Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Latest Update:
September 2026
Source:
IMF
Ethiopia has one of Africa’s largest developing economies, supported by agriculture, services, manufacturing, infrastructure, and a large domestic market. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+9.2%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#2
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
0.0 pp
2025: +9.2%
Africa Rank
#1
Out of 54 countries
1. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Ethiopian economic growth is influenced by agriculture, public investment, manufacturing, services, and domestic consumption. Inflation, foreign exchange availability, and political stability remain especially important.
2. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Ethiopia’s growth history has been shaped by infrastructure development, agricultural expansion, urbanization, and state-led investment. Industrialization has become an increasingly important policy focus.
3. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +9.2% | 0.0 pp |
| 2025 | +9.2% | +1.1 pp |
| 2024 | +8.1% | +0.9 pp |
| 2023 | +7.2% | +0.8 pp |
| 2022 | +6.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 2021 | +6.3% | +0.2 pp |
| 2020 | +6.1% | -2.9 pp |
| 2019 | +9.0% | +1.3 pp |
| 2018 | +7.7% | -2.5 pp |
| 2017 | +10.2% | +2.2 pp |
| 2016 | +8.0% | -2.4 pp |
| 2015 | +10.4% | +0.1 pp |
| 2014 | +10.3% | +0.4 pp |
| 2013 | +9.9% | +1.2 pp |
| 2012 | +8.7% | -2.7 pp |
| 2011 | +11.4% | +0.8 pp |
| 2010 | +10.6% | +0.6 pp |
| 2009 | +10.0% | -1.2 pp |
| 2008 | +11.2% | -0.6 pp |
| 2007 | +11.8% | +0.3 pp |
| 2006 | +11.5% | -1.1 pp |
| 2005 | +12.6% | +0.9 pp |
| 2004 | +11.7% | +13.8 pp |
| 2003 | -2.1% | -3.7 pp |
| 2002 | +1.6% | -5.8 pp |
| 2001 | +7.4% | -2.4 pp |
| 2000 | +9.8% | +3.5 pp |
| 1999 | +6.3% | +10.5 pp |
| 1998 | -4.2% | -7.0 pp |
| 1997 | +2.8% | -10.7 pp |
| 1996 | +13.5% | +7.4 pp |
| 1995 | +6.1% | +2.6 pp |
| 1994 | +3.5% | -9.9 pp |
| 1993 | +13.4% | +22.3 pp |
| 1992 | -8.9% | -1.7 pp |
| 1991 | -7.2% | -9.8 pp |
| 1990 | +2.6% | +3.1 pp |
| 1989 | -0.5% | -1.1 pp |
| 1988 | +0.6% | -13.3 pp |
| 1987 | +13.9% | +4.2 pp |
| 1986 | +9.7% | +21.1 pp |
| 1985 | -11.4% | -9.1 pp |
| 1984 | -2.3% | -10.1 pp |
| 1983 | +7.8% | +6.8 pp |
| 1982 | +1.0% | -3.0 pp |
| 1980 | +4.0% | — |
4. Ethiopia GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+9.2%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+8.0%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+7.9%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+9.1%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from a large population and significant development potential, but inflation, financing constraints, and political instability can slow investment and activity.
5. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Ethiopia
+9.2%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
4.6%
9.2%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Ethiopia’s GDP growth rate is approximately
5.1 pp
above the
Africa average
and
6.4 pp
above the world average.
6. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ethiopia | +9.2% |
| #2 | Guinea | +8.7% |
| #3 | Uganda | +7.5% |
| #4 | Rwanda | +7.2% |
| #5 | Benin | +7.0% |
| #6 | Niger | +6.7% |
| #7 | Libya | +6.7% |
| #8 | Ivory Coast | +6.2% |
| #9 | Djibouti | +6.0% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Ethiopia
Ethiopia GDP (Nominal)
$121.5 Billion
(2026)
Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate
+9.2%
(2026)
Ethiopia often grows faster than mature economies due to its low income base and development needs. Structural constraints and conflict can create significant volatility around that long-term potential.
Explore more:
Ethiopia GDP
→
9. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on reforms, investment, agriculture, infrastructure, and financial stability. Inflation, debt, foreign exchange shortages, and political risks remain important challenges.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +7.9% | -1.3 pp |
| 2028 | +8.2% | +0.3 pp |
| 2029 | +8.5% | +0.3 pp |
| 2030 | +8.0% | -0.5 pp |
10. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
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Ethiopia GDP growth rate is estimated at +9.2% in 2026.
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It ranks #2 globally and #1 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
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The growth rate was unchanged compared with 2025.
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The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +8.0%.
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The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +7.9%.
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The current rate is 5.1 percentage points above the Africa average.
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The current rate is 6.4 percentage points above the world average.
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The forecast GDP growth rate is +8.0% in 2030, 1.2 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Ethiopia GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Ethiopia GDP growth rate is estimated at +9.2% in 2026.
Ethiopia ranks #2 globally and #1 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +9.2% in 2026.
Ethiopia GDP growth rate was +10.4% in 2015.
Ethiopia GDP growth rate is 5.1 percentage points above the Africa average.
14. Related Country GDP Growth Rate Data
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Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.