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Economy of Gabon vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Gabon has a GDP of $20.9B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 127/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Gabon has $15.2B in government debt (72.7% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Gabon vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Gabon
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gabon Zimbabwe
2024 $20,895,684,426 $41,539,411,516
2023 $19,388,372,071 $35,871,779,681
2022 $20,440,655,695 $40,757,561,709
2021 $19,444,935,097 $41,287,673,690
2020 $15,342,236,164 $31,980,334,561
2019 $16,874,405,465 $33,357,695,635
2018 $16,867,326,402 $34,141,666,667
2017 $14,929,487,485 $51,035,657,371
2016 $14,023,890,265 $20,559,250,000
2015 $14,383,107,763 $19,973,250,000
2014 $18,203,966,896 $19,505,500,000
2013 $17,595,744,798 $19,100,750,000
2012 $17,170,464,016 $17,123,500,000
2011 $18,210,307,744 $14,109,000,000
2010 $14,372,593,020 $12,047,750,000
2009 $12,113,699,068 $9,670,750,000
2008 $15,571,348,344 $4,418,000,000
2007 $12,455,409,587 $5,294,750,000
2006 $10,327,598,306 $5,446,750,000
2005 $9,582,783,991 $5,758,250,000
2004 $7,770,219,008 $5,808,500,000
2003 $6,511,903,365 $5,730,500,000
2002 $5,335,451,100 $6,345,250,000
2001 $5,023,265,413 $6,780,750,000
2000 $5,080,483,629 $6,693,250,000
1999 $4,662,992,036 $6,861,500,000
1998 $4,483,417,310 $6,405,250,000
1997 $5,326,817,115 $8,534,000,000
1996 $5,694,040,003 $8,557,500,000
1995 $4,958,845,648 $7,115,000,000
1994 $4,190,819,344 $6,894,250,000
1993 $4,378,645,081 $6,567,250,000
1992 $5,592,390,827 $6,755,000,000
1991 $5,402,919,785 $8,646,000,000
1990 $5,952,293,765 $8,788,301,546
1989 $4,186,411,464 $8,290,553,535
1988 $3,834,503,376 $7,818,774,177
1987 $3,281,797,043 $6,744,657,033
1986 $3,403,638,189 $6,220,698,247
1985 $3,339,914,757 $5,640,137,575
1984 $3,561,451,561 $6,355,369,172
1983 $3,391,275,732 $7,768,031,182
1982 $3,618,007,841 $8,544,060,905
1981 $3,862,269,121 $8,015,464,252
1980 $4,279,637,942 $6,682,278,300
1979 $3,030,251,120 $5,180,102,910
1978 $2,389,479,272 $4,353,822,343
1977 $2,809,349,069 $4,366,610,469
1976 $3,009,409,974 $4,320,576,877
1975 $2,157,592,940 $4,373,532,601
1974 $1,544,216,002 $3,984,194,614
1973 $722,780,701 $3,311,043,292
1972 $430,508,359 $2,679,096,597
1971 $381,687,073 $2,179,828,710
1970 $323,802,476 $1,885,168,339
1969 $318,124,701 $1,748,891,294
1968 $294,468,564 $1,480,355,355
1967 $271,543,680 $1,397,715,282
1966 $245,849,781 $1,282,403,936
1965 $226,474,286 $1,312,105,394
1964 $215,679,855 $1,217,759,447
1963 $154,480,244 $1,160,103,724
1962 $182,796,536 $1,118,172,226
1961 $167,637,907 $1,097,206,526
1960 $141,468,978 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Gabon vs Zimbabwe by year

Gabon
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gabon Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $8,230 $21,510 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $7,803 $20,756 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $8,409 $19,993 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $8,181 $18,524 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $6,606 $14,477 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $7,441 $15,950 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $7,624 $15,432 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $6,922 $14,797 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $6,677 $13,998 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $7,047 $14,306 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $9,201 $14,854 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $9,198 $14,498 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $9,297 $14,620 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $10,219 $14,784 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $8,357 $14,015 $902 $2,661
2009 $7,291 $13,384 $736 $2,233
2008 $9,689 $13,734 $341 $1,987
2007 $8,004 $14,391 $414 $2,396
2006 $6,847 $13,637 $431 $2,454
2005 $6,548 $14,028 $461 $2,496
2004 $5,466 $13,638 $470 $2,591
2003 $4,711 $13,564 $468 $2,708
2002 $3,966 $13,369 $525 $3,238
2001 $3,836 $13,556 $566 $3,533
2000 $3,983 $13,326 $563 $3,429
1999 $3,751 $13,629 $582 $3,491
1998 $3,700 $15,138 $552 $3,527
1997 $4,509 $14,837 $751 $3,457
1996 $4,943 $14,147 $767 $3,372
1995 $4,415 $13,750 $648 $3,051
1994 $3,828 $13,164 $634 $3,012
1993 $4,106 $12,757 $605 $2,703
1992 $5,386 $12,312 $631 $2,651
1991 $5,345 $12,760 $831 $2,930
1990 $6,051 $11,952 $867 $2,757
1989 $4,374 - $840 -
1988 $4,119 - $816 -
1987 $3,624 - $726 -
1986 $3,865 - $693 -
1985 $3,898 - $649 -
1984 $4,273 - $757 -
1983 $4,182 - $959 -
1982 $4,584 - $1,096 -
1981 $5,026 - $1,069 -
1980 $5,718 - $949 -
1979 $4,155 - $779 -
1978 $3,360 - $665 -
1977 $4,048 - $677 -
1976 $4,441 - $687 -
1975 $3,258 - $717 -
1974 $2,384 - $674 -
1973 $1,140 - $579 -
1972 $693 - $483 -
1971 $627 - $406 -
1970 $543 - $361 -
1969 $545 - $346 -
1968 $515 - $302 -
1967 $482 - $294.4 -
1966 $443 - $278.7 -
1965 $415 - $294.3 -
1964 $400 - $281.9 -
1963 $290.7 - $277.1 -
1962 $348 - $275.7 -
1961 $323 - $279.2 -
1960 $276.1 - $276.6 -

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

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

Gabon's GDP per capita is $8,230, ranking 93/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Gabon ranks 90th at $21,510, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Gabon Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$20.9B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
127/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
3.39%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$8,230
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
93/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$21,510
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
90/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$15.2B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.7%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,985
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
75/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$5,368
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.7%
2017
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2017
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
24.8%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.17%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
20.4%
2010
12.1%
2024
Population
2663339
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gabon
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gabon Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 24.8% 72.7% 12.9% 73%
2023 21.5% 70.6% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 19.7% 65.6% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 17.3% 72.9% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 19.8% 83% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 17.4% 59.8% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 17.1% 62.3% 13.9% 33%
2017 18.1% 62.9% 19.8% 49%
2016 21.8% 64.5% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 22.3% 44.7% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 23.8% 34.1% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 34.7% 31.1% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 23.9% 21.4% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 22.1% 21.4% 16.2% 30%
2010 23.1% 21.3% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 22.6% 26% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 18.9% 20.1% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 19.4% 39.2% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 21.1% 34.9% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 20.8% 41.7% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 20.9% 60.3% - -
2003 21.2% 70.2% - -
2002 25.7% 81.1% - -
2001 27.8% 81% - -
2000 20.3% 72.5% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Gabon's government spending was $5.18B, accounting for 24.8% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.7% in Gabon and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 51/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gabon

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gabon Zimbabwe
2024 -3.84% -1.06%
2023 1.79% -3.9%
2022 -0.89% -3.3%
2021 -1.93% -2.24%
2020 -2.19% -0.34%
2019 2.13% -1.72%
2018 -0.21% -3.81%
2017 -1.7% -7.37%
2016 -4.71% -4.63%
2015 -1.12% -1.45%
2014 5.98% -0.71%
2013 -3.07% -0.69%
2012 6.2% -0.13%
2011 1.41% -1.72%
2010 2.7% -0.11%
2009 6.77% -1.39%
2008 11% -1.2%
2007 8.06% -1.67%
2006 8.67% -1.4%
2005 7.98% -3.46%
2004 6.99% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Gabon recorded a fiscal deficit in 9 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Gabon posted an annual surplus equal to 2.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gabon

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gabon Zimbabwe
2024 1.17% 736%
2023 3.63% 667%
2022 4.23% 193.4%
2021 1.09% 98.5%
2020 1.35% 557%
2019 2.46% 255.3%
2018 4.75% 10.6%
2017 2.65% 0.9%
2016 2.11% -1.6%
2015 -0.34% -2.4%
2014 4.69% -0.2%
2013 0.51% 1.6%
2012 2.65% 3.7%
2011 1.26% 3.5%
2010 1.46% 3%
2009 1.89% 6.2%
2008 5.26% 157%
2007 5.03% -72.7%
2006 -1.41% 33%
2005 3.71% -31.5%
2004 0.41% 113.6%
2003 2.24% -8.6%
2002 0.04% -34.4%
2001 2.14% -37.2%
2000 0.5% 4.5%
1999 -1.94% -13.4%
1998 1.45% -28%
1997 3.97% -1%

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/gabon/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Gabon has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.03%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 1.17% in Gabon and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Gabon
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $99K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Chemicals & pharma $6K
Metals $2K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $7K

Balance of trade

Gabon Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$141M
2015
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
66/190
2015
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+0.98%
2015
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$3.17B
2015
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$5.11B
2015
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$1.88B
2015
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$277M
2015
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
27.5%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
64.6%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gabon Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 56.6 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 120/197 190/197
Property rights 30 19.4
Government integrity 22.6 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 19.9 16.8
Tax burden 76.5 73.6
Government spending 85.5 93.9
Fiscal health 87.9 52.4
Business freedom 63.6 42
Labor freedom 55.4 33.3
Monetary freedom 80.9 0
Trade freedom 57.4 50.4
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 40 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gabon
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gabon Zimbabwe
2026 56.6 35.2
2025 56.3 35.1
2024 56.9 38.2
2023 56.1 39
2022 55.8 33.1
2021 58.1 39.5
2020 56.7 43.1
2019 56.3 40.4
2018 58 44
2017 58.6 44
2016 59 38.2
2015 58.3 37.6
2014 57.8 35.5
2013 57.8 28.6
2012 56.4 26.3
2011 56.7 22.1
2010 55.4 21.4
2009 55 22.7
2008 54.2 29.5
2007 54.8 32
2006 56.1 33.5
2005 54.8 35.2
2004 57.1 34.4
2003 58.7 36.7
2002 58 36.7
2001 55 38.8
2000 58.2 48.7
1999 60.5 47.2
1998 59.2 44.6
1997 58.8 48
1996 55.7 46.7
1995 57.5 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Gabon is 56.6, ranking 120/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gabon Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
36.8%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
52.9%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.56%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.8B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$20,400
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$1.45B
2023
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
136/177
2023
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$25.3M
2015
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.14B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$33.8M
2019
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.67%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
33.4%
2017
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.1%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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 (2022–2024, 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.