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Economy of Cameroon vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 91/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Cameroon vs Mali GDP by year

Cameroon
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Mali
2024 $53,296,694,320 $26,794,747,240
2023 $48,814,501,547 $24,813,860,599
2022 $44,347,206,073 $22,539,987,719
2021 $45,011,937,347 $22,999,245,263
2020 $40,773,241,177 $20,698,560,939
2019 $39,667,757,528 $20,477,421,885
2018 $39,955,552,190 $20,368,015,381
2017 $36,098,547,033 $18,308,362,040
2016 $33,814,337,044 $16,743,796,800
2015 $32,210,233,020 $15,583,181,170
2014 $36,386,544,706 $17,081,681,993
2013 $33,728,621,180 $15,747,192,681
2012 $30,155,062,329 $14,795,114,603
2011 $30,630,910,495 $15,452,791,789
2010 $27,507,501,821 $12,710,739,159
2009 $27,932,970,317 $12,155,217,833
2008 $27,715,142,033 $11,462,490,840
2007 $23,928,250,433 $9,699,047,443
2006 $20,910,512,975 $8,212,007,554
2005 $19,509,852,207 $7,429,066,951
2004 $18,826,214,136 $6,485,774,930
2003 $15,970,315,035 $5,605,613,011
2002 $12,417,251,350 $4,647,238,257
2001 $10,953,485,349 $4,124,281,594
2000 $10,566,579,295 $3,521,570,876
1999 $11,565,826,465 $4,091,446,054
1998 $11,298,144,990 $3,894,433,432
1997 $10,789,458,433 $3,414,879,486
1996 $11,093,538,846 $3,743,103,420
1995 $10,864,772,471 $3,373,322,735
1994 $8,902,446,252 $2,655,768,636
1993 $16,181,814,713 $3,632,801,877
1992 $12,071,775,335 $3,680,775,037
1991 $11,840,192,296 $3,576,562,682
1990 $12,314,482,628 $3,248,417,791
1989 $11,012,566,195 $2,824,822,489
1988 $12,236,057,362 $2,712,207,901
1987 $13,049,659,981 $2,437,004,680
1986 $11,857,056,199 $2,132,938,007
1985 $8,544,810,498 $1,594,347,021
1984 $7,311,938,026 $1,387,809,615
1983 $6,870,200,010 $1,496,616,127
1982 $6,611,255,964 $1,680,304,773
1981 $6,610,938,617 $2,234,583,940
1980 $6,674,569,047 $2,704,362,789
1979 $5,919,002,983 $1,595,422,956
1978 $4,662,852,583 $1,222,702,573
1977 $3,394,664,024 $1,049,838,548
1976 $2,898,090,002 $939,228,017
1975 $2,857,037,371 $830,710,615
1974 $2,157,415,533 $538,747,340
1973 $1,901,393,361 $563,683,703
1972 $1,498,251,890 $486,617,280
1971 $1,236,941,394 $395,218,629
1970 $1,151,216,993 $359,772,315
1969 $1,100,551,489 $339,913,867
1968 $1,046,191,218 $343,771,973
1967 $936,175,260 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Mali by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $977 $3,014
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $953 $2,724
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $972 $2,820
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $996 $2,684
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $924 $2,607
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $872 $2,532
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $838 $2,330
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $948 $2,185
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $902 $2,059
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $873 $1,990
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $938 $2,046
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $797 $2,012
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $787 $1,945
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $767 $1,893
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $671 $1,852
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $587 $1,832
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $549 $1,771
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $495 $1,730
2003 $988 $2,368 $442 $1,715
2002 $790 $2,263 $378 $1,581
2001 $715 $2,191 $346 $1,559
2000 $709 $2,108 $305 $1,357
1999 $796 $2,039 $364 $1,376
1998 $799 $1,975 $357 $1,332
1997 $783 $1,915 $321 $1,267
1996 $827 $1,850 $360 $1,224
1995 $832 $1,790 $331 $1,154
1994 $701 $1,752 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $372 $1,087
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $385 $1,039
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $382 $1,091
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $354 $956
1989 $1,001 - $314 -
1988 $1,145 - $307 -
1987 $1,258 - $280.7 -
1986 $1,179 - $250 -
1985 $875 - $190.4 -
1984 $772 - $169.1 -
1983 $746 - $186.3 -
1982 $732 - $213.8 -
1981 $750 - $290.5 -
1980 $784 - $359 -
1979 $718 - $216.3 -
1978 $582 - $169.1 -
1977 $435 - $148.1 -
1976 $381 - $134.9 -
1975 $386 - $121.5 -
1974 $299.9 - $80.2 -
1973 $271.8 - $85.4 -
1972 $220.1 - $75.1 -
1971 $186.7 - $62 -
1970 $178.5 - $57.3 -
1969 $175.2 - $55 -
1968 $170.8 - $56.5 -
1967 $156.6 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Mali
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,463
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
5.45%
2023
Population
30864115
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 18% 38.3% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 20% 26.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 20.6% 24%
2010 15.2% 14% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 - 68.4% - -
1998 - 67.8% - -

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

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 125/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Mali
2024 -1.48% -2.57%
2023 -0.63% -3.57%
2022 -1.11% -4.75%
2021 -3.01% -4.91%
2020 -3.19% -5.42%
2019 -3.24% -1.68%
2018 -2.41% -4.74%
2017 -4.72% -2.86%
2016 -5.88% -3.95%
2015 -4.25% -1.82%
2014 -4.09% -2.89%
2013 -3.55% -2.37%
2012 -1.4% -0.96%
2011 -2.26% -3.42%
2010 -0.93% -2.57%
2009 -0.04% -3.71%
2008 2% -1.97%
2007 3.87% -2.78%
2006 28.2% 27.8%
2005 3.03% -2.76%
2004 -0.46% -2.36%
2003 0.56% -1.19%
2002 1.51% -3.09%
2001 0.86% -2.8%
2000 1.54% -2.64%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Mali
2024 4.53% 3.2%
2023 7.38% 2.1%
2022 6.25% 9.7%
2021 2.27% 3.8%
2020 2.44% 0.5%
2019 2.45% -3%
2018 1.07% 1.9%
2017 0.64% 2.4%
2016 0.87% -1.8%
2015 2.68% 1.4%
2014 1.85% 0.9%
2013 2.05% -0.6%
2012 2.74% 5.3%
2011 2.94% 3%
2010 1.28% 1.2%
2009 3.04% 2.4%
2008 5.34% 9.2%
2007 0.92% 1.4%
2006 5.12% 1.6%
2005 2.01% 6.4%
2004 0.23% -3.1%
2003 0.62% -1.3%
2002 2.83% 5%
2001 4.42% 5.2%
2000 1.23% -0.8%
1999 1.87% -1.2%
1998 3.17% 4.1%
1997 4.79% -0.7%

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/mali | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $281K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Machinery & equipment $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Mali
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $198K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Chemicals & pharma $35K
Miscellaneous $11K
Wood & paper products $4K
Raw materials & minerals $2K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Mali
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Mali
Economic freedom 52 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 150/197
Property rights 28.1 13.8
Government integrity 21 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 23.3
Tax burden 72.2 67.9
Government spending 91.4 81.8
Fiscal health 94.5 73.6
Business freedom 48.6 40.8
Labor freedom 45.6 54.1
Monetary freedom 75.3 78.2
Trade freedom 57.2 64
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Mali
2026 52 52.1
2025 52.1 52.6
2024 53.6 52.5
2023 51.9 54.5
2022 52.9 55.9
2021 53.4 55.6
2020 53.6 55.9
2019 52.4 58.1
2018 51.9 57.6
2017 51.8 58.6
2016 54.2 56.5
2015 51.9 56.4
2014 52.6 55.5
2013 52.3 56.4
2012 51.8 55.8
2011 51.8 56.3
2010 52.3 55.6
2009 53 55.6
2008 54.3 55.6
2007 55.6 54.7
2006 54.6 54.1
2005 53 57.3
2004 52.3 56.6
2003 52.7 58.6
2002 52.8 61.1
2001 53.3 60.1
2000 49.9 60.3
1999 50.3 58.4
1998 48 57.3
1997 44.6 56.4
1996 45.7 57
1995 51.3 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Mali
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
19.5%
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/mali | 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.