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Economy of Cameroon vs Maldives compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $7.06B for Maldives, ranking 91/197 and 159/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $9.41B (133.3% of GDP) in Maldives.

Cameroon vs Maldives GDP by year

Cameroon
Maldives
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Maldives
2024 $53,296,694,320 $7,061,608,267
2023 $48,814,501,547 $6,621,008,704
2022 $44,347,206,073 $6,177,123,352
2021 $45,011,937,347 $5,252,457,370
2020 $40,773,241,177 $3,712,604,583
2019 $39,667,757,528 $5,726,094,799
2018 $39,955,552,190 $5,404,344,163
2017 $36,098,547,033 $4,816,426,257
2016 $33,814,337,044 $4,409,942,624
2015 $32,210,233,020 $4,129,505,319
2014 $36,386,544,706 $3,697,353,039
2013 $33,728,621,180 $3,295,009,238
2012 $30,155,062,329 $2,886,163,997
2011 $30,630,910,495 $2,774,350,240
2010 $27,507,501,821 $2,588,176,055
2009 $27,932,970,317 $2,345,294,875
2008 $27,715,142,033 $2,271,646,188
2007 $23,928,250,433 $1,868,383,461
2006 $20,910,512,975 $1,575,200,391
2005 $19,509,852,207 $1,163,362,438
2004 $18,826,214,136 $1,226,829,563
2003 $15,970,315,035 $1,052,121,055
2002 $12,417,251,350 $897,031,250
2001 $10,953,485,349 $870,031,677
2000 $10,566,579,295 $624,337,145
1999 $11,565,826,465 $589,239,754
1998 $11,298,144,990 $540,096,398
1997 $10,789,458,433 $508,223,602
1996 $11,093,538,846 $450,382,328
1995 $10,864,772,471 $398,988,955
1994 $8,902,446,252 $356,014,932
1993 $16,181,814,713 $322,417,837
1992 $12,071,775,335 $284,875,809
1991 $11,840,192,296 $244,396,762
1990 $12,314,482,628 $215,043,970
1989 $11,012,566,195 $189,514,434
1988 $12,236,057,362 $168,514,513
1987 $13,049,659,981 $141,223,029
1986 $11,857,056,199 $141,882,254
1985 $8,544,810,498 $127,190,758
1984 $7,311,938,026 $109,503,546
1983 $6,870,200,010 $57,829,787
1982 $6,611,255,964 $47,911,340
1981 $6,610,938,617 $44,781,457
1980 $6,674,569,047 $42,463,576
1979 $5,919,002,983 $38,523,364
1978 $4,662,852,583 $24,369,109
1977 $3,394,664,024 $20,853,789
1976 $2,898,090,002 $22,399,467
1975 $2,857,037,371 $24,540,878
1974 $2,157,415,533 $39,120,171
1973 $1,901,393,361 $30,862,042
1972 $1,498,251,890 $25,177,138
1971 $1,236,941,394 $21,566,404
1970 $1,151,216,993 $19,328,038
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/maldives | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Maldives by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Maldives
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Maldives
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $13,379 $26,183
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $12,588 $24,786
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $11,786 $22,881
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $10,176 $19,053
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $7,394 $13,425
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $11,740 $23,077
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $11,423 $21,899
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $10,510 $19,768
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $9,948 $18,770
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $9,645 $17,875
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $8,939 $16,723
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $8,236 $15,264
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $7,461 $13,989
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $7,425 $13,726
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $7,174 $12,797
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $6,734 $12,266
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $6,757 $13,779
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $5,758 $12,852
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $5,019 $12,075
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $3,797 $9,704
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $4,070 $10,770
2003 $988 $2,368 $3,549 $10,065
2002 $790 $2,263 $3,076 $8,823
2001 $715 $2,191 $3,034 $8,236
2000 $709 $2,108 $2,214 $8,526
1999 $796 $2,039 $2,124 $8,162
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,980 $7,710
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,898 $7,226
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,717 $6,687
1995 $832 $1,790 $1,555 $6,223
1994 $701 $1,752 $1,419 $5,520
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $1,317 $5,138
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,194 $4,881
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $1,054 $4,604
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $957 $4,528
1989 $1,001 - $870 -
1988 $1,145 - $799 -
1987 $1,258 - $692 -
1986 $1,179 - $720 -
1985 $875 - $669 -
1984 $772 - $594 -
1983 $746 - $323 -
1982 $732 - $274.8 -
1981 $750 - $264.1 -
1980 $784 - $257.6 -
1979 $718 - $240.2 -
1978 $582 - $156.1 -
1977 $435 - $137.3 -
1976 $381 - $151.8 -
1975 $386 - $171.4 -
1974 $299.9 - $281.5 -
1973 $271.8 - $228.7 -
1972 $220.1 - $192.2 -
1971 $186.7 - $169.8 -
1970 $178.5 - $156.9 -
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/maldives | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $13,379 in Maldives, ranking 75/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Maldives ranks 81st at $26,183.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Maldives
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$7.06B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
3.49%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$13,379
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
75/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$26,183
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
81/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$9.41B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
133.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$17,837
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
35/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$9,909
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
23.3%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.8%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
46.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
1.4%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
4.56%
2019
Population
30864115
532057

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Maldives
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Maldives
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 46.1% 133.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 46.7% 122.4%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 42% 111.6%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 40.6% 123.4%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 50.4% 155.7%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 32.9% 77.2%
2018 18% 38.3% 31.9% 70.7%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 30.4% 63.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 37.3% 61.9%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 33.8% 54.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 29.1% 55.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 27% 55.9%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 29.8% 57.1%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 31.3% 51.9%
2010 15.2% 14% 33.2% 52.7%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 37% 48.4%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 35.6% 39%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 34.8% 35.8%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 35% 36.8%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 38.8% 43.2%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 24.1% 34.7%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 26.4% 37.6%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 29.6% 44.3%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 29.6% 41.8%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 29% 39%
1999 - 68.4% 28% 38.9%
1998 - 67.8% 25.9% 39.3%
1997 - - 25.2% 38.1%
1996 - - 27.3% 46.9%
1995 - - 31.3% 52.2%
1994 - - 30.7% 54.6%
1993 - - 34.7% 55.7%
1992 - - 36.1% 49%
1991 - - 37.7% 46.7%
1990 - - 33.3% 42.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Maldives spent $3.25B, or 46.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 133.3% in Maldives, ranking 125/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Maldives
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Maldives
2024 -1.48% -13.9%
2023 -0.63% -13.2%
2022 -1.11% -11.2%
2021 -3.01% -14.2%
2020 -3.19% -23.7%
2019 -3.24% -6.54%
2018 -2.41% -5.17%
2017 -4.72% -3.02%
2016 -5.88% -9.93%
2015 -4.25% -6.52%
2014 -4.09% -2.42%
2013 -3.55% -3.49%
2012 -1.4% -6.91%
2011 -2.26% -8.13%
2010 -0.93% -13.6%
2009 -0.04% -17.9%
2008 2% -9.92%
2007 3.87% -3.16%
2006 28.2% -4.52%
2005 3.03% -7.81%
2004 -0.46% -2.26%
2003 0.56% -3.45%
2002 1.51% -3.97%
2001 0.86% -3.97%
2000 1.54% -3.89%
1999 - -3.03%
1998 - -2.25%
1997 - -1.46%
1996 - -2.01%
1995 - -5.66%
1994 - -4.82%
1993 - -13.9%
1992 - -12.6%
1991 - -10.2%
1990 - -12.8%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/maldives | 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 Maldives' deficit of $982M, or 13.9% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Maldives ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 8.11% of GDP for Maldives.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Maldives
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Maldives
2024 4.53% 1.4%
2023 7.38% 2.6%
2022 6.25% 2.6%
2021 2.27% 0.2%
2020 2.44% -1.6%
2019 2.45% 1.3%
2018 1.07% 1.4%
2017 0.64% 2.3%
2016 0.87% 0.8%
2015 2.68% 1.4%
2014 1.85% 2.4%
2013 2.05% 4%
2012 2.74% 10.9%
2011 2.94% 11.3%
2010 1.28% 6.1%
2009 3.04% 4.5%
2008 5.34% 12%
2007 0.92% 6.8%
2006 5.12% 3.5%
2005 2.01% 2.5%
2004 0.23% 6.3%
2003 0.62% -2.8%
2002 2.83% 0.9%
2001 4.42% 0.7%
2000 1.23% -1.2%
1999 1.87% 3%
1998 3.17% -1.4%
1997 4.79% 7.6%

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/maldives | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 3.2% in Maldives. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 1.4% in Maldives.

Balance of trade

Cameroon Maldives
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$1.32B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-18.7%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$3.46B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$383M
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$1.89B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$5.03B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
78.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
78.2%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Maldives
Economic freedom 52 47.6
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 174/197
Property rights 28.1 52.2
Government integrity 21 41.9
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 39.3
Tax burden 72.2 89.9
Government spending 91.4 39.5
Fiscal health 94.5 0
Business freedom 48.6 49.7
Labor freedom 45.6 54.1
Monetary freedom 75.3 76.4
Trade freedom 57.2 62.8
Investment freedom 30 35
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Maldives
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Maldives
2026 52 47.6
2025 52.1 48.3
2024 53.6 47.8
2023 51.9 46.6
2022 52.9 47.3
2021 53.4 55.2
2020 53.6 56.5
2019 52.4 53.2
2018 51.9 51.1
2017 51.8 50.3
2016 54.2 53.9
2015 51.9 53.4
2014 52.6 51
2013 52.3 49
2012 51.8 49.2
2011 51.8 48.3
2010 52.3 49
2009 53 51.3
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/maldives | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 47.6 for Maldives, ranking 174/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Maldives
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
72.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
9.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
3.84%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$6.15B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$23,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$674M
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
150/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$806M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$806M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
7.95%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
15%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
30.8%
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/maldives | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.