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Economy of Gambia vs Portugal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $313B for Portugal, ranking 174/197 and 46/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $297B (94.9% of GDP) in Portugal.

Gambia vs Portugal GDP by year

Gambia
Portugal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Portugal
2024 $2,404,888,749 $313,271,185,085
2023 $2,382,262,185 $292,323,800,949
2022 $2,204,734,528 $256,898,677,175
2021 $2,014,158,842 $256,055,879,091
2020 $1,812,170,891 $229,618,773,423
2019 $1,813,609,692 $240,115,970,063
2018 $1,670,671,328 $242,092,894,543
2017 $1,504,909,463 $220,862,990,767
2016 $1,484,578,886 $206,305,431,242
2015 $1,378,176,609 $199,038,523,120
2014 $1,229,461,721 $230,078,616,300
2013 $1,375,609,453 $226,677,408,292
2012 $1,415,004,738 $216,536,676,772
2011 $1,409,693,597 $245,426,767,676
2010 $1,543,294,927 $238,443,864,993
2009 $1,450,142,509 $244,667,762,836
2008 $1,561,766,956 $263,416,394,624
2007 $1,279,703,047 $240,496,147,317
2006 $1,054,112,488 $208,756,449,276
2005 $1,027,701,068 $197,253,876,705
2004 $961,900,651 $189,382,122,532
2003 $487,038,685 $165,226,175,537
2002 $578,235,309 $134,795,565,549
2001 $687,410,645 $121,604,107,165
2000 $782,913,872 $118,605,192,877
1999 $814,724,032 $127,470,385,557
1998 $840,285,265 $123,946,327,916
1997 $803,633,342 $117,016,535,163
1996 $848,239,446 $122,630,089,680
1995 $785,999,865 $118,122,007,430
1994 $746,493,952 $99,688,641,304
1993 $755,040,974 $95,009,751,901
1992 $714,254,256 $107,592,098,307
1991 $690,311,081 $89,233,599,278
1990 $317,083,695 $78,713,860,217
1989 $284,120,329 $60,594,092,182
1988 $266,672,212 $56,347,250,696
1987 $220,626,484 $48,182,925,857
1986 $185,646,987 $38,745,901,354
1985 $225,726,359 $27,115,807,742
1984 $177,340,880 $25,217,969,050
1983 $213,448,585 $27,239,650,742
1982 $216,050,552 $30,527,754,793
1981 $218,767,743 $31,977,276,873
1980 $241,083,090 $32,896,519,824
1979 $207,112,628 $26,622,819,672
1978 $171,833,086 $23,487,614,051
1977 $138,093,099 $21,439,523,311
1976 $112,190,829 $20,332,831,565
1975 $115,179,719 $19,347,607,843
1974 $95,796,022 $17,512,391,476
1973 $75,187,749 $15,090,564,186
1972 $59,160,569 $11,239,117,865
1971 $55,728,663 $9,201,604,240
1970 $52,296,084 $8,108,235,704
1969 $45,168,072 $7,287,555,035
1968 $41,160,066 $6,644,693,214
1967 $46,695,007 $6,002,607,030
1966 $44,212,081 $5,370,108,031
1965 - $4,901,711,248
1964 - $4,429,202,657
1963 - $4,084,251,593
1962 - $3,835,883,663
1961 - $3,573,719,085
1960 - $3,339,150,158

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

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Portugal by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Portugal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Portugal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $29,292 $51,680
2023 $883 $3,289 $27,635 $49,353
2022 $836 $3,067 $24,621 $45,250
2021 $782 $2,778 $24,711 $38,658
2020 $720 $2,531 $22,299 $35,967
2019 $738 $2,422 $23,343 $37,866
2018 $696 $2,277 $23,541 $34,897
2017 $643 $2,039 $21,442 $32,971
2016 $650 $2,013 $19,980 $31,589
2015 $620 $1,990 $19,216 $29,608
2014 $568 $1,934 $22,121 $28,765
2013 $654 $2,007 $21,676 $27,966
2012 $693 $2,065 $20,593 $26,476
2011 $711 $2,064 $23,247 $26,803
2010 $801 $2,267 $22,552 $27,292
2009 $775 $2,177 $23,151 $26,472
2008 $859 $2,088 $24,949 $26,666
2007 $725 $1,985 $22,811 $25,738
2006 $615 $1,931 $19,839 $24,677
2005 $616 $1,938 $18,780 $22,725
2004 $593 $1,979 $18,064 $21,476
2003 $309 $1,850 $15,798 $20,850
2002 $377 $1,744 $12,937 $20,357
2001 $460 $1,823 $11,735 $19,529
2000 $538 $1,731 $11,526 $18,883
1999 $575 $1,649 $12,475 $17,718
1998 $610 $1,572 $12,199 $16,688
1997 $600 $1,544 $11,576 $15,789
1996 $652 $1,489 $12,185 $14,922
1995 $622 $1,472 $11,781 $14,406
1994 $608 $1,473 $9,977 $13,578
1993 $635 $1,487 $9,535 $13,202
1992 $623 $1,462 $10,811 $13,182
1991 $628 $1,440 $8,959 $12,739
1990 $301 $1,409 $7,885 $11,780
1989 $280.9 - $6,056 -
1988 $274.9 - $5,624 -
1987 $237 - $4,804 -
1986 $207.7 - $3,862 -
1985 $262.8 - $2,705 -
1984 $214.8 - $2,523 -
1983 $268.6 - $2,735 -
1982 $282.1 - $3,080 -
1981 $296 - $3,246 -
1980 $338 - $3,368 -
1979 $300 - $2,756 -
1978 $257.6 - $2,457 -
1977 $213.8 - $2,267 -
1976 $179.3 - $2,173 -
1975 $189.8 - $2,128 -
1974 $162.6 - $2,000 -
1973 $131.4 - $1,748 -
1972 $106.5 - $1,302 -
1971 $103.3 - $1,065 -
1970 $99.8 - $934 -
1969 $88.7 - $832 -
1968 $83.1 - $752 -
1967 $97 - $676 -
1966 $94.4 - $601 -
1965 - - $545 -
1964 - - $490 -
1963 - - $452 -
1962 - - $426 -
1961 - - $400 -
1960 - - $377 -

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

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $29,292 in Portugal, ranking 44/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Portugal ranks 42nd at $51,680.

Economic indicators

Gambia Portugal
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$313B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
46/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
2.14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$29,292
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
44/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$51,680
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
42/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$297B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
94.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$27,807
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
27/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$16,747
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$61.9B
2018
Number of millionaires n/a
171,797
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
26.9%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
2.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
42.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
2.42%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
6.43%
2024
Population
2902554
10667081

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Portugal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Portugal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 42.8% 94.9%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 42.3% 97.7%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 43.9% 111.2%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 47.3% 123.9%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 49.1% 134.1%
2019 23.9% 83% 42.5% 116.1%
2018 19% 83.6% 43.3% 121.1%
2017 23.6% 87% 45.5% 126%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 44.9% 131.2%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 48.2% 131%
2014 19% 71.1% 51.7% 132.5%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 50% 130.8%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 48.8% 128.6%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 50% 114%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 51.9% 100.1%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 50.3% 87.8%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 45.5% 75.6%
2007 11.2% 38% 44.5% 72.7%
2006 14% 87.3% 45.1% 73.7%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 46.8% 72.2%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 46.1% 67.1%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 45.4% 63.9%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 44.2% 60%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 44.1% 57.4%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 42.8% 54.2%
1999 - - 42.5% 55.4%
1998 - - 42.6% 55.6%
1997 - - 42.4% 58.7%
1996 - - 43% 63.3%
1995 - - 42.6% 62.2%
1994 - - 42.8% 60.4%
1993 - - 46.5% 57.2%
1992 - - 48.2% 58.1%
1991 - - 45.9% 63.9%
1990 - - 42.2% 60.2%
1989 - - 36.2% 55.4%
1988 - - 36.2% 56.8%
1987 - - 37.5% 57.2%
1986 - - 38.9% 59.8%
1985 - - 37.5% 59.4%
1984 - - 34.6% 51.3%
1983 - - 34.7% 46.7%
1982 - - 35.8% 43%
1981 - - 35.3% 39.3%
1980 - - 32.4% 31%
1979 - - 30.8% 35.2%
1978 - - 31.7% 31.4%
1977 - - 35.1% 26.9%
1976 - - 38.2% 24.5%
1975 - - 31.9% 19.2%
1974 - - 25.8% 13.5%
1973 - - 25.7% 13.6%
1972 - - 22.8% 14.5%
1971 - - 15.5% 15.7%
1970 - - 15.5% 16.5%
1969 - - 14.9% 16.8%
1968 - - 14.3% 17.2%
1967 - - 14.1% 18.5%
1966 - - 14.4% 20.2%
1965 - - 13.4% 20.4%
1964 - - 13.9% 21.9%
1963 - - 14.6% 20.8%
1962 - - 14.5% 18.7%
1961 - - 14.6% 17.1%
1960 - - 14.3% 16.4%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Portugal spent $134B, or 42.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 94.9% in Portugal, ranking 45/185 and 27/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Portugal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Portugal
2024 -4.08% 0.7%
2023 -3.69% 1.21%
2022 -5.72% -0.31%
2021 -4.77% -2.83%
2020 -2.37% -5.75%
2019 -2.75% 0.12%
2018 -3.92% -0.43%
2017 -4.35% -3%
2016 -6.22% -1.94%
2015 -5.38% -4.37%
2014 -3.94% -7.32%
2013 -5.11% -5.21%
2012 -2.85% -6.2%
2011 -3.03% -7.73%
2010 -2.93% -11.4%
2009 -1.65% -9.87%
2008 -0.45% -3.81%
2007 0.27% -2.91%
2006 -3.19% -4.07%
2005 -3.33% -6.11%
2004 -1.77% -5.99%
2003 -1.73% -5.66%
2002 0.06% -3.73%
2001 -2.52% -4.73%
2000 -0.09% -3.35%
1999 - -2.99%
1998 - -4.3%
1997 - -3.65%
1996 - -4.63%
1995 - -5.14%
1994 - -7.37%
1993 - -8.06%
1992 - -5.19%
1991 - -7.93%
1990 - -6.82%
1989 - -2.86%
1988 - -3.52%
1987 - -6.79%
1986 - -7.45%
1985 - -8.35%
1984 - -5.23%
1983 - -4.86%
1982 - -7.02%
1981 - -8.34%
1980 - -6.92%
1979 - -6.08%
1978 - -7.15%
1977 - -7.5%
1976 - -10.2%
1975 - -7.1%
1974 - -3.2%
1973 - -5.39%
1972 - -7.72%
1971 - -0.23%
1970 - -0.24%
1969 - -1.53%
1968 - -1.24%
1967 - -0.46%
1966 - -2%
1965 - -0.03%
1964 - -1.93%
1963 - -3.33%
1962 - -1.69%
1961 - -3.17%
1960 - -3.13%
1959 - -1.73%
1958 - -0.52%
1957 - 0.08%
1956 - -0.18%
1955 - -0.31%
1954 - -0.58%
1953 - -0.35%
1952 - -0.34%
1951 - 0.94%
1950 - -0.83%
1949 - -0.46%
1948 - -2.04%
1947 - -1.65%
1946 - -2.32%
1945 - -2.38%
1944 - -1.44%
1943 - 0.03%
1942 - -0.35%
1941 - -0.08%
1940 - -1.74%
1939 - -0.73%
1938 - -0.08%
1937 - -0.09%
1936 - 0.08%
1935 - 0.75%
1934 - 0.6%
1933 - -0.07%
1932 - -0.03%
1931 - 0.04%
1930 - 0.79%
1929 - 1.86%
1928 - 0.2%
1927 - -2.27%
1926 - -4.21%
1925 - -1.48%
1924 - -3.16%
1923 - -3.47%
1922 - -10%
1921 - -6.5%
1920 - -5.66%
1919 - -8.83%
1918 - -8.3%
1917 - -5.49%
1916 - -
1915 - -
1914 - -
1913 - -0.34%
1912 - -0.02%
1911 - -0.73%
1910 - -0.19%
1909 - -0.82%
1908 - -0.56%
1907 - -0.69%
1906 - -0.45%
1905 - -0.75%
1904 - -0.26%
1903 - -0.91%
1902 - -0.5%
1901 - -0.69%
1900 - -0.35%
1899 - -0.77%
1898 - -0.5%
1897 - -0.93%
1896 - -1.35%
1895 - -0.2%
1894 - -0.16%
1893 - -0.02%
1892 - -0.8%
1891 - -2.15%
1890 - -2.01%
1889 - -1.95%
1888 - -2.14%
1887 - -0.67%
1886 - -1.43%
1885 - -1.68%
1884 - -1.48%
1883 - -1.1%
1882 - -0.39%
1881 - -1.2%
1880 - -1.63%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/portugal | 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 Portugal's surplus of $2.19B, or 0.7% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Portugal ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.19% of GDP for Portugal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Portugal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Portugal
2024 11.6% 2.42%
2023 17% 4.31%
2022 11.5% 7.83%
2021 7.37% 1.27%
2020 5.93% -0.01%
2019 7.12% 0.34%
2018 6.52% 0.99%
2017 8.03% 1.37%
2016 7.23% 0.61%
2015 6.81% 0.49%
2014 5.95% -0.28%
2013 5.7% 0.27%
2012 4.25% 2.77%
2011 4.8% 3.65%
2010 5.05% 1.4%
2009 4.56% -0.84%
2008 4.44% 2.59%
2007 5.37% 2.45%
2006 2.06% 3.11%
2005 4.84% 2.28%
2004 14.2% 2.37%
2003 17% 3.22%
2002 8.61% 3.6%
2001 4.49% 4.37%
2000 0.84% 2.85%
1999 3.81% 2.34%
1998 1.11% 2.57%
1997 2.78% 2.34%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 2.17% in Portugal. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 2.42% in Portugal.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $284K
Metals $1K
Portugal
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $585K
Textiles & consumer goods $390K
Machinery & equipment $272K
Chemicals & pharma $172K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $148K
Raw materials & minerals $90K
Raw agricultural goods $20K
Metals $18K
Wood & paper products $8K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Gambia Portugal
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
$6.51B
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
28/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
+2.08%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$109B
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$81.4B
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$27.9B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$62.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
43.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
2024
45.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gambia Portugal
Economic freedom 56.3 71.2
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 33/197
Property rights 55.4 88.9
Government integrity 40.5 63.4
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 90.1
Tax burden 79.2 60.6
Government spending 81.1 44.6
Fiscal health 54.8 82
Business freedom 50.1 83.1
Labor freedom 46.4 54.8
Monetary freedom 57.3 77.7
Trade freedom 64.8 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Portugal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Portugal
2026 56.3 71.2
2025 56.8 70.5
2024 58.2 68.7
2023 57.9 69.5
2022 58 70.8
2021 58.8 67.5
2020 56.3 67
2019 52.4 65.3
2018 52.3 63.4
2017 53.4 62.6
2016 57.1 65.1
2015 57.5 65.3
2014 59.5 63.5
2013 58.8 63.1
2012 58.8 63
2011 57.4 64
2010 55.1 64.4
2009 55.8 64.9
2008 56.9 63.9
2007 57.7 64
2006 57.3 62.9
2005 56.5 62.4
2004 55.3 64.9
2003 56.3 64.9
2002 57.7 65.4
2001 56.6 66
2000 52.7 65.5
1999 52.1 65.6
1998 53.4 65
1997 52.9 63.6
1996 - 64.5
1995 - 62.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 71.2 for Portugal, ranking 33/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia Portugal
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
66.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
18.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
2.02%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$288B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$50,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$42.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
48/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$6.64B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$13.5B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$6.84B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
16.4%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
20.4%
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/portugal | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1880–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

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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.