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Economy of Gambia vs United States compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Gambia has a GDP of $2.4B compared to $28.8T for the United States, ranking 174/197 and 1/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Gambia has $1.92B in government debt (80% of GDP), compared to $35.2T (122.3% of GDP) in the United States.

Gambia vs United States GDP by year

Gambia
United States
1x
Year GDP, current $
Gambia United States
2024 $2,404,888,749 $28,750,956,130,731
2023 $2,382,262,185 $27,292,170,793,214
2022 $2,204,734,528 $25,604,848,907,611
2021 $2,014,158,842 $23,315,080,560,000
2020 $1,812,170,891 $21,060,473,613,000
2019 $1,813,609,692 $21,380,976,119,000
2018 $1,670,671,328 $20,533,057,312,000
2017 $1,504,909,463 $19,477,336,549,000
2016 $1,484,578,886 $18,695,110,842,000
2015 $1,378,176,609 $18,206,020,741,000
2014 $1,229,461,721 $17,550,680,174,000
2013 $1,375,609,453 $16,843,190,993,000
2012 $1,415,004,738 $16,253,972,230,000
2011 $1,409,693,597 $15,599,728,123,000
2010 $1,543,294,927 $15,048,964,444,000
2009 $1,450,142,509 $14,478,064,934,000
2008 $1,561,766,956 $14,769,857,911,000
2007 $1,279,703,047 $14,474,226,905,000
2006 $1,054,112,488 $13,815,586,948,000
2005 $1,027,701,068 $13,039,199,193,000
2004 $961,900,651 $12,217,193,198,000
2003 $487,038,685 $11,456,442,041,000
2002 $578,235,309 $10,929,112,955,000
2001 $687,410,645 $10,581,929,774,000
2000 $782,913,872 $10,250,947,997,000
1999 $814,724,032 $9,631,174,489,000
1998 $840,285,265 $9,062,818,202,000
1997 $803,633,342 $8,577,554,457,000
1996 $848,239,446 $8,073,122,000,000
1995 $785,999,865 $7,639,749,000,000
1994 $746,493,952 $7,287,236,000,000
1993 $755,040,974 $6,858,559,000,000
1992 $714,254,256 $6,520,327,000,000
1991 $690,311,081 $6,158,129,000,000
1990 $317,083,695 $5,963,144,000,000
1989 $284,120,329 $5,641,580,000,000
1988 $266,672,212 $5,236,438,000,000
1987 $220,626,484 $4,855,215,000,000
1986 $185,646,987 $4,579,631,000,000
1985 $225,726,359 $4,338,979,000,000
1984 $177,340,880 $4,037,613,000,000
1983 $213,448,585 $3,634,038,000,000
1982 $216,050,552 $3,343,789,000,000
1981 $218,767,743 $3,207,041,000,000
1980 $241,083,090 $2,857,307,000,000
1979 $207,112,628 $2,627,333,000,000
1978 $171,833,086 $2,351,599,000,000
1977 $138,093,099 $2,081,826,000,000
1976 $112,190,829 $1,873,412,000,000
1975 $115,179,719 $1,684,904,000,000
1974 $95,796,022 $1,545,243,000,000
1973 $75,187,749 $1,425,376,000,000
1972 $59,160,569 $1,279,110,000,000
1971 $55,728,663 $1,164,850,000,000
1970 $52,296,084 $1,073,303,000,000
1969 $45,168,072 $1,017,438,172,414
1968 $41,160,066 $940,225,000,000
1967 $46,695,007 $859,620,034,483
1966 $44,212,081 $813,032,758,621
1965 - $741,904,862,069
1964 - $684,144,620,690
1963 - $637,058,551,724
1962 - $603,639,413,793
1961 - $561,940,310,345
1960 - $541,988,586,207

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/united-states | CC BY

GDP per capita in Gambia vs United States by year

Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United States
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Gambia United States
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $871 $3,476 $84,534 $85,810
2023 $883 $3,289 $81,490 $82,305
2022 $836 $3,067 $76,829 $77,861
2021 $782 $2,778 $70,249 $71,307
2020 $720 $2,531 $63,526 $64,402
2019 $738 $2,422 $65,120 $65,228
2018 $696 $2,277 $62,823 $62,876
2017 $643 $2,039 $59,908 $60,048
2016 $650 $2,013 $57,867 $57,977
2015 $620 $1,990 $56,763 $56,849
2014 $568 $1,934 $55,124 $55,153
2013 $654 $2,007 $53,291 $53,297
2012 $693 $2,065 $51,784 $51,708
2011 $711 $2,064 $50,066 $50,025
2010 $801 $2,267 $48,651 $48,643
2009 $775 $2,177 $47,195 $47,195
2008 $859 $2,088 $48,570 $48,570
2007 $725 $1,985 $48,050 $48,050
2006 $615 $1,931 $46,302 $46,302
2005 $616 $1,938 $44,123 $44,123
2004 $593 $1,979 $41,725 $41,725
2003 $309 $1,850 $39,490 $39,490
2002 $377 $1,744 $37,998 $37,998
2001 $460 $1,823 $37,134 $37,134
2000 $538 $1,731 $36,330 $36,330
1999 $575 $1,649 $34,484 $34,515
1998 $610 $1,572 $32,823 $32,854
1997 $600 $1,544 $31,430 $31,459
1996 $652 $1,489 $29,937 $29,968
1995 $622 $1,472 $28,661 $28,691
1994 $608 $1,473 $27,662 $27,695
1993 $635 $1,487 $26,353 $26,387
1992 $623 $1,462 $25,381 $25,419
1991 $628 $1,440 $24,293 $24,342
1990 $301 $1,409 $23,840 $23,889
1989 $280.9 - $22,857 -
1988 $274.9 - $21,417 -
1987 $237 - $20,039 -
1986 $207.7 - $19,071 -
1985 $262.8 - $18,237 -
1984 $214.8 - $17,121 -
1983 $268.6 - $15,544 -
1982 $282.1 - $14,434 -
1981 $296 - $13,976 -
1980 $338 - $12,613 -
1979 $300 - $11,674 -
1978 $257.6 - $10,565 -
1977 $213.8 - $9,453 -
1976 $179.3 - $8,592 -
1975 $189.8 - $7,801 -
1974 $162.6 - $7,226 -
1973 $131.4 - $6,726 -
1972 $106.5 - $6,094 -
1971 $103.3 - $5,609 -
1970 $99.8 - $5,234 -
1969 $88.7 - $5,020 -
1968 $83.1 - $4,685 -
1967 $97 - $4,326 -
1966 $94.4 - $4,136 -
1965 - - $3,818 -
1964 - - $3,565 -
1963 - - $3,366 -
1962 - - $3,236 -
1961 - - $3,059 -
1960 - - $3,000 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/united-states | CC BY

The Gambia's GDP per capita is $871, ranking 183/197, compared to $84,534 in the United States, ranking 10/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476, while the United States ranks 12th at $85,810.

Economic indicators

Gambia United States
Gross domestic product
$2.4B
2024
$28.8T
2024
GDP rank
174/197
2024
1/197
2024
GDP growth
5.55%
2023-2024
2.79%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$871
2024
$84,534
2024
GDP per capita rank
183/197
2024
10/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,476
2024
$85,810
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
172/197
2024
12/197
2024
Government debt
$1.92B
2024
$35.2T
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
80%
2024
122.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$697
2024
$103,404
2024
Government debt per person rank
155/185
2024
2/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$741
2026
$53,202
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$62.2T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
23,831,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
902
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.5%
2020
30.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
2.6%
2020
1.8%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
25.8%
2024
37.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
11.6%
2023-2024
2.95%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
17%
2023
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
6.48%
2023
4.02%
2024
Population
2902554
344023146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Gambia
Spending

Debt
United States
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Gambia United States
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 25.8% 80% 37.9% 122.3%
2023 24.9% 80.2% 37.7% 119.8%
2022 24.6% 83.9% 36.8% 119.1%
2021 21.5% 83.1% 43.2% 125%
2020 25.3% 85.9% 44.7% 132.5%
2019 23.9% 83% 35.8% 108.8%
2018 19% 83.6% 35.3% 107.6%
2017 23.6% 87% 35.2% 106.4%
2016 19.4% 80.7% 35.3% 107.4%
2015 19.6% 69.4% 35% 105.4%
2014 19% 71.1% 35.3% 104.9%
2013 17.2% 58.2% 35.8% 105%
2012 19.1% 49.5% 37.2% 103.7%
2011 16.5% 49.2% 38.8% 100%
2010 14.6% 42.9% 39.8% 95.6%
2009 14.4% 38.9% 41.4% 87.1%
2008 11.6% 39.5% 37.1% 73.8%
2007 11.2% 38% 34.6% 64.9%
2006 14% 87.3% 33.7% 64.5%
2005 12.9% 82.6% 33.9% 65.8%
2004 12.4% 81.3% 33.7% 66.4%
2003 9.3% 91.7% 34% 59%
2002 8.59% 93.9% 33.7% 55.9%
2001 9.68% 75.2% 32.8% 53.5%
2000 9.54% 73.3% 31.7% 54.5%
1999 - - 32.2% 60.5%
1998 - - 32.8% 64.2%
1997 - - 33.7% 67.4%
1996 - - 34.7% 69.9%
1995 - - 35.5% 70.7%
1994 - - 35.5% 71.1%
1993 - - 36.4% 71.9%
1992 - - 36.7% 70.3%
1991 - - 35.7% 67.9%
1990 - - 34.5% 63.1%
1989 - - 33.7% 61.6%
1988 - - 33.7% 61.3%
1987 - - 34.3% 60.6%
1986 - - 34.8% 58.9%
1985 - - 34.5% 55.4%
1984 - - 34.3% 50.6%
1983 - - 35.7% 48.9%
1982 - - 35.8% 45.9%
1981 - - 33.9% 41.1%
1980 - - 33.7% 41.9%
1979 - - 32% 41.2%
1978 - - 32.6% 42.5%
1977 - - 33.4% 43.6%
1976 - - 34.2% 44.8%
1975 - - 35.2% 44.6%
1974 - - 32.9% 41.4%
1973 - - 31.9% 42.6%
1972 - - 32.8% 45.4%
1971 - - 32.3% 47%
1970 - - 31.5% 46.4%
1969 - - 29.3% 45.9%
1968 - - 29.1% 48.5%
1967 - - 28.3% 50.4%
1966 - - 26.3% 50.6%
1965 - - 25.4% 53.7%
1964 - - 25.6% 56.7%
1963 - - 26% 58.8%
1962 - - 26% 60.2%
1961 - - 25.9% 62.3%
1960 - - 24.9% 61.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/united-states | CC BY

In 2024, the Gambia's government spending was $621M, accounting for 25.8% of its GDP, while the United States spent $10.9T, or 37.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 80% in the Gambia and 122.3% in the United States, ranking 45/185 and 12/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Gambia

United States
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Gambia United States
2024 -4.08% -8.03%
2023 -3.69% -7.8%
2022 -5.72% -3.72%
2021 -4.77% -11.4%
2020 -2.37% -14.1%
2019 -2.75% -5.81%
2018 -3.92% -5.33%
2017 -4.35% -4.79%
2016 -6.22% -4.36%
2015 -5.38% -3.53%
2014 -3.94% -4.03%
2013 -5.11% -4.56%
2012 -2.85% -8.11%
2011 -3.03% -9.72%
2010 -2.93% -11%
2009 -1.65% -13.2%
2008 -0.45% -6.61%
2007 0.27% -2.91%
2006 -3.19% -2.04%
2005 -3.33% -3.07%
2004 -1.77% -4.24%
2003 -1.73% -4.77%
2002 0.06% -3.82%
2001 -2.52% -0.54%
2000 -0.09% 3.62%
1999 - 2.71%
1998 - 2.18%
1997 - 0.88%
1996 - -0.46%
1995 - -1.7%
1994 - -2.05%
1993 - -3.35%
1992 - -3.98%
1991 - -2.72%
1990 - -1.64%
1989 - -0.8%
1988 - -1.06%
1987 - -1.53%
1986 - -2.81%
1985 - -2.63%
1984 - -2.97%
1983 - -4.26%
1982 - -3.78%
1981 - -1.58%
1980 - -2.17%
1979 - -0.79%
1978 - -1.7%
1977 - -2.57%
1976 - -3.63%
1975 - -5.4%
1974 - -1.27%
1973 - -0.86%
1972 - -1.86%
1971 - -2.63%
1970 - -1.21%
1969 - 2.11%
1968 - 1.23%
1967 - 0.47%
1966 - 2.07%
1965 - 2.38%
1964 - 2.18%
1963 - 2.87%
1962 - 2.32%
1961 - 2.28%
1960 - 3.2%
1959 - -9.06%
1958 - -8.68%
1957 - -6.72%
1956 - -6.02%
1955 - -7.4%
1954 - -5.55%
1953 - -5.76%
1952 - -5.41%
1951 - -6.93%
1950 - -8.22%
1949 - -7.94%
1948 - -4.16%
1947 - -3.99%
1946 - -6.45%
1945 - -14.1%
1944 - -13.4%
1943 - -19.3%
1942 - -16.3%
1941 - -10.2%
1940 - -9.73%
1939 - -11.9%
1938 - -10.4%
1937 - -9.22%
1936 - -12.1%
1935 - -13.3%
1934 - -14.9%
1933 - -14.3%
1932 - -12.7%
1931 - -9.76%
1930 - -5.46%
1929 - -4.58%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/united-states | 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 the United States' deficit of $2.31T, or 8.03% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, the Gambia recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while the United States ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, the Gambia posted an annual deficit equal to 3.02% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.76% of GDP for the United States.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Gambia

United States
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Gambia United States
2024 11.6% 2.95%
2023 17% 4.12%
2022 11.5% 8%
2021 7.37% 4.7%
2020 5.93% 1.23%
2019 7.12% 1.81%
2018 6.52% 2.44%
2017 8.03% 2.13%
2016 7.23% 1.26%
2015 6.81% 0.12%
2014 5.95% 1.62%
2013 5.7% 1.46%
2012 4.25% 2.07%
2011 4.8% 3.16%
2010 5.05% 1.64%
2009 4.56% -0.36%
2008 4.44% 3.84%
2007 5.37% 2.85%
2006 2.06% 3.23%
2005 4.84% 3.39%
2004 14.2% 2.68%
2003 17% 2.27%
2002 8.61% 1.59%
2001 4.49% 2.83%
2000 0.84% 3.38%
1999 3.81% 2.19%
1998 1.11% 1.55%
1997 2.78% 2.34%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/united-states | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Gambia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 6.75%, compared with 2.52% in the United States. In 2024, inflation was 11.6% in the Gambia and 2.95% in the United States.

Top exports between countries

Gambia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $77K
Textiles & consumer goods $40K
Animal & marine products $17K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Metals $3K
United States
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $48.9M
Machinery & equipment $16.5M
Chemicals & pharma $9.15M
Miscellaneous $2.02M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.01M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.34M
Raw agricultural goods $885K
Raw materials & minerals $177K
Wood & paper products $147K
Metals $134K

Balance of trade

Gambia United States
Current account balance
-$99.8M
2024
-$1.19T
2024
Current account balance ranking
88/190
2024
190/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-4.15%
2024
-4.12%
2024
Goods imports
$1.39B
2024
$3.3T
2024
Goods exports
$363M
2024
$2.08T
2024
Service imports
$161M
2024
$841B
2024
Service exports
$485M
2024
$1.15T
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.4%
2024
14.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
8.75%
2024
11.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Gambia United States
Economic freedom 56.3 72.8
Economic freedom ranking 123/197 27/197
Property rights 55.4 91.6
Government integrity 40.5 77.1
Judicial effectiveness 45.8 76.4
Tax burden 79.2 75.3
Government spending 81.1 57.9
Fiscal health 54.8 18.5
Business freedom 50.1 88.6
Labor freedom 46.4 76.3
Monetary freedom 57.3 84.2
Trade freedom 64.8 67.6
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Gambia
United States
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Gambia United States
2026 56.3 72.8
2025 56.8 70.2
2024 58.2 70.1
2023 57.9 70.6
2022 58 72.1
2021 58.8 74.8
2020 56.3 76.6
2019 52.4 76.8
2018 52.3 75.7
2017 53.4 75.1
2016 57.1 75.4
2015 57.5 76.2
2014 59.5 75.5
2013 58.8 76
2012 58.8 76.3
2011 57.4 77.8
2010 55.1 78
2009 55.8 80.7
2008 56.9 81
2007 57.7 81.2
2006 57.3 81.2
2005 56.5 79.9
2004 55.3 78.7
2003 56.3 78.2
2002 57.7 78.4
2001 56.6 79.1
2000 52.7 76.4
1999 52.1 75.5
1998 53.4 75.4
1997 52.9 75.6
1996 - 76.7
1995 - 76.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/gambia/united-states | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Gambia is 56.3, ranking 123/197, compared to 72.8 for the United States, ranking 27/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Gambia United States
Services, % of GDP
56.8%
2024
79.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
15.3%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.4%
2024
0.85%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.43B
2024
$28.4T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,430
2024
$85,980
2024
Total reserves including gold
$629M
2024
$910B
2024
Total reserves ranking
151/177
2024
3/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$232M
2024
$25.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$232M
2024
$297B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
-$665K
2024
$322B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.25%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
53.4%
2020
15.1%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
29.9%
2024
21.8%
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/united-states | 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 (1929–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2000–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.