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Economy of Cameroon vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $19.9B for Niger, ranking 91/197 and 130/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $9.39B (47.2% of GDP) in Niger.

Cameroon vs Niger GDP by year

Cameroon
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Niger
2024 $53,296,694,320 $19,876,128,486
2023 $48,814,501,547 $16,698,786,978
2022 $44,347,206,073 $15,433,852,712
2021 $45,011,937,347 $14,915,002,436
2020 $40,773,241,177 $13,744,653,103
2019 $39,667,757,528 $12,889,555,561
2018 $39,955,552,190 $12,837,307,497
2017 $36,098,547,033 $11,185,104,252
2016 $33,814,337,044 $10,398,861,982
2015 $32,210,233,020 $9,683,867,926
2014 $36,386,544,706 $10,862,943,544
2013 $33,728,621,180 $10,224,897,438
2012 $30,155,062,329 $9,426,912,648
2011 $30,630,910,495 $8,772,950,778
2010 $27,507,501,821 $7,851,192,502
2009 $27,932,970,317 $7,352,131,310
2008 $27,715,142,033 $7,297,600,226
2007 $23,928,250,433 $5,731,485,052
2006 $20,910,512,975 $4,756,361,252
2005 $19,509,852,207 $4,383,315,965
2004 $18,826,214,136 $3,760,443,738
2003 $15,970,315,035 $3,394,084,732
2002 $12,417,251,350 $2,782,192,879
2001 $10,953,485,349 $2,448,714,704
2000 $10,566,579,295 $2,241,753,193
1999 $11,565,826,465 $2,537,789,821
1998 $11,298,144,990 $2,643,363,519
1997 $10,789,458,433 $2,290,318,910
1996 $11,093,538,846 $2,405,686,940
1995 $10,864,772,471 $2,302,537,562
1994 $8,902,446,252 $1,938,058,175
1993 $16,181,814,713 $3,052,673,849
1992 $12,071,775,335 $3,386,232,579
1991 $11,840,192,296 $3,285,796,875
1990 $12,314,482,628 $3,512,356,508
1989 $11,012,566,195 $2,179,567,114
1988 $12,236,057,362 $2,280,356,193
1987 $13,049,659,981 $2,233,006,105
1986 $11,857,056,199 $1,904,096,998
1985 $8,544,810,498 $1,440,581,652
1984 $7,311,938,026 $1,461,243,326
1983 $6,870,200,010 $1,803,099,561
1982 $6,611,255,964 $2,017,612,216
1981 $6,610,938,617 $2,170,893,414
1980 $6,674,569,047 $2,508,524,721
1979 $5,919,002,983 $2,109,277,666
1978 $4,662,852,583 $1,774,365,590
1977 $3,394,664,024 $1,291,458,041
1976 $2,898,090,002 $1,064,517,601
1975 $2,857,037,371 $1,048,690,933
1974 $2,157,415,533 $1,026,137,111
1973 $1,901,393,361 $946,385,105
1972 $1,498,251,890 $742,779,661
1971 $1,236,941,394 $693,573,704
1970 $1,151,216,993 $649,916,621
1969 $1,100,551,489 $625,867,985
1968 $1,046,191,218 $641,214,226
1967 $936,175,260 $665,586,872
1966 $851,112,535 $702,296,079
1965 $814,083,266 $673,383,511
1964 $776,650,177 $582,816,396
1963 $718,320,845 $586,294,879
1962 $694,247,864 $531,736,599
1961 $652,777,608 $485,785,231
1960 $614,206,068 $449,526,873

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Niger by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $735 $2,050
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $638 $1,875
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $610 $1,840
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $609 $1,586
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $580 $1,497
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $562 $1,419
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $579 $1,276
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $522 $1,208
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $503 $1,189
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $486 $1,172
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $565 $1,161
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $552 $1,138
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $529 $1,162
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $511 $1,064
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $474 $1,058
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $461 $999
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $475 $1,010
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $387 $955
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $333 $935
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $319 $888
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $283.5 $832
2003 $988 $2,368 $265.2 $837
2002 $790 $2,263 $225.3 $832
2001 $715 $2,191 $205.4 $809
2000 $709 $2,108 $194.8 $764
1999 $796 $2,039 $228.3 $783
1998 $799 $1,975 $246.1 $801
1997 $783 $1,915 $220.6 $745
1996 $827 $1,850 $239.5 $746
1995 $832 $1,790 $237 $757
1994 $701 $1,752 $206.2 $748
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $335 $742
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $384 $746
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $384 $738
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $424 $739
1989 $1,001 - $271.3 -
1988 $1,145 - $292.6 -
1987 $1,258 - $295.3 -
1986 $1,179 - $259.6 -
1985 $875 - $202.4 -
1984 $772 - $211.5 -
1983 $746 - $268.8 -
1982 $732 - $310 -
1981 $750 - $343 -
1980 $784 - $409 -
1979 $718 - $354 -
1978 $582 - $307 -
1977 $435 - $229.8 -
1976 $381 - $194.8 -
1975 $386 - $197.2 -
1974 $299.9 - $198.3 -
1973 $271.8 - $187.9 -
1972 $220.1 - $151.4 -
1971 $186.7 - $145.2 -
1970 $178.5 - $139.8 -
1969 $175.2 - $138.3 -
1968 $170.8 - $145.6 -
1967 $156.6 - $155.4 -
1966 $145.8 - $168.6 -
1965 $142.7 - $166.3 -
1964 $139.2 - $148.1 -
1963 $131.6 - $153.3 -
1962 $130 - $143.2 -
1961 $124.6 - $134.6 -
1960 $119.1 - $128.3 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $735 in Niger, ranking 187/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Niger
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$19.9B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
10.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$735
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
187/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
47.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$347
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
173/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,163
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
13.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
9.07%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
0.4%
2022
Population
30864115
29080898

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 13.4% 47.2%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 21.6% 50.6%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 22.4% 45%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 18% 38.3% 21.2% 37%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 15.2% 14% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 16.1% 55%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 14% 60.6%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 14.4% 69%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 13.7% 74%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 - 68.4% 15% 63.3%
1998 - 67.8% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 - - 12.9% 69.1%
1996 - - 10.9% 63.5%
1995 - - 12.5% 69.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Niger spent $2.67B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 47.2% in Niger, ranking 125/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Niger
2024 -1.48% -4.27%
2023 -0.63% -5.37%
2022 -1.11% -6.77%
2021 -3.01% -6.1%
2020 -3.19% -4.82%
2019 -3.24% -3.56%
2018 -2.41% -3.01%
2017 -4.72% -4.12%
2016 -5.88% -4.46%
2015 -4.25% -6.75%
2014 -4.09% -6.12%
2013 -3.55% -1.93%
2012 -1.4% -0.83%
2011 -2.26% -2.19%
2010 -0.93% -0.99%
2009 -0.04% -3.93%
2008 2% 1.11%
2007 3.87% -0.75%
2006 28.2% 31%
2005 3.03% -1.53%
2004 -0.46% -2.76%
2003 0.56% -2.17%
2002 1.51% -2.21%
2001 0.86% -2.59%
2000 1.54% -2.83%
1999 - -4.27%
1998 - -2.23%
1997 - -2.39%
1996 - -0.36%
1995 - -3.19%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1995–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $848M, or 4.27% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.92% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Niger
2024 4.53% 9.07%
2023 7.38% 3.7%
2022 6.25% 4.23%
2021 2.27% 3.84%
2020 2.44% 2.9%
2019 2.45% -2.49%
2018 1.07% 2.97%
2017 0.64% 2.8%
2016 0.87% 1.65%
2015 2.68% -0.58%
2014 1.85% -0.93%
2013 2.05% 2.3%
2012 2.74% 0.46%
2011 2.94% 2.94%
2010 1.28% 0.8%
2009 3.04% 0.58%
2008 5.34% 11.3%
2007 0.92% 0.05%
2006 5.12% 0.04%
2005 2.01% 7.8%
2004 0.23% 0.26%
2003 0.62% -1.61%
2002 2.83% 2.63%
2001 4.42% 4.01%
2000 1.23% 2.9%
1999 1.87% -2.3%
1998 3.17% 4.55%
1997 4.79% 2.93%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.39% in Niger. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 9.07% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $377K
Raw materials & minerals $147K
Chemicals & pharma $53K
Textiles & consumer goods $51K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $15K
Metals $3K
Wood & paper products $1K
Niger
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $19K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Machinery & equipment $5K
Raw materials & minerals $4K
Chemicals & pharma $3K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Niger
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$2.33B
2023
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
146/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-14%
2023
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$2.59B
2023
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$992M
2023
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$1.22B
2023
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$231M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
22.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
27.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Niger
Economic freedom 52 51
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 156/197
Property rights 28.1 16.6
Government integrity 21 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 28
Tax burden 72.2 78.2
Government spending 91.4 91.4
Fiscal health 94.5 47.6
Business freedom 48.6 32.4
Labor freedom 45.6 54.7
Monetary freedom 75.3 67.9
Trade freedom 57.2 65.8
Investment freedom 30 55
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Niger
2026 52 51
2025 52.1 51.5
2024 53.6 52.3
2023 51.9 53.7
2022 52.9 54.9
2021 53.4 57.3
2020 53.6 54.7
2019 52.4 51.6
2018 51.9 49.5
2017 51.8 50.8
2016 54.2 54.3
2015 51.9 54.6
2014 52.6 55.1
2013 52.3 53.9
2012 51.8 54.3
2011 51.8 54.3
2010 52.3 52.9
2009 53 53.8
2008 54.3 52.9
2007 55.6 53.2
2006 54.6 52.5
2005 53 54.1
2004 52.3 54.6
2003 52.7 54.2
2002 52.8 48.2
2001 53.3 48.9
2000 49.9 45.9
1999 50.3 48.6
1998 48 47.5
1997 44.6 46.6
1996 45.7 45.8
1995 51.3 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Niger
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
17.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
34.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$18.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$2,030
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$1.02B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
22.1%
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/niger | 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 (1995–2024, 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 (2020–2024, 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.