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Economy of Cameroon vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cameroon has a GDP of $58.9B compared to $51.2B for Zimbabwe, ranking 92/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cameroon has $23.8B in government debt (40.4% of GDP), compared to $22.4B (43.8% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Cameroon vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Cameroon
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cameroon Zimbabwe
2025 $58,933,453,924 $51,215,643,906
2024 $53,296,694,320 $41,521,975,830
2023 $48,814,501,547 $35,871,781,303
2022 $44,347,206,073 $40,757,585,309
2021 $45,011,937,347 $41,287,852,524
2020 $40,773,241,177 $31,979,753,645
2019 $39,667,757,528 $33,360,632,553
2018 $39,955,552,190 $34,141,666,667
2017 $36,098,547,033 $51,035,657,371
2016 $33,814,337,044 $20,559,250,000
2015 $32,210,233,020 $19,973,250,000
2014 $36,386,544,706 $19,505,500,000
2013 $33,728,621,180 $19,100,750,000
2012 $30,155,062,329 $17,123,500,000
2011 $30,630,910,495 $14,109,000,000
2010 $27,507,501,821 $12,047,750,000
2009 $27,932,970,317 $9,670,750,000
2008 $27,715,142,033 $4,418,000,000
2007 $23,928,250,433 $5,294,750,000
2006 $20,910,512,975 $5,446,750,000
2005 $19,509,852,207 $5,758,250,000
2004 $18,826,214,136 $5,808,500,000
2003 $15,970,315,035 $5,730,500,000
2002 $12,417,251,350 $6,345,250,000
2001 $10,953,485,349 $6,780,750,000
2000 $10,566,579,295 $6,693,250,000
1999 $11,565,826,465 $6,861,500,000
1998 $11,298,144,990 $6,405,250,000
1997 $10,789,458,433 $8,534,000,000
1996 $11,093,538,846 $8,557,500,000
1995 $10,864,772,471 $7,115,000,000
1994 $8,902,446,252 $6,894,250,000
1993 $16,181,814,713 $6,567,250,000
1992 $12,071,775,335 $6,755,000,000
1991 $11,840,192,296 $8,646,000,000
1990 $12,314,482,628 $8,788,301,546
1989 $11,012,566,195 $8,290,553,535
1988 $12,236,057,362 $7,818,774,177
1987 $13,049,659,981 $6,744,657,033
1986 $11,857,056,199 $6,220,698,247
1985 $8,544,810,498 $5,640,137,575
1984 $7,311,938,026 $6,355,369,172
1983 $6,870,200,010 $7,768,031,182
1982 $6,611,255,964 $8,544,060,905
1981 $6,610,938,617 $8,015,464,252
1980 $6,674,569,047 $6,682,278,300
1979 $5,919,002,983 $5,180,102,910
1978 $4,662,852,583 $4,353,822,343
1977 $3,394,664,024 $4,366,610,469
1976 $2,898,090,002 $4,320,576,877
1975 $2,857,037,371 $4,373,532,601
1974 $2,157,415,533 $3,984,194,614
1973 $1,901,393,361 $3,311,043,292
1972 $1,498,251,890 $2,679,096,597
1971 $1,236,941,394 $2,179,828,710
1970 $1,151,216,993 $1,885,168,339
1969 $1,100,551,489 $1,748,891,294
1968 $1,046,191,218 $1,480,355,355
1967 $936,175,260 $1,397,715,282
1966 $851,112,535 $1,282,403,936
1965 $814,083,266 $1,312,105,394
1964 $776,650,177 $1,217,759,447
1963 $718,320,845 $1,160,103,724
1962 $694,247,864 $1,118,172,226
1961 $652,777,608 $1,097,206,526
1960 $614,206,068 $1,053,528,036

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Cameroon vs Zimbabwe by year

Cameroon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cameroon Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,972 - $3,021 -
2024 $1,830 $5,589 $2,496 $5,928
2023 $1,720 $5,411 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $1,605 $5,189 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $1,672 $4,794 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $1,556 $4,365 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $1,555 $4,241 $2,185 $4,166
2018 $1,611 $4,011 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $1,496 $3,767 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $1,442 $3,627 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $1,415 $3,498 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $1,649 $3,422 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $1,576 $3,239 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $1,449 $3,060 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $1,514 $2,989 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $1,399 $2,914 $902 $2,661
2009 $1,461 $2,879 $736 $2,233
2008 $1,492 $2,870 $341 $1,987
2007 $1,326 $2,818 $414 $2,396
2006 $1,191 $2,704 $431 $2,454
2005 $1,143 $2,598 $461 $2,496
2004 $1,133 $2,533 $470 $2,591
2003 $988 $2,368 $468 $2,708
2002 $790 $2,263 $525 $3,238
2001 $715 $2,191 $566 $3,533
2000 $709 $2,108 $563 $3,429
1999 $796 $2,039 $582 $3,491
1998 $799 $1,975 $552 $3,527
1997 $783 $1,915 $751 $3,457
1996 $827 $1,850 $767 $3,372
1995 $832 $1,790 $648 $3,051
1994 $701 $1,752 $634 $3,012
1993 $1,310 $1,731 $605 $2,703
1992 $1,005 $1,890 $631 $2,651
1991 $1,015 $1,963 $831 $2,930
1990 $1,087 $2,032 $867 $2,757
1989 $1,001 - $840 -
1988 $1,145 - $816 -
1987 $1,258 - $726 -
1986 $1,179 - $693 -
1985 $875 - $649 -
1984 $772 - $757 -
1983 $746 - $959 -
1982 $732 - $1,096 -
1981 $750 - $1,069 -
1980 $784 - $949 -
1979 $718 - $779 -
1978 $582 - $665 -
1977 $435 - $677 -
1976 $381 - $687 -
1975 $386 - $717 -
1974 $299.9 - $674 -
1973 $271.8 - $579 -
1972 $220.1 - $483 -
1971 $186.7 - $406 -
1970 $178.5 - $361 -
1969 $175.2 - $346 -
1968 $170.8 - $302 -
1967 $156.6 - $294.4 -
1966 $145.8 - $278.7 -
1965 $142.7 - $294.3 -
1964 $139.2 - $281.9 -
1963 $131.6 - $277.1 -
1962 $130 - $275.7 -
1961 $124.6 - $279.2 -
1960 $119.1 - $276.6 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Cameroon's GDP per capita is $1,972, ranking 159/197, compared to $3,021 in Zimbabwe, ranking 146/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cameroon ranks 156th at $5,589, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Cameroon Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$58.9B
2025
$51.2B
2025
GDP rank
92/197
2025
95/197
2025
GDP growth
3.2%
2024-2025
8.11%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,972
2025
$3,021
2025
GDP per capita rank
159/197
2025
146/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$5,589
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
156/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$23.8B
2025
$22.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
40.4%
2025
43.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$796
2025
$1,322
2025
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2025
134/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,941
2026
$2,800
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
31.1%
2021
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.1%
2021
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
16.3%
2025
15.5%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2024-2025
81.4%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.28%
2021
12.1%
2024
Population
31045453
17443108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cameroon
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cameroon Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 16.3% 40.4% 15.5% 43.8%
2024 17.1% 43.4% 13.7% 70.4%
2023 17.3% 43.6% 21.1% 76.1%
2022 17.1% 45.6% 12.1% 66.8%
2021 17% 47.2% 12.4% 39.9%
2020 16.8% 44.9% 8.4% 56.8%
2019 19.1% 41.6% 7.7% 53.9%
2018 17.8% 38.3% 14.6% 33%
2017 18.2% 36.5% 21.1% 49%
2016 20.1% 32.1% 17% 35.1%
2015 17.9% 31.6% 14.9% 34.1%
2014 19.5% 20.7% 14.2% 29.2%
2013 19.2% 17.5% 15.2% 26.4%
2012 17% 14.9% 14.8% 27.2%
2011 17.1% 15.9% 16.5% 30%
2010 14.8% 14% 13.1% 33.2%
2009 14.7% 11.3% 8.02% 39.7%
2008 15.9% 11.2% 2.57% 41.3%
2007 13.5% 13.8% 3.46% 30.2%
2006 12% 18.4% 5.79% 26.7%
2005 11.4% 43.8% 10.6% 22.4%
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, Cameroon's government spending was $9.58B, accounting for 16.3% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $7.92B, or 15.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 40.4% in Cameroon and 43.8% in Zimbabwe, ranking 133/185 and 120/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cameroon

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cameroon Zimbabwe
2025 -2.01% 0.08%
2024 -1.51% -0.76%
2023 -0.64% -9.45%
2022 -1.11% -1%
2021 -2.88% -1.83%
2020 -3.52% 0.53%
2019 -3.65% -0.06%
2018 -2.3% -4.55%
2017 -3.68% -8.68%
2016 -5.79% -4.99%
2015 -2.86% -1.61%
2014 -3.36% -0.87%
2013 -3.54% -1.21%
2012 -1.22% -0.35%
2011 -1.55% -1.98%
2010 -0.57% -0.4%
2009 -0.05% -1.48%
2008 1.94% -1.22%
2007 3.66% -1.71%
2006 6.34% -1.46%
2005 3.43% -3.58%
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2025, Cameroon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.18B, equivalent to 2.01% of GDP. This compares to Zimbabwe's surplus of $41.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Cameroon recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Cameroon posted an annual deficit equal to 1.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cameroon

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cameroon Zimbabwe
2025 3.4% 81.4%
2024 4.53% 736%
2023 7.38% 667%
2022 6.25% 193.4%
2021 2.27% 98.5%
2020 2.44% 557%
2019 2.45% 255.3%
2018 1.07% 10.6%
2017 0.64% 0.9%
2016 0.87% -1.6%
2015 2.68% -2.4%
2014 1.85% -0.2%
2013 2.05% 1.6%
2012 2.74% 3.7%
2011 2.94% 3.5%
2010 1.28% 3%
2009 3.04% 6.2%
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); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2009–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 17 years, Cameroon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.82%, compared with 153.8% in Zimbabwe. In 2025, inflation was 3.4% in Cameroon and 81.4% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Cameroon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $252K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Metals $20K
Machinery & equipment $9K

Balance of trade

Cameroon Zimbabwe
Current account balance
-$1.75B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
59/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-3.28%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$7.77B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$6.79B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$2.4B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$1.81B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.3%
2025
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
13.1%
2025
18.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Cameroon Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 52 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 151/197 190/197
Property rights 28.1 19.4
Government integrity 21 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 10.1 16.8
Tax burden 72.2 73.6
Government spending 91.4 93.9
Fiscal health 94.5 52.4
Business freedom 48.6 42
Labor freedom 45.6 33.3
Monetary freedom 75.3 0
Trade freedom 57.2 50.4
Investment freedom 30 10
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cameroon
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cameroon Zimbabwe
2026 52 35.2
2025 52.1 35.1
2024 53.6 38.2
2023 51.9 39
2022 52.9 33.1
2021 53.4 39.5
2020 53.6 43.1
2019 52.4 40.4
2018 51.9 44
2017 51.8 44
2016 54.2 38.2
2015 51.9 37.6
2014 52.6 35.5
2013 52.3 28.6
2012 51.8 26.3
2011 51.8 22.1
2010 52.3 21.4
2009 53 22.7
2008 54.3 29.5
2007 55.6 32
2006 54.6 33.5
2005 53 35.2
2004 52.3 34.4
2003 52.7 36.7
2002 52.8 36.7
2001 53.3 38.8
2000 49.9 48.7
1999 50.3 47.2
1998 48 44.6
1997 44.6 48
1996 45.7 46.7
1995 51.3 48.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Cameroon is 52, ranking 151/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cameroon Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
50.4%
2025
48.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
24.8%
2025
37.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
16.8%
2025
9.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$55.4B
2025
$45B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$5,700
2025
$6,390
2025
Total reserves including gold
$5.06B
2024
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
105/177
2024
159/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$825M
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$888M
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$63.4M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.21%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
37.7%
2021
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.3%
2025
8.85%
2024

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/zimbabwe | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, 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.