Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Ethiopia
Ethiopia: Total reserves (% of total external debt) was 10.4% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Total reserves in Ethiopia, 1971–2024
Source: International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB). Measured in % of total external debt.
Analysis
The most recent figure for total reserves in Ethiopia is 10.4%, measured in 2024.
The figure is up 69.9% on the previous year and down 50.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total reserves in Ethiopia peaked at 111.2% in 1974 and was at its lowest, 0.6%, in 1990.
Ethiopia ranks 105th of 112 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total reserves (% of total external debt) in Ethiopia, year by year
| Year | % of total external debt | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 34.1% | — |
| 1972 | 43.8% | +28.5% |
| 1973 | 76.0% | +73.6% |
| 1974 | 111.2% | +46.3% |
| 1975 | 91.7% | -17.5% |
| 1976 | 82.4% | -10.2% |
| 1977 | 52.0% | -36.9% |
| 1978 | 38.4% | -26.3% |
| 1979 | 43.1% | +12.4% |
| 1980 | 31.8% | -26.2% |
| 1981 | 20.1% | -36.9% |
| 1982 | 8.5% | -57.9% |
| 1983 | 5.3% | -36.8% |
| 1984 | 2.6% | -51.8% |
| 1985 | 4.2% | +61.1% |
| 1986 | 5.4% | +30.3% |
| 1987 | 3.0% | -43.9% |
| 1988 | 1.9% | -36.0% |
| 1989 | 1.6% | -19.4% |
| 1990 | 0.6% | -59.2% |
| 1991 | 1.2% | +82.5% |
| 1992 | 2.9% | +147.7% |
| 1993 | 5.1% | +78.2% |
| 1994 | 5.8% | +13.3% |
| 1995 | 7.9% | +35.4% |
| 1996 | 8.4% | +5.9% |
| 1997 | 5.8% | -30.2% |
| 1998 | 5.8% | -1.0% |
| 1999 | 9.8% | +69.8% |
| 2000 | 6.6% | -33.0% |
| 2001 | 8.5% | +29.7% |
| 2002 | 14.7% | +72.9% |
| 2003 | 13.1% | -11.0% |
| 2004 | 22.8% | +73.6% |
| 2005 | 16.9% | -25.9% |
| 2006 | 39.1% | +131.4% |
| 2007 | 49.8% | +27.4% |
| 2008 | 30.6% | -38.6% |
| 2009 | 33.2% | +8.7% |
| 2010 | 30.8% | -7.4% |
| 2011 | 33.0% | +7.2% |
| 2012 | 22.0% | -33.3% |
| 2013 | 18.8% | -14.6% |
| 2014 | 20.8% | +10.8% |
| 2015 | 18.8% | -9.8% |
| 2016 | 13.0% | -30.9% |
| 2017 | 11.6% | -10.2% |
| 2018 | 13.4% | +14.8% |
| 2019 | 9.9% | -26.3% |
| 2020 | 9.4% | -4.5% |
| 2021 | 5.1% | -45.4% |
| 2022 | 3.9% | -24.2% |
| 2023 | 6.1% | +56.6% |
| 2024 | 10.4% | +69.9% |
Ethiopia compared with similar countries
- Ethiopia's 10.4% is below the median for low income countries, which is 18.5%, 56% of the median. (18 countries reporting)
- Ethiopia's 10.4% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 23.9%, 43% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 63.6% | 34.1% | 111.2% | 9 |
| 1980s | 8.4% | 1.6% | 31.8% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.3% | 0.6% | 9.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 23.5% | 6.6% | 49.8% | 10 |
| 2010s | 19.2% | 9.9% | 33.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 7.0% | 3.9% | 10.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ethiopia
More financial sector data for Ethiopia
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, US dollar, per capita 0.0759 units per person (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve position in the IMF, SDR, per capita 0.0554 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, annual growth rate 5.01 % change on previous year (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, US dollar, per capita 0.0759 units per person (2025)
- Reserve tranche position, SDR, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total reserves in Ethiopia?
- Total reserves in Ethiopia was 10.4% in 2024, according to International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB).
- What is the highest total reserves recorded in Ethiopia?
- The highest recorded value was 111.2% in 1974.
- What is the lowest total reserves recorded in Ethiopia?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.6% in 1990.
- How does Ethiopia rank for total reserves?
- Ethiopia ranks 105th out of 112 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total reserves rising or falling in Ethiopia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ethiopia data come from?
- The figures come from International Debt Statistics, World Bank (WB), published as part of Total reserves (% of total external debt). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Reserve assets are external assets, including monetary gold, that are readily available to and controlled by monetary authorities for meeting balance of payments financing needs, for intervention in exchange markets to affect the currency exchange rate, and for other related purposes (such as maintaining confidence in the currency and the economy, and serving as a basis for foreign borrowing). Reserve assets must be denominated and settled in foreign currency. This indicator is expressed as a percentage of total external debt which are all liabilities that require payment(s) of interest and/or principal by the debtor at some point(s) in the future and that are owed to non-residents by residents of an economy.