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Economy of Cameroon vs Iran compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $363B for Iran, ranking 92/197 and 44/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $135B (37.3% of GDP) in Iran.

Cameroon vs Iran GDP by year

Cameroon
Iran
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Iran
2025 $58,933,453,924 $362,682,115,433
2024 $53,296,694,320 $475,252,089,215
2023 $48,814,501,547 $457,510,482,317
2022 $44,347,206,073 $422,662,261,526
2021 $45,011,937,347 $407,350,685,583
2020 $40,773,241,177 $280,934,329,280
2019 $39,667,757,528 $347,988,400,958
2018 $39,955,552,190 $411,903,303,606
2017 $36,098,547,033 $510,239,893,418
2016 $33,814,337,044 $478,618,064,871
2015 $32,210,233,020 $409,191,686,497
2014 $36,386,544,706 $462,284,793,281
2013 $33,728,621,180 $500,399,839,840
2012 $30,155,062,329 $644,019,315,004
2011 $30,630,910,495 $629,082,257,472
2010 $27,507,501,821 $487,069,570,464
2009 $27,932,970,317 $414,059,094,949
2008 $27,715,142,033 $406,070,949,554
2007 $23,928,250,433 $349,736,591,832
2006 $20,910,512,975 $265,602,187,404
2005 $19,509,852,207 $224,970,371,325
2004 $18,826,214,136 $187,754,571,248
2003 $15,970,315,035 $151,911,222,119
2002 $12,417,251,350 $128,626,917,504
2001 $10,953,485,349 $126,878,750,296
2000 $10,566,579,295 $109,591,707,802
1999 $11,565,826,465 $113,848,450,088
1998 $11,298,144,990 $110,276,913,363
1997 $10,789,458,433 $113,919,163,421
1996 $11,093,538,846 $120,403,931,885
1995 $10,864,772,471 $96,419,225,744
1994 $8,902,446,252 $71,841,461,173
1993 $16,181,814,713 $63,743,623,232
1992 $12,071,775,335 $119,768,691,217
1991 $11,840,192,296 $131,637,664,958
1990 $12,314,482,628 $124,813,263,926
1989 $11,012,566,195 $120,496,362,916
1988 $12,236,057,362 $123,057,861,334
1987 $13,049,659,981 $134,009,995,923
1986 $11,857,056,199 $209,094,561,833
1985 $8,544,810,498 $180,183,629,600
1984 $7,311,938,026 $162,276,728,620
1983 $6,870,200,010 $156,365,156,618
1982 $6,611,255,964 $125,948,756,439
1981 $6,610,938,617 $100,499,312,750
1980 $6,674,569,047 $94,362,275,580
1979 $5,919,002,983 $90,391,877,326
1978 $4,662,852,583 $77,994,316,621
1977 $3,394,664,024 $80,600,122,702
1976 $2,898,090,002 $68,055,295,081
1975 $2,857,037,371 $51,776,222,350
1974 $2,157,415,533 $46,209,092,072
1973 $1,901,393,361 $27,081,698,250
1972 $1,498,251,890 $17,153,463,263
1971 $1,236,941,394 $13,731,802,833
1970 $1,151,216,993 $10,976,245,154
1969 $1,100,551,489 $9,743,089,607
1968 $1,046,191,218 $8,623,172,960
1967 $936,175,260 $7,555,383,690
1966 $851,112,535 $6,789,938,672
1965 $814,083,266 $6,197,319,929
1964 $776,650,177 $5,379,845,648
1963 $718,320,845 $4,928,628,018
1962 $694,247,864 $4,693,566,416
1961 $652,777,608 $4,426,949,095
1960 $614,206,068 $4,199,134,390

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Iran by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iran
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Iran
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $3,924 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $5,190 $19,874
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $5,049 $18,917
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $4,721 $17,546
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $4,605 $15,884
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $3,203 $15,119
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $3,997 $13,928
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $4,783 $15,324
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $6,001 $15,719
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $5,711 $15,195
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $4,953 $14,274
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $5,672 $16,065
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $6,223 $16,215
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $8,114 $17,021
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $8,026 $19,275
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $6,291 $18,628
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $5,416 $17,615
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $5,377 $17,549
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $4,688 $17,384
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $3,619 $15,907
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $3,132 $15,016
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $2,672 $14,425
2003 $988 $2,368 $2,209 $13,755
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,891 $12,554
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,881 $11,533
2000 $709 $2,108 $1,650 $11,187
1999 $796 $2,039 $1,740 $10,489
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,709 $10,285
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,790 $10,101
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,915 $9,916
1995 $832 $1,790 $1,550 $9,255
1994 $701 $1,752 $1,168 $8,951
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $1,038 $8,933
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,957 $8,888
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $2,194 $8,580
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $2,138 $7,566
1989 $1,001 - $2,125 -
1988 $1,145 - $2,234 -
1987 $1,258 - $2,513 -
1986 $1,179 - $4,064 -
1985 $875 - $3,634 -
1984 $772 - $3,395 -
1983 $746 - $3,397 -
1982 $732 - $2,845 -
1981 $750 - $2,393 -
1980 $784 - $2,368 -
1979 $718 - $2,352 -
1978 $582 - $2,101 -
1977 $435 - $2,243 -
1976 $381 - $1,954 -
1975 $386 - $1,532 -
1974 $299.9 - $1,409 -
1973 $271.8 - $851 -
1972 $220.1 - $555 -
1971 $186.7 - $457 -
1970 $178.5 - $377 -
1969 $175.2 - $345 -
1968 $170.8 - $314 -
1967 $156.6 - $283.7 -
1966 $145.8 - $262.9 -
1965 $142.7 - $247.5 -
1964 $139.2 - $221.7 -
1963 $131.6 - $209.6 -
1962 $130 - $205.8 -
1961 $124.6 - $200.1 -
1960 $119.1 - $195.6 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $3,924 in Iran, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Iran ranks 97th at $19,874.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Iran
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$363B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
44/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
-2.83%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$3,924
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
135/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$19,874
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
97/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$135B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
37.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$1,463
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
133/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$2,958
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$186B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
28.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
13.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
42.2%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
23%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
7.63%
2024
Population
31045453
93580141

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Iran
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Iran
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 13.4% 37.3%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 16% 31.2%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 12.8% 29.6%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 12.8% 34.5%
2021 17% 47.2% 13.4% 39.9%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 12.1% 47.1%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 13.6% 44.6%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 14.8% 41.6%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 16.4% 43.2%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 16.3% 45.9%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 14.1% 32.1%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 12.3% 10.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 11.5% 10.2%
2012 17% 14.9% 11.4% 11.7%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 14.6% 10.6%
2010 14.8% 14% 14.1% 12.8%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 15.7% 11.5%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 16.8% 10.6%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 14.2% 13.5%
2006 12% 18.4% 18.7% 15.2%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 17.9% 18.3%
2004 10.7% 51.7% 15.1% 21.1%
2003 10.6% 51.5% 15.7% 21.9%
2002 14% 56.6% 15.6% 23.4%
2001 14.4% 62.2% 13.6% 21%
2000 14.4% 75.9% 13.3% 18.2%
1999 - 68.4% 15.7% 22.2%
1998 - 67.8% 16.9% 29.6%
1997 - - 17.4% 30.9%
1996 - - 17.3% 29.3%
1995 - - 21% 31.2%
1994 - - 23% 41.7%
1993 - - 27.2% 25.6%
1992 - - 14.4% 25.2%
1991 - - 14% 29.3%
1990 - - 16.4% 37%
1989 - - 20% 48.8%
1988 - - 23.6% 53.2%
1987 - - 18.6% 48.6%
1986 - - 19% 47.4%
1985 - - 21.6% 8.73%
1984 - - 23.7% 10%
1983 - - 27.5% 35.7%
1982 - - 29.7% 47.7%
1981 - - 33.7% 47.6%
1980 - - 35.8% 35.5%
1979 - - - -
1978 - - - -
1977 - - - 9.23%
1976 - - - 6.92%
1975 - - - 8.81%
1974 - - - 6.68%
1973 - - - 12.8%
1972 - - - 12.7%
1971 - - - 14.2%
1970 - - - 14.1%
1969 - - - -
1968 - - 23.6% -
1967 - - 22.3% -
1966 - - 20.5% -
1965 - - 16.3% 14.9%
1964 - - 15.4% 15.2%
1963 - - 14.8% 12.4%
1962 - - 15.6% 13.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Iran spent $48.7B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 37.3% in Iran, ranking 133/185 and 139/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Iran
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Iran
2025 -2.01% -5.65%
2024 -1.51% -2.68%
2023 -0.64% -3.04%
2022 -1.11% -2.64%
2021 -2.88% -3.01%
2020 -3.52% -4.87%
2019 -3.65% -4.3%
2018 -2.3% -1.59%
2017 -3.68% -1.55%
2016 -5.79% -1.7%
2015 -2.86% -1.3%
2014 -3.36% -0.91%
2013 -3.54% -0.72%
2012 -1.22% -0.5%
2011 -1.55% -0.66%
2010 -0.57% -0.84%
2009 -0.05% -3.3%
2008 1.94% -4.39%
2007 3.66% -2.41%
2006 6.34% -4.91%
2005 3.43% -2.44%
2004 2.07% -2.45%
2003 3.51% -2.76%
2002 1.59% -2.88%
2001 1.2% 0.02%
2000 2.06% 5.42%
1999 - -0.51%
1998 - -5.03%
1997 - -1.81%
1996 - -0.75%
1995 - -2.63%
1994 - -3.36%
1993 - -5.15%
1992 - -0.86%
1991 - -1.64%
1990 - -1.73%
1989 - -4.45%
1988 - -10.3%
1987 - -6.84%
1986 - -7.84%
1985 - -3.74%
1984 - -4.02%
1983 - -6.15%
1982 - -5.55%
1981 - -10.7%
1980 - -14.2%
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -4.57%
1967 - -4%
1966 - -2.63%
1965 - -1.23%
1964 - -0.04%
1963 - 0.26%
1962 - -1.39%

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/iran | 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 Iran's deficit of $20.5B, or 5.65% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Iran ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.15% of GDP for Iran.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Iran
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Iran
2025 3.4% 42.2%
2024 4.53% 32.5%
2023 7.38% 44.6%
2022 6.25% 43.5%
2021 2.27% 43.4%
2020 2.44% 30.6%
2019 2.45% 39.9%
2018 1.07% 18%
2017 0.64% 8.04%
2016 0.87% 7.25%
2015 2.68% 12.5%
2014 1.85% 16.6%
2013 2.05% 36.6%
2012 2.74% 27.3%
2011 2.94% 26.3%
2010 1.28% 10.1%
2009 3.04% 13.6%
2008 5.34% 25.4%
2007 0.92% 17.3%
2006 5.12% 10%
2005 2.01% 13.4%
2004 0.23% 14.8%
2003 0.62% 16.5%
2002 2.83% 14.3%
2001 4.42% 11.3%
2000 1.23% 14.5%
1999 1.87% 20.1%
1998 3.17% 17.9%
1997 4.79% 17.3%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.77%, compared with 22.3% in Iran. In 2025, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 42.2% in Iran.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Iran
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $21.7M
Raw agricultural goods $116K
Textiles & consumer goods $70K
Animal & marine products $56K
Machinery & equipment $28K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Iran
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
$12.5B
2000
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
22/190
2000
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
+11.4%
2000
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$15.2B
2000
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$28.3B
2000
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$2.3B
2000
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$1.38B
2000
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
34.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
25.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Iran
Economic freedom 52 41.8
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 185/197
Property rights 28.1 20.2
Government integrity 21 16.2
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 18.7
Tax burden 72.2 81.3
Government spending 91.4 94.7
Fiscal health 94.5 83.3
Business freedom 48.6 37.4
Labor freedom 45.6 41.8
Monetary freedom 75.3 42.2
Trade freedom 57.2 55.8
Investment freedom 30 5
Financial freedom 50 5

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Iran
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Iran
2026 52 41.8
2025 52.1 42.5
2024 53.6 41.2
2023 51.9 42.2
2022 52.9 42.4
2021 53.4 47.2
2020 53.6 49.2
2019 52.4 51.1
2018 51.9 50.9
2017 51.8 50.5
2016 54.2 43.5
2015 51.9 41.8
2014 52.6 40.3
2013 52.3 43.2
2012 51.8 42.3
2011 51.8 42.1
2010 52.3 43.4
2009 53 44.6
2008 54.3 45
2007 55.6 45
2006 54.6 45
2005 53 50.5
2004 52.3 42.8
2003 52.7 43.2
2002 52.8 36.4
2001 53.3 35.9
2000 49.9 36.1
1999 50.3 36.8
1998 48 36
1997 44.6 34.5
1996 45.7 36.1
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 41.8 for Iran, ranking 185/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Iran
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
47.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
39.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
10.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$429B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$19,660
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$7.69B
1982
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
89/177
1982
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
-$39M
2000
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.45B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$89.4M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
0.08%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
18.7%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
41.8%
2025

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/iran | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.