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Economy of Cameroon vs Equatorial Guinea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $12.8B for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 91/197 and 148/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $4.65B (36.4% of GDP) in Equatorial Guinea.

Cameroon vs Equatorial Guinea GDP by year

Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
2024 $53,296,694,320 $12,765,777,677
2023 $48,814,501,547 $12,337,550,584
2022 $44,347,206,073 $13,687,643,436
2021 $45,011,937,347 $12,215,878,033
2020 $40,773,241,177 $9,893,816,008
2019 $39,667,757,528 $11,364,133,550
2018 $39,955,552,190 $13,097,012,134
2017 $36,098,547,033 $12,200,913,879
2016 $33,814,337,044 $11,240,808,848
2015 $32,210,233,020 $13,185,496,881
2014 $36,386,544,706 $21,765,453,082
2013 $33,728,621,180 $21,948,834,284
2012 $30,155,062,329 $22,388,344,144
2011 $30,630,910,495 $21,357,343,669
2010 $27,507,501,821 $16,314,443,436
2009 $27,932,970,317 $15,027,795,173
2008 $27,715,142,033 $19,749,893,536
2007 $23,928,250,433 $13,071,718,759
2006 $20,910,512,975 $10,086,528,699
2005 $19,509,852,207 $8,217,369,093
2004 $18,826,214,136 $4,410,764,339
2003 $15,970,315,035 $2,484,745,935
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,806,742,742
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,461,139,022
2000 $10,566,579,295 $1,045,998,496
1999 $11,565,826,465 $621,117,886
1998 $11,298,144,990 $370,687,634
1997 $10,789,458,433 $442,337,871
1996 $11,093,538,846 $232,463,023
1995 $10,864,772,471 $141,853,361
1994 $8,902,446,252 $100,807,003
1993 $16,181,814,713 $136,047,906
1992 $12,071,775,335 $134,707,184
1991 $11,840,192,296 $110,906,029
1990 $12,314,482,628 $112,119,411
1989 $11,012,566,195 $88,265,975
1988 $12,236,057,362 $100,534,657
1987 $13,049,659,981 $93,345,860
1986 $11,857,056,199 $76,407,396
1985 $8,544,810,498 $62,118,570
1984 $7,311,938,026 $50,320,914
1983 $6,870,200,010 $44,442,457
1982 $6,611,255,964 $44,294,648
1981 $6,610,938,617 $36,731,423
1980 $6,674,569,047 $50,642,881
1979 $5,919,002,983 -
1978 $4,662,852,583 -
1977 $3,394,664,024 $103,987,520
1976 $2,898,090,002 $103,653,050
1975 $2,857,037,371 $104,295,643
1974 $2,157,415,533 $94,159,863
1973 $1,901,393,361 $81,203,227
1972 $1,498,251,890 $65,429,198
1971 $1,236,941,394 $64,946,955
1970 $1,151,216,993 $66,331,429
1969 $1,100,551,489 $67,225,714
1968 $1,046,191,218 $67,514,286
1967 $936,175,260 $72,317,447
1966 $851,112,535 $69,110,000
1965 $814,083,266 $64,748,333
1964 $776,650,177 $51,915,000
1963 $718,320,845 $44,266,667
1962 $694,247,864 $37,253,333
1961 $652,777,608 -
1960 $614,206,068 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Equatorial Guinea by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $6,745 $17,567
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $6,678 $17,412
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $7,589 $18,140
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $6,946 $16,821
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $5,764 $13,677
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $6,804 $16,451
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $8,102 $18,413
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $7,809 $18,435
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $7,453 $16,649
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $9,069 $19,479
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $15,549 $27,177
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $16,304 $27,910
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $17,309 $30,012
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $17,198 $27,242
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $13,720 $26,168
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $13,233 $29,722
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $18,211 $30,523
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $12,617 $26,611
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $10,185 $23,511
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $8,674 $22,137
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $4,901 $19,354
2003 $988 $2,368 $2,931 $14,496
2002 $790 $2,263 $2,264 $13,255
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,949 $11,627
2000 $709 $2,108 $1,487 $7,420
1999 $796 $2,039 $931 $6,470
1998 $799 $1,975 $578 $5,280
1997 $783 $1,915 $717 $4,387
1996 $827 $1,850 $392 $1,793
1995 $832 $1,790 $248.3 $1,098
1994 $701 $1,752 $183.2 $951
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $256.7 $828
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $263.7 $756
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $225.3 $569
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $236.4 $577
1989 $1,001 - $193.2 -
1988 $1,145 - $228.7 -
1987 $1,258 - $220.9 -
1986 $1,179 - $188.8 -
1985 $875 - $161.1 -
1984 $772 - $137.9 -
1983 $746 - $129.4 -
1982 $732 - $137.5 -
1981 $750 - $121.1 -
1980 $784 - $175.5 -
1979 $718 - - -
1978 $582 - - -
1977 $435 - $376 -
1976 $381 - $369 -
1975 $386 - $362 -
1974 $299.9 - $319 -
1973 $271.8 - $268.6 -
1972 $220.1 - $211.4 -
1971 $186.7 - $205.6 -
1970 $178.5 - $206.8 -
1969 $175.2 - $208.4 -
1968 $170.8 - $211.7 -
1967 $156.6 - $231.9 -
1966 $145.8 - $226.7 -
1965 $142.7 - $217.1 -
1964 $139.2 - $177.8 -
1963 $131.6 - $154.8 -
1962 $130 - $132.9 -
1961 $124.6 - - -
1960 $119.1 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $6,745 in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 106/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
0.91%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$6,745
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
106/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$17,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
106/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$4.65B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
36.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$2,458
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
110/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$5,042
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
29.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
18.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
3.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
8.6%
2014
Population
30864115
1998075

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 18.5% 36.4%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 19.2% 39.1%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 14.8% 29.8%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 12.7% 42.3%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 16.2% 49.4%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 16.8% 43.2%
2018 18% 38.3% 19.1% 40.6%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 20.1% 36.2%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 27.8% 41.1%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 41.6% 31.7%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 31.6% 12.6%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 29.3% 6.27%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 35.2% 7.1%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 27.5% 7.17%
2010 15.2% 14% 31.2% 7.89%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 39.8% 4.34%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 19.9% 0.49%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 19.7% 0.75%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 18.1% 1.22%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 14.1% 2.85%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 15.5% 4.54%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 11.8% 6.77%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 11.3% 19.4%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 13.5% 25.5%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 22.6% 36.6%
1999 - 68.4% 18.7% 60.5%
1998 - 67.8% 35.1% 59.2%
1997 - - 14.8% 46.3%
1996 - - 22.9% 91.2%
1995 - - 141.5% 136.9%
1994 - - 510% 216%
1993 - - 256.3% 152.6%
1992 - - 595% 136.9%
1991 - - 284.5% 169.5%
1990 - - 212.9% 157%
1989 - - 116.8% 187%
1988 - - 227.9% 154.5%
1987 - - 183% 141.3%
1986 - - 119% 152.5%
1985 - - 115.4% 183.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Equatorial Guinea spent $2.36B, or 18.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea, ranking 125/185 and 143/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
2024 -1.48% -0.55%
2023 -0.63% 2.39%
2022 -1.11% 11.7%
2021 -3.01% 2.65%
2020 -3.19% -1.77%
2019 -3.24% 1.82%
2018 -2.41% 0.52%
2017 -4.72% -2.59%
2016 -5.88% -10.9%
2015 -4.25% -15.1%
2014 -4.09% -7.54%
2013 -3.55% -4.4%
2012 -1.4% -7.24%
2011 -2.26% 0.83%
2010 -0.93% -4.53%
2009 -0.04% -6.47%
2008 2% 14.6%
2007 3.87% 17.2%
2006 28.2% 21.8%
2005 3.03% 18.5%
2004 -0.46% 9.22%
2003 0.56% 9.99%
2002 1.51% 17.6%
2001 0.86% 14.9%
2000 1.54% -2.67%
1999 - -0.19%
1998 - -7.65%
1997 - 3.21%
1996 - -6.36%
1995 - -123.4%
1994 - -487%
1993 - -217.9%
1992 - -557%
1991 - -236%
1990 - -160.2%
1989 - -76.2%
1988 - -208.5%
1987 - -158%
1986 - -97.3%
1985 - -89.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/equatorial-guinea | 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 Equatorial Guinea's deficit of $70.8M, or 0.55% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Equatorial Guinea ran a deficit in 11 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.2% of GDP for Equatorial Guinea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
2024 4.53% 3.4%
2023 7.38% 2.4%
2022 6.25% 4.9%
2021 2.27% -0.1%
2020 2.44% 4.8%
2019 2.45% 1.2%
2018 1.07% 1.3%
2017 0.64% 0.7%
2016 0.87% 1.4%
2015 2.68% 1.7%
2014 1.85% 4.3%
2013 2.05% 3.2%
2012 2.74% 3.4%
2011 2.94% 4.8%
2010 1.28% 5.3%
2009 3.04% 5.7%
2008 5.34% 4.7%
2007 0.92% 2.8%
2006 5.12% 4.5%
2005 2.01% 5.6%
2004 0.23% 4.2%
2003 0.62% 7.3%
2002 2.83% 7.6%
2001 4.42% 8.7%
2000 1.23% 4.8%
1999 1.87% 0.4%
1998 3.17% 7.9%
1997 4.79% 3%

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/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 3.93% in Equatorial Guinea. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6.46M
Machinery & equipment $1.99M
Chemicals & pharma $1.66M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.58M
Raw materials & minerals $1.5M
Metals $1.47M
Animal & marine products $950K
Weapons & explosives $692K
Wood & paper products $428K
Raw agricultural goods $77K
Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.23M
Animal & marine products $313K
Metals $105K
Chemicals & pharma $42K
Raw materials & minerals $37K
Weapons & explosives $16K
Wood & paper products $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Raw agricultural goods $5K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$344M
1996
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
101/190
1996
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-148%
1996
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$292M
1996
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$175M
1996
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$185M
1996
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$4.88M
1996
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
25.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
35.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
Economic freedom 52 47.4
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 175/197
Property rights 28.1 16.9
Government integrity 21 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 7.2
Tax burden 72.2 81
Government spending 91.4 90.8
Fiscal health 94.5 97.3
Business freedom 48.6 35.9
Labor freedom 45.6 45.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 73.5
Trade freedom 57.2 43.6
Investment freedom 30 40
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Equatorial Guinea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
2026 52 47.4
2025 52.1 47.7
2024 53.6 47.7
2023 51.9 48.3
2022 52.9 47.2
2021 53.4 49.2
2020 53.6 48.3
2019 52.4 41
2018 51.9 42
2017 51.8 45
2016 54.2 43.7
2015 51.9 40.4
2014 52.6 44.4
2013 52.3 42.3
2012 51.8 42.8
2011 51.8 47.5
2010 52.3 48.6
2009 53 51.3
2008 54.3 51.6
2007 55.6 53.2
2006 54.6 51.5
2005 53 53.3
2004 52.3 53.3
2003 52.7 53.1
2002 52.8 46.4
2001 53.3 47.9
2000 49.9 45.6
1999 50.3 45.1
1998 48 -
1997 44.6 -
1996 45.7 -
1995 51.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/equatorial-guinea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 47.4 for Equatorial Guinea, ranking 175/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Equatorial Guinea
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
51.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
45.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
3.15%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$8.96B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$12,330
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$1.54B
2023
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
134/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$376M
1996
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$188M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$154M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
50.7%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
8.96%
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/equatorial-guinea | 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 (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.