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Economy of Gambia vs Kenya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.59B compared to $136B for Kenya, ranking 174/197 and 62/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (73.9% of GDP), compared to $94.3B (69.3% of GDP) in Kenya.

Gambia vs Kenya GDP by year

Gambia
Kenya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Kenya
2025 $2,593,673,988 $135,941,278,879
2024 $2,404,888,738 $120,397,537,850
2023 $2,382,262,185 $107,500,884,685
2022 $2,204,734,528 $114,448,978,153
2021 $2,014,158,842 $109,703,658,905
2020 $1,812,170,891 $100,657,505,751
2019 $1,813,609,692 $100,378,436,207
2018 $1,670,671,328 $92,202,979,985
2017 $1,504,909,463 $82,036,510,877
2016 $1,484,578,886 $74,815,144,164
2015 $1,378,176,609 $70,120,446,897
2014 $1,229,461,721 $68,285,796,514
2013 $1,375,609,453 $61,671,440,408
2012 $1,415,004,738 $56,396,704,672
2011 $1,409,693,597 $46,869,473,151
2010 $1,543,294,927 $45,405,615,064
2009 $1,450,142,509 $42,347,217,913
2008 $1,561,766,956 $35,895,153,328
2007 $1,279,703,047 $31,958,195,182
2006 $1,054,112,488 $25,825,512,284
2005 $1,027,701,068 $18,737,895,513
2004 $961,900,651 $16,095,337,094
2003 $487,038,685 $14,904,517,650
2002 $578,235,309 $13,147,736,899
2001 $687,410,645 $12,986,007,426
2000 $782,913,872 $12,705,350,098
1999 $814,724,032 $12,896,010,459
1998 $840,285,265 $14,093,998,844
1997 $803,633,342 $13,115,764,358
1996 $848,239,446 $12,045,865,396
1995 $785,999,865 $9,046,320,255
1994 $746,493,952 $7,148,148,564
1993 $755,040,974 $5,751,786,643
1992 $714,254,256 $8,209,120,763
1991 $690,311,081 $8,151,488,783
1990 $317,083,695 $8,572,359,038
1989 $284,120,329 $8,283,114,514
1988 $266,672,212 $8,355,380,879
1987 $220,626,484 $7,970,820,369
1986 $185,646,987 $7,239,126,568
1985 $225,726,359 $6,135,034,214
1984 $177,340,880 $6,191,437,070
1983 $213,448,585 $5,979,198,314
1982 $216,050,552 $6,431,579,357
1981 $218,767,743 $6,854,491,706
1980 $241,083,090 $7,265,315,820
1979 $207,112,628 $6,234,391,113
1978 $171,833,086 $5,303,735,111
1977 $138,093,099 $4,494,378,764
1976 $112,190,829 $3,474,542,392
1975 $115,179,719 $3,259,345,083
1974 $95,796,022 $2,969,958,812
1973 $75,187,749 $2,509,001,324
1972 $59,160,569 $2,107,279,157
1971 $55,728,663 $1,778,391,289
1970 $52,296,084 $1,603,447,359
1969 $45,168,072 $1,458,379,417
1968 $41,160,066 $1,353,295,459
1967 $46,695,007 $1,232,559,507
1966 $44,212,081 $1,164,519,674
1965 - $997,919,321
1964 - $998,759,334
1963 - $926,589,349
1962 - $868,111,401
1961 - $792,959,473
1960 - $791,265,459

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Kenya by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Kenya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $919 - $2,363 -
2024 $871 $3,476 $2,133 $6,644
2023 $883 $3,289 $1,943 $6,317
2022 $836 $3,067 $2,110 $5,883
2021 $782 $2,778 $2,061 $5,339
2020 $720 $2,531 $1,928 $4,793
2019 $738 $2,422 $1,960 $4,687
2018 $696 $2,277 $1,836 $4,412
2017 $643 $2,039 $1,667 $4,177
2016 $650 $2,013 $1,554 $3,917
2015 $620 $1,990 $1,489 $3,678
2014 $568 $1,934 $1,483 $3,359
2013 $654 $2,007 $1,371 $3,106
2012 $693 $2,065 $1,285 $2,847
2011 $711 $2,064 $1,096 $2,750
2010 $801 $2,267 $1,092 $2,635
2009 $775 $2,177 $1,048 $2,480
2008 $859 $2,088 $916 $2,459
2007 $725 $1,985 $840 $2,481
2006 $615 $1,931 $700 $2,330
2005 $616 $1,938 $523 $2,189
2004 $593 $1,979 $464 $2,066
2003 $309 $1,850 $443 $1,975
2002 $377 $1,744 $403 $1,940
2001 $460 $1,823 $411 $1,961
2000 $538 $1,731 $415 $1,907
1999 $575 $1,649 $434 $1,910
1998 $610 $1,572 $488 $1,895
1997 $600 $1,544 $467 $1,865
1996 $652 $1,489 $441 $1,875
1995 $622 $1,472 $340 $1,818
1994 $608 $1,473 $276.4 $1,754
1993 $635 $1,487 $229 $1,723
1992 $623 $1,462 $337 $1,728
1991 $628 $1,440 $345 $1,756
1990 $301 $1,409 $374 $1,729
1989 $280.9 - $374 -
1988 $274.9 - $391 -
1987 $237 - $387 -
1986 $207.7 - $364 -
1985 $262.8 - $320 -
1984 $214.8 - $334 -
1983 $268.6 - $335 -
1982 $282.1 - $374 -
1981 $296 - $413 -
1980 $338 - $454 -
1979 $300 - $403 -
1978 $257.6 - $355 -
1977 $213.8 - $311 -
1976 $179.3 - $248.9 -
1975 $189.8 - $241.2 -
1974 $162.6 - $227.2 -
1973 $131.4 - $198.6 -
1972 $106.5 - $172.6 -
1971 $103.3 - $150.9 -
1970 $99.8 - $141 -
1969 $88.7 - $133.3 -
1968 $83.1 - $128.7 -
1967 $97 - $121.9 -
1966 $94.4 - $119.8 -
1965 - - $106.9 -
1964 - - $111.3 -
1963 - - $107.4 -
1962 - - $104.6 -
1961 - - $99.3 -
1960 - - $102.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $919, ranking 183/197, compared to $2,363 in Kenya, ranking 154/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644.

Economic indicators

Gambia Kenya
Gross domestic product
$2.59B
2025
$136B
2025
GDP rank
174/197
2025
62/197
2025
GDP growth
5.89%
2024-2025
4.63%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$919
2025
$2,363
2025
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2025
154/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$6,644
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
149/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2025
$94.3B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
73.9%
2025
69.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$679
2025
$1,638
2025
Government debt per person rank
156/185
2025
126/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$710
2026
$2,538
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$22.8B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
30.9%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.9%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27.1%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
4.07%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
8.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
7.05%
2025
5.44%
2022
Population
2916990
59218766

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Kenya
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Kenya
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27.1% 73.9% 24% 69.3%
2024 25.3% 78.5% 23.2% 67.3%
2023 23.9% 77.4% 22.6% 73.4%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 23.1% 67.8%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 24% 68.2%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 24.8% 68%
2019 23.9% 83% 24.4% 59.1%
2018 19% 83.6% 24.5% 56.4%
2017 23.6% 87% 25.2% 53.9%
2016 19.4% 79.5% 25.3% 50.4%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 23.8% 45.8%
2014 19% 71.1% 23.4% 41.3%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 23.2% 39.8%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 22.1% 37.6%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 20.1% 35.7%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 21.5% 36.7%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 20.3% 36%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 18.9% 34.3%
2007 11.2% 38% 18.1% 34.2%
2006 14% 87.3% 17.3% 37.1%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 16.2% 37.4%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 15.4% 40.8%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 16% 43.8%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 15.7% 42%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 14.9% 41.3%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 14.1% 43.1%
1999 - - 13.7% 38.4%
1998 - - 15.3% 38.5%
1997 - - 15.6% 36%
1996 - - 15.2% 40.5%
1995 - - 17.3% 52.1%
1994 - - 18.8% 57%
1993 - - 18.9% 61.6%
1992 - - 17.6% 41.2%
1991 - - 16.4% 43%
1990 - - 17.2% 37.6%
1989 - - 16.3% 33.4%
1988 - - 15.9% 33.9%
1987 - - 15.5% 36.3%
1986 - - 15.3% 31.3%
1985 - - 15.6% 28.8%
1984 - - 14.9% 25.6%
1983 - - 14.6% 26.1%
1982 - - 16.2% 26.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Gambia's government spending was $704M, accounting for 27.1% of its GDP, while Kenya spent $32.6B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 73.9% in the Gambia and 69.3% in Kenya, ranking 51/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Kenya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Kenya
2025 -2.95% -6.41%
2024 -4% -5.74%
2023 -3.56% -5.61%
2022 -5.72% -6.01%
2021 -4.77% -7.2%
2020 -2.37% -8.13%
2019 -2.75% -7.4%
2018 -3.92% -6.91%
2017 -4.35% -7.37%
2016 -6.22% -7.45%
2015 -5.38% -6.68%
2014 -3.94% -5.75%
2013 -5.11% -5.25%
2012 -2.85% -5.29%
2011 -3.03% -3.64%
2010 -2.93% -3.67%
2009 -1.65% -3.12%
2008 -0.45% -1.95%
2007 0.27% -0.95%
2006 -3.19% -0.43%
2005 -3.33% -0.19%
2004 -1.77% 0.5%
2003 -1.73% -0.73%
2002 0.06% -1.29%
2001 -2.52% -0.53%
2000 -0.09% 0.38%
1999 - 0.84%
1998 - -0.03%
1997 - -0.91%
1996 - -0.49%
1995 - -0.23%
1994 - -4.14%
1993 - -8.57%
1992 - -8.28%
1991 - -6.56%
1990 - -3.28%
1989 - -2.39%
1988 - -1.97%
1987 - -2.27%
1986 - -2.98%
1985 - -3.05%
1984 - -2.55%
1983 - -2.17%
1982 - -3.07%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, the Gambia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $76.5M, equivalent to 2.95% of GDP. This compares to Kenya's deficit of $8.72B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Kenya ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.11% of GDP for Kenya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Kenya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Kenya
2025 - 4.07%
2024 11.6% 4.49%
2023 17% 7.67%
2022 11.5% 7.66%
2021 7.37% 6.11%
2020 5.93% 5.41%
2019 7.12% 5.24%
2018 6.52% 4.69%
2017 8.03% 8.01%
2016 7.23% 6.3%
2015 6.81% 6.58%
2014 5.95% 6.88%
2013 5.7% 5.72%
2012 4.25% 9.38%
2011 4.8% 14%
2010 5.05% 3.96%
2009 4.56% 9.23%
2008 4.44% 26.2%
2007 5.37% 9.76%
2006 2.06% 14.5%
2005 4.84% 10.3%
2004 14.2% 11.6%
2003 17% 9.82%
2002 8.61% 1.96%
2001 4.49% 5.74%
2000 0.84% 9.98%
1999 3.81% 5.74%
1998 1.11% 6.72%
1997 2.78% 11.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 8.39% in Kenya. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 4.07% in Kenya.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Kenya
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.77M
Metals $293K
Machinery & equipment $149K
Chemicals & pharma $90K
Precious metals & jewellery $77K
Raw agricultural goods $71K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $17K
Wood & paper products $3K

Balance of trade

Gambia Kenya
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$1.55B
2024
Current account balance ranking
81/190
2024
130/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-1.29%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$22.2B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$12.5B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$5.64B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$8.04B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
49.4%
2025
21.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
12.7%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Gambia Kenya
Economic freedom 56.3 55.5
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 128/197
Property rights 55.4 40.2
Government integrity 40.5 32.7
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 47
Tax burden 79.2 76.3
Government spending 81.1 84.1
Fiscal health 54.8 36.2
Business freedom 50.1 61.5
Labor freedom 46.4 56.5
Monetary freedom 57.3 75.1
Trade freedom 64.8 52
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Kenya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Kenya
2026 56.3 55.5
2025 56.8 54.8
2024 58.2 53.6
2023 57.9 52.5
2022 58 52.6
2021 58.8 54.9
2020 56.3 55.3
2019 52.4 55.1
2018 52.3 54.7
2017 53.4 53.5
2016 57.1 57.5
2015 57.5 55.6
2014 59.5 57.1
2013 58.8 55.9
2012 58.8 57.5
2011 57.4 57.4
2010 55.1 57.5
2009 55.8 58.7
2008 56.9 59.3
2007 57.7 59.6
2006 57.3 59.7
2005 56.5 57.9
2004 55.3 57.7
2003 56.3 58.6
2002 57.7 58.2
2001 56.6 57.6
2000 52.7 59.7
1999 52.1 58.2
1998 53.4 58.4
1997 52.9 60.1
1996 - 56.4
1995 - 54.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 55.5 for Kenya, ranking 128/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia Kenya
Services, % of GDP
53.1%
2025
55.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
15.8%
2025
16.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
23.8%
2025
23.2%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.62B
2025
$127B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,660
2025
$6,910
2025
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$12.4B
2025
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
76/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$45.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$463M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$418M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
4.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
39.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.4%
2025
17%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.