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Economy of Cameroon vs Eswatini compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $4.86B for Eswatini, ranking 91/197 and 162/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $1.93B (39.8% of GDP) in Eswatini.

Cameroon vs Eswatini GDP by year

Cameroon
Eswatini
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Eswatini
2024 $53,296,694,320 $4,858,885,841
2023 $48,814,501,547 $4,621,191,262
2022 $44,347,206,073 $4,746,660,274
2021 $45,011,937,347 $4,807,069,277
2020 $40,773,241,177 $4,134,677,810
2019 $39,667,757,528 $4,617,018,959
2018 $39,955,552,190 $4,643,751,059
2017 $36,098,547,033 $4,462,640,651
2016 $33,814,337,044 $3,722,306,117
2015 $32,210,233,020 $3,908,217,914
2014 $36,386,544,706 $4,285,065,665
2013 $33,728,621,180 $4,463,396,204
2012 $30,155,062,329 $4,747,813,067
2011 $30,630,910,495 $4,722,912,047
2010 $27,507,501,821 $4,360,714,359
2009 $27,932,970,317 $3,525,213,502
2008 $27,715,142,033 $3,235,921,171
2007 $23,928,250,433 $3,391,122,887
2006 $20,910,512,975 $3,215,307,901
2005 $19,509,852,207 $3,097,946,371
2004 $18,826,214,136 $2,710,331,785
2003 $15,970,315,035 $2,149,632,433
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,393,945,031
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,502,870,486
2000 $10,566,579,295 $1,697,161,558
1999 $11,565,826,465 $1,547,888,496
1998 $11,298,144,990 $1,576,908,856
1997 $10,789,458,433 $1,716,714,070
1996 $11,093,538,846 $1,602,741,834
1995 $10,864,772,471 $1,698,989,464
1994 $8,902,446,252 $1,419,294,254
1993 $16,181,814,713 $1,357,189,552
1992 $12,071,775,335 $1,284,759,928
1991 $11,840,192,296 $1,156,135,718
1990 $12,314,482,628 $1,114,694,041
1989 $11,012,566,195 $696,921,542
1988 $12,236,057,362 $692,026,455
1987 $13,049,659,981 $584,126,092
1986 $11,857,056,199 $449,140,318
1985 $8,544,810,498 $360,079,419
1984 $7,311,938,026 $494,483,409
1983 $6,870,200,010 $555,336,146
1982 $6,611,255,964 $537,568,059
1981 $6,610,938,617 $570,774,825
1980 $6,674,569,047 $541,976,853
1979 $5,919,002,983 $412,093,134
1978 $4,662,852,583 $340,630,085
1977 $3,394,664,024 $304,060,076
1976 $2,898,090,002 $272,550,068
1975 $2,857,037,371 $288,299,789
1974 $2,157,415,533 $264,320,941
1973 $1,901,393,361 $221,915,128
1972 $1,498,251,890 $146,736,479
1971 $1,236,941,394 $136,462,081
1970 $1,151,216,993 $112,139,955
1969 $1,100,551,489 $105,419,958
1968 $1,046,191,218 $79,799,968
1967 $936,175,260 $74,759,970
1966 $851,112,535 $76,859,969
1965 $814,083,266 $70,279,972
1964 $776,650,177 $64,980,554
1963 $718,320,845 $54,129,438
1962 $694,247,864 $45,927,962
1961 $652,777,608 $43,026,043
1960 $614,206,068 $35,076,846

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Eswatini by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Eswatini
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Eswatini
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $3,910 $11,799
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $3,756 $11,300
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $3,894 $10,635
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $3,984 $9,990
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $3,467 $9,329
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $3,913 $9,248
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $3,973 $8,535
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $3,853 $8,584
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $3,238 $8,484
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $3,420 $8,391
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $3,771 $8,366
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $3,950 $8,231
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $4,225 $7,760
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $4,225 $7,571
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $3,923 $7,324
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $3,190 $7,011
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $2,947 $6,914
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $3,109 $6,732
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $2,965 $6,319
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $2,871 $5,773
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $2,526 $5,310
2003 $988 $2,368 $2,015 $5,020
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,316 $4,742
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,430 $4,521
2000 $709 $2,108 $1,630 $4,401
1999 $796 $2,039 $1,502 $4,272
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,547 $4,137
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,705 $4,038
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,619 $3,916
1995 $832 $1,790 $1,751 $3,777
1994 $701 $1,752 $1,461 $3,526
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $1,397 $3,371
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,362 $3,289
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $1,273 $3,236
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $1,278 $3,202
1989 $1,001 - $832 -
1988 $1,145 - $865 -
1987 $1,258 - $765 -
1986 $1,179 - $611 -
1985 $875 - $510 -
1984 $772 - $726 -
1983 $746 - $843 -
1982 $732 - $843 -
1981 $750 - $925 -
1980 $784 - $908 -
1979 $718 - $714 -
1978 $582 - $610 -
1977 $435 - $563 -
1976 $381 - $521 -
1975 $386 - $568 -
1974 $299.9 - $536 -
1973 $271.8 - $463 -
1972 $220.1 - $315 -
1971 $186.7 - $301 -
1970 $178.5 - $254.2 -
1969 $175.2 - $245.2 -
1968 $170.8 - $190.4 -
1967 $156.6 - $182.8 -
1966 $145.8 - $192.7 -
1965 $142.7 - $181 -
1964 $139.2 - $171.6 -
1963 $131.6 - $146.4 -
1962 $130 - $127.1 -
1961 $124.6 - $121.8 -
1960 $119.1 - $101.6 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $3,910 in Eswatini, ranking 131/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Eswatini ranks 126th at $11,799.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Eswatini
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$4.86B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
2.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$3,910
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
131/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$11,799
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
126/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$1.93B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
39.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$1,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
130/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$3,913
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$234M
2007
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
42.7%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.4%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
33.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
2.6%
2018-2019
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
34.6%
2023
Population
30864115
1273390

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Eswatini
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Eswatini
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 33.3% 39.8%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 32% 40%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 29.6% 40.5%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 30.1% 38.4%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 32.7% 38.2%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 32.9% 30.7%
2018 18% 38.3% 32.2% 27%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 33.9% 21.9%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 34.7% 20.5%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 35.3% 16.4%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 33.3% 14.3%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 29.4% 15.5%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 27.8% 15.2%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 26% 15.1%
2010 15.2% 14% 31.6% 14.5%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 34.5% 10.8%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 34.4% 15%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 31.2% 16.6%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 28.2% 15%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 29.7% 13.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 32% 15.5%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 26.4% 18%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 27.2% 17.6%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 26.4% 22.4%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 25.3% 18.7%
1999 - 68.4% 26.5% 17.2%
1998 - 67.8% 22.5% 15.9%
1997 - - 21.2% 13%
1996 - - 23.3% 12%
1995 - - 20.5% 12.9%
1994 - - 24.7% 13.8%
1993 - - 24% 15.6%
1992 - - 26% 16.6%
1991 - - 20.3% 20.1%
1990 - - 18.7% 20.4%
1989 - - 15.8% 26.8%
1988 - - 15.6% 27.5%
1987 - - 17% 36.1%
1986 - - 19.8% 44%
1985 - - 22.3% 45.5%
1984 - - 22.2% 29.7%
1983 - - 23.2% 28.7%
1982 - - 24% 29.2%
1981 - - 23.8% 24.3%
1980 - - 19.6% 27.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Eswatini spent $1.62B, or 33.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 39.8% in Eswatini, ranking 125/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Eswatini
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Eswatini
2024 -1.48% -1.36%
2023 -0.63% -0.67%
2022 -1.11% -5.4%
2021 -3.01% -4.68%
2020 -3.19% -4.27%
2019 -3.24% -6.26%
2018 -2.41% -6.72%
2017 -4.72% -5.68%
2016 -5.88% -8.54%
2015 -4.25% -6.03%
2014 -4.09% -1.18%
2013 -3.55% 0.59%
2012 -1.4% 3.48%
2011 -2.26% -4.02%
2010 -0.93% -9.52%
2009 -0.04% -3.06%
2008 2% 1.63%
2007 3.87% 2.44%
2006 28.2% 8.88%
2005 3.03% -1.7%
2004 -0.46% -4.1%
2003 0.56% -2.15%
2002 1.51% -3.78%
2001 0.86% -2.31%
2000 1.54% -1.22%
1999 - -1.27%
1998 - 1.07%
1997 - 2.11%
1996 - -1%
1995 - 0.9%
1994 - -3.61%
1993 - -3.29%
1992 - -2.9%
1991 - 3.4%
1990 - 5.61%
1989 - 5.82%
1988 - 3.23%
1987 - 2.03%
1986 - -2.41%
1985 - -1.33%
1984 - 1.25%
1983 - -0.6%
1982 - 0.11%
1981 - -4.29%
1980 - 6.55%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/eswatini | 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 Eswatini's deficit of $66.2M, or 1.36% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Eswatini ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.63% of GDP for Eswatini.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Eswatini
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Eswatini
2024 4.53% -
2023 7.38% -
2022 6.25% -
2021 2.27% -
2020 2.44% -
2019 2.45% 2.6%
2018 1.07% 4.82%
2017 0.64% 6.22%
2016 0.87% 7.85%
2015 2.68% 4.95%
2014 1.85% 5.68%
2013 2.05% 5.62%
2012 2.74% 8.94%
2011 2.94% 6.11%
2010 1.28% 4.51%
2009 3.04% 7.45%
2008 5.34% 12.7%
2007 0.92% 8.08%
2006 5.12% 5.3%
2005 2.01% 4.77%
2004 0.23% 3.45%
2003 0.62% 7.29%
2002 2.83% 12%
2001 4.42% 5.94%
2000 1.23% 12.2%
1999 1.87% 6.09%
1998 3.17% 8.11%
1997 4.79% 7.13%

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

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

Over the past 23 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.36%, compared with 6.86% in Eswatini. In 2019, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 2.6% in Eswatini.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Eswatini
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $289K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Eswatini
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$78.3M
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+1.61%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$2.07B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$2.33B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$542M
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$234M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
53.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
53.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Eswatini
Economic freedom 52 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 116/197
Property rights 28.1 42.5
Government integrity 21 29.7
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 35.5
Tax burden 72.2 78.6
Government spending 91.4 71
Fiscal health 94.5 87.5
Business freedom 48.6 49.9
Labor freedom 45.6 55.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 76.8
Trade freedom 57.2 73.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Eswatini
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Eswatini
2026 52 57.5
2025 52.1 56.4
2024 53.6 55.6
2023 51.9 54.9
2022 52.9 51.4
2021 53.4 55.1
2020 53.6 55.3
2019 52.4 54.7
2018 51.9 55.9
2017 51.8 61.1
2016 54.2 59.7
2015 51.9 59.9
2014 52.6 61.2
2013 52.3 57.2
2012 51.8 57.2
2011 51.8 59.1
2010 52.3 57.4
2009 53 59.1
2008 54.3 58.4
2007 55.6 60.1
2006 54.6 61.4
2005 53 59.4
2004 52.3 58.6
2003 52.7 59.6
2002 52.8 60.9
2001 53.3 63.6
2000 49.9 62.6
1999 50.3 62.1
1998 48 62
1997 44.6 59.4
1996 45.7 58.6
1995 51.3 63.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 57.5 for Eswatini, ranking 116/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Eswatini
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
51.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
34.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
6.48%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$4.46B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$10,760
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$479M
2023
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
159/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$11.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$75.5M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$63.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
4.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
58.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
15%
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/eswatini | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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)

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.