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Economy of Ghana vs Guyana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $24.7B for Guyana, ranking 80/197 and 120/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $5.99B (24.3% of GDP) in Guyana.

Ghana vs Guyana GDP by year

Ghana
Guyana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Guyana
2024 $82,308,110,386 $24,662,709,832
2023 $80,547,146,878 $16,918,503,597
2022 $73,919,003,210 $14,718,388,489
2021 $79,514,204,730 $8,041,362,110
2020 $70,008,243,860 $5,471,256,595
2019 $68,352,629,246 $5,173,760,192
2018 $67,259,353,966 $4,787,636,998
2017 $60,385,409,435 $4,748,174,334
2016 $56,144,179,398 $4,482,697,337
2015 $49,436,806,230 $4,279,840,194
2014 $54,678,533,806 $4,127,660,152
2013 $62,845,721,960 $4,167,800,929
2012 $41,271,701,061 $4,063,088,536
2011 $39,336,668,081 $3,691,384,318
2010 $32,197,655,567 $3,432,912,517
2009 $26,048,720,006 $3,165,663,153
2008 $28,679,383,241 $3,025,187,433
2007 $24,827,339,138 $2,730,971,595
2006 $20,885,037,597 $2,379,817,991
2005 $10,744,568,381 $824,880,550
2004 $8,881,417,907 $787,814,379
2003 $7,632,723,556 $743,063,950
2002 $6,166,197,848 $726,131,435
2001 $5,314,872,854 $712,167,450
2000 $4,982,850,662 $712,667,897
1999 $7,718,109,982 $694,754,988
1998 $7,482,069,162 $717,530,683
1997 $6,891,443,192 $749,138,010
1996 $6,932,991,739 $705,406,001
1995 $6,464,382,808 $621,626,786
1994 $5,446,383,727 $540,874,934
1993 $5,968,922,939 $454,101,382
1992 $6,416,103,926 $373,573,141
1991 $6,603,185,268 $348,533,095
1990 $5,889,106,573 $396,582,263
1989 $5,251,858,440 $379,779,390
1988 $5,197,765,032 $413,799,990
1987 $5,074,829,932 $354,591,847
1986 $5,735,677,434 $504,651,140
1985 $4,504,306,723 $453,488,372
1984 $4,412,279,843 $437,631,605
1983 $4,057,275,132 $489,333,333
1982 $4,035,994,398 $482,000,000
1981 $4,222,441,860 $570,357,107
1980 $4,445,228,216 $603,200,000
1979 $4,020,227,920 $530,440,000
1978 $3,662,478,185 $507,080,000
1977 $3,189,428,571 $449,880,000
1976 $2,765,254,237 $454,440,000
1975 $2,810,106,383 $494,791,667
1974 $2,894,409,938 $433,954,545
1973 $3,006,766,758 $307,047,619
1972 $2,112,293,280 $285,380,952
1971 $2,417,108,578 $282,050,000
1970 $2,215,028,588 $267,800,000
1969 $1,962,050,556 $249,300,000
1968 $1,666,909,518 $229,750,000
1967 $1,747,187,645 $250,176,471
1966 $2,126,300,672 $228,705,882
1965 $2,053,462,968 $213,235,294
1964 $1,731,296,200 $194,774,513
1963 $1,540,797,589 $175,757,894
1962 $1,382,515,654 $194,949,513
1961 $1,302,674,325 $185,849,535
1960 $1,217,230,095 $170,216,241

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guyana | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Guyana by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guyana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Guyana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $29,675 $80,155
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $20,474 $54,729
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $17,913 $39,711
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $9,861 $22,866
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $6,776 $16,819
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $6,406 $13,241
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $6,048 $12,443
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $6,179 $12,243
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $5,871 $11,516
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $5,640 $11,408
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $5,473 $11,145
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $5,557 $11,200
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $5,444 $10,627
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $4,947 $10,066
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $4,582 $9,337
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $4,209 $8,824
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $4,009 $8,437
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $3,608 $8,110
2006 $906 $3,103 $3,136 $7,346
2005 $479 $2,904 $1,084 $6,761
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,033 $6,673
2003 $358 $2,584 $974 $6,392
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $951 $6,304
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $932 $6,131
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $932 $5,860
1999 $403 $2,239 $909 $5,812
1998 $400 $2,167 $940 $5,573
1997 $378 $2,097 $983 $5,615
1996 $389 $2,026 $928 $5,210
1995 $372 $1,947 $820 $4,753
1994 $321 $1,875 $716 $4,447
1993 $360 $1,821 $603 $4,027
1992 $396 $1,739 $498 $3,651
1991 $418 $1,678 $466 $3,322
1990 $383 $1,581 $529 $3,022
1989 $350 - $503 -
1988 $355 - $545 -
1987 $355 - $464 -
1986 $411 - $657 -
1985 $330 - $588 -
1984 $330 - $565 -
1983 $311 - $631 -
1982 $319 - $621 -
1981 $344 - $735 -
1980 $372 - $779 -
1979 $347 - $689 -
1978 $326 - $663 -
1977 $292.3 - $593 -
1976 $261 - $604 -
1975 $273 - $664 -
1974 $289.4 - $588 -
1973 $310 - $421 -
1972 $223.8 - $395 -
1971 $263.4 - $396 -
1970 $248.2 - $381 -
1969 $225.8 - $361 -
1968 $196.7 - $340 -
1967 $211.2 - $378 -
1966 $263.3 - $353 -
1965 $260.5 - $336 -
1964 $225 - $313 -
1963 $205 - $288.8 -
1962 $188.4 - $327 -
1961 $181.9 - $319 -
1960 $174.9 - $299.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guyana | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $29,675 in Guyana, ranking 41/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Guyana ranks 15th at $80,155.

Economic indicators

Ghana Guyana
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$24.7B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
120/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
43.8%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$29,675
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$80,155
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
15/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$5.99B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
24.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$7,213
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
66/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$13,212
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
34.4%
1998
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1.1%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
23.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
13.2%
2019
Population
35885254
842249

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Guyana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Guyana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 23.2% 24.3%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 23.7% 26.7%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 20.3% 24.8%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 24.8% 45.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 30.5% 59.5%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 28.1% 54%
2018 20.9% 62% 27.6% 47.9%
2017 17.6% 57% 26.3% 46.1%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 25.2% 44%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 21.7% 42.2%
2014 21% 50.1% 23.1% 38.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 21.4% 41.4%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 21.8% 44.7%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 23.5% 51.7%
2010 19% 32.9% 23.9% 53.1%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 25.4% 52.3%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 24.1% 48.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 25.5% 47.7%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 29% 74.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 28.4% 90.7%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 23.7% 91.8%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 23.5% 95.6%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 23.1% 105.1%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 24% 104.6%
2000 12% 74.5% 22.9% 97.2%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 17.6% 97.1%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 19.7% 108%
1997 12% 45.2% 20.9% 101.3%
1996 12.4% 42.9% - -
1995 13% 47.6% - -
1994 12.7% 50.6% - -
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
1991 7.09% 17.3% - -
1990 6.59% 17.8% - -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% - -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - -
1986 7.29% 18.2% - -
1985 6.08% 14.4% - -
1984 4.64% 13% - -
1983 3.49% 9.21% - -
1982 4.73% 8.51% - -
1981 5.74% 8.77% - -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% - -
1975 13.2% 21.8% - -
1974 9.52% 21.8% - -
1973 9.35% 25.4% - -
1972 11.4% 29.8% - -
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% - -
1969 11.2% 31.4% - -
1968 12.3% 34.5% - -
1967 11.5% 33.9% - -
1966 9.12% 29.8% - -
1965 14.2% 30.2% - -
1964 15.8% 30.8% - -
1963 15.3% 30.5% - -
1962 12.5% 11.8% - -

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/guyana | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Guyana spent $5.72B, or 23.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 24.3% in Guyana, ranking 57/185 and 168/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Guyana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Guyana
2024 -7.31% -7.31%
2023 -3.37% -5.78%
2022 -11.8% -5.11%
2021 -12% -6.94%
2020 -17.4% -7.78%
2019 -7.52% -2.52%
2018 -6.79% -2.52%
2017 -3.97% -3.14%
2016 -6.75% -3.21%
2015 -4.01% -0.75%
2014 -7.81% -3.88%
2013 -9.12% -2.16%
2012 -8.36% -3.11%
2011 -5.47% -2.13%
2010 -7.13% -1.88%
2009 -5.05% -2.5%
2008 -5.56% -2.78%
2007 -4.91% -3.35%
2006 -3.11% -6.16%
2005 -1.87% -6.54%
2004 -2.02% -2.88%
2003 -1.99% -4.81%
2002 -2.73% -2.42%
2001 -3.64% -3.71%
2000 -3.98% -2.27%
1999 -5.64% -0.47%
1998 -5.27% -2.67%
1997 -6.14% -1.7%
1996 -5.61% -
1995 -4.52% -
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -
1990 -1.93% -
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -
1985 -1.19% -
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -
1981 -3.8% -
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% -
1975 -4.05% -
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -
1969 -2.67% -
1968 -2.34% -
1967 -2.32% -
1966 -1.29% -
1965 -3.29% -
1964 -3.72% -
1963 -5.66% -
1962 -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/guyana | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.02B, equivalent to 7.31% of GDP. This compares to Guyana's deficit of $1.8B, or 7.31% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Guyana ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.59% of GDP for Guyana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Guyana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Guyana
2024 22.8% 2.5%
2023 38.1% 4.5%
2022 31.3% 6.5%
2021 9.97% 3.3%
2020 9.89% 1.2%
2019 7.14% 2.1%
2018 7.81% 1.3%
2017 12.4% 1.9%
2016 17.5% 0.8%
2015 17.1% -0.9%
2014 15.5% 0.7%
2013 11.7% 1.9%
2012 11.2% 2.4%
2011 8.73% 4.4%
2010 10.7% 4.3%
2009 19.2% 3%
2008 16.5% 8.1%
2007 10.7% 12.2%
2006 11.7% 6.7%
2005 15.4% 6.9%
2004 18% 4.7%
2003 29.8% 6%
2002 9.36% 5.4%
2001 41.5% 2.6%
2000 40.2% 6.1%
1999 4.87% 7.5%
1998 14.6% 4.6%
1997 27.9% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guyana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 4.08% in Guyana. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 2.5% in Guyana.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.01M
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Metals $3K
Wood & paper products $2K
Guyana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $107K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14K
Raw materials & minerals $11K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Metals $7K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Ghana Guyana
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$2.35B
2023
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
43/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+13.9%
2023
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$6B
2023
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$13.2B
2023
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$4.95B
2023
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$529M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
109.7%
2005
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
84.6%
2005

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Guyana
Economic freedom 57.3 58.7
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 109/197
Property rights 50.2 46.7
Government integrity 45.4 38.8
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 48.6
Tax burden 79.4 76.4
Government spending 84 85
Fiscal health 10.1 39.9
Business freedom 64.5 70.9
Labor freedom 54.9 76
Monetary freedom 56.7 78.5
Trade freedom 65.2 59.2
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Guyana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Guyana
2026 57.3 58.7
2025 56 58.2
2024 55.8 57.3
2023 58 56.9
2022 59.8 59.5
2021 59.2 57.4
2020 59.4 56.2
2019 57.5 56.8
2018 56 58.7
2017 56.2 58.5
2016 63 55.4
2015 63 55.5
2014 64.2 55.7
2013 61.3 53.8
2012 60.7 51.3
2011 59.4 49.4
2010 60.2 48.4
2009 58.1 48.4
2008 57 48.8
2007 57.6 53.7
2006 55.6 56.6
2005 56.5 56.5
2004 59.1 53
2003 58.2 50.3
2002 57.2 54.3
2001 58 53.3
2000 58.1 52.4
1999 57.9 53.3
1998 57 52.7
1997 56.7 53.2
1996 57.7 50.1
1995 55.6 45.7

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/guyana | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 58.7 for Guyana, ranking 109/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Guyana
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
14.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
76%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
7.62%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$52,290
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$1.01B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
141/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$1.14B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$8.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$5.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
3.73%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
35%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
32.3%
2005

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/guyana | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, 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 (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.