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Economy of Ghana vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 80/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Ghana vs Mauritania GDP by year

Ghana
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Mauritania
2024 $82,308,110,386 $10,908,045,687
2023 $80,547,146,878 $10,726,838,461
2022 $73,919,003,210 $9,557,966,698
2021 $79,514,204,730 $9,222,536,364
2020 $70,008,243,860 $8,260,752,385
2019 $68,352,629,246 $7,894,764,886
2018 $67,259,353,966 $7,473,550,557
2017 $60,385,409,435 $6,800,135,898
2016 $56,144,179,398 $6,398,747,592
2015 $49,436,806,230 $6,166,863,897
2014 $54,678,533,806 $6,592,537,782
2013 $62,845,721,960 $7,223,071,097
2012 $41,271,701,061 $6,728,208,836
2011 $39,336,668,081 $6,764,627,746
2010 $32,197,655,567 $5,628,878,798
2009 $26,048,720,006 $4,714,595,548
2008 $28,679,383,241 $5,206,437,194
2007 $24,827,339,138 $4,346,212,355
2006 $20,885,037,597 $3,919,577,286
2005 $10,744,568,381 $2,936,019,526
2004 $8,881,417,907 $2,362,501,023
2003 $7,632,723,556 $2,051,147,607
2002 $6,166,197,848 $1,777,057,481
2001 $5,314,872,854 $1,746,063,558
2000 $4,982,850,662 $1,779,520,886
1999 $7,718,109,982 $1,985,922,776
1998 $7,482,069,162 $2,032,347,665
1997 $6,891,443,192 $2,071,996,564
1996 $6,932,991,739 $2,132,087,009
1995 $6,464,382,808 $2,091,726,101
1994 $5,446,383,727 $1,944,876,755
1993 $5,968,922,939 $1,847,353,211
1992 $6,416,103,926 $2,164,298,425
1991 $6,603,185,268 $2,133,692,697
1990 $5,889,106,573 $1,506,914,408
1989 $5,251,858,440 $1,450,647,019
1988 $5,197,765,032 $1,414,951,290
1987 $5,074,829,932 $1,344,664,725
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,186,628,778
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,009,723,326
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,074,373,230
1983 $4,057,275,132 $1,165,171,263
1982 $4,035,994,398 $1,108,776,653
1981 $4,222,441,860 $1,105,494,682
1980 $4,445,228,216 $1,047,925,106
1979 $4,020,227,920 $951,900,945
1978 $3,662,478,185 $804,629,877
1977 $3,189,428,571 $799,030,017
1976 $2,765,254,237 $775,045,517
1975 $2,810,106,383 $703,377,837
1974 $2,894,409,938 $613,010,553
1973 $3,006,766,758 $493,237,876
1972 $2,112,293,280 $391,669,449
1971 $2,417,108,578 $335,568,907
1970 $2,215,028,588 $309,405,316
1969 $1,962,050,556 $295,062,308
1968 $1,666,909,518 $311,395,937
1967 $1,747,187,645 $282,615,310
1966 $2,126,300,672 $266,533,605
1965 $2,053,462,968 $255,340,475
1964 $1,731,296,200 $224,495,744
1963 $1,540,797,589 $168,186,297
1962 $1,382,515,654 $164,271,558
1961 $1,302,674,325 $159,213,430
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Mauritania by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $906 $3,103 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $479 $2,904 $999 $2,809
2004 $406 $2,729 $824 $2,570
2003 $358 $2,584 $732 $2,447
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $649 $2,296
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $652 $2,280
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $681 $2,304
1999 $403 $2,239 $781 $2,411
1998 $400 $2,167 $821 $2,355
1997 $378 $2,097 $859 $2,325
1996 $389 $2,026 $904 $2,436
1995 $372 $1,947 $905 $2,306
1994 $321 $1,875 $865 $2,114
1993 $360 $1,821 $850 $2,209
1992 $396 $1,739 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $383 $1,581 $772 $2,070
1989 $350 - $762 -
1988 $355 - $762 -
1987 $355 - $746 -
1986 $411 - $677 -
1985 $330 - $593 -
1984 $330 - $650 -
1983 $311 - $725 -
1982 $319 - $710 -
1981 $344 - $729 -
1980 $372 - $711 -
1979 $347 - $664 -
1978 $326 - $578 -
1977 $292.3 - $590 -
1976 $261 - $589 -
1975 $273 - $551 -
1974 $289.4 - $494 -
1973 $310 - $410 -
1972 $223.8 - $335 -
1971 $263.4 - $296 -
1970 $248.2 - $281.3 -
1969 $225.8 - $276.6 -
1968 $196.7 - $301 -
1967 $211.2 - $281.5 -
1966 $263.3 - $273.6 -
1965 $260.5 - $270 -
1964 $225 - $244.3 -
1963 $205 - $188.2 -
1962 $188.4 - $189 -
1961 $181.9 - $188.2 -
1960 $174.9 - - -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Ghana Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$2,078
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
10.4%
2019
Population
35885254
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 20.9% 62% 19% 59.2%
2017 17.6% 57% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 21% 50.1% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 17% 38.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 19% 38%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 23.9% 22%
2003 12.1% 49.3% - 22.9%
2002 10.7% 54.1% - 59.5%
2001 13.8% 57.8% - 63.5%
2000 12% 74.5% - 55.5%
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 57/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Mauritania
2024 -7.31% -1.35%
2023 -3.37% -2.45%
2022 -11.8% -3.09%
2021 -12% 2.6%
2020 -17.4% 2.78%
2019 -7.52% 2.65%
2018 -6.79% 3.23%
2017 -3.97% 0.53%
2016 -6.75% 0.13%
2015 -4.01% -2.44%
2014 -7.81% -2.64%
2013 -9.12% -0.66%
2012 -8.36% 1.67%
2011 -5.47% 0.07%
2010 -7.13% -0.45%
2009 -5.05% -3.59%
2008 -5.56% -3.32%
2007 -4.91% -1.38%
2006 -3.11% 2.05%
2005 -1.87% -3.16%
2004 -2.02% -3.06%
2003 -1.99% -
2002 -2.73% -
2001 -3.64% -
2000 -3.98% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 21 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.73% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Mauritania
2024 22.8% 2.49%
2023 38.1% 4.95%
2022 31.3% 9.53%
2021 9.97% 3.57%
2020 9.89% 2.39%
2019 7.14% 2.3%
2018 7.81% 3.07%
2017 12.4% 2.25%
2016 17.5% 1.47%
2015 17.1% 3.25%
2014 15.5% 3.53%
2013 11.7% 4.13%
2012 11.2% 4.9%
2011 8.73% 5.69%
2010 10.7% 6.28%
2009 19.2% 2.22%
2008 16.5% 7.35%
2007 10.7% 7.25%
2006 11.7% 6.24%
2005 15.4% 12.1%
2004 18% 10.4%
2003 29.8% 5.15%
2002 9.36% 3.9%
2001 41.5% 4.71%
2000 40.2% 3.25%
1999 4.87% 4.07%
1998 14.6% 8.03%
1997 27.9% 4.63%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.78M
Raw materials & minerals $423K
Raw agricultural goods $408K
Chemicals & pharma $266K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $177K
Metals $79K
Textiles & consumer goods $71K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $31.7M
Machinery & equipment $744K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $603K
Raw materials & minerals $98K
Metals $60K
Chemicals & pharma $17K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Ghana Mauritania
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Mauritania
Economic freedom 57.3 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 136/197
Property rights 50.2 32.6
Government integrity 45.4 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 26.4
Tax burden 79.4 75.5
Government spending 84 80.2
Fiscal health 10.1 87.9
Business freedom 64.5 38.7
Labor freedom 54.9 53.6
Monetary freedom 56.7 77.8
Trade freedom 65.2 59.6
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Mauritania
2026 57.3 53.9
2025 56 54.9
2024 55.8 55.3
2023 58 55.3
2022 59.8 55.3
2021 59.2 56.1
2020 59.4 55.3
2019 57.5 55.7
2018 56 54
2017 56.2 54.4
2016 63 54.8
2015 63 53.3
2014 64.2 53.2
2013 61.3 52.3
2012 60.7 53
2011 59.4 52.1
2010 60.2 52
2009 58.1 53.9
2008 57 55.2
2007 57.6 53.6
2006 55.6 55.7
2005 56.5 59.4
2004 59.1 61.8
2003 58.2 59
2002 57.2 52.5
2001 58 48.5
2000 58.1 46
1999 57.9 42.8
1998 57 43.7
1997 56.7 47
1996 57.7 45.5
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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 (2022–2024, 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.