Skip to content

Economy of Cameroon vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 91/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Cameroon vs Israel GDP by year

Cameroon
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Israel
2024 $53,296,694,320 $540,379,921,262
2023 $48,814,501,547 $512,184,638,999
2022 $44,347,206,073 $525,181,008,026
2021 $45,011,937,347 $489,851,549,972
2020 $40,773,241,177 $410,768,352,658
2019 $39,667,757,528 $400,645,216,359
2018 $39,955,552,190 $376,299,083,108
2017 $36,098,547,033 $358,451,839,053
2016 $33,814,337,044 $321,940,971,558
2015 $32,210,233,020 $303,469,434,072
2014 $36,386,544,706 $315,017,088,117
2013 $33,728,621,180 $298,478,070,673
2012 $30,155,062,329 $263,589,172,712
2011 $30,630,910,495 $268,094,998,225
2010 $27,507,501,821 $239,679,036,634
2009 $27,932,970,317 $213,403,181,853
2008 $27,715,142,033 $221,231,658,863
2007 $23,928,250,433 $184,681,214,673
2006 $20,910,512,975 $158,900,547,825
2005 $19,509,852,207 $147,519,922,009
2004 $18,826,214,136 $140,047,984,605
2003 $15,970,315,035 $131,408,914,824
2002 $12,417,251,350 $125,332,331,884
2001 $10,953,485,349 $135,002,039,613
2000 $10,566,579,295 $136,512,300,542
1999 $11,565,826,465 $121,417,185,062
1998 $11,298,144,990 $120,547,409,279
1997 $10,789,458,433 $119,459,826,347
1996 $11,093,538,846 $115,116,595,545
1995 $10,864,772,471 $105,497,418,059
1994 $8,902,446,252 $90,740,103,829
1993 $16,181,814,713 $79,855,877,174
1992 $12,071,775,335 $79,457,685,757
1991 $11,840,192,296 $70,998,755,007
1990 $12,314,482,628 $62,016,729,541
1989 $11,012,566,195 $52,443,479,454
1988 $12,236,057,362 $52,650,948,910
1987 $13,049,659,981 $43,049,543,635
1986 $11,857,056,199 $35,834,154,874
1985 $8,544,810,498 $28,905,736,367
1984 $7,311,938,026 $30,645,607,293
1983 $6,870,200,010 $32,675,755,462
1982 $6,611,255,964 $29,255,285,401
1981 $6,610,938,617 $26,882,009,819
1980 $6,674,569,047 $25,395,256,478
1979 $5,919,002,983 $22,609,741,060
1978 $4,662,852,583 $17,701,286,907
1977 $3,394,664,024 $18,257,113,904
1976 $2,898,090,002 $15,956,349,550
1975 $2,857,037,371 $16,141,767,373
1974 $2,157,415,533 $17,172,607,138
1973 $1,901,393,361 $11,902,574,259
1972 $1,498,251,890 $9,222,557,539
1971 $1,236,941,394 $7,052,544,000
1970 $1,151,216,993 $7,406,712,876
1969 $1,100,551,489 $6,297,852,761
1968 $1,046,191,218 $5,458,427,928
1967 $936,175,260 $4,762,386,783
1966 $851,112,535 $4,703,300,098
1965 $814,083,266 $4,329,084,429
1964 $776,650,177 $4,024,344,853
1963 $718,320,845 $3,535,949,089
1962 $694,247,864 $2,966,154,031
1961 $652,777,608 $3,708,586,471
1960 $614,206,068 $3,070,585,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Israel by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $988 $2,368 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $790 $2,263 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $715 $2,191 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $709 $2,108 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $796 $2,039 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $799 $1,975 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $783 $1,915 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $827 $1,850 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $832 $1,790 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $701 $1,752 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $1,001 - $11,608 -
1988 $1,145 - $11,853 -
1987 $1,258 - $9,853 -
1986 $1,179 - $8,335 -
1985 $875 - $6,829 -
1984 $772 - $7,369 -
1983 $746 - $7,960 -
1982 $732 - $7,258 -
1981 $750 - $6,795 -
1980 $784 - $6,549 -
1979 $718 - $5,972 -
1978 $582 - $4,797 -
1977 $435 - $5,053 -
1976 $381 - $4,516 -
1975 $386 - $4,672 -
1974 $299.9 - $5,085 -
1973 $271.8 - $3,631 -
1972 $220.1 - $2,930 -
1971 $186.7 - $2,298 -
1970 $178.5 - $2,490 -
1969 $175.2 - $2,189 -
1968 $170.8 - $1,947 -
1967 $156.6 - $1,735 -
1966 $145.8 - $1,789 -
1965 $142.7 - $1,689 -
1964 $139.2 - $1,626 -
1963 $131.6 - $1,486 -
1962 $130 - $1,294 -
1961 $124.6 - $1,697 -
1960 $119.1 - $1,452 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Israel
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
2.9%
2024
Population
30864115
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 40% 67.7%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 18% 38.3% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 39.7% 66%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 15.2% 14% 39.7% 69%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 43% 88.3%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 50% 87.2%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 - 68.4% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 - 67.8% 55% 101%
1997 - - 52.6% 99.3%
1996 - - 53.2% 100.3%
1995 - - 52.8% 102.3%
1994 - - 41.7% 110.2%
1993 - - 42.2% 118.3%
1992 - - 44.1% 119.6%
1991 - - 34.4% 123.7%
1990 - - 46.8% 138.3%
1989 - - 47.5% 147.4%
1988 - - 46.5% 145.4%
1987 - - 52.8% 143.2%
1986 - - 55.7% 162.5%
1985 - - 65.2% 199%
1984 - - - 284%
1983 - - - 260.5%
1982 - - 69.7% -
1981 - - 71.8% -
1980 - - 69.4% 154.3%
1979 - - 70.1% 155.5%
1978 - - 62.2% 133.6%
1977 - - 69.1% 142%
1976 - - 66.3% 97.4%
1975 - - 62% 85.1%
1974 - - - 79.8%
1973 - - - 62.1%
1972 - - - 63.9%
1971 - - - -
1970 - - 41.6% -
1969 - - 41.1% -
1968 - - 39.4% -
1967 - - 33.9% -
1966 - - 29.6% -
1965 - - 27.8% -
1964 - - 28.2% -
1963 - - 26.9% -
1962 - - 27.7% -
1961 - - 30.3% -
1960 - - 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 125/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Israel
2024 -1.48% -8.26%
2023 -0.63% -5.06%
2022 -1.11% 0.32%
2021 -3.01% -3.37%
2020 -3.19% -10.7%
2019 -3.24% -3.79%
2018 -2.41% -3.56%
2017 -4.72% -1.13%
2016 -5.88% -1.79%
2015 -4.25% -1.21%
2014 -4.09% -2.29%
2013 -3.55% -4.06%
2012 -1.4% -4.46%
2011 -2.26% -3.43%
2010 -0.93% -3.72%
2009 -0.04% -6.53%
2008 2% -3.5%
2007 3.87% -0.43%
2006 28.2% -0.95%
2005 3.03% -2.74%
2004 -0.46% -3.4%
2003 0.56% -5.03%
2002 1.51% -8.22%
2001 0.86% -4.06%
2000 1.54% -0.8%
1999 - -6.26%
1998 - -7.99%
1997 - -4.84%
1996 - -5.97%
1995 - -4.28%
1994 - -5.62%
1993 - -5.62%
1992 - -8%
1991 - -7.04%
1990 - -9.67%
1989 - -9.03%
1988 - -7.57%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - -7.51%
1985 - -14.2%
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -13.8%
1981 - -23.5%
1980 - -19.6%
1979 - -16.7%
1978 - -14.7%
1977 - -20.3%
1976 - -19.4%
1975 - -19.6%
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -16%
1969 - -15.3%
1968 - -11.7%
1967 - -7.68%
1966 - -4.35%
1965 - -2.72%
1964 - -3.65%
1963 - -4.41%
1962 - -4.09%
1961 - -5.86%
1960 - -6.62%
1959 - -7.23%
1958 - -8.31%
1957 - -7.17%
1956 - -9.3%
1955 - -4.3%
1954 - -7.84%
1953 - -8.32%
1952 - -7.19%
1951 - -8.13%
1950 - -10.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.69% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Israel
2024 4.53% 3.07%
2023 7.38% 4.23%
2022 6.25% 4.41%
2021 2.27% 1.48%
2020 2.44% -0.58%
2019 2.45% 0.82%
2018 1.07% 0.81%
2017 0.64% 0.25%
2016 0.87% -0.54%
2015 2.68% -0.62%
2014 1.85% 0.47%
2013 2.05% 1.59%
2012 2.74% 1.68%
2011 2.94% 3.49%
2010 1.28% 2.7%
2009 3.04% 3.37%
2008 5.34% 4.53%
2007 0.92% 0.47%
2006 5.12% 2.05%
2005 2.01% 1.34%
2004 0.23% -0.42%
2003 0.62% 0.71%
2002 2.83% 5.8%
2001 4.42% 1.12%
2000 1.23% 1.03%
1999 1.87% 5.19%
1998 3.17% 5.49%
1997 4.79% 8.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $101K
Raw agricultural goods $45K
Wood & paper products $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.24M
Chemicals & pharma $1.04M
Textiles & consumer goods $141K
Raw materials & minerals $126K
Precious metals & jewellery $91K
Metals $89K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $73K
Raw agricultural goods $67K
Wood & paper products $31K
Animal & marine products $6K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Israel
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$70B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Israel
Economic freedom 52 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 47/197
Property rights 28.1 73.1
Government integrity 21 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 68.1
Tax burden 72.2 60.2
Government spending 91.4 52
Fiscal health 94.5 60.8
Business freedom 48.6 72.4
Labor freedom 45.6 56.8
Monetary freedom 75.3 78.2
Trade freedom 57.2 82.8
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Israel
2026 52 68.4
2025 52.1 69.9
2024 53.6 70.1
2023 51.9 68.9
2022 52.9 68
2021 53.4 73.8
2020 53.6 74
2019 52.4 72.8
2018 51.9 72.2
2017 51.8 69.7
2016 54.2 70.7
2015 51.9 70.5
2014 52.6 68.4
2013 52.3 66.9
2012 51.8 67.8
2011 51.8 68.5
2010 52.3 67.7
2009 53 67.6
2008 54.3 66.3
2007 55.6 64.8
2006 54.6 64.4
2005 53 62.6
2004 52.3 61.4
2003 52.7 62.7
2002 52.8 66.9
2001 53.3 66.1
2000 49.9 65.5
1999 50.3 68.3
1998 48 68
1997 44.6 62.7
1996 45.7 62
1995 51.3 61.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Israel
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$9.92B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
23.4%
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/israel | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, 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 (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.