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Economy of Cameroon vs Egypt compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $389B for Egypt, ranking 91/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $354B (90.9% of GDP) in Egypt.

Cameroon vs Egypt GDP by year

Cameroon
Egypt
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Egypt
2024 $53,296,694,320 $389,059,911,004
2023 $48,814,501,547 $395,926,075,163
2022 $44,347,206,073 $476,747,720,365
2021 $45,011,937,347 $424,671,765,456
2020 $40,773,241,177 $383,817,841,547
2019 $39,667,757,528 $318,678,815,490
2018 $39,955,552,190 $262,588,632,527
2017 $36,098,547,033 $248,362,771,739
2016 $33,814,337,044 $332,441,717,791
2015 $32,210,233,020 $329,366,576,819
2014 $36,386,544,706 $305,595,408,895
2013 $33,728,621,180 $288,434,108,527
2012 $30,155,062,329 $279,116,666,667
2011 $30,630,910,495 $235,989,672,978
2010 $27,507,501,821 $218,983,666,062
2009 $27,932,970,317 $189,147,005,445
2008 $27,715,142,033 $162,818,181,818
2007 $23,928,250,433 $130,437,828,371
2006 $20,910,512,975 $107,426,086,957
2005 $19,509,852,207 $89,660,339,660
2004 $18,826,214,136 $78,782,467,532
2003 $15,970,315,035 $80,288,461,538
2002 $12,417,251,350 $85,146,067,416
2001 $10,953,485,349 $96,684,636,119
2000 $10,566,579,295 $99,838,543,960
1999 $11,565,826,465 $90,710,704,807
1998 $11,298,144,990 $84,828,807,556
1997 $10,789,458,433 $78,436,578,171
1996 $11,093,538,846 $67,629,716,981
1995 $10,864,772,471 $60,159,245,060
1994 $8,902,446,252 $51,897,983,393
1993 $16,181,814,713 $46,578,631,453
1992 $12,071,775,335 $41,855,986,519
1991 $11,840,192,296 $37,387,836,491
1990 $12,314,482,628 $42,978,914,311
1989 $11,012,566,195 $39,756,299,050
1988 $12,236,057,362 $34,980,124,929
1987 $13,049,659,981 $40,455,616,654
1986 $11,857,056,199 $41,253,507,951
1985 $8,544,810,498 $39,053,502,251
1984 $7,311,938,026 $33,971,188,992
1983 $6,870,200,010 $30,966,239,814
1982 $6,611,255,964 $27,655,172,414
1981 $6,610,938,617 $22,136,081,081
1980 $6,674,569,047 $21,669,908,176
1979 $5,919,002,983 $18,020,571,429
1978 $4,662,852,583 $14,811,704,063
1977 $3,394,664,024 $14,400,806,876
1976 $2,898,090,002 $13,315,988,083
1975 $2,857,037,371 $11,632,178,869
1974 $2,157,415,533 $9,228,963,225
1973 $1,901,393,361 $10,098,534,613
1972 $1,498,251,890 $9,299,638,056
1971 $1,236,941,394 $8,609,283,346
1970 $1,151,216,993 $8,042,200,452
1969 $1,100,551,489 $6,524,455,206
1968 $1,046,191,218 $5,932,242,991
1967 $936,175,260 $5,605,484,299
1966 $851,112,535 $5,278,005,612
1965 $814,083,266 $4,948,667,540
1964 $776,650,177 $4,709,245,762
1963 $718,320,845 $4,187,146,232
1962 $694,247,864 $4,035,462,027
1961 $652,777,608 $4,494,575,611
1960 $614,206,068 $4,206,270,352

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Egypt by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Egypt
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Egypt
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $3,338 $19,094
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $3,457 $18,525
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $4,233 $17,527
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $3,827 $15,579
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $3,511 $15,232
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $2,963 $13,364
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $2,485 $12,329
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $2,395 $11,125
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $3,271 $10,666
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $3,307 $10,903
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $3,133 $10,256
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $3,026 $10,511
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $2,996 $10,342
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $2,591 $8,988
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $2,455 $8,838
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $2,162 $8,465
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,896 $8,191
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $1,548 $7,641
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $1,299 $7,079
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $1,106 $6,554
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $991 $6,207
2003 $988 $2,368 $1,031 $5,928
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,117 $5,753
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,295 $5,650
2000 $709 $2,108 $1,366 $5,452
1999 $796 $2,039 $1,268 $5,121
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,213 $4,869
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,146 $4,661
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,009 $4,434
1995 $832 $1,790 $916 $4,235
1994 $701 $1,752 $807 $4,048
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $740 $3,895
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $681 $3,784
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $623 $3,627
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $736 $3,566
1989 $1,001 - $701 -
1988 $1,145 - $634 -
1987 $1,258 - $754 -
1986 $1,179 - $790 -
1985 $875 - $770 -
1984 $772 - $690 -
1983 $746 - $648 -
1982 $732 - $596 -
1981 $750 - $490 -
1980 $784 - $493 -
1979 $718 - $421 -
1978 $582 - $355 -
1977 $435 - $353 -
1976 $381 - $335 -
1975 $386 - $299.2 -
1974 $299.9 - $243.1 -
1973 $271.8 - $272.2 -
1972 $220.1 - $256.5 -
1971 $186.7 - $243 -
1970 $178.5 - $232.3 -
1969 $175.2 - $193 -
1968 $170.8 - $179.8 -
1967 $156.6 - $174.1 -
1966 $145.8 - $168.1 -
1965 $142.7 - $161.6 -
1964 $139.2 - $157.7 -
1963 $131.6 - $143.9 -
1962 $130 - $142.4 -
1961 $124.6 - $162.8 -
1960 $119.1 - $156.4 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $3,338 in Egypt, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Egypt
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$389B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
2.4%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$3,338
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$19,094
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
99/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$354B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
90.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$3,036
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
99/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,948
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$42.6B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
4.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
22.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
28.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
21%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
5.95%
2024
Population
30864115
120697176

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Egypt
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Egypt
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 22.9% 90.9%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 22.7% 95.9%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 24.9% 88.5%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 25.5% 89.9%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 25.7% 86.2%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 26.9% 80.1%
2018 18% 38.3% 28.6% 87.9%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 30.6% 97.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 31% 91.6%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 31.3% 83.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 33.9% 80.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 32.9% 79.8%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 29.2% 69.9%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 30.5% 72.8%
2010 15.2% 14% 31.4% 69.6%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 32.5% 69.5%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 32.7% 66.8%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 31.3% 76.3%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 34.5% 85.9%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 30.3% 98.3%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 30.1% 96.5%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 30.6% 97.1%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 30.9% 85.8%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 27.9% 79.1%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 26% 71.7%
1999 - 68.4% 26.3% 72.4%
1998 - 67.8% - 73.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Egypt spent $89.2B, or 22.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 90.9% in Egypt, ranking 125/185 and 31/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Egypt
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Egypt
2024 -1.48% -7.12%
2023 -0.63% -5.77%
2022 -1.11% -5.74%
2021 -3.01% -6.96%
2020 -3.19% -7.47%
2019 -3.24% -7.6%
2018 -2.41% -8.97%
2017 -4.72% -9.9%
2016 -5.88% -11.8%
2015 -4.25% -10.4%
2014 -4.09% -10.7%
2013 -3.55% -12.3%
2012 -1.4% -9.47%
2011 -2.26% -9.6%
2010 -0.93% -7.45%
2009 -0.04% -6.2%
2008 2% -6.05%
2007 3.87% -4.9%
2006 28.2% -7.35%
2005 3.03% -6.69%
2004 -0.46% -5.76%
2003 0.56% -5.73%
2002 1.51% -6.77%
2001 0.86% -1.07%
2000 1.54% 1.32%
1999 - 2.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/egypt | 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 Egypt's deficit of $27.7B, or 7.12% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Egypt ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.22% of GDP for Egypt.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Egypt
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Egypt
2024 4.53% 28.3%
2023 7.38% 33.9%
2022 6.25% 13.9%
2021 2.27% 5.21%
2020 2.44% 5.04%
2019 2.45% 9.15%
2018 1.07% 14.4%
2017 0.64% 29.5%
2016 0.87% 13.8%
2015 2.68% 10.4%
2014 1.85% 10.1%
2013 2.05% 9.47%
2012 2.74% 7.11%
2011 2.94% 10.1%
2010 1.28% 11.3%
2009 3.04% 11.8%
2008 5.34% 18.3%
2007 0.92% 9.32%
2006 5.12% 7.64%
2005 2.01% 4.87%
2004 0.23% 11.3%
2003 0.62% 4.51%
2002 2.83% 2.74%
2001 4.42% 2.27%
2000 1.23% 2.68%
1999 1.87% 3.08%
1998 3.17% 3.87%
1997 4.79% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 10.7% in Egypt. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 28.3% in Egypt.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $1.48M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $548K
Wood & paper products $359K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Egypt
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $35.9M
Chemicals & pharma $9.14M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.31M
Metals $2.94M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.81M
Machinery & equipment $2.48M
Raw agricultural goods $892K
Animal & marine products $143K
Wood & paper products $101K
Miscellaneous $13K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Egypt
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$22.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
184/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-5.72%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$72.9B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$34.8B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$27.5B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$29.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
23.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
16.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Egypt
Economic freedom 52 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 160/197
Property rights 28.1 35.5
Government integrity 21 27.1
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 24
Tax burden 72.2 85.7
Government spending 91.4 83.4
Fiscal health 94.5 21.8
Business freedom 48.6 51.4
Labor freedom 45.6 43.1
Monetary freedom 75.3 56
Trade freedom 57.2 60.2
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Egypt
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Egypt
2026 52 50.3
2025 52.1 50.9
2024 53.6 49.7
2023 51.9 49.6
2022 52.9 49.1
2021 53.4 55.7
2020 53.6 54
2019 52.4 52.5
2018 51.9 53.4
2017 51.8 52.6
2016 54.2 56
2015 51.9 55.2
2014 52.6 52.9
2013 52.3 54.8
2012 51.8 57.9
2011 51.8 59.1
2010 52.3 59
2009 53 58
2008 54.3 58.5
2007 55.6 54.4
2006 54.6 53.2
2005 53 55.8
2004 52.3 55.5
2003 52.7 55.3
2002 52.8 54.1
2001 53.3 51.5
2000 49.9 51.7
1999 50.3 58
1998 48 55.8
1997 44.6 54.5
1996 45.7 52
1995 51.3 45.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 50.3 for Egypt, ranking 160/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Egypt
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
48.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
32.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
13.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$409B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$18,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$44.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
44/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$46.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$46.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$508M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
8.86%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
33.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
13%
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/egypt | 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 (1998–2024, 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 (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.