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Economy of Cameroon vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 91/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Cameroon vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Cameroon
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Sierra Leone
2024 $53,296,694,320 $6,971,127,235
2023 $48,814,501,547 $6,415,852,767
2022 $44,347,206,073 $7,121,125,278
2021 $45,011,937,347 $7,166,931,485
2020 $40,773,241,177 $6,688,307,703
2019 $39,667,757,528 $6,523,577,594
2018 $39,955,552,190 $6,390,514,689
2017 $36,098,547,033 $5,749,846,528
2016 $33,814,337,044 $6,084,297,211
2015 $32,210,233,020 $6,788,352,975
2014 $36,386,544,706 $7,686,138,791
2013 $33,728,621,180 $7,502,762,863
2012 $30,155,062,329 $6,141,666,509
2011 $30,630,910,495 $4,861,632,885
2010 $27,507,501,821 $4,262,805,967
2009 $27,932,970,317 $3,953,403,098
2008 $27,715,142,033 $4,157,895,298
2007 $23,928,250,433 $3,632,957,611
2006 $20,910,512,975 $3,263,697,467
2005 $19,509,852,207 $2,545,275,313
2004 $18,826,214,136 $2,237,350,687
2003 $15,970,315,035 $2,142,618,046
2002 $12,417,251,350 $1,933,863,911
2001 $10,953,485,349 $1,681,473,894
2000 $10,566,579,295 $635,866,404
1999 $11,565,826,465 $669,386,624
1998 $11,298,144,990 $672,368,187
1997 $10,789,458,433 $850,232,760
1996 $11,093,538,846 $941,709,423
1995 $10,864,772,471 $870,740,292
1994 $8,902,446,252 $911,853,802
1993 $16,181,814,713 $768,867,883
1992 $12,071,775,335 $679,940,814
1991 $11,840,192,296 $779,981,987
1990 $12,314,482,628 $649,644,098
1989 $11,012,566,195 $932,974,420
1988 $12,236,057,362 $1,055,083,933
1987 $13,049,659,981 $660,106,336
1986 $11,857,056,199 $490,181,457
1985 $8,544,810,498 $856,890,459
1984 $7,311,938,026 $1,087,471,862
1983 $6,870,200,010 $995,104,305
1982 $6,611,255,964 $1,295,361,886
1981 $6,610,938,617 $1,114,830,472
1980 $6,674,569,047 $1,100,685,845
1979 $5,919,002,983 $1,109,374,911
1978 $4,662,852,583 $960,728,339
1977 $3,394,664,024 $691,777,584
1976 $2,898,090,002 $594,895,942
1975 $2,857,037,371 $679,336,344
1974 $2,157,415,533 $648,590,643
1973 $1,901,393,361 $575,230,724
1972 $1,498,251,890 $465,381,340
1971 $1,236,941,394 $419,549,305
1970 $1,151,216,993 $434,410,974
1969 $1,100,551,489 $408,690,163
1968 $1,046,191,218 $329,859,732
1967 $936,175,260 $348,795,303
1966 $851,112,535 $375,479,850
1965 $814,083,266 $359,379,856
1964 $776,650,177 $371,847,461
1963 $718,320,845 $348,547,279
1962 $694,247,864 $342,721,416
1961 $652,777,608 $327,834,191
1960 $614,206,068 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Sierra Leone by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $807 $3,522
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $758 $3,368
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $860 $3,144
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $885 $2,849
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $845 $2,719
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $844 $2,704
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $846 $2,640
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $779 $2,501
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $844 $2,635
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $965 $2,560
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $938 $2,317
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $761 $2,043
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $685 $1,900
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $653 $1,814
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $705 $1,824
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $632 $1,770
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $580 $1,698
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $463 $1,615
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $418 $1,541
2003 $988 $2,368 $414 $1,458
2002 $790 $2,263 $389 $1,360
2001 $715 $2,191 $358 $1,121
2000 $709 $2,108 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $796 $2,039 $155 $1,167
1998 $799 $1,975 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $783 $1,915 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $827 $1,850 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $832 $1,790 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $701 $1,752 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $185 $1,269
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $1,001 - $231.3 -
1988 $1,145 - $268.2 -
1987 $1,258 - $172.4 -
1986 $1,179 - $131.5 -
1985 $875 - $235.5 -
1984 $772 - $306 -
1983 $746 - $285.8 -
1982 $732 - $380 -
1981 $750 - $334 -
1980 $784 - $336 -
1979 $718 - $346 -
1978 $582 - $305 -
1977 $435 - $224.2 -
1976 $381 - $196.4 -
1975 $386 - $228.4 -
1974 $299.9 - $222.1 -
1973 $271.8 - $200.6 -
1972 $220.1 - $165.4 -
1971 $186.7 - $151.8 -
1970 $178.5 - $160.2 -
1969 $175.2 - $153.6 -
1968 $170.8 - $126.3 -
1967 $156.6 - $136.1 -
1966 $145.8 - $149.3 -
1965 $142.7 - $145.6 -
1964 $139.2 - $153.4 -
1963 $131.6 - $146.3 -
1962 $130 - $146.3 -
1961 $124.6 - $142.3 -
1960 $119.1 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/sierra-leone | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
3.19%
2018
Population
30864115
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 16.7% 54%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 18% 38.3% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 15% 44.2%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 15.2% 14% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 12% 113.5%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 10.3% -
1999 - 68.4% - -
1998 - 67.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 125/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Sierra Leone
2024 -1.48% -4.53%
2023 -0.63% -4.99%
2022 -1.11% -5.93%
2021 -3.01% -4.35%
2020 -3.19% -3.5%
2019 -3.24% -1.95%
2018 -2.41% -3.57%
2017 -4.72% -5.61%
2016 -5.88% -5.41%
2015 -4.25% -2.86%
2014 -4.09% -2.77%
2013 -3.55% -1.74%
2012 -1.4% -3.41%
2011 -2.26% -2.78%
2010 -0.93% -3.09%
2009 -0.04% -1.51%
2008 2% -2.22%
2007 3.87% 12.6%
2006 28.2% -0.93%
2005 3.03% -1.17%
2004 -0.46% -1.46%
2003 0.56% -2.78%
2002 1.51% -3.03%
2001 0.86% -3.22%
2000 1.54% -1.94%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Sierra Leone
2024 4.53% 28.4%
2023 7.38% 47.7%
2022 6.25% 27.2%
2021 2.27% 11.9%
2020 2.44% 13.4%
2019 2.45% 14.8%
2018 1.07% 16%
2017 0.64% 18.2%
2016 0.87% 10.9%
2015 2.68% 6.7%
2014 1.85% 4.6%
2013 2.05% 5.5%
2012 2.74% 6.6%
2011 2.94% 6.8%
2010 1.28% 7.2%
2009 3.04% 7.5%
2008 5.34% 8.2%
2007 0.92% 17%
2006 5.12% 10.5%
2005 2.01% 13.7%
2004 0.23% 12.9%
2003 0.62% 4%
2002 2.83% 0.1%
2001 4.42% 2.6%
2000 1.23% -0.9%
1999 1.87% 34.1%
1998 3.17% 36%
1997 4.79% 14.6%

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/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $10K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Metals $2K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.45M
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$348M
2023
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 52 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 165/197
Property rights 28.1 32.9
Government integrity 21 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 42
Tax burden 72.2 88.2
Government spending 91.4 92.4
Fiscal health 94.5 54.1
Business freedom 48.6 44.8
Labor freedom 45.6 38.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 53.6
Trade freedom 57.2 63.6
Investment freedom 30 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Sierra Leone
2026 52 49.6
2025 52.1 48
2024 53.6 44.6
2023 51.9 50.2
2022 52.9 52
2021 53.4 51.7
2020 53.6 48
2019 52.4 47.5
2018 51.9 51.8
2017 51.8 52.6
2016 54.2 52.3
2015 51.9 51.7
2014 52.6 50.5
2013 52.3 48.3
2012 51.8 49.1
2011 51.8 49.6
2010 52.3 47.9
2009 53 47.8
2008 54.3 48.3
2007 55.6 47
2006 54.6 45.2
2005 53 44.8
2004 52.3 43.6
2003 52.7 42.2
2002 52.8 -
2001 53.3 -
2000 49.9 44.2
1999 50.3 47.2
1998 48 47.7
1997 44.6 45
1996 45.7 52.3
1995 51.3 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1998–2024, 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 (2018–2023, 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.