Skip to content

Economy of Ecuador vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ecuador has a GDP of $125B compared to $82.3B for Ghana, ranking 62/197 and 80/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ecuador has $67B in government debt (53.8% of GDP), compared to $57.9B (70.3% of GDP) in Ghana.

Ecuador vs Ghana GDP by year

Ecuador
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ecuador Ghana
2024 $124,676,074,700 $82,308,110,386
2023 $121,147,057,000 $80,547,146,878
2022 $116,133,121,000 $73,919,003,210
2021 $107,179,074,000 $79,514,204,730
2020 $95,865,473,000 $70,008,243,860
2019 $107,595,830,000 $68,352,629,246
2018 $107,478,961,000 $67,259,353,966
2017 $104,467,486,000 $60,385,409,435
2016 $97,671,433,000 $56,144,179,398
2015 $97,209,558,000 $49,436,806,230
2014 $102,717,794,000 $54,678,533,806
2013 $96,570,334,000 $62,845,721,960
2012 $87,735,048,000 $41,271,701,061
2011 $78,986,648,000 $39,336,668,081
2010 $68,151,329,000 $32,197,655,567
2009 $60,094,978,000 $26,048,720,006
2008 $61,139,438,000 $28,679,383,241
2007 $49,848,725,000 $24,827,339,138
2006 $45,690,762,000 $20,885,037,597
2005 $40,278,849,000 $10,744,568,381
2004 $35,194,947,000 $8,881,417,907
2003 $30,965,208,000 $7,632,723,556
2002 $27,054,197,000 $6,166,197,848
2001 $23,127,055,000 $5,314,872,854
2000 $17,539,454,727 $4,982,850,662
1999 $19,645,272,636 $7,718,109,982
1998 $27,981,896,948 $7,482,069,162
1997 $28,162,053,027 $6,891,443,192
1996 $25,226,393,197 $6,932,991,739
1995 $24,432,884,442 $6,464,382,808
1994 $22,708,673,337 $5,446,383,727
1993 $18,938,717,359 $5,968,922,939
1992 $18,094,238,119 $6,416,103,926
1991 $16,988,535,268 $6,603,185,268
1990 $15,239,272,612 $5,889,106,573
1989 $13,890,823,705 $5,251,858,440
1988 $13,051,881,851 $5,197,765,032
1987 $13,945,426,859 $5,074,829,932
1986 $15,314,138,472 $5,735,677,434
1985 $17,149,088,413 $4,504,306,723
1984 $16,912,509,092 $4,412,279,843
1983 $17,152,477,037 $4,057,275,132
1982 $19,929,846,396 $4,035,994,398
1981 $21,810,759,354 $4,222,441,860
1980 $17,881,508,242 $4,445,228,216
1979 $14,175,160,902 $4,020,227,920
1978 $11,922,497,876 $3,662,478,185
1977 $11,026,342,618 $3,189,428,571
1976 $9,091,921,030 $2,765,254,237
1975 $7,731,674,472 $2,810,106,383
1974 $6,599,257,044 $2,894,409,938
1973 $3,891,754,150 $3,006,766,758
1972 $3,185,986,087 $2,112,293,280
1971 $2,754,219,271 $2,417,108,578
1970 $2,862,503,139 $2,215,028,588
1969 $3,112,165,727 $1,962,050,556
1968 $2,582,179,864 $1,666,909,518
1967 $2,553,595,172 $1,747,187,645
1966 $2,429,308,639 $2,126,300,672
1965 $2,387,047,396 $2,053,462,968
1964 $2,244,146,103 $1,731,296,200
1963 $1,824,343,871 $1,540,797,589
1962 $1,518,207,703 $1,382,515,654
1961 $1,753,850,955 $1,302,674,325
1960 $2,069,464,937 $1,217,230,095

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ecuador/ghana | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ecuador vs Ghana by year

Ecuador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ecuador Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,875 $15,840 $2,391 $8,020
2023 $6,738 $15,919 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $6,516 $15,198 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $6,061 $13,507 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $5,464 $11,527 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $6,205 $12,543 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $6,304 $12,187 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $6,233 $11,793 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $5,918 $10,881 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $5,976 $10,878 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $6,406 $11,836 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $6,109 $11,296 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $5,634 $10,245 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $5,154 $9,769 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $4,520 $8,969 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $4,053 $8,662 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $4,195 $8,663 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $3,479 $8,112 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $3,244 $7,885 $906 $3,103
2005 $2,909 $7,457 $479 $2,904
2004 $2,586 $6,980 $406 $2,729
2003 $2,316 $6,475 $358 $2,584
2002 $2,059 $6,282 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $1,791 $5,999 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $1,382 $5,728 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $1,575 $5,638 $403 $2,239
1998 $2,284 $5,940 $400 $2,167
1997 $2,341 $5,793 $378 $2,097
1996 $2,136 $5,560 $389 $2,026
1995 $2,108 $5,469 $372 $1,947
1994 $1,997 $5,339 $321 $1,875
1993 $1,698 $5,112 $360 $1,821
1992 $1,655 $4,998 $396 $1,739
1991 $1,587 $4,887 $418 $1,678
1990 $1,455 $4,632 $383 $1,581
1989 $1,356 - $350 -
1988 $1,304 - $355 -
1987 $1,426 - $355 -
1986 $1,604 - $411 -
1985 $1,842 - $330 -
1984 $1,864 - $330 -
1983 $1,940 - $311 -
1982 $2,314 - $319 -
1981 $2,601 - $344 -
1980 $2,190 - $372 -
1979 $1,783 - $347 -
1978 $1,541 - $326 -
1977 $1,465 - $292.3 -
1976 $1,242 - $261 -
1975 $1,086 - $273 -
1974 $954 - $289.4 -
1973 $579 - $310 -
1972 $488 - $223.8 -
1971 $434 - $263.4 -
1970 $465 - $248.2 -
1969 $521 - $225.8 -
1968 $445 - $196.7 -
1967 $454 - $211.2 -
1966 $445 - $263.3 -
1965 $450 - $260.5 -
1964 $436 - $225 -
1963 $365 - $205 -
1962 $312 - $188.4 -
1961 $371 - $181.9 -
1960 $451 - $174.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ecuador/ghana | CC BY

Ecuador's GDP per capita is $6,875, ranking 103/197, compared to $2,391 in Ghana, ranking 151/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ecuador ranks 110th at $15,840, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Ecuador Ghana
Gross domestic product
$125B
2024
$82.3B
2024
GDP rank
62/197
2024
80/197
2024
GDP growth
-2%
2023-2024
5.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,875
2024
$2,391
2024
GDP per capita rank
103/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$15,840
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
110/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$67B
2024
$57.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.8%
2024
70.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$3,695
2024
$1,682
2024
Government debt per person rank
93/185
2024
123/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,894
2026
$2,110
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$747M
2000
$7.58B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2024
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
1.5%
2024
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
38.1%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.55%
2023-2024
22.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
25%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.39%
2024
2.87%
2022
Population
18487749
35885254

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ecuador
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ecuador Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 38.1% 53.8% 23.2% 70.3%
2023 39.5% 54.3% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 38.9% 57.2% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 37.5% 61.8% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 40.2% 63.6% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 39.8% 52.1% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 40.9% 49.5% 20.9% 62%
2017 40.5% 47.4% 17.6% 57%
2016 44.1% 46.1% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 44.1% 36.4% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 45.9% 28.2% 21% 50.1%
2013 46.7% 23.4% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 43.2% 19.3% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 39.6% 18.6% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 35.4% 18.4% 19% 32.9%
2009 34.3% 19.7% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 35.6% 24.9% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 24.7% 29.6% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 21.7% 33.1% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 22% 35.8% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 21.3% 40.2% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 21.3% 47.2% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 22.8% 55% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 21.4% 63.8% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 24.3% 92.2% 12% 74.5%
1999 24.1% 105.2% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 21.5% 70.3% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 22% 61.5% 12% 45.2%
1996 22.7% 69.3% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 22% 70.5% 13% 47.6%
1994 - - 12.7% 50.6%
1993 - - 12.1% 34.1%
1992 - - 9.2% 21.3%
1991 - - 7.09% 17.3%
1990 - - 6.59% 17.8%
1989 - - 7.24% 23%
1988 - - 7.23% 23.5%
1987 - - 7.32% 26.8%
1986 - - 7.29% 18.2%
1985 - - 6.08% 14.4%
1984 - - 4.64% 13%
1983 - - 3.49% 9.21%
1982 - - 4.73% 8.51%
1981 - - 5.74% 8.77%
1980 - - 7.51% 9.75%
1979 - - 9.14% 11.5%
1978 - - 6.54% 11.4%
1977 - - 10.5% 20.7%
1976 - - 12.8% 26%
1975 - - 13.2% 21.8%
1974 - - 9.52% 21.8%
1973 - - 9.35% 25.4%
1972 - - 11.4% 29.8%
1971 - - 11.7% 29.5%
1970 - - 12.2% 31.9%
1969 - - 11.2% 31.4%
1968 - - 12.3% 34.5%
1967 - - 11.5% 33.9%
1966 - - 9.12% 29.8%
1965 - - 14.2% 30.2%
1964 - - 15.8% 30.8%
1963 - - 15.3% 30.5%
1962 - - 12.5% 11.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ecuador/ghana | CC BY

In 2024, Ecuador's government spending was $47.5B, accounting for 38.1% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.1B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.8% in Ecuador and 70.3% in Ghana, ranking 98/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ecuador

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ecuador Ghana
2024 -1.28% -7.31%
2023 -3.48% -3.37%
2022 0.04% -11.8%
2021 -1.59% -12%
2020 -7.38% -17.4%
2019 -3.47% -7.52%
2018 -2.8% -6.79%
2017 -5.77% -3.97%
2016 -10.3% -6.75%
2015 -6.87% -4.01%
2014 -8.11% -7.81%
2013 -8.17% -9.12%
2012 -2.83% -8.36%
2011 -0.13% -5.47%
2010 -1.39% -7.13%
2009 -3.71% -5.05%
2008 0.57% -5.56%
2007 2.66% -4.91%
2006 2.92% -3.11%
2005 0.66% -1.87%
2004 1.94% -2.02%
2003 1.05% -1.99%
2002 0.74% -2.73%
2001 0.03% -3.64%
2000 -0.32% -3.98%
1999 -4.82% -5.64%
1998 -5.1% -5.27%
1997 -2.83% -6.14%
1996 -3.44% -5.61%
1995 -2.02% -4.52%
1994 - -4.99%
1993 - -5.39%
1992 - -4.5%
1991 - -1.47%
1990 - -1.93%
1989 - -0.81%
1988 - -1.08%
1987 - -0.92%
1986 - -1.26%
1985 - -1.19%
1984 - -0.98%
1983 - -1.13%
1982 - -2.03%
1981 - -3.8%
1980 - -4.73%
1979 - -3.61%
1978 - -1.21%
1977 - -4.68%
1976 - -5.53%
1975 - -4.05%
1974 - -2.06%
1973 - -2.64%
1972 - -2.19%
1971 - 0.13%
1970 - -2.35%
1969 - -2.67%
1968 - -2.34%
1967 - -2.32%
1966 - -1.29%
1965 - -3.29%
1964 - -3.72%
1963 - -5.66%
1962 - -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ecuador/ghana | CC BY

In 2024, Ecuador's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.59B, equivalent to 1.28% of GDP. This compares to Ghana's deficit of $6.02B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ecuador recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Ecuador posted an annual deficit equal to 2.51% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.03% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ecuador

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ecuador Ghana
2024 1.55% 22.8%
2023 2.22% 38.1%
2022 3.47% 31.3%
2021 0.13% 9.97%
2020 -0.34% 9.89%
2019 0.27% 7.14%
2018 -0.22% 7.81%
2017 0.42% 12.4%
2016 1.73% 17.5%
2015 3.97% 17.1%
2014 3.59% 15.5%
2013 2.72% 11.7%
2012 5.1% 11.2%
2011 4.47% 8.73%
2010 3.55% 10.7%
2009 5.16% 19.2%
2008 8.4% 16.5%
2007 2.28% 10.7%
2006 3.3% 11.7%
2005 2.17% 15.4%
2004 2.74% 18%
2003 7.93% 29.8%
2002 12.5% 9.36%
2001 37.7% 41.5%
2000 96.1% 40.2%
1999 52.2% 4.87%
1998 36.1% 14.6%
1997 30.7% 27.9%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ecuador/ghana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ecuador has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 11.8%, compared with 17.6% in Ghana. In 2024, inflation was 1.55% in Ecuador and 22.8% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Ecuador
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.76M
Animal & marine products $587K
Raw agricultural goods $219K
Raw materials & minerals $46K
Miscellaneous $5K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Metals $1K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $843K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Ecuador Ghana
Current account balance
$7.06B
2024
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
27/190
2024
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+5.66%
2024
+2.04%
2024
Goods imports
$27.9B
2024
$15.4B
2024
Goods exports
$34.7B
2024
$19.2B
2024
Service imports
$6.18B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Service exports
$3.86B
2024
$9.27B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
26.9%
2024
34.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.3%
2024
35.5%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ecuador Ghana
Economic freedom 55.6 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 127/197 118/197
Property rights 33.2 50.2
Government integrity 33 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 48.1 57.5
Tax burden 74.2 79.4
Government spending 54.9 84
Fiscal health 90.3 10.1
Business freedom 64.3 64.5
Labor freedom 56.9 54.9
Monetary freedom 76.3 56.7
Trade freedom 66.4 65.2
Investment freedom 30 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ecuador
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ecuador Ghana
2026 55.6 57.3
2025 55.8 56
2024 55 55.8
2023 55 58
2022 54.3 59.8
2021 52.4 59.2
2020 51.3 59.4
2019 46.9 57.5
2018 48.5 56
2017 49.3 56.2
2016 48.6 63
2015 49.2 63
2014 48 64.2
2013 46.9 61.3
2012 48.3 60.7
2011 47.1 59.4
2010 49.3 60.2
2009 52.5 58.1
2008 55.2 57
2007 55.3 57.6
2006 54.6 55.6
2005 52.9 56.5
2004 54.4 59.1
2003 54.1 58.2
2002 53.1 57.2
2001 55.1 58
2000 59.8 58.1
1999 62.9 57.9
1998 62.8 57
1997 61 56.7
1996 60.1 57.7
1995 57.7 55.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ecuador/ghana | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ecuador is 55.6, ranking 127/197, compared to 57.3 for Ghana, ranking 118/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ecuador Ghana
Services, % of GDP
57.2%
2024
40.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
26.5%
2024
31.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
9.48%
2024
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$117B
2024
$79.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$15,410
2024
$7,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$6.91B
2024
$3.62B
2023
Total reserves ranking
87/177
2024
112/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$438M
2024
-$1.76B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$443M
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$0
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
7%
2024
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
28%
2024
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
10%
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/ecuador/ghana | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–2000, 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 (2020–2024, 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.