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Economy of Bhutan vs Cameroon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Bhutan has a GDP of $3.58B compared to $58.9B for Cameroon, ranking 167/197 and 92/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bhutan has $3.71B in government debt (103.6% of GDP), compared to $23.8B (40.4% of GDP) in Cameroon.

Bhutan vs Cameroon GDP by year

Bhutan
Cameroon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bhutan Cameroon
2025 $3,579,320,145 $58,933,453,924
2024 $3,346,603,859 $53,296,694,320
2023 $3,012,896,790 $48,814,501,547
2022 $2,898,227,744 $44,347,206,073
2021 $2,768,802,960 $45,011,937,347
2020 $2,457,604,334 $40,773,241,177
2019 $2,735,683,570 $39,667,757,528
2018 $2,583,335,722 $39,955,552,190
2017 $2,591,358,009 $36,098,547,033
2016 $2,357,504,761 $33,814,337,044
2015 $2,187,815,803 $32,210,233,020
2014 $2,089,079,571 $36,386,544,706
2013 $1,943,696,952 $33,728,621,180
2012 $1,973,387,228 $30,155,062,329
2011 $1,977,728,659 $30,630,910,495
2010 $1,708,880,730 $27,507,501,821
2009 $1,331,343,798 $27,932,970,317
2008 $1,317,517,835 $27,715,142,033
2007 $1,255,767,964 $23,928,250,433
2006 $942,879,879 $20,910,512,975
2005 $860,391,000 $19,509,852,207
2004 $735,348,490 $18,826,214,136
2003 $651,935,430 $15,970,315,035
2002 $559,345,264 $12,417,251,350
2001 $496,110,226 $10,953,485,349
2000 $460,733,418 $10,566,579,295
1999 $399,311,200 $11,565,826,465
1998 $363,458,381 $11,298,144,990
1997 $352,229,077 $10,789,458,433
1996 $303,408,346 $11,093,538,846
1995 $290,490,984 $10,864,772,471
1994 $258,954,708 $8,902,446,252
1993 $225,973,693 $16,181,814,713
1992 $240,233,531 $12,071,775,335
1991 $240,294,286 $11,840,192,296
1990 $287,765,007 $12,314,482,628
1989 $264,798,626 $11,012,566,195
1988 $272,298,067 $12,236,057,362
1987 $242,742,766 $13,049,659,981
1986 $191,218,115 $11,857,056,199
1985 $163,288,815 $8,544,810,498
1984 $160,423,494 $7,311,938,026
1983 $156,704,290 $6,870,200,010
1982 $141,439,317 $6,611,255,964
1981 $139,174,178 $6,610,938,617
1980 $128,669,201 $6,674,569,047
1979 $105,377,995 $5,919,002,983
1978 $94,086,228 $4,662,852,583
1977 $97,884,434 $3,394,664,024
1976 $88,461,263 $2,898,090,002
1975 $86,820,762 $2,857,037,371
1974 $92,901,784 $2,157,415,533
1973 $78,900,289 $1,901,393,361
1972 $70,139,867 $1,498,251,890
1971 $66,289,450 $1,236,941,394
1970 $61,812,113 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Bhutan vs Cameroon by year

Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bhutan Cameroon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $4,493 - $1,972 -
2024 $4,228 - $1,830 $5,589
2023 $3,831 $16,215 $1,720 $5,411
2022 $3,711 $15,064 $1,605 $5,189
2021 $3,571 $13,459 $1,672 $4,794
2020 $3,192 $12,475 $1,556 $4,365
2019 $3,577 $12,909 $1,555 $4,241
2018 $3,400 $11,970 $1,611 $4,011
2017 $3,435 $11,677 $1,496 $3,767
2016 $3,152 $11,273 $1,442 $3,627
2015 $2,954 $10,214 $1,415 $3,498
2014 $2,849 $9,323 $1,649 $3,422
2013 $2,680 $8,667 $1,576 $3,239
2012 $2,751 $8,577 $1,449 $3,060
2011 $2,788 $7,935 $1,514 $2,989
2010 $2,436 $7,246 $1,399 $2,914
2009 $1,918 $6,466 $1,461 $2,879
2008 $1,920 $6,035 $1,492 $2,870
2007 $1,850 $5,729 $1,326 $2,818
2006 $1,406 $4,860 $1,191 $2,704
2005 $1,300 $4,523 $1,143 $2,598
2004 $1,130 $4,173 $1,133 $2,533
2003 $1,022 $3,942 $988 $2,368
2002 $896 $3,663 $790 $2,263
2001 $812 $3,338 $715 $2,191
2000 $772 $3,113 $709 $2,108
1999 $685 $3,017 $796 $2,039
1998 $638 $2,819 $799 $1,975
1997 $630 $2,683 $783 $1,915
1996 $553 $2,548 $827 $1,850
1995 $530 $2,374 $832 $1,790
1994 $467 $2,146 $701 $1,752
1993 $407 $2,001 $1,310 $1,731
1992 $416 $1,840 $1,005 $1,890
1991 $401 $1,657 $1,015 $1,963
1990 $488 $1,638 $1,087 $2,032
1989 $462 - $1,001 -
1988 $489 - $1,145 -
1987 $449 - $1,258 -
1986 $365 - $1,179 -
1985 $321 - $875 -
1984 $326 - $772 -
1983 $328 - $746 -
1982 $306 - $732 -
1981 $311 - $750 -
1980 $296.9 - $784 -
1979 $251.4 - $718 -
1978 $232.2 - $582 -
1977 $249.9 - $435 -
1976 $233.7 - $381 -
1975 $237.4 - $386 -
1974 $262.8 - $299.9 -
1973 $230.9 - $271.8 -
1972 $212.4 - $220.1 -
1971 $207.7 - $186.7 -
1970 $200.3 - $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Bhutan's GDP per capita is $4,493, ranking 128/197, compared to $1,972 in Cameroon, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215, while Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589.

Economic indicators

Bhutan Cameroon
Gross domestic product
$3.58B
2025
$58.9B
2025
GDP rank
167/197
2025
92/197
2025
GDP growth
8.01%
2024-2025
3.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$4,493
2025
$1,972
2025
GDP per capita rank
128/197
2025
159/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$16,215
2023
$5,589
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
109/197
2023
156/197
2024
Government debt
$3.71B
2025
$23.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
103.6%
2025
40.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$4,655
2025
$796
2025
Government debt per person rank
88/185
2025
151/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$4,215
2026
$1,941
2026
Income share by richest 10%
22.7%
2022
31.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.6%
2022
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
30.5%
2025
16.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.6%
2024-2025
3.4%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.36%
2025
3.28%
2021
Population
805057
31045453

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bhutan
Spending

Debt
Cameroon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bhutan Cameroon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 30.5% 103.6% 16.3% 40.4%
2024 28.3% 108.7% 17.1% 43.4%
2023 28.9% 117.2% 17.3% 43.6%
2022 32.1% 119.9% 17.1% 45.6%
2021 36.6% 124.5% 17% 47.2%
2020 30.9% 116% 16.8% 44.9%
2019 24.2% 100.8% 19.1% 41.6%
2018 31.7% 103.4% 17.8% 38.3%
2017 30.6% 104.1% 18.2% 36.5%
2016 30.5% 103% 20.1% 32.1%
2015 27.5% 90.2% 17.9% 31.6%
2014 28.9% 89.8% 19.5% 20.7%
2013 32.5% 87.4% 19.2% 17.5%
2012 35.1% 71.5% 17% 14.9%
2011 36.1% 62.3% 17.1% 15.9%
2010 41.5% 55.8% 14.8% 14%
2009 39.3% 61% 14.7% 11.3%
2008 36.1% 60.6% 15.9% 11.2%
2007 33.2% 67.3% 13.5% 13.8%
2006 33.4% 80.1% 12% 18.4%
2005 36.4% 80.8% 11.4% 43.8%
2004 31% 76% 10.7% 51.7%
2003 34.7% 68.5% 10.6% 51.5%
2002 39.3% 57.7% 14% 56.6%
2001 50.3% 52.4% 14.4% 62.2%
2000 43% 44% 14.4% 75.9%
1999 40.2% 39.2% - 68.4%
1998 31.1% 36.4% - 67.8%
1997 37.8% 33% - -
1996 37.9% 36.8% - -
1995 38.6% 38.7% - -
1994 37.9% 53.2% - -
1993 35.2% 60.2% - -
1992 34.5% 35.6% - -
1991 30.8% 33.5% - -
1990 35.8% 27.4% - -
1989 46.8% 26.4% - -
1988 45.3% 24.7% - -
1987 47.5% 17.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bhutan's government spending was $1.09B, accounting for 30.5% of its GDP, while Cameroon spent $9.58B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 103.6% in Bhutan and 40.4% in Cameroon, ranking 19/185 and 133/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bhutan

Cameroon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bhutan Cameroon
2025 -2.7% -2.01%
2024 -1.79% -1.51%
2023 -4.73% -0.64%
2022 -6.95% -1.11%
2021 -5.76% -2.88%
2020 -1.81% -3.52%
2019 -1.49% -3.65%
2018 -1.52% -2.3%
2017 -4.49% -3.68%
2016 -2.31% -5.79%
2015 -0.49% -2.86%
2014 2.46% -3.36%
2013 -4.55% -3.54%
2012 -2.1% -1.22%
2011 -3.02% -1.55%
2010 1.92% -0.57%
2009 -0.8% -0.05%
2008 -2.57% 1.94%
2007 0.79% 3.66%
2006 -0.07% 6.34%
2005 -6.96% 3.43%
2004 1.8% 2.07%
2003 -10.2% 3.51%
2002 -4.33% 1.59%
2001 -12.2% 1.2%
2000 -3.39% 2.06%
1999 -1.28% -
1998 1.28% -
1997 -1.92% -
1996 2.55% -
1995 -0.88% -
1994 -0.13% -
1993 4.71% -
1992 -3.47% -
1991 -0.48% -
1990 -7.21% -
1989 -10.1% -
1988 1.33% -
1987 -0.56% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Bhutan's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $96.7M, equivalent to 2.7% of GDP. This compares to Cameroon's deficit of $1.18B, or 2.01% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Bhutan recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Cameroon ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Bhutan posted an annual deficit equal to 2.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.56% of GDP for Cameroon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bhutan

Cameroon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bhutan Cameroon
2025 2.6% 3.4%
2024 4.3% 4.53%
2023 4.5% 7.38%
2022 5.9% 6.25%
2021 8.2% 2.27%
2020 3% 2.44%
2019 2.8% 2.45%
2018 3.6% 1.07%
2017 4.3% 0.64%
2016 3.3% 0.87%
2015 6.7% 2.68%
2014 9.6% 1.85%
2013 8.1% 2.05%
2012 10.1% 2.74%
2011 8.6% 2.94%
2010 4.8% 1.28%
2009 7.1% 3.04%
2008 6.3% 5.34%
2007 5.2% 0.92%
2006 4.9% 5.12%
2005 4.8% 2.01%
2004 3.3% 0.23%
2003 2.5% 0.62%
2002 2.9% 2.83%
2001 3.7% 4.42%
2000 7.2% 1.23%
1999 9.1% 1.87%
1998 7.6% 3.17%
1997 8.6% 4.79%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Bhutan has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 5.64%, compared with 2.77% in Cameroon. In 2025, inflation was 2.6% in Bhutan and 3.4% in Cameroon.

Balance of trade

Bhutan Cameroon
Current account balance
-$649M
2024
-$1.75B
2024
Current account balance ranking
105/190
2024
134/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-19.4%
2024
-3.28%
2024
Goods imports
$1.28B
2024
$7.77B
2024
Goods exports
$660M
2024
$6.79B
2024
Service imports
$228M
2024
$2.4B
2024
Service exports
$288M
2024
$1.81B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
47.9%
2024
20.3%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
13.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Bhutan Cameroon
Economic freedom 57.5 52
Economic freedom ranking 115/197 151/197
Property rights 69.2 28.1
Government integrity 72.2 21
Judicial effectiveness 61.8 10.1
Tax burden 83.4 72.2
Government spending 74.1 91.4
Fiscal health 25.8 94.5
Business freedom 67.8 48.6
Labor freedom 60.1 45.6
Monetary freedom 71.6 75.3
Trade freedom 63.4 57.2
Investment freedom 20 30
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bhutan
Cameroon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bhutan Cameroon
2026 57.5 52
2025 57.5 52.1
2024 55.4 53.6
2023 59 51.9
2022 59.3 52.9
2021 58.3 53.4
2020 62.1 53.6
2019 62.9 52.4
2018 61.8 51.9
2017 58.4 51.8
2016 59.5 54.2
2015 57.4 51.9
2014 56.7 52.6
2013 55 52.3
2012 56.6 51.8
2011 57.6 51.8
2010 57 52.3
2009 57.7 53
2008 - 54.3
2007 - 55.6
2006 - 54.6
2005 - 53
2004 - 52.3
2003 - 52.7
2002 - 52.8
2001 - 53.3
2000 - 49.9
1999 - 50.3
1998 - 48
1997 - 44.6
1996 - 45.7
1995 - 51.3

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bhutan is 57.5, ranking 115/197, compared to 52 for Cameroon, ranking 151/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bhutan Cameroon
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2025
50.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
33.2%
2025
24.8%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
13.7%
2025
16.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$3.43B
2025
$55.4B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$18,520
2025
$5,700
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.19B
2025
$5.06B
2024
Total reserves ranking
140/177
2025
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.82M
2024
-$825M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.82M
2024
$888M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$63.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.11%
2024
3.21%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
12.4%
2022
37.7%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
42.6%
2024
19.3%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1992, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.