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Economy of Ghana vs Libya compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $48.5B for Libya, ranking 80/197 and 95/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana vs Libya GDP by year

Ghana
Libya
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Libya
2024 $82,308,110,386 $48,487,151,215
2023 $80,547,146,878 $44,027,664,915
2022 $73,919,003,210 $43,246,297,922
2021 $79,514,204,730 $35,217,995,647
2020 $70,008,243,860 $46,854,285,441
2019 $68,352,629,246 $69,254,496,472
2018 $67,259,353,966 $76,686,029,772
2017 $60,385,409,435 $67,157,452,182
2016 $56,144,179,398 $49,912,073,701
2015 $49,436,806,230 $48,717,501,321
2014 $54,678,533,806 $57,372,355,592
2013 $62,845,721,960 $75,351,107,029
2012 $41,271,701,061 $92,540,938,129
2011 $39,336,668,081 $48,169,263,294
2010 $32,197,655,567 $75,380,825,062
2009 $26,048,720,006 $60,808,562,033
2008 $28,679,383,241 $86,710,767,415
2007 $24,827,339,138 $68,032,978,391
2006 $20,885,037,597 $60,094,231,607
2005 $10,744,568,381 $47,334,691,241
2004 $8,881,417,907 $33,122,307,692
2003 $7,632,723,556 $26,265,625,000
2002 $6,166,197,848 $20,481,889,764
2001 $5,314,872,854 $34,112,093,927
2000 $4,982,850,662 $38,270,954,138
1999 $7,718,109,982 $35,975,860,857
1998 $7,482,069,162 $27,251,301,398
1997 $6,891,443,192 $30,700,897,875
1996 $6,932,991,739 $27,884,615,385
1995 $6,464,382,808 $25,541,379,187
1994 $5,446,383,727 $28,610,549,763
1993 $5,968,922,939 $30,660,051,911
1992 $6,416,103,926 $33,887,047,909
1991 $6,603,185,268 $31,991,821,265
1990 $5,889,106,573 $28,904,183,602
1989 $5,251,858,440 $25,156,707,899
1988 $5,197,765,032 $24,308,959,591
1987 $5,074,829,932 $26,697,659,335
1986 $5,735,677,434 $24,180,400,959
1985 $4,504,306,723 $31,530,566,324
1984 $4,412,279,843 $29,476,109,153
1983 $4,057,275,132 $33,200,520,140
1982 $4,035,994,398 $33,760,146,991
1981 $4,222,441,860 $36,374,353,880
1980 $4,445,228,216 $40,953,924,949
1979 $4,020,227,920 $30,536,429,497
1978 $3,662,478,185 $22,136,422,643
1977 $3,189,428,571 $22,428,297,108
1976 $2,765,254,237 $19,096,943,017
1975 $2,810,106,383 $14,710,912,458
1974 $2,894,409,938 $15,112,543,717
1973 $3,006,766,758 $8,625,889,430
1972 $2,112,293,280 $6,299,395,544
1971 $2,417,108,578 $5,260,185,125
1970 $2,215,028,588 $4,601,649,451
1969 $1,962,050,556 $4,380,987,481
1968 $1,666,909,518 $3,850,623,095
1967 $1,747,187,645 $2,726,986,913
1966 $2,126,300,672 $2,312,438,536
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,804,979,680
1964 $1,731,296,200 $1,341,395,421
1963 $1,540,797,589 $892,327,911
1962 $1,382,515,654 $619,725,785
1961 $1,302,674,325 $443,905,612
1960 $1,217,230,095 $401,644,249

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Libya by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Libya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Libya
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $6,569 $14,304
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $6,027 $13,847
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $5,987 $12,266
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $4,936 $12,642
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $6,650 $10,955
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $9,963 $16,194
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $11,197 $18,879
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $9,966 $18,026
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $7,526 $16,961
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $7,458 $17,903
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $8,926 $17,510
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $11,952 $21,151
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $14,976 $26,826
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $7,594 $15,698
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $11,601 $30,234
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $9,551 $29,027
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $13,906 $30,812
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $11,145 $30,929
2006 $906 $3,103 $10,049 $28,936
2005 $479 $2,904 $8,079 $26,903
2004 $406 $2,729 $5,774 $23,813
2003 $358 $2,584 $4,674 $22,663
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $3,718 $20,061
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $6,313 $20,332
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $7,214 $20,617
1999 $403 $2,239 $6,895 $19,769
1998 $400 $2,167 $5,301 $19,639
1997 $378 $2,097 $6,062 $20,439
1996 $389 $2,026 $5,591 $19,392
1995 $372 $1,947 $5,205 $18,952
1994 $321 $1,875 $5,933 $19,318
1993 $360 $1,821 $6,478 $18,904
1992 $396 $1,739 $7,303 $19,572
1991 $418 $1,678 $7,040 $20,085
1990 $383 $1,581 $6,502 $17,173
1989 $350 - $5,793 -
1988 $355 - $5,736 -
1987 $355 - $6,465 -
1986 $411 - $6,019 -
1985 $330 - $8,087 -
1984 $330 - $7,811 -
1983 $311 - $8,927 -
1982 $319 - $9,064 -
1981 $344 - $10,044 -
1980 $372 - $11,960 -
1979 $347 - $9,443 -
1978 $326 - $7,252 -
1977 $292.3 - $7,783 -
1976 $261 - $7,018 -
1975 $273 - $5,721 -
1974 $289.4 - $6,214 -
1973 $310 - $3,727 -
1972 $223.8 - $2,830 -
1971 $263.4 - $2,443 -
1970 $248.2 - $2,210 -
1969 $225.8 - $2,175 -
1968 $196.7 - $1,972 -
1967 $211.2 - $1,437 -
1966 $263.3 - $1,251 -
1965 $260.5 - $1,001 -
1964 $225 - $765 -
1963 $205 - $528 -
1962 $188.4 - $382 -
1961 $181.9 - $285.3 -
1960 $174.9 - $269 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $6,569 in Libya, ranking 107/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Libya ranks 118th at $14,304.

Economic indicators

Ghana Libya
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$48.5B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
95/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
1.9%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$6,569
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
107/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$14,304
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
118/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
n/a
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
n/a
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
n/a
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
n/a
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$3,172
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
94.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
2.13%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
30%
2004
Population
35885254
7559873

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Libya
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Libya
2024 -7.31% -25.1%
2023 -3.37% 8.22%
2022 -11.8% 23.6%
2021 -12% 14.8%
2020 -17.4% -22.3%
2019 -7.52% 11.9%
2018 -6.79% 9.39%
2017 -3.97% -11.1%
2016 -6.75% -29.3%
2015 -4.01% -28.5%
2014 -7.81% -30.5%
2013 -9.12% -16.3%
2012 -8.36% 24.6%
2011 -5.47% -11.5%
2010 -7.13% 11.5%
2009 -5.05% -5.46%
2008 -5.56% 27.7%
2007 -4.91% 28.4%
2006 -3.11% 29.1%
2005 -1.87% 30.4%
2004 -2.02% 11.3%
2003 -1.99% 6.17%
2002 -2.73% 6.99%
2001 -3.64% 0.07%
2000 -3.98% 13.6%
1999 -5.64% 5.69%
1998 -5.27% -2.36%
1997 -6.14% -2.1%
1996 -5.61% 11.3%
1995 -4.52% 3.8%
1994 -4.99% -2.67%
1993 -5.39% -5.77%
1992 -4.5% 0.11%
1991 -1.47% 8.41%
1990 -1.93% 3.36%
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/libya | 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 Libya's deficit of $12.1B, or 25.1% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Libya ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.79% of GDP for Libya.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Libya
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Libya
2024 22.8% 2.13%
2023 38.1% 2.37%
2022 31.3% 4.51%
2021 9.97% 2.87%
2020 9.89% 1.45%
2019 7.14% -2.16%
2018 7.81% 13.2%
2017 12.4% 25.8%
2016 17.5% 25.9%
2015 17.1% 10.4%
2014 15.5% 2.43%
2013 11.7% 2.61%
2012 11.2% 6.06%
2011 8.73% 15.5%
2010 10.7% 2.8%
2009 19.2% 2.46%
2008 16.5% 10.4%
2007 10.7% 6.25%
2006 11.7% 1.46%
2005 15.4% 2.65%
2004 18% -2.2%
2003 29.8% -2.19%
2002 9.36% -9.8%
2001 41.5% -8.81%
2000 40.2% -2.9%
1999 4.87% 2.65%
1998 14.6% 3.71%
1997 27.9% 3.55%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 4.39% in Libya. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 2.13% in Libya.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $243K
Machinery & equipment $50K
Chemicals & pharma $37K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Libya
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $176K
Textiles & consumer goods $42K
Machinery & equipment $2K

Balance of trade

Ghana Libya
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$1.86B
2023
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
46/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+4.24%
2023
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$23.2B
2023
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$37.1B
2023
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$10.1B
2023
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$642M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
56.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Libya
Economic freedom 57.3 35.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 189/197
Property rights 50.2 6.3
Government integrity 45.4 10.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 4.9
Tax burden 79.4 95
Government spending 84 0
Fiscal health 10.1 19.9
Business freedom 64.5 32.4
Labor freedom 54.9 48.2
Monetary freedom 56.7 75.2
Trade freedom 65.2 80
Investment freedom 60 5
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Libya
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Libya
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 35.9
2011 59.4 38.6
2010 60.2 40.2
2009 58.1 43.5
2008 57 38.7
2007 57.6 37
2006 55.6 33.2
2005 56.5 32.8
2004 59.1 31.5
2003 58.2 34.6
2002 57.2 35.4
2001 58 34
2000 58.1 34.7
1999 57.9 32.3
1998 57 32
1997 56.7 28.9
1996 57.7 31.7
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 35.9 for Libya, ranking 189/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Libya
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
28.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
73.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
2.39%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$50.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$15,400
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$92.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
29/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$795M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$0
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
-$56.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
7.4%
2005
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
14.3%
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/libya | CC BY

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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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2019–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2004–2005, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  9. 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.