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Economy of Cameroon vs Costa Rica compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $95.4B for Costa Rica, ranking 91/197 and 73/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $57B (59.8% of GDP) in Costa Rica.

Cameroon vs Costa Rica GDP by year

Cameroon
Costa Rica
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Costa Rica
2024 $53,296,694,320 $95,350,423,177
2023 $48,814,501,547 $86,497,941,439
2022 $44,347,206,073 $69,243,626,029
2021 $45,011,937,347 $64,960,725,734
2020 $40,773,241,177 $62,395,610,760
2019 $39,667,757,528 $64,417,670,521
2018 $39,955,552,190 $62,420,164,992
2017 $36,098,547,033 $60,516,044,657
2016 $33,814,337,044 $58,847,019,610
2015 $32,210,233,020 $56,441,920,821
2014 $36,386,544,706 $52,016,408,854
2013 $33,728,621,180 $50,949,668,842
2012 $30,155,062,329 $47,231,655,432
2011 $30,630,910,495 $42,762,613,699
2010 $27,507,501,821 $37,658,616,952
2009 $27,932,970,317 $30,745,714,313
2008 $27,715,142,033 $30,801,745,700
2007 $23,928,250,433 $26,884,700,709
2006 $20,910,512,975 $22,715,540,324
2005 $19,509,852,207 $20,040,642,477
2004 $18,826,214,136 $18,610,594,846
2003 $15,970,315,035 $17,271,760,507
2002 $12,417,251,350 $16,578,820,687
2001 $10,953,485,349 $15,976,174,337
2000 $10,566,579,295 $15,013,629,662
1999 $11,565,826,465 $14,254,866,285
1998 $11,298,144,990 $13,684,255,947
1997 $10,789,458,433 $12,614,602,382
1996 $11,093,538,846 $11,678,424,507
1995 $10,864,772,471 $11,578,594,260
1994 $8,902,446,252 $10,489,903,725
1993 $16,181,814,713 $9,564,815,975
1992 $12,071,775,335 $8,579,754,758
1991 $11,840,192,296 $7,215,725,487
1990 $12,314,482,628 $5,711,687,787
1989 $11,012,566,195 $5,251,025,767
1988 $12,236,057,362 $4,614,629,898
1987 $13,049,659,981 $4,532,952,047
1986 $11,857,056,199 $4,418,983,871
1985 $8,544,810,498 $3,919,203,960
1984 $7,311,938,026 $3,660,477,856
1983 $6,870,200,010 $3,146,772,631
1982 $6,611,255,964 $2,606,623,555
1981 $6,610,938,617 $2,623,803,096
1980 $6,674,569,047 $4,831,447,001
1979 $5,919,002,983 $4,035,519,323
1978 $4,662,852,583 $3,523,208,810
1977 $3,394,664,024 $3,072,427,013
1976 $2,898,090,002 $2,412,555,426
1975 $2,857,037,371 $1,960,863,466
1974 $2,157,415,533 $1,666,544,754
1973 $1,901,393,361 $1,528,925,846
1972 $1,498,251,890 $1,238,251,696
1971 $1,236,941,394 $1,077,147,538
1970 $1,151,216,993 $984,830,158
1969 $1,100,551,489 $853,630,204
1968 $1,046,191,218 $773,841,494
1967 $936,175,260 $699,456,619
1966 $851,112,535 $647,305,630
1965 $814,083,266 $592,981,162
1964 $776,650,177 $542,578,367
1963 $718,320,845 $511,902,137
1962 $694,247,864 $479,180,824
1961 $652,777,608 $490,325,182
1960 $614,206,068 $507,513,830

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/costa-rica | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Costa Rica by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Costa Rica
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Costa Rica
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $18,587 $31,107
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $16,942 $28,909
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $13,626 $26,226
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $12,838 $23,853
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $12,394 $22,100
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $12,885 $23,340
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $12,590 $21,498
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $12,317 $20,499
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $12,091 $19,202
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $11,715 $17,525
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $10,911 $16,394
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $10,803 $15,232
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $10,127 $14,464
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $9,276 $13,614
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $8,266 $12,928
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $6,833 $12,274
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $6,937 $12,472
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $6,138 $11,842
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $5,257 $10,800
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $4,703 $9,899
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $4,431 $9,365
2003 $988 $2,368 $4,173 $8,863
2002 $790 $2,263 $4,068 $8,461
2001 $715 $2,191 $3,985 $8,190
2000 $709 $2,108 $3,813 $7,879
1999 $796 $2,039 $3,691 $7,563
1998 $799 $1,975 $3,617 $7,306
1997 $783 $1,915 $3,408 $6,890
1996 $827 $1,850 $3,227 $6,568
1995 $832 $1,790 $3,275 $6,515
1994 $701 $1,752 $3,040 $6,276
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $2,840 $6,025
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $2,612 $5,635
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $2,253 $5,175
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $1,830 $5,021
1989 $1,001 - $1,725 -
1988 $1,145 - $1,555 -
1987 $1,258 - $1,567 -
1986 $1,179 - $1,569 -
1985 $875 - $1,429 -
1984 $772 - $1,372 -
1983 $746 - $1,213 -
1982 $732 - $1,032 -
1981 $750 - $1,068 -
1980 $784 - $2,021 -
1979 $718 - $1,735 -
1978 $582 - $1,556 -
1977 $435 - $1,393 -
1976 $381 - $1,123 -
1975 $386 - $937 -
1974 $299.9 - $817 -
1973 $271.8 - $769 -
1972 $220.1 - $639 -
1971 $186.7 - $570 -
1970 $178.5 - $536 -
1969 $175.2 - $477 -
1968 $170.8 - $445 -
1967 $156.6 - $414 -
1966 $145.8 - $395 -
1965 $142.7 - $374 -
1964 $139.2 - $354 -
1963 $131.6 - $346 -
1962 $130 - $335 -
1961 $124.6 - $356 -
1960 $119.1 - $382 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/costa-rica | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $18,587 in Costa Rica, ranking 62/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Costa Rica ranks 72nd at $31,107.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Costa Rica
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$95.4B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
73/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.32%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$18,587
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
62/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$31,107
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
72/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$57B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
59.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$11,106
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
50/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$12,150
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.23B
2022
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
34.2%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.7%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
18.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
-0.41%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
6.94%
2024
Population
30864115
5181862

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Costa Rica
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Costa Rica
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 18.9% 59.8%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 18.5% 61.1%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 19.2% 63%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 20.8% 67.6%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 22.3% 66.9%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 21.7% 56.4%
2018 18% 38.3% 18.9% 51.8%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 19.2% 47.1%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 18.8% 44.1%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 18.8% 39.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 18.4% 37.4%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 18.5% 35.1%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 17.3% 33.7%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 17.2% 29.5%
2010 15.2% 14% 18% 28.1%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 16.7% 26%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 15.2% 24%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 14.6% 27%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 15.2% 33%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 15.9% 37.3%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 17% 41%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 17.6% 40.6%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 18.6% 41.4%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 17.3% 39.6%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 16.9% 38.9%
1999 - 68.4% 16.7% 39%
1998 - 67.8% 16% 40.7%
1997 - - 16.3% 30.6%
1996 - - 17.3% 33.7%
1995 - - 16.4% 29.1%
1994 - - 17.4% 27%
1993 - - 13.8% 24.4%
1992 - - 13.7% 23.3%
1991 - - 14% 28.4%
1990 - - 18.9% 18.5%
1989 - - 26.1% 19.3%
1988 - - 24.5% 18.2%
1987 - - 27.2% 21.2%
1986 - - 26.4% 26.1%
1985 - - 21.8% 22.8%
1984 - - 22.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 23.6% 29.8%
1982 - - 18.4% 31.8%
1981 - - 21% 32.3%
1980 - - 25% 37.7%
1979 - - 24.9% 39.5%
1978 - - 23.2% 41.7%
1977 - - 19.3% 27.8%
1976 - - 20.1% 29.5%
1975 - - 19.1% 26.1%
1974 - - 18.3% 30.3%
1973 - - 18.4% 32.8%
1972 - - 17.2% 31.8%
1971 - - 17.5% 30.4%
1970 - - 14.9% 28.6%
1969 - - 14.5% 26.1%
1968 - - 13.8% 27.7%
1967 - - 14.7% 26.7%
1966 - - 14.3% 24.8%
1965 - - 13.8% 24.1%
1964 - - 13.5% 22.7%
1963 - - 13.3% 21.8%
1962 - - 14% 19.7%
1961 - - 13.2% 20.3%
1960 - - 12.5% 16.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/costa-rica | CC BY

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Costa Rica spent $18B, or 18.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 59.8% in Costa Rica, ranking 125/185 and 79/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Costa Rica
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Costa Rica
2024 -1.48% -3.78%
2023 -0.63% -3.25%
2022 -1.11% -2.81%
2021 -3.01% -5.09%
2020 -3.19% -8.38%
2019 -3.24% -6.68%
2018 -2.41% -5.66%
2017 -4.72% -5.88%
2016 -5.88% -5.09%
2015 -4.25% -5.52%
2014 -4.09% -5.45%
2013 -3.55% -5.25%
2012 -1.4% -4.22%
2011 -2.26% -3.91%
2010 -0.93% -4.96%
2009 -0.04% -3.25%
2008 2% 0.18%
2007 3.87% 0.56%
2006 28.2% -1.04%
2005 3.03% -2.09%
2004 -0.46% -3.42%
2003 0.56% -3.43%
2002 1.51% -4.99%
2001 0.86% -3.47%
2000 1.54% -3.68%
1999 - -2.88%
1998 - -2.96%
1997 - -3.39%
1996 - -4.32%
1995 - -3.68%
1994 - -5.46%
1993 - -1.52%
1992 - -1.51%
1991 - -2.41%
1990 - -4.4%
1989 - -1.55%
1988 - 0.57%
1987 - -2.57%
1986 - -4.26%
1985 - -1.06%
1984 - -0.5%
1983 - -1.84%
1982 - -0.94%
1981 - -3.14%
1980 - -7.24%
1979 - -6.6%
1978 - -4.12%
1977 - -2.63%
1976 - -2.42%
1975 - -1.13%
1974 - 0.26%
1973 - -2.41%
1972 - -4.54%
1971 - -4.72%
1970 - -1.41%
1969 - -1.61%
1968 - -1.72%
1967 - -3.03%
1966 - -2.12%
1965 - -1.71%
1964 - -1.51%
1963 - -2.01%
1962 - -1.99%
1961 - -0.71%
1960 - -0.19%
1959 - 0.49%
1958 - 0%
1957 - 0.3%
1956 - 0.05%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1956–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/costa-rica | 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 Costa Rica's deficit of $3.61B, or 3.78% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Costa Rica ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.02% of GDP for Costa Rica.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Costa Rica
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Costa Rica
2024 4.53% -0.41%
2023 7.38% 0.53%
2022 6.25% 8.27%
2021 2.27% 1.73%
2020 2.44% 0.72%
2019 2.45% 2.1%
2018 1.07% 2.22%
2017 0.64% 1.63%
2016 0.87% -0.02%
2015 2.68% 0.8%
2014 1.85% 4.52%
2013 2.05% 5.23%
2012 2.74% 4.5%
2011 2.94% 4.88%
2010 1.28% 5.66%
2009 3.04% 7.84%
2008 5.34% 13.4%
2007 0.92% 9.36%
2006 5.12% 11.5%
2005 2.01% 13.8%
2004 0.23% 12.3%
2003 0.62% 9.45%
2002 2.83% 9.17%
2001 4.42% 11.3%
2000 1.23% 11%
1999 1.87% 10%
1998 3.17% 11.7%
1997 4.79% 13.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/costa-rica | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 6.66% in Costa Rica. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and -0.41% in Costa Rica.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Costa Rica
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $715K
Raw materials & minerals $42K
Raw agricultural goods $38K
Machinery & equipment $30K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Miscellaneous $2K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Costa Rica
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$1.25B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
129/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$23.1B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$20.6B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$7.58B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$16.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
32.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
38.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Costa Rica
Economic freedom 52 69.1
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 43/197
Property rights 28.1 66
Government integrity 21 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 76.9
Tax burden 72.2 78.6
Government spending 91.4 89.3
Fiscal health 94.5 75.6
Business freedom 48.6 79.9
Labor freedom 45.6 55.9
Monetary freedom 75.3 78.2
Trade freedom 57.2 75
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Costa Rica
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Costa Rica
2026 52 69.1
2025 52.1 68.6
2024 53.6 67.7
2023 51.9 66.5
2022 52.9 65.4
2021 53.4 64.2
2020 53.6 65.8
2019 52.4 65.3
2018 51.9 65.6
2017 51.8 65
2016 54.2 67.4
2015 51.9 67.2
2014 52.6 66.9
2013 52.3 67
2012 51.8 68
2011 51.8 67.3
2010 52.3 65.9
2009 53 66.4
2008 54.3 64.2
2007 55.6 64
2006 54.6 65.9
2005 53 66.1
2004 52.3 66.4
2003 52.7 67
2002 52.8 67.5
2001 53.3 67.6
2000 49.9 68.4
1999 50.3 67.4
1998 48 65.6
1997 44.6 65.6
1996 45.7 66.4
1995 51.3 68

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/costa-rica | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 69.1 for Costa Rica, ranking 43/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Costa Rica
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
68.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
19.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
3.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$28,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$14.2B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
70/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$4.96B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$5.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$337M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
6.31%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
20.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
15.7%
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/costa-rica | 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 (1956–1995, 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 (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.