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Economy of Bangladesh vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bangladesh has a GDP of $450B compared to $82.3B for Ghana, ranking 36/197 and 80/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bangladesh has $184B in government debt (41% of GDP), compared to $57.9B (70.3% of GDP) in Ghana.

Bangladesh vs Ghana GDP by year

Bangladesh
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bangladesh Ghana
2024 $450,119,432,069 $82,308,110,386
2023 $437,415,333,018 $80,547,146,878
2022 $460,131,689,083 $73,919,003,210
2021 $416,271,647,911 $79,514,204,730
2020 $373,979,442,362 $70,008,243,860
2019 $351,231,654,604 $68,352,629,246
2018 $321,362,752,442 $67,259,353,966
2017 $293,732,446,625 $60,385,409,435
2016 $265,224,515,675 $56,144,179,398
2015 $195,146,608,978 $49,436,806,230
2014 $172,886,611,654 $54,678,533,806
2013 $149,998,957,434 $62,845,721,960
2012 $133,310,747,603 $41,271,701,061
2011 $128,607,482,310 $39,336,668,081
2010 $115,275,540,051 $32,197,655,567
2009 $102,475,158,191 $26,048,720,006
2008 $91,636,997,371 $28,679,383,241
2007 $79,611,644,975 $24,827,339,138
2006 $71,795,736,172 $20,885,037,597
2005 $69,476,001,239 $10,744,568,381
2004 $65,108,544,250 $8,881,417,907
2003 $60,158,929,188 $7,632,723,556
2002 $54,724,081,491 $6,166,197,848
2001 $53,991,289,844 $5,314,872,854
2000 $53,369,787,319 $4,982,850,662
1999 $51,270,569,884 $7,718,109,982
1998 $49,984,559,471 $7,482,069,162
1997 $48,244,309,133 $6,891,443,192
1996 $46,438,484,108 $6,932,991,739
1995 $37,939,748,769 $6,464,382,808
1994 $33,768,660,883 $5,446,383,727
1993 $33,166,519,418 $5,968,922,939
1992 $31,708,874,594 $6,416,103,926
1991 $30,957,483,950 $6,603,185,268
1990 $31,598,340,778 $5,889,106,573
1989 $28,781,715,189 $5,251,858,440
1988 $26,579,005,558 $5,197,765,032
1987 $24,298,032,258 $5,074,829,932
1986 $21,774,033,333 $5,735,677,434
1985 $22,278,423,077 $4,504,306,723
1984 $18,920,840,000 $4,412,279,843
1983 $17,609,048,822 $4,057,275,132
1982 $18,525,399,202 $4,035,994,398
1981 $20,249,694,002 $4,222,441,860
1980 $18,138,049,096 $4,445,228,216
1979 $15,565,480,322 $4,020,227,920
1978 $13,281,767,143 $3,662,478,185
1977 $9,651,149,302 $3,189,428,571
1976 $10,117,113,333 $2,765,254,237
1975 $19,448,348,073 $2,810,106,383
1974 $12,512,460,520 $2,894,409,938
1973 $8,086,725,729 $3,006,766,758
1972 $6,288,245,867 $2,112,293,280
1971 $8,751,843,188 $2,417,108,578
1970 $8,992,722,167 $2,215,028,588
1969 $8,471,006,438 $1,962,050,556
1968 $7,483,685,771 $1,666,909,518
1967 $7,253,575,688 $1,747,187,645
1966 $6,439,687,854 $2,126,300,672
1965 $5,906,636,792 $2,053,462,968
1964 $5,386,054,833 $1,731,296,200
1963 $5,319,458,563 $1,540,797,589
1962 $5,081,413,542 $1,382,515,654
1961 $4,817,580,375 $1,302,674,325
1960 $4,274,894,083 $1,217,230,095

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/ghana | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bangladesh vs Ghana by year

Bangladesh
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bangladesh Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,593 $9,647 $2,391 $8,020
2023 $2,551 $9,148 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $2,716 $8,451 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $2,483 $7,441 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $2,249 $6,641 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $2,130 $6,047 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $1,965 $5,490 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $1,811 $4,883 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $1,649 $4,579 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $1,224 $4,212 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $1,094 $3,973 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $958 $3,691 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $860 $3,434 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $837 $3,051 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $757 $2,834 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $679 $2,675 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $613 $2,555 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $538 $2,388 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $490 $2,195 $906 $3,103
2005 $480 $2,020 $479 $2,904
2004 $456 $1,862 $406 $2,729
2003 $427 $1,746 $358 $2,584
2002 $394 $1,659 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $395 $1,598 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $397 $1,512 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $388 $1,430 $403 $2,239
1998 $386 $1,373 $400 $2,167
1997 $379 $1,315 $378 $2,097
1996 $372 $1,261 $389 $2,026
1995 $309 $1,206 $372 $1,947
1994 $280.6 $1,145 $321 $1,875
1993 $280.8 $1,099 $360 $1,821
1992 $273.5 $1,045 $396 $1,739
1991 $272.1 $987 $418 $1,678
1990 $283.1 $941 $383 $1,581
1989 $263 - $350 -
1988 $247.9 - $355 -
1987 $231.5 - $355 -
1986 $212.1 - $411 -
1985 $222.2 - $330 -
1984 $193.4 - $330 -
1983 $184.7 - $311 -
1982 $199.6 - $319 -
1981 $224.2 - $344 -
1980 $206.1 - $372 -
1979 $181.1 - $347 -
1978 $158.3 - $326 -
1977 $117.9 - $292.3 -
1976 $126.7 - $261 -
1975 $249.8 - $273 -
1974 $165 - $289.4 -
1973 $109.7 - $310 -
1972 $87.8 - $223.8 -
1971 $124.5 - $263.4 -
1970 $130.2 - $248.2 -
1969 $125.9 - $225.8 -
1968 $114.4 - $196.7 -
1967 $114.2 - $211.2 -
1966 $104.4 - $263.3 -
1965 $98.6 - $260.5 -
1964 $92.6 - $225 -
1963 $94.1 - $205 -
1962 $92.6 - $188.4 -
1961 $90.4 - $181.9 -
1960 $82.5 - $174.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/ghana | CC BY

Bangladesh's GDP per capita is $2,593, ranking 146/197, compared to $2,391 in Ghana, ranking 151/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bangladesh ranks 135th at $9,647, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Bangladesh Ghana
Gross domestic product
$450B
2024
$82.3B
2024
GDP rank
36/197
2024
80/197
2024
GDP growth
4.22%
2023-2024
5.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,593
2024
$2,391
2024
GDP per capita rank
146/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$9,647
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
135/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$184B
2024
$57.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
41%
2024
70.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,063
2024
$1,682
2024
Government debt per person rank
139/185
2024
123/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,222
2026
$2,110
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$87.9B
2024
$7.58B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
25.5%
2022
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.7%
2022
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
12%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
9.7%
2023-2024
22.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
10%
2024
25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.64%
2024
2.87%
2022
Population
178415186
35885254

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bangladesh
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bangladesh Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 12% 41% 23.2% 70.3%
2023 12.6% 39.7% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 13% 37.9% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 12.9% 35.6% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 13.3% 34.5% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 13.6% 32% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 13% 29.6% 20.9% 62%
2017 12.2% 28.3% 17.6% 57%
2016 11.6% 27.7% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 11.5% 28.2% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 11.7% 28.7% 21% 50.1%
2013 12.1% 28.3% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 11.7% 29.1% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 11.5% 29.4% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 10.6% 29.6% 19% 32.9%
2009 10.6% 33% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 11.5% 33.9% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 9.63% 35% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 10.1% 35.3% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 10.3% 35.6% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 9.88% 36.6% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 10.2% 37% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 10.4% 38.9% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 10.7% 37.1% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 9.76% 31.2% 12% 74.5%
1999 8.66% 32.7% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 9.82% 31.1% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 9.89% 29.1% 12% 45.2%
1996 9.79% 31% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 10.5% 32.9% 13% 47.6%
1994 10% 35.5% 12.7% 50.6%
1993 9.74% 34.1% 12.1% 34.1%
1992 8.8% 33.1% 9.2% 21.3%
1991 8.86% 31.8% 7.09% 17.3%
1990 9.14% 31.5% 6.59% 17.8%
1989 - - 7.24% 23%
1988 - - 7.23% 23.5%
1987 - - 7.32% 26.8%
1986 - - 7.29% 18.2%
1985 - - 6.08% 14.4%
1984 - - 4.64% 13%
1983 - - 3.49% 9.21%
1982 - - 4.73% 8.51%
1981 - - 5.74% 8.77%
1980 - - 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/ghana | CC BY

In 2024, Bangladesh's government spending was $54.2B, accounting for 12% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.1B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 41% in Bangladesh and 70.3% in Ghana, ranking 131/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bangladesh

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bangladesh Ghana
2024 -3.69% -7.31%
2023 -4.39% -3.37%
2022 -4.53% -11.8%
2021 -3.56% -12%
2020 -4.84% -17.4%
2019 -5.41% -7.52%
2018 -4.07% -6.79%
2017 -4.17% -3.97%
2016 -3.16% -6.75%
2015 -3.29% -4.01%
2014 -2.62% -7.81%
2013 -2.86% -9.12%
2012 -2.56% -8.36%
2011 -2.96% -5.47%
2010 -2.23% -7.13%
2009 -2.68% -5.05%
2008 -3.36% -5.56%
2007 -1.86% -4.91%
2006 -2.15% -3.11%
2005 -2.4% -1.87%
2004 -2.21% -2.02%
2003 -1.96% -1.99%
2002 -2.3% -2.73%
2001 -3.44% -3.64%
2000 -2.5% -3.98%
1999 -1.35% -5.64%
1998 -2.2% -5.27%
1997 -1.94% -6.14%
1996 -2.01% -5.61%
1995 -0.38% -4.52%
1994 0.03% -4.99%
1993 0.43% -5.39%
1992 0.36% -4.5%
1991 0.44% -1.47%
1990 -0.15% -1.93%
1989 - -0.81%
1988 - -1.08%
1987 - -0.92%
1986 - -1.26%
1985 - -1.19%
1984 - -0.98%
1983 - -1.13%
1982 - -2.03%
1981 - -3.8%
1980 - -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/ghana | CC BY

In 2024, Bangladesh's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $16.6B, equivalent to 3.69% of GDP. This compares to Ghana's deficit of $6.02B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bangladesh recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Bangladesh posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.69% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bangladesh

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bangladesh Ghana
2024 9.7% 22.8%
2023 9% 38.1%
2022 6.1% 31.3%
2021 5.6% 9.97%
2020 5.6% 9.89%
2019 5.5% 7.14%
2018 5.8% 7.81%
2017 5.4% 12.4%
2016 5.9% 17.5%
2015 6.4% 17.1%
2014 7.3% 15.5%
2013 6.8% 11.7%
2012 8.9% 11.2%
2011 8.8% 8.73%
2010 7.3% 10.7%
2009 6.7% 19.2%
2008 9.9% 16.5%
2007 7.2% 10.7%
2006 7.2% 11.7%
2005 6.5% 15.4%
2004 8.1% 18%
2003 3.9% 29.8%
2002 2.4% 9.36%
2001 1.8% 41.5%
2000 3.6% 40.2%
1999 8.9% 4.87%
1998 6.7% 14.6%
1997 2.7% 27.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/ghana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bangladesh has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.42%, compared with 17.6% in Ghana. In 2024, inflation was 9.7% in Bangladesh and 22.8% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Bangladesh
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.51M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $350K
Chemicals & pharma $265K
Metals $66K
Miscellaneous $1K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $639K
Animal & marine products $216K
Raw agricultural goods $213K
Wood & paper products $31K
Metals $12K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Raw materials & minerals $8K

Balance of trade

Bangladesh Ghana
Current account balance
$1.43B
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
52/190
2024
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.32%
2024
+2.04%
2024
Goods imports
$63.8B
2024
$15.4B
2024
Goods exports
$47.3B
2024
$19.2B
2024
Service imports
$12.3B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Service exports
$7.47B
2024
$9.27B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.3%
2024
34.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
10.5%
2024
35.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bangladesh Ghana
Economic freedom 54.8 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 131/197 118/197
Property rights 32.1 50.2
Government integrity 22.7 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 36.7 57.5
Tax burden 79.9 79.4
Government spending 95.3 84
Fiscal health 68.4 10.1
Business freedom 52.7 64.5
Labor freedom 50.5 54.9
Monetary freedom 65.8 56.7
Trade freedom 63 65.2
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bangladesh
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bangladesh Ghana
2026 54.8 57.3
2025 54.7 56
2024 54.4 55.8
2023 54.4 58
2022 52.7 59.8
2021 56.5 59.2
2020 56.4 59.4
2019 55.6 57.5
2018 55.1 56
2017 55 56.2
2016 53.3 63
2015 53.9 63
2014 54.1 64.2
2013 52.6 61.3
2012 53.2 60.7
2011 53 59.4
2010 51.1 60.2
2009 47.5 58.1
2008 44.2 57
2007 46.7 57.6
2006 52.9 55.6
2005 47.5 56.5
2004 50 59.1
2003 49.3 58.2
2002 51.9 57.2
2001 51.2 58
2000 48.9 58.1
1999 50 57.9
1998 52 57
1997 49.9 56.7
1996 51.1 57.7
1995 40.9 55.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bangladesh/ghana | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Bangladesh is 54.8, ranking 131/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bangladesh Ghana
Services, % of GDP
51.4%
2024
40.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
34.1%
2024
31.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
11.2%
2024
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$490B
2024
$79.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$10,060
2024
$7,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$21.4B
2024
$3.62B
2023
Total reserves ranking
61/177
2024
112/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.49B
2024
-$1.76B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.31B
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$34.1M
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.83%
2024
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
18.7%
2022
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.7%
2024
10%
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/bangladesh/ghana | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–2002, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2015–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.