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Economy of Cameroon vs France compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $3.16T for France, ranking 91/197 and 7/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $3.58T (113.1% of GDP) in France.

Cameroon vs France GDP by year

Cameroon
France
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon France
2024 $53,296,694,320 $3,160,442,622,465
2023 $48,814,501,547 $3,056,250,648,138
2022 $44,347,206,073 $2,794,788,137,067
2021 $45,011,937,347 $2,966,433,692,008
2020 $40,773,241,177 $2,647,926,055,110
2019 $39,667,757,528 $2,722,793,515,172
2018 $39,955,552,190 $2,781,576,320,884
2017 $36,098,547,033 $2,588,868,323,335
2016 $33,814,337,044 $2,470,407,619,777
2015 $32,210,233,020 $2,442,483,452,643
2014 $36,386,544,706 $2,861,236,112,552
2013 $33,728,621,180 $2,816,077,607,875
2012 $30,155,062,329 $2,683,007,095,787
2011 $30,630,910,495 $2,870,408,553,990
2010 $27,507,501,821 $2,646,230,027,988
2009 $27,932,970,317 $2,700,075,882,519
2008 $27,715,142,033 $2,926,802,941,586
2007 $23,928,250,433 $2,655,816,911,867
2006 $20,910,512,975 $2,317,861,544,691
2005 $19,509,852,207 $2,192,146,403,028
2004 $18,826,214,136 $2,109,792,297,237
2003 $15,970,315,035 $1,835,095,983,049
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,492,427,756,382
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,370,376,677,299
2000 $10,566,579,295 $1,360,959,069,477
1999 $11,565,826,465 $1,486,915,879,702
1998 $11,298,144,990 $1,496,906,382,032
1997 $10,789,458,433 $1,449,392,222,971
1996 $11,093,538,846 $1,598,889,216,566
1995 $10,864,772,471 $1,595,219,345,512
1994 $8,902,446,252 $1,385,822,778,828
1993 $16,181,814,713 $1,314,383,368,080
1992 $12,071,775,335 $1,389,663,073,110
1991 $11,840,192,296 $1,258,961,748,634
1990 $12,314,482,628 $1,257,649,439,827
1989 $11,012,566,195 $1,016,742,237,302
1988 $12,236,057,362 $1,010,827,662,152
1987 $13,049,659,981 $926,320,855,615
1986 $11,857,056,199 $764,946,585,851
1985 $8,544,810,498 $547,220,981,165
1984 $7,311,938,026 $525,033,325,828
1983 $6,870,200,010 $553,356,312,936
1982 $6,611,255,964 $578,152,310,610
1981 $6,610,938,617 $609,184,791,792
1980 $6,674,569,047 $694,529,183,483
1979 $5,919,002,983 $608,218,624,730
1978 $4,662,852,583 $501,724,418,605
1977 $3,394,664,024 $406,401,711,688
1976 $2,898,090,002 $368,363,152,144
1975 $2,857,037,371 $357,324,307,786
1974 $2,157,415,533 $282,739,225,314
1973 $1,901,393,361 $261,970,536,240
1972 $1,498,251,890 $201,738,881,664
1971 $1,236,941,394 $164,694,210,962
1970 $1,151,216,993 $147,312,861,698
1969 $1,100,551,489 $140,660,914,841
1968 $1,046,191,218 $128,710,572,572
1967 $936,175,260 $118,088,635,381
1966 $851,112,535 $109,306,730,313
1965 $814,083,266 $100,927,668,584
1964 $776,650,177 $93,424,179,943
1963 $718,320,845 $84,227,606,650
1962 $694,247,864 $75,196,980,365
1961 $652,777,608 $67,158,050,215
1960 $614,206,068 $61,959,085,885

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs France by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
France
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon France
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $46,103 $62,557
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $44,700 $60,839
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $40,989 $57,043
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $43,725 $52,517
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $39,170 $49,482
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $40,408 $51,130
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $41,418 $46,381
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $38,687 $44,469
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $37,024 $42,880
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $36,702 $40,905
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $43,148 $40,218
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $42,669 $39,583
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $40,864 $37,671
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $43,930 $37,510
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $40,695 $35,908
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $41,728 $34,685
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $45,465 $35,053
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $41,486 $34,066
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $36,432 $32,424
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $34,696 $30,431
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $33,645 $28,921
2003 $988 $2,368 $29,480 $28,024
2002 $790 $2,263 $24,145 $28,350
2001 $715 $2,191 $22,332 $27,347
2000 $709 $2,108 $22,341 $26,007
1999 $796 $2,039 $24,576 $24,204
1998 $799 $1,975 $24,869 $23,263
1997 $783 $1,915 $24,169 $22,190
1996 $827 $1,850 $26,758 $21,268
1995 $832 $1,790 $26,792 $20,701
1994 $701 $1,752 $23,360 $19,892
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $22,239 $19,094
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $23,615 $18,801
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $21,501 $18,198
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $21,586 $17,475
1989 $1,001 - $17,547 -
1988 $1,145 - $17,550 -
1987 $1,258 - $16,176 -
1986 $1,179 - $13,430 -
1985 $875 - $9,657 -
1984 $772 - $9,312 -
1983 $746 - $9,862 -
1982 $732 - $10,360 -
1981 $750 - $10,956 -
1980 $784 - $12,565 -
1979 $718 - $11,063 -
1978 $582 - $9,167 -
1977 $435 - $7,459 -
1976 $381 - $6,792 -
1975 $386 - $6,617 -
1974 $299.9 - $5,261 -
1973 $271.8 - $4,907 -
1972 $220.1 - $3,809 -
1971 $186.7 - $3,137 -
1970 $178.5 - $2,833 -
1969 $175.2 - $2,729 -
1968 $170.8 - $2,518 -
1967 $156.6 - $2,328 -
1966 $145.8 - $2,173 -
1965 $142.7 - $2,024 -
1964 $139.2 - $1,891 -
1963 $131.6 - $1,723 -
1962 $130 - $1,554 -
1961 $124.6 - $1,402 -
1960 $119.1 - $1,307 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $46,103 in France, ranking 27/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while France ranks 30th at $62,557.

Economic indicators

Cameroon France
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$3.16T
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
1.19%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$46,103
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
27/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$62,557
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
30/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$3.58T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
113.1%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$52,165
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
8/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$35,669
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.37T
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
2,897,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
52
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
25%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
57.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
7.44%
2024
Population
30864115
68788006

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
France
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon France
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 57.2% 113.1%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 56.8% 109.6%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 58.4% 111.4%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 59.5% 112.8%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 61.7% 114.9%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 55.3% 98.1%
2018 18% 38.3% 56.4% 98.5%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 57.7% 98.7%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 57.4% 98.1%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 57.6% 96.9%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 58.4% 96.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 58.6% 94.5%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 57.9% 91.7%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 57% 88.7%
2010 15.2% 14% 57.7% 86.3%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 58% 84.1%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 54.3% 69.8%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 53.6% 65.5%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 53.7% 65.4%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 54.3% 68.2%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 54% 66.9%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 54.4% 65.4%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 53.9% 61.3%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 52.8% 59.3%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 52.6% 59.7%
1999 - 68.4% 53.7% 61.4%
1998 - 67.8% 54% 62.1%
1997 - - 55.6% 62%
1996 - - 56% 60.6%
1995 - - 56% 57.8%
1994 - - 55.9% 51.6%
1993 - - 56.5% 48.2%
1992 - - 54% 41.7%
1991 - - 52.7% 37.8%
1990 - - 51.6% 36.8%
1989 - - 48.9% 34%
1988 - - 50.1% 33.3%
1987 - - 50.7% 33.4%
1986 - - 51.3% 31.1%
1985 - - 51.9% 30.6%
1984 - - 51.2% 29%
1983 - - 50.2% 26.6%
1982 - - 49.9% 25.3%
1981 - - 48.5% 22%
1980 - - 46% 20.7%
1979 - - 44.9% 21.1%
1978 - - 44.7% 21.2%
1977 - - 21.4% 15%
1976 - - 21.7% 15.1%
1975 - - 22% 16.1%
1974 - - 19.9% 15.4%
1973 - - 19.7% 15.8%
1972 - - 19.8% 17.7%
1971 - - 20% 20.1%
1970 - - 20.5% 21%
1969 - - 21.5% 14.4%
1968 - - 22.7% 15.8%
1967 - - 21.4% 16.1%
1966 - - 21.4% 15.3%
1965 - - 21.1% 17.6%
1964 - - 21% 19.6%
1963 - - 22.6% 22.2%
1962 - - 21.7% 23.6%
1961 - - 21.9% 26.3%
1960 - - 22.2% 28.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while France spent $1.81T, or 57.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 113.1% in France, ranking 125/185 and 14/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

France
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon France
2024 -1.48% -5.77%
2023 -0.63% -5.44%
2022 -1.11% -4.74%
2021 -3.01% -6.58%
2020 -3.19% -8.93%
2019 -3.24% -2.39%
2018 -2.41% -2.32%
2017 -4.72% -3.36%
2016 -5.88% -3.76%
2015 -4.25% -3.89%
2014 -4.09% -4.57%
2013 -3.55% -4.94%
2012 -1.4% -5.17%
2011 -2.26% -5.3%
2010 -0.93% -7.16%
2009 -0.04% -7.38%
2008 2% -3.5%
2007 3.87% -2.99%
2006 28.2% -2.66%
2005 3.03% -3.5%
2004 -0.46% -3.55%
2003 0.56% -4.09%
2002 1.51% -3.18%
2001 0.86% -1.42%
2000 1.54% -1.32%
1999 - -1.55%
1998 - -2.39%
1997 - -3.71%
1996 - -3.89%
1995 - -5.11%
1994 - -5.46%
1993 - -6.4%
1992 - -4.64%
1991 - -2.89%
1990 - -2.45%
1989 - -1.9%
1988 - -2.7%
1987 - -2.13%
1986 - -3.3%
1985 - -3.08%
1984 - -2.8%
1983 - -2.58%
1982 - -2.91%
1981 - -2.39%
1980 - -0.27%
1979 - -0.36%
1978 - -1.73%
1977 - 0.9%
1976 - 1.01%
1975 - -0.28%
1974 - 3.05%
1973 - 1.97%
1972 - 1.94%
1971 - -0.13%
1970 - 0.02%
1969 - -0.49%
1968 - -2.54%
1967 - -0.8%
1966 - -0.57%
1965 - -0.07%
1964 - -0.25%
1963 - -2.24%
1962 - -1.53%
1961 - -1.36%
1960 - -1.95%
1959 - 0.56%
1958 - 0.08%
1957 - -1.99%
1956 - -2.62%
1955 - -1.04%
1954 - -0.78%
1953 - -4.79%
1952 - -6.82%
1951 - -4.42%
1950 - -5.56%
1949 - -7.31%
1948 - -9.11%
1947 - -7.6%
1946 - -8.1%
1945 - -
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - -
1937 - -6.89%
1936 - -4.76%
1935 - -4.22%
1934 - -4.31%
1933 - -4.96%
1932 - -1.86%
1931 - -2.06%
1930 - -1.65%
1929 - 1.48%
1928 - 1.13%
1927 - -0.04%
1926 - -0.02%
1925 - -0.87%
1924 - -
1923 - -
1922 - -
1921 - -
1920 - -
1919 - -
1918 - -
1917 - -
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.05%
1912 - 0.23%
1911 - 0.31%
1910 - -0.12%
1909 - -0.11%
1908 - -0.15%
1907 - 0.23%
1906 - -0.04%
1905 - 0.18%
1904 - 0.3%
1903 - 0.21%
1902 - -0.37%
1901 - -0.39%
1900 - 0.21%
1899 - 0.21%
1898 - 0.29%
1897 - 0.01%
1896 - -0.03%
1895 - -0.07%
1894 - -0.08%
1893 - -0.3%
1892 - -0.03%
1891 - 0.36%
1890 - 0.31%
1889 - 0.09%
1888 - 0.18%
1887 - -0.07%
1886 - -0.5%
1885 - -0.59%
1884 - -0.35%
1883 - -0.23%
1882 - -0.15%
1881 - 0.64%
1880 - 0.65%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/france | 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 France's deficit of $182B, or 5.77% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while France ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.32% of GDP for France.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

France
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon France
2024 4.53% 2%
2023 7.38% 4.88%
2022 6.25% 5.22%
2021 2.27% 1.64%
2020 2.44% 0.48%
2019 2.45% 1.11%
2018 1.07% 1.85%
2017 0.64% 1.03%
2016 0.87% 0.18%
2015 2.68% 0.04%
2014 1.85% 0.51%
2013 2.05% 0.86%
2012 2.74% 1.95%
2011 2.94% 2.11%
2010 1.28% 1.53%
2009 3.04% 0.09%
2008 5.34% 2.81%
2007 0.92% 1.49%
2006 5.12% 1.68%
2005 2.01% 1.75%
2004 0.23% 2.14%
2003 0.62% 2.1%
2002 2.83% 1.92%
2001 4.42% 1.63%
2000 1.23% 1.68%
1999 1.87% 0.54%
1998 3.17% 0.65%
1997 4.79% 1.2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 1.61% in France. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 2% in France.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $471M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $65.4M
Metals $34.9M
Wood & paper products $19.5M
Raw agricultural goods $16.6M
Machinery & equipment $1.52M
Chemicals & pharma $1.34M
Textiles & consumer goods $48K
Precious metals & jewellery $23K
Miscellaneous $12K
France
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $154M
Chemicals & pharma $144M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $106M
Raw agricultural goods $98.5M
Metals $19.6M
Raw materials & minerals $18.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $18.8M
Wood & paper products $12.4M
Animal & marine products $11M
Miscellaneous $4.92M

Balance of trade

Cameroon France
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$2.69B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
42/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+0.09%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$733B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$668B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$341B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$403B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
34.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
33.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon France
Economic freedom 52 64.6
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 72/197
Property rights 28.1 91.2
Government integrity 21 73.4
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 84.7
Tax burden 72.2 54.6
Government spending 91.4 0.9
Fiscal health 94.5 34.8
Business freedom 48.6 78.4
Labor freedom 45.6 59.1
Monetary freedom 75.3 73.2
Trade freedom 57.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 75
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
France
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon France
2026 52 64.6
2025 52.1 64.4
2024 53.6 62.5
2023 51.9 63.6
2022 52.9 65.9
2021 53.4 65.7
2020 53.6 66
2019 52.4 63.8
2018 51.9 63.9
2017 51.8 63.3
2016 54.2 62.3
2015 51.9 62.5
2014 52.6 63.5
2013 52.3 64.1
2012 51.8 63.2
2011 51.8 64.6
2010 52.3 64.2
2009 53 63.3
2008 54.3 64.7
2007 55.6 62.1
2006 54.6 61.1
2005 53 60.5
2004 52.3 60.9
2003 52.7 59.2
2002 52.8 58
2001 53.3 58
2000 49.9 57.4
1999 50.3 59.1
1998 48 58.9
1997 44.6 59.1
1996 45.7 63.7
1995 51.3 64.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 64.6 for France, ranking 72/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon France
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
70.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
1.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$3.1T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$63,880
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$283B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
13/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$10.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$52.1B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$41.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
15.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
21.5%
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/france | 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)
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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.