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Economy of Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Equatorial Guinea has a GDP of $12.8B compared to $82.3B for Ghana, ranking 148/197 and 80/197 by economy size, respectively.

Equatorial Guinea has $4.65B in government debt (36.4% of GDP), compared to $57.9B (70.3% of GDP) in Ghana.

Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana GDP by year

Equatorial Guinea
Ghana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Equatorial Guinea Ghana
2024 $12,765,777,677 $82,308,110,386
2023 $12,337,550,584 $80,547,146,878
2022 $13,687,643,436 $73,919,003,210
2021 $12,215,878,033 $79,514,204,730
2020 $9,893,816,008 $70,008,243,860
2019 $11,364,133,550 $68,352,629,246
2018 $13,097,012,134 $67,259,353,966
2017 $12,200,913,879 $60,385,409,435
2016 $11,240,808,848 $56,144,179,398
2015 $13,185,496,881 $49,436,806,230
2014 $21,765,453,082 $54,678,533,806
2013 $21,948,834,284 $62,845,721,960
2012 $22,388,344,144 $41,271,701,061
2011 $21,357,343,669 $39,336,668,081
2010 $16,314,443,436 $32,197,655,567
2009 $15,027,795,173 $26,048,720,006
2008 $19,749,893,536 $28,679,383,241
2007 $13,071,718,759 $24,827,339,138
2006 $10,086,528,699 $20,885,037,597
2005 $8,217,369,093 $10,744,568,381
2004 $4,410,764,339 $8,881,417,907
2003 $2,484,745,935 $7,632,723,556
2002 $1,806,742,742 $6,166,197,848
2001 $1,461,139,022 $5,314,872,854
2000 $1,045,998,496 $4,982,850,662
1999 $621,117,886 $7,718,109,982
1998 $370,687,634 $7,482,069,162
1997 $442,337,871 $6,891,443,192
1996 $232,463,023 $6,932,991,739
1995 $141,853,361 $6,464,382,808
1994 $100,807,003 $5,446,383,727
1993 $136,047,906 $5,968,922,939
1992 $134,707,184 $6,416,103,926
1991 $110,906,029 $6,603,185,268
1990 $112,119,411 $5,889,106,573
1989 $88,265,975 $5,251,858,440
1988 $100,534,657 $5,197,765,032
1987 $93,345,860 $5,074,829,932
1986 $76,407,396 $5,735,677,434
1985 $62,118,570 $4,504,306,723
1984 $50,320,914 $4,412,279,843
1983 $44,442,457 $4,057,275,132
1982 $44,294,648 $4,035,994,398
1981 $36,731,423 $4,222,441,860
1980 $50,642,881 $4,445,228,216
1979 - $4,020,227,920
1978 - $3,662,478,185
1977 $103,987,520 $3,189,428,571
1976 $103,653,050 $2,765,254,237
1975 $104,295,643 $2,810,106,383
1974 $94,159,863 $2,894,409,938
1973 $81,203,227 $3,006,766,758
1972 $65,429,198 $2,112,293,280
1971 $64,946,955 $2,417,108,578
1970 $66,331,429 $2,215,028,588
1969 $67,225,714 $1,962,050,556
1968 $67,514,286 $1,666,909,518
1967 $72,317,447 $1,747,187,645
1966 $69,110,000 $2,126,300,672
1965 $64,748,333 $2,053,462,968
1964 $51,915,000 $1,731,296,200
1963 $44,266,667 $1,540,797,589
1962 $37,253,333 $1,382,515,654
1961 - $1,302,674,325
1960 - $1,217,230,095

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

GDP per capita in Equatorial Guinea vs Ghana by year

Equatorial Guinea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Equatorial Guinea Ghana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $6,745 $17,567 $2,391 $8,020
2023 $6,678 $17,412 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $7,589 $18,140 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $6,946 $16,821 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $5,764 $13,677 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $6,804 $16,451 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $8,102 $18,413 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $7,809 $18,435 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $7,453 $16,649 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $9,069 $19,479 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $15,549 $27,177 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $16,304 $27,910 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $17,309 $30,012 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $17,198 $27,242 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $13,720 $26,168 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $13,233 $29,722 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $18,211 $30,523 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $12,617 $26,611 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $10,185 $23,511 $906 $3,103
2005 $8,674 $22,137 $479 $2,904
2004 $4,901 $19,354 $406 $2,729
2003 $2,931 $14,496 $358 $2,584
2002 $2,264 $13,255 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $1,949 $11,627 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $1,487 $7,420 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $931 $6,470 $403 $2,239
1998 $578 $5,280 $400 $2,167
1997 $717 $4,387 $378 $2,097
1996 $392 $1,793 $389 $2,026
1995 $248.3 $1,098 $372 $1,947
1994 $183.2 $951 $321 $1,875
1993 $256.7 $828 $360 $1,821
1992 $263.7 $756 $396 $1,739
1991 $225.3 $569 $418 $1,678
1990 $236.4 $577 $383 $1,581
1989 $193.2 - $350 -
1988 $228.7 - $355 -
1987 $220.9 - $355 -
1986 $188.8 - $411 -
1985 $161.1 - $330 -
1984 $137.9 - $330 -
1983 $129.4 - $311 -
1982 $137.5 - $319 -
1981 $121.1 - $344 -
1980 $175.5 - $372 -
1979 - - $347 -
1978 - - $326 -
1977 $376 - $292.3 -
1976 $369 - $261 -
1975 $362 - $273 -
1974 $319 - $289.4 -
1973 $268.6 - $310 -
1972 $211.4 - $223.8 -
1971 $205.6 - $263.4 -
1970 $206.8 - $248.2 -
1969 $208.4 - $225.8 -
1968 $211.7 - $196.7 -
1967 $231.9 - $211.2 -
1966 $226.7 - $263.3 -
1965 $217.1 - $260.5 -
1964 $177.8 - $225 -
1963 $154.8 - $205 -
1962 $132.9 - $188.4 -
1961 - - $181.9 -
1960 - - $174.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

Equatorial Guinea's GDP per capita is $6,745, ranking 106/197, compared to $2,391 in Ghana, ranking 151/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Equatorial Guinea ranks 106th at $17,567, while Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020.

Economic indicators

Equatorial Guinea Ghana
Gross domestic product
$12.8B
2024
$82.3B
2024
GDP rank
148/197
2024
80/197
2024
GDP growth
0.91%
2023-2024
5.59%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$6,745
2024
$2,391
2024
GDP per capita rank
106/197
2024
151/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$17,567
2024
$8,020
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
106/197
2024
140/197
2024
Government debt
$4.65B
2024
$57.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
36.4%
2024
70.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$2,458
2024
$1,682
2024
Government debt per person rank
110/185
2024
123/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,042
2026
$2,110
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.58B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
29.1%
2022
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2022
1.6%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.4%
2023-2024
22.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
25%
2025
Unemployment rate
8.6%
2014
2.87%
2022
Population
1998075
35885254

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Spending

Debt
Ghana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Ghana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.5% 36.4% 23.2% 70.3%
2023 19.2% 39.1% 18.5% 79.1%
2022 14.8% 29.8% 27.5% 92.7%
2021 12.7% 42.3% 27.2% 86.9%
2020 16.2% 49.4% 31.5% 79.1%
2019 16.8% 43.2% 22.5% 62.9%
2018 19.1% 40.6% 20.9% 62%
2017 20.1% 36.2% 17.6% 57%
2016 27.8% 41.1% 19.9% 55.9%
2015 41.6% 31.7% 18.6% 53.9%
2014 31.6% 12.6% 21% 50.1%
2013 29.3% 6.27% 21.6% 42.9%
2012 35.2% 7.1% 22.1% 35.5%
2011 27.5% 7.17% 19.5% 31.2%
2010 31.2% 7.89% 19% 32.9%
2009 39.8% 4.34% 16.6% 25.4%
2008 19.9% 0.49% 16.6% 23.2%
2007 19.7% 0.75% 16.8% 21.1%
2006 18.1% 1.22% 14.4% 17.3%
2005 14.1% 2.85% 12.9% 31.7%
2004 15.5% 4.54% 13.7% 38.4%
2003 11.8% 6.77% 12.1% 49.3%
2002 11.3% 19.4% 10.7% 54.1%
2001 13.5% 25.5% 13.8% 57.8%
2000 22.6% 36.6% 12% 74.5%
1999 18.7% 60.5% 11.1% 51.7%
1998 35.1% 59.2% 11.8% 37.6%
1997 14.8% 46.3% 12% 45.2%
1996 22.9% 91.2% 12.4% 42.9%
1995 141.5% 136.9% 13% 47.6%
1994 510% 216% 12.7% 50.6%
1993 256.3% 152.6% 12.1% 34.1%
1992 595% 136.9% 9.2% 21.3%
1991 284.5% 169.5% 7.09% 17.3%
1990 212.9% 157% 6.59% 17.8%
1989 116.8% 187% 7.24% 23%
1988 227.9% 154.5% 7.23% 23.5%
1987 183% 141.3% 7.32% 26.8%
1986 119% 152.5% 7.29% 18.2%
1985 115.4% 183.8% 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 (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government spending was $2.36B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Ghana spent $19.1B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 36.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 70.3% in Ghana, ranking 143/185 and 57/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Equatorial Guinea

Ghana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Equatorial Guinea Ghana
2024 -0.55% -7.31%
2023 2.39% -3.37%
2022 11.7% -11.8%
2021 2.65% -12%
2020 -1.77% -17.4%
2019 1.82% -7.52%
2018 0.52% -6.79%
2017 -2.59% -3.97%
2016 -10.9% -6.75%
2015 -15.1% -4.01%
2014 -7.54% -7.81%
2013 -4.4% -9.12%
2012 -7.24% -8.36%
2011 0.83% -5.47%
2010 -4.53% -7.13%
2009 -6.47% -5.05%
2008 14.6% -5.56%
2007 17.2% -4.91%
2006 21.8% -3.11%
2005 18.5% -1.87%
2004 9.22% -2.02%
2003 9.99% -1.99%
2002 17.6% -2.73%
2001 14.9% -3.64%
2000 -2.67% -3.98%
1999 -0.19% -5.64%
1998 -7.65% -5.27%
1997 3.21% -6.14%
1996 -6.36% -5.61%
1995 -123.4% -4.52%
1994 -487% -4.99%
1993 -217.9% -5.39%
1992 -557% -4.5%
1991 -236% -1.47%
1990 -160.2% -1.93%
1989 -76.2% -0.81%
1988 -208.5% -1.08%
1987 -158% -0.92%
1986 -97.3% -1.26%
1985 -89.3% -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/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

In 2024, Equatorial Guinea's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $70.8M, equivalent to 0.55% of GDP. This compares to Ghana's deficit of $6.02B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 40 years, Equatorial Guinea recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Ghana ran a deficit in 40 years. On average, Equatorial Guinea posted an annual deficit equal to 58.6% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.11% of GDP for Ghana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Equatorial Guinea

Ghana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Equatorial Guinea Ghana
2024 3.4% 22.8%
2023 2.4% 38.1%
2022 4.9% 31.3%
2021 -0.1% 9.97%
2020 4.8% 9.89%
2019 1.2% 7.14%
2018 1.3% 7.81%
2017 0.7% 12.4%
2016 1.4% 17.5%
2015 1.7% 17.1%
2014 4.3% 15.5%
2013 3.2% 11.7%
2012 3.4% 11.2%
2011 4.8% 8.73%
2010 5.3% 10.7%
2009 5.7% 19.2%
2008 4.7% 16.5%
2007 2.8% 10.7%
2006 4.5% 11.7%
2005 5.6% 15.4%
2004 4.2% 18%
2003 7.3% 29.8%
2002 7.6% 9.36%
2001 8.7% 41.5%
2000 4.8% 40.2%
1999 0.4% 4.87%
1998 7.9% 14.6%
1997 3% 27.9%

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/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Equatorial Guinea has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 3.93%, compared with 17.6% in Ghana. In 2024, inflation was 3.4% in Equatorial Guinea and 22.8% in Ghana.

Top exports between countries

Equatorial Guinea
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $14.6M
Chemicals & pharma $296K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Ghana
Export category Export value
Metals $857K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $454K
Textiles & consumer goods $178K
Machinery & equipment $74K
Chemicals & pharma $31K
Raw materials & minerals $16K
Animal & marine products $1K

Balance of trade

Equatorial Guinea Ghana
Current account balance
-$344M
1996
$1.68B
2024
Current account balance ranking
101/190
1996
49/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-148%
1996
+2.04%
2024
Goods imports
$292M
1996
$15.4B
2024
Goods exports
$175M
1996
$19.2B
2024
Service imports
$185M
1996
$11.5B
2024
Service exports
$4.88M
1996
$9.27B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.4%
2024
34.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.2%
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.

Equatorial Guinea Ghana
Economic freedom 47.4 57.3
Economic freedom ranking 175/197 118/197
Property rights 16.9 50.2
Government integrity 6.9 45.4
Judicial effectiveness 7.2 57.5
Tax burden 81 79.4
Government spending 90.8 84
Fiscal health 97.3 10.1
Business freedom 35.9 64.5
Labor freedom 45.2 54.9
Monetary freedom 73.5 56.7
Trade freedom 43.6 65.2
Investment freedom 40 60
Financial freedom 30 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Equatorial Guinea
Ghana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Equatorial Guinea Ghana
2026 47.4 57.3
2025 47.7 56
2024 47.7 55.8
2023 48.3 58
2022 47.2 59.8
2021 49.2 59.2
2020 48.3 59.4
2019 41 57.5
2018 42 56
2017 45 56.2
2016 43.7 63
2015 40.4 63
2014 44.4 64.2
2013 42.3 61.3
2012 42.8 60.7
2011 47.5 59.4
2010 48.6 60.2
2009 51.3 58.1
2008 51.6 57
2007 53.2 57.6
2006 51.5 55.6
2005 53.3 56.5
2004 53.3 59.1
2003 53.1 58.2
2002 46.4 57.2
2001 47.9 58
2000 45.6 58.1
1999 45.1 57.9
1998 - 57
1997 - 56.7
1996 - 57.7
1995 - 55.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Equatorial Guinea is 47.4, ranking 175/197, 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

Equatorial Guinea Ghana
Services, % of GDP
51.1%
2024
40.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
45.8%
2024
31.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
3.15%
2024
20.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$8.96B
2024
$79.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,330
2024
$7,720
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.54B
2023
$3.62B
2023
Total reserves ranking
134/177
2023
112/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$376M
1996
-$1.76B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$188M
2024
$1.77B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$154M
2024
$5.37M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
3.45%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
50.7%
2022
23.4%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
8.96%
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/equatorial-guinea/ghana | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, 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 (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2014, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.