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Economy of Bahrain vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 96/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Bahrain vs Gabon GDP by year

Bahrain
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Gabon
2024 $47,109,734,309 $20,895,684,426
2023 $46,192,260,638 $19,388,372,071
2022 $46,458,191,489 $20,440,655,695
2021 $40,840,212,766 $19,444,935,097
2020 $35,837,632,979 $15,342,236,164
2019 $40,446,808,511 $16,874,405,465
2018 $39,567,978,723 $16,867,326,402
2017 $37,204,813,830 $14,929,487,485
2016 $33,884,680,851 $14,023,890,265
2015 $32,523,297,872 $14,383,107,763
2014 $34,772,526,596 $18,203,966,896
2013 $33,823,324,468 $17,595,744,798
2012 $31,963,404,255 $17,170,464,016
2011 $29,914,680,851 $18,210,307,744
2010 $26,805,984,043 $14,372,593,020
2009 $22,938,218,085 $12,113,699,068
2008 $25,710,904,255 $15,571,348,344
2007 $21,730,000,000 $12,455,409,587
2006 $18,504,760,638 $10,327,598,306
2005 $15,968,723,404 $9,582,783,991
2004 $13,150,159,574 $7,770,219,008
2003 $11,074,813,830 $6,511,903,365
2002 $9,593,510,638 $5,335,451,100
2001 $8,976,196,809 $5,023,265,413
2000 $9,062,898,936 $5,080,483,629
1999 $7,528,469,149 $4,662,992,036
1998 $7,031,309,043 $4,483,417,310
1997 $7,219,407,713 $5,326,817,115
1996 $6,938,166,755 $5,694,040,003
1995 $6,651,180,851 $4,958,845,648
1994 $6,330,627,926 $4,190,819,344
1993 $5,913,001,064 $4,378,645,081
1992 $5,402,232,447 $5,592,390,827
1991 $5,248,911,170 $5,402,919,785
1990 $4,809,511,005 $5,952,293,765
1989 $4,393,093,963 $4,186,411,464
1988 $4,209,834,173 $3,834,503,376
1987 $3,856,922,694 $3,281,797,043
1986 $3,470,746,843 $3,403,638,189
1985 $4,152,376,484 $3,339,914,757
1984 $4,440,874,566 $3,561,451,561
1983 $4,247,030,468 $3,391,275,732
1982 $4,145,421,080 $3,618,007,841
1981 $3,943,109,532 $3,862,269,121
1980 $3,493,834,468 $4,279,637,942
1979 $2,710,160,739 $3,030,251,120
1978 $2,272,042,965 $2,389,479,272
1977 $1,989,060,283 $2,809,349,069
1976 $1,581,709,519 $3,009,409,974
1975 $1,099,107,601 $2,157,592,940
1974 $1,042,176,884 $1,544,216,002
1973 $761,132,545 $722,780,701
1972 $534,081,184 $430,508,359
1971 $422,181,562 $381,687,073
1970 $391,577,364 $323,802,476
1969 - $318,124,701
1968 - $294,468,564
1967 - $271,543,680
1966 - $245,849,781
1965 - $226,474,286
1964 - $215,679,855
1963 - $154,480,244
1962 - $182,796,536
1961 - $167,637,907
1960 - $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Gabon by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $8,833 - $4,374 -
1988 $8,772 - $4,119 -
1987 $8,333 - $3,624 -
1986 $7,777 - $3,865 -
1985 $9,649 - $3,898 -
1984 $10,697 - $4,273 -
1983 $10,599 - $4,182 -
1982 $10,712 - $4,584 -
1981 $10,557 - $5,026 -
1980 $9,733 - $5,718 -
1979 $7,891 - $4,155 -
1978 $6,926 - $3,360 -
1977 $6,358 - $4,048 -
1976 $5,310 - $4,441 -
1975 $3,880 - $3,258 -
1974 $3,874 - $2,384 -
1973 $2,981 - $1,140 -
1972 $2,206 - $693 -
1971 $1,830 - $627 -
1970 $1,742 - $543 -
1969 - - $545 -
1968 - - $515 -
1967 - - $482 -
1966 - - $443 -
1965 - - $415 -
1964 - - $400 -
1963 - - $290.7 -
1962 - - $348 -
1961 - - $323 -
1960 - - $276.1 -

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

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Gabon
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$5,368
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
20.4%
2010
Population
1669503
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 29.1% 123% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 19.8% 83%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 30.7% 84% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 32% 42.3% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 22.6% 26%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 25% 28.2% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 26.5% 25% 27.8% 81%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 25.7% 20% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 31% 14.8% 29.7% 57%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 23.9% 71.3%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 26.9% 90.1%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 26.5% 87.9%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 25.1% 89.3%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 22.6% 90%

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

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

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 9/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Gabon
2024 -10.6% -3.84%
2023 -9.67% 1.79%
2022 -6.02% -0.89%
2021 -10.6% -1.93%
2020 -17.3% -2.19%
2019 -8.57% 2.13%
2018 -11.3% -0.21%
2017 -13.4% -1.7%
2016 -16.6% -4.71%
2015 -17.5% -1.12%
2014 -3.32% 5.98%
2013 -8.55% -3.07%
2012 -5.77% 6.2%
2011 -4.9% 1.41%
2010 -9.29% 2.7%
2009 -5.36% 6.77%
2008 4.08% 11%
2007 1.52% 8.06%
2006 2.24% 8.67%
2005 2.8% 7.98%
2004 0.24% 6.99%
2003 -1.7% 7.75%
2002 -3.27% 3.72%
2001 0.7% 4.07%
2000 7.33% 11.1%
1999 -4.85% 1.11%
1998 -5.49% -13.1%
1997 -6.39% 1.41%
1996 0.24% 2.12%
1995 -3.99% 2.64%
1994 -5.18% -1.53%
1993 -2.77% -5.35%
1992 -5.41% -4.9%
1991 -3.47% -2.03%
1990 -6.79% -3.83%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahrain/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.39% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.52% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Gabon
2024 0.92% 1.17%
2023 0.07% 3.63%
2022 3.63% 4.23%
2021 -0.61% 1.09%
2020 -2.32% 1.35%
2019 1.01% 2.46%
2018 2.09% 4.75%
2017 1.39% 2.65%
2016 2.79% 2.11%
2015 1.85% -0.34%
2014 2.65% 4.69%
2013 3.3% 0.51%
2012 2.76% 2.65%
2011 -0.4% 1.26%
2010 1.96% 1.46%
2009 2.8% 1.89%
2008 3.53% 5.26%
2007 3.26% 5.03%
2006 2.01% -1.41%
2005 2.59% 3.71%
2004 2.35% 0.41%
2003 1.59% 2.24%
2002 -0.5% 0.04%
2001 -1.21% 2.14%
2000 -0.7% 0.5%
1999 -1.29% -1.94%
1998 -0.37% 1.45%
1997 2.43% 3.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $148K
Miscellaneous $19K
Weapons & explosives $7K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Metals $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $409K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Gabon
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$17B
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahrain Gabon
Economic freedom 65.7 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 120/197
Property rights 60.9 30
Government integrity 45.9 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 30 19.9
Tax burden 99.9 76.5
Government spending 75 85.5
Fiscal health 0 87.9
Business freedom 75.9 63.6
Labor freedom 55.5 55.4
Monetary freedom 88.8 80.9
Trade freedom 86.8 57.4
Investment freedom 90 60
Financial freedom 80 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Gabon
2026 65.7 56.6
2025 65.6 56.3
2024 63.4 56.9
2023 62.5 56.1
2022 62 55.8
2021 69.9 58.1
2020 66.3 56.7
2019 66.4 56.3
2018 67.7 58
2017 68.5 58.6
2016 74.3 59
2015 73.4 58.3
2014 75.1 57.8
2013 75.5 57.8
2012 75.2 56.4
2011 77.7 56.7
2010 76.3 55.4
2009 74.8 55
2008 72.2 54.2
2007 71.2 54.8
2006 71.6 56.1
2005 71.2 54.8
2004 75.1 57.1
2003 76.3 58.7
2002 75.6 58
2001 75.9 55
2000 75.7 58.2
1999 75.2 60.5
1998 75.6 59.2
1997 76.1 58.8
1996 76.4 55.7
1995 76.2 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Gabon
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
2024
19.1%
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/gabon | 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 (2020–2023, 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.