Skip to content

Economy of Cameroon vs Saint Lucia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $2.55B for Saint Lucia, ranking 91/197 and 173/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $1.97B (77.2% of GDP) in Saint Lucia.

Cameroon vs Saint Lucia GDP by year

Cameroon
Saint Lucia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Saint Lucia
2024 $53,296,694,320 $2,549,062,963
2023 $48,814,501,547 $2,430,166,667
2022 $44,347,206,073 $2,342,714,815
2021 $45,011,937,347 $1,867,185,185
2020 $40,773,241,177 $1,499,274,074
2019 $39,667,757,528 $2,095,344,444
2018 $39,955,552,190 $2,060,955,556
2017 $36,098,547,033 $1,998,503,704
2016 $33,814,337,044 $1,868,544,444
2015 $32,210,233,020 $1,807,640,741
2014 $36,386,544,706 $1,749,185,185
2013 $33,728,621,180 $1,660,392,593
2012 $30,155,062,329 $1,598,207,407
2011 $30,630,910,495 $1,568,370,370
2010 $27,507,501,821 $1,482,385,185
2009 $27,932,970,317 $1,401,507,889
2008 $27,715,142,033 $1,437,731,111
2007 $23,928,250,433 $1,336,088,815
2006 $20,910,512,975 $1,268,319,185
2005 $19,509,852,207 $1,135,555,556
2004 $18,826,214,136 $1,066,666,667
2003 $15,970,315,035 $987,407,407
2002 $12,417,251,350 $900,000,000
2001 $10,953,485,349 $892,592,593
2000 $10,566,579,295 $932,592,593
1999 $11,565,826,465 $921,851,852
1998 $11,298,144,990 $877,407,407
1997 $10,789,458,433 $805,925,926
1996 $11,093,538,846 $788,888,889
1995 $10,864,772,471 $762,962,963
1994 $8,902,446,252 $713,703,704
1993 $16,181,814,713 $684,814,815
1992 $12,071,775,335 $674,074,074
1991 $11,840,192,296 $613,703,704
1990 $12,314,482,628 $579,629,630
1989 $11,012,566,195 $486,666,667
1988 $12,236,057,362 $429,629,630
1987 $13,049,659,981 $375,555,556
1986 $11,857,056,199 $340,000,000
1985 $8,544,810,498 $284,444,444
1984 $7,311,938,026 $251,481,481
1983 $6,870,200,010 $197,037,037
1982 $6,611,255,964 $183,333,333
1981 $6,610,938,617 $194,444,444
1980 $6,674,569,047 $170,370,370
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Saint Lucia by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saint Lucia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Saint Lucia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $14,182 $27,567
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $13,555 $25,975
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $13,104 $24,599
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $10,459 $19,101
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $8,411 $14,912
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $11,794 $18,710
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $11,643 $17,433
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $11,333 $16,131
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $10,638 $15,307
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $10,335 $14,353
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $10,045 $14,403
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $9,577 $14,010
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $9,260 $13,443
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $9,129 $13,471
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $8,674 $12,718
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $8,251 $12,600
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $8,517 $12,969
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $7,964 $12,199
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $7,611 $11,758
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $6,863 $10,818
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $6,495 $10,610
2003 $988 $2,368 $6,059 $9,707
2002 $790 $2,263 $5,568 $9,205
2001 $715 $2,191 $5,570 $9,106
2000 $709 $2,108 $5,880 $9,314
1999 $796 $2,039 $5,883 $9,214
1998 $799 $1,975 $5,673 $8,965
1997 $783 $1,915 $5,282 $8,456
1996 $827 $1,850 $5,244 $8,490
1995 $832 $1,790 $5,148 $8,222
1994 $701 $1,752 $4,892 $8,041
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $4,765 $7,865
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $4,760 $7,753
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $4,399 $7,127
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $4,205 $6,951
1989 $1,001 - $3,565 -
1988 $1,145 - $3,182 -
1987 $1,258 - $2,819 -
1986 $1,179 - $2,591 -
1985 $875 - $2,202 -
1984 $772 - $1,979 -
1983 $746 - $1,576 -
1982 $732 - $1,489 -
1981 $750 - $1,605 -
1980 $784 - $1,428 -
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/saint-lucia | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $14,182 in Saint Lucia, ranking 70/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Saint Lucia ranks 75th at $27,567.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Saint Lucia
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$2.55B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
3.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$14,182
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
70/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$27,567
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
75/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
77.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$10,952
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
52/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$10,412
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
34.1%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
24.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
-0.11%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
10.1%
2024
Population
30864115
180638

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Saint Lucia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Saint Lucia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 24.5% 77.2%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 25.6% 76.6%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 23% 74.4%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 27.4% 87%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 34.9% 100%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 25.1% 62.1%
2018 18% 38.3% 23.2% 60.5%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 23.3% 60.4%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 23% 61.3%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 23.7% 61.1%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 23.6% 62.4%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 25.4% 62.1%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 28% 60.8%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 27% 55.2%
2010 15.2% 14% 26% 53%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 24.5% 51%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 22.2% 46.7%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 22.6% 49.1%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 24.7% 48.6%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 26% 51.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 22.9% 49.6%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 22.9% 45.6%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 23.6% 48.8%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 22.1% 38.1%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 20.7% 32.5%
1999 - 68.4% 20.9% 28.9%
1998 - 67.8% 18.8% 29.4%
1997 - - 19.5% 27.2%
1996 - - 18.9% 24.1%
1995 - - 19.2% 22.9%
1994 - - 19.1% 23.8%
1993 - - 21.8% 22.9%
1992 - - 18.4% 22.2%
1991 - - 18.4% 19.8%
1990 - - 16.7% 17%
1989 - - 19% 18.1%
1988 - - 18.2% 18.6%
1987 - - 19.9% 19.6%
1986 - - 21.1% 17.2%
1985 - - 20.4% 17.1%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/saint-lucia | CC BY

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Saint Lucia spent $625M, or 24.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 77.2% in Saint Lucia, ranking 125/185 and 46/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Saint Lucia
2024 -1.48% -2.13%
2023 -0.63% -3.09%
2022 -1.11% -1.67%
2021 -3.01% -5.1%
2020 -3.19% -12%
2019 -3.24% -3.51%
2018 -2.41% -1.03%
2017 -4.72% -1.14%
2016 -5.88% -0.79%
2015 -4.25% -2.35%
2014 -4.09% -3.08%
2013 -3.55% -4.84%
2012 -1.4% -7.62%
2011 -2.26% -5.38%
2010 -0.93% -4.17%
2009 -0.04% -2.67%
2008 2% -0.72%
2007 3.87% -1.62%
2006 28.2% -5.07%
2005 3.03% -6.18%
2004 -0.46% -2.63%
2003 0.56% -3.23%
2002 1.51% -3.1%
2001 0.86% -3.08%
2000 1.54% -1.16%
1999 - 1.62%
1998 - 2.25%
1997 - -1.13%
1996 - -0.58%
1995 - -0.13%
1994 - -0.02%
1993 - -0.26%
1992 - -0.66%
1991 - -0.43%
1990 - 0.29%
1989 - 0.89%
1988 - 2.02%
1987 - 0.56%
1986 - -1.61%
1985 - -1.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/saint-lucia | 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 Saint Lucia's deficit of $54.2M, or 2.13% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Saint Lucia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.5% of GDP for Saint Lucia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Saint Lucia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Saint Lucia
2024 4.53% -0.11%
2023 7.38% 4.07%
2022 6.25% 6.38%
2021 2.27% 2.41%
2020 2.44% -1.76%
2019 2.45% 0.54%
2018 1.07% 1.94%
2017 0.64% 0.1%
2016 0.87% -3.08%
2015 2.68% -0.98%
2014 1.85% 3.52%
2013 2.05% 1.47%
2012 2.74% 4.18%
2011 2.94% 2.77%
2010 1.28% 3.25%
2009 3.04% -0.16%
2008 5.34% 5.55%
2007 0.92% 2.82%
2006 5.12% 2.4%
2005 2.01% 3.9%
2004 0.23% 1.46%
2003 0.62% 1.03%
2002 2.83% -0.26%
2001 4.42% 5.31%
2000 1.23% 3.71%
1999 1.87% 3.5%
1998 3.17% 3.2%
1997 4.79% -0.006%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/saint-lucia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 2.04% in Saint Lucia. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and -0.11% in Saint Lucia.

Balance of trade

Cameroon Saint Lucia
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$64.1M
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
86/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$848M
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$137M
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$598M
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$1.46B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
19%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Saint Lucia
Economic freedom 52 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 57/197
Property rights 28.1 64.3
Government integrity 21 59.7
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 77.3
Tax burden 72.2 77.7
Government spending 91.4 82.6
Fiscal health 94.5 80
Business freedom 48.6 71.9
Labor freedom 45.6 65.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 81
Trade freedom 57.2 60
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Saint Lucia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Saint Lucia
2026 52 67.5
2025 52.1 67
2024 53.6 62.2
2023 51.9 60.7
2022 52.9 64.3
2021 53.4 67.5
2020 53.6 68.2
2019 52.4 68.7
2018 51.9 67.6
2017 51.8 65
2016 54.2 70
2015 51.9 70.2
2014 52.6 70.7
2013 52.3 70.4
2012 51.8 71.3
2011 51.8 70.8
2010 52.3 70.5
2009 53 68.8
2008 54.3 -
2007 55.6 -
2006 54.6 -
2005 53 -
2004 52.3 -
2003 52.7 -
2002 52.8 -
2001 53.3 -
2000 49.9 -
1999 50.3 -
1998 48 -
1997 44.6 -
1996 45.7 -
1995 51.3 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/saint-lucia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 67.5 for Saint Lucia, ranking 57/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Saint Lucia
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
75.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
9.75%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
1.13%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$2.27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$24,840
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$406M
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
162/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$187M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$187M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
-$350K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
3.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
25%
2016
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/saint-lucia | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1985–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.