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Economy of Cameroon vs South Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $12B for South Sudan, ranking 92/197 and 151/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $6.98B (62.1% of GDP) in South Sudan.

Cameroon vs South Sudan GDP by year

Cameroon
South Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon South Sudan
2025 $58,933,453,924 -
2024 $53,296,694,320 -
2023 $48,814,501,547 -
2022 $44,347,206,073 -
2021 $45,011,937,347 -
2020 $40,773,241,177 -
2019 $39,667,757,528 -
2018 $39,955,552,190 -
2017 $36,098,547,033 -
2016 $33,814,337,044 -
2015 $32,210,233,020 $11,997,800,760
2014 $36,386,544,706 $13,962,212,847
2013 $33,728,621,180 $18,426,469,017
2012 $30,155,062,329 $11,931,472,169
2011 $30,630,910,495 $14,907,308,933
2010 $27,507,501,821 $14,602,072,411
2009 $27,932,970,317 $12,231,264,525
2008 $27,715,142,033 $14,586,253,383
2007 $23,928,250,433 -
2006 $20,910,512,975 -
2005 $19,509,852,207 -
2004 $18,826,214,136 -
2003 $15,970,315,035 -
2002 $12,417,251,350 -
2001 $10,953,485,349 -
2000 $10,566,579,295 -
1999 $11,565,826,465 -
1998 $11,298,144,990 -
1997 $10,789,458,433 -
1996 $11,093,538,846 -
1995 $10,864,772,471 -
1994 $8,902,446,252 -
1993 $16,181,814,713 -
1992 $12,071,775,335 -
1991 $11,840,192,296 -
1990 $12,314,482,628 -
1989 $11,012,566,195 -
1988 $12,236,057,362 -
1987 $13,049,659,981 -
1986 $11,857,056,199 -
1985 $8,544,810,498 -
1984 $7,311,938,026 -
1983 $6,870,200,010 -
1982 $6,611,255,964 -
1981 $6,610,938,617 -
1980 $6,674,569,047 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/south-sudan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs South Sudan by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon South Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - - -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 - -
2023 $1,720 $5,411 - -
2022 $1,605 $5,189 - -
2021 $1,672 $4,794 - -
2020 $1,556 $4,365 - -
2019 $1,555 $4,241 - -
2018 $1,611 $4,011 - -
2017 $1,496 $3,767 - -
2016 $1,442 $3,627 - -
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,080 $1,155
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,243 $1,373
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,650 $1,917
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,109 $1,417
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,449 $2,718
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $1,498 $2,948
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $1,323 $2,911
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,654 $2,887
2007 $1,326 $2,818 - -
2006 $1,191 $2,704 - -
2005 $1,143 $2,598 - -
2004 $1,133 $2,533 - -
2003 $988 $2,368 - -
2002 $790 $2,263 - -
2001 $715 $2,191 - -
2000 $709 $2,108 - -
1999 $796 $2,039 - -
1998 $799 $1,975 - -
1997 $783 $1,915 - -
1996 $827 $1,850 - -
1995 $832 $1,790 - -
1994 $701 $1,752 - -
1993 $1,310 $1,731 - -
1992 $1,005 $1,890 - -
1991 $1,015 $1,963 - -
1990 $1,087 $2,032 - -
1989 $1,001 - - -
1988 $1,145 - - -
1987 $1,258 - - -
1986 $1,179 - - -
1985 $875 - - -
1984 $772 - - -
1983 $746 - - -
1982 $732 - - -
1981 $750 - - -
1980 $784 - - -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/south-sudan | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $1,080 in South Sudan, ranking 180/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while South Sudan ranks 197th at $1,155.

Economic indicators

Cameroon South Sudan
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$12B
2015
GDP rank
92/197
2025
151/197
2015
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
-10.8%
2014-2015
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$1,080
2015
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
180/197
2015
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$1,155
2015
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
197/197
2015
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$6.98B
2015
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
62.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$628
2015
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
160/185
2015
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$1,514
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
33%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.8%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
18.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
91.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
13%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
12.3%
2008
Population
31045453
12565048

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
South Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon South Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 18.4% 62.1%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 18.9% 53.4%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 21.3% 62%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 29.5% 42.1%
2021 17% 47.2% 44.1% 56.4%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 34.1% 48.3%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 47.9% 43.4%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 59.2% 84.3%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 42.2% 77.5%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 52% 128.9%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 33.7% 58.2%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 37.6% 39.6%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 25.3% 17.6%
2012 17% 14.9% 31.6% 8.91%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 20.8% 0%
2010 14.8% 14% - -
2009 14.7% 11.3% - -
2008 15.9% 11.2% - -
2007 13.5% 13.8% - -
2006 12% 18.4% - -
2005 11.4% 43.8% - -
2004 10.7% 51.7% - -
2003 10.6% 51.5% - -
2002 14% 56.6% - -
2001 14.4% 62.2% - -
2000 14.4% 75.9% - -
1999 - 68.4% - -
1998 - 67.8% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while South Sudan spent $4.04B, or 18.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 62.1% in South Sudan, ranking 133/185 and 71/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

South Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon South Sudan
2025 -2.01% 3.45%
2024 -1.51% 11.5%
2023 -0.64% 9.12%
2022 -1.11% 4.43%
2021 -2.88% -9.3%
2020 -3.52% -5.5%
2019 -3.65% 0.04%
2018 -2.3% -1.15%
2017 -3.68% 4.16%
2016 -5.79% -15.5%
2015 -2.86% -16.3%
2014 -3.36% -9.53%
2013 -3.54% -3.45%
2012 -1.22% -14.8%
2011 -1.55% 4.57%
2010 -0.57% -
2009 -0.05% -
2008 1.94% -
2007 3.66% -
2006 6.34% -
2005 3.43% -
2004 2.07% -
2003 3.51% -
2002 1.59% -
2001 1.2% -
2000 2.06% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/south-sudan | CC BY

In 2015, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $921M, equivalent to 2.86% of GDP. This compares to South Sudan's deficit of $1.95B, or 16.3% of GDP.

Over the past 5 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 5 of those years, while South Sudan ran a deficit in 4 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 2.5% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.9% of GDP for South Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

South Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon South Sudan
2025 3.4% -
2024 4.53% 91.4%
2023 7.38% 2.38%
2022 6.25% -6.69%
2021 2.27% 10.5%
2020 2.44% 29.7%
2019 2.45% 87.2%
2018 1.07% 83.5%
2017 0.64% 187.9%
2016 0.87% 380%
2015 2.68% 52.8%
2014 1.85% 1.67%
2013 2.05% -0.06%
2012 2.74% 45.5%
2011 2.94% 46.9%
2010 1.28% 1.17%
2009 3.04% 5.01%
2008 5.34% -
2007 0.92% -
2006 5.12% -
2005 2.01% -
2004 0.23% -
2003 0.62% -
2002 2.83% -
2001 4.42% -
2000 1.23% -
1999 1.87% -
1998 3.17% -
1997 4.79% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/south-sudan | CC BY

Over the past 16 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.78%, compared with 63.7% in South Sudan. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 91.4% in South Sudan.

Balance of trade

Cameroon South Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
$578M
2023
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
56/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
-4.17%
2015
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$2.25B
2023
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$4.01B
2023
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$2.19B
2023
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$484M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
28.9%
2015
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
36.7%
2015

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon South Sudan
Economic freedom 52 41
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 186/197
Property rights 28.1 n/a
Government integrity 21 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 n/a
Tax burden 72.2 n/a
Government spending 91.4 n/a
Fiscal health 94.5 n/a
Business freedom 48.6 n/a
Labor freedom 45.6 n/a
Monetary freedom 75.3 n/a
Trade freedom 57.2 n/a
Investment freedom 30 n/a
Financial freedom 50 n/a

Other economic metrics

Cameroon South Sudan
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
56.6%
2015
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
33.1%
2015
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
10.4%
2015
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$11.7B
2015
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$1,010
2015
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$16M
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
177/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
$2.21M
2019
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$83.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
66%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
5.75%
2015

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/south-sudan | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.