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Economy of Cameroon vs Iceland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $33.3B for Iceland, ranking 91/197 and 108/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $19.8B (59.4% of GDP) in Iceland.

Cameroon vs Iceland GDP by year

Cameroon
Iceland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Iceland
2024 $53,296,694,320 $33,255,181,469
2023 $48,814,501,547 $31,677,891,897
2022 $44,347,206,073 $29,166,102,877
2021 $45,011,937,347 $26,234,872,402
2020 $40,773,241,177 $22,034,665,041
2019 $39,667,757,528 $24,985,687,022
2018 $39,955,552,190 $26,677,652,544
2017 $36,098,547,033 $25,060,086,488
2016 $33,814,337,044 $21,083,713,310
2015 $32,210,233,020 $17,700,486,957
2014 $36,386,544,706 $18,052,183,515
2013 $33,728,621,180 $16,244,319,959
2012 $30,155,062,329 $14,943,757,823
2011 $30,630,910,495 $15,394,005,872
2010 $27,507,501,821 $13,922,711,577
2009 $27,932,970,317 $13,212,543,838
2008 $27,715,142,033 $18,247,921,360
2007 $23,928,250,433 $21,960,110,030
2006 $20,910,512,975 $17,671,649,843
2005 $19,509,852,207 $17,146,410,561
2004 $18,826,214,136 $13,963,943,244
2003 $15,970,315,035 $11,564,687,742
2002 $12,417,251,350 $9,416,199,700
2001 $10,953,485,349 $8,323,401,820
2000 $10,566,579,295 $9,140,168,922
1999 $11,565,826,465 $9,107,644,691
1998 $11,298,144,990 $8,637,732,542
1997 $10,789,458,433 $7,716,781,803
1996 $11,093,538,846 $7,686,566,105
1995 $10,864,772,471 $7,372,640,169
1994 $8,902,446,252 $6,612,804,056
1993 $16,181,814,713 $6,435,952,174
1992 $12,071,775,335 $7,328,497,599
1991 $11,840,192,296 $7,151,260,062
1990 $12,314,482,628 $6,694,851,159
1989 $11,012,566,195 $5,870,854,233
1988 $12,236,057,362 $6,320,093,411
1987 $13,049,659,981 $5,713,281,235
1986 $11,857,056,199 $4,129,080,094
1985 $8,544,810,498 $3,088,359,967
1984 $7,311,938,026 $2,964,568,006
1983 $6,870,200,010 $2,862,634,164
1982 $6,611,255,964 $3,318,714,326
1981 $6,610,938,617 $3,615,094,820
1980 $6,674,569,047 $3,499,616,683
1979 $5,919,002,983 $2,953,176,971
1978 $4,662,852,583 $2,599,627,089
1977 $3,394,664,024 $2,285,707,749
1976 $2,898,090,002 $1,727,845,419
1975 $2,857,037,371 $1,456,052,700
1974 $2,157,415,533 $1,568,154,077
1973 $1,901,393,361 $1,194,794,186
1972 $1,498,251,890 $869,002,946
1971 $1,236,941,394 $693,679,545
1970 $1,151,216,993 $545,115,909
1969 $1,100,551,489 $435,659,610
1968 $1,046,191,218 $498,365,200
1967 $936,175,260 $652,609,076
1966 $851,112,535 $660,663,763
1965 $814,083,266 $550,150,988
1964 $776,650,177 $456,206,299
1963 $718,320,845 $357,240,896
1962 $694,247,864 $299,309,938
1961 $652,777,608 $266,711,460
1960 $614,206,068 $260,984,499

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Iceland by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iceland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Iceland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $86,041 $84,257
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $82,139 $81,608
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $76,350 $75,333
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $70,425 $61,610
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $60,128 $55,797
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $69,296 $60,524
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $75,634 $57,198
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $72,976 $55,638
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $62,854 $53,480
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $53,506 $49,201
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $55,140 $45,997
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $50,173 $44,410
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $46,595 $42,004
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $48,255 $40,937
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $43,776 $39,764
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $41,484 $41,885
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $57,489 $43,728
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $70,483 $41,471
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $58,172 $39,692
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $57,784 $37,323
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $47,810 $35,612
2003 $988 $2,368 $39,944 $32,697
2002 $790 $2,263 $32,749 $32,607
2001 $715 $2,191 $29,208 $31,882
2000 $709 $2,108 $32,504 $29,789
1999 $796 $2,039 $32,834 $29,558
1998 $799 $1,975 $31,519 $28,723
1997 $783 $1,915 $28,462 $26,874
1996 $827 $1,850 $28,584 $24,776
1995 $832 $1,790 $27,565 $23,954
1994 $701 $1,752 $24,858 $23,562
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $24,404 $22,460
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $28,072 $21,877
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $27,740 $22,416
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $26,272 $21,985
1989 $1,001 - $23,219 -
1988 $1,145 - $25,307 -
1987 $1,258 - $23,238 -
1986 $1,179 - $16,980 -
1985 $875 - $12,793 -
1984 $772 - $12,378 -
1983 $746 - $12,080 -
1982 $732 - $14,191 -
1981 $750 - $15,666 -
1980 $784 - $15,340 -
1979 $718 - $13,082 -
1978 $582 - $11,630 -
1977 $435 - $10,305 -
1976 $381 - $7,848 -
1975 $386 - $6,680 -
1974 $299.9 - $7,287 -
1973 $271.8 - $5,627 -
1972 $220.1 - $4,155 -
1971 $186.7 - $3,366 -
1970 $178.5 - $2,666 -
1969 $175.2 - $2,142 -
1968 $170.8 - $2,473 -
1967 $156.6 - $3,284 -
1966 $145.8 - $3,378 -
1965 $142.7 - $2,861 -
1964 $139.2 - $2,414 -
1963 $131.6 - $1,924 -
1962 $130 - $1,641 -
1961 $124.6 - $1,490 -
1960 $119.1 - $1,486 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $86,041 in Iceland, ranking 9/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Iceland ranks 13th at $84,257.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Iceland
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$33.3B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
108/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
-0.97%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$86,041
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
9/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$84,257
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
13/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$19.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
59.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$51,148
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
9/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$55,565
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
22.4%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.7%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
46.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
5.86%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
3.56%
2024
Population
30864115
397129

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Iceland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Iceland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 46.5% 59.4%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 45% 61.5%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 45.9% 66.4%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 48.7% 73.6%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 50.2% 76.1%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 43% 65.7%
2018 18% 38.3% 43.2% 62.3%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 43.8% 70.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 45.8% 81.3%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 43% 96.3%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 45.4% 114.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 45.6% 121.1%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 47.1% 132.2%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 50% 136.6%
2010 15.2% 14% 48.2% 131.5%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 53.3% 128.2%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 62.8% 109.3%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 44.1% 67.4%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 44.3% 69.8%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 44.2% 67.8%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 46.2% 80.1%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 47.2% 84.1%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 45% 81.3%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 46.9% 82.5%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 44.3% 74.8%
1999 - 68.4% 44.8% 75.5%
1998 - 67.8% 40.2% 43.3%
1997 - - 41.3% 51.1%
1996 - - 43.9% 55.6%
1995 - - 44.4% 58.1%
1994 - - 45% 54.8%
1993 - - 45.1% 52.3%
1992 - - 44.7% 45.4%
1991 - - 42.8% 37.6%
1990 - - 42.6% 35.5%
1989 - - 42.9% 35.3%
1988 - - 41.4% 30.6%
1987 - - 36.5% 27.3%
1986 - - 39.5% 29.9%
1985 - - 37% 32%
1984 - - 34.7% 32.4%
1983 - - 37.8% 30.8%
1982 - - 36% 28.9%
1981 - - 35.3% 22.4%
1980 - - 33.9% 24.8%
1979 - - 32.4% 21.1%
1978 - - 31.9% 19.8%
1977 - - 31.7% 18.4%
1976 - - 32.1% 17.2%
1975 - - 36.9% 16.4%
1974 - - 36.6% 12.5%
1973 - - 33.7% 11.5%
1972 - - 33.3% 14.5%
1971 - - 32.5% 11.7%
1970 - - 29.9% 11.4%
1969 - - 30.3% 14.6%
1968 - - 33.3% 14.2%
1967 - - 31.6% 8.8%
1966 - - 28.3% 5.56%
1965 - - 28.3% 7.78%
1964 - - 28.2% 7.97%
1963 - - 26.2% 7.89%
1962 - - 24.9% 7.47%
1961 - - 25.3% 8.49%
1960 - - 33.2% 13.6%

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/iceland | CC BY

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Iceland spent $15.5B, or 46.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 59.4% in Iceland, ranking 125/185 and 80/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Iceland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Iceland
2024 -1.48% -3.51%
2023 -0.63% -2.28%
2022 -1.11% -3.93%
2021 -3.01% -8.33%
2020 -3.19% -8.73%
2019 -3.24% -1.57%
2018 -2.41% 0.94%
2017 -4.72% 0.97%
2016 -5.88% 12.4%
2015 -4.25% -0.39%
2014 -4.09% 0.29%
2013 -3.55% -1.24%
2012 -1.4% -2.59%
2011 -2.26% -6.46%
2010 -0.93% -6.58%
2009 -0.04% -8.54%
2008 2% -12%
2007 3.87% 5.52%
2006 28.2% 6.37%
2005 3.03% 4.92%
2004 -0.46% 0.28%
2003 0.56% -2.3%
2002 1.51% -2.25%
2001 0.86% -0.28%
2000 1.54% 1.43%
1999 - 1.3%
1998 - -0.56%
1997 - 0.04%
1996 - -1.52%
1995 - -2.87%
1994 - -4.59%
1993 - -4.36%
1992 - -1.86%
1991 - -0.66%
1990 - -3.16%
1989 - -4.29%
1988 - -1.93%
1987 - -0.79%
1986 - -3.93%
1985 - -1.56%
1984 - 2.25%
1983 - -1.96%
1982 - 1.72%
1981 - 1.32%
1980 - 1.37%
1979 - -0.07%
1978 - -0.9%
1977 - -1.2%
1976 - 0.02%
1975 - -3.87%
1974 - -3.64%
1973 - -0.74%
1972 - 0.05%
1971 - -0.69%
1970 - 0.27%
1969 - -0.88%
1968 - -0.89%
1967 - 0.78%
1966 - 1.69%
1965 - 0.15%
1964 - -0.41%
1963 - 1.8%
1962 - 2.25%
1961 - 1.64%
1960 - 2.38%
1959 - 2.44%
1958 - 2.16%
1957 - 1.2%
1956 - -0.09%
1955 - 1.57%
1954 - 1.25%
1953 - 0.34%
1952 - 3.33%
1951 - 2.73%
1950 - 1.23%
1949 - -0.3%
1948 - 0.67%
1947 - -1.95%
1946 - -0.37%
1945 - -2.33%
1944 - -3.23%
1943 - -0.89%
1942 - -0.75%
1941 - -1.33%
1940 - -1.35%
1939 - -2.6%
1938 - -2.01%
1937 - -2.6%
1936 - -3.34%
1935 - -3.46%
1934 - -4.79%
1933 - -3.42%
1932 - -4.65%
1931 - -4.27%
1930 - -4.94%
1929 - -1.94%
1928 - -1.94%
1927 - -3.45%
1926 - -2.43%
1925 - 0.43%
1924 - -1.78%
1923 - -4.99%
1922 - -4.67%
1921 - -6.12%
1920 - -7.45%
1919 - -2.5%
1918 - -7.43%
1917 - -11.3%
1916 - -2.53%
1915 - -2.06%
1914 - -3.21%
1913 - -2.3%
1912 - -2.93%
1911 - -3.06%
1910 - -1.27%
1909 - -2.15%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/iceland | 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 Iceland's deficit of $1.17B, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Iceland ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.52% of GDP for Iceland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Iceland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Iceland
2024 4.53% 5.86%
2023 7.38% 8.74%
2022 6.25% 8.31%
2021 2.27% 4.44%
2020 2.44% 2.85%
2019 2.45% 3.01%
2018 1.07% 2.68%
2017 0.64% 1.76%
2016 0.87% 1.7%
2015 2.68% 1.63%
2014 1.85% 2.04%
2013 2.05% 3.87%
2012 2.74% 5.19%
2011 2.94% 4%
2010 1.28% 5.4%
2009 3.04% 12%
2008 5.34% 12.7%
2007 0.92% 5.05%
2006 5.12% 6.69%
2005 2.01% 3.99%
2004 0.23% 3.16%
2003 0.62% 2.06%
2002 2.83% 5.2%
2001 4.42% 6.41%
2000 1.23% 5.14%
1999 1.87% 3.23%
1998 3.17% 1.66%
1997 4.79% 1.82%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 4.66% in Iceland. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 5.86% in Iceland.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $55K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $34K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Iceland
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cameroon Iceland
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$867M
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
121/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-2.61%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$9.3B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$6.99B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$5.16B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$7.12B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
43.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
42.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Iceland
Economic freedom 52 75
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 19/197
Property rights 28.1 94.9
Government integrity 21 85
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 95.2
Tax burden 72.2 72.2
Government spending 91.4 37
Fiscal health 94.5 76.2
Business freedom 48.6 86.8
Labor freedom 45.6 59.3
Monetary freedom 75.3 73.5
Trade freedom 57.2 79.8
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Iceland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Iceland
2026 52 75
2025 52.1 72.8
2024 53.6 70.5
2023 51.9 72.2
2022 52.9 77
2021 53.4 77.4
2020 53.6 77.1
2019 52.4 77.1
2018 51.9 77
2017 51.8 74.4
2016 54.2 73.3
2015 51.9 72
2014 52.6 72.4
2013 52.3 72.1
2012 51.8 70.9
2011 51.8 68.2
2010 52.3 73.7
2009 53 75.9
2008 54.3 75.8
2007 55.6 76
2006 54.6 75.8
2005 53 76.6
2004 52.3 72.1
2003 52.7 73.5
2002 52.8 73.1
2001 53.3 73.4
2000 49.9 74
1999 50.3 71.4
1998 48 71.2
1997 44.6 70.5
1996 45.7 -
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 75 for Iceland, ranking 19/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Iceland
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
64.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
3.98%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$31.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$84,060
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$6.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
90/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$2.24B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$2.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$461M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
8.8%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
26.1%
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/iceland | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1909–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.