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Economy of Cameroon vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 91/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

Cameroon vs Gabon GDP by year

Cameroon
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Gabon
2024 $53,296,694,320 $20,895,684,426
2023 $48,814,501,547 $19,388,372,071
2022 $44,347,206,073 $20,440,655,695
2021 $45,011,937,347 $19,444,935,097
2020 $40,773,241,177 $15,342,236,164
2019 $39,667,757,528 $16,874,405,465
2018 $39,955,552,190 $16,867,326,402
2017 $36,098,547,033 $14,929,487,485
2016 $33,814,337,044 $14,023,890,265
2015 $32,210,233,020 $14,383,107,763
2014 $36,386,544,706 $18,203,966,896
2013 $33,728,621,180 $17,595,744,798
2012 $30,155,062,329 $17,170,464,016
2011 $30,630,910,495 $18,210,307,744
2010 $27,507,501,821 $14,372,593,020
2009 $27,932,970,317 $12,113,699,068
2008 $27,715,142,033 $15,571,348,344
2007 $23,928,250,433 $12,455,409,587
2006 $20,910,512,975 $10,327,598,306
2005 $19,509,852,207 $9,582,783,991
2004 $18,826,214,136 $7,770,219,008
2003 $15,970,315,035 $6,511,903,365
2002 $12,417,251,350 $5,335,451,100
2001 $10,953,485,349 $5,023,265,413
2000 $10,566,579,295 $5,080,483,629
1999 $11,565,826,465 $4,662,992,036
1998 $11,298,144,990 $4,483,417,310
1997 $10,789,458,433 $5,326,817,115
1996 $11,093,538,846 $5,694,040,003
1995 $10,864,772,471 $4,958,845,648
1994 $8,902,446,252 $4,190,819,344
1993 $16,181,814,713 $4,378,645,081
1992 $12,071,775,335 $5,592,390,827
1991 $11,840,192,296 $5,402,919,785
1990 $12,314,482,628 $5,952,293,765
1989 $11,012,566,195 $4,186,411,464
1988 $12,236,057,362 $3,834,503,376
1987 $13,049,659,981 $3,281,797,043
1986 $11,857,056,199 $3,403,638,189
1985 $8,544,810,498 $3,339,914,757
1984 $7,311,938,026 $3,561,451,561
1983 $6,870,200,010 $3,391,275,732
1982 $6,611,255,964 $3,618,007,841
1981 $6,610,938,617 $3,862,269,121
1980 $6,674,569,047 $4,279,637,942
1979 $5,919,002,983 $3,030,251,120
1978 $4,662,852,583 $2,389,479,272
1977 $3,394,664,024 $2,809,349,069
1976 $2,898,090,002 $3,009,409,974
1975 $2,857,037,371 $2,157,592,940
1974 $2,157,415,533 $1,544,216,002
1973 $1,901,393,361 $722,780,701
1972 $1,498,251,890 $430,508,359
1971 $1,236,941,394 $381,687,073
1970 $1,151,216,993 $323,802,476
1969 $1,100,551,489 $318,124,701
1968 $1,046,191,218 $294,468,564
1967 $936,175,260 $271,543,680
1966 $851,112,535 $245,849,781
1965 $814,083,266 $226,474,286
1964 $776,650,177 $215,679,855
1963 $718,320,845 $154,480,244
1962 $694,247,864 $182,796,536
1961 $652,777,608 $167,637,907
1960 $614,206,068 $141,468,978

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Gabon by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $988 $2,368 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $790 $2,263 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $715 $2,191 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $709 $2,108 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $796 $2,039 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $799 $1,975 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $783 $1,915 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $827 $1,850 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $832 $1,790 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $701 $1,752 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $1,001 - $4,374 -
1988 $1,145 - $4,119 -
1987 $1,258 - $3,624 -
1986 $1,179 - $3,865 -
1985 $875 - $3,898 -
1984 $772 - $4,273 -
1983 $746 - $4,182 -
1982 $732 - $4,584 -
1981 $750 - $5,026 -
1980 $784 - $5,718 -
1979 $718 - $4,155 -
1978 $582 - $3,360 -
1977 $435 - $4,048 -
1976 $381 - $4,441 -
1975 $386 - $3,258 -
1974 $299.9 - $2,384 -
1973 $271.8 - $1,140 -
1972 $220.1 - $693 -
1971 $186.7 - $627 -
1970 $178.5 - $543 -
1969 $175.2 - $545 -
1968 $170.8 - $515 -
1967 $156.6 - $482 -
1966 $145.8 - $443 -
1965 $142.7 - $415 -
1964 $139.2 - $400 -
1963 $131.6 - $290.7 -
1962 $130 - $348 -
1961 $124.6 - $323 -
1960 $119.1 - $276.1 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Gabon
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$5,368
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
20.4%
2010
Population
30864115
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 19.8% 83%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 18% 38.3% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 15.2% 14% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 22.6% 26%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 27.8% 81%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 - 68.4% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 - 67.8% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 - - 29.7% 57%
1996 - - 22.2% 64.5%
1995 - - 25.1% 73.4%
1994 - - 23.9% 71.3%
1993 - - 26.9% 90.1%
1992 - - 26.5% 87.9%
1991 - - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 - - 22.6% 90%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 125/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Gabon
2024 -1.48% -3.84%
2023 -0.63% 1.79%
2022 -1.11% -0.89%
2021 -3.01% -1.93%
2020 -3.19% -2.19%
2019 -3.24% 2.13%
2018 -2.41% -0.21%
2017 -4.72% -1.7%
2016 -5.88% -4.71%
2015 -4.25% -1.12%
2014 -4.09% 5.98%
2013 -3.55% -3.07%
2012 -1.4% 6.2%
2011 -2.26% 1.41%
2010 -0.93% 2.7%
2009 -0.04% 6.77%
2008 2% 11%
2007 3.87% 8.06%
2006 28.2% 8.67%
2005 3.03% 7.98%
2004 -0.46% 6.99%
2003 0.56% 7.75%
2002 1.51% 3.72%
2001 0.86% 4.07%
2000 1.54% 11.1%
1999 - 1.11%
1998 - -13.1%
1997 - 1.41%
1996 - 2.12%
1995 - 2.64%
1994 - -1.53%
1993 - -5.35%
1992 - -4.9%
1991 - -2.03%
1990 - -3.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/gabon | 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 Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.07% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Gabon
2024 4.53% 1.17%
2023 7.38% 3.63%
2022 6.25% 4.23%
2021 2.27% 1.09%
2020 2.44% 1.35%
2019 2.45% 2.46%
2018 1.07% 4.75%
2017 0.64% 2.65%
2016 0.87% 2.11%
2015 2.68% -0.34%
2014 1.85% 4.69%
2013 2.05% 0.51%
2012 2.74% 2.65%
2011 2.94% 1.26%
2010 1.28% 1.46%
2009 3.04% 1.89%
2008 5.34% 5.26%
2007 0.92% 5.03%
2006 5.12% -1.41%
2005 2.01% 3.71%
2004 0.23% 0.41%
2003 0.62% 2.24%
2002 2.83% 0.04%
2001 4.42% 2.14%
2000 1.23% 0.5%
1999 1.87% -1.94%
1998 3.17% 1.45%
1997 4.79% 3.97%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $10.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.7M
Metals $9.17M
Textiles & consumer goods $7.81M
Machinery & equipment $5.31M
Animal & marine products $3.9M
Raw agricultural goods $1.83M
Raw materials & minerals $1.21M
Wood & paper products $310K
Weapons & explosives $14K
Gabon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $56.2M
Machinery & equipment $49.5M
Metals $5.11M
Raw materials & minerals $2.18M
Animal & marine products $524K
Chemicals & pharma $404K
Textiles & consumer goods $92K
Miscellaneous $72K
Raw agricultural goods $65K
Weapons & explosives $13K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Gabon
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Gabon
Economic freedom 52 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 120/197
Property rights 28.1 30
Government integrity 21 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 19.9
Tax burden 72.2 76.5
Government spending 91.4 85.5
Fiscal health 94.5 87.9
Business freedom 48.6 63.6
Labor freedom 45.6 55.4
Monetary freedom 75.3 80.9
Trade freedom 57.2 57.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Gabon
2026 52 56.6
2025 52.1 56.3
2024 53.6 56.9
2023 51.9 56.1
2022 52.9 55.8
2021 53.4 58.1
2020 53.6 56.7
2019 52.4 56.3
2018 51.9 58
2017 51.8 58.6
2016 54.2 59
2015 51.9 58.3
2014 52.6 57.8
2013 52.3 57.8
2012 51.8 56.4
2011 51.8 56.7
2010 52.3 55.4
2009 53 55
2008 54.3 54.2
2007 55.6 54.8
2006 54.6 56.1
2005 53 54.8
2004 52.3 57.1
2003 52.7 58.7
2002 52.8 58
2001 53.3 55
2000 49.9 58.2
1999 50.3 60.5
1998 48 59.2
1997 44.6 58.8
1996 45.7 55.7
1995 51.3 57.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Gabon
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
19.1%
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/gabon | 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. TradeMap (2022–2023, 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.