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Economy of Ghana vs Malaysia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $472B for Malaysia, ranking 69/197 and 35/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $334B (70.7% of GDP) in Malaysia.

Ghana vs Malaysia GDP by year

Ghana
Malaysia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Malaysia
2025 $114,209,905,279 $472,193,128,645
2024 $83,288,585,604 $422,227,005,429
2023 $80,547,146,876 $399,949,418,753
2022 $73,919,003,212 $407,830,525,990
2021 $79,514,204,730 $373,784,553,030
2020 $70,008,243,860 $337,456,163,961
2019 $68,352,629,246 $365,177,721,022
2018 $67,259,353,966 $358,788,845,713
2017 $60,385,409,435 $319,109,094,160
2016 $56,144,179,398 $301,256,033,870
2015 $49,436,806,230 $301,355,266,965
2014 $54,678,533,806 $338,066,095,097
2013 $62,845,721,960 $323,276,235,524
2012 $41,271,701,061 $314,443,047,642
2011 $39,336,668,081 $297,951,668,675
2010 $32,197,655,567 $255,017,638,456
2009 $26,048,720,006 $202,257,453,037
2008 $28,679,383,241 $230,811,614,370
2007 $24,827,339,138 $193,549,569,478
2006 $20,885,037,597 $162,692,258,307
2005 $10,744,568,381 $143,534,405,819
2004 $8,881,417,907 $124,749,473,684
2003 $7,632,723,556 $110,202,368,421
2002 $6,166,197,848 $100,845,526,316
2001 $5,314,872,854 $92,783,947,368
2000 $4,982,850,662 $93,789,736,842
1999 $7,718,109,982 $79,148,421,053
1998 $7,482,069,162 $72,167,498,981
1997 $6,891,443,192 $100,005,323,302
1996 $6,932,991,739 $100,855,393,910
1995 $6,464,382,808 $88,705,342,903
1994 $5,446,383,727 $74,478,356,958
1993 $5,968,922,939 $66,894,966,969
1992 $6,416,103,926 $59,167,550,163
1991 $6,603,185,268 $49,143,148,094
1990 $5,889,106,573 $44,024,585,240
1989 $5,251,858,440 $38,847,965,293
1988 $5,197,765,032 $35,272,109,220
1987 $5,074,829,932 $32,181,210,158
1986 $5,735,677,434 $27,734,111,400
1985 $4,504,306,723 $31,199,633,353
1984 $4,412,279,843 $33,942,897,422
1983 $4,057,275,132 $30,347,442,111
1982 $4,035,994,398 $26,804,493,635
1981 $4,222,441,860 $25,004,285,792
1980 $4,445,228,216 $24,488,224,677
1979 $4,020,227,920 $21,213,264,962
1978 $3,662,478,185 $16,358,079,862
1977 $3,189,428,571 $13,139,488,633
1976 $2,765,254,237 $11,050,234,599
1975 $2,810,106,383 $9,298,800,799
1974 $2,894,409,938 $9,496,204,302
1973 $3,006,766,758 $7,662,902,678
1972 $2,112,293,280 $5,043,347,250
1971 $2,417,108,578 $4,244,395,956
1970 $2,215,028,588 $3,864,145,667
1969 $1,962,050,556 $3,664,552,041
1968 $1,666,909,518 $3,330,371,551
1967 $1,747,187,645 $3,188,924,677
1966 $2,126,300,672 $3,143,517,944
1965 $2,053,462,968 $2,956,337,669
1964 $1,731,296,200 $2,674,423,922
1963 $1,540,797,589 $2,510,110,348
1962 $1,382,515,654 $2,001,489,602
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,901,856,123
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,916,229,477

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Malaysia by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Malaysia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Malaysia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $13,125 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $11,874 $38,779
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $11,386 $36,467
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $11,755 $34,420
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $10,903 $29,823
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $9,958 $27,475
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $10,920 $28,934
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $10,902 $27,794
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $9,863 $26,416
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $9,477 $25,286
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $9,649 $24,526
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $11,013 $24,307
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $10,714 $23,161
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $10,601 $22,639
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $10,217 $21,324
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $8,899 $20,193
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $7,191 $18,923
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $8,372 $19,480
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $7,169 $18,617
2006 $906 $3,103 $6,158 $17,426
2005 $479 $2,904 $5,556 $16,371
2004 $406 $2,729 $4,939 $15,416
2003 $358 $2,584 $4,465 $14,387
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $4,184 $13,656
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $3,944 $13,072
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $4,084 $13,027
1999 $403 $2,239 $3,528 $11,980
1998 $400 $2,167 $3,294 $11,398
1997 $378 $2,097 $4,679 $12,469
1996 $389 $2,026 $4,837 $11,709
1995 $372 $1,947 $4,363 $10,720
1994 $321 $1,875 $3,758 $9,806
1993 $360 $1,821 $3,462 $9,018
1992 $396 $1,739 $3,141 $8,224
1991 $418 $1,678 $2,679 $7,583
1990 $383 $1,581 $2,469 $6,887
1989 $350 - $2,244 -
1988 $355 - $2,100 -
1987 $355 - $1,977 -
1986 $411 - $1,760 -
1985 $330 - $2,046 -
1984 $330 - $2,300 -
1983 $311 - $2,124 -
1982 $319 - $1,938 -
1981 $344 - $1,866 -
1980 $372 - $1,886 -
1979 $347 - $1,680 -
1978 $326 - $1,327 -
1977 $292.3 - $1,092 -
1976 $261 - $940 -
1975 $273 - $811 -
1974 $289.4 - $848 -
1973 $310 - $701 -
1972 $223.8 - $472 -
1971 $263.4 - $407 -
1970 $248.2 - $380 -
1969 $225.8 - $368 -
1968 $196.7 - $342 -
1967 $211.2 - $335 -
1966 $263.3 - $339 -
1965 $260.5 - $326 -
1964 $225 - $303 -
1963 $205 - $291.8 -
1962 $188.4 - $238.8 -
1961 $181.9 - $232.9 -
1960 $174.9 - $240.8 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $13,125 in Malaysia, ranking 78/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Malaysia ranks 60th at $38,779.

Economic indicators

Ghana Malaysia
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$472B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
35/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
5.17%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$13,125
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$38,779
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
60/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$334B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
70.7%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$9,273
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
62/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$11,034
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
$487B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
19
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
30.9%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
23.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
1.38%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
2.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
3.9%
2022
Population
36032857
36600906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Malaysia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Malaysia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 23.4% 70.7%
2024 22% 70.3% 24% 69.8%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 25% 69.7%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 24.6% 65.5%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 24.5% 69.2%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 25% 67.7%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 23.6% 57.1%
2018 20.9% 62% 22.8% 55.6%
2017 17.6% 57% 22% 54.4%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 22.9% 55.8%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 24.7% 57%
2014 21% 50.1% 26% 55.4%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 27.8% 55.7%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 28.5% 53.8%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 27.1% 51.9%
2010 19% 32.9% 26.6% 51.2%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 30.9% 50.4%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 26.9% 39.4%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 25.9% 39.3%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 25.6% 39.7%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 24.5% 40.8%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 25.9% 42%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 28.1% 41.4%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 27.1% 39.5%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 28.2% 38.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 25.6% 32.5%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 24.6% 34.4%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 23.1% 33.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 21.2% 29.6%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 22.4% 32.8%
1995 13% 47.6% 22.6% 38.2%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 23.3% 43.7%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 24.6% 51.1%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 28.2% 59.1%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 27.4% 67.3%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 30.5% 74.1%
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/malaysia | CC BY

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Malaysia spent $111B, or 23.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 70.7% in Malaysia, ranking 108/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Malaysia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Malaysia
2025 -1.35% -3.54%
2024 -6.23% -3.45%
2023 -3.37% -4.11%
2022 -11.8% -4.56%
2021 -12% -6.03%
2020 -17.4% -4.9%
2019 -7.52% -2.01%
2018 -6.79% -2.64%
2017 -3.97% -2.41%
2016 -6.75% -2.6%
2015 -4.01% -2.55%
2014 -7.81% -2.63%
2013 -9.12% -3.48%
2012 -8.36% -3.1%
2011 -5.47% -3.57%
2010 -7.13% -4.32%
2009 -5.05% -5.88%
2008 -5.56% -3.4%
2007 -4.91% -2.57%
2006 -3.11% -2.6%
2005 -1.87% -2.83%
2004 -2.02% -3.35%
2003 -1.99% -4.6%
2002 -2.73% -3.96%
2001 -3.64% -4.36%
2000 -3.98% -6.05%
1999 -5.64% -3%
1998 -5.27% -0.63%
1997 -6.14% 4.84%
1996 -5.61% 3.27%
1995 -4.52% 3.1%
1994 -4.99% 5.45%
1993 -5.39% 3.44%
1992 -4.5% 1.81%
1991 -1.47% 1.6%
1990 -1.93% 0.15%
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/malaysia | 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 Malaysia's deficit of $16.7B, or 3.54% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Malaysia ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.54% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.1% of GDP for Malaysia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Malaysia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Malaysia
2025 14.2% 1.38%
2024 22.8% 1.83%
2023 38.1% 2.49%
2022 31.3% 3.38%
2021 9.97% 2.48%
2020 9.89% -1.14%
2019 7.14% 0.66%
2018 7.81% 0.88%
2017 12.4% 3.87%
2016 17.5% 2.09%
2015 17.1% 2.1%
2014 15.5% 3.14%
2013 11.7% 2.11%
2012 11.2% 1.66%
2011 8.73% 3.17%
2010 10.7% 1.62%
2009 19.2% 0.58%
2008 16.5% 5.44%
2007 10.7% 2.03%
2006 11.7% 3.61%
2005 15.4% 2.98%
2004 18% 1.42%
2003 29.8% 1.09%
2002 9.36% 1.81%
2001 41.5% 1.42%
2000 40.2% 1.53%
1999 4.87% 2.74%
1998 14.6% 5.27%
1997 27.9% 2.66%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 2.22% in Malaysia. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 1.38% in Malaysia.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $200M
Raw materials & minerals $80.7M
Chemicals & pharma $1.41M
Animal & marine products $561K
Metals $500K
Machinery & equipment $144K
Precious metals & jewellery $49K
Wood & paper products $42K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Malaysia
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $190M
Machinery & equipment $15.2M
Chemicals & pharma $13.3M
Metals $11M
Raw materials & minerals $7.56M
Textiles & consumer goods $5.99M
Animal & marine products $1.14M
Wood & paper products $843K
Precious metals & jewellery $104K
Miscellaneous $43K

Balance of trade

Ghana Malaysia
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$7.15B
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
29/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+1.69%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$223B
2024
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$248B
2024
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$56.4B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$53.4B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
65.4%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
71%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Malaysia
Economic freedom 57.3 68
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 51/197
Property rights 50.2 62.7
Government integrity 45.4 52.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 63.4
Tax burden 79.4 83.5
Government spending 84 82
Fiscal health 10.1 62.5
Business freedom 64.5 79.6
Labor freedom 54.9 55.4
Monetary freedom 56.7 80.8
Trade freedom 65.2 83
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Malaysia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Malaysia
2026 57.3 68
2025 56 67.1
2024 55.8 65.7
2023 58 67.3
2022 59.8 68.1
2021 59.2 74.4
2020 59.4 74.7
2019 57.5 74
2018 56 74.5
2017 56.2 73.8
2016 63 71.5
2015 63 70.8
2014 64.2 69.6
2013 61.3 66.1
2012 60.7 66.4
2011 59.4 66.3
2010 60.2 64.8
2009 58.1 64.6
2008 57 63.9
2007 57.6 63.8
2006 55.6 61.6
2005 56.5 61.9
2004 59.1 59.9
2003 58.2 61.1
2002 57.2 60.1
2001 58 60.2
2000 58.1 66
1999 57.9 68.9
1998 57 68.2
1997 56.7 66.8
1996 57.7 69.9
1995 55.6 71.9

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 68 for Malaysia, ranking 51/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Malaysia
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
54.8%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
35.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
8.22%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$445B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$40,070
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$126B
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
25/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$2.55B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$15.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$13B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
5.1%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
20.5%
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/malaysia | 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 (2022–2025, 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.