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Economy of Gabon vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 127/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Gabon vs Qatar GDP by year

Gabon
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Qatar
2024 $20,895,684,426 $219,162,637,363
2023 $19,388,372,071 $217,308,516,484
2022 $20,440,655,695 $235,709,340,659
2021 $19,444,935,097 $179,732,142,857
2020 $15,342,236,164 $144,411,538,462
2019 $16,874,405,465 $176,371,428,571
2018 $16,867,326,402 $183,335,164,835
2017 $14,929,487,485 $161,099,175,824
2016 $14,023,890,265 $151,732,142,857
2015 $14,383,107,763 $161,739,835,165
2014 $18,203,966,896 $206,224,725,275
2013 $17,595,744,798 $198,727,747,253
2012 $17,170,464,016 $186,833,516,484
2011 $18,210,307,744 $167,775,274,725
2010 $14,372,593,020 $123,627,197,802
2009 $12,113,699,068 $97,798,351,648
2008 $15,571,348,344 $115,270,054,945
2007 $12,455,409,587 $79,712,087,912
2006 $10,327,598,306 $60,882,142,857
2005 $9,582,783,991 $44,530,494,505
2004 $7,770,219,008 $31,734,065,934
2003 $6,511,903,365 $23,533,791,209
2002 $5,335,451,100 $19,363,736,264
2001 $5,023,265,413 $17,538,461,538
2000 $5,080,483,629 $17,759,890,110
1999 $4,662,992,036 $12,393,131,868
1998 $4,483,417,310 $10,255,495,027
1997 $5,326,817,115 $11,297,802,115
1996 $5,694,040,003 $9,059,340,385
1995 $4,958,845,648 $8,137,911,978
1994 $4,190,819,344 $7,374,450,769
1993 $4,378,645,081 $7,156,593,654
1992 $5,592,390,827 $7,646,153,984
1991 $5,402,919,785 $6,883,516,484
1990 $5,952,293,765 $7,360,439,423
1989 $4,186,411,464 $6,487,912,088
1988 $3,834,503,376 $6,038,187,033
1987 $3,281,797,043 $5,446,428,681
1986 $3,403,638,189 $5,053,021,951
1985 $3,339,914,757 $6,153,296,456
1984 $3,561,451,561 $6,704,395,824
1983 $3,391,275,732 $6,467,582,308
1982 $3,618,007,841 $7,596,703,214
1981 $3,862,269,121 $8,661,263,764
1980 $4,279,637,942 $7,829,165,262
1979 $3,030,251,120 $5,632,962,997
1978 $2,389,479,272 $4,052,000,413
1977 $2,809,349,069 $3,617,564,638
1976 $3,009,409,974 $3,284,273,987
1975 $2,157,592,940 $2,512,773,166
1974 $1,544,216,002 $2,401,403,227
1973 $722,780,701 $793,885,560
1972 $430,508,359 $510,262,500
1971 $381,687,073 $387,703,106
1970 $323,802,476 $301,791,302
1969 $318,124,701 -
1968 $294,468,564 -
1967 $271,543,680 -
1966 $245,849,781 -
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/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Qatar by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $81,817 $129,368
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $76,463 $151,646
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $4,374 - $15,243 -
1988 $4,119 - $14,682 -
1987 $3,624 - $13,719 -
1986 $3,865 - $13,213 -
1985 $3,898 - $16,815 -
1984 $4,273 - $19,272 -
1983 $4,182 - $19,616 -
1982 $4,584 - $24,385 -
1981 $5,026 - $29,505 -
1980 $5,718 - $28,375 -
1979 $4,155 - $21,777 -
1978 $3,360 - $16,757 -
1977 $4,048 - $16,058 -
1976 $4,441 - $15,710 -
1975 $3,258 - $13,014 -
1974 $2,384 - $13,540 -
1973 $1,140 - $4,905 -
1972 $693 - $3,483 -
1971 $627 - $2,952 -
1970 $543 - $2,594 -
1969 $545 - - -
1968 $515 - - -
1967 $482 - - -
1966 $443 - - -
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/qatar | CC BY

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Gabon Qatar
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
0.13%
2022
Population
2663339
2999260

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 26% 41.2%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 19.8% 83% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 31% 32.1%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 32% 30.4%
2009 22.6% 26% 36.4% 36%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 29% 19.1%
2004 20.9% 60.3% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 21.2% 70.2% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 25.7% 81.1% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 27.8% 81% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 20.3% 72.5% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 25.5% 73.1% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 45.5% 87.6% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 29.7% 57% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 22.2% 64.5% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 25.1% 73.4% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 23.9% 71.3% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 26.9% 90.1% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 26.5% 87.9% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 25.1% 89.3% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 22.6% 90% 50% 12.6%

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

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

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 51/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Qatar
2024 -3.84% 0.69%
2023 1.79% 5.56%
2022 -0.89% 10.4%
2021 -1.93% 0.24%
2020 -2.19% -2.13%
2019 2.13% 1%
2018 -0.21% 2.26%
2017 -1.7% -6.82%
2016 -4.71% -9.2%
2015 -1.12% 18.4%
2014 5.98% 13.4%
2013 -3.07% 19.3%
2012 6.2% 8.55%
2011 1.41% 5.24%
2010 2.7% 4.6%
2009 6.77% 14.1%
2008 11% 9.49%
2007 8.06% 10.3%
2006 8.67% 8.39%
2005 7.98% 9.8%
2004 6.99% 17.7%
2003 7.75% 6.71%
2002 3.72% 7.89%
2001 4.07% 4.48%
2000 11.1% 4.62%
1999 1.11% -4.35%
1998 -13.1% -7%
1997 1.41% -9.4%
1996 2.12% -8.73%
1995 2.64% -5.78%
1994 -1.53% -11.8%
1993 -5.35% -9.53%
1992 -4.9% -2.74%
1991 -2.03% -2.57%
1990 -3.83% 3.23%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gabon/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 15 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 1.52% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Qatar
2024 1.17% 1.27%
2023 3.63% 3.03%
2022 4.23% 5%
2021 1.09% 2.3%
2020 1.35% -2.54%
2019 2.46% -0.67%
2018 4.75% 0.26%
2017 2.65% 0.39%
2016 2.11% 2.68%
2015 -0.34% 1.81%
2014 4.69% 3.35%
2013 0.51% 3.22%
2012 2.65% 2.32%
2011 1.26% 1.14%
2010 1.46% -2.43%
2009 1.89% -4.86%
2008 5.26% 15.1%
2007 5.03% 13.8%
2006 -1.41% 11.8%
2005 3.71% 8.81%
2004 0.41% 6.8%
2003 2.24% 2.26%
2002 0.04% 0.24%
2001 2.14% 1.47%
2000 0.5% 1.65%
1999 -1.94% 2.18%
1998 1.45% 2.95%
1997 3.97% 4.83%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $184K
Machinery & equipment $69K
Textiles & consumer goods $23K
Metals $4K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $128K
Wood & paper products $98K
Textiles & consumer goods $43K
Machinery & equipment $17K

Balance of trade

Gabon Qatar
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$95B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Qatar
Economic freedom 56.6 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 37/197
Property rights 30 66.2
Government integrity 22.6 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 41.5
Tax burden 76.5 99.9
Government spending 85.5 79.9
Fiscal health 87.9 96.6
Business freedom 63.6 68
Labor freedom 55.4 58.5
Monetary freedom 80.9 76
Trade freedom 57.4 81.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 40 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Qatar
2026 56.6 70.2
2025 56.3 70.2
2024 56.9 68.8
2023 56.1 68.6
2022 55.8 67.7
2021 58.1 72
2020 56.7 72.3
2019 56.3 72.6
2018 58 72.6
2017 58.6 73.1
2016 59 70.7
2015 58.3 70.8
2014 57.8 71.2
2013 57.8 71.3
2012 56.4 71.3
2011 56.7 70.5
2010 55.4 69
2009 55 65.8
2008 54.2 62.2
2007 54.8 62.9
2006 56.1 62.4
2005 54.8 63.5
2004 57.1 66.5
2003 58.7 65.9
2002 58 61.9
2001 55 60
2000 58.2 62
1999 60.5 62
1998 59.2 -
1997 58.8 -
1996 55.7 -
1995 57.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Qatar
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
$1.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (2022–2023, 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.