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Economy of Cameroon vs Ireland compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $609B for Ireland, ranking 91/197 and 25/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $236B (38.8% of GDP) in Ireland.

Cameroon vs Ireland GDP by year

Cameroon
Ireland
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Ireland
2024 $53,296,694,320 $609,157,459,747
2023 $48,814,501,547 $567,372,737,459
2022 $44,347,206,073 $548,341,794,599
2021 $45,011,937,347 $530,394,123,830
2020 $40,773,241,177 $436,009,027,819
2019 $39,667,757,528 $407,211,793,801
2018 $39,955,552,190 $395,780,319,817
2017 $36,098,547,033 $348,355,212,569
2016 $33,814,337,044 $305,431,252,709
2015 $32,210,233,020 $302,101,388,556
2014 $36,386,544,706 $266,490,442,124
2013 $33,728,621,180 $242,924,245,719
2012 $30,155,062,329 $226,921,827,888
2011 $30,630,910,495 $240,975,871,047
2010 $27,507,501,821 $221,732,824,603
2009 $27,932,970,317 $236,443,115,854
2008 $27,715,142,033 $275,447,471,451
2007 $23,928,250,433 $270,079,279,420
2006 $20,910,512,975 $232,180,617,162
2005 $19,509,852,207 $211,876,989,656
2004 $18,826,214,136 $194,372,115,041
2003 $15,970,315,035 $164,670,771,260
2002 $12,417,251,350 $128,596,035,288
2001 $10,953,485,349 $109,346,669,230
2000 $10,566,579,295 $100,207,610,430
1999 $11,565,826,465 $98,893,958,263
1998 $11,298,144,990 $90,199,410,116
1997 $10,789,458,433 $82,856,648,758
1996 $11,093,538,846 $75,790,786,290
1995 $10,864,772,471 $69,139,823,232
1994 $8,902,446,252 $57,097,656,066
1993 $16,181,814,713 $52,417,477,614
1992 $12,071,775,335 $55,918,538,121
1991 $11,840,192,296 $49,787,501,584
1990 $12,314,482,628 $49,305,632,408
1989 $11,012,566,195 $39,238,392,678
1988 $12,236,057,362 $37,772,896,221
1987 $13,049,659,981 $33,920,518,493
1986 $11,857,056,199 $28,714,571,852
1985 $8,544,810,498 $21,270,013,326
1984 $7,311,938,026 $20,106,648,455
1983 $6,870,200,010 $20,766,047,764
1982 $6,611,255,964 $21,474,752,962
1981 $6,610,938,617 $20,670,190,138
1980 $6,674,569,047 $21,747,855,640
1979 $5,919,002,983 $18,319,334,300
1978 $4,662,852,583 $14,647,996,074
1977 $3,394,664,024 $11,248,340,431
1976 $2,898,090,002 $9,453,756,015
1975 $2,857,037,371 $9,483,808,362
1974 $2,157,415,533 $7,896,860,615
1973 $1,901,393,361 $7,481,173,066
1972 $1,498,251,890 $6,318,060,582
1971 $1,236,941,394 $5,098,250,287
1970 $1,151,216,993 $4,395,995,086
1969 $1,100,551,489 $3,902,721,632
1968 $1,046,191,218 $3,378,701,147
1967 $936,175,260 $3,445,739,915
1966 $851,112,535 $3,198,820,904
1965 $814,083,266 $3,035,655,794
1964 $776,650,177 $2,851,091,646
1963 $718,320,845 $2,505,073,358
1962 $694,247,864 $2,329,372,972
1961 $652,777,608 $2,151,772,980
1960 $614,206,068 $1,998,550,222

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Ireland by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ireland
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Ireland
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $112,895 $133,437
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $106,819 $129,683
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $105,191 $138,523
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $103,783 $116,904
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $86,514 $97,800
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $81,828 $92,023
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $80,804 $86,299
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $72,161 $80,450
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $64,130 $73,013
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $64,250 $71,588
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $57,215 $52,641
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $52,538 $48,839
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $49,336 $46,726
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $52,614 $45,526
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $48,624 $43,212
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $52,133 $41,491
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $61,353 $44,169
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $61,396 $46,782
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $54,329 $44,223
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $50,933 $40,466
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $47,754 $38,729
2003 $988 $2,368 $41,204 $36,280
2002 $790 $2,263 $32,705 $35,222
2001 $715 $2,191 $28,282 $32,573
2000 $709 $2,108 $26,335 $30,216
1999 $796 $2,039 $26,338 $27,041
1998 $799 $1,975 $24,295 $25,094
1997 $783 $1,915 $22,551 $22,637
1996 $827 $1,850 $20,836 $20,482
1995 $832 $1,790 $19,158 $18,944
1994 $701 $1,752 $15,903 $17,011
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $14,657 $15,811
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $15,714 $15,116
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $14,087 $14,399
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $14,031 $13,743
1989 $1,001 - $11,176 -
1988 $1,145 - $10,716 -
1987 $1,258 - $9,582 -
1986 $1,179 - $8,112 -
1985 $875 - $6,012 -
1984 $772 - $5,692 -
1983 $746 - $5,915 -
1982 $732 - $6,161 -
1981 $750 - $5,986 -
1980 $784 - $6,372 -
1979 $718 - $5,430 -
1978 $582 - $4,400 -
1977 $435 - $3,427 -
1976 $381 - $2,920 -
1975 $386 - $2,973 -
1974 $299.9 - $2,517 -
1973 $271.8 - $2,424 -
1972 $220.1 - $2,080 -
1971 $186.7 - $1,704 -
1970 $178.5 - $1,487 -
1969 $175.2 - $1,331 -
1968 $170.8 - $1,159 -
1967 $156.6 - $1,187 -
1966 $145.8 - $1,107 -
1965 $142.7 - $1,055 -
1964 $139.2 - $995 -
1963 $131.6 - $878 -
1962 $130 - $821 -
1961 $124.6 - $762 -
1960 $119.1 - $707 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $112,895 in Ireland, ranking 4/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Ireland ranks 4th at $133,437.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Ireland
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$609B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
25/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$112,895
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
4/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$133,437
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
4/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$236B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
38.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$43,766
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
11/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$47,851
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$110B
2018
Number of billionaires n/a
11
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
24.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
22.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
2.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
4.27%
2024
Population
30864115
5518360

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Ireland
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Ireland
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 22.3% 38.8%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 22.1% 42.1%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 20.6% 43.2%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 23.6% 52.7%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 26.7% 57.1%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 23.9% 55.9%
2018 18% 38.3% 24.7% 61.4%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 25.3% 65.3%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 27.5% 72.7%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 28.1% 74%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 36.6% 101.4%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 39.8% 117.7%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 42.3% 118.9%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 46.9% 109.6%
2010 15.2% 14% 64.9% 86.2%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 46.9% 61.8%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 41.6% 42.5%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 35.6% 23.9%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 33.6% 23.7%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 33% 26.1%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 32.8% 28.1%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 32.7% 29.8%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 32.9% 30.9%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 32.2% 33.6%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 30.6% 36.4%
1999 - 68.4% 32.5% 46.6%
1998 - 67.8% 34.2% 51.4%
1997 - - 36.1% 61.6%
1996 - - 38.5% 69.8%
1995 - - 40.3% 78.5%
1994 - - 44.2% 88%
1993 - - 44.6% 93.4%
1992 - - 46.8% 90.6%
1991 - - 46.1% 93.8%
1990 - - 44.6% 92.7%
1989 - - 42.5% 97.9%
1988 - - 48.2% 106.5%
1987 - - 51.4% 108.3%
1986 - - 52.9% 107.2%
1985 - - 53.2% 93%
1984 - - 52.7% 90.2%
1983 - - 55.6% 86.1%
1982 - - 56.7% 73.5%
1981 - - 54.1% 68.8%
1980 - - 53.7% 64.6%
1979 - - 48.7% 63.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 50.6%
1977 - - 44.6% 49.2%
1976 - - 47.8% 51.7%
1975 - - 48.2% 48.3%
1974 - - 44.3% 43.5%
1973 - - 40.3% 35.1%
1972 - - 41.5% 37.3%
1971 - - 45.3% 39.8%
1970 - - 44.1% 41.7%
1969 - - 42.5% 42.6%
1968 - - 40% 44.7%
1967 - - 39.3% 47.1%
1966 - - 36.9% 47.7%
1965 - - 35.8% 44.6%
1964 - - 34.8% 43.1%
1963 - - 33.6% 45.2%
1962 - - 31.7% 44.5%
1961 - - 31.4% 44.3%
1960 - - 29.1% 44.9%

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/ireland | CC BY

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Ireland spent $136B, or 22.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 38.8% in Ireland, ranking 125/185 and 138/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Ireland
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Ireland
2024 -1.48% 4.09%
2023 -0.63% 1.52%
2022 -1.11% 1.67%
2021 -3.01% -1.37%
2020 -3.19% -4.87%
2019 -3.24% 0.41%
2018 -2.41% 0.09%
2017 -4.72% -0.3%
2016 -5.88% -0.76%
2015 -4.25% -1.97%
2014 -4.09% -3.52%
2013 -3.55% -6.28%
2012 -1.4% -8.42%
2011 -2.26% -13.5%
2010 -0.93% -32.1%
2009 -0.04% -13.9%
2008 2% -7.03%
2007 3.87% 0.27%
2006 28.2% 2.78%
2005 3.03% 1.57%
2004 -0.46% 1.3%
2003 0.56% 0.35%
2002 1.51% -0.52%
2001 0.86% 0.96%
2000 1.54% 4.86%
1999 - 3.54%
1998 - 2.07%
1997 - 1.37%
1996 - -0.2%
1995 - -2.07%
1994 - -1.82%
1993 - -2.62%
1992 - -2.84%
1991 - -2.8%
1990 - -2.69%
1989 - -2.64%
1988 - -4.62%
1987 - -8.47%
1986 - -10.5%
1985 - -10.7%
1984 - -9.43%
1983 - -11.5%
1982 - -13.1%
1981 - -12.1%
1980 - -11.1%
1979 - -10%
1978 - -8.27%
1977 - -6.44%
1976 - -7.34%
1975 - -11.1%
1974 - -6.96%
1973 - -3.84%
1972 - -3.23%
1971 - -3.5%
1970 - -3.64%
1969 - -3.4%
1968 - -2.72%
1967 - -2.69%
1966 - -2.26%
1965 - -3.5%
1964 - -3.35%
1963 - -2.92%
1962 - -2.91%
1961 - -2.6%
1960 - -1.97%
1959 - -2.16%
1958 - -4.3%
1957 - -5.19%
1956 - -3.23%
1955 - -5.06%
1954 - -5.28%
1953 - -5.77%
1952 - -7.84%
1951 - -4.62%
1950 - -5.21%
1949 - -2.17%
1948 - -1.29%
1947 - -1.8%
1946 - -0.43%
1945 - -0.43%
1944 - 0.39%
1943 - -1.18%
1942 - -2.48%
1941 - -1.42%
1940 - -0.15%
1939 - -7.31%
1938 - -0.92%
1937 - -0.77%
1936 - -0.19%
1935 - -
1934 - -
1933 - 2.97%
1932 - -
1931 - -1.63%
1930 - -
1929 - -3.41%
1928 - -
1927 - -
1926 - -1.95%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1926–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ireland | 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 Ireland's surplus of $24.9B, or 4.09% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Ireland ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.99% of GDP for Ireland.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Ireland
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Ireland
2024 4.53% 2.11%
2023 7.38% 6.3%
2022 6.25% 7.83%
2021 2.27% 2.34%
2020 2.44% -0.33%
2019 2.45% 0.94%
2018 1.07% 0.47%
2017 0.64% 0.36%
2016 0.87% 0.02%
2015 2.68% -0.33%
2014 1.85% 0.19%
2013 2.05% 0.52%
2012 2.74% 1.69%
2011 2.94% 2.55%
2010 1.28% -0.92%
2009 3.04% -4.45%
2008 5.34% 4.04%
2007 0.92% 4.89%
2006 5.12% 3.94%
2005 2.01% 2.46%
2004 0.23% 2.18%
2003 0.62% 3.49%
2002 2.83% 4.63%
2001 4.42% 4.85%
2000 1.23% 5.58%
1999 1.87% 1.63%
1998 3.17% 2.41%
1997 4.79% 1.54%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.18% in Ireland. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 2.11% in Ireland.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $5.18M
Metals $209K
Machinery & equipment $40K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Ireland
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $22.4M
Raw materials & minerals $14.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.83M
Animal & marine products $2.19M
Machinery & equipment $239K
Miscellaneous $159K
Textiles & consumer goods $44K
Raw agricultural goods $7K
Wood & paper products $5K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Ireland
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$106B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
6/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+17.4%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$165B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$356B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$467B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$526B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
102.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
144%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Ireland
Economic freedom 52 83.3
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 3/197
Property rights 28.1 94.4
Government integrity 21 84
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 95.4
Tax burden 72.2 77.7
Government spending 91.4 85.9
Fiscal health 94.5 97
Business freedom 48.6 85.5
Labor freedom 45.6 61.3
Monetary freedom 75.3 79.3
Trade freedom 57.2 79.4
Investment freedom 30 90
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Ireland
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Ireland
2026 52 83.3
2025 52.1 83.1
2024 53.6 82.6
2023 51.9 82
2022 52.9 82
2021 53.4 81.4
2020 53.6 80.9
2019 52.4 80.5
2018 51.9 80.4
2017 51.8 76.7
2016 54.2 77.3
2015 51.9 76.6
2014 52.6 76.2
2013 52.3 75.7
2012 51.8 76.9
2011 51.8 78.7
2010 52.3 81.3
2009 53 82.2
2008 54.3 82.5
2007 55.6 82.6
2006 54.6 82.2
2005 53 80.8
2004 52.3 80.3
2003 52.7 80.9
2002 52.8 80.5
2001 53.3 81.2
2000 49.9 76.1
1999 50.3 74.6
1998 48 73.7
1997 44.6 72.6
1996 45.7 68.5
1995 51.3 68.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 83.3 for Ireland, ranking 3/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Ireland
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
60.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
33.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
1.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$435B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$101,180
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$12.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
73/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
$62.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$4.82B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$67.1B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
14%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
18.2%
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/ireland | 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 (1926–1989, 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 (2020–2024, 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.