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Economy of Ghana vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $43.7B for Latvia, ranking 80/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $20.4B (46.8% of GDP) in Latvia.

Ghana vs Latvia GDP by year

Ghana
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Latvia
2024 $82,308,110,386 $43,684,254,432
2023 $80,547,146,878 $42,779,550,937
2022 $73,919,003,210 $38,003,198,509
2021 $79,514,204,730 $38,183,326,785
2020 $70,008,243,860 $33,379,927,435
2019 $68,352,629,246 $33,099,503,951
2018 $67,259,353,966 $33,247,935,477
2017 $60,385,409,435 $29,391,059,767
2016 $56,144,179,398 $27,117,105,060
2015 $49,436,806,230 $26,344,565,877
2014 $54,678,533,806 $30,277,203,767
2013 $62,845,721,960 $29,152,128,168
2012 $41,271,701,061 $27,116,149,949
2011 $39,336,668,081 $26,575,547,901
2010 $32,197,655,567 $23,468,324,572
2009 $26,048,720,006 $25,691,530,442
2008 $28,679,383,241 $34,135,200,994
2007 $24,827,339,138 $29,420,499,248
2006 $20,885,037,597 $20,434,922,247
2005 $10,744,568,381 $16,306,935,905
2004 $8,881,417,907 $13,827,070,379
2003 $7,632,723,556 $11,244,337,720
2002 $6,166,197,848 $9,249,030,241
2001 $5,314,872,854 $8,190,888,740
2000 $4,982,850,662 $7,761,252,607
1999 $7,718,109,982 $7,324,192,890
1998 $7,482,069,162 $6,974,112,951
1997 $6,891,443,192 $6,349,481,007
1996 $6,932,991,739 $5,799,465,288
1995 $6,464,382,808 $5,608,208,785
1994 $5,446,383,727 -
1993 $5,968,922,939 -
1992 $6,416,103,926 -
1991 $6,603,185,268 -
1990 $5,889,106,573 -
1989 $5,251,858,440 -
1988 $5,197,765,032 -
1987 $5,074,829,932 -
1986 $5,735,677,434 -
1985 $4,504,306,723 -
1984 $4,412,279,843 -
1983 $4,057,275,132 -
1982 $4,035,994,398 -
1981 $4,222,441,860 -
1980 $4,445,228,216 -
1979 $4,020,227,920 -
1978 $3,662,478,185 -
1977 $3,189,428,571 -
1976 $2,765,254,237 -
1975 $2,810,106,383 -
1974 $2,894,409,938 -
1973 $3,006,766,758 -
1972 $2,112,293,280 -
1971 $2,417,108,578 -
1970 $2,215,028,588 -
1969 $1,962,050,556 -
1968 $1,666,909,518 -
1967 $1,747,187,645 -
1966 $2,126,300,672 -
1965 $2,053,462,968 -
1964 $1,731,296,200 -
1963 $1,540,797,589 -
1962 $1,382,515,654 -
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Latvia by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $23,409 $43,394
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $906 $3,103 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $479 $2,904 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $406 $2,729 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $358 $2,584 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $403 $2,239 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $400 $2,167 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $378 $2,097 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $389 $2,026 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $372 $1,947 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $321 $1,875 - $5,012
1993 $360 $1,821 - $4,722
1992 $396 $1,739 - $4,760
1991 $418 $1,678 - $6,762
1990 $383 $1,581 - $7,448
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/latvia | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $23,409 in Latvia, ranking 54/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Ghana Latvia
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$43.7B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
99/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
-0.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$23,409
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
54/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$20.4B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
46.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$10,945
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
53/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$17,033
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
44.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
6.88%
2024
Population
35885254
1829763

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 44.5% 46.8%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 43.1% 44.6%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 43.5% 44.4%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 42.6% 44%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 39% 37.9%
2018 20.9% 62% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 17.6% 57% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 21% 50.1% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 34.8% 9%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 35% 17.8%
2000 12% 74.5% 37% 15.1%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 38.1% 9.81%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $19.4B, or 44.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 46.8% in Latvia, ranking 57/185 and 116/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Latvia
2024 -7.31% -1.82%
2023 -3.37% -3.38%
2022 -11.8% -3.94%
2021 -12% -5.71%
2020 -17.4% -3.85%
2019 -7.52% -0.39%
2018 -6.79% -0.77%
2017 -3.97% -0.85%
2016 -6.75% -0.41%
2015 -4.01% -1.57%
2014 -7.81% -1.74%
2013 -9.12% -0.58%
2012 -8.36% 0.18%
2011 -5.47% -3.38%
2010 -7.13% -6.56%
2009 -5.05% -7.14%
2008 -5.56% -3.29%
2007 -4.91% 0.63%
2006 -3.11% -0.48%
2005 -1.87% -1.06%
2004 -2.02% -1.04%
2003 -1.99% -1.67%
2002 -2.73% -2.59%
2001 -3.64% -2.03%
2000 -3.98% -2.57%
1999 -5.64% -3.54%
1998 -5.27% -0.66%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/latvia | 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 Latvia's deficit of $797M, or 1.82% of GDP.

Over the past 27 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.1% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.23% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Latvia
2024 22.8% 1.27%
2023 38.1% 8.94%
2022 31.3% 17.3%
2021 9.97% 3.28%
2020 9.89% 0.22%
2019 7.14% 2.81%
2018 7.81% 2.53%
2017 12.4% 2.93%
2016 17.5% 0.14%
2015 17.1% 0.17%
2014 15.5% 0.62%
2013 11.7% -0.03%
2012 11.2% 2.26%
2011 8.73% 4.37%
2010 10.7% -1.08%
2009 19.2% 3.53%
2008 16.5% 15.4%
2007 10.7% 10.1%
2006 11.7% 6.54%
2005 15.4% 6.75%
2004 18% 6.19%
2003 29.8% 2.94%
2002 9.36% 1.94%
2001 41.5% 2.49%
2000 40.2% 2.65%
1999 4.87% 2.36%
1998 14.6% 4.64%
1997 27.9% 8.45%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 4.28% in Latvia. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 1.27% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.66M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.38M
Wood & paper products $206K
Chemicals & pharma $196K
Precious metals & jewellery $55K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $7.92M
Machinery & equipment $636K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $386K
Animal & marine products $227K
Textiles & consumer goods $184K
Raw materials & minerals $93K
Metals $60K
Wood & paper products $60K
Precious metals & jewellery $10K
Chemicals & pharma $6K

Balance of trade

Ghana Latvia
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$688M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
115/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-1.57%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$23.4B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$20.1B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$5.86B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$8.42B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
66.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
65.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Latvia
Economic freedom 57.3 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 31/197
Property rights 50.2 88.8
Government integrity 45.4 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 70.9
Tax burden 79.4 70.9
Government spending 84 42.7
Fiscal health 10.1 80.8
Business freedom 64.5 80.7
Labor freedom 54.9 60.5
Monetary freedom 56.7 76.3
Trade freedom 65.2 79.4
Investment freedom 60 80
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Latvia
2026 57.3 71.6
2025 56 71.4
2024 55.8 71.5
2023 58 72.8
2022 59.8 74.8
2021 59.2 72.3
2020 59.4 71.9
2019 57.5 70.4
2018 56 73.6
2017 56.2 74.8
2016 63 70.4
2015 63 69.7
2014 64.2 68.7
2013 61.3 66.5
2012 60.7 65.2
2011 59.4 65.8
2010 60.2 66.2
2009 58.1 66.6
2008 57 68.3
2007 57.6 67.9
2006 55.6 66.9
2005 56.5 66.3
2004 59.1 67.4
2003 58.2 66
2002 57.2 65
2001 58 66.4
2000 58.1 63.4
1999 57.9 64.2
1998 57 63.4
1997 56.7 62.4
1996 57.7 55
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Latvia
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
64.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
18.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
4.04%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$40.4B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$42,660
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$5.14B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
98/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$1.26B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$257M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
20.9%
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/latvia | 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 (2021–2024, 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.