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Economy of Gabon vs Gambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $2.4B for the Gambia, ranking 127/197 and 174/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $1.92B (80% of GDP) in the Gambia.

Gabon vs Gambia GDP by year

Gabon
Gambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Gambia
2024 $20,895,684,426 $2,404,888,749
2023 $19,388,372,071 $2,382,262,185
2022 $20,440,655,695 $2,204,734,528
2021 $19,444,935,097 $2,014,158,842
2020 $15,342,236,164 $1,812,170,891
2019 $16,874,405,465 $1,813,609,692
2018 $16,867,326,402 $1,670,671,328
2017 $14,929,487,485 $1,504,909,463
2016 $14,023,890,265 $1,484,578,886
2015 $14,383,107,763 $1,378,176,609
2014 $18,203,966,896 $1,229,461,721
2013 $17,595,744,798 $1,375,609,453
2012 $17,170,464,016 $1,415,004,738
2011 $18,210,307,744 $1,409,693,597
2010 $14,372,593,020 $1,543,294,927
2009 $12,113,699,068 $1,450,142,509
2008 $15,571,348,344 $1,561,766,956
2007 $12,455,409,587 $1,279,703,047
2006 $10,327,598,306 $1,054,112,488
2005 $9,582,783,991 $1,027,701,068
2004 $7,770,219,008 $961,900,651
2003 $6,511,903,365 $487,038,685
2002 $5,335,451,100 $578,235,309
2001 $5,023,265,413 $687,410,645
2000 $5,080,483,629 $782,913,872
1999 $4,662,992,036 $814,724,032
1998 $4,483,417,310 $840,285,265
1997 $5,326,817,115 $803,633,342
1996 $5,694,040,003 $848,239,446
1995 $4,958,845,648 $785,999,865
1994 $4,190,819,344 $746,493,952
1993 $4,378,645,081 $755,040,974
1992 $5,592,390,827 $714,254,256
1991 $5,402,919,785 $690,311,081
1990 $5,952,293,765 $317,083,695
1989 $4,186,411,464 $284,120,329
1988 $3,834,503,376 $266,672,212
1987 $3,281,797,043 $220,626,484
1986 $3,403,638,189 $185,646,987
1985 $3,339,914,757 $225,726,359
1984 $3,561,451,561 $177,340,880
1983 $3,391,275,732 $213,448,585
1982 $3,618,007,841 $216,050,552
1981 $3,862,269,121 $218,767,743
1980 $4,279,637,942 $241,083,090
1979 $3,030,251,120 $207,112,628
1978 $2,389,479,272 $171,833,086
1977 $2,809,349,069 $138,093,099
1976 $3,009,409,974 $112,190,829
1975 $2,157,592,940 $115,179,719
1974 $1,544,216,002 $95,796,022
1973 $722,780,701 $75,187,749
1972 $430,508,359 $59,160,569
1971 $381,687,073 $55,728,663
1970 $323,802,476 $52,296,084
1969 $318,124,701 $45,168,072
1968 $294,468,564 $41,160,066
1967 $271,543,680 $46,695,007
1966 $245,849,781 $44,212,081
1965 $226,474,286 -
1964 $215,679,855 -
1963 $154,480,244 -
1962 $182,796,536 -
1961 $167,637,907 -
1960 $141,468,978 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Gambia by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Gambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $871 $3,476
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $883 $3,289
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $836 $3,067
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $782 $2,778
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $720 $2,531
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $738 $2,422
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $696 $2,277
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $643 $2,039
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $650 $2,013
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $620 $1,990
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $568 $1,934
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $654 $2,007
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $693 $2,065
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $711 $2,064
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $801 $2,267
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $775 $2,177
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $859 $2,088
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $725 $1,985
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $615 $1,931
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $616 $1,938
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $593 $1,979
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $309 $1,850
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $377 $1,744
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $460 $1,823
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $538 $1,731
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $575 $1,649
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $610 $1,572
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $600 $1,544
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $652 $1,489
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $622 $1,472
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $608 $1,473
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $635 $1,487
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $623 $1,462
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $628 $1,440
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $301 $1,409
1989 $4,374 - $280.9 -
1988 $4,119 - $274.9 -
1987 $3,624 - $237 -
1986 $3,865 - $207.7 -
1985 $3,898 - $262.8 -
1984 $4,273 - $214.8 -
1983 $4,182 - $268.6 -
1982 $4,584 - $282.1 -
1981 $5,026 - $296 -
1980 $5,718 - $338 -
1979 $4,155 - $300 -
1978 $3,360 - $257.6 -
1977 $4,048 - $213.8 -
1976 $4,441 - $179.3 -
1975 $3,258 - $189.8 -
1974 $2,384 - $162.6 -
1973 $1,140 - $131.4 -
1972 $693 - $106.5 -
1971 $627 - $103.3 -
1970 $543 - $99.8 -
1969 $545 - $88.7 -
1968 $515 - $83.1 -
1967 $482 - $97 -
1966 $443 - $94.4 -
1965 $415 - - -
1964 $400 - - -
1963 $290.7 - - -
1962 $348 - - -
1961 $323 - - -
1960 $276.1 - - -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $871 in the Gambia, ranking 183/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476.

Economic indicators

Gabon Gambia
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
5.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
183/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$3,476
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
172/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
155/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$741
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.6%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
25.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
11.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
17%
2023
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
6.48%
2023
Population
2663339
2902554

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Gambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Gambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 25.8% 80%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 24.9% 80.2%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 24.6% 83.9%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 21.5% 83.1%
2020 19.8% 83% 25.3% 85.9%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 23.9% 83%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 19% 83.6%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 23.6% 87%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 19.4% 80.7%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 19.6% 69.4%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 19% 71.1%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 17.2% 58.2%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 19.1% 49.5%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 16.5% 49.2%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 14.6% 42.9%
2009 22.6% 26% 14.4% 38.9%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 11.6% 39.5%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 11.2% 38%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 14% 87.3%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 12.9% 82.6%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 12.4% 81.3%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 9.3% 91.7%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 8.59% 93.9%
2001 27.8% 81% 9.68% 75.2%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 9.54% 73.3%
1999 25.5% 73.1% - -
1998 45.5% 87.6% - -
1997 29.7% 57% - -
1996 22.2% 64.5% - -
1995 25.1% 73.4% - -
1994 23.9% 71.3% - -
1993 26.9% 90.1% - -
1992 26.5% 87.9% - -
1991 25.1% 89.3% - -
1990 22.6% 90% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while the Gambia spent $621M, or 25.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 80% in the Gambia, ranking 51/185 and 45/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Gambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Gambia
2024 -3.84% -4.08%
2023 1.79% -3.69%
2022 -0.89% -5.72%
2021 -1.93% -4.77%
2020 -2.19% -2.37%
2019 2.13% -2.75%
2018 -0.21% -3.92%
2017 -1.7% -4.35%
2016 -4.71% -6.22%
2015 -1.12% -5.38%
2014 5.98% -3.94%
2013 -3.07% -5.11%
2012 6.2% -2.85%
2011 1.41% -3.03%
2010 2.7% -2.93%
2009 6.77% -1.65%
2008 11% -0.45%
2007 8.06% 0.27%
2006 8.67% -3.19%
2005 7.98% -3.33%
2004 6.99% -1.77%
2003 7.75% -1.73%
2002 3.72% 0.06%
2001 4.07% -2.52%
2000 11.1% -0.09%
1999 1.11% -
1998 -13.1% -
1997 1.41% -
1996 2.12% -
1995 2.64% -
1994 -1.53% -
1993 -5.35% -
1992 -4.9% -
1991 -2.03% -
1990 -3.83% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Gabon's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $802M, equivalent to 3.84% of GDP. This compares to the Gambia's deficit of $98.2M, or 4.08% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while the Gambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 3.07% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.02% of GDP for the Gambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Gambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Gambia
2024 1.17% 11.6%
2023 3.63% 17%
2022 4.23% 11.5%
2021 1.09% 7.37%
2020 1.35% 5.93%
2019 2.46% 7.12%
2018 4.75% 6.52%
2017 2.65% 8.03%
2016 2.11% 7.23%
2015 -0.34% 6.81%
2014 4.69% 5.95%
2013 0.51% 5.7%
2012 2.65% 4.25%
2011 1.26% 4.8%
2010 1.46% 5.05%
2009 1.89% 4.56%
2008 5.26% 4.44%
2007 5.03% 5.37%
2006 -1.41% 2.06%
2005 3.71% 4.84%
2004 0.41% 14.2%
2003 2.24% 17%
2002 0.04% 8.61%
2001 2.14% 4.49%
2000 0.5% 0.84%
1999 -1.94% 3.81%
1998 1.45% 1.11%
1997 3.97% 2.78%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 6.75% in the Gambia. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 11.6% in the Gambia.

Balance of trade

Gabon Gambia
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$99.8M
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
88/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$363M
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$161M
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$485M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
33.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
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.

Gabon Gambia
Economic freedom 56.6 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 123/197
Property rights 30 55.4
Government integrity 22.6 40.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 45.8
Tax burden 76.5 79.2
Government spending 85.5 81.1
Fiscal health 87.9 54.8
Business freedom 63.6 50.1
Labor freedom 55.4 46.4
Monetary freedom 80.9 57.3
Trade freedom 57.4 64.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Gambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Gambia
2026 56.6 56.3
2025 56.3 56.8
2024 56.9 58.2
2023 56.1 57.9
2022 55.8 58
2021 58.1 58.8
2020 56.7 56.3
2019 56.3 52.4
2018 58 52.3
2017 58.6 53.4
2016 59 57.1
2015 58.3 57.5
2014 57.8 59.5
2013 57.8 58.8
2012 56.4 58.8
2011 56.7 57.4
2010 55.4 55.1
2009 55 55.8
2008 54.2 56.9
2007 54.8 57.7
2006 56.1 57.3
2005 54.8 56.5
2004 57.1 55.3
2003 58.7 56.3
2002 58 57.7
2001 55 56.6
2000 58.2 52.7
1999 60.5 52.1
1998 59.2 53.4
1997 58.8 52.9
1996 55.7 -
1995 57.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, 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

Gabon Gambia
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
15.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
20.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$2.43B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$3,430
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$629M
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
151/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$232M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$232M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
-$665K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
3.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
53.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
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/gabon/gambia | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  6. 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.