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Economy of Cameroon vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Cameroon has a GDP of $53.3B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 91/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $22.8B in government debt (42.8% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Cameroon vs Yemen GDP by year

Cameroon
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Yemen
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 $21,606,160,663
2017 $36,098,547,033 $26,842,229,045
2016 $33,814,337,044 $31,317,825,274
2015 $32,210,233,020 $42,444,490,074
2014 $36,386,544,706 $43,228,585,321
2013 $33,728,621,180 $40,415,233,436
2012 $30,155,062,329 $35,401,331,610
2011 $30,630,910,495 $32,726,417,878
2010 $27,507,501,821 $30,906,749,533
2009 $27,932,970,317 $25,130,278,213
2008 $27,715,142,033 $26,910,855,807
2007 $23,928,250,433 $21,650,528,674
2006 $20,910,512,975 $19,063,143,370
2005 $19,509,852,207 $16,731,566,717
2004 $18,826,214,136 $13,867,634,371
2003 $15,970,315,035 $11,777,532,662
2002 $12,417,251,350 $10,693,430,511
2001 $10,953,485,349 $9,852,990,693
2000 $10,566,579,295 $9,679,316,770
1999 $11,565,826,465 $7,639,325,296
1998 $11,298,144,990 $6,322,175,566
1997 $10,789,458,433 $6,838,298,531
1996 $11,093,538,846 $6,496,163,616
1995 $10,864,772,471 $12,796,345,679
1994 $8,902,446,252 $28,019,483,764
1993 $16,181,814,713 $21,736,802,664
1992 $12,071,775,335 $17,959,367,194
1991 $11,840,192,296 $14,665,445,462
1990 $12,314,482,628 $12,643,821,569
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Yemen by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
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 $634 -
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $811 -
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $975 -
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,362 -
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,430 -
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $969 $3,411
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $890 $3,294
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $810 $3,205
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $734 $3,113
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $628 $2,949
2003 $988 $2,368 $549 $2,844
2002 $790 $2,263 $513 $2,768
2001 $715 $2,191 $487 $2,702
2000 $709 $2,108 $493 $2,624
1999 $796 $2,039 $401 $2,492
1998 $799 $1,975 $343 $2,442
1997 $783 $1,915 $383 $2,351
1996 $827 $1,850 $375 $2,268
1995 $832 $1,790 $764 $2,201
1994 $701 $1,752 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $910 $1,742
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,830, ranking 158/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Yemen
Gross domestic product
$53.3B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
91/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
3.52%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$1,830
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
158/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$22.8B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
42.8%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$784
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
152/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,578
2026
$1,127
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.7%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.53%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
13.5%
2014
Population
30864115
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 16.7% 42.8% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 17.1% 43.1% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 17.1% 47.2% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 16.6% 44.9% 10.6% 87%
2019 18.7% 41.6% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 18% 38.3% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 19.2% 36.5% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 20.2% 32.1% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 20.1% 31.6% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 20.1% 20.7% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 17.2% 14.9% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 17.8% 15.9% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 15.2% 14% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 12.5% 18.4% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 12.4% 43.8% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 13.4% 51.7% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 13.2% 51.5% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 13.9% 56.6% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 14.6% 62.2% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 14.6% 75.9% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 - 68.4% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 - 67.8% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 - - 34.2% 74.2%
1996 - - 30.7% 114.9%
1995 - - 24.1% 84.1%
1994 - - 25.2% 73.3%
1993 - - 25.8% 76.7%
1992 - - 24.6% 78%
1991 - - 24.7% 82.7%
1990 - - 26.6% 91.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Cameroon's government spending was $8.91B, accounting for 16.7% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 42.8% in Cameroon and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 125/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Yemen
2024 -1.48% -2.48%
2023 -0.63% -5.63%
2022 -1.11% -2.15%
2021 -3.01% -0.89%
2020 -3.19% -4.3%
2019 -3.24% -5.89%
2018 -2.41% -7.85%
2017 -4.72% -4.9%
2016 -5.88% -8.51%
2015 -4.25% -8.75%
2014 -4.09% -4.14%
2013 -3.55% -6.9%
2012 -1.4% -6.32%
2011 -2.26% -4.51%
2010 -0.93% -4.06%
2009 -0.04% -10.2%
2008 2% -4.53%
2007 3.87% -7.18%
2006 28.2% 1.19%
2005 3.03% -1.82%
2004 -0.46% -2.15%
2003 0.56% -4.2%
2002 1.51% -0.56%
2001 0.86% 2.79%
2000 1.54% 6.09%
1999 - 0.06%
1998 - -7.77%
1997 - -1.5%
1996 - -0.92%
1995 - -5.74%
1994 - -14%
1993 - -12.8%
1992 - -10.9%
1991 - -5.76%
1990 - -10.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2018, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $962M, equivalent to 2.41% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 19 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 11 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual surplus equal to 0.61% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.03% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Yemen
2024 4.53% 33.9%
2023 7.38% 0.9%
2022 6.25% 29.5%
2021 2.27% 31.5%
2020 2.44% 21.7%
2019 2.45% 15.7%
2018 1.07% 33.6%
2017 0.64% 30.4%
2016 0.87% 21.3%
2015 2.68% 22%
2014 1.85% 8.2%
2013 2.05% 11%
2012 2.74% 9.9%
2011 2.94% 19.5%
2010 1.28% 11.2%
2009 3.04% 3.7%
2008 5.34% 19%
2007 0.92% 7.9%
2006 5.12% 10.8%
2005 2.01% 9.9%
2004 0.23% 12.5%
2003 0.62% 10.8%
2002 2.83% 12.2%
2001 4.42% 11.9%
2000 1.23% 11%
1999 1.87% 7.9%
1998 3.17% 11.5%
1997 4.79% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.75%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 4.53% in Cameroon and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Yemen
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $27K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Yemen
Current account balance
-$2.02B
2023
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
144/190
2023
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.14%
2023
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$7.74B
2023
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$6.34B
2023
$473M
2016
Service imports
$2.55B
2023
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$2.01B
2023
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
15.7%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Yemen
Economic freedom 52 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 138/197
Property rights 28.1 3.5
Government integrity 21 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 9.9
Tax burden 72.2 93.7
Government spending 91.4 0
Fiscal health 94.5 71.2
Business freedom 48.6 31.3
Labor freedom 45.6 31.2
Monetary freedom 75.3 48.1
Trade freedom 57.2 67.4
Investment freedom 30 50
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Yemen
2026 52 -
2025 52.1 -
2024 53.6 -
2023 51.9 -
2022 52.9 -
2021 53.4 -
2020 53.6 -
2019 52.4 -
2018 51.9 -
2017 51.8 -
2016 54.2 -
2015 51.9 53.7
2014 52.6 55.5
2013 52.3 55.9
2012 51.8 55.3
2011 51.8 54.2
2010 52.3 54.4
2009 53 56.9
2008 54.3 53.8
2007 55.6 54.1
2006 54.6 52.6
2005 53 53.8
2004 52.3 50.5
2003 52.7 50.3
2002 52.8 48.6
2001 53.3 44.3
2000 49.9 44.5
1999 50.3 43.3
1998 48 46.1
1997 44.6 48.4
1996 45.7 49.6
1995 51.3 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Yemen
Services, % of GDP
50.7%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$49.5B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,490
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$4.88B
2023
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
103/177
2023
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$901M
2023
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.2%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.9%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1990–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2015, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.