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Economy of Gabon vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 127/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Gabon vs Mauritania GDP by year

Gabon
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Mauritania
2024 $20,895,684,426 $10,908,045,687
2023 $19,388,372,071 $10,726,838,461
2022 $20,440,655,695 $9,557,966,698
2021 $19,444,935,097 $9,222,536,364
2020 $15,342,236,164 $8,260,752,385
2019 $16,874,405,465 $7,894,764,886
2018 $16,867,326,402 $7,473,550,557
2017 $14,929,487,485 $6,800,135,898
2016 $14,023,890,265 $6,398,747,592
2015 $14,383,107,763 $6,166,863,897
2014 $18,203,966,896 $6,592,537,782
2013 $17,595,744,798 $7,223,071,097
2012 $17,170,464,016 $6,728,208,836
2011 $18,210,307,744 $6,764,627,746
2010 $14,372,593,020 $5,628,878,798
2009 $12,113,699,068 $4,714,595,548
2008 $15,571,348,344 $5,206,437,194
2007 $12,455,409,587 $4,346,212,355
2006 $10,327,598,306 $3,919,577,286
2005 $9,582,783,991 $2,936,019,526
2004 $7,770,219,008 $2,362,501,023
2003 $6,511,903,365 $2,051,147,607
2002 $5,335,451,100 $1,777,057,481
2001 $5,023,265,413 $1,746,063,558
2000 $5,080,483,629 $1,779,520,886
1999 $4,662,992,036 $1,985,922,776
1998 $4,483,417,310 $2,032,347,665
1997 $5,326,817,115 $2,071,996,564
1996 $5,694,040,003 $2,132,087,009
1995 $4,958,845,648 $2,091,726,101
1994 $4,190,819,344 $1,944,876,755
1993 $4,378,645,081 $1,847,353,211
1992 $5,592,390,827 $2,164,298,425
1991 $5,402,919,785 $2,133,692,697
1990 $5,952,293,765 $1,506,914,408
1989 $4,186,411,464 $1,450,647,019
1988 $3,834,503,376 $1,414,951,290
1987 $3,281,797,043 $1,344,664,725
1986 $3,403,638,189 $1,186,628,778
1985 $3,339,914,757 $1,009,723,326
1984 $3,561,451,561 $1,074,373,230
1983 $3,391,275,732 $1,165,171,263
1982 $3,618,007,841 $1,108,776,653
1981 $3,862,269,121 $1,105,494,682
1980 $4,279,637,942 $1,047,925,106
1979 $3,030,251,120 $951,900,945
1978 $2,389,479,272 $804,629,877
1977 $2,809,349,069 $799,030,017
1976 $3,009,409,974 $775,045,517
1975 $2,157,592,940 $703,377,837
1974 $1,544,216,002 $613,010,553
1973 $722,780,701 $493,237,876
1972 $430,508,359 $391,669,449
1971 $381,687,073 $335,568,907
1970 $323,802,476 $309,405,316
1969 $318,124,701 $295,062,308
1968 $294,468,564 $311,395,937
1967 $271,543,680 $282,615,310
1966 $245,849,781 $266,533,605
1965 $226,474,286 $255,340,475
1964 $215,679,855 $224,495,744
1963 $154,480,244 $168,186,297
1962 $182,796,536 $164,271,558
1961 $167,637,907 $159,213,430
1960 $141,468,978 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Mauritania by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $999 $2,809
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $824 $2,570
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $732 $2,447
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $649 $2,296
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $652 $2,280
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $681 $2,304
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $781 $2,411
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $821 $2,355
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $859 $2,325
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $904 $2,436
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $905 $2,306
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $865 $2,114
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $850 $2,209
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $772 $2,070
1989 $4,374 - $762 -
1988 $4,119 - $762 -
1987 $3,624 - $746 -
1986 $3,865 - $677 -
1985 $3,898 - $593 -
1984 $4,273 - $650 -
1983 $4,182 - $725 -
1982 $4,584 - $710 -
1981 $5,026 - $729 -
1980 $5,718 - $711 -
1979 $4,155 - $664 -
1978 $3,360 - $578 -
1977 $4,048 - $590 -
1976 $4,441 - $589 -
1975 $3,258 - $551 -
1974 $2,384 - $494 -
1973 $1,140 - $410 -
1972 $693 - $335 -
1971 $627 - $296 -
1970 $543 - $281.3 -
1969 $545 - $276.6 -
1968 $515 - $301 -
1967 $482 - $281.5 -
1966 $443 - $273.6 -
1965 $415 - $270 -
1964 $400 - $244.3 -
1963 $290.7 - $188.2 -
1962 $348 - $189 -
1961 $323 - $188.2 -
1960 $276.1 - - -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Gabon Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$2,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
10.4%
2019
Population
2663339
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 19.8% 83% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 19% 59.2%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 17% 38.8%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 22.6% 26% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 19% 38%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 23.9% 22%
2003 21.2% 70.2% - 22.9%
2002 25.7% 81.1% - 59.5%
2001 27.8% 81% - 63.5%
2000 20.3% 72.5% - 55.5%
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 51/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Mauritania
2024 -3.84% -1.35%
2023 1.79% -2.45%
2022 -0.89% -3.09%
2021 -1.93% 2.6%
2020 -2.19% 2.78%
2019 2.13% 2.65%
2018 -0.21% 3.23%
2017 -1.7% 0.53%
2016 -4.71% 0.13%
2015 -1.12% -2.44%
2014 5.98% -2.64%
2013 -3.07% -0.66%
2012 6.2% 1.67%
2011 1.41% 0.07%
2010 2.7% -0.45%
2009 6.77% -3.59%
2008 11% -3.32%
2007 8.06% -1.38%
2006 8.67% 2.05%
2005 7.98% -3.16%
2004 6.99% -3.06%
2003 7.75% -
2002 3.72% -
2001 4.07% -
2000 11.1% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 2.38% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Mauritania
2024 1.17% 2.49%
2023 3.63% 4.95%
2022 4.23% 9.53%
2021 1.09% 3.57%
2020 1.35% 2.39%
2019 2.46% 2.3%
2018 4.75% 3.07%
2017 2.65% 2.25%
2016 2.11% 1.47%
2015 -0.34% 3.25%
2014 4.69% 3.53%
2013 0.51% 4.13%
2012 2.65% 4.9%
2011 1.26% 5.69%
2010 1.46% 6.28%
2009 1.89% 2.22%
2008 5.26% 7.35%
2007 5.03% 7.25%
2006 -1.41% 6.24%
2005 3.71% 12.1%
2004 0.41% 10.4%
2003 2.24% 5.15%
2002 0.04% 3.9%
2001 2.14% 4.71%
2000 0.5% 3.25%
1999 -1.94% 4.07%
1998 1.45% 8.03%
1997 3.97% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $17.7M
Wood & paper products $1.54M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $433K
Raw materials & minerals $51K
Textiles & consumer goods $16K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Raw agricultural goods $3K
Animal & marine products $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $798K
Machinery & equipment $151K
Metals $54K
Chemicals & pharma $19K
Raw materials & minerals $5K

Balance of trade

Gabon Mauritania
Current account balance
$141M
2015
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Mauritania
Economic freedom 56.6 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 136/197
Property rights 30 32.6
Government integrity 22.6 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 26.4
Tax burden 76.5 75.5
Government spending 85.5 80.2
Fiscal health 87.9 87.9
Business freedom 63.6 38.7
Labor freedom 55.4 53.6
Monetary freedom 80.9 77.8
Trade freedom 57.4 59.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 40 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Mauritania
2026 56.6 53.9
2025 56.3 54.9
2024 56.9 55.3
2023 56.1 55.3
2022 55.8 55.3
2021 58.1 56.1
2020 56.7 55.3
2019 56.3 55.7
2018 58 54
2017 58.6 54.4
2016 59 54.8
2015 58.3 53.3
2014 57.8 53.2
2013 57.8 52.3
2012 56.4 53
2011 56.7 52.1
2010 55.4 52
2009 55 53.9
2008 54.2 55.2
2007 54.8 53.6
2006 56.1 55.7
2005 54.8 59.4
2004 57.1 61.8
2003 58.7 59
2002 58 52.5
2001 55 48.5
2000 58.2 46
1999 60.5 42.8
1998 59.2 43.7
1997 58.8 47
1996 55.7 45.5
1995 57.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
43.1%
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/gabon/mauritania | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.