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Economy of Cameroon vs Mexico compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $1.86T for Mexico, ranking 91/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $1.08T (58.3% of GDP) in Mexico.

Cameroon vs Mexico GDP by year

Cameroon
Mexico
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Mexico
2024 $53,296,694,320 $1,856,365,616,166
2023 $48,814,501,547 $1,798,317,581,487
2022 $44,347,206,073 $1,466,934,724,293
2021 $45,011,937,347 $1,316,569,466,686
2020 $40,773,241,177 $1,121,064,767,308
2019 $39,667,757,528 $1,304,106,203,902
2018 $39,955,552,190 $1,256,300,182,880
2017 $36,098,547,033 $1,190,721,475,906
2016 $33,814,337,044 $1,112,233,497,453
2015 $32,210,233,020 $1,213,294,467,717
2014 $36,386,544,706 $1,364,507,717,614
2013 $33,728,621,180 $1,327,436,290,283
2012 $30,155,062,329 $1,255,110,424,818
2011 $30,630,910,495 $1,229,013,703,417
2010 $27,507,501,821 $1,105,424,238,731
2009 $27,932,970,317 $943,437,415,025
2008 $27,715,142,033 $1,161,553,459,715
2007 $23,928,250,433 $1,102,355,554,972
2006 $20,910,512,975 $1,020,265,057,882
2005 $19,509,852,207 $917,571,853,529
2004 $18,826,214,136 $819,459,227,375
2003 $15,970,315,035 $765,549,967,703
2002 $12,417,251,350 $810,666,116,402
2001 $10,953,485,349 $796,064,590,549
2000 $10,566,579,295 $742,061,329,749
1999 $11,565,826,465 $631,249,359,702
1998 $11,298,144,990 $557,461,102,631
1997 $10,789,458,433 $523,449,530,464
1996 $11,093,538,846 $432,157,945,024
1995 $10,864,772,471 $380,157,469,867
1994 $8,902,446,252 $553,618,247,901
1993 $16,181,814,713 $530,160,763,663
1992 $12,071,775,335 $363,157,832,924
1991 $11,840,192,296 $313,139,656,146
1990 $12,314,482,628 $261,253,675,693
1989 $11,012,566,195 $221,403,098,267
1988 $12,236,057,362 $181,611,150,497
1987 $13,049,659,981 $147,542,558,209
1986 $11,857,056,199 $134,556,034,673
1985 $8,544,810,498 $195,241,069,482
1984 $7,311,938,026 $184,230,754,105
1983 $6,870,200,010 $156,167,000,433
1982 $6,611,255,964 $184,602,611,610
1981 $6,610,938,617 $263,797,827,860
1980 $6,674,569,047 $205,577,055,466
1979 $5,919,002,983 $134,531,900,899
1978 $4,662,852,583 $102,648,570,299
1977 $3,394,664,024 $81,912,018,784
1976 $2,898,090,002 $88,875,923,765
1975 $2,857,037,371 $88,000,000,000
1974 $2,157,415,533 $72,000,000,000
1973 $1,901,393,361 $55,280,000,000
1972 $1,498,251,890 $45,200,000,000
1971 $1,236,941,394 $39,200,000,000
1970 $1,151,216,993 $35,520,000,000
1969 $1,100,551,489 $32,480,000,000
1968 $1,046,191,218 $29,360,000,000
1967 $936,175,260 $26,560,000,000
1966 $851,112,535 $24,320,000,000
1965 $814,083,266 $21,840,000,000
1964 $776,650,177 $20,080,000,000
1963 $718,320,845 $16,960,000,000
1962 $694,247,864 $15,200,000,000
1961 $652,777,608 $14,160,000,000
1960 $614,206,068 $13,040,000,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Mexico by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mexico
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Mexico
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $14,186 $26,185
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $13,861 $25,243
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $11,406 $23,135
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $10,314 $20,783
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $8,841 $19,354
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $10,370 $20,964
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $10,085 $20,921
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $9,649 $20,489
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $9,098 $20,105
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $10,021 $19,071
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $11,391 $18,821
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $11,217 $18,170
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $10,744 $18,005
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $10,664 $17,267
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $9,729 $15,909
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $8,424 $15,191
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $10,524 $15,681
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $10,134 $15,032
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $9,513 $14,540
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $8,672 $13,260
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $7,850 $12,658
2003 $988 $2,368 $7,434 $12,066
2002 $790 $2,263 $7,983 $11,762
2001 $715 $2,191 $7,953 $11,739
2000 $709 $2,108 $7,524 $11,705
1999 $796 $2,039 $6,500 $11,031
1998 $799 $1,975 $5,833 $10,756
1997 $783 $1,915 $5,567 $10,182
1996 $827 $1,850 $4,674 $9,496
1995 $832 $1,790 $4,184 $8,933
1994 $701 $1,752 $6,202 $9,466
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $6,048 $9,041
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $4,221 $9,470
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $3,709 $9,079
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $3,154 $8,578
1989 $1,001 - $2,725 -
1988 $1,145 - $2,279 -
1987 $1,258 - $1,888 -
1986 $1,179 - $1,757 -
1985 $875 - $2,602 -
1984 $772 - $2,506 -
1983 $746 - $2,170 -
1982 $732 - $2,621 -
1981 $750 - $3,829 -
1980 $784 - $3,055 -
1979 $718 - $2,049 -
1978 $582 - $1,604 -
1977 $435 - $1,315 -
1976 $381 - $1,465 -
1975 $386 - $1,492 -
1974 $299.9 - $1,256 -
1973 $271.8 - $993 -
1972 $220.1 - $837 -
1971 $186.7 - $748 -
1970 $178.5 - $699 -
1969 $175.2 - $660 -
1968 $170.8 - $616 -
1967 $156.6 - $576 -
1966 $145.8 - $545 -
1965 $142.7 - $506 -
1964 $139.2 - $481 -
1963 $131.6 - $420 -
1962 $130 - $388 -
1961 $124.6 - $374 -
1960 $119.1 - $355 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $14,186 in Mexico, ranking 69/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Mexico ranks 80th at $26,185.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Mexico
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$1.86T
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
13/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
1.43%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$14,186
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
69/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$26,185
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
80/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$1.08T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
58.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$8,272
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
63/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$10,231
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$418B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
399,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
22
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
34.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
30.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
4.72%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
7%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
2.62%
2024
Population
30864115
133323134

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Mexico
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Mexico
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 30.3% 58.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 28.5% 52.6%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 28.5% 53.8%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 26.7% 56.7%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 27.8% 58.5%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 25.3% 51.9%
2018 18% 38.3% 25% 52.2%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 25% 52.5%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 26.5% 55%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 26.6% 51%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 26.9% 47.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 26.7% 44.1%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 27% 40.8%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 26.6% 41.2%
2010 15.2% 14% 26.5% 40.2%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 26.5% 41.7%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 26.5% 40.6%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 22.5% 35.5%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 21.6% 35.8%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 21.2% 36.8%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 20.5% 38.9%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 21.5% 42.1%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 19.8% 39.9%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 19.5% 37.3%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 19.4% 38.5%
1999 - 68.4% 20.1% 41.7%
1998 - 67.8% 19.5% 39.7%
1997 - - 20.7% 39.1%
1996 - - 20.8% 42.5%
1995 - - 18.9% 30.7%
1994 - - 18.9% 26.8%
1993 - - 18.2% 19.2%
1992 - - 19% 21.5%
1991 - - 20.1% 29.2%
1990 - - 22.9% 35.7%
1989 - - 19.2% 36%
1988 - - 23.6% 36.5%
1987 - - 26.7% 52.7%
1986 - - 25.1% 47.8%
1985 - - 21.4% 30.4%
1984 - - 19.8% 25.2%
1983 - - 21.6% 25.3%
1982 - - 24.7% 29.8%
1981 - - 20.1% 41.7%
1980 - - 17.5% 31.4%
1979 - - 16.5% 35.8%
1978 - - 15.7% 39%
1977 - - 15.5% 41.5%
1976 - - 15.5% 31.3%
1975 - - 14.7% 24.4%
1974 - - 13.8% 21.7%
1973 - - 12.7% 20%
1972 - - 11.9% 17.9%
1971 - - 10.6% 17%
1970 - - 10.9% 17.1%
1969 - - 11.8% 10.7%
1968 - - 10.9% 7.85%
1967 - - 10.4% 8.22%
1966 - - 11.6% 5.14%
1965 - - 10.7% 9.99%
1964 - - 9.21% 6.22%
1963 - - 8.51% 4.13%
1962 - - 8.26% 4.2%
1961 - - 8.01% 4.38%
1960 - - 9.5% 4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Mexico spent $563B, or 30.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 58.3% in Mexico, ranking 125/185 and 84/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Mexico
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Mexico
2024 -1.48% -5.73%
2023 -0.63% -4.29%
2022 -1.11% -4.32%
2021 -3.01% -3.75%
2020 -3.19% -4.29%
2019 -3.24% -2.27%
2018 -2.41% -2.14%
2017 -4.72% -1.03%
2016 -5.88% -2.68%
2015 -4.25% -3.86%
2014 -4.09% -4.37%
2013 -3.55% -3.56%
2012 -1.4% -3.57%
2011 -2.26% -3.2%
2010 -0.93% -3.8%
2009 -0.04% -3.94%
2008 2% -0.68%
2007 3.87% -1.46%
2006 28.2% -1.23%
2005 3.03% -1.43%
2004 -0.46% -1.35%
2003 0.56% -2.24%
2002 1.51% -2.18%
2001 0.86% -2.57%
2000 1.54% -2.69%
1999 - -4.49%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - -3.48%
1996 - -3.66%
1995 - -2.28%
1994 - -2.25%
1993 - -1.51%
1992 - 2.26%
1991 - 1.49%
1990 - -3.11%
1989 - -4.75%
1988 - -8.76%
1987 - -11.6%
1986 - -11.2%
1985 - -7.2%
1984 - -5.79%
1983 - -6.03%
1982 - -11.4%
1981 - -4.9%
1980 - -1.75%
1979 - -2.15%
1978 - -1.88%
1977 - -2.43%
1976 - -3.14%
1975 - -2.64%
1974 - -3.33%
1973 - -2.75%
1972 - -2.3%
1971 - -1.43%
1970 - -1.71%
1969 - -2.74%
1968 - -2.06%
1967 - -2.12%
1966 - -3.2%
1965 - -2.51%
1964 - -1.44%
1963 - -0.92%
1962 - -0.79%
1961 - -0.88%
1960 - -1.36%
1959 - -0.73%
1958 - 0.24%
1957 - -0.03%
1956 - 0.52%
1955 - 0.6%
1954 - -0.94%
1953 - -0.58%
1952 - 0.42%
1951 - -0.26%
1950 - -0.2%
1949 - 0.44%
1948 - -1.55%
1947 - -0.93%
1946 - 0.66%
1945 - -1.11%
1944 - -1.12%
1943 - 0.05%
1942 - -0.93%
1941 - -0.26%
1940 - -0.4%
1939 - -0.06%
1938 - -0.91%
1937 - -0.41%
1936 - -0.39%
1935 - 0.26%
1934 - 0.72%
1933 - -0.58%
1932 - 0%
1931 - 0.71%
1930 - 0.21%
1929 - 0.95%
1928 - 0.24%
1927 - -0.3%
1926 - -0.29%
1925 - 0.46%
1924 - 1.34%
1923 - 1.02%
1922 - 1.13%
1921 - 0.64%
1920 - 0.91%
1919 - 0.41%
1918 - -0.19%
1917 - 0.63%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - 0.28%
1912 - -0.79%
1911 - -0.31%
1910 - 0.1%
1909 - 0.15%
1908 - -0.08%
1907 - 0.43%
1906 - 0.72%
1905 - 0.35%
1904 - 1.09%
1903 - 3.82%
1902 - 0.42%
1901 - 0.62%
1900 - 0.76%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/mexico | 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 Mexico's deficit of $106B, or 5.73% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Mexico ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.9% of GDP for Mexico.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Mexico
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Mexico
2024 4.53% 4.72%
2023 7.38% 5.53%
2022 6.25% 7.9%
2021 2.27% 5.69%
2020 2.44% 3.4%
2019 2.45% 3.64%
2018 1.07% 4.9%
2017 0.64% 6.04%
2016 0.87% 2.82%
2015 2.68% 2.72%
2014 1.85% 4.02%
2013 2.05% 3.81%
2012 2.74% 4.11%
2011 2.94% 3.41%
2010 1.28% 4.16%
2009 3.04% 5.3%
2008 5.34% 5.12%
2007 0.92% 3.97%
2006 5.12% 3.63%
2005 2.01% 3.99%
2004 0.23% 4.69%
2003 0.62% 4.55%
2002 2.83% 5.03%
2001 4.42% 6.37%
2000 1.23% 9.49%
1999 1.87% 16.6%
1998 3.17% 15.9%
1997 4.79% 20.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 6.15% in Mexico. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 4.72% in Mexico.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.67M
Wood & paper products $588K
Raw materials & minerals $527K
Machinery & equipment $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Metals $7K
Mexico
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $1.53M
Machinery & equipment $16K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Mexico
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$16.7B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
181/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-0.9%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$637B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$618B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$72B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$63B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
37.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
36.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Mexico
Economic freedom 52 59.8
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 102/197
Property rights 28.1 37.6
Government integrity 21 28.8
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 40.4
Tax burden 72.2 75.4
Government spending 91.4 74.6
Fiscal health 94.5 56.7
Business freedom 48.6 67
Labor freedom 45.6 57.3
Monetary freedom 75.3 70.6
Trade freedom 57.2 74.2
Investment freedom 30 75
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Mexico
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Mexico
2026 52 59.8
2025 52.1 61.3
2024 53.6 62
2023 51.9 63.2
2022 52.9 63.7
2021 53.4 65.5
2020 53.6 66
2019 52.4 64.7
2018 51.9 64.8
2017 51.8 63.6
2016 54.2 65.2
2015 51.9 66.4
2014 52.6 66.8
2013 52.3 67
2012 51.8 65.3
2011 51.8 67.8
2010 52.3 68.3
2009 53 65.8
2008 54.3 66.2
2007 55.6 66
2006 54.6 64.7
2005 53 65.2
2004 52.3 66
2003 52.7 65.3
2002 52.8 63
2001 53.3 60.6
2000 49.9 59.3
1999 50.3 58.5
1998 48 57.9
1997 44.6 57.1
1996 45.7 61.2
1995 51.3 63.1

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 59.8 for Mexico, ranking 102/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Mexico
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
31.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
3.72%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$1.68T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$25,460
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$232B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
16/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$32.3B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$45.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
3.71%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
29.6%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
24.1%
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/mexico | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1900–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2023, 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.