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Economy of Cameroon vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $120B for Venezuela, ranking 91/197 and 65/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $197B (164.3% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Cameroon vs Venezuela GDP by year

Cameroon
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Venezuela
2024 $53,296,694,320 $119,802,963,258
2023 $48,814,501,547 $102,376,526,556
2022 $44,347,206,073 $89,013,255,585
2021 $45,011,937,347 $56,614,976,855
2020 $40,773,241,177 $42,838,020,721
2019 $39,667,757,528 $73,014,084,091
2018 $39,955,552,190 $102,021,093,965
2017 $36,098,547,033 $115,883,275,163
2016 $33,814,337,044 $112,915,034,262
2015 $32,210,233,020 $125,449,241,571
2014 $36,386,544,706 $214,689,614,733
2013 $33,728,621,180 $258,930,655,486
2012 $30,155,062,329 $372,592,062,768
2011 $30,630,910,495 $316,482,190,800
2010 $27,507,501,821 $393,192,354,511
2009 $27,932,970,317 $329,787,628,928
2008 $27,715,142,033 $315,953,388,511
2007 $23,928,250,433 $230,364,012,576
2006 $20,910,512,975 $183,477,522,124
2005 $19,509,852,207 $145,513,489,652
2004 $18,826,214,136 $112,451,400,425
2003 $15,970,315,035 $83,620,628,582
2002 $12,417,251,350 $92,893,587,734
2001 $10,953,485,349 $122,911,036,747
2000 $10,566,579,295 $117,146,466,003
1999 $11,565,826,465 $97,972,842,462
1998 $11,298,144,990 $91,336,763,255
1997 $10,789,458,433 $85,837,678,560
1996 $11,093,538,846 $70,543,211,119
1995 $10,864,772,471 $77,389,487,770
1994 $8,902,446,252 $58,418,666,667
1993 $16,181,814,713 $60,037,460,783
1992 $12,071,775,335 $60,416,519,620
1991 $11,840,192,296 $53,453,444,787
1990 $12,314,482,628 $48,606,952,195
1989 $11,012,566,195 $43,536,709,104
1988 $12,236,057,362 $60,226,413,793
1987 $13,049,659,981 $48,029,034,483
1986 $11,857,056,199 $60,516,123,711
1985 $8,544,810,498 $61,965,466,667
1984 $7,311,938,026 $59,867,743,468
1983 $6,870,200,010 $67,556,279,070
1982 $6,611,255,964 $67,736,744,186
1981 $6,610,938,617 $66,327,441,860
1980 $6,674,569,047 $59,116,511,628
1979 $5,919,002,983 $48,310,930,233
1978 $4,662,852,583 $39,316,279,070
1977 $3,394,664,024 $36,210,697,674
1976 $2,898,090,002 $31,419,534,884
1975 $2,857,037,371 $27,464,651,163
1974 $2,157,415,533 $26,100,930,233
1973 $1,901,393,361 $17,035,581,395
1972 $1,498,251,890 $13,977,727,273
1971 $1,236,941,394 $12,986,590,909
1970 $1,151,216,993 $11,561,111,111
1969 $1,100,551,489 $10,285,111,111
1968 $1,046,191,218 $10,034,444,444
1967 $936,175,260 $9,250,000,000
1966 $851,112,535 $8,781,333,333
1965 $814,083,266 $8,427,777,778
1964 $776,650,177 $8,192,413,793
1963 $718,320,845 $9,608,717,288
1962 $694,247,864 $8,814,309,884
1961 $652,777,608 $8,067,267,031
1960 $614,206,068 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Venezuela by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $4,218 -
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $3,617 -
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $3,155 -
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $2,005 -
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $1,506 -
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $2,523 -
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $3,423 -
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $3,791 -
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $3,670 -
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $4,103 -
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $7,096 -
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $8,656 -
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $12,607 -
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $988 $2,368 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $790 $2,263 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $715 $2,191 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $709 $2,108 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $796 $2,039 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $799 $1,975 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $783 $1,915 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $827 $1,850 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $832 $1,790 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $701 $1,752 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $1,001 - $2,250 -
1988 $1,145 - $3,191 -
1987 $1,258 - $2,611 -
1986 $1,179 - $3,376 -
1985 $875 - $3,549 -
1984 $772 - $3,520 -
1983 $746 - $4,079 -
1982 $732 - $4,202 -
1981 $750 - $4,228 -
1980 $784 - $3,874 -
1979 $718 - $3,257 -
1978 $582 - $2,727 -
1977 $435 - $2,585 -
1976 $381 - $2,309 -
1975 $386 - $2,078 -
1974 $299.9 - $2,034 -
1973 $271.8 - $1,367 -
1972 $220.1 - $1,155 -
1971 $186.7 - $1,106 -
1970 $178.5 - $1,015 -
1969 $175.2 - $932 -
1968 $170.8 - $938 -
1967 $156.6 - $893 -
1966 $145.8 - $876 -
1965 $142.7 - $869 -
1964 $139.2 - $874 -
1963 $131.6 - $1,060 -
1962 $130 - $1,007 -
1961 $124.6 - $954 -
1960 $119.1 - $939 -

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

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $4,218 in Venezuela, ranking 128/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$120B
2024
GDP rank
91/197
2024
65/197
2024
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
5.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$4,218
2024
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
128/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$197B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
164.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$6,931
2024
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
69/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$3,792
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
17.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.4%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
7.53%
2020
Population
30864115
28661242

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 17.6% 164.3%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 11.2% 337%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 21% 206%
2018 18% 38.3% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 38% 58.4%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 15.2% 14% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 32.2% 56%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 31% 48.2%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 - 68.4% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 - 67.8% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 - - 31% 34.8%
1996 - - 27.7% 45.9%
1995 - - 32.9% 45.9%
1994 - - 42.2% 63.9%
1993 - - 27.7% 57.7%
1992 - - 30.6% 54.8%
1991 - - 33.9% 62.2%
1990 - - 31.9% 63.3%
1989 - - 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $21.1B, or 17.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 164.3% in Venezuela, ranking 125/185 and 5/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Venezuela
2024 -1.48% -3.6%
2023 -0.63% -1.25%
2022 -1.11% -5.29%
2021 -3.01% -5.85%
2020 -3.19% -6.63%
2019 -3.24% -10.9%
2018 -2.41% -31%
2017 -4.72% -13.3%
2016 -5.88% -8.46%
2015 -4.25% -8.06%
2014 -4.09% -9.81%
2013 -3.55% -10.4%
2012 -1.4% -9.86%
2011 -2.26% -8.24%
2010 -0.93% -4.74%
2009 -0.04% -8.69%
2008 2% -3.46%
2007 3.87% -2.82%
2006 28.2% -1.6%
2005 3.03% 4.09%
2004 -0.46% 2.47%
2003 0.56% 0.17%
2002 1.51% -1.48%
2001 0.86% -4.59%
2000 1.54% 4.45%
1999 - 0.74%
1998 - -4.49%
1997 - 2.58%
1996 - 7.94%
1995 - -5.86%
1994 - -11.2%
1993 - -2.92%
1992 - -6.37%
1991 - -2.28%
1990 - 3.84%
1989 - -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/cameroon/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $4.31B, or 3.6% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 0.04% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.95% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Venezuela
2024 4.53% 49%
2023 7.38% 338%
2022 6.25% 186.5%
2021 2.27% 1,589%
2020 2.44% 2,355%
2019 2.45% 19,906%
2018 1.07% 65,374%
2017 0.64% 438%
2016 0.87% 254.9%
2015 2.68% 121.7%
2014 1.85% 62.2%
2013 2.05% 40.6%
2012 2.74% 21.1%
2011 2.94% 26.1%
2010 1.28% 28.2%
2009 3.04% 26%
2008 5.34% 31.4%
2007 0.92% 18.7%
2006 5.12% 13.7%
2005 2.01% 16%
2004 0.23% 21.7%
2003 0.62% 31.1%
2002 2.83% 22.4%
2001 4.42% 12.5%
2000 1.23% 16.2%
1999 1.87% 23.6%
1998 3.17% 35.8%
1997 4.79% 50%

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/venezuela | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 3,254% in Venezuela. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 49% in Venezuela.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $205K
Machinery & equipment $128K
Chemicals & pharma $103K
Venezuela
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Cameroon Venezuela
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
161/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
9.22%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
16.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Venezuela
Economic freedom 52 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 194/197
Property rights 28.1 0
Government integrity 21 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 5.1
Tax burden 72.2 73.4
Government spending 91.4 93
Fiscal health 94.5 29.1
Business freedom 48.6 31.1
Labor freedom 45.6 35.5
Monetary freedom 75.3 0
Trade freedom 57.2 43.2
Investment freedom 30 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Venezuela
2026 52 27.3
2025 52.1 27.6
2024 53.6 28.1
2023 51.9 25.8
2022 52.9 24.8
2021 53.4 24.7
2020 53.6 25.2
2019 52.4 25.9
2018 51.9 25.2
2017 51.8 27
2016 54.2 33.7
2015 51.9 34.3
2014 52.6 36.3
2013 52.3 36.1
2012 51.8 38.1
2011 51.8 37.6
2010 52.3 37.1
2009 53 39.9
2008 54.3 44.7
2007 55.6 47.9
2006 54.6 44.6
2005 53 45.2
2004 52.3 46.7
2003 52.7 54.8
2002 52.8 54.7
2001 53.3 54.6
2000 49.9 57.4
1999 50.3 56.1
1998 48 54
1997 44.6 52.8
1996 45.7 54.5
1995 51.3 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$109B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$20,800
2011
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
77/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
4.9%
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/venezuela | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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 (2020, 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.