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Economy of Ghana vs Iraq compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $254B for Iraq, ranking 69/197 and 54/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $137B (53.9% of GDP) in Iraq.

Ghana vs Iraq GDP by year

Ghana
Iraq
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Iraq
2025 $114,209,905,279 $254,367,293,538
2024 $83,288,585,604 $279,641,257,615
2023 $80,547,146,876 $268,881,051,644
2022 $73,919,003,212 $287,372,232,138
2021 $79,514,204,730 $209,691,945,713
2020 $70,008,243,860 $180,898,797,517
2019 $68,352,629,246 $233,636,097,800
2018 $67,259,353,966 $227,367,469,034
2017 $60,385,409,435 $187,217,660,051
2016 $56,144,179,398 $166,743,557,748
2015 $49,436,806,230 $166,774,104,959
2014 $54,678,533,806 $228,415,656,175
2013 $62,845,721,960 $234,637,675,129
2012 $41,271,701,061 $218,002,476,129
2011 $39,336,668,081 $185,749,664,444
2010 $32,197,655,567 $138,516,722,650
2009 $26,048,720,006 $111,657,580,326
2008 $28,679,383,241 $131,614,434,154
2007 $24,827,339,138 $88,837,057,320
2006 $20,885,037,597 $65,147,051,918
2005 $10,744,568,381 $50,065,104,668
2004 $8,881,417,907 $36,633,669,269
2003 $7,632,723,556 $21,921,569,479
2002 $6,166,197,848 $32,928,454,672
2001 $5,314,872,854 $36,176,430,129
2000 $4,982,850,662 $48,364,250,944
1999 $7,718,109,982 $36,881,601,584
1998 $7,482,069,162 $20,617,405,044
1997 $6,891,443,192 $20,764,857,056
1996 $6,932,991,739 $10,433,698,621
1995 $6,464,382,808 $12,894,029,888
1994 $5,446,383,727 $3,991,349,283
1993 $5,968,922,939 $1,031,944,881
1992 $6,416,103,926 $553,671,958
1991 $6,603,185,268 $407,796,350
1990 $5,889,106,573 $180,408,064,516
1989 $5,251,858,440 $65,831,935,484
1988 $5,197,765,032 $62,684,516,129
1987 $5,074,829,932 $56,774,193,548
1986 $5,735,677,434 $47,264,516,129
1985 $4,504,306,723 $48,425,161,290
1984 $4,412,279,843 $46,938,387,097
1983 $4,057,275,132 $40,712,903,226
1982 $4,035,994,398 $42,382,333,333
1981 $4,222,441,860 $37,823,000,000
1980 $4,445,228,216 $52,569,000,000
1979 $4,020,227,920 $37,816,457,839
1978 $3,662,478,185 $23,762,275,652
1977 $3,189,428,571 $19,838,130,715
1976 $2,765,254,237 $17,754,825,601
1975 $2,810,106,383 $13,458,516,763
1974 $2,894,409,938 $11,516,762,614
1973 $3,006,766,758 $5,134,367,778
1972 $2,112,293,280 $4,113,848,002
1971 $2,417,108,578 $3,865,346,535
1970 $2,215,028,588 $3,281,318,687
1969 $1,962,050,556 $3,007,758,797
1968 $1,666,909,518 $2,896,598,841
1967 $1,747,187,645 $2,551,522,656
1966 $2,126,300,672 $2,530,306,096
1965 $2,053,462,968 $2,335,785,506
1964 $1,731,296,200 $2,136,408,198
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,805,901,510
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,784,174,541
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,671,960,965
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,537,252,193

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Iraq by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Iraq
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Iraq
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $5,410 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $6,074 $14,464
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $5,965 $14,653
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $6,521 $14,391
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $4,868 $12,732
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $4,295 $10,574
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $5,672 $12,249
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $5,647 $12,034
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $4,759 $10,192
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $4,334 $9,079
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $4,440 $9,334
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $6,249 $13,168
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $6,650 $14,669
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $6,478 $14,402
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $5,776 $12,912
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $4,462 $12,186
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $3,715 $11,687
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $4,543 $11,657
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $3,129 $10,783
2006 $906 $3,103 $2,277 $10,223
2005 $479 $2,904 $1,762 $9,457
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,328 $9,290
2003 $358 $2,584 $818 $6,068
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $1,266 $9,682
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,436 $10,720
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $1,980 $10,628
1999 $403 $2,239 $1,560 $9,194
1998 $400 $2,167 $901 $7,964
1997 $378 $2,097 $936 $6,020
1996 $389 $2,026 $485 $5,034
1995 $372 $1,947 $619 $4,598
1994 $321 $1,875 $198.2 $4,560
1993 $360 $1,821 $53.7 $4,509
1992 $396 $1,739 $30.3 $3,547
1991 $418 $1,678 $23 $2,694
1990 $383 $1,581 $10,261 -
1989 $350 - $3,791 -
1988 $355 - $3,707 -
1987 $355 - $3,436 -
1986 $411 - $2,940 -
1985 $330 - $3,088 -
1984 $330 - $3,066 -
1983 $311 - $2,743 -
1982 $319 - $2,942 -
1981 $344 - $2,700 -
1980 $372 - $3,868 -
1979 $347 - $2,871 -
1978 $326 - $1,863 -
1977 $292.3 - $1,609 -
1976 $261 - $1,489 -
1975 $273 - $1,166 -
1974 $289.4 - $1,031 -
1973 $310 - $476 -
1972 $223.8 - $394 -
1971 $263.4 - $384 -
1970 $248.2 - $337 -
1969 $225.8 - $320 -
1968 $196.7 - $319 -
1967 $211.2 - $290.6 -
1966 $263.3 - $298.2 -
1965 $260.5 - $284.8 -
1964 $225 - $269.4 -
1963 $205 - $235.5 -
1962 $188.4 - $240.7 -
1961 $181.9 - $232.4 -
1960 $174.9 - $218.9 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $5,410 in Iraq, ranking 119/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Iraq ranks 115th at $14,464.

Economic indicators

Ghana Iraq
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$254B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
54/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
-2.16%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$5,410
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
119/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$14,464
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
115/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$137B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
53.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$2,917
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
108/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$6,782
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
24.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.7%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
42.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
0.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
16.2%
2021
Population
36032857
48531417

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Iraq
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Iraq
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 42.7% 53.9%
2024 22% 70.3% 41.7% 45.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 41.2% 42.1%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 33.9% 39%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 36.3% 54.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 41.9% 72.5%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 34.7% 41.7%
2018 20.9% 62% 31.1% 44.4%
2017 17.6% 57% 35.5% 55.9%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 42.4% 60.3%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 43.5% 48.3%
2014 21% 50.1% 43.8% 27.6%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 48.2% 32%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 42.9% 34.8%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 43.4% 40.7%
2010 19% 32.9% 49.6% 53.5%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 61.1% 87.4%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 57.3% 74.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 44% 117.1%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 50.3% 143.2%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 63.2% 227.3%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 91.5% 344%
2003 12.1% 49.3% - -
2002 10.7% 54.1% - -
2001 13.8% 57.8% - -
2000 12% 74.5% - -
1999 11.1% 51.7% - -
1998 11.8% 37.6% - -
1997 12% 45.2% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Iraq spent $109B, or 42.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 53.9% in Iraq, ranking 108/185 and 95/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Iraq
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Iraq
2025 -1.35% -6.41%
2024 -6.23% -3.45%
2023 -3.37% -1.14%
2022 -11.8% 8.1%
2021 -12% -0.38%
2020 -17.4% -12.8%
2019 -7.52% 0.83%
2018 -6.79% 7.69%
2017 -3.97% -1.52%
2016 -6.75% -14.4%
2015 -4.01% -12.8%
2014 -7.81% -5.63%
2013 -9.12% -6.06%
2012 -8.36% 4.09%
2011 -5.47% 4.74%
2010 -7.13% -4.18%
2009 -5.05% -14.9%
2008 -5.56% -0.86%
2007 -4.91% 9.98%
2006 -3.11% 10.7%
2005 -1.87% 4.07%
2004 -2.02% -35.4%
2003 -1.99% -
2002 -2.73% -
2001 -3.64% -
2000 -3.98% -
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
1997 -6.14% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.54B, equivalent to 1.35% of GDP. This compares to Iraq's deficit of $16.3B, or 6.41% of GDP.

Over the past 22 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Iraq ran a deficit in 14 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.17% of GDP for Iraq.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Iraq
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Iraq
2025 14.2% 0.3%
2024 22.8% 2.61%
2023 38.1% 4.36%
2022 31.3% 4.99%
2021 9.97% 6.04%
2020 9.89% 0.57%
2019 7.14% -0.2%
2018 7.81% 0.37%
2017 12.4% 0.18%
2016 17.5% 0.56%
2015 17.1% 1.39%
2014 15.5% 2.24%
2013 11.7% 1.88%
2012 11.2% 6.09%
2011 8.73% 5.6%
2010 10.7% 2.43%
2009 19.2% 6.87%
2008 16.5% 12.7%
2007 10.7% -10.1%
2006 11.7% 53.2%
2005 15.4% 37%
2004 18% 27%
2003 29.8% 33.6%
2002 9.36% 19.3%
2001 41.5% 16.4%
2000 40.2% 4.98%
1999 4.87% 12.6%
1998 14.6% 14.8%
1997 27.9% 23.1%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 10% in Iraq. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 0.3% in Iraq.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $179K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $117K
Wood & paper products $48K
Machinery & equipment $19K
Iraq
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Ghana Iraq
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$8.37B
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
27/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+2.99%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$74.3B
2024
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$101B
2024
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$10.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
37.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
39.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Iraq
Economic freedom 57.3 15.6
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 196/197
Property rights 50.2 8.3
Government integrity 45.4 20.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 5.8
Tax burden 79.4 85.5
Government spending 84 65.3
Fiscal health 10.1 95.7
Business freedom 64.5 42.8
Labor freedom 54.9 60.6
Monetary freedom 56.7 68.6
Trade freedom 65.2 40
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Iraq
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Iraq
2026 57.3 -
2025 56 -
2024 55.8 -
2023 58 -
2022 59.8 -
2021 59.2 -
2020 59.4 -
2019 57.5 -
2018 56 -
2017 56.2 -
2016 63 -
2015 63 -
2014 64.2 -
2013 61.3 -
2012 60.7 -
2011 59.4 -
2010 60.2 -
2009 58.1 -
2008 57 -
2007 57.6 -
2006 55.6 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 59.1 -
2003 58.2 -
2002 57.2 15.6
2001 58 17.2
2000 58.1 17.2
1999 57.9 17.2
1998 57 17.2
1997 56.7 17.2
1996 57.7 17.2
1995 55.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 15.6 for Iraq, ranking 196/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Iraq
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
52.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
45.4%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
3.41%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$267B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$14,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$101B
2024
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
30/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$8.09B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
-$7.65B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$439M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
1.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
17.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
19.1%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.