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Economy of Cameroon vs Nigeria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $252B for Nigeria, ranking 91/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $99.2B (39.3% of GDP) in Nigeria.

Cameroon vs Nigeria GDP by year

Cameroon
Nigeria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Nigeria
2024 $53,296,694,320 $252,261,880,141
2023 $48,814,501,547 $487,387,801,881
2022 $44,347,206,073 $646,950,257,578
2021 $45,011,937,347 $609,147,716,973
2020 $40,773,241,177 $598,586,817,819
2019 $39,667,757,528 $668,219,992,691
2018 $39,955,552,190 $421,739,251,509
2017 $36,098,547,033 $375,745,731,053
2016 $33,814,337,044 $404,649,125,252
2015 $32,210,233,020 $493,026,682,801
2014 $36,386,544,706 $574,183,763,412
2013 $33,728,621,180 $520,117,180,314
2012 $30,155,062,329 $463,971,018,239
2011 $30,630,910,495 $414,466,676,831
2010 $27,507,501,821 $366,990,417,129
2009 $27,932,970,317 $295,008,835,381
2008 $27,715,142,033 $339,476,276,258
2007 $23,928,250,433 $278,260,846,800
2006 $20,910,512,975 $238,454,997,161
2005 $19,509,852,207 $175,670,569,969
2004 $18,826,214,136 $135,764,731,646
2003 $15,970,315,035 $104,738,954,264
2002 $12,417,251,350 $95,054,059,303
2001 $10,953,485,349 $73,557,840,064
2000 $10,566,579,295 $69,171,451,627
1999 $11,565,826,465 $59,145,077,039
1998 $11,298,144,990 $218,416,200,673
1997 $10,789,458,433 $200,850,397,618
1996 $11,093,538,846 $185,730,236,700
1995 $10,864,772,471 $140,919,776,986
1994 $8,902,446,252 $80,399,613,064
1993 $16,181,814,713 $56,721,051,402
1992 $12,071,775,335 $52,058,181,854
1991 $11,840,192,296 $59,526,833,412
1990 $12,314,482,628 $54,035,795,388
1989 $11,012,566,195 $44,003,061,108
1988 $12,236,057,362 $49,648,470,440
1987 $13,049,659,981 $52,676,041,931
1986 $11,857,056,199 $54,805,852,581
1985 $8,544,810,498 $73,745,821,158
1984 $7,311,938,026 $73,484,359,521
1983 $6,870,200,010 $97,094,911,792
1982 $6,611,255,964 $142,769,363,314
1981 $6,610,938,617 $164,475,209,516
1980 $6,674,569,047 $64,201,788,123
1979 $5,919,002,983 $47,259,911,894
1978 $4,662,852,583 $36,527,862,209
1977 $3,394,664,024 $36,035,407,725
1976 $2,898,090,002 $36,308,883,249
1975 $2,857,037,371 $27,778,934,625
1974 $2,157,415,533 $24,846,641,318
1973 $1,901,393,361 $15,162,871,287
1972 $1,498,251,890 $12,274,416,018
1971 $1,236,941,394 $9,181,769,912
1970 $1,151,216,993 $12,546,094,982
1969 $1,100,551,489 $6,634,317,346
1968 $1,046,191,218 $5,200,997,920
1967 $936,175,260 $5,203,237,919
1966 $851,112,535 $6,366,917,453
1965 $814,083,266 $5,874,537,650
1964 $776,650,177 $5,552,931,319
1963 $718,320,845 $5,165,590,254
1962 $694,247,864 $4,909,399,176
1961 $652,777,608 $4,467,287,893
1960 $614,206,068 $4,196,174,502

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Nigeria by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nigeria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Nigeria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $1,084 $9,087
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $2,139 $8,705
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $2,899 $8,305
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $2,787 $7,588
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $2,797 $7,415
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $3,190 $7,551
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $2,058 $7,158
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $1,876 $7,037
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $2,070 $7,072
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $2,586 $7,308
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $3,089 $7,396
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $2,873 $7,004
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $2,633 $6,671
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $2,418 $6,585
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $2,202 $6,301
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $1,820 $5,927
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $2,154 $5,607
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $1,816 $5,298
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $1,600 $4,975
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $1,211 $4,678
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $962 $4,381
2003 $988 $2,368 $763 $4,015
2002 $790 $2,263 $712 $3,770
2001 $715 $2,191 $566 $3,309
2000 $709 $2,108 $547 $3,139
1999 $796 $2,039 $481 $3,002
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,822 $3,022
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,720 $2,990
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,633 $2,931
1995 $832 $1,790 $1,272 $2,835
1994 $701 $1,752 $745 $2,853
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $540 $2,921
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $509 $2,991
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $597 $2,870
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $556 $2,840
1989 $1,001 - $465 -
1988 $1,145 - $540 -
1987 $1,258 - $588 -
1986 $1,179 - $628 -
1985 $875 - $869 -
1984 $772 - $890 -
1983 $746 - $1,207 -
1982 $732 - $1,822 -
1981 $750 - $2,162 -
1980 $784 - $870 -
1979 $718 - $661 -
1978 $582 - $527 -
1977 $435 - $536 -
1976 $381 - $556 -
1975 $386 - $438 -
1974 $299.9 - $403 -
1973 $271.8 - $252.4 -
1972 $220.1 - $209.5 -
1971 $186.7 - $160.5 -
1970 $178.5 - $224.5 -
1969 $175.2 - $121.4 -
1968 $170.8 - $97.3 -
1967 $156.6 - $99.5 -
1966 $145.8 - $124.4 -
1965 $142.7 - $117.3 -
1964 $139.2 - $113.3 -
1963 $131.6 - $107.7 -
1962 $130 - $104.5 -
1961 $124.6 - $97.1 -
1960 $119.1 - $93.1 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $1,084 in Nigeria, ranking 174/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Nigeria ranks 136th at $9,087.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Nigeria
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$252B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$1,084
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$9,087
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
136/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$99.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
39.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$426
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
170/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,104
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$54.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
4
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
26.3%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
12.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
33.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
27%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
3.45%
2024
Population
30864115
243824469

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Nigeria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Nigeria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 12.3% 39.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 10.4% 36.3%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 10.6% 29.8%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 9.09% 26.6%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 8.73% 25.7%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 8.87% 21.4%
2018 18% 38.3% 9.1% 20.4%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 8.51% 18%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 6.93% 17.4%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 7.85% 14.9%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 9.49% 12.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 10% 13%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 10.5% 12.5%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 12.3% 12.4%
2010 15.2% 14% 11.8% 6.67%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 11% 6.12%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 10.2% 5.17%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 12.9% 5.76%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 8.75% 6.68%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 12.6% 13.4%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 13% 25.2%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 16.5% 29.9%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 13.8% 30.7%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 21.9% 37.7%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 17.6% 40.9%
1999 - 68.4% 14.9% 46.1%
1998 - 67.8% 11.2% 15.8%
1997 - - 9.68% 17.1%
1996 - - 7.87% 17.9%
1995 - - 8.87% 24.2%
1994 - - 12.1% 39.7%
1993 - - 20% 50.4%
1992 - - 15.9% 49.8%
1991 - - 13.6% 53.2%
1990 - - 14.2% 50.9%

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

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Nigeria spent $31.1B, or 12.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 39.3% in Nigeria, ranking 125/185 and 135/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Nigeria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Nigeria
2024 -1.48% -1.57%
2023 -0.63% -3.12%
2022 -1.11% -4%
2021 -3.01% -3.97%
2020 -3.19% -4.03%
2019 -3.24% -3.31%
2018 -2.41% -3.06%
2017 -4.72% -3.85%
2016 -5.88% -3.3%
2015 -4.25% -2.7%
2014 -4.09% -1.72%
2013 -3.55% -1.89%
2012 -1.4% -0.09%
2011 -2.26% 0.31%
2010 -0.93% -2.96%
2009 -0.04% -3.78%
2008 2% 4.05%
2007 3.87% -0.79%
2006 28.2% 6.22%
2005 3.03% 3.49%
2004 -0.46% 3.9%
2003 0.56% -1.56%
2002 1.51% 0.95%
2001 0.86% -2.29%
2000 1.54% 2.89%
1999 - -1.39%
1998 - -3.47%
1997 - 1.14%
1996 - 3.37%
1995 - 2.52%
1994 - -2.96%
1993 - -6.07%
1992 - 0.94%
1991 - -1.18%
1990 - -0.48%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/nigeria | 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 Nigeria's deficit of $3.95B, or 1.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Nigeria ran a deficit in 18 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.05% of GDP for Nigeria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Nigeria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Nigeria
2024 4.53% 33.2%
2023 7.38% 24.7%
2022 6.25% 18.8%
2021 2.27% 17%
2020 2.44% 13.2%
2019 2.45% 11.4%
2018 1.07% 12.1%
2017 0.64% 16.5%
2016 0.87% 15.7%
2015 2.68% 9.01%
2014 1.85% 8.05%
2013 2.05% 8.5%
2012 2.74% 12.2%
2011 2.94% 10.8%
2010 1.28% 13.7%
2009 3.04% 12.5%
2008 5.34% 11.6%
2007 0.92% 5.39%
2006 5.12% 8.23%
2005 2.01% 17.9%
2004 0.23% 15%
2003 0.62% 14%
2002 2.83% 12.9%
2001 4.42% 18.9%
2000 1.23% 6.93%
1999 1.87% 6.62%
1998 3.17% 10%
1997 4.79% 8.53%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 13.3% in Nigeria. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 33.2% in Nigeria.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $46.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7.73M
Metals $4.35M
Raw agricultural goods $2.24M
Wood & paper products $2.19M
Machinery & equipment $2.17M
Textiles & consumer goods $973K
Raw materials & minerals $807K
Animal & marine products $187K
Precious metals & jewellery $18K
Nigeria
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $119M
Raw materials & minerals $24.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.7M
Miscellaneous $1.82M
Raw agricultural goods $1.34M
Metals $1.27M
Chemicals & pharma $560K
Textiles & consumer goods $452K
Wood & paper products $102K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Nigeria
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$17.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
20/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+6.82%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$39.8B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$53B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$17.9B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$4.57B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
16.9%
1960
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
9.24%
1960

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Nigeria
Economic freedom 52 54.8
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 132/197
Property rights 28.1 29.7
Government integrity 21 23.5
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 34.4
Tax burden 72.2 84.6
Government spending 91.4 96.3
Fiscal health 94.5 83.5
Business freedom 48.6 50.3
Labor freedom 45.6 75.4
Monetary freedom 75.3 56.1
Trade freedom 57.2 64.4
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Nigeria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Nigeria
2026 52 54.8
2025 52.1 53.4
2024 53.6 53.1
2023 51.9 53.9
2022 52.9 54.4
2021 53.4 58.7
2020 53.6 57.2
2019 52.4 57.3
2018 51.9 58.5
2017 51.8 57.1
2016 54.2 57.5
2015 51.9 55.6
2014 52.6 54.3
2013 52.3 55.1
2012 51.8 56.3
2011 51.8 56.7
2010 52.3 56.8
2009 53 55.1
2008 54.3 55.1
2007 55.6 55.6
2006 54.6 48.7
2005 53 48.4
2004 52.3 49.2
2003 52.7 49.5
2002 52.8 50.9
2001 53.3 49.6
2000 49.9 53.1
1999 50.3 55.7
1998 48 52.3
1997 44.6 52.8
1996 45.7 47.4
1995 51.3 47.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 54.8 for Nigeria, ranking 132/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Nigeria
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
53.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
18.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
25.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$396B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$8,850
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$38.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
51/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$672M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.08B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$408M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
5.48%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
56.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
n/a

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/nigeria | 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 (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.