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Economy of China vs Gabon compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $20.9B for Gabon, ranking 2/197 and 127/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $15.2B (72.7% of GDP) in Gabon.

China vs Gabon GDP by year

China
Gabon
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Gabon
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $20,895,684,426
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $19,388,372,071
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $20,440,655,695
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $19,444,935,097
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $15,342,236,164
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $16,874,405,465
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $16,867,326,402
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $14,929,487,485
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $14,023,890,265
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $14,383,107,763
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $18,203,966,896
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $17,595,744,798
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $17,170,464,016
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $18,210,307,744
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $14,372,593,020
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $12,113,699,068
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $15,571,348,344
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $12,455,409,587
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $10,327,598,306
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $9,582,783,991
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $7,770,219,008
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $6,511,903,365
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $5,335,451,100
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $5,023,265,413
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $5,080,483,629
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $4,662,992,036
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $4,483,417,310
1997 $967,753,570,435 $5,326,817,115
1996 $868,523,936,530 $5,694,040,003
1995 $738,190,896,228 $4,958,845,648
1994 $566,929,539,493 $4,190,819,344
1993 $446,557,291,212 $4,378,645,081
1992 $428,502,354,788 $5,592,390,827
1991 $384,510,452,962 $5,402,919,785
1990 $361,560,229,446 $5,952,293,765
1989 $348,380,566,802 $4,186,411,464
1988 $312,888,888,889 $3,834,503,376
1987 $273,455,156,951 $3,281,797,043
1986 $301,310,144,928 $3,403,638,189
1985 $310,064,625,850 $3,339,914,757
1984 $260,442,857,143 $3,561,451,561
1983 $231,130,268,199 $3,391,275,732
1982 $205,480,916,031 $3,618,007,841
1981 $196,218,253,968 $3,862,269,121
1980 $191,487,500,000 $4,279,637,942
1979 $178,573,913,043 $3,030,251,120
1978 $149,788,617,886 $2,389,479,272
1977 $175,226,595,860 $2,809,349,069
1976 $154,196,810,059 $3,009,409,974
1975 $163,687,619,736 $2,157,592,940
1974 $144,418,433,058 $1,544,216,002
1973 $138,764,340,892 $722,780,701
1972 $113,871,930,714 $430,508,359
1971 $99,959,013,880 $381,687,073
1970 $92,752,930,873 $323,802,476
1969 $79,847,786,729 $318,124,701
1968 $70,980,323,819 $294,468,564
1967 $73,011,350,596 $271,543,680
1966 $76,854,053,259 $245,849,781
1965 $70,565,994,356 $226,474,286
1964 $59,821,862,703 $215,679,855
1963 $50,812,227,919 $154,480,244
1962 $47,310,737,754 $182,796,536
1961 $50,162,299,350 $167,637,907
1960 $59,846,235,025 $141,468,978

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/gabon | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Gabon by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Gabon
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $8,230 $21,510
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $7,803 $20,756
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $8,409 $19,993
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $8,181 $18,524
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $6,606 $14,477
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $7,441 $15,950
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $7,624 $15,432
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $6,922 $14,797
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $6,677 $13,998
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $7,047 $14,306
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $9,201 $14,854
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $9,198 $14,498
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $9,297 $14,620
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $10,219 $14,784
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $8,357 $14,015
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $7,291 $13,384
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $9,689 $13,734
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $8,004 $14,391
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $6,847 $13,637
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $6,548 $14,028
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $5,466 $13,638
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $4,711 $13,564
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $3,966 $13,369
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,836 $13,556
2000 $969 $2,964 $3,983 $13,326
1999 $881 $2,690 $3,751 $13,629
1998 $835 $2,483 $3,700 $15,138
1997 $787 $2,297 $4,509 $14,837
1996 $713 $2,088 $4,943 $14,147
1995 $613 $1,884 $4,415 $13,750
1994 $476 $1,680 $3,828 $13,164
1993 $379 $1,471 $4,106 $12,757
1992 $368 $1,276 $5,386 $12,312
1991 $334 $1,105 $5,345 $12,760
1990 $319 $991 $6,051 $11,952
1989 $311 - $4,374 -
1988 $284 - $4,119 -
1987 $252.3 - $3,624 -
1986 $282.4 - $3,865 -
1985 $295 - $3,898 -
1984 $251.2 - $4,273 -
1983 $225.9 - $4,182 -
1982 $203.7 - $4,584 -
1981 $197.4 - $5,026 -
1980 $195.1 - $5,718 -
1979 $184.3 - $4,155 -
1978 $156.7 - $3,360 -
1977 $185.7 - $4,048 -
1976 $165.7 - $4,441 -
1975 $178.6 - $3,258 -
1974 $160.4 - $2,384 -
1973 $157.3 - $1,140 -
1972 $132.1 - $693 -
1971 $118.8 - $627 -
1970 $113.3 - $543 -
1969 $100.3 - $545 -
1968 $91.6 - $515 -
1967 $96.8 - $482 -
1966 $104.5 - $443 -
1965 $98.7 - $415 -
1964 $85.7 - $400 -
1963 $74.5 - $290.7 -
1962 $71.1 - $348 -
1961 $76 - $323 -
1960 $89.7 - $276.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/gabon | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $8,230 in Gabon, ranking 93/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510.

Economic indicators

China Gabon
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$20.9B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
127/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
3.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$8,230
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
93/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$21,510
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
90/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$15.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
72.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$5,985
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
75/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$5,368
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
n/a
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
n/a
Number of billionaires
450
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
27.7%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.2%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
24.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
1.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
n/a
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
20.4%
2010
Population
1402578808
2663339

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Gabon
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Gabon
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 24.8% 72.7%
2023 32.7% 82% 21.5% 70.6%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 19.7% 65.6%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 17.3% 72.9%
2020 34.8% 69% 19.8% 83%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 17.4% 59.8%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 17.1% 62.3%
2017 32% 53.9% 18.1% 62.9%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 21.8% 64.5%
2015 31% 40.8% 22.3% 44.7%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 23.8% 34.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 34.7% 31.1%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 23.9% 21.4%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 22.1% 21.4%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 23.1% 21.3%
2009 25.2% 34% 22.6% 26%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 18.9% 20.1%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 19.4% 39.2%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 21.1% 34.9%
2005 18% 25.9% 20.8% 41.7%
2004 17.6% 26% 20.9% 60.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 21.2% 70.2%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 25.7% 81.1%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 27.8% 81%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 20.3% 72.5%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 25.5% 73.1%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 45.5% 87.6%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 29.7% 57%
1996 11% 21.2% 22.2% 64.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 25.1% 73.4%
1994 12.4% - 23.9% 71.3%
1993 13.4% - 26.9% 90.1%
1992 14.6% - 26.5% 87.9%
1991 16.5% - 25.1% 89.3%
1990 18.2% - 22.6% 90%
1989 18.6% - - -
1988 20.9% 4.46% - -
1987 23.4% 3.6% - -
1986 25.6% 3.24% - -
1985 25.8% 3.31% - -
1984 26.9% 0.97% - -
1983 28.3% - - -
1982 27.9% - - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Gabon spent $5.18B, or 24.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 72.7% in Gabon, ranking 34/185 and 51/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Gabon
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Gabon
2024 -7.34% -3.84%
2023 -6.71% 1.79%
2022 -7.32% -0.89%
2021 -5.9% -1.93%
2020 -9.56% -2.19%
2019 -6% 2.13%
2018 -4.2% -0.21%
2017 -3.34% -1.7%
2016 -3.33% -4.71%
2015 -2.5% -1.12%
2014 -0.67% 5.98%
2013 -0.82% -3.07%
2012 -0.3% 6.2%
2011 -0.1% 1.41%
2010 -0.36% 2.7%
2009 -1.72% 6.77%
2008 -0.02% 11%
2007 0.06% 8.06%
2006 -1.13% 8.67%
2005 -1.38% 7.98%
2004 -1.49% 6.99%
2003 -2.36% 7.75%
2002 -2.84% 3.72%
2001 -2.56% 4.07%
2000 -2.81% 11.1%
1999 -2.3% 1.11%
1998 -1.08% -13.1%
1997 -0.73% 1.41%
1996 -0.73% 2.12%
1995 -0.94% 2.64%
1994 -1.68% -1.53%
1993 -0.89% -5.35%
1992 -1.22% -4.9%
1991 -1.04% -2.03%
1990 -0.72% -3.83%
1989 -0.91% -
1988 -2.22% -
1987 -2.08% -
1986 -1.82% -
1985 -0.45% -
1984 -1.44% -
1983 -1.61% -
1982 -1.33% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/gabon | CC BY

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Gabon's deficit of $802M, or 3.84% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Gabon ran a deficit in 15 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.46% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.52% of GDP for Gabon.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Gabon
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Gabon
2024 0.2% 1.17%
2023 0.2% 3.63%
2022 2% 4.23%
2021 0.9% 1.09%
2020 2.5% 1.35%
2019 2.9% 2.46%
2018 2.1% 4.75%
2017 1.6% 2.65%
2016 2% 2.11%
2015 1.5% -0.34%
2014 2% 4.69%
2013 2.7% 0.51%
2012 2.6% 2.65%
2011 5.4% 1.26%
2010 3.3% 1.46%
2009 -0.7% 1.89%
2008 5.9% 5.26%
2007 4.7% 5.03%
2006 1.5% -1.41%
2005 1.8% 3.71%
2004 3.9% 0.41%
2003 1.1% 2.24%
2002 -0.8% 0.04%
2001 0.7% 2.14%
2000 0.4% 0.5%
1999 -1.4% -1.94%
1998 -0.8% 1.45%
1997 2.8% 3.97%

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/china/gabon | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 2.03% in Gabon. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 1.17% in Gabon.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $300M
Textiles & consumer goods $159M
Metals $112M
Chemicals & pharma $65M
Raw materials & minerals $37.5M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $16.3M
Miscellaneous $12.5M
Wood & paper products $9.14M
Animal & marine products $5.37M
Raw agricultural goods $4.11M
Gabon
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.17B
Wood & paper products $331M
Metals $14.9M
Animal & marine products $888K
Chemicals & pharma $456K
Machinery & equipment $359K
Textiles & consumer goods $223K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $7K
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

China Gabon
Current account balance
$424B
2024
$141M
2015
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
66/190
2015
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
+0.98%
2015
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$3.17B
2015
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$5.11B
2015
Service imports
$613B
2024
$1.88B
2015
Service exports
$384B
2024
$277M
2015
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
27.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
64.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Gabon
Economic freedom 48.3 56.6
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 120/197
Property rights 40.9 30
Government integrity 42.3 22.6
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 19.9
Tax burden 69.3 76.5
Government spending 67.8 85.5
Fiscal health 4.4 87.9
Business freedom 68.7 63.6
Labor freedom 57.9 55.4
Monetary freedom 76.1 80.9
Trade freedom 73.4 57.4
Investment freedom 20 60
Financial freedom 20 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Gabon
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Gabon
2026 48.3 56.6
2025 49 56.3
2024 48.5 56.9
2023 48.3 56.1
2022 48 55.8
2021 58.4 58.1
2020 59.5 56.7
2019 58.4 56.3
2018 57.8 58
2017 57.4 58.6
2016 52 59
2015 52.7 58.3
2014 52.5 57.8
2013 51.9 57.8
2012 51.2 56.4
2011 52 56.7
2010 51 55.4
2009 53.2 55
2008 53.1 54.2
2007 52 54.8
2006 53.6 56.1
2005 53.7 54.8
2004 52.5 57.1
2003 52.6 58.7
2002 52.8 58
2001 52.6 55
2000 56.4 58.2
1999 54.8 60.5
1998 53.1 59.2
1997 51.7 58.8
1996 51.3 55.7
1995 52 57.5

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

GeoRank.org/economy/china/gabon | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 56.6 for Gabon, ranking 120/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Gabon
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
36.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
52.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
6.56%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$19.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$20,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$1.45B
2023
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
136/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$25.3M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$1.14B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
-$33.8M
2019
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
5.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
33.4%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
19.1%
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/china/gabon | 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 (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.