fallen by 47.56 pp.

2025 29.36% −0.67 pp vs 2024
World rank 166of 189
Period maximum 106.64%1994
Period minimum 28.94%2023

Trend over time

1992–2025 · % of GDP

Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Eritrea, 1992–20250501001501992199620002004200820122016202020241992: 76.92%1993: 83.57%1994: 106.64%1995: 93.42%1996: 93.87%1997: 84.78%1998: 71.9%1999: 77.08%2000: 71.92%2001: 58.75%2002: 80.9%2003: 50.56%2004: 44.27%2005: 45.61%2006: 41.86%2007: 39.68%2008: 44.27%2009: 32.37%2010: 42.34%2011: 66.83%2012: 54.05%2013: 46.29%2014: 69.19%2015: 44.9%2016: 53.17%2017: 55.96%2018: 70.1%2019: 42.03%2020: 36.2%2021: 30.98%2022: 36.93%2023: 28.94%2024: 30.03%2025: 29.36%
Change over the period: −47.56 pp Annual average: -1.44 pp

Comparison, 2025

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: Eritrea

Eritrea 29.36%
World 43.89%
Sub-Saharan Africa 44.53%
Eastern Africa computed 37.9%
Low-income countries computed 39.9%
Merchandise trade (% of GDP) — Eritrea, by year Eritrea All countries CSV XLSX
Year % Change, pp
2025 29.36 −0.67 pp
2024 30.03 +1.09 pp
2023 28.94 −7.99 pp
2022 36.93 +5.96 pp
2021 30.98 −5.22 pp
2020 36.2 −5.83 pp
2019 42.03 −28.08 pp
2018 70.1 +14.15 pp
2017 55.96 +2.78 pp
2016 53.17 +8.28 pp
2015 44.9 −24.29 pp
2014 69.19 +22.9 pp
2013 46.29 −7.76 pp
2012 54.05 −12.78 pp
2011 66.83 +24.49 pp
2010 42.34 +9.97 pp
2009 32.37 −11.9 pp
2008 44.27 +4.59 pp
2007 39.68 −2.18 pp
2006 41.86 −3.75 pp
2005 45.61 +1.34 pp
2004 44.27 −6.29 pp
2003 50.56 −30.34 pp
2002 80.9 +22.15 pp
2001 58.75 −13.17 pp
2000 71.92 −5.16 pp
1999 77.08 +5.18 pp
1998 71.9 −12.88 pp
1997 84.78 −9.09 pp
1996 93.87 +0.44 pp
1995 93.42 −13.22 pp
1994 106.64 +23.07 pp
1993 83.57 +6.65 pp
1992 76.92 —

Eastern Africa, 2025

The same indicator for neighboring countries — with links to their pages

DJ Djibouti 267.14 ZM Zambia 91.71 SC Seychelles 86.72 MZ Mozambique 77.49 MU Mauritius 57.42 UG Uganda 49.85 RW Rwanda 45.93 BI Burundi 45.17 SO Somalia 40.25 MG Madagascar 39.44 ZW Zimbabwe 38.7 SS South Sudan 37.16 MW Malawi 30.89 ER Eritrea 29.36 TZ Tanzania 27.47 ET Ethiopia 24.21 KM Comoros 23.09 KE Kenya 22.23
Full table for all countries

About the indicator

The sum of exports and imports of goods as a percent of GDP. It differs from trade openness in that services are not counted here, and the difference between the two indicators is exactly what shows the weight of services in a country's foreign trade. The highest values come not from large exporters but from transshipment economies — Singapore, Hong Kong, Luxembourg — where goods are brought in to be sent out again, and both flows are counted in full.

Important: Goods only. The value can exceed 100% of GDP: exports and imports are counted at the full value of the goods while GDP is counted as value added, so in transshipment economies the values run to several hundred percent.

Source: World Development Indicators (World Bank), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for Eritrea

Trade Trade openness

Exports plus imports as a percent of GDP — total foreign trade turnover.

Eritrea by year Trade Merchandise exports

Exports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Eritrea by year Trade Merchandise imports

Imports of goods only, without services — WTO data.

Eritrea by year Trade Trade balance

The difference between exports and imports of goods and services. A minus means imports are larger.

Eritrea by year
All indicators for Eritrea