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Economy of Cameroon vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 91/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Cameroon vs Liberia GDP by year

Cameroon
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Liberia
2024 $53,296,694,320 $4,779,300,900
2023 $48,814,501,547 $4,390,000,000
2022 $44,347,206,073 $4,001,047,000
2021 $45,011,937,347 $3,513,049,500
2020 $40,773,241,177 $3,176,126,300
2019 $39,667,757,528 $3,319,596,500
2018 $39,955,552,190 $3,422,754,800
2017 $36,098,547,033 $3,390,703,400
2016 $33,814,337,044 $3,398,419,600
2015 $32,210,233,020 $3,227,075,700
2014 $36,386,544,706 $3,225,652,000
2013 $33,728,621,180 $3,177,198,100
2012 $30,155,062,329 $2,791,614,000
2011 $30,630,910,495 $2,398,000,000
2010 $27,507,501,821 $1,998,000,000
2009 $27,932,970,317 $1,768,000,000
2008 $27,715,142,033 $1,726,000,000
2007 $23,928,250,433 $1,373,000,000
2006 $20,910,512,975 $1,119,000,000
2005 $19,509,852,207 $949,000,000
2004 $18,826,214,136 $897,000,000
2003 $15,970,315,035 $748,000,000
2002 $12,417,251,350 $927,000,000
2001 $10,953,485,349 $906,000,000
2000 $10,566,579,295 $874,000,000
1999 $11,565,826,465 $441,800,000
1998 $11,298,144,990 $359,600,000
1997 $10,789,458,433 $295,900,000
1996 $11,093,538,846 $159,400,000
1995 $10,864,772,471 $134,800,000
1994 $8,902,446,252 $132,200,000
1993 $16,181,814,713 $160,400,000
1992 $12,071,775,335 $223,500,000
1991 $11,840,192,296 $348,000,000
1990 $12,314,482,628 $384,400,000
1989 $11,012,566,195 $786,300,000
1988 $12,236,057,362 $1,038,300,000
1987 $13,049,659,981 $972,800,000
1986 $11,857,056,199 $840,964,400
1985 $8,544,810,498 $851,296,100
1984 $7,311,938,026 $848,478,300
1983 $6,870,200,010 $823,374,900
1982 $6,611,255,964 $863,933,200
1981 $6,610,938,617 $846,514,500
1980 $6,674,569,047 $854,711,500
1979 $5,919,002,983 $814,067,900
1978 $4,662,852,583 $717,240,400
1977 $3,394,664,024 $673,010,600
1976 $2,898,090,002 $596,675,700
1975 $2,857,037,371 $577,549,300
1974 $2,157,415,533 $486,955,000
1973 $1,901,393,361 $386,968,300
1972 $1,498,251,890 $368,098,000
1971 $1,236,941,394 $341,543,100
1970 $1,151,216,993 $323,099,700
1969 $1,100,551,489 $306,961,800
1968 $1,046,191,218 $276,820,700
1967 $936,175,260 $261,024,300
1966 $851,112,535 $244,459,500
1965 $814,083,266 $229,260,800
1964 $776,650,177 $218,929,100
1963 $718,320,845 $200,229,600
1962 $694,247,864 $191,861,800
1961 $652,777,608 $183,920,900
1960 $614,206,068 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Liberia by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $851 $1,871
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $799 $1,795
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $745 $1,692
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $668 $1,539
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $617 $1,660
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $658 $1,900
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $692 $1,800
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $699 $1,665
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $715 $1,490
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $693 $1,340
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $707 $1,419
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $711 $1,360
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $638 $1,157
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $568 $1,041
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $492 $980
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $448 $939
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $452 $915
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $374 $873
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $321 $815
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $287.5 $774
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $284.1 $745
2003 $988 $2,368 $239.8 $716
2002 $790 $2,263 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $715 $2,191 $300 $987
2000 $709 $2,108 $298.5 $965
1999 $796 $2,039 $156.6 $762
1998 $799 $1,975 $134.7 $652
1997 $783 $1,915 $122.6 $548
1996 $827 $1,850 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $832 $1,790 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $701 $1,752 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $74.4 $328
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $107.8 $497
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $177.9 $793
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $172.9 $787
1989 $1,001 - $312 -
1988 $1,145 - $424 -
1987 $1,258 - $409 -
1986 $1,179 - $364 -
1985 $875 - $380 -
1984 $772 - $390 -
1983 $746 - $391 -
1982 $732 - $422 -
1981 $750 - $426 -
1980 $784 - $443 -
1979 $718 - $435 -
1978 $582 - $394 -
1977 $435 - $381 -
1976 $381 - $347 -
1975 $386 - $346 -
1974 $299.9 - $299.4 -
1973 $271.8 - $244.4 -
1972 $220.1 - $238.6 -
1971 $186.7 - $227.1 -
1970 $178.5 - $220.3 -
1969 $175.2 - $214.7 -
1968 $170.8 - $198.6 -
1967 $156.6 - $192.2 -
1966 $145.8 - $184.6 -
1965 $142.7 - $177.6 -
1964 $139.2 - $173.9 -
1963 $131.6 - $163.1 -
1962 $130 - $160.3 -
1961 $124.6 - $157.5 -
1960 $119.1 - $167.2 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Liberia
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
5.93%
2017
Population
30864115
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 18% 38.3% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 15.2% 14% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 17.2% 394%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 11.1% 472%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 12.8% 535%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 12.1% 543%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 9.85% 658%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 13.2% 481%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 12.6% 484%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 15.2% 489%
1999 - 68.4% - -
1998 - 67.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 125/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Liberia
2024 -1.48% -1.98%
2023 -0.63% -7.03%
2022 -1.11% -5.33%
2021 -3.01% -2.5%
2020 -3.19% -4.02%
2019 -3.24% -4.92%
2018 -2.41% -4.7%
2017 -4.72% -7.14%
2016 -5.88% -3.83%
2015 -4.25% -3.74%
2014 -4.09% -4.92%
2013 -3.55% 1.29%
2012 -1.4% -2.86%
2011 -2.26% -4.43%
2010 -0.93% 1.17%
2009 -0.04% -1.39%
2008 2% -2.68%
2007 3.87% 2.44%
2006 28.2% 4.42%
2005 3.03% -0.55%
2004 -0.46% -0.56%
2003 0.56% 0.39%
2002 1.51% -1.63%
2001 0.86% -0.98%
2000 1.54% -0.08%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Liberia
2024 4.53% 8.2%
2023 7.38% 10.1%
2022 6.25% 7.6%
2021 2.27% 7.8%
2020 2.44% 17%
2019 2.45% 27%
2018 1.07% 23.5%
2017 0.64% 12.4%
2016 0.87% 8.8%
2015 2.68% 7.7%
2014 1.85% 9.9%
2013 2.05% 7.6%
2012 2.74% 6.8%
2011 2.94% 8.5%
2010 1.28% 7.3%
2009 3.04% 7.4%
2008 5.34% 17.5%
2007 0.92% 11.4%
2006 5.12% 9.5%
2005 2.01% 6.9%
2004 0.23% 3.6%
2003 0.62% 10.3%
2002 2.83% 14.2%
2001 4.42% 12.1%
2000 1.23% 5.3%
1999 1.87% 2%
1998 3.17% -
1997 4.79% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1999–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 26 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.66%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $742K
Chemicals & pharma $124K
Machinery & equipment $101K
Raw agricultural goods $2K
Liberia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.6M
Machinery & equipment $106K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Liberia
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$434M
2022
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Liberia
Economic freedom 52 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 163/197
Property rights 28.1 40.4
Government integrity 21 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 23.4
Tax burden 72.2 86.1
Government spending 91.4 79.5
Fiscal health 94.5 56.9
Business freedom 48.6 38
Labor freedom 45.6 43.4
Monetary freedom 75.3 71.4
Trade freedom 57.2 57.4
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Liberia
2026 52 49.8
2025 52.1 48.5
2024 53.6 49.9
2023 51.9 49.6
2022 52.9 47.9
2021 53.4 49.2
2020 53.6 49
2019 52.4 49.7
2018 51.9 50.9
2017 51.8 49.1
2016 54.2 52.2
2015 51.9 52.7
2014 52.6 52.4
2013 52.3 49.3
2012 51.8 48.6
2011 51.8 46.5
2010 52.3 46.2
2009 53 48.1
2008 54.3 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 54.6 -
2005 53 -
2004 52.3 -
2003 52.7 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 53.3 -
2000 49.9 -
1999 50.3 -
1998 48 -
1997 44.6 -
1996 45.7 -
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Liberia
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
n/a

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/liberia | 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 (1998–2024, 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 (2020–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.