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Economy of Cameroon vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 91/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Cameroon vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Cameroon
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Vanuatu
2024 $53,296,694,320 $1,117,972,034
2023 $48,814,501,547 $1,115,861,056
2022 $44,347,206,073 $1,055,031,361
2021 $45,011,937,347 $950,394,007
2020 $40,773,241,177 $909,421,044
2019 $39,667,757,528 $936,526,268
2018 $39,955,552,190 $914,727,908
2017 $36,098,547,033 $880,043,284
2016 $33,814,337,044 $804,323,577
2015 $32,210,233,020 $759,690,181
2014 $36,386,544,706 $773,717,011
2013 $33,728,621,180 $758,304,466
2012 $30,155,062,329 $747,839,698
2011 $30,630,910,495 $770,153,588
2010 $27,507,501,821 $670,712,980
2009 $27,932,970,317 $592,622,319
2008 $27,715,142,033 $590,748,429
2007 $23,928,250,433 $516,392,923
2006 $20,910,512,975 $439,358,587
2005 $19,509,852,207 $394,962,433
2004 $18,826,214,136 $364,996,869
2003 $15,970,315,035 $314,471,413
2002 $12,417,251,350 $262,596,536
2001 $10,953,485,349 $257,926,882
2000 $10,566,579,295 $272,014,628
1999 $11,565,826,465 $268,006,973
1998 $11,298,144,990 $262,293,411
1997 $10,789,458,433 $272,771,209
1996 $11,093,538,846 $261,370,044
1995 $10,864,772,471 $249,333,250
1994 $8,902,446,252 $233,701,301
1993 $16,181,814,713 $200,491,853
1992 $12,071,775,335 $209,088,825
1991 $11,840,192,296 $201,334,169
1990 $12,314,482,628 $168,879,207
1989 $11,012,566,195 $154,013,202
1988 $12,236,057,362 $158,351,368
1987 $13,049,659,981 $139,464,174
1986 $11,857,056,199 $126,498,935
1985 $8,544,810,498 $131,856,421
1984 $7,311,938,026 $144,482,515
1983 $6,870,200,010 $117,389,554
1982 $6,611,255,964 $114,501,913
1981 $6,610,938,617 $113,781,796
1980 $6,674,569,047 $121,185,498
1979 $5,919,002,983 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Vanuatu by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $988 $2,368 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $790 $2,263 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $715 $2,191 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $709 $2,108 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $796 $2,039 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $799 $1,975 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $783 $1,915 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $827 $1,850 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $832 $1,790 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $701 $1,752 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $1,001 - $1,067 -
1988 $1,145 - $1,125 -
1987 $1,258 - $1,017 -
1986 $1,179 - $946 -
1985 $875 - $1,012 -
1984 $772 - $1,137 -
1983 $746 - $947 -
1982 $732 - $946 -
1981 $750 - $962 -
1980 $784 - $1,048 -
1979 $718 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
4.05%
2020
Population
30864115
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 42% 42.8%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 43.4% 48%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 18% 38.3% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 15.2% 14% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 22.3% 37%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 - 68.4% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 - 67.8% 27.9% 28%
1997 - - 22.2% 22.9%
1996 - - 24.5% 23.1%
1995 - - 28% 24.1%
1994 - - 24.4% 21.6%
1993 - - 26.2% 20.3%
1992 - - 31.8% 21%
1991 - - 33.2% 15.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 125/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Vanuatu
2024 -1.48% -2.34%
2023 -0.63% -0.95%
2022 -1.11% -6.5%
2021 -3.01% 2.38%
2020 -3.19% -1.95%
2019 -3.24% 2.81%
2018 -2.41% 6.26%
2017 -4.72% -1.2%
2016 -5.88% -0.72%
2015 -4.25% -8.66%
2014 -4.09% 1.44%
2013 -3.55% -0.25%
2012 -1.4% -1.7%
2011 -2.26% -2.19%
2010 -0.93% -2.63%
2009 -0.04% -0.85%
2008 2% -0.04%
2007 3.87% 0.28%
2006 28.2% 0.49%
2005 3.03% 1.86%
2004 -0.46% 0.8%
2003 0.56% -1.35%
2002 1.51% -3.63%
2001 0.86% -3.33%
2000 1.54% -6.28%
1999 - -0.55%
1998 - -6.65%
1997 - -0.51%
1996 - -1.78%
1995 - -2.59%
1994 - -1.49%
1993 - -3.67%
1992 - -2.32%
1991 - -2.81%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 17 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.13% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Vanuatu
2024 4.53% -
2023 7.38% 11.2%
2022 6.25% 6.68%
2021 2.27% 2.34%
2020 2.44% 5.33%
2019 2.45% 2.76%
2018 1.07% 2.33%
2017 0.64% 3.08%
2016 0.87% 0.84%
2015 2.68% 2.48%
2014 1.85% 0.8%
2013 2.05% 1.46%
2012 2.74% 1.35%
2011 2.94% 0.87%
2010 1.28% 2.76%
2009 3.04% 4.3%
2008 5.34% 4.84%
2007 0.92% 3.94%
2006 5.12% 2.04%
2005 2.01% 1.2%
2004 0.23% 1.42%
2003 0.62% 3.02%
2002 2.83% 1.96%
2001 4.42% 3.58%
2000 1.23% 2.54%
1999 1.87% 2%
1998 3.17% 3.28%
1997 4.79% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.69%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Cameroon Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$230M
2022
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Vanuatu
Economic freedom 52 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 92/197
Property rights 28.1 62.1
Government integrity 21 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 67.9
Tax burden 72.2 96.9
Government spending 91.4 48.1
Fiscal health 94.5 78.8
Business freedom 48.6 50.3
Labor freedom 45.6 41
Monetary freedom 75.3 72.1
Trade freedom 57.2 62
Investment freedom 30 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Vanuatu
2026 52 61.1
2025 52.1 61.8
2024 53.6 62.2
2023 51.9 62.1
2022 52.9 62.9
2021 53.4 60.5
2020 53.6 60.7
2019 52.4 56.4
2018 51.9 69.5
2017 51.8 67.4
2016 54.2 60.8
2015 51.9 61.1
2014 52.6 59.5
2013 52.3 56.6
2012 51.8 56.6
2011 51.8 56.7
2010 52.3 56.4
2009 53 58.4
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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 (1991–2024, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.