Skip to content

Economy of China vs Gambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $2.4B for the Gambia, ranking 2/197 and 174/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $1.92B (80% of GDP) in the Gambia.

China vs Gambia GDP by year

China
Gambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Gambia
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $2,404,888,749
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $2,382,262,185
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $2,204,734,528
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $2,014,158,842
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $1,812,170,891
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $1,813,609,692
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $1,670,671,328
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $1,504,909,463
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $1,484,578,886
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $1,378,176,609
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $1,229,461,721
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $1,375,609,453
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $1,415,004,738
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $1,409,693,597
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $1,543,294,927
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $1,450,142,509
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $1,561,766,956
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $1,279,703,047
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $1,054,112,488
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $1,027,701,068
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $961,900,651
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $487,038,685
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $578,235,309
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $687,410,645
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $782,913,872
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $814,724,032
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $840,285,265
1997 $967,753,570,435 $803,633,342
1996 $868,523,936,530 $848,239,446
1995 $738,190,896,228 $785,999,865
1994 $566,929,539,493 $746,493,952
1993 $446,557,291,212 $755,040,974
1992 $428,502,354,788 $714,254,256
1991 $384,510,452,962 $690,311,081
1990 $361,560,229,446 $317,083,695
1989 $348,380,566,802 $284,120,329
1988 $312,888,888,889 $266,672,212
1987 $273,455,156,951 $220,626,484
1986 $301,310,144,928 $185,646,987
1985 $310,064,625,850 $225,726,359
1984 $260,442,857,143 $177,340,880
1983 $231,130,268,199 $213,448,585
1982 $205,480,916,031 $216,050,552
1981 $196,218,253,968 $218,767,743
1980 $191,487,500,000 $241,083,090
1979 $178,573,913,043 $207,112,628
1978 $149,788,617,886 $171,833,086
1977 $175,226,595,860 $138,093,099
1976 $154,196,810,059 $112,190,829
1975 $163,687,619,736 $115,179,719
1974 $144,418,433,058 $95,796,022
1973 $138,764,340,892 $75,187,749
1972 $113,871,930,714 $59,160,569
1971 $99,959,013,880 $55,728,663
1970 $92,752,930,873 $52,296,084
1969 $79,847,786,729 $45,168,072
1968 $70,980,323,819 $41,160,066
1967 $73,011,350,596 $46,695,007
1966 $76,854,053,259 $44,212,081
1965 $70,565,994,356 -
1964 $59,821,862,703 -
1963 $50,812,227,919 -
1962 $47,310,737,754 -
1961 $50,162,299,350 -
1960 $59,846,235,025 -

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

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

GDP per capita in China vs Gambia by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Gambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $13,303 $27,105 $871 $3,476
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $883 $3,289
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $836 $3,067
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $782 $2,778
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $720 $2,531
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $738 $2,422
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $696 $2,277
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $643 $2,039
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $650 $2,013
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $620 $1,990
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $568 $1,934
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $654 $2,007
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $693 $2,065
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $711 $2,064
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $801 $2,267
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $775 $2,177
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $859 $2,088
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $725 $1,985
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $615 $1,931
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $616 $1,938
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $593 $1,979
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $309 $1,850
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $377 $1,744
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $460 $1,823
2000 $969 $2,964 $538 $1,731
1999 $881 $2,690 $575 $1,649
1998 $835 $2,483 $610 $1,572
1997 $787 $2,297 $600 $1,544
1996 $713 $2,088 $652 $1,489
1995 $613 $1,884 $622 $1,472
1994 $476 $1,680 $608 $1,473
1993 $379 $1,471 $635 $1,487
1992 $368 $1,276 $623 $1,462
1991 $334 $1,105 $628 $1,440
1990 $319 $991 $301 $1,409
1989 $311 - $280.9 -
1988 $284 - $274.9 -
1987 $252.3 - $237 -
1986 $282.4 - $207.7 -
1985 $295 - $262.8 -
1984 $251.2 - $214.8 -
1983 $225.9 - $268.6 -
1982 $203.7 - $282.1 -
1981 $197.4 - $296 -
1980 $195.1 - $338 -
1979 $184.3 - $300 -
1978 $156.7 - $257.6 -
1977 $185.7 - $213.8 -
1976 $165.7 - $179.3 -
1975 $178.6 - $189.8 -
1974 $160.4 - $162.6 -
1973 $157.3 - $131.4 -
1972 $132.1 - $106.5 -
1971 $118.8 - $103.3 -
1970 $113.3 - $99.8 -
1969 $100.3 - $88.7 -
1968 $91.6 - $83.1 -
1967 $96.8 - $97 -
1966 $104.5 - $94.4 -
1965 $98.7 - - -
1964 $85.7 - - -
1963 $74.5 - - -
1962 $71.1 - - -
1961 $76 - - -
1960 $89.7 - - -

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

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $871 in the Gambia, ranking 183/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476.

Economic indicators

China Gambia
Gross domestic product
$18.7T
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
5.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
183/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$3,476
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
172/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
155/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$741
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
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.6%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
25.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
11.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
17%
2023
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
6.48%
2023
Population
1402578808
2902554

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Gambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Gambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 32.9% 88.3% 25.8% 80%
2023 32.7% 82% 24.9% 80.2%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 24.6% 83.9%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 21.5% 83.1%
2020 34.8% 69% 25.3% 85.9%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 23.9% 83%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 19% 83.6%
2017 32% 53.9% 23.6% 87%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 19.4% 80.7%
2015 31% 40.8% 19.6% 69.4%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 19% 71.1%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 17.2% 58.2%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 19.1% 49.5%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 16.5% 49.2%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 14.6% 42.9%
2009 25.2% 34% 14.4% 38.9%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 11.6% 39.5%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 11.2% 38%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 14% 87.3%
2005 18% 25.9% 12.9% 82.6%
2004 17.6% 26% 12.4% 81.3%
2003 18% 26.4% 9.3% 91.7%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 8.59% 93.9%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 9.68% 75.2%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 9.54% 73.3%
1999 14.9% 21.6% - -
1998 12.6% 20.4% - -
1997 11.5% 20.4% - -
1996 11% 21.2% - -
1995 11.1% 21.4% - -
1994 12.4% - - -
1993 13.4% - - -
1992 14.6% - - -
1991 16.5% - - -
1990 18.2% - - -
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/gambia | CC BY

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while the Gambia spent $621M, or 25.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 80% in the Gambia, ranking 34/185 and 45/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Gambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Gambia
2024 -7.34% -4.08%
2023 -6.71% -3.69%
2022 -7.32% -5.72%
2021 -5.9% -4.77%
2020 -9.56% -2.37%
2019 -6% -2.75%
2018 -4.2% -3.92%
2017 -3.34% -4.35%
2016 -3.33% -6.22%
2015 -2.5% -5.38%
2014 -0.67% -3.94%
2013 -0.82% -5.11%
2012 -0.3% -2.85%
2011 -0.1% -3.03%
2010 -0.36% -2.93%
2009 -1.72% -1.65%
2008 -0.02% -0.45%
2007 0.06% 0.27%
2006 -1.13% -3.19%
2005 -1.38% -3.33%
2004 -1.49% -1.77%
2003 -2.36% -1.73%
2002 -2.84% 0.06%
2001 -2.56% -2.52%
2000 -2.81% -0.09%
1999 -2.3% -
1998 -1.08% -
1997 -0.73% -
1996 -0.73% -
1995 -0.94% -
1994 -1.68% -
1993 -0.89% -
1992 -1.22% -
1991 -1.04% -
1990 -0.72% -
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/gambia | 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 the Gambia's deficit of $98.2M, or 4.08% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while the Gambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.99% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.02% of GDP for the Gambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Gambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Gambia
2024 0.2% 11.6%
2023 0.2% 17%
2022 2% 11.5%
2021 0.9% 7.37%
2020 2.5% 5.93%
2019 2.9% 7.12%
2018 2.1% 6.52%
2017 1.6% 8.03%
2016 2% 7.23%
2015 1.5% 6.81%
2014 2% 5.95%
2013 2.7% 5.7%
2012 2.6% 4.25%
2011 5.4% 4.8%
2010 3.3% 5.05%
2009 -0.7% 4.56%
2008 5.9% 4.44%
2007 4.7% 5.37%
2006 1.5% 2.06%
2005 1.8% 4.84%
2004 3.9% 14.2%
2003 1.1% 17%
2002 -0.8% 8.61%
2001 0.7% 4.49%
2000 0.4% 0.84%
1999 -1.4% 3.81%
1998 -0.8% 1.11%
1997 2.8% 2.78%

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/gambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 6.75% in the Gambia. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 11.6% in the Gambia.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $206M
Machinery & equipment $84.3M
Metals $52.7M
Raw agricultural goods $31.9M
Chemicals & pharma $31.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.51M
Miscellaneous $7.73M
Wood & paper products $5.38M
Raw materials & minerals $5.16M
Animal & marine products $1.18M
Gambia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $20.3M
Raw materials & minerals $1.02M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $465K
Wood & paper products $121K
Precious metals & jewellery $58K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Animal & marine products $12K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Metals $8K

Balance of trade

China Gambia
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$99.8M
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
88/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$363M
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$161M
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$485M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
33.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
8.75%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

China Gambia
Economic freedom 48.3 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 123/197
Property rights 40.9 55.4
Government integrity 42.3 40.5
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 45.8
Tax burden 69.3 79.2
Government spending 67.8 81.1
Fiscal health 4.4 54.8
Business freedom 68.7 50.1
Labor freedom 57.9 46.4
Monetary freedom 76.1 57.3
Trade freedom 73.4 64.8
Investment freedom 20 50
Financial freedom 20 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Gambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Gambia
2026 48.3 56.3
2025 49 56.8
2024 48.5 58.2
2023 48.3 57.9
2022 48 58
2021 58.4 58.8
2020 59.5 56.3
2019 58.4 52.4
2018 57.8 52.3
2017 57.4 53.4
2016 52 57.1
2015 52.7 57.5
2014 52.5 59.5
2013 51.9 58.8
2012 51.2 58.8
2011 52 57.4
2010 51 55.1
2009 53.2 55.8
2008 53.1 56.9
2007 52 57.7
2006 53.6 57.3
2005 53.7 56.5
2004 52.5 55.3
2003 52.6 56.3
2002 52.8 57.7
2001 52.6 56.6
2000 56.4 52.7
1999 54.8 52.1
1998 53.1 53.4
1997 51.7 52.9
1996 51.3 -
1995 52 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 56.3 for the Gambia, ranking 123/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Gambia
Services, % of GDP
56.7%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
15.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
20.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$2.43B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$3,430
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$629M
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
151/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$232M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$232M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
-$665K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
3.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
53.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
29.9%
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/china/gambia | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (2020–2024, 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.