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Economy of Gambia vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $32.8B for Senegal, ranking 174/197 and 109/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $42.1B (128.4% of GDP) in Senegal.

Gambia vs Senegal GDP by year

Gambia
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia Senegal
2024 $2,404,888,749 $32,808,056,601
2023 $2,382,262,185 $30,696,331,296
2022 $2,204,734,528 $27,783,332,223
2021 $2,014,158,842 $27,520,784,130
2020 $1,812,170,891 $24,530,513,038
2019 $1,813,609,692 $23,403,995,992
2018 $1,670,671,328 $23,116,701,556
2017 $1,504,909,463 $20,996,562,944
2016 $1,484,578,886 $19,040,312,333
2015 $1,378,176,609 $17,774,766,696
2014 $1,229,461,721 $19,797,253,440
2013 $1,375,609,453 $18,918,667,725
2012 $1,415,004,738 $17,660,870,412
2011 $1,409,693,597 $17,814,283,639
2010 $1,543,294,927 $16,121,315,909
2009 $1,450,142,509 $16,145,867,495
2008 $1,561,766,956 $16,853,989,628
2007 $1,279,703,047 $13,994,218,413
2006 $1,054,112,488 $11,697,918,243
2005 $1,027,701,068 $11,009,033,438
2004 $961,900,651 $10,076,816,667
2003 $487,038,685 $8,768,721,563
2002 $578,235,309 $7,006,402,320
2001 $687,410,645 $6,507,824,829
2000 $782,913,872 $6,013,185,004
1999 $814,724,032 $6,592,834,933
1998 $840,285,265 $6,505,607,909
1997 $803,633,342 $6,041,478,726
1996 $848,239,446 $6,559,712,166
1995 $785,999,865 $6,326,342,633
1994 $746,493,952 $5,034,588,196
1993 $755,040,974 $7,367,986,241
1992 $714,254,256 $7,769,817,840
1991 $690,311,081 $7,255,210,470
1990 $317,083,695 $7,390,967,360
1989 $284,120,329 $6,366,039,373
1988 $266,672,212 $6,418,419,389
1987 $220,626,484 $6,487,353,103
1986 $185,646,987 $5,392,093,446
1985 $225,726,359 $3,818,944,918
1984 $177,340,880 $3,485,165,432
1983 $213,448,585 $3,569,356,125
1982 $216,050,552 $4,013,951,443
1981 $218,767,743 $4,095,892,781
1980 $241,083,090 $4,510,108,291
1979 $207,112,628 $4,084,877,823
1978 $171,833,086 $3,280,354,921
1977 $138,093,099 $2,938,046,463
1976 $112,190,829 $2,869,777,884
1975 $115,179,719 $2,830,388,405
1974 $95,796,022 $2,099,325,229
1973 $75,187,749 $1,863,398,590
1972 $59,160,569 $1,620,857,104
1971 $55,728,663 $1,339,549,033
1970 $52,296,084 $1,297,407,655
1969 $45,168,072 $1,245,234,931
1968 $41,160,066 $1,309,384,862
1967 $46,695,007 $1,246,480,766
1966 $44,212,081 $1,246,908,186
1965 - $1,210,058,228
1964 - $1,188,930,645
1963 - $1,122,139,862
1962 - $1,085,475,791
1961 - $1,058,975,257
1960 - $1,003,692,370

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

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

GDP per capita in Gambia vs Senegal by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $1,773 $5,071
2023 $883 $3,289 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $836 $3,067 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $782 $2,778 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $720 $2,531 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $738 $2,422 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $696 $2,277 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $643 $2,039 $1,357 $3,234
2016 $650 $2,013 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $620 $1,990 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $568 $1,934 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $654 $2,007 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $693 $2,065 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $711 $2,064 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $801 $2,267 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $775 $2,177 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $859 $2,088 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $725 $1,985 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $615 $1,931 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $616 $1,938 $980 $2,350
2004 $593 $1,979 $918 $2,236
2003 $309 $1,850 $818 $2,131
2002 $377 $1,744 $669 $2,027
2001 $460 $1,823 $637 $2,044
2000 $538 $1,731 $603 $1,963
1999 $575 $1,649 $678 $1,893
1998 $610 $1,572 $685 $1,798
1997 $600 $1,544 $651 $1,719
1996 $652 $1,489 $723 $1,679
1995 $622 $1,472 $715 $1,656
1994 $608 $1,473 $584 $1,578
1993 $635 $1,487 $878 $1,588
1992 $623 $1,462 $951 $1,573
1991 $628 $1,440 $913 $1,561
1990 $301 $1,409 $957 $1,513
1989 $280.9 - $849 -
1988 $274.9 - $880 -
1987 $237 - $916 -
1986 $207.7 - $784 -
1985 $262.8 - $571 -
1984 $214.8 - $536 -
1983 $268.6 - $564 -
1982 $282.1 - $652 -
1981 $296 - $683 -
1980 $338 - $772 -
1979 $300 - $716 -
1978 $257.6 - $589 -
1977 $213.8 - $540 -
1976 $179.3 - $541 -
1975 $189.8 - $547 -
1974 $162.6 - $417 -
1973 $131.4 - $381 -
1972 $106.5 - $342 -
1971 $103.3 - $291.1 -
1970 $99.8 - $290.5 -
1969 $88.7 - $287.3 -
1968 $83.1 - $311 -
1967 $97 - $305 -
1966 $94.4 - $315 -
1965 - - $314 -
1964 - - $318 -
1963 - - $309 -
1962 - - $307 -
1961 - - $308 -
1960 - - $300 -

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

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

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $1,773 in Senegal, ranking 159/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Gambia Senegal
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$32.8B
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
109/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
6.06%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$1,773
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
159/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$42.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
128.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$2,277
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
115/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$2,194
2026
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
33.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
0.8%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
n/a
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
5.78%
2024
Population
2902554
19491599

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 33.5% 128.4%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 36.2% 105%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 33.6% 98.6%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 29.6% 90.2%
2019 23.9% 83% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 19% 83.6% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 23.6% 87% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 24% 47.5%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 19% 71.1% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 23% 34.5%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 11.2% 38% 22.2% 19%
2006 14% 87.3% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 18.1% 38%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 15.5% 52%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 14% 57.5%
1999 - - 14.6% 15%
1998 - - 13.5% 18.8%
1997 - - 14.1% 67.8%
1996 - - 15.4% 0.07%
1995 - - 14.4% 65.3%
1994 - - 15.9% 77.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $11B, or 33.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 128.4% in Senegal, ranking 45/185 and 11/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia Senegal
2024 -4.08% -13.4%
2023 -3.69% -14.8%
2022 -5.72% -16.1%
2021 -4.77% -13.7%
2020 -2.37% -9.64%
2019 -2.75% -13.9%
2018 -3.92% -3.66%
2017 -4.35% -2.97%
2016 -6.22% -3.27%
2015 -5.38% -3.66%
2014 -3.94% -3.9%
2013 -5.11% -4.34%
2012 -2.85% -4.18%
2011 -3.03% -4.92%
2010 -2.93% -3.94%
2009 -1.65% -3.66%
2008 -0.45% -3.53%
2007 0.27% -2.8%
2006 -3.19% -3.67%
2005 -3.33% -0.26%
2004 -1.77% 0.18%
2003 -1.73% -0.52%
2002 0.06% 0.19%
2001 -2.52% -1.44%
2000 -0.09% 0.78%
1999 - -0.62%
1998 - 0.93%
1997 - 0.98%
1996 - 0.92%
1995 - 2.41%
1994 - 5.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $4.4B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.24% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia Senegal
2024 11.6% 0.8%
2023 17% 5.94%
2022 11.5% 9.7%
2021 7.37% 2.18%
2020 5.93% 2.54%
2019 7.12% 1.76%
2018 6.52% 0.46%
2017 8.03% 1.32%
2016 7.23% 0.84%
2015 6.81% 0.14%
2014 5.95% -1.09%
2013 5.7% 0.71%
2012 4.25% 1.42%
2011 4.8% 3.4%
2010 5.05% 1.23%
2009 4.56% -2.25%
2008 4.44% 7.35%
2007 5.37% 5.85%
2006 2.06% 2.11%
2005 4.84% 1.71%
2004 14.2% 0.51%
2003 17% -0.05%
2002 8.61% 2.34%
2001 4.49% 2.97%
2000 0.84% 0.73%
1999 3.81% 0.83%
1998 1.11% 1.16%
1997 2.78% 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 2.01% in Senegal. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 0.8% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.74M
Machinery & equipment $2.01M
Chemicals & pharma $512K
Raw agricultural goods $315K
Textiles & consumer goods $152K
Raw materials & minerals $148K
Metals $132K
Wood & paper products $131K
Animal & marine products $86K
Miscellaneous $9K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $57.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $48.9M
Metals $18M
Chemicals & pharma $17.5M
Textiles & consumer goods $13.7M
Animal & marine products $4.57M
Machinery & equipment $3.44M
Wood & paper products $3.02M
Miscellaneous $2.86M
Raw agricultural goods $1.91M

Balance of trade

Gambia Senegal
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
170/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$161M
2024
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$485M
2024
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
43.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
2024
24.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gambia Senegal
Economic freedom 56.3 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 140/197
Property rights 55.4 57.4
Government integrity 40.5 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 50.5
Tax burden 79.2 68.8
Government spending 81.1 63.1
Fiscal health 54.8 0
Business freedom 50.1 55.2
Labor freedom 46.4 54.4
Monetary freedom 57.3 74.3
Trade freedom 64.8 67
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia Senegal
2026 56.3 53.2
2025 56.8 56.4
2024 58.2 55.4
2023 57.9 57.7
2022 58 60
2021 58.8 58
2020 56.3 58
2019 52.4 56.3
2018 52.3 55.7
2017 53.4 55.9
2016 57.1 58.1
2015 57.5 57.8
2014 59.5 55.4
2013 58.8 55.5
2012 58.8 55.4
2011 57.4 55.7
2010 55.1 54.6
2009 55.8 56.3
2008 56.9 58.3
2007 57.7 58.1
2006 57.3 56.2
2005 56.5 57.9
2004 55.3 58.9
2003 56.3 58.1
2002 57.7 58.6
2001 56.6 58.7
2000 52.7 58.9
1999 52.1 60.6
1998 53.4 59.7
1997 52.9 58.1
1996 - 58.2

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia Senegal
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
48.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
25%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
16.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$31.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$4,920
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
10.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
37.5%
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/senegal | 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 (1994–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1994–1995, 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.