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Economy of Bahrain vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $53.3B for Cameroon, ranking 96/197 and 91/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (42.8% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Bahrain vs Cameroon GDP by year

Bahrain
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Cameroon
2024 $47,109,734,309 $53,296,694,320
2023 $46,192,260,638 $48,814,501,547
2022 $46,458,191,489 $44,347,206,073
2021 $40,840,212,766 $45,011,937,347
2020 $35,837,632,979 $40,773,241,177
2019 $40,446,808,511 $39,667,757,528
2018 $39,567,978,723 $39,955,552,190
2017 $37,204,813,830 $36,098,547,033
2016 $33,884,680,851 $33,814,337,044
2015 $32,523,297,872 $32,210,233,020
2014 $34,772,526,596 $36,386,544,706
2013 $33,823,324,468 $33,728,621,180
2012 $31,963,404,255 $30,155,062,329
2011 $29,914,680,851 $30,630,910,495
2010 $26,805,984,043 $27,507,501,821
2009 $22,938,218,085 $27,932,970,317
2008 $25,710,904,255 $27,715,142,033
2007 $21,730,000,000 $23,928,250,433
2006 $18,504,760,638 $20,910,512,975
2005 $15,968,723,404 $19,509,852,207
2004 $13,150,159,574 $18,826,214,136
2003 $11,074,813,830 $15,970,315,035
2002 $9,593,510,638 $12,417,251,350
2001 $8,976,196,809 $10,953,485,349
2000 $9,062,898,936 $10,566,579,295
1999 $7,528,469,149 $11,565,826,465
1998 $7,031,309,043 $11,298,144,990
1997 $7,219,407,713 $10,789,458,433
1996 $6,938,166,755 $11,093,538,846
1995 $6,651,180,851 $10,864,772,471
1994 $6,330,627,926 $8,902,446,252
1993 $5,913,001,064 $16,181,814,713
1992 $5,402,232,447 $12,071,775,335
1991 $5,248,911,170 $11,840,192,296
1990 $4,809,511,005 $12,314,482,628
1989 $4,393,093,963 $11,012,566,195
1988 $4,209,834,173 $12,236,057,362
1987 $3,856,922,694 $13,049,659,981
1986 $3,470,746,843 $11,857,056,199
1985 $4,152,376,484 $8,544,810,498
1984 $4,440,874,566 $7,311,938,026
1983 $4,247,030,468 $6,870,200,010
1982 $4,145,421,080 $6,611,255,964
1981 $3,943,109,532 $6,610,938,617
1980 $3,493,834,468 $6,674,569,047
1979 $2,710,160,739 $5,919,002,983
1978 $2,272,042,965 $4,662,852,583
1977 $1,989,060,283 $3,394,664,024
1976 $1,581,709,519 $2,898,090,002
1975 $1,099,107,601 $2,857,037,371
1974 $1,042,176,884 $2,157,415,533
1973 $761,132,545 $1,901,393,361
1972 $534,081,184 $1,498,251,890
1971 $422,181,562 $1,236,941,394
1970 $391,577,364 $1,151,216,993
1969 - $1,100,551,489
1968 - $1,046,191,218
1967 - $936,175,260
1966 - $851,112,535
1965 - $814,083,266
1964 - $776,650,177
1963 - $718,320,845
1962 - $694,247,864
1961 - $652,777,608
1960 - $614,206,068

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

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Cameroon by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $1,830 $5,589
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $988 $2,368
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $790 $2,263
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $715 $2,191
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $709 $2,108
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $796 $2,039
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $799 $1,975
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $783 $1,915
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $827 $1,850
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $832 $1,790
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $701 $1,752
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $8,833 - $1,001 -
1988 $8,772 - $1,145 -
1987 $8,333 - $1,258 -
1986 $7,777 - $1,179 -
1985 $9,649 - $875 -
1984 $10,697 - $772 -
1983 $10,599 - $746 -
1982 $10,712 - $732 -
1981 $10,557 - $750 -
1980 $9,733 - $784 -
1979 $7,891 - $718 -
1978 $6,926 - $582 -
1977 $6,358 - $435 -
1976 $5,310 - $381 -
1975 $3,880 - $386 -
1974 $3,874 - $299.9 -
1973 $2,981 - $271.8 -
1972 $2,206 - $220.1 -
1971 $1,830 - $186.7 -
1970 $1,742 - $178.5 -
1969 - - $175.2 -
1968 - - $170.8 -
1967 - - $156.6 -
1966 - - $145.8 -
1965 - - $142.7 -
1964 - - $139.2 -
1963 - - $131.6 -
1962 - - $130 -
1961 - - $124.6 -
1960 - - $119.1 -

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

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $1,830 in Cameroon, ranking 158/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$53.3B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
91/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$1,830
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
158/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
156/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$22.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$784
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
152/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$1,578
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
4.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
3.28%
2021
Population
1669503
30864115

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 16.7% 42.8%
2023 29.1% 123% 17.1% 43.1%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 17.1% 47.2%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 16.6% 44.9%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 18.7% 41.6%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 18% 38.3%
2017 30.7% 84% 19.2% 36.5%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 20.2% 32.1%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 20.1% 31.6%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 20.1% 20.7%
2013 32% 42.3% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 17.2% 14.9%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 17.8% 15.9%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 15.2% 14%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 12.5% 18.4%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 12.4% 43.8%
2004 25% 28.2% 13.4% 51.7%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 13.2% 51.5%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 13.9% 56.6%
2001 26.5% 25% 14.6% 62.2%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 14.6% 75.9%
1999 27.1% 24.7% - 68.4%
1998 25.7% 20% - 67.8%
1997 31% 14.8% - -
1996 22.7% 13.1% - -
1995 25.1% 13.6% - -
1994 26.1% 5.62% - -
1993 26.7% 5.95% - -
1992 29.4% 6.45% - -
1991 28.5% 6.71% - -
1990 32.4% 7.24% - -

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

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $8.91B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 42.8% in Cameroon, ranking 9/185 and 125/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Cameroon
2024 -10.6% -1.48%
2023 -9.67% -0.63%
2022 -6.02% -1.11%
2021 -10.6% -3.01%
2020 -17.3% -3.19%
2019 -8.57% -3.24%
2018 -11.3% -2.41%
2017 -13.4% -4.72%
2016 -16.6% -5.88%
2015 -17.5% -4.25%
2014 -3.32% -4.09%
2013 -8.55% -3.55%
2012 -5.77% -1.4%
2011 -4.9% -2.26%
2010 -9.29% -0.93%
2009 -5.36% -0.04%
2008 4.08% 2%
2007 1.52% 3.87%
2006 2.24% 28.2%
2005 2.8% 3.03%
2004 0.24% -0.46%
2003 -1.7% 0.56%
2002 -3.27% 1.51%
2001 0.7% 0.86%
2000 7.33% 1.54%
1999 -4.85% -
1998 -5.49% -
1997 -6.39% -
1996 0.24% -
1995 -3.99% -
1994 -5.18% -
1993 -2.77% -
1992 -5.41% -
1991 -3.47% -
1990 -6.79% -

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

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Cameroon's deficit of $789M, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 18 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.79% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.04% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Cameroon
2024 0.92% 4.53%
2023 0.07% 7.38%
2022 3.63% 6.25%
2021 -0.61% 2.27%
2020 -2.32% 2.44%
2019 1.01% 2.45%
2018 2.09% 1.07%
2017 1.39% 0.64%
2016 2.79% 0.87%
2015 1.85% 2.68%
2014 2.65% 1.85%
2013 3.3% 2.05%
2012 2.76% 2.74%
2011 -0.4% 2.94%
2010 1.96% 1.28%
2009 2.8% 3.04%
2008 3.53% 5.34%
2007 3.26% 0.92%
2006 2.01% 5.12%
2005 2.59% 2.01%
2004 2.35% 0.23%
2003 1.59% 0.62%
2002 -0.5% 2.83%
2001 -1.21% 4.42%
2000 -0.7% 1.23%
1999 -1.29% 1.87%
1998 -0.37% 3.17%
1997 2.43% 4.79%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 2.75% in Cameroon. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 4.53% in Cameroon.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $302K
Machinery & equipment $127K
Raw materials & minerals $40K
Miscellaneous $24K
Metals $2K
Cameroon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.53M

Balance of trade

Bahrain Cameroon
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
-$2.02B
2023
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
144/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
-4.14%
2023
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$7.74B
2023
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$6.34B
2023
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$2.55B
2023
Service exports
$17B
2024
$2.01B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
18.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
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.

Bahrain Cameroon
Economic freedom 65.7 52
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 151/197
Property rights 60.9 28.1
Government integrity 45.9 21
Judicial effectiveness 30 10.1
Tax burden 99.9 72.2
Government spending 75 91.4
Fiscal health 0 94.5
Business freedom 75.9 48.6
Labor freedom 55.5 45.6
Monetary freedom 88.8 75.3
Trade freedom 86.8 57.2
Investment freedom 90 30
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Cameroon
2026 65.7 52
2025 65.6 52.1
2024 63.4 53.6
2023 62.5 51.9
2022 62 52.9
2021 69.9 53.4
2020 66.3 53.6
2019 66.4 52.4
2018 67.7 51.9
2017 68.5 51.8
2016 74.3 54.2
2015 73.4 51.9
2014 75.1 52.6
2013 75.5 52.3
2012 75.2 51.8
2011 77.7 51.8
2010 76.3 52.3
2009 74.8 53
2008 72.2 54.3
2007 71.2 55.6
2006 71.6 54.6
2005 71.2 53
2004 75.1 52.3
2003 76.3 52.7
2002 75.6 52.8
2001 75.9 53.3
2000 75.7 49.9
1999 75.2 50.3
1998 75.6 48
1997 76.1 44.6
1996 76.4 45.7
1995 76.2 51.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
18.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$49.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$5,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$4.88B
2023
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
103/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$901M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.2%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
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/bahrain/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 (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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.