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Economy of Cameroon vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $11.7B for Mauritania, ranking 92/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $4.68B (40.1% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Cameroon vs Mauritania GDP by year

Cameroon
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Mauritania
2025 $58,933,453,924 $11,679,910,946
2024 $53,296,694,320 $10,879,212,033
2023 $48,814,501,547 $10,687,541,640
2022 $44,347,206,073 $9,562,497,461
2021 $45,011,937,347 $9,221,044,667
2020 $40,773,241,177 $8,260,567,357
2019 $39,667,757,528 $7,894,764,886
2018 $39,955,552,190 $7,475,471,310
2017 $36,098,547,033 $6,812,472,965
2016 $33,814,337,044 $6,407,900,701
2015 $32,210,233,020 $6,182,303,677
2014 $36,386,544,706 $6,615,483,550
2013 $33,728,621,180 $7,230,646,063
2012 $30,155,062,329 $6,728,208,836
2011 $30,630,910,495 $6,764,627,746
2010 $27,507,501,821 $5,628,878,798
2009 $27,932,970,317 $4,714,595,548
2008 $27,715,142,033 $5,206,437,194
2007 $23,928,250,433 $4,346,212,355
2006 $20,910,512,975 $3,919,577,286
2005 $19,509,852,207 $2,936,019,526
2004 $18,826,214,136 $2,362,501,023
2003 $15,970,315,035 $2,051,147,607
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,777,057,481
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,746,063,558
2000 $10,566,579,295 $1,779,520,886
1999 $11,565,826,465 $1,985,922,776
1998 $11,298,144,990 $2,032,347,665
1997 $10,789,458,433 $2,071,996,564
1996 $11,093,538,846 $2,132,087,009
1995 $10,864,772,471 $2,091,726,101
1994 $8,902,446,252 $1,944,876,755
1993 $16,181,814,713 $1,847,353,211
1992 $12,071,775,335 $2,164,298,425
1991 $11,840,192,296 $2,133,692,697
1990 $12,314,482,628 $1,506,914,408
1989 $11,012,566,195 $1,450,647,019
1988 $12,236,057,362 $1,414,951,290
1987 $13,049,659,981 $1,344,664,725
1986 $11,857,056,199 $1,186,628,778
1985 $8,544,810,498 $1,009,723,326
1984 $7,311,938,026 $1,074,373,230
1983 $6,870,200,010 $1,165,171,263
1982 $6,611,255,964 $1,108,776,653
1981 $6,610,938,617 $1,105,494,682
1980 $6,674,569,047 $1,047,925,106
1979 $5,919,002,983 $951,900,945
1978 $4,662,852,583 $804,629,877
1977 $3,394,664,024 $799,030,017
1976 $2,898,090,002 $775,045,517
1975 $2,857,037,371 $703,377,837
1974 $2,157,415,533 $613,010,553
1973 $1,901,393,361 $493,237,876
1972 $1,498,251,890 $391,669,449
1971 $1,236,941,394 $335,568,907
1970 $1,151,216,993 $309,405,316
1969 $1,100,551,489 $295,062,308
1968 $1,046,191,218 $311,395,937
1967 $936,175,260 $282,615,310
1966 $851,112,535 $266,533,605
1965 $814,083,266 $255,340,475
1964 $776,650,177 $224,495,744
1963 $718,320,845 $168,186,297
1962 $694,247,864 $164,271,558
1961 $652,777,608 $159,213,430
1960 $614,206,068 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Mauritania by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $2,198 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $2,105 $7,369
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $2,128 $6,966
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $1,961 $6,485
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $1,947 $5,837
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $1,618 $5,353
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $1,568 $4,683
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,559 $3,978
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,719 $3,865
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,936 $3,831
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $999 $2,809
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $824 $2,570
2003 $988 $2,368 $732 $2,447
2002 $790 $2,263 $649 $2,296
2001 $715 $2,191 $652 $2,280
2000 $709 $2,108 $681 $2,304
1999 $796 $2,039 $781 $2,411
1998 $799 $1,975 $821 $2,355
1997 $783 $1,915 $859 $2,325
1996 $827 $1,850 $904 $2,436
1995 $832 $1,790 $905 $2,306
1994 $701 $1,752 $865 $2,114
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $850 $2,209
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $772 $2,070
1989 $1,001 - $762 -
1988 $1,145 - $762 -
1987 $1,258 - $746 -
1986 $1,179 - $677 -
1985 $875 - $593 -
1984 $772 - $650 -
1983 $746 - $725 -
1982 $732 - $710 -
1981 $750 - $729 -
1980 $784 - $711 -
1979 $718 - $664 -
1978 $582 - $578 -
1977 $435 - $590 -
1976 $381 - $589 -
1975 $386 - $551 -
1974 $299.9 - $494 -
1973 $271.8 - $410 -
1972 $220.1 - $335 -
1971 $186.7 - $296 -
1970 $178.5 - $281.3 -
1969 $175.2 - $276.6 -
1968 $170.8 - $301 -
1967 $156.6 - $281.5 -
1966 $145.8 - $273.6 -
1965 $142.7 - $270 -
1964 $139.2 - $244.3 -
1963 $131.6 - $188.2 -
1962 $130 - $189 -
1961 $124.6 - $188.2 -
1960 $119.1 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $2,198 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$11.7B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
153/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
4.03%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$2,198
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
156/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$4.68B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
40.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$881
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
147/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$2,242
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
1.55%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
10.4%
2019
Population
31045453
5539189

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 23.4% 40.1%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 23.6% 45.1%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 24.8% 48.6%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 28.7% 50.3%
2021 17% 47.2% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 19% 59.2%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 17% 14.9% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 17% 38.8%
2010 14.8% 14% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 12% 18.4% 19% 38%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 10.7% 51.7% 23.9% 22%
2003 10.6% 51.5% - 22.9%
2002 14% 56.6% - 59.5%
2001 14.4% 62.2% - 63.5%
2000 14.4% 75.9% - 55.5%
1999 - 68.4% - -
1998 - 67.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.73B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 40.1% in Mauritania, ranking 133/185 and 134/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Mauritania
2025 -2.01% -0.3%
2024 -1.51% -1.35%
2023 -0.64% -2.45%
2022 -1.11% -3.09%
2021 -2.88% 2.6%
2020 -3.52% 2.78%
2019 -3.65% 2.65%
2018 -2.3% 3.23%
2017 -3.68% 0.53%
2016 -5.79% 0.13%
2015 -2.86% -2.44%
2014 -3.36% -2.64%
2013 -3.54% -0.66%
2012 -1.22% 1.67%
2011 -1.55% 0.07%
2010 -0.57% -0.45%
2009 -0.05% -3.59%
2008 1.94% -3.32%
2007 3.66% -1.38%
2006 6.34% 2.05%
2005 3.43% -3.16%
2004 2.07% -3.06%
2003 3.51% -
2002 1.59% -
2001 1.2% -
2000 2.06% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.18B, equivalent to 2.01% of GDP. This compares to Mauritania's deficit of $34.8M, or 0.3% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 1.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.55% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Mauritania
2025 3.4% 1.55%
2024 4.53% 2.49%
2023 7.38% 4.95%
2022 6.25% 9.53%
2021 2.27% 3.57%
2020 2.44% 2.39%
2019 2.45% 2.3%
2018 1.07% 3.07%
2017 0.64% 2.25%
2016 0.87% 1.47%
2015 2.68% 3.25%
2014 1.85% 3.53%
2013 2.05% 4.13%
2012 2.74% 4.9%
2011 2.94% 5.69%
2010 1.28% 6.28%
2009 3.04% 2.22%
2008 5.34% 7.35%
2007 0.92% 7.25%
2006 5.12% 6.24%
2005 2.01% 12.1%
2004 0.23% 10.4%
2003 0.62% 5.15%
2002 2.83% 3.9%
2001 4.42% 4.71%
2000 1.23% 3.25%
1999 1.87% 4.07%
1998 3.17% 8.03%
1997 4.79% 4.63%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.77%, compared with 4.85% in Mauritania. In 2025, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 1.55% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $231K
Machinery & equipment $96K
Chemicals & pharma $44K
Wood & paper products $17K
Metals $5K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $53.6M
Machinery & equipment $602K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Metals $2K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Mauritania
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
118/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
-9.55%
2024
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
54.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
39.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Mauritania
Economic freedom 52 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 136/197
Property rights 28.1 32.6
Government integrity 21 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 26.4
Tax burden 72.2 75.5
Government spending 91.4 80.2
Fiscal health 94.5 87.9
Business freedom 48.6 38.7
Labor freedom 45.6 53.6
Monetary freedom 75.3 77.8
Trade freedom 57.2 59.6
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Mauritania
2026 52 53.9
2025 52.1 54.9
2024 53.6 55.3
2023 51.9 55.3
2022 52.9 55.3
2021 53.4 56.1
2020 53.6 55.3
2019 52.4 55.7
2018 51.9 54
2017 51.8 54.4
2016 54.2 54.8
2015 51.9 53.3
2014 52.6 53.2
2013 52.3 52.3
2012 51.8 53
2011 51.8 52.1
2010 52.3 52
2009 53 53.9
2008 54.3 55.2
2007 55.6 53.6
2006 54.6 55.7
2005 53 59.4
2004 52.3 61.8
2003 52.7 59
2002 52.8 52.5
2001 53.3 48.5
2000 49.9 46
1999 50.3 42.8
1998 48 43.7
1997 44.6 47
1996 45.7 45.5
1995 51.3 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
42.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
29.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
20%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$11.8B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$7,640
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
127/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
3.83%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
44.3%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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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.