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Economy of Cameroon vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 91/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Cameroon vs Namibia GDP by year

Cameroon
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Namibia
2024 $53,296,694,320 $13,372,354,512
2023 $48,814,501,547 $12,408,271,449
2022 $44,347,206,073 $12,569,449,123
2021 $45,011,937,347 $12,402,486,184
2020 $40,773,241,177 $10,583,748,542
2019 $39,667,757,528 $12,541,928,303
2018 $39,955,552,190 $13,682,019,076
2017 $36,098,547,033 $12,895,153,371
2016 $33,814,337,044 $10,722,018,732
2015 $32,210,233,020 $11,335,161,084
2014 $36,386,544,706 $12,435,430,970
2013 $33,728,621,180 $12,043,307,277
2012 $30,155,062,329 $13,042,053,592
2011 $30,630,910,495 $12,523,359,441
2010 $27,507,501,821 $11,431,412,421
2009 $27,932,970,317 $8,938,847,189
2008 $27,715,142,033 $8,607,431,497
2007 $23,928,250,433 $8,839,536,476
2006 $20,910,512,975 $8,001,779,551
2005 $19,509,852,207 $7,248,374,838
2004 $18,826,214,136 $6,609,205,995
2003 $15,970,315,035 $4,926,439,384
2002 $12,417,251,350 $3,349,169,826
2001 $10,953,485,349 $3,557,341,215
2000 $10,566,579,295 $3,922,232,165
1999 $11,565,826,465 $3,868,551,730
1998 $11,298,144,990 $3,873,109,866
1997 $10,789,458,433 $4,154,989,950
1996 $11,093,538,846 $3,989,163,197
1995 $10,864,772,471 $3,978,514,206
1994 $8,902,446,252 $3,666,503,530
1993 $16,181,814,713 $3,251,188,833
1992 $12,071,775,335 $3,429,521,699
1991 $11,840,192,296 $2,996,869,281
1990 $12,314,482,628 $2,789,921,854
1989 $11,012,566,195 $2,535,135,798
1988 $12,236,057,362 $2,495,094,746
1987 $13,049,659,981 $2,300,068,217
1986 $11,857,056,199 $1,809,048,527
1985 $8,544,810,498 $1,608,237,350
1984 $7,311,938,026 $1,951,260,038
1983 $6,870,200,010 $2,297,400,688
1982 $6,611,255,964 $2,118,710,248
1981 $6,610,938,617 $2,249,908,578
1980 $6,674,569,047 $2,421,990,338
1979 $5,919,002,983 -
1978 $4,662,852,583 -
1977 $3,394,664,024 -
1976 $2,898,090,002 -
1975 $2,857,037,371 -
1974 $2,157,415,533 -
1973 $1,901,393,361 -
1972 $1,498,251,890 -
1971 $1,236,941,394 -
1970 $1,151,216,993 -
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Namibia by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $988 $2,368 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $709 $2,108 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $796 $2,039 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $799 $1,975 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $783 $1,915 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $827 $1,850 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $832 $1,790 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $701 $1,752 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $1,001 - $1,967 -
1988 $1,145 - $2,063 -
1987 $1,258 - $1,969 -
1986 $1,179 - $1,599 -
1985 $875 - $1,466 -
1984 $772 - $1,830 -
1983 $746 - $2,214 -
1982 $732 - $2,097 -
1981 $750 - $2,267 -
1980 $784 - $2,468 -
1979 $718 - - -
1978 $582 - - -
1977 $435 - - -
1976 $381 - - -
1975 $386 - - -
1974 $299.9 - - -
1973 $271.8 - - -
1972 $220.1 - - -
1971 $186.7 - - -
1970 $178.5 - - -
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/namibia | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Namibia
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
19.9%
2018
Population
30864115
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 37% 67.2%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 18% 38.3% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 35% 24.6%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 15.2% 14% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 32% 15.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 - 68.4% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 - 67.8% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 - - 30.9% 17.7%
1996 - - 30.4% 18.7%
1995 - - 29.6% 18%
1994 - - 28.7% 16.4%
1993 - - 32.4% 17.2%
1992 - - 32.8% 14.1%
1991 - - 33% 11.8%
1990 - - 30.2% 12.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 125/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Namibia
2024 -1.48% -3.59%
2023 -0.63% -3.14%
2022 -1.11% -6.33%
2021 -3.01% -8.68%
2020 -3.19% -8.07%
2019 -3.24% -5.49%
2018 -2.41% -5.09%
2017 -4.72% -4.99%
2016 -5.88% -9.3%
2015 -4.25% -8.3%
2014 -4.09% -6.44%
2013 -3.55% -4.69%
2012 -1.4% -3.1%
2011 -2.26% -7.09%
2010 -0.93% -4.98%
2009 -0.04% -0.4%
2008 2% 3.48%
2007 3.87% 6.01%
2006 28.2% 3.41%
2005 3.03% -0.31%
2004 -0.46% -2.67%
2003 0.56% -4.47%
2002 1.51% -1.38%
2001 0.86% -2.01%
2000 1.54% -0.79%
1999 - -1.88%
1998 - -2.76%
1997 - -2.38%
1996 - -3.7%
1995 - -1.74%
1994 - -0.57%
1993 - -2.73%
1992 - -2.55%
1991 - -1.59%
1990 - 1.08%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.54% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Namibia
2024 4.53% 4.2%
2023 7.38% 5.9%
2022 6.25% 6.1%
2021 2.27% 3.6%
2020 2.44% 2.2%
2019 2.45% 3.7%
2018 1.07% 4.3%
2017 0.64% 6.1%
2016 0.87% 6.7%
2015 2.68% 3.4%
2014 1.85% 5.3%
2013 2.05% 5.6%
2012 2.74% 6.7%
2011 2.94% 5%
2010 1.28% 4.9%
2009 3.04% 9.5%
2008 5.34% 9.1%
2007 0.92% 6.5%
2006 5.12% 5%
2005 2.01% 2.3%
2004 0.23% 4.1%
2003 0.62% 7.2%
2002 2.83% 12.7%
2001 4.42% 10.2%
2000 1.23% 10.2%
1999 1.87% 9.4%
1998 3.17% 6.6%
1997 4.79% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $322K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Metals $2K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.62M
Animal & marine products $1.48M
Textiles & consumer goods $134K
Chemicals & pharma $95K
Miscellaneous $46K
Metals $38K
Machinery & equipment $35K
Raw agricultural goods $26K
Wood & paper products $21K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Namibia
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Namibia
Economic freedom 52 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 95/197
Property rights 28.1 63.1
Government integrity 21 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 67.2
Tax burden 72.2 66.4
Government spending 91.4 57.1
Fiscal health 94.5 60.5
Business freedom 48.6 58
Labor freedom 45.6 62.7
Monetary freedom 75.3 76.1
Trade freedom 57.2 69.8
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Namibia
2026 52 60.2
2025 52.1 58.7
2024 53.6 57.5
2023 51.9 57.7
2022 52.9 59.2
2021 53.4 62.6
2020 53.6 60.9
2019 52.4 58.7
2018 51.9 58.5
2017 51.8 62.5
2016 54.2 61.9
2015 51.9 59.6
2014 52.6 59.4
2013 52.3 60.3
2012 51.8 61.9
2011 51.8 62.7
2010 52.3 62.2
2009 53 62.4
2008 54.3 61.4
2007 55.6 63.5
2006 54.6 60.7
2005 53 61.4
2004 52.3 62.4
2003 52.7 67.3
2002 52.8 65.1
2001 53.3 64.8
2000 49.9 66.7
1999 50.3 66.1
1998 48 66.1
1997 44.6 61.6
1996 45.7 -
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Namibia
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.