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Economy of Cameroon vs Madagascar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $17.4B for Madagascar, ranking 91/197 and 136/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $8.77B (50.3% of GDP) in Madagascar.

Cameroon vs Madagascar GDP by year

Cameroon
Madagascar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Madagascar
2024 $53,296,694,320 $17,420,501,490
2023 $48,814,501,547 $15,869,945,478
2022 $44,347,206,073 $15,325,603,273
2021 $45,011,937,347 $14,354,731,964
2020 $40,773,241,177 $13,051,441,204
2019 $39,667,757,528 $14,104,664,679
2018 $39,955,552,190 $13,760,033,282
2017 $36,098,547,033 $13,176,313,594
2016 $33,814,337,044 $11,848,613,858
2015 $32,210,233,020 $11,323,020,701
2014 $36,386,544,706 $12,522,957,399
2013 $33,728,621,180 $12,423,555,455
2012 $30,155,062,329 $11,578,975,062
2011 $30,630,910,495 $11,551,819,618
2010 $27,507,501,821 $9,982,711,338
2009 $27,932,970,317 $9,616,879,409
2008 $27,715,142,033 $10,725,137,724
2007 $23,928,250,433 $8,524,620,890
2006 $20,910,512,975 $6,395,712,491
2005 $19,509,852,207 $5,859,269,753
2004 $18,826,214,136 $5,064,732,626
2003 $15,970,315,035 $6,372,498,890
2002 $12,417,251,350 $5,351,701,663
2001 $10,953,485,349 $5,438,332,602
2000 $10,566,579,295 $4,629,247,204
1999 $11,565,826,465 $4,277,903,780
1998 $11,298,144,990 $4,401,967,633
1997 $10,789,458,433 $4,262,965,420
1996 $11,093,538,846 $4,931,861,039
1995 $10,864,772,471 $3,838,100,904
1994 $8,902,446,252 $3,522,227,092
1993 $16,181,814,713 $4,063,298,919
1992 $12,071,775,335 $3,714,966,678
1991 $11,840,192,296 $3,254,713,056
1990 $12,314,482,628 $3,931,334,875
1989 $11,012,566,195 $3,175,638,333
1988 $12,236,057,362 $3,189,456,965
1987 $13,049,659,981 $3,212,900,556
1986 $11,857,056,199 $4,347,989,788
1985 $8,544,810,498 $3,802,557,895
1984 $7,311,938,026 $3,905,938,481
1983 $6,870,200,010 $4,686,457,031
1982 $6,611,255,964 $4,784,977,326
1981 $6,610,938,617 $4,759,333,998
1980 $6,674,569,047 $5,201,818,348
1979 $5,919,002,983 $3,463,565,854
1978 $4,662,852,583 $2,669,755,115
1977 $3,394,664,024 $2,358,930,406
1976 $2,898,090,002 $2,181,844,179
1975 $2,857,037,371 $2,283,049,215
1974 $2,157,415,533 $1,917,508,190
1973 $1,901,393,361 $1,653,062,335
1972 $1,498,251,890 $1,341,590,690
1971 $1,236,941,394 $1,199,507,631
1970 $1,151,216,993 $1,111,859,571
1969 $1,100,551,489 $1,056,391,056
1968 $1,046,191,218 $1,031,669,637
1967 $936,175,260 $956,436,932
1966 $851,112,535 $900,264,585
1965 $814,083,266 $833,563,473
1964 $776,650,177 $802,482,184
1963 $718,320,845 $759,345,864
1962 $694,247,864 $739,286,908
1961 $652,777,608 $699,161,945
1960 $614,206,068 $673,081,725

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Madagascar by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Madagascar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Madagascar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $545 $1,884
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $509 $1,808
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $504 $1,717
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $483 $1,577
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $451 $1,490
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $500 $1,612
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $500 $1,547
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $492 $1,547
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $454 $1,562
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $445 $1,497
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $506 $1,499
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $515 $1,473
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $494 $1,464
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $506 $1,475
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $450 $1,464
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $446 $1,480
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $513 $1,577
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $420 $1,493
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $324 $1,416
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $306 $1,343
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $272.2 $1,280
2003 $988 $2,368 $353 $1,219
2002 $790 $2,263 $305 $1,121
2001 $715 $2,191 $319 $1,299
2000 $709 $2,108 $280.3 $1,236
1999 $796 $2,039 $267.4 $1,194
1998 $799 $1,975 $284.2 $1,162
1997 $783 $1,915 $284.4 $1,142
1996 $827 $1,850 $340 $1,119
1995 $832 $1,790 $273.1 $1,111
1994 $701 $1,752 $258.7 $1,104
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $308 $1,116
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $290.2 $1,101
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $262 $1,096
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $326 $1,166
1989 $1,001 - $271.3 -
1988 $1,145 - $280.5 -
1987 $1,258 - $290.8 -
1986 $1,179 - $405 -
1985 $875 - $364 -
1984 $772 - $385 -
1983 $746 - $476 -
1982 $732 - $501 -
1981 $750 - $513 -
1980 $784 - $578 -
1979 $718 - $396 -
1978 $582 - $315 -
1977 $435 - $286.9 -
1976 $381 - $273.5 -
1975 $386 - $295 -
1974 $299.9 - $255.3 -
1973 $271.8 - $226.8 -
1972 $220.1 - $189.6 -
1971 $186.7 - $174.6 -
1970 $178.5 - $166.6 -
1969 $175.2 - $162.9 -
1968 $170.8 - $163.6 -
1967 $156.6 - $155.9 -
1966 $145.8 - $150.7 -
1965 $142.7 - $143.2 -
1964 $139.2 - $141.5 -
1963 $131.6 - $137.4 -
1962 $130 - $137.3 -
1961 $124.6 - $133.3 -
1960 $119.1 - $131.7 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $545 in Madagascar, ranking 193/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Madagascar ranks 187th at $1,884.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Madagascar
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$17.4B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
136/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$545
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
193/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$1,884
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
187/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$8.77B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
50.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$274.3
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
180/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,268
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
29.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
16.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
9.87%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
3.19%
2022
Population
30864115
33750171

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Madagascar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Madagascar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 16.2% 50.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 17.9% 52.7%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 16.2% 49.9%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 13.9% 49.4%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 16.4% 52.9%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 15.4% 41.3%
2018 18% 38.3% 14.4% 42.9%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 14.9% 40.1%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 13.5% 40.3%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 13% 44.1%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 12.6% 37.8%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 12.7% 36.2%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 11.5% 30.4%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 12% 29.9%
2010 15.2% 14% 12.3% 32.3%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 12.5% 34.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 15.7% 31%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 16.1% 28.2%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 18.5% 32.2%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 18.4% 74.4%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 21.7% 81.9%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 16.6% 85.9%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 12.4% 86.7%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 15.3% 82.1%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 15.3% 90.2%
1999 - 68.4% 15.5% 104.1%
1998 - 67.8% 16.9% 108.5%
1997 - - 14.5% 89.7%
1996 - - 14.4% 98.7%
1995 - - 14.5% 95.8%
1994 - - 16.7% 96%
1993 - - 17.1% 105.2%
1992 - - 16.2% 110.9%
1991 - - 13.5% 113.8%
1990 - - 13.3% 92.7%
1989 - - 15.5% 122%
1988 - - 11.4% 126.6%
1987 - - 10.4% 127.5%
1986 - - 11.1% 84.9%
1985 - - 11.8% 82.7%
1984 - - 13.9% 70.9%
1983 - - 13.4% 57.5%
1982 - - 14.3% 56.1%
1981 - - 18.2% 51.5%
1980 - - 22.7% 37.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Madagascar spent $2.82B, or 16.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 50.3% in Madagascar, ranking 125/185 and 106/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Madagascar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Madagascar
2024 -1.48% -2.48%
2023 -0.63% -4.19%
2022 -1.11% -5.46%
2021 -3.01% -2.83%
2020 -3.19% -3.96%
2019 -3.24% -1.42%
2018 -2.41% -1.34%
2017 -4.72% -2.1%
2016 -5.88% -1.11%
2015 -4.25% -2.85%
2014 -4.09% -1.96%
2013 -3.55% -3.4%
2012 -1.4% -2.24%
2011 -2.26% -2.04%
2010 -0.93% -0.76%
2009 -0.04% -2.26%
2008 2% -1.72%
2007 3.87% -2.31%
2006 28.2% -5.71%
2005 3.03% -2.47%
2004 -0.46% -4.23%
2003 0.56% -3.32%
2002 1.51% -4.09%
2001 0.86% -3.61%
2000 1.54% -2.35%
1999 - -2.42%
1998 - -5.31%
1997 - -2%
1996 - -3.97%
1995 - -5.09%
1994 - -7.23%
1993 - -6.34%
1992 - -5%
1991 - -4.4%
1990 - -0.49%
1989 - -3.35%
1988 - -0.57%
1987 - -2.12%
1986 - -2.24%
1985 - -2.39%
1984 - -6.09%
1983 - -6.04%
1982 - -6.97%
1981 - -9.97%
1980 - -11%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/madagascar | 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 Madagascar's deficit of $432M, or 2.48% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Madagascar ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.81% of GDP for Madagascar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Madagascar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Madagascar
2024 4.53% -
2023 7.38% 9.87%
2022 6.25% 8.16%
2021 2.27% 5.81%
2020 2.44% 4.2%
2019 2.45% 5.61%
2018 1.07% 8.59%
2017 0.64% 8.61%
2016 0.87% 6.04%
2015 2.68% 7.4%
2014 1.85% 6.08%
2013 2.05% 5.83%
2012 2.74% 5.71%
2011 2.94% 9.48%
2010 1.28% 9.25%
2009 3.04% 8.95%
2008 5.34% 9.3%
2007 0.92% 10.3%
2006 5.12% 10.8%
2005 2.01% 18.4%
2004 0.23% 14%
2003 0.62% -1.7%
2002 2.83% 16.5%
2001 4.42% 7.92%
2000 1.23% 11.9%
1999 1.87% 9.93%
1998 3.17% 6.21%
1997 4.79% 4.49%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.69%, compared with 8.42% in Madagascar. In 2023, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 9.87% in Madagascar.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $258K
Animal & marine products $55K
Chemicals & pharma $20K
Raw agricultural goods $13K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5K
Madagascar
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $580K
Raw agricultural goods $115K
Metals $36K
Miscellaneous $32K
Machinery & equipment $19K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Madagascar
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$829M
2022
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
119/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-5.41%
2022
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$4.52B
2022
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$3.55B
2022
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$1.52B
2022
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$1.14B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
31.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
23.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Madagascar
Economic freedom 52 57
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 119/197
Property rights 28.1 39.8
Government integrity 21 26.8
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 33.7
Tax burden 72.2 90.5
Government spending 91.4 91.5
Fiscal health 94.5 68.8
Business freedom 48.6 37.3
Labor freedom 45.6 56.1
Monetary freedom 75.3 71.8
Trade freedom 57.2 67.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Madagascar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Madagascar
2026 52 57
2025 52.1 57
2024 53.6 57.3
2023 51.9 58.9
2022 52.9 58.9
2021 53.4 57.7
2020 53.6 60.5
2019 52.4 56.6
2018 51.9 56.8
2017 51.8 57.4
2016 54.2 61.1
2015 51.9 61.7
2014 52.6 61.7
2013 52.3 62
2012 51.8 62.4
2011 51.8 61.2
2010 52.3 63.2
2009 53 62.2
2008 54.3 62.4
2007 55.6 61.1
2006 54.6 61
2005 53 63.1
2004 52.3 60.9
2003 52.7 62.8
2002 52.8 56.8
2001 53.3 53.9
2000 49.9 54.4
1999 50.3 52.8
1998 48 51.8
1997 44.6 53.8
1996 45.7 52.2
1995 51.3 51.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 57 for Madagascar, ranking 119/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Madagascar
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
47.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
22.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
22.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$16.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$1,830
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$2.78B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
120/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$326M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$606M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$134M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
1.72%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
75.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
22.2%
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/madagascar | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1980–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.