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Economy of Cameroon vs Chad compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $19.5B for Chad, ranking 91/197 and 132/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $6.37B (32.7% of GDP) in Chad.

Cameroon vs Chad GDP by year

Cameroon
Chad
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Chad
2024 $53,296,694,320 $19,518,819,751
2023 $48,814,501,547 $18,340,233,749
2022 $44,347,206,073 $17,828,508,290
2021 $45,011,937,347 $16,871,937,698
2020 $40,773,241,177 $14,932,897,821
2019 $39,667,757,528 $14,905,517,743
2018 $39,955,552,190 $15,327,000,249
2017 $36,098,547,033 $13,349,041,409
2016 $33,814,337,044 $13,026,289,836
2015 $32,210,233,020 $14,559,599,500
2014 $36,386,544,706 $18,144,336,904
2013 $33,728,621,180 $17,865,316,886
2012 $30,155,062,329 $17,892,228,570
2011 $30,630,910,495 $16,685,349,674
2010 $27,507,501,821 $14,058,506,664
2009 $27,932,970,317 $12,317,614,054
2008 $27,715,142,033 $13,385,593,990
2007 $23,928,250,433 $10,865,385,132
2006 $20,910,512,975 $9,709,626,596
2005 $19,509,852,207 $8,655,892,393
2004 $18,826,214,136 $4,422,855,661
2003 $15,970,315,035 $2,742,815,072
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,997,005,709
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,710,843,377
2000 $10,566,579,295 $1,388,506,772
1999 $11,565,826,465 $1,534,673,583
1998 $11,298,144,990 $1,744,794,531
1997 $10,789,458,433 $1,544,689,577
1996 $11,093,538,846 $1,607,345,356
1995 $10,864,772,471 $1,445,919,895
1994 $8,902,446,252 $1,179,837,963
1993 $16,181,814,713 $1,463,251,164
1992 $12,071,775,335 $1,881,847,670
1991 $11,840,192,296 $1,877,137,982
1990 $12,314,482,628 $1,738,605,558
1989 $11,012,566,195 $1,433,686,312
1988 $12,236,057,362 $1,482,597,298
1987 $13,049,659,981 $1,163,426,852
1986 $11,857,056,199 $1,067,828,246
1985 $8,544,810,498 $1,033,069,709
1984 $7,311,938,026 $919,103,735
1983 $6,870,200,010 $832,415,806
1982 $6,611,255,964 $834,369,860
1981 $6,610,938,617 $876,937,558
1980 $6,674,569,047 $1,033,002,404
1979 $5,919,002,983 $1,004,316,496
1978 $4,662,852,583 $1,113,920,124
1977 $3,394,664,024 $935,360,465
1976 $2,898,090,002 $866,044,962
1975 $2,857,037,371 $864,602,105
1974 $2,157,415,533 $652,532,795
1973 $1,901,393,361 $647,199,483
1972 $1,498,251,890 $585,427,547
1971 $1,236,941,394 $501,866,730
1970 $1,151,216,993 $469,266,737
1969 $1,100,551,489 $471,635,622
1968 $1,046,191,218 $453,980,096
1967 $936,175,260 $449,826,323
1966 $851,112,535 $432,794,922
1965 $814,083,266 $416,926,303
1964 $776,650,177 $392,247,518
1963 $718,320,845 $371,767,002
1962 $694,247,864 $357,635,713
1961 $652,777,608 $333,975,336
1960 $614,206,068 $313,582,728

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Chad by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Chad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $962 $2,743
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $949 $2,700
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $966 $2,624
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $946 $2,435
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $867 $2,186
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $893 $2,352
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $949 $2,228
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $854 $2,097
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $862 $2,120
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $994 $2,378
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,279 $2,133
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,305 $2,110
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,354 $2,435
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,308 $2,388
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $1,142 $2,320
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $1,036 $2,087
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,166 $2,181
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $980 $2,149
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $907 $2,079
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $838 $2,102
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $446 $1,808
2003 $988 $2,368 $289.1 $1,378
2002 $790 $2,263 $219.1 $1,226
2001 $715 $2,191 $194.3 $1,152
2000 $709 $2,108 $163.1 $1,044
1999 $796 $2,039 $186.6 $1,066
1998 $799 $1,975 $219.8 $1,096
1997 $783 $1,915 $201.4 $1,049
1996 $827 $1,850 $216.9 $1,010
1995 $832 $1,790 $204 $1,014
1994 $701 $1,752 $173.9 $1,026
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $220.7 $933
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $290.6 $1,107
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $302 $1,046
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $290.6 $967
1989 $1,001 - $246.4 -
1988 $1,145 - $263.5 -
1987 $1,258 - $213.9 -
1986 $1,179 - $203.4 -
1985 $875 - $202.7 -
1984 $772 - $182.2 -
1983 $746 - $167.2 -
1982 $732 - $176.1 -
1981 $750 - $194 -
1980 $784 - $228.8 -
1979 $718 - $222.9 -
1978 $582 - $252.5 -
1977 $435 - $215.9 -
1976 $381 - $203.7 -
1975 $386 - $207.5 -
1974 $299.9 - $160 -
1973 $271.8 - $162.4 -
1972 $220.1 - $150.4 -
1971 $186.7 - $131.8 -
1970 $178.5 - $125.9 -
1969 $175.2 - $129.2 -
1968 $170.8 - $126.9 -
1967 $156.6 - $128.2 -
1966 $145.8 - $125.8 -
1965 $142.7 - $123.6 -
1964 $139.2 - $118.6 -
1963 $131.6 - $114.7 -
1962 $130 - $112.6 -
1961 $124.6 - $107.3 -
1960 $119.1 - $102.8 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $962 in Chad, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Chad
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
132/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$962
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$2,743
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
182/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$6.37B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$314
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
177/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,276
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
29.5%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
18.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
5.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
1.14%
2018
Population
30864115
21893857

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Chad
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Chad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 18.8% 32.7%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 17.1% 32.2%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 12.6% 32.1%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 13% 41.6%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 14.1% 41.7%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 10.6% 38.4%
2018 18% 38.3% 9.73% 33.8%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 11.3% 39.2%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 11.2% 40.1%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 13.8% 31.3%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 16.9% 29.4%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 16.6% 22.3%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 16.6% 20%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 16.3% 22.3%
2010 15.2% 14% 18.5% 22.9%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 19.8% 23.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 14.6% 15.7%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 13.6% 17.6%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 10.7% 20.1%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 8.87% 22%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 9.84% 25.2%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 14.9% 34.4%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 13.8% 42%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 12% 43.5%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 14% 52.4%
1999 - 68.4% 12.9% 44.7%
1998 - 67.8% 10.1% 34.7%
1997 - - 12% 41.3%
1996 - - 12% 40.5%
1995 - - 12.3% 41.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Chad spent $3.67B, or 18.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 32.7% in Chad, ranking 125/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Chad
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Chad
2024 -1.48% -2.11%
2023 -0.63% -1.26%
2022 -1.11% 3.79%
2021 -3.01% -1.29%
2020 -3.19% 1.24%
2019 -3.24% -0.11%
2018 -2.41% 1.39%
2017 -4.72% -0.18%
2016 -5.88% -1.51%
2015 -4.25% -3.29%
2014 -4.09% -3.22%
2013 -3.55% -1.5%
2012 -1.4% 0.33%
2011 -2.26% 1.75%
2010 -0.93% -3.16%
2009 -0.04% -8.44%
2008 2% 2.82%
2007 3.87% 2.02%
2006 28.2% 1.7%
2005 3.03% -0.05%
2004 -0.46% -1.84%
2003 0.56% -4.32%
2002 1.51% -4.08%
2001 0.86% -3.53%
2000 1.54% -4.68%
1999 - -4.07%
1998 - -1.73%
1997 - -2.58%
1996 - -2.86%
1995 - -3.12%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $789M, equivalent to 1.48% of GDP. This compares to Chad's deficit of $412M, or 2.11% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Chad ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.18% of GDP for Chad.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Chad
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Chad
2024 4.53% 5.1%
2023 7.38% 2.3%
2022 6.25% 5.8%
2021 2.27% -0.8%
2020 2.44% 4.5%
2019 2.45% -1%
2018 1.07% 4%
2017 0.64% -0.9%
2016 0.87% -1.6%
2015 2.68% 4.8%
2014 1.85% -5.5%
2013 2.05% 0.2%
2012 2.74% 7.5%
2011 2.94% 2%
2010 1.28% -2.1%
2009 3.04% 10.1%
2008 5.34% 8.3%
2007 0.92% -7.4%
2006 5.12% 9.6%
2005 2.01% 4.4%
2004 0.23% -4.8%
2003 0.62% -1.8%
2002 2.83% 5.2%
2001 4.42% 12.4%
2000 1.23% 3.8%
1999 1.87% -8.4%
1998 3.17% 4.3%
1997 4.79% 5.6%

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/cameroon/chad | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.34% in Chad. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 5.1% in Chad.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $81M
Metals $46.5M
Chemicals & pharma $45.6M
Raw agricultural goods $31.1M
Raw materials & minerals $18.8M
Wood & paper products $9.85M
Textiles & consumer goods $9.03M
Machinery & equipment $3.62M
Weapons & explosives $468K
Miscellaneous $149K
Chad
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $7.11M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.38M
Machinery & equipment $2.24M
Metals $552K
Chemicals & pharma $354K
Raw materials & minerals $145K
Textiles & consumer goods $135K
Wood & paper products $16K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Chad
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$37.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
82/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-3.2%
1994
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$212M
1994
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$135M
1994
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$199M
1994
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$54.8M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
18.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
29.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Chad
Economic freedom 52 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 154/197
Property rights 28.1 17.2
Government integrity 21 15.2
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 15
Tax burden 72.2 77.9
Government spending 91.4 92.2
Fiscal health 94.5 97.9
Business freedom 48.6 27.4
Labor freedom 45.6 53.7
Monetary freedom 75.3 71.6
Trade freedom 57.2 46.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Chad
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Chad
2026 52 51.2
2025 52.1 52.2
2024 53.6 51.4
2023 51.9 52
2022 52.9 49.8
2021 53.4 50.4
2020 53.6 50.2
2019 52.4 49.9
2018 51.9 49.3
2017 51.8 49
2016 54.2 46.3
2015 51.9 45.9
2014 52.6 44.5
2013 52.3 45.2
2012 51.8 44.8
2011 51.8 45.3
2010 52.3 47.5
2009 53 47.5
2008 54.3 47.8
2007 55.6 50.1
2006 54.6 50
2005 53 52.1
2004 52.3 53.1
2003 52.7 52.6
2002 52.8 49.2
2001 53.3 46.4
2000 49.9 46.8
1999 50.3 47.2
1998 48 46.6
1997 44.6 45.1
1996 45.7 -
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 51.2 for Chad, ranking 154/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Chad
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
29.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
28.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
37.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$19.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$2,710
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$1.05B
2023
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
140/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$26.5M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
1.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
44.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
26.8%
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/cameroon/chad | 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 (1995–2024, 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 (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1995–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.