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Economy of Cameroon vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $254B for Iraq, ranking 92/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $137B (53.9% of GDP) in Iraq.

Cameroon vs Iraq GDP by year

Cameroon
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Iraq
2025 $58,933,453,924 $254,367,293,538
2024 $53,296,694,320 $279,641,257,615
2023 $48,814,501,547 $268,881,051,644
2022 $44,347,206,073 $287,372,232,138
2021 $45,011,937,347 $209,691,945,713
2020 $40,773,241,177 $180,898,797,517
2019 $39,667,757,528 $233,636,097,800
2018 $39,955,552,190 $227,367,469,034
2017 $36,098,547,033 $187,217,660,051
2016 $33,814,337,044 $166,743,557,748
2015 $32,210,233,020 $166,774,104,959
2014 $36,386,544,706 $228,415,656,175
2013 $33,728,621,180 $234,637,675,129
2012 $30,155,062,329 $218,002,476,129
2011 $30,630,910,495 $185,749,664,444
2010 $27,507,501,821 $138,516,722,650
2009 $27,932,970,317 $111,657,580,326
2008 $27,715,142,033 $131,614,434,154
2007 $23,928,250,433 $88,837,057,320
2006 $20,910,512,975 $65,147,051,918
2005 $19,509,852,207 $50,065,104,668
2004 $18,826,214,136 $36,633,669,269
2003 $15,970,315,035 $21,921,569,479
2002 $12,417,251,350 $32,928,454,672
2001 $10,953,485,349 $36,176,430,129
2000 $10,566,579,295 $48,364,250,944
1999 $11,565,826,465 $36,881,601,584
1998 $11,298,144,990 $20,617,405,044
1997 $10,789,458,433 $20,764,857,056
1996 $11,093,538,846 $10,433,698,621
1995 $10,864,772,471 $12,894,029,888
1994 $8,902,446,252 $3,991,349,283
1993 $16,181,814,713 $1,031,944,881
1992 $12,071,775,335 $553,671,958
1991 $11,840,192,296 $407,796,350
1990 $12,314,482,628 $180,408,064,516
1989 $11,012,566,195 $65,831,935,484
1988 $12,236,057,362 $62,684,516,129
1987 $13,049,659,981 $56,774,193,548
1986 $11,857,056,199 $47,264,516,129
1985 $8,544,810,498 $48,425,161,290
1984 $7,311,938,026 $46,938,387,097
1983 $6,870,200,010 $40,712,903,226
1982 $6,611,255,964 $42,382,333,333
1981 $6,610,938,617 $37,823,000,000
1980 $6,674,569,047 $52,569,000,000
1979 $5,919,002,983 $37,816,457,839
1978 $4,662,852,583 $23,762,275,652
1977 $3,394,664,024 $19,838,130,715
1976 $2,898,090,002 $17,754,825,601
1975 $2,857,037,371 $13,458,516,763
1974 $2,157,415,533 $11,516,762,614
1973 $1,901,393,361 $5,134,367,778
1972 $1,498,251,890 $4,113,848,002
1971 $1,236,941,394 $3,865,346,535
1970 $1,151,216,993 $3,281,318,687
1969 $1,100,551,489 $3,007,758,797
1968 $1,046,191,218 $2,896,598,841
1967 $936,175,260 $2,551,522,656
1966 $851,112,535 $2,530,306,096
1965 $814,083,266 $2,335,785,506
1964 $776,650,177 $2,136,408,198
1963 $718,320,845 $1,805,901,510
1962 $694,247,864 $1,784,174,541
1961 $652,777,608 $1,671,960,965
1960 $614,206,068 $1,537,252,193

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Iraq by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $5,410 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $988 $2,368 $818 $6,068
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $709 $2,108 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $796 $2,039 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $799 $1,975 $901 $7,964
1997 $783 $1,915 $936 $6,020
1996 $827 $1,850 $485 $5,034
1995 $832 $1,790 $619 $4,598
1994 $701 $1,752 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $23 $2,694
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $10,261 -
1989 $1,001 - $3,791 -
1988 $1,145 - $3,707 -
1987 $1,258 - $3,436 -
1986 $1,179 - $2,940 -
1985 $875 - $3,088 -
1984 $772 - $3,066 -
1983 $746 - $2,743 -
1982 $732 - $2,942 -
1981 $750 - $2,700 -
1980 $784 - $3,868 -
1979 $718 - $2,871 -
1978 $582 - $1,863 -
1977 $435 - $1,609 -
1976 $381 - $1,489 -
1975 $386 - $1,166 -
1974 $299.9 - $1,031 -
1973 $271.8 - $476 -
1972 $220.1 - $394 -
1971 $186.7 - $384 -
1970 $178.5 - $337 -
1969 $175.2 - $320 -
1968 $170.8 - $319 -
1967 $156.6 - $290.6 -
1966 $145.8 - $298.2 -
1965 $142.7 - $284.8 -
1964 $139.2 - $269.4 -
1963 $131.6 - $235.5 -
1962 $130 - $240.7 -
1961 $124.6 - $232.4 -
1960 $119.1 - $218.9 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $5,410 in Iraq, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Iraq
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$254B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
-2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$5,410
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
119/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$137B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
53.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$2,917
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
108/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$6,782
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
42.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
16.2%
2021
Population
31045453
48531417

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 42.7% 53.9%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 41.7% 45.2%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 33.9% 39%
2021 17% 47.2% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 48.2% 32%
2012 17% 14.9% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 14.8% 14% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 44% 117.1%
2006 12% 18.4% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 10.7% 51.7% 91.5% 344%
2003 10.6% 51.5% - -
2002 14% 56.6% - -
2001 14.4% 62.2% - -
2000 14.4% 75.9% - -
1999 - 68.4% - -
1998 - 67.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $109B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 53.9% in Iraq, ranking 133/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Iraq
2025 -2.01% -6.41%
2024 -1.51% -3.45%
2023 -0.64% -1.14%
2022 -1.11% 8.1%
2021 -2.88% -0.38%
2020 -3.52% -12.8%
2019 -3.65% 0.83%
2018 -2.3% 7.69%
2017 -3.68% -1.52%
2016 -5.79% -14.4%
2015 -2.86% -12.8%
2014 -3.36% -5.63%
2013 -3.54% -6.06%
2012 -1.22% 4.09%
2011 -1.55% 4.74%
2010 -0.57% -4.18%
2009 -0.05% -14.9%
2008 1.94% -0.86%
2007 3.66% 9.98%
2006 6.34% 10.7%
2005 3.43% 4.07%
2004 2.07% -35.4%
2003 3.51% -
2002 1.59% -
2001 1.2% -
2000 2.06% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/iraq | 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 Iraq's deficit of $16.3B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Iraq
2025 3.4% 0.3%
2024 4.53% 2.61%
2023 7.38% 4.36%
2022 6.25% 4.99%
2021 2.27% 6.04%
2020 2.44% 0.57%
2019 2.45% -0.2%
2018 1.07% 0.37%
2017 0.64% 0.18%
2016 0.87% 0.56%
2015 2.68% 1.39%
2014 1.85% 2.24%
2013 2.05% 1.88%
2012 2.74% 6.09%
2011 2.94% 5.6%
2010 1.28% 2.43%
2009 3.04% 6.87%
2008 5.34% 12.7%
2007 0.92% -10.1%
2006 5.12% 53.2%
2005 2.01% 37%
2004 0.23% 27%
2003 0.62% 33.6%
2002 2.83% 19.3%
2001 4.42% 16.4%
2000 1.23% 4.98%
1999 1.87% 12.6%
1998 3.17% 14.8%
1997 4.79% 23.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.77%, compared with 10% in Iraq. In 2025, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 0.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $27K
Wood & paper products $3K
Metals $2K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cameroon Iraq
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
27/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$101B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
37.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
39.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Iraq
Economic freedom 52 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 196/197
Property rights 28.1 8.3
Government integrity 21 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 5.8
Tax burden 72.2 85.5
Government spending 91.4 65.3
Fiscal health 94.5 95.7
Business freedom 48.6 42.8
Labor freedom 45.6 60.6
Monetary freedom 75.3 68.6
Trade freedom 57.2 40
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Iraq
2026 52 -
2025 52.1 -
2024 53.6 -
2023 51.9 -
2022 52.9 -
2021 53.4 -
2020 53.6 -
2019 52.4 -
2018 51.9 -
2017 51.8 -
2016 54.2 -
2015 51.9 -
2014 52.6 -
2013 52.3 -
2012 51.8 -
2011 51.8 -
2010 52.3 -
2009 53 -
2008 54.3 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 54.6 -
2005 53 -
2004 52.3 -
2003 52.7 -
2002 52.8 15.6
2001 53.3 17.2
2000 49.9 17.2
1999 50.3 17.2
1998 48 17.2
1997 44.6 17.2
1996 45.7 17.2
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Iraq
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
45.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
3.41%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$267B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$14,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
19.1%
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/iraq | 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 (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.