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Economy of Cameroon vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $18.7T for China, ranking 91/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $16.6T (88.3% of GDP) in China.

Cameroon vs China GDP by year

Cameroon
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon China
2024 $53,296,694,320 $18,743,803,170,827
2023 $48,814,501,547 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $44,347,206,073 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $45,011,937,347 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $40,773,241,177 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $39,667,757,528 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $39,955,552,190 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $36,098,547,033 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $33,814,337,044 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $32,210,233,020 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $36,386,544,706 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $33,728,621,180 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $30,155,062,329 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $30,630,910,495 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $27,507,501,821 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $27,932,970,317 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $27,715,142,033 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $23,928,250,433 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $20,910,512,975 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $19,509,852,207 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $18,826,214,136 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $15,970,315,035 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $10,566,579,295 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $11,565,826,465 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $11,298,144,990 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $10,789,458,433 $967,753,570,435
1996 $11,093,538,846 $868,523,936,530
1995 $10,864,772,471 $738,190,896,228
1994 $8,902,446,252 $566,929,539,493
1993 $16,181,814,713 $446,557,291,212
1992 $12,071,775,335 $428,502,354,788
1991 $11,840,192,296 $384,510,452,962
1990 $12,314,482,628 $361,560,229,446
1989 $11,012,566,195 $348,380,566,802
1988 $12,236,057,362 $312,888,888,889
1987 $13,049,659,981 $273,455,156,951
1986 $11,857,056,199 $301,310,144,928
1985 $8,544,810,498 $310,064,625,850
1984 $7,311,938,026 $260,442,857,143
1983 $6,870,200,010 $231,130,268,199
1982 $6,611,255,964 $205,480,916,031
1981 $6,610,938,617 $196,218,253,968
1980 $6,674,569,047 $191,487,500,000
1979 $5,919,002,983 $178,573,913,043
1978 $4,662,852,583 $149,788,617,886
1977 $3,394,664,024 $175,226,595,860
1976 $2,898,090,002 $154,196,810,059
1975 $2,857,037,371 $163,687,619,736
1974 $2,157,415,533 $144,418,433,058
1973 $1,901,393,361 $138,764,340,892
1972 $1,498,251,890 $113,871,930,714
1971 $1,236,941,394 $99,959,013,880
1970 $1,151,216,993 $92,752,930,873
1969 $1,100,551,489 $79,847,786,729
1968 $1,046,191,218 $70,980,323,819
1967 $936,175,260 $73,011,350,596
1966 $851,112,535 $76,854,053,259
1965 $814,083,266 $70,565,994,356
1964 $776,650,177 $59,821,862,703
1963 $718,320,845 $50,812,227,919
1962 $694,247,864 $47,310,737,754
1961 $652,777,608 $50,162,299,350
1960 $614,206,068 $59,846,235,025

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs China by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $13,303 $27,105
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $988 $2,368 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $709 $2,108 $969 $2,964
1999 $796 $2,039 $881 $2,690
1998 $799 $1,975 $835 $2,483
1997 $783 $1,915 $787 $2,297
1996 $827 $1,850 $713 $2,088
1995 $832 $1,790 $613 $1,884
1994 $701 $1,752 $476 $1,680
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $379 $1,471
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $368 $1,276
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $334 $1,105
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $319 $991
1989 $1,001 - $311 -
1988 $1,145 - $284 -
1987 $1,258 - $252.3 -
1986 $1,179 - $282.4 -
1985 $875 - $295 -
1984 $772 - $251.2 -
1983 $746 - $225.9 -
1982 $732 - $203.7 -
1981 $750 - $197.4 -
1980 $784 - $195.1 -
1979 $718 - $184.3 -
1978 $582 - $156.7 -
1977 $435 - $185.7 -
1976 $381 - $165.7 -
1975 $386 - $178.6 -
1974 $299.9 - $160.4 -
1973 $271.8 - $157.3 -
1972 $220.1 - $132.1 -
1971 $186.7 - $118.8 -
1970 $178.5 - $113.3 -
1969 $175.2 - $100.3 -
1968 $170.8 - $91.6 -
1967 $156.6 - $96.8 -
1966 $145.8 - $104.5 -
1965 $142.7 - $98.7 -
1964 $139.2 - $85.7 -
1963 $131.6 - $74.5 -
1962 $130 - $71.1 -
1961 $124.6 - $76 -
1960 $119.1 - $89.7 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $13,303 in China, ranking 76/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Cameroon China
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$18.7T
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
2/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.98%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$13,303
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
76/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$16.6T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
88.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$11,749
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
47/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$9,826
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.8T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
6,327,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
450
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
32.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
0.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.1%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
5.11%
2021
Population
30864115
1402578808

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 32.9% 88.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 32.7% 82%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 32.6% 75.5%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 31.9% 70.1%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 34.8% 69%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 33.6% 59.4%
2018 18% 38.3% 32.6% 55.6%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 32% 53.9%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 31.7% 49.7%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 31% 40.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 15.2% 14% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 25.2% 34%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 18% 25.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 17.6% 26%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 18% 26.4%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 - 68.4% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 - 67.8% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 - - 11.5% 20.4%
1996 - - 11% 21.2%
1995 - - 11.1% 21.4%
1994 - - 12.4% -
1993 - - 13.4% -
1992 - - 14.6% -
1991 - - 16.5% -
1990 - - 18.2% -
1989 - - 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while China spent $6.18T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 88.3% in China, ranking 125/185 and 34/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon China
2024 -1.48% -7.34%
2023 -0.63% -6.71%
2022 -1.11% -7.32%
2021 -3.01% -5.9%
2020 -3.19% -9.56%
2019 -3.24% -6%
2018 -2.41% -4.2%
2017 -4.72% -3.34%
2016 -5.88% -3.33%
2015 -4.25% -2.5%
2014 -4.09% -0.67%
2013 -3.55% -0.82%
2012 -1.4% -0.3%
2011 -2.26% -0.1%
2010 -0.93% -0.36%
2009 -0.04% -1.72%
2008 2% -0.02%
2007 3.87% 0.06%
2006 28.2% -1.13%
2005 3.03% -1.38%
2004 -0.46% -1.49%
2003 0.56% -2.36%
2002 1.51% -2.84%
2001 0.86% -2.56%
2000 1.54% -2.81%
1999 - -2.3%
1998 - -1.08%
1997 - -0.73%
1996 - -0.73%
1995 - -0.94%
1994 - -1.68%
1993 - -0.89%
1992 - -1.22%
1991 - -1.04%
1990 - -0.72%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.38T, or 7.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.99% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon China
2024 4.53% 0.2%
2023 7.38% 0.2%
2022 6.25% 2%
2021 2.27% 0.9%
2020 2.44% 2.5%
2019 2.45% 2.9%
2018 1.07% 2.1%
2017 0.64% 1.6%
2016 0.87% 2%
2015 2.68% 1.5%
2014 1.85% 2%
2013 2.05% 2.7%
2012 2.74% 2.6%
2011 2.94% 5.4%
2010 1.28% 3.3%
2009 3.04% -0.7%
2008 5.34% 5.9%
2007 0.92% 4.7%
2006 5.12% 1.5%
2005 2.01% 1.8%
2004 0.23% 3.9%
2003 0.62% 1.1%
2002 2.83% -0.8%
2001 4.42% 0.7%
2000 1.23% 0.4%
1999 1.87% -1.4%
1998 3.17% -0.8%
1997 4.79% 2.8%

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/china | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 1.82% in China. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 0.2% in China.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $266M
Wood & paper products $99.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $11.9M
Metals $2.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.54M
Animal & marine products $96K
Miscellaneous $65K
Raw agricultural goods $39K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.32B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.04B
Metals $480M
Chemicals & pharma $457M
Raw materials & minerals $114M
Raw agricultural goods $69.8M
Wood & paper products $58.6M
Miscellaneous $51M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $28.5M
Animal & marine products $18.4M

Balance of trade

Cameroon China
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$424B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
1/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+2.26%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$2.64T
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$3.41T
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$613B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$384B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
20%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon China
Economic freedom 52 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 170/197
Property rights 28.1 40.9
Government integrity 21 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 38.6
Tax burden 72.2 69.3
Government spending 91.4 67.8
Fiscal health 94.5 4.4
Business freedom 48.6 68.7
Labor freedom 45.6 57.9
Monetary freedom 75.3 76.1
Trade freedom 57.2 73.4
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon China
2026 52 48.3
2025 52.1 49
2024 53.6 48.5
2023 51.9 48.3
2022 52.9 48
2021 53.4 58.4
2020 53.6 59.5
2019 52.4 58.4
2018 51.9 57.8
2017 51.8 57.4
2016 54.2 52
2015 51.9 52.7
2014 52.6 52.5
2013 52.3 51.9
2012 51.8 51.2
2011 51.8 52
2010 52.3 51
2009 53 53.2
2008 54.3 53.1
2007 55.6 52
2006 54.6 53.6
2005 53 53.7
2004 52.3 52.5
2003 52.7 52.6
2002 52.8 52.8
2001 53.3 52.6
2000 49.9 56.4
1999 50.3 54.8
1998 48 53.1
1997 44.6 51.7
1996 45.7 51.3
1995 51.3 52

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon China
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
56.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
36.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
6.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$19.3T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$26,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$3.46T
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
1/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
$154B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$18.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$172B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
1.89%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
40.6%
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/china | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.