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Ghana economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana ranked 80/197 by economy size with a GDP of $82.3B and 151/197 by GDP per capita at $2,391. Ghana has $57.9B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 70.3%.

In 2024, Ghana made up 0.07% of the world's economy, compared to 0.09% in 1960.

Ghana GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $82,308,110,386 5.59%
2023 $80,547,146,878 3.14%
2022 $73,919,003,210 3.8%
2021 $79,514,204,730 5.08%
2020 $70,008,243,860 0.51%
2019 $68,352,629,246 6.51%
2018 $67,259,353,966 6.2%
2017 $60,385,409,435 8.13%
2016 $56,144,179,398 3.37%
2015 $49,436,806,230 2.12%
2014 $54,678,533,806 2.86%
2013 $62,845,721,960 7.31%
2012 $41,271,701,061 9.29%
2011 $39,336,668,081 14%
2010 $32,197,655,567 7.9%
2009 $26,048,720,006 4.84%
2008 $28,679,383,241 9.15%
2007 $24,827,339,138 4.35%
2006 $20,885,037,597 6.4%
2005 $10,744,568,381 5.9%
2004 $8,881,417,907 5.6%
2003 $7,632,723,556 5.2%
2002 $6,166,197,848 4.5%
2001 $5,314,872,854 4%
2000 $4,982,850,662 3.7%
1999 $7,718,109,982 4.4%
1998 $7,482,069,162 4.7%
1997 $6,891,443,192 4.2%
1996 $6,932,991,739 4.6%
1995 $6,464,382,808 4.11%
1994 $5,446,383,727 3.3%
1993 $5,968,922,939 4.85%
1992 $6,416,103,926 3.88%
1991 $6,603,185,268 5.28%
1990 $5,889,106,573 3.33%
1989 $5,251,858,440 5.09%
1988 $5,197,765,032 5.63%
1987 $5,074,829,932 4.79%
1986 $5,735,677,434 5.2%
1985 $4,504,306,723 5.09%
1984 $4,412,279,843 8.65%
1983 $4,057,275,132 -4.56%
1982 $4,035,994,398 -6.92%
1981 $4,222,441,860 -3.5%
1980 $4,445,228,216 0.47%
1979 $4,020,227,920 -2.51%
1978 $3,662,478,185 8.48%
1977 $3,189,428,571 2.27%
1976 $2,765,254,237 -3.53%
1975 $2,810,106,383 -12.4%
1974 $2,894,409,938 6.85%
1973 $3,006,766,758 2.88%
1972 $2,112,293,280 -2.49%
1971 $2,417,108,578 5.22%
1970 $2,215,028,588 9.72%
1969 $1,962,050,556 6.01%
1968 $1,666,909,518 0.37%
1967 $1,747,187,645 3.08%
1966 $2,126,300,672 -4.26%
1965 $2,053,462,968 1.37%
1964 $1,731,296,200 2.21%
1963 $1,540,797,589 4.41%
1962 $1,382,515,654 4.11%
1961 $1,302,674,325 3.43%
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana | CC BY

Ghana GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020
2023 $2,384 $7,556
2022 $2,230 $7,208
2021 $2,445 $6,608
2020 $2,195 $6,047
2019 $2,187 $6,003
2018 $2,195 $5,536
2017 $2,012 $5,171
2016 $1,912 $5,011
2015 $1,723 $5,191
2014 $1,950 $5,517
2013 $2,295 $5,215
2012 $1,544 $4,934
2011 $1,507 $4,381
2010 $1,264 $3,855
2009 $1,048 $3,617
2008 $1,183 $3,516
2007 $1,050 $3,241
2006 $906 $3,103
2005 $479 $2,904
2004 $406 $2,729
2003 $358 $2,584
2002 $297.5 $2,475
2001 $263.5 $2,397
2000 $253.7 $2,315
1999 $403 $2,239
1998 $400 $2,167
1997 $378 $2,097
1996 $389 $2,026
1995 $372 $1,947
1994 $321 $1,875
1993 $360 $1,821
1992 $396 $1,739
1991 $418 $1,678
1990 $383 $1,581
1989 $350 -
1988 $355 -
1987 $355 -
1986 $411 -
1985 $330 -
1984 $330 -
1983 $311 -
1982 $319 -
1981 $344 -
1980 $372 -
1979 $347 -
1978 $326 -
1977 $292.3 -
1976 $261 -
1975 $273 -
1974 $289.4 -
1973 $310 -
1972 $223.8 -
1971 $263.4 -
1970 $248.2 -
1969 $225.8 -
1968 $196.7 -
1967 $211.2 -
1966 $263.3 -
1965 $260.5 -
1964 $225 -
1963 $205 -
1962 $188.4 -
1961 $181.9 -
1960 $174.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana | CC BY

Ghana has a GDP per capita of $2,391, ranking 151/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $8,020, ranking 140/197, and a median annual after tax income of $2,110, ranking 162/197.

Ghana GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 79 141 129
2023 78 147 134
2022 76 150 134
2021 71 144 135
2020 72 141 136
2019 76 145 137
2018 75 144 138
2017 78 146 138
2016 77 146 137
2015 83 147 137
2014 80 147 133
2013 72 141 135
2012 88 150 135
2011 87 152 137
2010 88 155 138
2009 92 159 142
2008 89 152 142
2007 86 151 145
2006 86 153 145
2005 105 168 143
2004 107 176 144
2003 108 174 144
2002 113 179 143
2001 118 178 144
2000 118 180 144
1999 97 159 145
1998 96 161 142
1997 100 164 141
1996 99 159 134
1995 100 158 133
1994 99 155 131
1993 94 153 131
1992 93 146 134
1991 92 149 136
1990 96 152 136
1989 85 138 -
1988 86 142 -
1987 85 137 -
1986 77 127 -
1985 82 131 -
1984 83 130 -
1983 84 132 -
1982 84 131 -
1981 83 129 -
1980 83 129 -
1979 77 123 -
1978 74 120 -
1977 76 120 -
1976 77 117 -
1975 74 117 -
1974 72 112 -
1973 64 100 -
1972 65 106 -
1971 60 98 -
1970 59 96 -
1969 59 82 -
1968 59 84 -
1967 56 78 -
1966 54 67 -
1965 53 68 -
1964 54 67 -
1963 53 68 -
1962 55 69 -
1961 54 69 -
1960 54 68 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Ghana is ranked 79th out of 182 by GDP (up from 118th), 141st by GDP per capita (up from 180th), and 129th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 144th).

Economic indicators

Ghana Rank
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
80/197
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
28/194
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
151/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
140/197
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
68/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
57/185
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
123/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
162/197
Listed domestic companies
30
2024
82/103
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
72/100
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
37/169
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
155/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
132/195
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
18/195
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
7/106
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
155/196
Population
35885254
47/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 23.2% 70.3% -7.31%
2023 18.5% 79.1% -3.37%
2022 27.5% 92.7% -11.8%
2021 27.2% 86.9% -12%
2020 31.5% 79.1% -17.4%
2019 22.5% 62.9% -7.52%
2018 20.9% 62% -6.79%
2017 17.6% 57% -3.97%
2016 19.9% 55.9% -6.75%
2015 18.6% 53.9% -4.01%
2014 21% 50.1% -7.81%
2013 21.6% 42.9% -9.12%
2012 22.1% 35.5% -8.36%
2011 19.5% 31.2% -5.47%
2010 19% 32.9% -7.13%
2009 16.6% 25.4% -5.05%
2008 16.6% 23.2% -5.56%
2007 16.8% 21.1% -4.91%
2006 14.4% 17.3% -3.11%
2005 12.9% 31.7% -1.87%
2004 13.7% 38.4% -2.02%
2003 12.1% 49.3% -1.99%
2002 10.7% 54.1% -2.73%
2001 13.8% 57.8% -3.64%
2000 12% 74.5% -3.98%
1999 11.1% 51.7% -5.64%
1998 11.8% 37.6% -5.27%
1997 12% 45.2% -6.14%
1996 12.4% 42.9% -5.61%
1995 13% 47.6% -4.52%
1994 12.7% 50.6% -4.99%
1993 12.1% 34.1% -5.39%
1992 9.2% 21.3% -4.5%
1991 7.09% 17.3% -1.47%
1990 6.59% 17.8% -1.93%
1989 7.24% 23% -0.81%
1988 7.23% 23.5% -1.08%
1987 7.32% 26.8% -0.92%
1986 7.29% 18.2% -1.26%
1985 6.08% 14.4% -1.19%
1984 4.64% 13% -0.98%
1983 3.49% 9.21% -1.13%
1982 4.73% 8.51% -2.03%
1981 5.74% 8.77% -3.8%
1980 7.51% 9.75% -4.73%
1979 9.14% 11.5% -3.61%
1978 6.54% 11.4% -1.21%
1977 10.5% 20.7% -4.68%
1976 12.8% 26% -5.53%
1975 13.2% 21.8% -4.05%
1974 9.52% 21.8% -2.06%
1973 9.35% 25.4% -2.64%
1972 11.4% 29.8% -2.19%
1971 11.7% 29.5% 0.13%
1970 12.2% 31.9% -2.35%
1969 11.2% 31.4% -2.67%
1968 12.3% 34.5% -2.34%
1967 11.5% 33.9% -2.32%
1966 9.12% 29.8% -1.29%
1965 14.2% 30.2% -3.29%
1964 15.8% 30.8% -3.72%
1963 15.3% 30.5% -5.66%
1962 12.5% 11.8% -5.04%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana | CC BY

This chart shows Ghana's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 50 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 50 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $19.1B (23.2% of GDP), with a deficit of 7.31%.

The national debt reached $57.9B, ranking 68th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 70.3%, ranking 57th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 22.8%
2023 38.1%
2022 31.3%
2021 9.97%
2020 9.89%
2019 7.14%
2018 7.81%
2017 12.4%
2016 17.5%
2015 17.1%
2014 15.5%
2013 11.7%
2012 11.2%
2011 8.73%
2010 10.7%
2009 19.2%
2008 16.5%
2007 10.7%
2006 11.7%
2005 15.4%
2004 18%
2003 29.8%
2002 9.36%
2001 41.5%
2000 40.2%
1999 4.87%
1998 14.6%
1997 27.9%
1996 46.6%
1995 59.5%
1994 24.9%
1993 25%
1992 10.1%
1991 18%
1990 37.3%
1989 25.2%
1988 31.4%
1987 39.8%
1986 24.6%
1985 10.3%
1984 39.7%
1983 122.9%
1982 22.3%
1981 116.5%
1980 50.1%
1979 54.4%
1978 73.1%
1977 116.5%
1976 56.1%
1975 29.8%
1974 18.1%
1973 17.7%
1972 10.1%
1971 9.56%
1970 3.03%
1969 7.32%
1968 7.89%
1967 -8.42%
1966 13.2%
1965 26.4%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1965–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Ghana has had an average annual inflation rate of 15.3%. In 2024, inflation was 22.8%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Ghana Rank
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
49/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
57/190
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
90/189
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
79/189
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
64/189
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
70/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
111/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
94/193

Ghana top 10 trading partners

Ghana's biggest trading partner accounting for 13.5% of all exports and imports is China, with a trade balance between the two of -$1.7B: Ghana exports $1.38B worth of goods and services to China and imports $3.07B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Ghana.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 China $4.45B 13.5% $1.38B $3.07B Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
2 Switzerland $3.45B 10.4% $3.08B $366M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
3 UAE $2.33B 7.07% $1.71B $621M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
4 South Africa $2.28B 6.92% $1.97B $311M Precious metals & jewellery Machinery & equipment
5 Netherlands $2.24B 6.78% $664M $1.57B Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw materials & minerals
6 India $2.24B 6.77% $1.18B $1.06B Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
7 United States $1.78B 5.39% $788M $993M Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
8 Canada $1.14B 3.46% $855M $288M Raw materials & minerals Raw agricultural goods
9 Russia $1.06B 3.22% $11M $1.05B Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
10 Belgium $1.02B 3.1% $264M $760M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Raw materials & minerals

Top 10 exports

Ghana Rank
Precious metals & jewellery $7.67B 24/190
Business & finance services $5.99B 41/188
Raw materials & minerals $4.7B 76/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.46B 56/192
Manufacturing & construction services $1.66B 33/164
Transport & tourism services $1.37B 106/188
Metals $606M 82/192
Raw agricultural goods $506M 87/193
Chemicals & pharma $365M 92/193
Textiles & consumer goods $156M 115/193

Top 10 imports

Ghana Rank
Business & finance services $7.2B 40/188
Raw materials & minerals $6.44B 64/193
Machinery & equipment $3.54B 103/193
Transport & tourism services $2.78B 85/188
Government & miscellaneous services $1.79B 11/180
Chemicals & pharma $1.79B 92/193
Metals $1.11B 91/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $939M 102/193
Raw agricultural goods $872M 91/193
Textiles & consumer goods $710M 110/193

Economic freedom indices

Ghana Rank
Economic freedom 57.3 118/197
Property rights 50.2 87/182
Government integrity 45.4 78/182
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 69/182
Tax burden 79.4 87/182
Government spending 84 52/180
Fiscal health 10.1 162/181
Business freedom 64.5 95/182
Labor freedom 54.9 105/182
Monetary freedom 56.7 160/180
Trade freedom 65.2 129/181
Investment freedom 60 72/181
Financial freedom 60 46/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 57.3 57.5 79.4 84 10.1
2025 56 58.2 79.9 81.6 6.2
2024 55.8 57.3 79.5 75.5 2.9
2023 58 45.3 82.9 81.2 6.5
2022 59.8 57 82.8 83.8 7.8
2021 59.2 38.2 82.8 87.8 31.7
2020 59.4 46.1 78.4 88.1 35.6
2019 57.5 44.2 78.8 82 23.9
2018 56 43.7 83.5 79 9.5
2017 56.2 40.9 84.5 76.3 9.2
2016 63 - 84.9 77.6 -
2015 63 - 84.6 70.8 -
2014 64.2 - 85.4 83.3 -
2013 61.3 - 86 52.5 -
2012 60.7 - 81.9 48.3 -
2011 59.4 - 83.3 46.1 -
2010 60.2 - 83.5 58.9 -
2009 58.1 - 83.2 65.7 -
2008 57 - 83.7 71.5 -
2007 57.6 - 82.5 66.7 -
2006 55.6 - 75.6 74.8 -
2005 56.5 - 77.4 79.6 -
2004 59.1 - 77.5 67.9 -
2003 58.2 - 74.5 77 -
2002 57.2 - 73.3 79.7 -
2001 58 - 73 84.1 -
2000 58.1 - 73.3 84.1 -
1999 57.9 - 73.2 73.5 -
1998 57 - 73.3 72.3 -
1997 56.7 - 72.9 70.8 -
1996 57.7 - 73.8 74.8 -
1995 55.6 - 66.3 81.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana | CC BY

Ghana is ranked 105/174 for economic freedom with a score of 57.3, compared to 106/162 and a score of 55.6 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Rank
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
179/191
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
51/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
35/193
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
78/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
140/191
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
112/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
137/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
73/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
122/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
70/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
79/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
166/178

Compare Ghana vs other countries

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/ghana | 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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  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.