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Economy of Cameroon vs Lebanon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $20.1B for Lebanon, ranking 91/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $38.7B (163.8% of GDP) in Lebanon.

Cameroon vs Lebanon GDP by year

Cameroon
Lebanon
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Lebanon
2024 $53,296,694,320 -
2023 $48,814,501,547 $20,078,620,357
2022 $44,347,206,073 $20,992,421,949
2021 $45,011,937,347 $23,131,941,557
2020 $40,773,241,177 $31,712,128,254
2019 $39,667,757,528 $51,605,959,131
2018 $39,955,552,190 $54,901,519,156
2017 $36,098,547,033 $53,027,680,686
2016 $33,814,337,044 $51,147,308,774
2015 $32,210,233,020 $49,929,337,837
2014 $36,386,544,706 $48,095,213,747
2013 $33,728,621,180 $46,880,103,081
2012 $30,155,062,329 $44,016,799,516
2011 $30,630,910,495 $39,927,125,962
2010 $27,507,501,821 $38,443,907,042
2009 $27,932,970,317 $35,399,582,929
2008 $27,715,142,033 $29,118,916,105
2007 $23,928,250,433 $24,827,355,015
2006 $20,910,512,975 $22,022,709,851
2005 $19,509,852,207 $21,497,336,499
2004 $18,826,214,136 $21,159,827,992
2003 $15,970,315,035 $20,082,918,740
2002 $12,417,251,350 $19,152,238,806
2001 $10,953,485,349 $17,649,751,244
2000 $10,566,579,295 $17,260,364,842
1999 $11,565,826,465 $17,391,056,369
1998 $11,298,144,990 $17,247,179,006
1997 $10,789,458,433 $15,751,867,489
1996 $11,093,538,846 $13,690,217,334
1995 $10,864,772,471 $11,718,795,529
1994 $8,902,446,252 $9,599,127,050
1993 $16,181,814,713 $7,941,744,492
1992 $12,071,775,335 $5,843,579,161
1991 $11,840,192,296 $4,690,415,093
1990 $12,314,482,628 $2,838,485,354
1989 $11,012,566,195 $2,717,998,688
1988 $12,236,057,362 $3,313,540,068
1987 $13,049,659,981 -
1986 $11,857,056,199 -
1985 $8,544,810,498 -
1984 $7,311,938,026 -
1983 $6,870,200,010 -
1982 $6,611,255,964 -
1981 $6,610,938,617 -
1980 $6,674,569,047 -
1979 $5,919,002,983 -
1978 $4,662,852,583 -
1977 $3,394,664,024 -
1976 $2,898,090,002 -
1975 $2,857,037,371 -
1974 $2,157,415,533 -
1973 $1,901,393,361 -
1972 $1,498,251,890 -
1971 $1,236,941,394 -
1970 $1,151,216,993 -
1969 $1,100,551,489 -
1968 $1,046,191,218 -
1967 $936,175,260 -
1966 $851,112,535 -
1965 $814,083,266 -
1964 $776,650,177 -
1963 $718,320,845 -
1962 $694,247,864 -
1961 $652,777,608 -
1960 $614,206,068 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Lebanon by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Lebanon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Lebanon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 - -
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $3,478 $12,575
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $3,654 $12,293
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $4,045 $11,600
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $5,561 $16,260
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $8,906 $21,710
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $9,175 $21,985
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $8,608 $20,964
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $8,089 $18,941
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $7,714 $17,046
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $7,578 $16,140
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $8,162 $16,316
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $8,407 $16,121
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $7,835 $14,975
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $7,626 $14,704
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $7,091 $13,586
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $5,912 $12,416
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $5,125 $11,356
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $4,635 $10,312
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $4,602 $10,020
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $4,601 $9,609
2003 $988 $2,368 $4,438 $8,914
2002 $790 $2,263 $4,291 $8,586
2001 $715 $2,191 $4,010 $8,289
2000 $709 $2,108 $3,987 $7,938
1999 $796 $2,039 $4,087 $7,793
1998 $799 $1,975 $4,125 $7,861
1997 $783 $1,915 $3,834 $7,632
1996 $827 $1,850 $3,393 $7,560
1995 $832 $1,790 $2,959 $6,796
1994 $701 $1,752 $2,468 $6,367
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $2,079 $5,871
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,559 $5,279
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $1,278 $4,527
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $790 $2,990
1989 $1,001 - $771 -
1988 $1,145 - $959 -
1987 $1,258 - - -
1986 $1,179 - - -
1985 $875 - - -
1984 $772 - - -
1983 $746 - - -
1982 $732 - - -
1981 $750 - - -
1980 $784 - - -
1979 $718 - - -
1978 $582 - - -
1977 $435 - - -
1976 $381 - - -
1975 $386 - - -
1974 $299.9 - - -
1973 $271.8 - - -
1972 $220.1 - - -
1971 $186.7 - - -
1970 $178.5 - - -
1969 $175.2 - - -
1968 $170.8 - - -
1967 $156.6 - - -
1966 $145.8 - - -
1965 $142.7 - - -
1964 $139.2 - - -
1963 $131.6 - - -
1962 $130 - - -
1961 $124.6 - - -
1960 $119.1 - - -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $3,478 in Lebanon, ranking 135/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Lebanon ranks 123rd at $12,575.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Lebanon
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$20.1B
2023
GDP rank
91/197
2024
128/197
2023
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
-0.76%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$3,478
2023
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
135/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$12,575
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
123/197
2023
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$38.7B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
163.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$6,704
2023
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
70/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$3,560
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$10.6B
2021
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
25.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
16.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
45.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
20%
2023
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
11.3%
2019
Population
30864115
5906622

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Lebanon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Lebanon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 16.5% 163.8%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 14.9% 192.8%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 13.4% 244.6%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 10.9% 358%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 23.2% 148.7%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 31.3% 172.1%
2018 18% 38.3% 32.3% 155.1%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 30.6% 150%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 28.3% 146.4%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 26.7% 140.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 28.8% 138.4%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 28.9% 135.4%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 30.2% 131.1%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 28.8% 134.4%
2010 15.2% 14% 29.2% 136.8%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 32.1% 144.5%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 34.3% 161.5%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 35.2% 169.3%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 36.1% 183.3%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 31.4% 178.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 33.3% 169.5%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 36.4% 171.3%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 36.8% 163.1%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 38.9% 163.1%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 42.8% 148.1%
1999 - 68.4% 35.6% 130.2%
1998 - 67.8% 34.7% 108.2%
1997 - - 40.5% 100.2%
1996 - - 43.6% 101.2%
1995 - - 31.1% 79.6%
1994 - - 47.3% 71.5%
1993 - - 23% 50.5%
1992 - - 36.1% 51.7%
1991 - - 35.6% 67.1%
1990 - - 40% 99.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Lebanon spent $2.99B, or 16.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 163.8% in Lebanon, ranking 125/185 and 6/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Lebanon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Lebanon
2024 -1.48% -0.19%
2023 -0.63% -1.7%
2022 -1.11% -7.77%
2021 -3.01% -2.67%
2020 -3.19% -7.37%
2019 -3.24% -10.5%
2018 -2.41% -11.3%
2017 -4.72% -8.65%
2016 -5.88% -8.88%
2015 -4.25% -7.48%
2014 -4.09% -6.22%
2013 -3.55% -8.82%
2012 -1.4% -8.43%
2011 -2.26% -5.94%
2010 -0.93% -7.47%
2009 -0.04% -8.1%
2008 2% -9.86%
2007 3.87% -10.9%
2006 28.2% -10.6%
2005 3.03% -8.57%
2004 -0.46% -9.83%
2003 0.56% -14%
2002 1.51% -16.2%
2001 0.86% -21%
2000 1.54% -23.9%
1999 - -16.7%
1998 - -17.3%
1997 - -24.5%
1996 - -25.7%
1995 - -13.6%
1994 - -29.1%
1993 - -7.19%
1992 - -24%
1991 - -19.5%
1990 - -30.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $310M, equivalent to 0.63% of GDP. This compares to Lebanon's deficit of $342M, or 1.7% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 16 of those years, while Lebanon ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual surplus equal to 0.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 9.84% of GDP for Lebanon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Lebanon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Lebanon
2024 4.53% 45.2%
2023 7.38% 221.3%
2022 6.25% 171.2%
2021 2.27% 154.8%
2020 2.44% 84.9%
2019 2.45% 2.9%
2018 1.07% 6.1%
2017 0.64% 4.5%
2016 0.87% -0.8%
2015 2.68% -3.8%
2014 1.85% 1.1%
2013 2.05% 5.6%
2012 2.74% 6.6%
2011 2.94% 5%
2010 1.28% 4%
2009 3.04% 1.2%
2008 5.34% 10.7%
2007 0.92% 4.1%
2006 5.12% 4.1%
2005 2.01% -1.4%
2004 0.23% 1.7%
2003 0.62% 1.3%
2002 2.83% 1.8%
2001 4.42% -0.4%
2000 1.23% -0.4%
1999 1.87% 0.2%
1998 3.17% 4.5%
1997 4.79% 7.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 26.6% in Lebanon. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 45.2% in Lebanon.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $641K
Raw agricultural goods $35K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Lebanon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $4.3M
Raw materials & minerals $2.86M
Metals $1.98M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.53M
Chemicals & pharma $1.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $496K
Raw agricultural goods $380K
Wood & paper products $332K
Animal & marine products $143K
Precious metals & jewellery $58K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Lebanon
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$5.64B
2023
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-28.1%
2023
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$16.7B
2023
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$3.85B
2023
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$6.63B
2023
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$7.92B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
73.7%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
30.6%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Lebanon
Economic freedom 52 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 183/197
Property rights 28.1 21.8
Government integrity 21 23.4
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 23.8
Tax burden 72.2 90.3
Government spending 91.4 93.3
Fiscal health 94.5 63.4
Business freedom 48.6 47.6
Labor freedom 45.6 48.4
Monetary freedom 75.3 0
Trade freedom 57.2 65.6
Investment freedom 30 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Lebanon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Lebanon
2026 52 43.1
2025 52.1 44.1
2024 53.6 48.3
2023 51.9 45.6
2022 52.9 47.3
2021 53.4 51.4
2020 53.6 51.7
2019 52.4 51.1
2018 51.9 53.2
2017 51.8 53.3
2016 54.2 59.5
2015 51.9 59.3
2014 52.6 59.4
2013 52.3 59.5
2012 51.8 60.1
2011 51.8 60.1
2010 52.3 59.5
2009 53 58.1
2008 54.3 60
2007 55.6 60.4
2006 54.6 57.5
2005 53 57.2
2004 52.3 56.9
2003 52.7 56.7
2002 52.8 57.1
2001 53.3 61
2000 49.9 56.1
1999 50.3 59.1
1998 48 59
1997 44.6 63.9
1996 45.7 63.2
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 43.1 for Lebanon, ranking 183/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Lebanon
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
42.4%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
2.09%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
0.97%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$21.4B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$12,420
2023
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$33.3B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
54/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$583M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.84B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$391M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
22%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
27.4%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
1.9%
2023

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/lebanon | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.