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Economy of Cameroon vs Ivory Coast compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $99.8B for Ivory Coast, ranking 92/197 and 77/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $56.2B (56.3% of GDP) in Ivory Coast.

Cameroon vs Ivory Coast GDP by year

Cameroon
Ivory Coast
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Ivory Coast
2025 $58,933,453,924 $99,773,555,666
2024 $53,296,694,320 $87,113,179,149
2023 $48,814,501,547 $80,780,312,569
2022 $44,347,206,073 $70,922,824,814
2021 $45,011,937,347 $72,794,636,654
2020 $40,773,241,177 $63,027,852,805
2019 $39,667,757,528 $60,382,894,697
2018 $39,955,552,190 $58,522,477,787
2017 $36,098,547,033 $52,512,343,997
2016 $33,814,337,044 $48,407,761,037
2015 $32,210,233,020 $45,815,005,169
2014 $36,386,544,706 $48,843,005,614
2013 $33,728,621,180 $42,760,235,485
2012 $30,155,062,329 $36,302,302,877
2011 $30,630,910,495 $36,693,710,801
2010 $27,507,501,821 $34,936,307,980
2009 $27,932,970,317 $33,886,813,250
2008 $27,715,142,033 $34,078,240,293
2007 $23,928,250,433 $28,760,090,953
2006 $20,910,512,975 $25,281,413,263
2005 $19,509,852,207 $24,036,918,703
2004 $18,826,214,136 $23,510,575,681
2003 $15,970,315,035 $21,251,754,340
2002 $12,417,251,350 $18,054,383,321
2001 $10,953,485,349 $16,810,537,044
2000 $10,566,579,295 $16,577,533,892
1999 $11,565,826,465 $18,870,992,456
1998 $11,298,144,990 $19,619,654,756
1997 $10,789,458,433 $18,047,558,038
1996 $11,093,538,846 $18,071,152,831
1995 $10,864,772,471 $11,000,146,267
1994 $8,902,446,252 $8,313,557,510
1993 $16,181,814,713 $11,045,760,288
1992 $12,071,775,335 $11,152,971,274
1991 $11,840,192,296 $10,492,628,581
1990 $12,314,482,628 $10,795,850,583
1989 $11,012,566,195 $9,757,410,645
1988 $12,236,057,362 $10,255,169,806
1987 $13,049,659,981 $10,087,654,465
1986 $11,857,056,199 $9,158,302,100
1985 $8,544,810,498 $6,977,650,644
1984 $7,311,938,026 $6,841,639,247
1983 $6,870,200,010 $6,838,184,773
1982 $6,611,255,964 $7,567,110,849
1981 $6,610,938,617 $8,432,589,942
1980 $6,674,569,047 $10,175,617,609
1979 $5,919,002,983 $9,142,933,967
1978 $4,662,852,583 $7,900,526,298
1977 $3,394,664,024 $6,265,068,189
1976 $2,898,090,002 $4,662,053,825
1975 $2,857,037,371 $3,893,839,190
1974 $2,157,415,533 $3,070,152,309
1973 $1,901,393,361 $2,508,421,426
1972 $1,498,251,890 $1,849,400,402
1971 $1,236,941,394 $1,584,128,509
1970 $1,151,216,993 $1,455,482,795
1969 $1,100,551,489 $1,361,360,293
1968 $1,046,191,218 $1,281,281,277
1967 $936,175,260 $1,082,922,725
1966 $851,112,535 $1,024,102,880
1965 $814,083,266 $919,771,229
1964 $776,650,177 $921,063,327
1963 $718,320,845 $761,047,198
1962 $694,247,864 $645,284,474
1961 $652,777,608 $618,245,634
1960 $614,206,068 $546,203,559

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ivory-coast | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Ivory Coast by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ivory Coast
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Ivory Coast
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $3,050 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $2,728 $7,669
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $2,592 $7,237
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $2,333 $6,719
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $2,456 $6,045
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $2,180 $5,544
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $2,142 $5,516
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $2,131 $4,946
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $1,964 $4,690
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $1,863 $4,531
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,815 $4,404
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,991 $4,074
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,786 $3,619
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,547 $3,291
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,597 $3,176
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $1,554 $3,361
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $1,540 $3,177
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,584 $3,116
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $1,368 $2,985
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $1,230 $2,942
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $1,198 $2,842
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $1,200 $2,794
2003 $988 $2,368 $1,111 $2,702
2002 $790 $2,263 $968 $2,851
2001 $715 $2,191 $925 $2,962
2000 $709 $2,108 $937 $3,041
1999 $796 $2,039 $1,096 $3,065
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,177 $3,086
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,125 $3,040
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,170 $2,832
1995 $832 $1,790 $740 $2,683
1994 $701 $1,752 $582 $2,551
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $804 $2,577
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $845 $2,625
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $827 $2,677
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $886 $2,693
1989 $1,001 - $833 -
1988 $1,145 - $910 -
1987 $1,258 - $930 -
1986 $1,179 - $877 -
1985 $875 - $695 -
1984 $772 - $709 -
1983 $746 - $737 -
1982 $732 - $849 -
1981 $750 - $986 -
1980 $784 - $1,238 -
1979 $718 - $1,157 -
1978 $582 - $1,039 -
1977 $435 - $856 -
1976 $381 - $661 -
1975 $386 - $575 -
1974 $299.9 - $474 -
1973 $271.8 - $406 -
1972 $220.1 - $313 -
1971 $186.7 - $280.3 -
1970 $178.5 - $269 -
1969 $175.2 - $262.2 -
1968 $170.8 - $256.8 -
1967 $156.6 - $225.6 -
1966 $145.8 - $221.8 -
1965 $142.7 - $207 -
1964 $139.2 - $215.5 -
1963 $131.6 - $185.1 -
1962 $130 - $163.1 -
1961 $124.6 - $162.3 -
1960 $119.1 - $148.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ivory-coast | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $3,050 in Ivory Coast, ranking 145/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Ivory Coast ranks 145th at $7,669.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Ivory Coast
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$99.8B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
77/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
6.5%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$3,050
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
145/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$7,669
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
145/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$56.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
56.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$1,718
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
124/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$2,667
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.33B
2020
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
20.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
0.13%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
2.31%
2022
Population
31045453
33910252

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Ivory Coast
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Ivory Coast
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 20.2% 56.3%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 20.4% 59.5%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 21% 56.7%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 21.9% 56%
2021 17% 47.2% 20.5% 50.2%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 20.4% 46.3%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 17.2% 37.2%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 17.6% 35.3%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 18.1% 32.6%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 17.6% 31.1%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 16.5% 29.2%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 15.2% 26.7%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 15.9% 24.6%
2012 17% 14.9% 16.1% 24.7%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 13.2% 50%
2010 14.8% 14% 14.5% 45.6%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 14.4% 46.5%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 14.6% 51.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 14.8% 53.5%
2006 12% 18.4% 14.5% 57.5%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 13.6% 58.2%
2004 10.7% 51.7% 13.5% 56.7%
2003 10.6% 51.5% 12.7% 56.4%
2002 14% 56.6% 13.1% 63%
2001 14.4% 62.2% 11.4% 71.2%
2000 14.4% 75.9% 12.9% 74%
1999 - 68.4% 13.7% 78%
1998 - 67.8% 14.6% 75.2%
1997 - - 15.2% 84.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ivory-coast | CC BY

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Ivory Coast spent $20.1B, or 20.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 56.3% in Ivory Coast, ranking 133/185 and 85/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Ivory Coast
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Ivory Coast
2025 -2.01% -3%
2024 -1.51% -3.96%
2023 -0.64% -5.12%
2022 -1.11% -6.74%
2021 -2.88% -4.88%
2020 -3.52% -5.42%
2019 -3.65% -2.22%
2018 -2.3% -2.9%
2017 -3.68% -3.27%
2016 -5.79% -2.98%
2015 -2.86% -2.04%
2014 -3.36% -1.57%
2013 -3.54% -1.62%
2012 -1.22% -2.28%
2011 -1.55% -2.89%
2010 -0.57% -1.34%
2009 -0.05% -1%
2008 1.94% -0.21%
2007 3.66% -0.39%
2006 6.34% -1.03%
2005 3.43% -1.03%
2004 2.07% -1.04%
2003 3.51% -1.26%
2002 1.59% -0.64%
2001 1.2% 0.7%
2000 2.06% -0.83%
1999 - -1.27%
1998 - -0.7%
1997 - -0.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ivory-coast | 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 Ivory Coast's deficit of $3B, or 3% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Ivory Coast ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.56% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.27% of GDP for Ivory Coast.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Ivory Coast
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Ivory Coast
2025 3.4% 0.13%
2024 4.53% 3.45%
2023 7.38% 4.37%
2022 6.25% 5.23%
2021 2.27% 4.16%
2020 2.44% 2.41%
2019 2.45% 0.79%
2018 1.07% 0.4%
2017 0.64% 0.69%
2016 0.87% 0.72%
2015 2.68% 1.25%
2014 1.85% 0.45%
2013 2.05% 2.58%
2012 2.74% 1.3%
2011 2.94% 4.91%
2010 1.28% 1.23%
2009 3.04% 1.02%
2008 5.34% 6.31%
2007 0.92% 1.89%
2006 5.12% 2.47%
2005 2.01% 3.89%
2004 0.23% 1.46%
2003 0.62% 3.3%
2002 2.83% 3.08%
2001 4.42% 4.36%
2000 1.23% 2.53%
1999 1.87% 0.7%
1998 3.17% 4.61%
1997 4.79% 4.02%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ivory-coast | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.77%, compared with 2.54% in Ivory Coast. In 2025, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 0.13% in Ivory Coast.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.43M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.36M
Raw agricultural goods $1.02M
Machinery & equipment $642K
Chemicals & pharma $210K
Metals $162K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $132K
Wood & paper products $123K
Animal & marine products $108K
Miscellaneous $30K
Ivory Coast
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $55M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.95M
Chemicals & pharma $3.78M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.45M
Machinery & equipment $1.9M
Raw agricultural goods $1.51M
Wood & paper products $818K
Animal & marine products $817K
Metals $164K
Miscellaneous $117K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Ivory Coast
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
-$3.89B
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
156/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
-4.47%
2024
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$15.3B
2024
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$20.8B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$6.63B
2024
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$1.22B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
24.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
29.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Ivory Coast
Economic freedom 52 58.1
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 111/197
Property rights 28.1 43.9
Government integrity 21 39.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 30.2
Tax burden 72.2 81.6
Government spending 91.4 86.6
Fiscal health 94.5 48
Business freedom 48.6 68.3
Labor freedom 45.6 57.1
Monetary freedom 75.3 67.6
Trade freedom 57.2 74.4
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Ivory Coast
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Ivory Coast
2026 52 58.1
2025 52.1 57.8
2024 53.6 58.4
2023 51.9 60.4
2022 52.9 61.6
2021 53.4 61.7
2020 53.6 59.7
2019 52.4 62.4
2018 51.9 62
2017 51.8 63
2016 54.2 60
2015 51.9 58.5
2014 52.6 57.7
2013 52.3 54.1
2012 51.8 54.3
2011 51.8 55.4
2010 52.3 54.1
2009 53 55
2008 54.3 53.9
2007 55.6 54.9
2006 54.6 56.2
2005 53 56.6
2004 52.3 57.8
2003 52.7 56.7
2002 52.8 57.3
2001 53.3 54.8
2000 49.9 50.2
1999 50.3 51.7
1998 48 51.3
1997 44.6 50.5
1996 45.7 49.9
1995 51.3 53.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/ivory-coast | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 58.1 for Ivory Coast, ranking 111/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Ivory Coast
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
51.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
23.9%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
16.8%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$91B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$7,750
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
-$2.89B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$3.12B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$228M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
6.47%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
19.3%
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/ivory-coast | 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 (1997–2025, 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 (2021–2025, 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.