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Economy of Cameroon vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 91/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

Cameroon vs Turkey GDP by year

Cameroon
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Turkey
2024 $53,296,694,320 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $48,814,501,547 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $44,347,206,073 $926,097,476,914
2021 $45,011,937,347 $839,938,668,172
2020 $40,773,241,177 $733,628,247,119
2019 $39,667,757,528 $775,853,144,223
2018 $39,955,552,190 $788,356,985,774
2017 $36,098,547,033 $863,874,522,365
2016 $33,814,337,044 $870,818,016,910
2015 $32,210,233,020 $865,460,050,684
2014 $36,386,544,706 $942,343,431,929
2013 $33,728,621,180 $962,167,643,589
2012 $30,155,062,329 $885,327,622,479
2011 $30,630,910,495 $844,192,507,381
2010 $27,507,501,821 $782,545,664,268
2009 $27,932,970,317 $653,894,449,921
2008 $27,715,142,033 $775,415,944,333
2007 $23,928,250,433 $685,228,481,017
2006 $20,910,512,975 $559,668,118,237
2005 $19,509,852,207 $508,314,210,213
2004 $18,826,214,136 $410,156,784,496
2003 $15,970,315,035 $315,392,899,922
2002 $12,417,251,350 $240,778,008,474
2001 $10,953,485,349 $202,195,080,239
2000 $10,566,579,295 $274,748,463,179
1999 $11,565,826,465 $256,673,939,248
1998 $11,298,144,990 $276,035,372,655
1997 $10,789,458,433 $263,817,553,748
1996 $11,093,538,846 $250,366,965,174
1995 $10,864,772,471 $234,699,627,004
1994 $8,902,446,252 $130,650,447,499
1993 $16,181,814,713 $180,415,757,852
1992 $12,071,775,335 $159,104,772,992
1991 $11,840,192,296 $151,034,731,544
1990 $12,314,482,628 $150,655,500,192
1989 $11,012,566,195 $107,127,191,329
1988 $12,236,057,362 $90,875,175,809
1987 $13,049,659,981 $87,190,081,680
1986 $11,857,056,199 $75,673,037,037
1985 $8,544,810,498 $67,232,758,621
1984 $7,311,938,026 $59,937,602,180
1983 $6,870,200,010 $61,803,555,556
1982 $6,611,255,964 $64,369,325,153
1981 $6,610,938,617 $71,180,180,180
1980 $6,674,569,047 $68,823,684,211
1979 $5,919,002,983 $89,616,129,032
1978 $4,662,852,583 $65,912,500,000
1977 $3,394,664,024 $58,683,333,333
1976 $2,898,090,002 $51,450,000,000
1975 $2,857,037,371 $46,042,857,143
1974 $2,157,415,533 $35,414,285,714
1973 $1,901,393,361 $26,000,000,000
1972 $1,498,251,890 $20,650,000,000
1971 $1,236,941,394 $16,166,666,667
1970 $1,151,216,993 $17,863,636,364
1969 $1,100,551,489 $19,466,666,667
1968 $1,046,191,218 $17,500,000,000
1967 $936,175,260 $15,644,444,444
1966 $851,112,535 $14,100,000,000
1965 $814,083,266 $11,966,666,667
1964 $776,650,177 $11,177,777,778
1963 $718,320,845 $10,355,555,556
1962 $694,247,864 $8,922,222,222
1961 $652,777,608 $7,988,888,889
1960 $614,206,068 $7,566,666,667

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Turkey by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $988 $2,368 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $790 $2,263 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $715 $2,191 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $709 $2,108 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $796 $2,039 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $799 $1,975 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $783 $1,915 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $827 $1,850 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $832 $1,790 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $701 $1,752 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $1,001 - $1,949 -
1988 $1,145 - $1,686 -
1987 $1,258 - $1,650 -
1986 $1,179 - $1,461 -
1985 $875 - $1,326 -
1984 $772 - $1,209 -
1983 $746 - $1,276 -
1982 $732 - $1,360 -
1981 $750 - $1,537 -
1980 $784 - $1,516 -
1979 $718 - $2,013 -
1978 $582 - $1,510 -
1977 $435 - $1,372 -
1976 $381 - $1,228 -
1975 $386 - $1,122 -
1974 $299.9 - $881 -
1973 $271.8 - $661 -
1972 $220.1 - $537 -
1971 $186.7 - $431 -
1970 $178.5 - $488 -
1969 $175.2 - $544 -
1968 $170.8 - $501 -
1967 $156.6 - $459 -
1966 $145.8 - $425 -
1965 $142.7 - $370 -
1964 $139.2 - $354 -
1963 $131.6 - $337 -
1962 $130 - $298.2 -
1961 $124.6 - $274.4 -
1960 $119.1 - $267.1 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Turkey
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
32
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
8.71%
2024
Population
30864115
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 32.6% 24%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 34% 38.7%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 18% 38.3% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 34% 32.1%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 32.6% 35.7%
2010 15.2% 14% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 37% 42.9%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 33.4% 44%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 32% 50%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 34.5% 57%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 38.3% 65%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 43.9% 75.3%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 - 68.4% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 - 67.8% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 - - 26.4% 32.5%
1996 - - 24.5% 35.5%
1995 - - 19.4% 34.6%
1994 - - 20.5% 39.2%
1993 - - 22% 29.1%
1992 - - 18.6% 29.2%
1991 - - 18.2% 28.4%
1990 - - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1998–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 24% in Turkey, ranking 125/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Turkey
2024 -1.48% -4.57%
2023 -0.63% -5.22%
2022 -1.11% -1.1%
2021 -3.01% -2.98%
2020 -3.19% -4.64%
2019 -3.24% -4.69%
2018 -2.41% -3.1%
2017 -4.72% -1.87%
2016 -5.88% -1.68%
2015 -4.25% -0.51%
2014 -4.09% -0.96%
2013 -3.55% -1.21%
2012 -1.4% -1.78%
2011 -2.26% -0.35%
2010 -0.93% -2.99%
2009 -0.04% -5.14%
2008 2% -2.13%
2007 3.87% -1.37%
2006 28.2% -0.22%
2005 3.03% -0.75%
2004 -0.46% -4.11%
2003 0.56% -7.55%
2002 1.51% -11.3%
2001 0.86% -11.6%
2000 1.54% -8.36%
1999 - -13.8%
1998 - -9.84%
1997 - -10.1%
1996 - -10.7%
1995 - -5.95%
1994 - -6.04%
1993 - -8.84%
1992 - -6.73%
1991 - -6.86%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/turkey | 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 Turkey's deficit of $62.1B, or 4.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.61% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Turkey
2024 4.53% 58.5%
2023 7.38% 53.9%
2022 6.25% 72.3%
2021 2.27% 19.6%
2020 2.44% 12.3%
2019 2.45% 15.2%
2018 1.07% 16.3%
2017 0.64% 11.1%
2016 0.87% 7.78%
2015 2.68% 7.67%
2014 1.85% 8.85%
2013 2.05% 7.49%
2012 2.74% 8.89%
2011 2.94% 6.47%
2010 1.28% 8.57%
2009 3.04% 6.25%
2008 5.34% 10.4%
2007 0.92% 8.76%
2006 5.12% 9.6%
2005 2.01% 8.18%
2004 0.23% 8.6%
2003 0.62% 21.6%
2002 2.83% 45%
2001 4.42% 54.4%
2000 1.23% 54.9%
1999 1.87% 64.9%
1998 3.17% 84.6%
1997 4.79% 85.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 27.8% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $58.9M
Raw materials & minerals $53.3M
Textiles & consumer goods $16.1M
Wood & paper products $14.1M
Metals $3.57M
Raw agricultural goods $185K
Precious metals & jewellery $59K
Machinery & equipment $38K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Turkey
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $64.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $42M
Metals $19.2M
Raw agricultural goods $18.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $17.2M
Raw materials & minerals $16.3M
Chemicals & pharma $14.2M
Miscellaneous $2.79M
Animal & marine products $1.49M
Wood & paper products $1.48M

Balance of trade

Cameroon Turkey
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$257B
2024
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
27.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Turkey
Economic freedom 52 55
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 129/197
Property rights 28.1 36.4
Government integrity 21 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 23.5
Tax burden 72.2 72
Government spending 91.4 71.8
Fiscal health 94.5 77.8
Business freedom 48.6 61.6
Labor freedom 45.6 44.3
Monetary freedom 75.3 36.5
Trade freedom 57.2 71
Investment freedom 30 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Turkey
2026 52 55
2025 52.1 56.1
2024 53.6 56.2
2023 51.9 56.9
2022 52.9 56.9
2021 53.4 64
2020 53.6 64.4
2019 52.4 64.6
2018 51.9 65.4
2017 51.8 65.2
2016 54.2 62.1
2015 51.9 63.2
2014 52.6 64.9
2013 52.3 62.9
2012 51.8 62.5
2011 51.8 64.2
2010 52.3 63.8
2009 53 61.6
2008 54.3 59.9
2007 55.6 57.4
2006 54.6 57
2005 53 50.6
2004 52.3 52.8
2003 52.7 51.9
2002 52.8 54.2
2001 53.3 60.6
2000 49.9 63.4
1999 50.3 59.2
1998 48 60.9
1997 44.6 60.8
1996 45.7 56.7
1995 51.3 58.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Turkey
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
30.7%
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/turkey | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, 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 (2022–2024, 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.