Skip to content

Economy of Cameroon vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 91/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Cameroon vs Pakistan GDP by year

Cameroon
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Pakistan
2024 $53,296,694,320 $371,570,000,121
2023 $48,814,501,547 $336,686,348,609
2022 $44,347,206,073 $374,890,295,667
2021 $45,011,937,347 $348,516,647,445
2020 $40,773,241,177 $300,425,609,818
2019 $39,667,757,528 $320,909,472,771
2018 $39,955,552,190 $356,128,166,705
2017 $36,098,547,033 $339,205,534,861
2016 $33,814,337,044 $313,630,000,130
2015 $32,210,233,020 $299,963,590,535
2014 $36,386,544,706 $271,390,474,858
2013 $33,728,621,180 $258,657,231,672
2012 $30,155,062,329 $250,106,966,105
2011 $30,630,910,495 $230,586,581,060
2010 $27,507,501,821 $196,709,621,850
2009 $27,932,970,317 $187,337,783,856
2008 $27,715,142,033 $202,203,748,584
2007 $23,928,250,433 $184,140,869,997
2006 $20,910,512,975 $161,871,385,506
2005 $19,509,852,207 $145,208,562,961
2004 $18,826,214,136 $132,216,048,339
2003 $15,970,315,035 $112,371,913,741
2002 $12,417,251,350 $97,923,302,809
2001 $10,953,485,349 $97,145,618,480
2000 $10,566,579,295 $99,484,802,345
1999 $11,565,826,465 $62,973,857,069
1998 $11,298,144,990 $62,191,955,814
1997 $10,789,458,433 $62,433,340,468
1996 $11,093,538,846 $63,320,170,084
1995 $10,864,772,471 $60,636,071,684
1994 $8,902,446,252 $52,293,470,813
1993 $16,181,814,713 $51,809,999,353
1992 $12,071,775,335 $48,884,671,947
1991 $11,840,192,296 $45,625,336,680
1990 $12,314,482,628 $40,010,423,970
1989 $11,012,566,195 $40,171,106,279
1988 $12,236,057,362 $38,472,742,808
1987 $13,049,659,981 $33,351,529,275
1986 $11,857,056,199 $31,899,070,056
1985 $8,544,810,498 $31,144,920,844
1984 $7,311,938,026 $31,151,825,467
1983 $6,870,200,010 $28,691,889,764
1982 $6,611,255,964 $30,725,971,564
1981 $6,610,938,617 $28,100,606,061
1980 $6,674,569,047 $23,654,444,444
1979 $5,919,002,983 $19,688,383,838
1978 $4,662,852,583 $17,811,515,152
1977 $3,394,664,024 $15,126,060,606
1976 $2,898,090,002 $13,168,080,808
1975 $2,857,037,371 $11,230,606,061
1974 $2,157,415,533 $8,899,191,919
1973 $1,901,393,361 $6,383,429,490
1972 $1,498,251,890 $9,415,016,360
1971 $1,236,941,394 $10,665,896,682
1970 $1,151,216,993 $10,027,509,450
1969 $1,100,551,489 $8,683,116,338
1968 $1,046,191,218 $8,041,999,160
1967 $936,175,260 $7,464,510,710
1966 $851,112,535 $6,561,108,778
1965 $814,083,266 $5,929,231,415
1964 $776,650,177 $5,204,955,901
1963 $718,320,845 $4,630,827,383
1962 $694,247,864 $4,310,163,797
1961 $652,777,608 $4,118,647,627
1960 $614,206,068 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Pakistan by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $987 $3,786
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $964 $3,777
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $998 $3,672
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $901 $3,515
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $828 $3,293
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $772 $3,048
2003 $988 $2,368 $672 $2,822
2002 $790 $2,263 $600 $2,688
2001 $715 $2,191 $610 $2,644
2000 $709 $2,108 $642 $2,565
1999 $796 $2,039 $418 $2,475
1998 $799 $1,975 $424 $2,419
1997 $783 $1,915 $438 $2,398
1996 $827 $1,850 $457 $2,401
1995 $832 $1,790 $451 $2,315
1994 $701 $1,752 $400 $2,224
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $408 $2,160
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $396 $2,132
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $380 $1,992
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $344 $1,895
1989 $1,001 - $358 -
1988 $1,145 - $354 -
1987 $1,258 - $317 -
1986 $1,179 - $314 -
1985 $875 - $317 -
1984 $772 - $327 -
1983 $746 - $311 -
1982 $732 - $345 -
1981 $750 - $328 -
1980 $784 - $287.4 -
1979 $718 - $249.2 -
1978 $582 - $233.4 -
1977 $435 - $204.7 -
1976 $381 - $183.9 -
1975 $386 - $161.7 -
1974 $299.9 - $132 -
1973 $271.8 - $97.5 -
1972 $220.1 - $148.1 -
1971 $186.7 - $172.5 -
1970 $178.5 - $166.7 -
1969 $175.2 - $148.5 -
1968 $170.8 - $141.6 -
1967 $156.6 - $135.2 -
1966 $145.8 - $122.2 -
1965 $142.7 - $113.6 -
1964 $139.2 - $102.5 -
1963 $131.6 - $93.7 -
1962 $130 - $89.5 -
1961 $124.6 - $87.8 -
1960 $119.1 - $82 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
6.96%
2025
Population
30864115
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 20% 77.3%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 18% 38.3% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 15.2% 14% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 18% 49.5%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 13% 47.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 - 68.4% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 - 67.8% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 - - 13.7% 52.8%
1996 - - 15% 52.5%
1995 - - 14% 52.3%
1994 - - 14.5% 58.5%
1993 - - 17% 57.9%
1992 - - 22.6% 53.3%
1991 - - 21.4% 55.8%
1990 - - 23.9% 48.3%
1989 - - 26.1% 46.6%
1988 - - 27.9% 45%
1987 - - 29.5% 44.4%
1986 - - 27.6% 43.1%
1985 - - 28.3% 37%
1984 - - 25.4% 33.4%
1983 - - 24.8% 33.6%
1982 - - 24.5% 33.8%
1981 - - 21.6% 29.7%
1980 - - 22% 33.3%
1979 - - 25.3% 36.8%
1978 - - 25.5% 36.1%
1977 - - 20.4% 36.4%
1976 - - 21% 35.8%
1975 - - 20.4% 32.1%
1974 - - 15.3% 38%
1973 - - 13.9% 43.4%
1972 - - 13.5% 88.7%
1971 - - 22.1% 33.2%
1970 - - 23.6% 31.6%
1969 - - 15.6% 29.1%
1968 - - 13.7% 27.5%
1967 - - 12.9% 25.9%
1966 - - 12.2% 25.1%
1965 - - 11.2% 22.7%
1964 - - 12.1% 21.3%
1963 - - 14.7% 19.2%
1962 - - 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1993–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 125/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Pakistan
2024 -1.48% -6.81%
2023 -0.63% -7.76%
2022 -1.11% -7.84%
2021 -3.01% -6.04%
2020 -3.19% -7.03%
2019 -3.24% -7.79%
2018 -2.41% -5.67%
2017 -4.72% -5.17%
2016 -5.88% -3.92%
2015 -4.25% -4.74%
2014 -4.09% -4.37%
2013 -3.55% -7.48%
2012 -1.4% -7.74%
2011 -2.26% -6.23%
2010 -0.93% -5.42%
2009 -0.04% -4.53%
2008 2% -5.94%
2007 3.87% -4.23%
2006 28.2% -2.79%
2005 3.03% -2.29%
2004 -0.46% -1.29%
2003 0.56% -0.12%
2002 1.51% -2.64%
2001 0.86% -2.45%
2000 1.54% -3.21%
1999 - -3.07%
1998 - -4.46%
1997 - -3.87%
1996 - -4.33%
1995 - -3.9%
1994 - -3.63%
1993 - -5.53%
1992 - -11.3%
1991 - -10.8%
1990 - -11.9%
1989 - -7.01%
1988 - -9.35%
1987 - -11.7%
1986 - -9.79%
1985 - -10.6%
1984 - -8.9%
1983 - -7.55%
1982 - -8.24%
1981 - -5.83%
1980 - -5.32%
1979 - -11.6%
1978 - -12.4%
1977 - -8.74%
1976 - -9.05%
1975 - -8.97%
1974 - -4.45%
1973 - -3.99%
1972 - -3.16%
1971 - -7.45%
1970 - -10.8%
1969 - -7.08%
1968 - -5.56%
1967 - -4.27%
1966 - -4.48%
1965 - -3.28%
1964 - -4.89%
1963 - -6.55%
1962 - -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.94% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Pakistan
2024 4.53% 12.6%
2023 7.38% 30.8%
2022 6.25% 19.9%
2021 2.27% 9.5%
2020 2.44% 9.74%
2019 2.45% 10.6%
2018 1.07% 5.08%
2017 0.64% 4.09%
2016 0.87% 3.77%
2015 2.68% 2.53%
2014 1.85% 7.19%
2013 2.05% 7.69%
2012 2.74% 9.68%
2011 2.94% 11.9%
2010 1.28% 12.9%
2009 3.04% 13.6%
2008 5.34% 20.3%
2007 0.92% 7.6%
2006 5.12% 7.92%
2005 2.01% 9.06%
2004 0.23% 7.44%
2003 0.62% 2.91%
2002 2.83% 3.29%
2001 4.42% 3.15%
2000 1.23% 4.37%
1999 1.87% 4.14%
1998 3.17% 6.23%
1997 4.79% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $11.7M
Textiles & consumer goods $3.41M
Wood & paper products $1.46M
Metals $355K
Chemicals & pharma $10K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $84.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12.6M
Raw materials & minerals $9.82M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.88M
Chemicals & pharma $1.04M
Machinery & equipment $677K
Animal & marine products $64K
Metals $46K
Miscellaneous $5K
Wood & paper products $1K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Pakistan
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Pakistan
Economic freedom 52 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 168/197
Property rights 28.1 25.7
Government integrity 21 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 27.6
Tax burden 72.2 78.2
Government spending 91.4 88.5
Fiscal health 94.5 10.1
Business freedom 48.6 54.4
Labor freedom 45.6 51.7
Monetary freedom 75.3 54.1
Trade freedom 57.2 70.4
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Pakistan
2026 52 48.9
2025 52.1 49.1
2024 53.6 49.5
2023 51.9 49.4
2022 52.9 48.8
2021 53.4 51.7
2020 53.6 54.8
2019 52.4 55
2018 51.9 54.4
2017 51.8 52.8
2016 54.2 55.9
2015 51.9 55.6
2014 52.6 55.2
2013 52.3 55.1
2012 51.8 54.7
2011 51.8 55.1
2010 52.3 55.2
2009 53 57
2008 54.3 55.6
2007 55.6 57.2
2006 54.6 57.9
2005 53 53.3
2004 52.3 54.9
2003 52.7 55
2002 52.8 55.8
2001 53.3 56
2000 49.9 56.4
1999 50.3 53
1998 48 53.2
1997 44.6 56
1996 45.7 58.4
1995 51.3 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
13.2%
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/pakistan | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1950–1993, 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 (2020–2024, 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.