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Economy of Gambia vs Guinea-Bissau compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $2.22B for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 174/197 and 176/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $1.82B (82.2% of GDP) in Guinea-Bissau.

Gambia vs Guinea-Bissau GDP by year

Gambia
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Guinea-Bissau
2024 $2,404,888,749 $2,218,393,805
2023 $2,382,262,185 $2,127,688,181
2022 $2,204,734,528 $1,859,601,384
2021 $2,014,158,842 $1,908,094,558
2020 $1,812,170,891 $1,705,057,581
2019 $1,813,609,692 $1,596,227,316
2018 $1,670,671,328 $1,554,133,594
2017 $1,504,909,463 $1,469,978,606
2016 $1,484,578,886 $1,245,074,264
2015 $1,378,176,609 $1,152,384,167
2014 $1,229,461,721 $1,135,250,721
2013 $1,375,609,453 $1,109,682,824
2012 $1,415,004,738 $1,049,412,177
2011 $1,409,693,597 $1,157,074,319
2010 $1,543,294,927 $940,112,539
2009 $1,450,142,509 $890,167,833
2008 $1,561,766,956 $952,667,544
2007 $1,279,703,047 $753,162,998
2006 $1,054,112,488 $634,781,901
2005 $1,027,701,068 $639,776,041
2004 $961,900,651 $582,169,841
2003 $487,038,685 $553,614,800
2002 $578,235,309 $466,773,711
2001 $687,410,645 $412,610,872
2000 $782,913,872 $391,345,597
1999 $814,724,032 $579,365,780
1998 $840,285,265 $591,034,143
1997 $803,633,342 $698,107,222
1996 $848,239,446 $702,965,148
1995 $785,999,865 $660,195,402
1994 $746,493,952 $612,502,085
1993 $755,040,974 $615,779,519
1992 $714,254,256 $588,309,271
1991 $690,311,081 $668,470,891
1990 $317,083,695 $634,187,269
1989 $284,120,329 $554,072,303
1988 $266,672,212 $427,514,322
1987 $220,626,484 $451,893,375
1986 $185,646,987 $338,524,233
1985 $225,726,359 $373,959,151
1984 $177,340,880 $359,980,491
1983 $213,448,585 $425,225,177
1982 $216,050,552 $430,284,022
1981 $218,767,743 $402,230,865
1980 $241,083,090 $287,648,258
1979 $207,112,628 $308,143,183
1978 $171,833,086 $318,876,550
1977 $138,093,099 $298,871,675
1976 $112,190,829 $292,152,321
1975 $115,179,719 $283,311,997
1974 $95,796,022 $256,769,730
1973 $75,187,749 $232,331,281
1972 $59,160,569 $227,986,203
1971 $55,728,663 $204,167,297
1970 $52,296,084 $204,670,551
1969 $45,168,072 -
1968 $41,160,066 -
1967 $46,695,007 -
1966 $44,212,081 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Guinea-Bissau by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $1,008 $3,119
2023 $883 $3,289 $988 $2,990
2022 $836 $3,067 $883 $2,789
2021 $782 $2,778 $927 $2,523
2020 $720 $2,531 $847 $2,340
2019 $738 $2,422 $811 $2,247
2018 $696 $2,277 $809 $2,058
2017 $643 $2,039 $783 $2,082
2016 $650 $2,013 $680 $1,824
2015 $620 $1,990 $645 $1,730
2014 $568 $1,934 $652 $1,456
2013 $654 $2,007 $654 $1,416
2012 $693 $2,065 $635 $1,402
2011 $711 $2,064 $720 $1,472
2010 $801 $2,267 $600 $1,370
2009 $775 $2,177 $583 $1,315
2008 $859 $2,088 $640 $1,309
2007 $725 $1,985 $519 $1,260
2006 $615 $1,931 $449 $1,226
2005 $616 $1,938 $463 $1,187
2004 $593 $1,979 $431 $1,105
2003 $309 $1,850 $420 $1,089
2002 $377 $1,744 $362 $1,095
2001 $460 $1,823 $327 $1,064
2000 $538 $1,731 $317 $1,014
1999 $575 $1,649 $479 $1,001
1998 $610 $1,572 $498 $861
1997 $600 $1,544 $599 $1,118
1996 $652 $1,489 $615 $1,052
1995 $622 $1,472 $589 $945
1994 $608 $1,473 $561 $909
1993 $635 $1,487 $582 $890
1992 $623 $1,462 $574 $880
1991 $628 $1,440 $672 $877
1990 $301 $1,409 $651 $824
1989 $280.9 - $578 -
1988 $274.9 - $454 -
1987 $237 - $488 -
1986 $207.7 - $371 -
1985 $262.8 - $417 -
1984 $214.8 - $407 -
1983 $268.6 - $489 -
1982 $282.1 - $503 -
1981 $296 - $477 -
1980 $338 - $347 -
1979 $300 - $376 -
1978 $257.6 - $403 -
1977 $213.8 - $403 -
1976 $179.3 - $421 -
1975 $189.8 - $435 -
1974 $162.6 - $419 -
1973 $131.4 - $392 -
1972 $106.5 - $389 -
1971 $103.3 - $348 -
1970 $99.8 - $350 -
1969 $88.7 - - -
1968 $83.1 - - -
1967 $97 - - -
1966 $94.4 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $1,008 in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 177/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119.

Economic indicators

Gambia Guinea-Bissau
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$2.22B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
4.15%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$1,008
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
177/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$3,119
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
179/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$1.82B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
82.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$828
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
146/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$1,711
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
26.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
3.4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
3.7%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
2.67%
2022
Population
2902554
2311915

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Guinea-Bissau
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 20.4% 82.2%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 21.9% 79.4%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 21.3% 80.7%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 25% 78.8%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 25% 77.6%
2019 23.9% 83% 18.8% 65.1%
2018 19% 83.6% 19.5% 59.1%
2017 23.6% 87% 18.1% 51.8%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 20.5% 59.1%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 21.5% 56.3%
2014 19% 71.1% 23% 60.1%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 12.4% 49.6%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 13% 47.4%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 17.3% 45.6%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 18.5% 61.7%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 20.6% 148.3%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 21.8% 148.8%
2007 11.2% 38% 23.7% 164%
2006 14% 87.3% 19.8% 190.4%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 20.2% 203.7%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 23% 202%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 17% 183.4%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 14.1% 197.5%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 19.1% 204.4%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 23.5% 217.1%
1999 - - 12.1% 109.9%
1998 - - 8.72% 109.1%
1997 - - 12.7% 94.3%
1996 - - 8.93% 117.3%
1995 - - 8.14% 103.3%
1994 - - 18.4% 105.5%
1993 - - 13.1% 112.4%
1992 - - 10.1% 85.3%
1991 - - 9.19% 88.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Guinea-Bissau spent $452M, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 82.2% in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 45/185 and 41/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Guinea-Bissau
2024 -4.08% -7.26%
2023 -3.69% -8.15%
2022 -5.72% -6.06%
2021 -4.77% -5.88%
2020 -2.37% -9.64%
2019 -2.75% -3.86%
2018 -3.92% -4.76%
2017 -4.35% -1.32%
2016 -6.22% -5.34%
2015 -5.38% -3.16%
2014 -3.94% -2.44%
2013 -5.11% -1.67%
2012 -2.85% -2.12%
2011 -3.03% -1.35%
2010 -2.93% -0.23%
2009 -1.65% 2.68%
2008 -0.45% -0.73%
2007 0.27% -8.77%
2006 -3.19% -4.57%
2005 -3.33% -4.96%
2004 -1.77% -5.92%
2003 -1.73% -5.63%
2002 0.06% -3.7%
2001 -2.52% -1.83%
2000 -0.09% -2.8%
1999 - -4.06%
1998 - -5.95%
1997 - -2.56%
1996 - 3.48%
1995 - 2.45%
1994 - -5.54%
1993 - -0.34%
1992 - -0.25%
1991 - 1.61%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $98.2M, equivalent to 4.08% of GDP. This compares to Guinea-Bissau's deficit of $161M, or 7.26% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Guinea-Bissau ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.98% of GDP for Guinea-Bissau.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Guinea-Bissau
2024 11.6% 3.7%
2023 17% 7.2%
2022 11.5% 7.9%
2021 7.37% 3.3%
2020 5.93% 1.5%
2019 7.12% 0.3%
2018 6.52% 0.4%
2017 8.03% -0.2%
2016 7.23% 2.7%
2015 6.81% 1.5%
2014 5.95% -1%
2013 5.7% 0.8%
2012 4.25% 2.1%
2011 4.8% 5.1%
2010 5.05% 1.1%
2009 4.56% -1.6%
2008 4.44% 10.4%
2007 5.37% 4.6%
2006 2.06% 2%
2005 4.84% 3.4%
2004 14.2% 0.8%
2003 17% -3.5%
2002 8.61% 3.3%
2001 4.49% 3.3%
2000 0.84% 8.6%
1999 3.81% -2.1%
1998 1.11% 8.1%
1997 2.78% 49.1%

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/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 4.39% in Guinea-Bissau. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 3.7% in Guinea-Bissau.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $5.56M
Raw materials & minerals $2.23M
Raw agricultural goods $413K
Machinery & equipment $70K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Animal & marine products $18K
Chemicals & pharma $3K
Metals $2K
Miscellaneous $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Guinea-Bissau
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Gambia Guinea-Bissau
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$160M
2023
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
95/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-7.53%
2023
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$403M
2023
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$240M
2023
Service imports
$161M
2024
$189M
2023
Service exports
$485M
2024
$44.8M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
2024
11.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gambia Guinea-Bissau
Economic freedom 56.3 43.2
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 181/197
Property rights 55.4 28.4
Government integrity 40.5 21
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 13.2
Tax burden 79.2 89
Government spending 81.1 86.5
Fiscal health 54.8 6.5
Business freedom 50.1 34.6
Labor freedom 46.4 55.9
Monetary freedom 57.3 75.9
Trade freedom 64.8 47
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Guinea-Bissau
2026 56.3 43.2
2025 56.8 43.6
2024 58.2 42.7
2023 57.9 44.6
2022 58 46
2021 58.8 54.9
2020 56.3 53.3
2019 52.4 54
2018 52.3 56.9
2017 53.4 56.1
2016 57.1 51.8
2015 57.5 52
2014 59.5 51.3
2013 58.8 51.1
2012 58.8 50.1
2011 57.4 46.5
2010 55.1 43.6
2009 55.8 45.4
2008 56.9 44.4
2007 57.7 46.1
2006 57.3 46.5
2005 56.5 46
2004 55.3 42.6
2003 56.3 43.1
2002 57.7 42.3
2001 56.6 42.5
2000 52.7 34.7
1999 52.1 33.5
1998 53.4 -
1997 52.9 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 43.2 for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 181/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia Guinea-Bissau
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
37.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
15.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
42.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$2.18B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$3,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$24.8M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$26.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$389K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
1.75%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
50.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
24.9%
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/gambia/guinea-bissau | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1966–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1991–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. 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.