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Economy of Algeria vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Algeria has a GDP of $269B compared to $53.3B for Cameroon, ranking 51/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

Algeria has $129B in government debt (48.1% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (42.8% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Algeria vs Cameroon GDP by year

Algeria
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Algeria Cameroon
2024 $269,322,281,665 $53,296,694,320
2023 $247,923,887,215 $48,814,501,547
2022 $225,581,644,703 $44,347,206,073
2021 $186,231,205,262 $45,011,937,347
2020 $164,873,415,325 $40,773,241,177
2019 $193,459,662,091 $39,667,757,528
2018 $194,554,483,656 $39,955,552,190
2017 $189,880,896,903 $36,098,547,033
2016 $180,763,839,522 $33,814,337,044
2015 $187,493,855,609 $32,210,233,020
2014 $238,942,664,193 $36,386,544,706
2013 $229,701,430,292 $33,728,621,180
2012 $227,143,746,076 $30,155,062,329
2011 $218,331,946,925 $30,630,910,495
2010 $177,785,053,940 $27,507,501,821
2009 $150,317,292,079 $27,932,970,317
2008 $180,383,848,331 $27,715,142,033
2007 $142,482,739,810 $23,928,250,433
2006 $123,084,258,693 $20,910,512,975
2005 $107,046,618,670 $19,509,852,207
2004 $91,913,680,985 $18,826,214,136
2003 $73,482,264,191 $15,970,315,035
2002 $61,516,103,406 $12,417,251,350
2001 $59,413,400,924 $10,953,485,349
2000 $54,790,398,570 $10,566,579,295
1999 $48,640,671,735 $11,565,826,465
1998 $48,187,781,984 $11,298,144,990
1997 $48,177,612,042 $10,789,458,433
1996 $46,941,554,225 $11,093,538,846
1995 $41,764,291,672 $10,864,772,471
1994 $42,543,176,829 $8,902,446,252
1993 $49,945,584,453 $16,181,814,713
1992 $48,003,133,347 $12,071,775,335
1991 $45,715,676,428 $11,840,192,296
1990 $62,048,507,531 $12,314,482,628
1989 $55,634,721,573 $11,012,566,195
1988 $59,089,396,860 $12,236,057,362
1987 $66,745,818,375 $13,049,659,981
1986 $63,692,007,897 $11,857,056,199
1985 $57,937,868,670 $8,544,810,498
1984 $53,698,548,293 $7,311,938,026
1983 $48,801,369,800 $6,870,200,010
1982 $45,207,167,470 $6,611,255,964
1981 $44,348,590,461 $6,610,938,617
1980 $42,345,829,079 $6,674,569,047
1979 $33,243,706,860 $5,919,002,983
1978 $26,364,491,313 $4,662,852,583
1977 $20,972,113,685 $3,394,664,024
1976 $17,728,240,932 $2,898,090,002
1975 $15,557,902,754 $2,857,037,371
1974 $13,209,871,626 $2,157,415,533
1973 $8,707,858,912 $1,901,393,361
1972 $6,766,743,957 $1,498,251,890
1971 $5,077,183,094 $1,236,941,394
1970 $4,863,526,897 $1,151,216,993
1969 $4,257,253,264 $1,100,551,489
1968 $3,852,147,027 $1,046,191,218
1967 $3,370,870,376 $936,175,260
1966 $3,039,859,187 $851,112,535
1965 $3,136,284,307 $814,083,266
1964 $2,909,316,435 $776,650,177
1963 $2,702,982,018 $718,320,845
1962 $2,001,444,544 $694,247,864
1961 $2,434,747,056 $652,777,608
1960 $2,723,615,451 $614,206,068

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

GDP per capita in Algeria vs Cameroon by year

Algeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Algeria Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $5,753 $17,621 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $5,370 $16,824 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $4,960 $15,836 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $4,161 $14,497 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $3,744 $12,677 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $4,468 $13,893 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $4,577 $13,727 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $4,555 $13,494 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $4,425 $13,438 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $4,685 $13,807 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $6,095 $14,694 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $5,980 $14,371 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $6,034 $14,441 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $5,916 $14,640 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $4,913 $14,201 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $4,235 $13,651 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $5,181 $13,666 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $4,167 $13,321 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $3,661 $12,791 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $3,233 $12,246 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $2,817 $11,432 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $2,284 $10,803 $988 $2,368
2002 $1,937 $10,080 $790 $2,263
2001 $1,896 $9,544 $715 $2,191
2000 $1,773 $9,187 $709 $2,108
1999 $1,596 $8,776 $796 $2,039
1998 $1,603 $8,503 $799 $1,975
1997 $1,629 $8,129 $783 $1,915
1996 $1,617 $8,053 $827 $1,850
1995 $1,467 $7,747 $832 $1,790
1994 $1,526 $7,463 $701 $1,752
1993 $1,831 $7,538 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $1,803 $7,705 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $1,759 $7,582 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $2,445 $7,602 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $2,247 - $1,001 -
1988 $2,451 - $1,145 -
1987 $2,847 - $1,258 -
1986 $2,800 - $1,179 -
1985 $2,633 - $875 -
1984 $2,524 - $772 -
1983 $2,374 - $746 -
1982 $2,275 - $732 -
1981 $2,307 - $750 -
1980 $2,276 - $784 -
1979 $1,843 - $718 -
1978 $1,506 - $582 -
1977 $1,232 - $435 -
1976 $1,080 - $381 -
1975 $992 - $386 -
1974 $873 - $299.9 -
1973 $590 - $271.8 -
1972 $469 - $220.1 -
1971 $360 - $186.7 -
1970 $353 - $178.5 -
1969 $316 - $175.2 -
1968 $292.4 - $170.8 -
1967 $261.8 - $156.6 -
1966 $241.4 - $145.8 -
1965 $253.6 - $142.7 -
1964 $238.9 - $139.2 -
1963 $225.6 - $131.6 -
1962 $169.6 - $130 -
1961 $209.4 - $124.6 -
1960 $238.4 - $119.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

Algeria's GDP per capita is $5,753, ranking 114/197, compared to $1,830 in Cameroon, ranking 158/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Algeria ranks 105th at $17,621, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Algeria Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$269B
2024
$53.3B
2024
GDP rank
51/197
2024
91/197
2024
GDP growth
3.7%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$5,753
2024
$1,830
2024
GDP per capita rank
114/197
2024
158/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,621
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
105/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$129B
2024
$22.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.1%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,765
2024
$784
2024
Government debt per person rank
106/185
2024
152/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,787
2026
$1,578
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$371M
2018
n/a
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
22.9%
2011
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
4%
2011
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.05%
2023-2024
4.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3%
2020
n/a
Unemployment rate
12%
2017
3.28%
2021
Population
48222325
30864115

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Algeria
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Algeria Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 36.8% 48.1% 16.7% 42.8%
2023 37.4% 47.7% 17.1% 43.1%
2022 32.7% 48.1% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 32.5% 55.1% 17.1% 47.2%
2020 37.5% 46% 16.6% 44.9%
2019 37.1% 40.9% 18.7% 41.6%
2018 36.2% 34.5% 18% 38.3%
2017 36.2% 24% 19.2% 36.5%
2016 37.2% 18.1% 20.2% 32.1%
2015 40.9% 7.73% 20.1% 31.6%
2014 36.9% 6.85% 20.1% 20.7%
2013 33.5% 6.48% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 40% 8.58% 17.2% 14.9%
2011 37.7% 8.48% 17.8% 15.9%
2010 35.1% 9.51% 15.2% 14%
2009 40.1% 8.92% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 37.3% 7.64% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 33.1% 12.8% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 27.8% 22.5% 12.5% 18.4%
2005 27.8% 25.4% 12.4% 43.8%
2004 27.1% 32.7% 13.4% 51.7%
2003 27% 38.2% 13.2% 51.5%
2002 32.5% 47.3% 13.9% 56.6%
2001 29.1% 50% 14.6% 62.2%
2000 26.4% 53.4% 14.6% 75.9%
1999 29.4% 69.7% - 68.4%
1998 28.7% 79.9% - 67.8%
1997 28.5% 79.6% - -
1996 26.9% 90.7% - -
1995 28.9% 95.9% - -
1994 30.9% 106.3% - -
1993 32.6% 76.8% - -
1992 28.2% 69.3% - -
1991 27.6% 86.1% - -
1990 23.3% 63.6% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government spending was $99.1B, accounting for 36.8% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $8.91B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.1% in Algeria and 42.8% in Cameroon, ranking 113/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Algeria

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Algeria Cameroon
2024 -13.8% -1.48%
2023 -5.52% -0.63%
2022 -2.96% -1.11%
2021 -6.32% -3.01%
2020 -10.5% -3.19%
2019 -8.51% -3.24%
2018 -6.15% -2.41%
2017 -7.55% -4.72%
2016 -11.8% -5.88%
2015 -13.9% -4.25%
2014 -7.14% -4.09%
2013 -0.79% -3.55%
2012 -4.04% -1.4%
2011 -1.06% -2.26%
2010 -1.35% -0.93%
2009 -6.53% -0.04%
2008 7.79% 2%
2007 4.63% 3.87%
2006 12.9% 28.2%
2005 11.4% 3.03%
2004 6.36% -0.46%
2003 7.22% 0.56%
2002 0.21% 1.51%
2001 3.15% 0.86%
2000 8.91% 1.54%
1999 -1.83% -
1998 -3.52% -
1997 2.19% -
1996 2.7% -
1995 -1.3% -
1994 -4.05% -
1993 -7.79% -
1992 -1.05% -
1991 1.53% -
1990 3.35% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

In 2024, Algeria's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $37.1B, equivalent to 13.8% of GDP. This compares to Cameroon's deficit of $789M, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Algeria recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Algeria posted an annual deficit equal to 1.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.04% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Algeria

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Algeria Cameroon
2024 4.05% 4.53%
2023 9.32% 7.38%
2022 9.27% 6.25%
2021 7.23% 2.27%
2020 2.42% 2.44%
2019 1.95% 2.45%
2018 4.27% 1.07%
2017 5.59% 0.64%
2016 6.4% 0.87%
2015 4.78% 2.68%
2014 2.92% 1.85%
2013 3.25% 2.05%
2012 8.89% 2.74%
2011 4.52% 2.94%
2010 3.91% 1.28%
2009 5.74% 3.04%
2008 4.86% 5.34%
2007 3.68% 0.92%
2006 2.31% 5.12%
2005 1.38% 2.01%
2004 3.96% 0.23%
2003 4.27% 0.62%
2002 1.42% 2.83%
2001 4.23% 4.42%
2000 0.34% 1.23%
1999 2.65% 1.87%
1998 4.95% 3.17%
1997 5.73% 4.79%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Algeria has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 4.44%, compared with 2.75% in Cameroon. In 2024, inflation was 4.05% in Algeria and 4.53% in Cameroon.

Top exports between countries

Algeria
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $119K
Machinery & equipment $63K
Raw materials & minerals $63K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $53K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $10.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.02M
Raw materials & minerals $305K
Machinery & equipment $88K
Wood & paper products $47K

Balance of trade

Algeria Cameroon
Current account balance
-$2.75B
2024
-$2.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
154/190
2024
144/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.02%
2024
-4.14%
2023
Goods imports
$45.3B
2024
$7.74B
2023
Goods exports
$48.8B
2024
$6.34B
2023
Service imports
$9.13B
2024
$2.55B
2023
Service exports
$4.22B
2024
$2.01B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2024
18.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
19.9%
2024
15.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Algeria Cameroon
Economic freedom 45.8 52
Economic freedom ranking 179/197 151/197
Property rights 27.7 28.1
Government integrity 29.4 21
Judicial effectiveness 30 10.1
Tax burden 80.3 72.2
Government spending 61.9 91.4
Fiscal health 15.4 94.5
Business freedom 59.3 48.6
Labor freedom 52.2 45.6
Monetary freedom 74.7 75.3
Trade freedom 58.8 57.2
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 30 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Algeria
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Algeria Cameroon
2026 45.8 52
2025 47.5 52.1
2024 43.9 53.6
2023 43.2 51.9
2022 45.8 52.9
2021 49.7 53.4
2020 46.9 53.6
2019 46.2 52.4
2018 44.7 51.9
2017 46.5 51.8
2016 50.1 54.2
2015 48.9 51.9
2014 50.8 52.6
2013 49.6 52.3
2012 51 51.8
2011 52.4 51.8
2010 56.9 52.3
2009 56.6 53
2008 56.2 54.3
2007 55.4 55.6
2006 55.7 54.6
2005 53.2 53
2004 58.1 52.3
2003 57.7 52.7
2002 61 52.8
2001 57.3 53.3
2000 56.8 49.9
1999 57.2 50.3
1998 55.8 48
1997 54.9 44.6
1996 54.5 45.7
1995 55.7 51.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Algeria is 45.8, ranking 179/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Algeria Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
46.8%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.2%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
14%
2024
18.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$252B
2024
$49.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$17,290
2024
$5,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$83B
2024
$4.88B
2023
Total reserves ranking
31/177
2024
103/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.23B
2024
-$901M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.23B
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$265K
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
0.17%
2024
3.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
5.5%
2011
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
41.1%
2024
18.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/algeria/cameroon | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2017–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990, retrieved 2026-02-20)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.