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Economy of Ghana vs Israel compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $611B for Israel, ranking 69/197 and 27/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $418B (68.5% of GDP) in Israel.

Ghana vs Israel GDP by year

Ghana
Israel
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Israel
2025 $114,209,905,279 $610,777,842,874
2024 $83,288,585,604 $542,284,494,491
2023 $80,547,146,876 $513,393,395,492
2022 $73,919,003,212 $525,157,951,213
2021 $79,514,204,730 $489,735,019,666
2020 $70,008,243,860 $410,908,899,711
2019 $68,352,629,246 $399,207,771,082
2018 $67,259,353,966 $375,470,422,244
2017 $60,385,409,435 $357,360,816,857
2016 $56,144,179,398 $321,083,954,798
2015 $49,436,806,230 $302,841,190,258
2014 $54,678,533,806 $314,376,760,832
2013 $62,845,721,960 $298,045,324,736
2012 $41,271,701,061 $263,172,104,091
2011 $39,336,668,081 $267,739,352,609
2010 $32,197,655,567 $239,372,857,534
2009 $26,048,720,006 $213,112,649,594
2008 $28,679,383,241 $220,952,472,408
2007 $24,827,339,138 $184,448,882,452
2006 $20,885,037,597 $158,706,516,002
2005 $10,744,568,381 $147,346,035,831
2004 $8,881,417,907 $139,925,423,025
2003 $7,632,723,556 $131,278,887,815
2002 $6,166,197,848 $125,215,963,105
2001 $5,314,872,854 $134,889,159,474
2000 $4,982,850,662 $136,409,902,632
1999 $7,718,109,982 $121,329,240,042
1998 $7,482,069,162 $120,468,659,246
1997 $6,891,443,192 $119,389,303,067
1996 $6,932,991,739 $115,051,957,577
1995 $6,464,382,808 $105,432,315,611
1994 $5,446,383,727 $90,684,108,118
1993 $5,968,922,939 $79,806,598,120
1992 $6,416,103,926 $79,408,652,426
1991 $6,603,185,268 $70,954,941,681
1990 $5,889,106,573 $61,978,459,022
1989 $5,251,858,440 $52,411,116,588
1988 $5,197,765,032 $52,618,458,014
1987 $5,074,829,932 $43,022,977,765
1986 $5,735,677,434 $35,812,041,620
1985 $4,504,306,723 $28,887,898,639
1984 $4,412,279,843 $30,626,695,891
1983 $4,057,275,132 $32,655,591,256
1982 $4,035,994,398 $29,237,231,967
1981 $4,222,441,860 $26,865,420,933
1980 $4,445,228,216 $25,379,585,067
1979 $4,020,227,920 $22,595,788,591
1978 $3,662,478,185 $17,690,363,444
1977 $3,189,428,571 $18,245,847,441
1976 $2,765,254,237 $15,946,502,888
1975 $2,810,106,383 $16,131,806,290
1974 $2,894,409,938 $17,162,009,924
1973 $3,006,766,758 $11,895,229,181
1972 $2,112,293,280 $9,216,866,299
1971 $2,417,108,578 $7,048,191,876
1970 $2,215,028,588 $7,402,142,195
1969 $1,962,050,556 $6,293,966,357
1968 $1,666,909,518 $5,455,059,532
1967 $1,747,187,645 $4,759,447,914
1966 $2,126,300,672 $4,700,397,692
1965 $2,053,462,968 $4,326,412,951
1964 $1,731,296,200 $4,021,861,430
1963 $1,540,797,589 $3,533,767,055
1962 $1,382,515,654 $2,964,323,618
1961 $1,302,674,325 $3,706,297,903
1960 $1,217,230,095 $3,068,690,949

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

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
2025 $3,257 - $60,337 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $54,217 $57,236
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $52,126 $55,171
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $54,947 $53,619
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $52,258 $46,162
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $44,591 $40,955
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $44,092 $41,325
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $42,269 $40,190
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $41,013 $39,471
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $37,571 $38,189
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $36,138 $35,871
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $38,265 $34,816
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $36,981 $34,827
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $33,269 $32,484
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $34,477 $31,314
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $31,399 $29,456
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $28,470 $28,087
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $30,231 $28,084
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $25,689 $28,307
2006 $906 $3,103 $22,500 $26,385
2005 $479 $2,904 $21,262 $25,701
2004 $406 $2,729 $20,550 $26,078
2003 $358 $2,584 $19,624 $24,702
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $19,059 $26,101
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $20,949 $25,806
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $21,690 $25,766
1999 $403 $2,239 $19,809 $23,415
1998 $400 $2,167 $20,176 $22,927
1997 $378 $2,097 $20,457 $22,279
1996 $389 $2,026 $20,213 $21,672
1995 $372 $1,947 $19,014 $20,642
1994 $321 $1,875 $16,796 $19,478
1993 $360 $1,821 $15,169 $18,218
1992 $396 $1,739 $15,500 $17,553
1991 $418 $1,678 $14,337 $16,486
1990 $383 $1,581 $13,300 $15,721
1989 $350 - $11,601 -
1988 $355 - $11,846 -
1987 $355 - $9,847 -
1986 $411 - $8,330 -
1985 $330 - $6,824 -
1984 $330 - $7,364 -
1983 $311 - $7,955 -
1982 $319 - $7,253 -
1981 $344 - $6,791 -
1980 $372 - $6,545 -
1979 $347 - $5,968 -
1978 $326 - $4,794 -
1977 $292.3 - $5,050 -
1976 $261 - $4,514 -
1975 $273 - $4,669 -
1974 $289.4 - $5,082 -
1973 $310 - $3,629 -
1972 $223.8 - $2,928 -
1971 $263.4 - $2,297 -
1970 $248.2 - $2,489 -
1969 $225.8 - $2,188 -
1968 $196.7 - $1,946 -
1967 $211.2 - $1,734 -
1966 $263.3 - $1,788 -
1965 $260.5 - $1,688 -
1964 $225 - $1,625 -
1963 $205 - $1,485 -
1962 $188.4 - $1,293 -
1961 $181.9 - $1,696 -
1960 $174.9 - $1,452 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $60,337 in Israel, ranking 19/197. 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
$114B
2025
$611B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
27/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
2.93%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$60,337
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
19/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$57,236
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
36/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$418B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
68.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$41,338
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
16/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$48,251
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
$331B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
195,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
42
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
27%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
3.04%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
3.75%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
3%
2025
Population
36032857
10334048

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
2025 17% 48.8% 43.6% 68.5%
2024 22% 70.3% 43.7% 67.7%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 39.6% 61.3%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 36.9% 60.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 40.1% 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% 38.4% 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% 65.8%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Israel spent $266B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 68.5% in Israel, ranking 108/185 and 60/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Israel
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Israel
2025 -1.35% -5.22%
2024 -6.23% -8.07%
2023 -3.37% -5.38%
2022 -11.8% 0.3%
2021 -12% -3.37%
2020 -17.4% -10.6%
2019 -7.52% -3.79%
2018 -6.79% -3.58%
2017 -3.97% -1.17%
2016 -6.75% -1.78%
2015 -4.01% -1.2%
2014 -7.81% -2.28%
2013 -9.12% -4.07%
2012 -8.36% -4.46%
2011 -5.47% -3.43%
2010 -7.13% -3.72%
2009 -5.05% -6.53%
2008 -5.56% -3.49%
2007 -4.91% -0.43%
2006 -3.11% -0.94%
2005 -1.87% -2.74%
2004 -2.02% -3.4%
2003 -1.99% -5.03%
2002 -2.73% -8.21%
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 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/israel | 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 Israel's deficit of $31.9B, or 5.22% of GDP.

Over the past 64 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 63 of those years, while Israel ran a deficit in 57 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 7.34% of GDP for Israel.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Israel
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Israel
2025 14.2% 3.04%
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 (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 2.27% in Israel. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 3.04% in Israel.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.35M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.11M
Machinery & equipment $921K
Raw agricultural goods $599K
Wood & paper products $143K
Metals $129K
Textiles & consumer goods $11K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Israel
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.45M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.18M
Chemicals & pharma $1.8M
Metals $1.58M
Raw materials & minerals $935K
Textiles & consumer goods $383K
Raw agricultural goods $239K
Wood & paper products $223K
Animal & marine products $84K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K

Balance of trade

Ghana Israel
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$8.53B
2025
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
26/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+1.4%
2025
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$102B
2025
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$76.2B
2025
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$53.2B
2025
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$92.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
25.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
27.6%
2025

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 2026-07-08).

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
42.9%
2025
72.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
17.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
1.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$569B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$58,870
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$229B
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
18/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$11.8B
2025
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
3.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
22%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
24.3%
2025

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/israel | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, 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 (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, 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.