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Economy of Ghana vs Mali compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $26.8B for Mali, ranking 80/197 and 113/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $13.9B (51.7% of GDP) in Mali.

Ghana vs Mali GDP by year

Ghana
Mali
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Mali
2024 $82,308,110,386 $26,794,747,240
2023 $80,547,146,878 $24,813,860,599
2022 $73,919,003,210 $22,539,987,719
2021 $79,514,204,730 $22,999,245,263
2020 $70,008,243,860 $20,698,560,939
2019 $68,352,629,246 $20,477,421,885
2018 $67,259,353,966 $20,368,015,381
2017 $60,385,409,435 $18,308,362,040
2016 $56,144,179,398 $16,743,796,800
2015 $49,436,806,230 $15,583,181,170
2014 $54,678,533,806 $17,081,681,993
2013 $62,845,721,960 $15,747,192,681
2012 $41,271,701,061 $14,795,114,603
2011 $39,336,668,081 $15,452,791,789
2010 $32,197,655,567 $12,710,739,159
2009 $26,048,720,006 $12,155,217,833
2008 $28,679,383,241 $11,462,490,840
2007 $24,827,339,138 $9,699,047,443
2006 $20,885,037,597 $8,212,007,554
2005 $10,744,568,381 $7,429,066,951
2004 $8,881,417,907 $6,485,774,930
2003 $7,632,723,556 $5,605,613,011
2002 $6,166,197,848 $4,647,238,257
2001 $5,314,872,854 $4,124,281,594
2000 $4,982,850,662 $3,521,570,876
1999 $7,718,109,982 $4,091,446,054
1998 $7,482,069,162 $3,894,433,432
1997 $6,891,443,192 $3,414,879,486
1996 $6,932,991,739 $3,743,103,420
1995 $6,464,382,808 $3,373,322,735
1994 $5,446,383,727 $2,655,768,636
1993 $5,968,922,939 $3,632,801,877
1992 $6,416,103,926 $3,680,775,037
1991 $6,603,185,268 $3,576,562,682
1990 $5,889,106,573 $3,248,417,791
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,824,822,489
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,712,207,901
1987 $5,074,829,932 $2,437,004,680
1986 $5,735,677,434 $2,132,938,007
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,594,347,021
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,387,809,615
1983 $4,057,275,132 $1,496,616,127
1982 $4,035,994,398 $1,680,304,773
1981 $4,222,441,860 $2,234,583,940
1980 $4,445,228,216 $2,704,362,789
1979 $4,020,227,920 $1,595,422,956
1978 $3,662,478,185 $1,222,702,573
1977 $3,189,428,571 $1,049,838,548
1976 $2,765,254,237 $939,228,017
1975 $2,810,106,383 $830,710,615
1974 $2,894,409,938 $538,747,340
1973 $3,006,766,758 $563,683,703
1972 $2,112,293,280 $486,617,280
1971 $2,417,108,578 $395,218,629
1970 $2,215,028,588 $359,772,315
1969 $1,962,050,556 $339,913,867
1968 $1,666,909,518 $343,771,973
1967 $1,747,187,645 $275,494,478
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/mali | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Mali by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mali
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Mali
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $1,095 $3,315
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $1,044 $3,175
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $977 $3,014
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $1,027 $2,796
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $953 $2,724
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $972 $2,820
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $996 $2,684
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $924 $2,607
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $872 $2,532
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $838 $2,330
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $948 $2,185
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $902 $2,059
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $873 $1,990
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $938 $2,046
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $797 $2,012
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $787 $1,945
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $767 $1,893
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $671 $1,852
2006 $906 $3,103 $587 $1,832
2005 $479 $2,904 $549 $1,771
2004 $406 $2,729 $495 $1,730
2003 $358 $2,584 $442 $1,715
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $378 $1,581
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $346 $1,559
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $305 $1,357
1999 $403 $2,239 $364 $1,376
1998 $400 $2,167 $357 $1,332
1997 $378 $2,097 $321 $1,267
1996 $389 $2,026 $360 $1,224
1995 $372 $1,947 $331 $1,154
1994 $321 $1,875 $266.5 $1,147
1993 $360 $1,821 $372 $1,087
1992 $396 $1,739 $385 $1,039
1991 $418 $1,678 $382 $1,091
1990 $383 $1,581 $354 $956
1989 $350 - $314 -
1988 $355 - $307 -
1987 $355 - $280.7 -
1986 $411 - $250 -
1985 $330 - $190.4 -
1984 $330 - $169.1 -
1983 $311 - $186.3 -
1982 $319 - $213.8 -
1981 $344 - $290.5 -
1980 $372 - $359 -
1979 $347 - $216.3 -
1978 $326 - $169.1 -
1977 $292.3 - $148.1 -
1976 $261 - $134.9 -
1975 $273 - $121.5 -
1974 $289.4 - $80.2 -
1973 $310 - $85.4 -
1972 $223.8 - $75.1 -
1971 $263.4 - $62 -
1970 $248.2 - $57.3 -
1969 $225.8 - $55 -
1968 $196.7 - $56.5 -
1967 $211.2 - $46 -
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/mali | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $1,095 in Mali, ranking 173/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Mali ranks 174th at $3,315.

Economic indicators

Ghana Mali
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$26.8B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
113/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
4.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$1,095
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
173/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$3,315
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
174/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$13.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
51.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$566
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
161/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$1,463
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
28.3%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
24.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
3.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
5.45%
2023
Population
35885254
26143152

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Mali
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Mali
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 24.7% 51.7%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 24.8% 51.9%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 24.4% 50.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 26.9% 51.6%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 26.1% 47.3%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 23.1% 40.7%
2018 20.9% 62% 20.3% 37.5%
2017 17.6% 57% 22.9% 38.2%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 22.3% 37.2%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 20.9% 30.7%
2014 21% 50.1% 20% 26.9%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 19.8% 26.4%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 15.5% 25.4%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 20.6% 24%
2010 19% 32.9% 20.3% 25.3%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 22.8% 21.9%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 18.8% 20.1%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 21.5% 18.5%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 22.1% 18.1%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 21.6% 46.6%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 21.8% 42.4%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 20.8% 44.1%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 19.9% 42.6%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 18.3% 77.5%
2000 12% 74.5% 19.4% 90.5%
1999 11.1% 51.7% - -
1998 11.8% 37.6% - -
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/mali | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Mali spent $6.61B, or 24.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 51.7% in Mali, ranking 57/185 and 102/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Mali
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Mali
2024 -7.31% -2.57%
2023 -3.37% -3.57%
2022 -11.8% -4.75%
2021 -12% -4.91%
2020 -17.4% -5.42%
2019 -7.52% -1.68%
2018 -6.79% -4.74%
2017 -3.97% -2.86%
2016 -6.75% -3.95%
2015 -4.01% -1.82%
2014 -7.81% -2.89%
2013 -9.12% -2.37%
2012 -8.36% -0.96%
2011 -5.47% -3.42%
2010 -7.13% -2.57%
2009 -5.05% -3.71%
2008 -5.56% -1.97%
2007 -4.91% -2.78%
2006 -3.11% 27.8%
2005 -1.87% -2.76%
2004 -2.02% -2.36%
2003 -1.99% -1.19%
2002 -2.73% -3.09%
2001 -3.64% -2.8%
2000 -3.98% -2.64%
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
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/mali | 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 Mali's deficit of $687M, or 2.57% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Mali ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.15% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.76% of GDP for Mali.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Mali
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Mali
2024 22.8% 3.2%
2023 38.1% 2.1%
2022 31.3% 9.7%
2021 9.97% 3.8%
2020 9.89% 0.5%
2019 7.14% -3%
2018 7.81% 1.9%
2017 12.4% 2.4%
2016 17.5% -1.8%
2015 17.1% 1.4%
2014 15.5% 0.9%
2013 11.7% -0.6%
2012 11.2% 5.3%
2011 8.73% 3%
2010 10.7% 1.2%
2009 19.2% 2.4%
2008 16.5% 9.2%
2007 10.7% 1.4%
2006 11.7% 1.6%
2005 15.4% 6.4%
2004 18% -3.1%
2003 29.8% -1.3%
2002 9.36% 5%
2001 41.5% 5.2%
2000 40.2% -0.8%
1999 4.87% -1.2%
1998 14.6% 4.1%
1997 27.9% -0.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 2.08% in Mali. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 3.2% in Mali.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Metals $92.4M
Chemicals & pharma $23.7M
Raw materials & minerals $18.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9.86M
Machinery & equipment $6.79M
Wood & paper products $5.87M
Textiles & consumer goods $4.5M
Miscellaneous $3.36M
Raw agricultural goods $873K
Weapons & explosives $360K
Mali
Export category Export value
Metals $5.22M
Raw agricultural goods $3.29M
Machinery & equipment $1.41M
Textiles & consumer goods $266K
Chemicals & pharma $198K
Raw materials & minerals $194K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $128K
Animal & marine products $101K
Weapons & explosives $72K
Wood & paper products $12K

Balance of trade

Ghana Mali
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
136/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-6.49%
2023
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$5.73B
2023
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$5.65B
2023
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$2.34B
2023
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$475M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
27.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
22.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Mali
Economic freedom 57.3 52.1
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 150/197
Property rights 50.2 13.8
Government integrity 45.4 23.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 23.3
Tax burden 79.4 67.9
Government spending 84 81.8
Fiscal health 10.1 73.6
Business freedom 64.5 40.8
Labor freedom 54.9 54.1
Monetary freedom 56.7 78.2
Trade freedom 65.2 64
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Mali
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Mali
2026 57.3 52.1
2025 56 52.6
2024 55.8 52.5
2023 58 54.5
2022 59.8 55.9
2021 59.2 55.6
2020 59.4 55.9
2019 57.5 58.1
2018 56 57.6
2017 56.2 58.6
2016 63 56.5
2015 63 56.4
2014 64.2 55.5
2013 61.3 56.4
2012 60.7 55.8
2011 59.4 56.3
2010 60.2 55.6
2009 58.1 55.6
2008 57 55.6
2007 57.6 54.7
2006 55.6 54.1
2005 56.5 57.3
2004 59.1 56.6
2003 58.2 58.6
2002 57.2 61.1
2001 58 60.1
2000 58.1 60.3
1999 57.9 58.4
1998 57 57.3
1997 56.7 56.4
1996 57.7 57
1995 55.6 52.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 52.1 for Mali, ranking 150/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Mali
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
36.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
23.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
33.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$3,230
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$673M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$921M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$78.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
1.41%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
43.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
19.5%
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/mali | 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. 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 (2022–2023, 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.