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Economy of Cameroon vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $114B for Ghana, ranking 92/197 and 69/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $55.8B (48.8% of GDP) in Ghana.

Cameroon vs Ghana GDP by year

Cameroon
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Ghana
2025 $58,933,453,924 $114,209,905,279
2024 $53,296,694,320 $83,288,585,604
2023 $48,814,501,547 $80,547,146,876
2022 $44,347,206,073 $73,919,003,212
2021 $45,011,937,347 $79,514,204,730
2020 $40,773,241,177 $70,008,243,860
2019 $39,667,757,528 $68,352,629,246
2018 $39,955,552,190 $67,259,353,966
2017 $36,098,547,033 $60,385,409,435
2016 $33,814,337,044 $56,144,179,398
2015 $32,210,233,020 $49,436,806,230
2014 $36,386,544,706 $54,678,533,806
2013 $33,728,621,180 $62,845,721,960
2012 $30,155,062,329 $41,271,701,061
2011 $30,630,910,495 $39,336,668,081
2010 $27,507,501,821 $32,197,655,567
2009 $27,932,970,317 $26,048,720,006
2008 $27,715,142,033 $28,679,383,241
2007 $23,928,250,433 $24,827,339,138
2006 $20,910,512,975 $20,885,037,597
2005 $19,509,852,207 $10,744,568,381
2004 $18,826,214,136 $8,881,417,907
2003 $15,970,315,035 $7,632,723,556
2002 $12,417,251,350 $6,166,197,848
2001 $10,953,485,349 $5,314,872,854
2000 $10,566,579,295 $4,982,850,662
1999 $11,565,826,465 $7,718,109,982
1998 $11,298,144,990 $7,482,069,162
1997 $10,789,458,433 $6,891,443,192
1996 $11,093,538,846 $6,932,991,739
1995 $10,864,772,471 $6,464,382,808
1994 $8,902,446,252 $5,446,383,727
1993 $16,181,814,713 $5,968,922,939
1992 $12,071,775,335 $6,416,103,926
1991 $11,840,192,296 $6,603,185,268
1990 $12,314,482,628 $5,889,106,573
1989 $11,012,566,195 $5,251,858,440
1988 $12,236,057,362 $5,197,765,032
1987 $13,049,659,981 $5,074,829,932
1986 $11,857,056,199 $5,735,677,434
1985 $8,544,810,498 $4,504,306,723
1984 $7,311,938,026 $4,412,279,843
1983 $6,870,200,010 $4,057,275,132
1982 $6,611,255,964 $4,035,994,398
1981 $6,610,938,617 $4,222,441,860
1980 $6,674,569,047 $4,445,228,216
1979 $5,919,002,983 $4,020,227,920
1978 $4,662,852,583 $3,662,478,185
1977 $3,394,664,024 $3,189,428,571
1976 $2,898,090,002 $2,765,254,237
1975 $2,857,037,371 $2,810,106,383
1974 $2,157,415,533 $2,894,409,938
1973 $1,901,393,361 $3,006,766,758
1972 $1,498,251,890 $2,112,293,280
1971 $1,236,941,394 $2,417,108,578
1970 $1,151,216,993 $2,215,028,588
1969 $1,100,551,489 $1,962,050,556
1968 $1,046,191,218 $1,666,909,518
1967 $936,175,260 $1,747,187,645
1966 $851,112,535 $2,126,300,672
1965 $814,083,266 $2,053,462,968
1964 $776,650,177 $1,731,296,200
1963 $718,320,845 $1,540,797,589
1962 $694,247,864 $1,382,515,654
1961 $652,777,608 $1,302,674,325
1960 $614,206,068 $1,217,230,095

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Ghana by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $3,257 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $2,419 $8,020
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $906 $3,103
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $479 $2,904
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $406 $2,729
2003 $988 $2,368 $358 $2,584
2002 $790 $2,263 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $715 $2,191 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $709 $2,108 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $796 $2,039 $403 $2,239
1998 $799 $1,975 $400 $2,167
1997 $783 $1,915 $378 $2,097
1996 $827 $1,850 $389 $2,026
1995 $832 $1,790 $372 $1,947
1994 $701 $1,752 $321 $1,875
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $360 $1,821
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $396 $1,739
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $418 $1,678
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $383 $1,581
1989 $1,001 - $350 -
1988 $1,145 - $355 -
1987 $1,258 - $355 -
1986 $1,179 - $411 -
1985 $875 - $330 -
1984 $772 - $330 -
1983 $746 - $311 -
1982 $732 - $319 -
1981 $750 - $344 -
1980 $784 - $372 -
1979 $718 - $347 -
1978 $582 - $326 -
1977 $435 - $292.3 -
1976 $381 - $261 -
1975 $386 - $273 -
1974 $299.9 - $289.4 -
1973 $271.8 - $310 -
1972 $220.1 - $223.8 -
1971 $186.7 - $263.4 -
1970 $178.5 - $248.2 -
1969 $175.2 - $225.8 -
1968 $170.8 - $196.7 -
1967 $156.6 - $211.2 -
1966 $145.8 - $263.3 -
1965 $142.7 - $260.5 -
1964 $139.2 - $225 -
1963 $131.6 - $205 -
1962 $130 - $188.4 -
1961 $124.6 - $181.9 -
1960 $119.1 - $174.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $3,257 in Ghana, ranking 139/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Ghana
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$114B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
69/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
5.95%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$3,257
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
139/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$55.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
48.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$1,590
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
128/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$2,135
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$16.4B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
17%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
14.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
14%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
3.97%
2024
Population
31045453
36032857

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 17% 48.8%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 22% 70.3%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 17% 47.2% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 20.9% 62%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 17.6% 57%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 21% 50.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 17% 14.9% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 14.8% 14% 19% 32.9%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 12% 18.4% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 10.7% 51.7% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 10.6% 51.5% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 14% 56.6% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 14.4% 62.2% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 14.4% 75.9% 12% 74.5%
1999 - 68.4% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 - 67.8% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 - - 12% 45.2%
1996 - - 12.4% 42.9%
1995 - - 13% 47.6%
1994 - - 12.7% 50.6%
1993 - - 12.1% 34.1%
1992 - - 9.2% 21.3%
1991 - - 7.09% 17.3%
1990 - - 6.59% 17.8%
1989 - - 7.24% 23%
1988 - - 7.23% 23.5%
1987 - - 7.32% 26.8%
1986 - - 7.29% 18.2%
1985 - - 6.08% 14.4%
1984 - - 4.64% 13%
1983 - - 3.49% 9.21%
1982 - - 4.73% 8.51%
1981 - - 5.74% 8.77%
1980 - - 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.4B, or 17% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 48.8% in Ghana, ranking 133/185 and 108/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Ghana
2025 -2.01% -1.35%
2024 -1.51% -6.23%
2023 -0.64% -3.37%
2022 -1.11% -11.8%
2021 -2.88% -12%
2020 -3.52% -17.4%
2019 -3.65% -7.52%
2018 -2.3% -6.79%
2017 -3.68% -3.97%
2016 -5.79% -6.75%
2015 -2.86% -4.01%
2014 -3.36% -7.81%
2013 -3.54% -9.12%
2012 -1.22% -8.36%
2011 -1.55% -5.47%
2010 -0.57% -7.13%
2009 -0.05% -5.05%
2008 1.94% -5.56%
2007 3.66% -4.91%
2006 6.34% -3.11%
2005 3.43% -1.87%
2004 2.07% -2.02%
2003 3.51% -1.99%
2002 1.59% -2.73%
2001 1.2% -3.64%
2000 2.06% -3.98%
1999 - -5.64%
1998 - -5.27%
1997 - -6.14%
1996 - -5.61%
1995 - -4.52%
1994 - -4.99%
1993 - -5.39%
1992 - -4.5%
1991 - -1.47%
1990 - -1.93%
1989 - -0.81%
1988 - -1.08%
1987 - -0.92%
1986 - -1.26%
1985 - -1.19%
1984 - -0.98%
1983 - -1.13%
1982 - -2.03%
1981 - -3.8%
1980 - -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.18B, equivalent to 2.01% of GDP. This compares to Ghana's deficit of $1.54B, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.92% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Ghana
2025 3.4% 14.2%
2024 4.53% 22.8%
2023 7.38% 38.1%
2022 6.25% 31.3%
2021 2.27% 9.97%
2020 2.44% 9.89%
2019 2.45% 7.14%
2018 1.07% 7.81%
2017 0.64% 12.4%
2016 0.87% 17.5%
2015 2.68% 17.1%
2014 1.85% 15.5%
2013 2.05% 11.7%
2012 2.74% 11.2%
2011 2.94% 8.73%
2010 1.28% 10.7%
2009 3.04% 19.2%
2008 5.34% 16.5%
2007 0.92% 10.7%
2006 5.12% 11.7%
2005 2.01% 15.4%
2004 0.23% 18%
2003 0.62% 29.8%
2002 2.83% 9.36%
2001 4.42% 41.5%
2000 1.23% 40.2%
1999 1.87% 4.87%
1998 3.17% 14.6%
1997 4.79% 27.9%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.77%, compared with 17.4% in Ghana. In 2025, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 14.2% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.48M
Animal & marine products $412K
Machinery & equipment $337K
Raw agricultural goods $297K
Raw materials & minerals $199K
Chemicals & pharma $116K
Metals $51K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Miscellaneous $6K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $9.96M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4.98M
Chemicals & pharma $1.48M
Metals $1.43M
Raw materials & minerals $695K
Miscellaneous $319K
Raw agricultural goods $161K
Wood & paper products $114K
Machinery & equipment $101K
Animal & marine products $46K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Ghana
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
$9.39B
2025
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
25/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
+8.22%
2025
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$17.5B
2025
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$31.2B
2025
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$14.6B
2025
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$10.1B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
33.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
35.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Ghana
Economic freedom 52 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 118/197
Property rights 28.1 50.2
Government integrity 21 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 57.5
Tax burden 72.2 79.4
Government spending 91.4 84
Fiscal health 94.5 10.1
Business freedom 48.6 64.5
Labor freedom 45.6 54.9
Monetary freedom 75.3 56.7
Trade freedom 57.2 65.2
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Ghana
2026 52 57.3
2025 52.1 56
2024 53.6 55.8
2023 51.9 58
2022 52.9 59.8
2021 53.4 59.2
2020 53.6 59.4
2019 52.4 57.5
2018 51.9 56
2017 51.8 56.2
2016 54.2 63
2015 51.9 63
2014 52.6 64.2
2013 52.3 61.3
2012 51.8 60.7
2011 51.8 59.4
2010 52.3 60.2
2009 53 58.1
2008 54.3 57
2007 55.6 57.6
2006 54.6 55.6
2005 53 56.5
2004 52.3 59.1
2003 52.7 58.2
2002 52.8 57.2
2001 53.3 58
2000 49.9 58.1
1999 50.3 57.9
1998 48 57
1997 44.6 56.7
1996 45.7 57.7
1995 51.3 55.6

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Ghana
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
42.9%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
21.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$92.3B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$8,080
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$4.47B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
108/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
-$1.87B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
3.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
9.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.