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Economy of Ghana vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $540B for Israel, ranking 80/197 and 29/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $366B (67.6% of GDP) in Israel.

Ghana vs Israel GDP by year

Ghana
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Israel
2024 $82,308,110,386 $540,379,921,262
2023 $80,547,146,878 $512,184,638,999
2022 $73,919,003,210 $525,181,008,026
2021 $79,514,204,730 $489,851,549,972
2020 $70,008,243,860 $410,768,352,658
2019 $68,352,629,246 $400,645,216,359
2018 $67,259,353,966 $376,299,083,108
2017 $60,385,409,435 $358,451,839,053
2016 $56,144,179,398 $321,940,971,558
2015 $49,436,806,230 $303,469,434,072
2014 $54,678,533,806 $315,017,088,117
2013 $62,845,721,960 $298,478,070,673
2012 $41,271,701,061 $263,589,172,712
2011 $39,336,668,081 $268,094,998,225
2010 $32,197,655,567 $239,679,036,634
2009 $26,048,720,006 $213,403,181,853
2008 $28,679,383,241 $221,231,658,863
2007 $24,827,339,138 $184,681,214,673
2006 $20,885,037,597 $158,900,547,825
2005 $10,744,568,381 $147,519,922,009
2004 $8,881,417,907 $140,047,984,605
2003 $7,632,723,556 $131,408,914,824
2002 $6,166,197,848 $125,332,331,884
2001 $5,314,872,854 $135,002,039,613
2000 $4,982,850,662 $136,512,300,542
1999 $7,718,109,982 $121,417,185,062
1998 $7,482,069,162 $120,547,409,279
1997 $6,891,443,192 $119,459,826,347
1996 $6,932,991,739 $115,116,595,545
1995 $6,464,382,808 $105,497,418,059
1994 $5,446,383,727 $90,740,103,829
1993 $5,968,922,939 $79,855,877,174
1992 $6,416,103,926 $79,457,685,757
1991 $6,603,185,268 $70,998,755,007
1990 $5,889,106,573 $62,016,729,541
1989 $5,251,858,440 $52,443,479,454
1988 $5,197,765,032 $52,650,948,910
1987 $5,074,829,932 $43,049,543,635
1986 $5,735,677,434 $35,834,154,874
1985 $4,504,306,723 $28,905,736,367
1984 $4,412,279,843 $30,645,607,293
1983 $4,057,275,132 $32,675,755,462
1982 $4,035,994,398 $29,255,285,401
1981 $4,222,441,860 $26,882,009,819
1980 $4,445,228,216 $25,395,256,478
1979 $4,020,227,920 $22,609,741,060
1978 $3,662,478,185 $17,701,286,907
1977 $3,189,428,571 $18,257,113,904
1976 $2,765,254,237 $15,956,349,550
1975 $2,810,106,383 $16,141,767,373
1974 $2,894,409,938 $17,172,607,138
1973 $3,006,766,758 $11,902,574,259
1972 $2,112,293,280 $9,222,557,539
1971 $2,417,108,578 $7,052,544,000
1970 $2,215,028,588 $7,406,712,876
1969 $1,962,050,556 $6,297,852,761
1968 $1,666,909,518 $5,458,427,928
1967 $1,747,187,645 $4,762,386,783
1966 $2,126,300,672 $4,703,300,098
1965 $2,053,462,968 $4,329,084,429
1964 $1,731,296,200 $4,024,344,853
1963 $1,540,797,589 $3,535,949,089
1962 $1,382,515,654 $2,966,154,031
1961 $1,302,674,325 $3,708,586,471
1960 $1,217,230,095 $3,070,585,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Israel by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Israel
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Israel
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $54,177 $57,236
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $52,004 $55,171
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $54,950 $53,619
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $52,271 $46,162
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $44,576 $40,955
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $44,251 $41,325
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $42,363 $40,190
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $41,138 $39,471
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $37,672 $38,189
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $36,213 $35,871
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $38,343 $34,816
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $37,034 $34,827
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $33,321 $32,484
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $34,523 $31,314
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $31,439 $29,456
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $28,508 $28,087
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $30,269 $28,084
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $25,721 $28,307
2006 $906 $3,103 $22,527 $26,385
2005 $479 $2,904 $21,287 $25,701
2004 $406 $2,729 $20,568 $26,078
2003 $358 $2,584 $19,643 $24,702
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $19,076 $26,101
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $20,966 $25,806
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $21,707 $25,766
1999 $403 $2,239 $19,823 $23,415
1998 $400 $2,167 $20,189 $22,927
1997 $378 $2,097 $20,469 $22,279
1996 $389 $2,026 $20,224 $21,672
1995 $372 $1,947 $19,026 $20,642
1994 $321 $1,875 $16,807 $19,478
1993 $360 $1,821 $15,179 $18,218
1992 $396 $1,739 $15,510 $17,553
1991 $418 $1,678 $14,346 $16,486
1990 $383 $1,581 $13,308 $15,721
1989 $350 - $11,608 -
1988 $355 - $11,853 -
1987 $355 - $9,853 -
1986 $411 - $8,335 -
1985 $330 - $6,829 -
1984 $330 - $7,369 -
1983 $311 - $7,960 -
1982 $319 - $7,258 -
1981 $344 - $6,795 -
1980 $372 - $6,549 -
1979 $347 - $5,972 -
1978 $326 - $4,797 -
1977 $292.3 - $5,053 -
1976 $261 - $4,516 -
1975 $273 - $4,672 -
1974 $289.4 - $5,085 -
1973 $310 - $3,631 -
1972 $223.8 - $2,930 -
1971 $263.4 - $2,298 -
1970 $248.2 - $2,490 -
1969 $225.8 - $2,189 -
1968 $196.7 - $1,947 -
1967 $211.2 - $1,735 -
1966 $263.3 - $1,789 -
1965 $260.5 - $1,689 -
1964 $225 - $1,626 -
1963 $205 - $1,486 -
1962 $188.4 - $1,294 -
1961 $181.9 - $1,697 -
1960 $174.9 - $1,452 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $54,177 in Israel, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Israel ranks 36th at $57,236.

Economic indicators

Ghana Israel
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$540B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
29/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
0.87%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$54,177
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
21/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$366B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
67.6%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$36,645
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
18/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$43,003
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
179,905
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
41
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
26.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
43.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
3.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
4.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
2.9%
2024
Population
35885254
10290887

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Israel
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Israel
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 43.8% 67.6%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 39.3% 61.3%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 40% 67.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 44.8% 71.1%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 38.7% 59.3%
2018 20.9% 62% 39.2% 60.1%
2017 17.6% 57% 38.3% 59.8%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 37.9% 61.7%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 37.6% 62.8%
2014 21% 50.1% 38.3% 64.9%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 39.7% 66%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 39.6% 66.9%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 39.3% 67.2%
2010 19% 32.9% 39.7% 69%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 41.4% 72.6%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 41.2% 70.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 40.2% 70.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 41.6% 77.7%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 42.3% 85.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 43% 88.3%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 45.4% 89.7%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 50% 87.2%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 46.1% 81.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 43.4% 77.2%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 53.6% 94.8%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 55% 101%
1997 12% 45.2% 52.6% 99.3%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 53.2% 100.3%
1995 13% 47.6% 52.8% 102.3%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 41.7% 110.2%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 42.2% 118.3%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 44.1% 119.6%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 34.4% 123.7%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 46.8% 138.3%
1989 7.24% 23% 47.5% 147.4%
1988 7.23% 23.5% 46.5% 145.4%
1987 7.32% 26.8% 52.8% 143.2%
1986 7.29% 18.2% 55.7% 162.5%
1985 6.08% 14.4% 65.2% 199%
1984 4.64% 13% - 284%
1983 3.49% 9.21% - 260.5%
1982 4.73% 8.51% 69.7% -
1981 5.74% 8.77% 71.8% -
1980 7.51% 9.75% 69.4% 154.3%
1979 9.14% 11.5% 70.1% 155.5%
1978 6.54% 11.4% 62.2% 133.6%
1977 10.5% 20.7% 69.1% 142%
1976 12.8% 26% 66.3% 97.4%
1975 13.2% 21.8% 62% 85.1%
1974 9.52% 21.8% - 79.8%
1973 9.35% 25.4% - 62.1%
1972 11.4% 29.8% - 63.9%
1971 11.7% 29.5% - -
1970 12.2% 31.9% 41.6% -
1969 11.2% 31.4% 41.1% -
1968 12.3% 34.5% 39.4% -
1967 11.5% 33.9% 33.9% -
1966 9.12% 29.8% 29.6% -
1965 14.2% 30.2% 27.8% -
1964 15.8% 30.8% 28.2% -
1963 15.3% 30.5% 26.9% -
1962 12.5% 11.8% 27.7% -
1961 - - 30.3% -
1960 - - 30.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Israel spent $237B, or 43.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 67.6% in Israel, ranking 57/185 and 62/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Israel
2024 -7.31% -8.26%
2023 -3.37% -5.06%
2022 -11.8% 0.32%
2021 -12% -3.37%
2020 -17.4% -10.7%
2019 -7.52% -3.79%
2018 -6.79% -3.56%
2017 -3.97% -1.13%
2016 -6.75% -1.79%
2015 -4.01% -1.21%
2014 -7.81% -2.29%
2013 -9.12% -4.06%
2012 -8.36% -4.46%
2011 -5.47% -3.43%
2010 -7.13% -3.72%
2009 -5.05% -6.53%
2008 -5.56% -3.5%
2007 -4.91% -0.43%
2006 -3.11% -0.95%
2005 -1.87% -2.74%
2004 -2.02% -3.4%
2003 -1.99% -5.03%
2002 -2.73% -8.22%
2001 -3.64% -4.06%
2000 -3.98% -0.8%
1999 -5.64% -6.26%
1998 -5.27% -7.99%
1997 -6.14% -4.84%
1996 -5.61% -5.97%
1995 -4.52% -4.28%
1994 -4.99% -5.62%
1993 -5.39% -5.62%
1992 -4.5% -8%
1991 -1.47% -7.04%
1990 -1.93% -9.67%
1989 -0.81% -9.03%
1988 -1.08% -7.57%
1987 -0.92% -7.47%
1986 -1.26% -7.51%
1985 -1.19% -14.2%
1984 -0.98% -
1983 -1.13% -
1982 -2.03% -13.8%
1981 -3.8% -23.5%
1980 -4.73% -19.6%
1979 -3.61% -16.7%
1978 -1.21% -14.7%
1977 -4.68% -20.3%
1976 -5.53% -19.4%
1975 -4.05% -19.6%
1974 -2.06% -
1973 -2.64% -
1972 -2.19% -
1971 0.13% -
1970 -2.35% -16%
1969 -2.67% -15.3%
1968 -2.34% -11.7%
1967 -2.32% -7.68%
1966 -1.29% -4.35%
1965 -3.29% -2.72%
1964 -3.72% -3.65%
1963 -5.66% -4.41%
1962 -5.04% -4.09%
1961 - -5.86%
1960 - -6.62%
1959 - -7.23%
1958 - -8.31%
1957 - -7.17%
1956 - -9.3%
1955 - -4.3%
1954 - -7.84%
1953 - -8.32%
1952 - -7.19%
1951 - -8.13%
1950 - -10.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $44.6B, or 8.26% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 56 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.38% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Israel
2024 22.8% 3.07%
2023 38.1% 4.23%
2022 31.3% 4.41%
2021 9.97% 1.48%
2020 9.89% -0.58%
2019 7.14% 0.82%
2018 7.81% 0.81%
2017 12.4% 0.25%
2016 17.5% -0.54%
2015 17.1% -0.62%
2014 15.5% 0.47%
2013 11.7% 1.59%
2012 11.2% 1.68%
2011 8.73% 3.49%
2010 10.7% 2.7%
2009 19.2% 3.37%
2008 16.5% 4.53%
2007 10.7% 0.47%
2006 11.7% 2.05%
2005 15.4% 1.34%
2004 18% -0.42%
2003 29.8% 0.71%
2002 9.36% 5.8%
2001 41.5% 1.12%
2000 40.2% 1.03%
1999 4.87% 5.19%
1998 14.6% 5.49%
1997 27.9% 8.95%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 2.25% in Israel. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 3.07% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.94M
Raw agricultural goods $813K
Metals $130K
Wood & paper products $86K
Machinery & equipment $31K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.41M
Metals $1.76M
Chemicals & pharma $1.16M
Raw materials & minerals $824K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $698K
Wood & paper products $309K
Textiles & consumer goods $248K
Raw agricultural goods $205K
Animal & marine products $73K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K

Balance of trade

Ghana Israel
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$15.5B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
21/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+2.86%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$96.3B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$70B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$44.4B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$83.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
26%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
28.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Israel
Economic freedom 57.3 68.4
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 47/197
Property rights 50.2 73.1
Government integrity 45.4 66.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 68.1
Tax burden 79.4 60.2
Government spending 84 52
Fiscal health 10.1 60.8
Business freedom 64.5 72.4
Labor freedom 54.9 56.8
Monetary freedom 56.7 78.2
Trade freedom 65.2 82.8
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Israel
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Israel
2026 57.3 68.4
2025 56 69.9
2024 55.8 70.1
2023 58 68.9
2022 59.8 68
2021 59.2 73.8
2020 59.4 74
2019 57.5 72.8
2018 56 72.2
2017 56.2 69.7
2016 63 70.7
2015 63 70.5
2014 64.2 68.4
2013 61.3 66.9
2012 60.7 67.8
2011 59.4 68.5
2010 60.2 67.7
2009 58.1 67.6
2008 57 66.3
2007 57.6 64.8
2006 55.6 64.4
2005 56.5 62.6
2004 59.1 61.4
2003 58.2 62.7
2002 57.2 66.9
2001 58 66.1
2000 58.1 65.5
1999 57.9 68.3
1998 57 68
1997 56.7 62.7
1996 57.7 62
1995 55.6 61.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 68.4 for Israel, ranking 47/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Israel
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
72.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
17.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
1.28%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$528B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$56,790
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$215B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
18/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$4.86B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$14.8B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$9.92B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
23.4%
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/ghana/israel | 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 (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2023–2024, 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.