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Economy of Ghana vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 80/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Ghana vs Namibia GDP by year

Ghana
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Namibia
2024 $82,308,110,386 $13,372,354,512
2023 $80,547,146,878 $12,408,271,449
2022 $73,919,003,210 $12,569,449,123
2021 $79,514,204,730 $12,402,486,184
2020 $70,008,243,860 $10,583,748,542
2019 $68,352,629,246 $12,541,928,303
2018 $67,259,353,966 $13,682,019,076
2017 $60,385,409,435 $12,895,153,371
2016 $56,144,179,398 $10,722,018,732
2015 $49,436,806,230 $11,335,161,084
2014 $54,678,533,806 $12,435,430,970
2013 $62,845,721,960 $12,043,307,277
2012 $41,271,701,061 $13,042,053,592
2011 $39,336,668,081 $12,523,359,441
2010 $32,197,655,567 $11,431,412,421
2009 $26,048,720,006 $8,938,847,189
2008 $28,679,383,241 $8,607,431,497
2007 $24,827,339,138 $8,839,536,476
2006 $20,885,037,597 $8,001,779,551
2005 $10,744,568,381 $7,248,374,838
2004 $8,881,417,907 $6,609,205,995
2003 $7,632,723,556 $4,926,439,384
2002 $6,166,197,848 $3,349,169,826
2001 $5,314,872,854 $3,557,341,215
2000 $4,982,850,662 $3,922,232,165
1999 $7,718,109,982 $3,868,551,730
1998 $7,482,069,162 $3,873,109,866
1997 $6,891,443,192 $4,154,989,950
1996 $6,932,991,739 $3,989,163,197
1995 $6,464,382,808 $3,978,514,206
1994 $5,446,383,727 $3,666,503,530
1993 $5,968,922,939 $3,251,188,833
1992 $6,416,103,926 $3,429,521,699
1991 $6,603,185,268 $2,996,869,281
1990 $5,889,106,573 $2,789,921,854
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,535,135,798
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,495,094,746
1987 $5,074,829,932 $2,300,068,217
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,809,048,527
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,608,237,350
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,951,260,038
1983 $4,057,275,132 $2,297,400,688
1982 $4,035,994,398 $2,118,710,248
1981 $4,222,441,860 $2,249,908,578
1980 $4,445,228,216 $2,421,990,338
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/namibia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Namibia by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $906 $3,103 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $479 $2,904 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $406 $2,729 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $358 $2,584 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $403 $2,239 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $400 $2,167 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $378 $2,097 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $389 $2,026 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $372 $1,947 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $321 $1,875 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $360 $1,821 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $396 $1,739 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $418 $1,678 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $383 $1,581 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $350 - $1,967 -
1988 $355 - $2,063 -
1987 $355 - $1,969 -
1986 $411 - $1,599 -
1985 $330 - $1,466 -
1984 $330 - $1,830 -
1983 $311 - $2,214 -
1982 $319 - $2,097 -
1981 $344 - $2,267 -
1980 $372 - $2,468 -
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/namibia | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Ghana Namibia
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
19.9%
2018
Population
35885254
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 37% 67.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 20.9% 62% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 17.6% 57% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 21% 50.1% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 35% 24.6%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 19% 32.9% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 32% 15.9%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 12% 74.5% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 13% 47.6% 29.6% 18%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 33% 11.8%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 30.2% 12.9%
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 (1962–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 57/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Namibia
2024 -7.31% -3.59%
2023 -3.37% -3.14%
2022 -11.8% -6.33%
2021 -12% -8.68%
2020 -17.4% -8.07%
2019 -7.52% -5.49%
2018 -6.79% -5.09%
2017 -3.97% -4.99%
2016 -6.75% -9.3%
2015 -4.01% -8.3%
2014 -7.81% -6.44%
2013 -9.12% -4.69%
2012 -8.36% -3.1%
2011 -5.47% -7.09%
2010 -7.13% -4.98%
2009 -5.05% -0.4%
2008 -5.56% 3.48%
2007 -4.91% 6.01%
2006 -3.11% 3.41%
2005 -1.87% -0.31%
2004 -2.02% -2.67%
2003 -1.99% -4.47%
2002 -2.73% -1.38%
2001 -3.64% -2.01%
2000 -3.98% -0.79%
1999 -5.64% -1.88%
1998 -5.27% -2.76%
1997 -6.14% -2.38%
1996 -5.61% -3.7%
1995 -4.52% -1.74%
1994 -4.99% -0.57%
1993 -5.39% -2.73%
1992 -4.5% -2.55%
1991 -1.47% -1.59%
1990 -1.93% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Namibia
2024 22.8% 4.2%
2023 38.1% 5.9%
2022 31.3% 6.1%
2021 9.97% 3.6%
2020 9.89% 2.2%
2019 7.14% 3.7%
2018 7.81% 4.3%
2017 12.4% 6.1%
2016 17.5% 6.7%
2015 17.1% 3.4%
2014 15.5% 5.3%
2013 11.7% 5.6%
2012 11.2% 6.7%
2011 8.73% 5%
2010 10.7% 4.9%
2009 19.2% 9.5%
2008 16.5% 9.1%
2007 10.7% 6.5%
2006 11.7% 5%
2005 15.4% 2.3%
2004 18% 4.1%
2003 29.8% 7.2%
2002 9.36% 12.7%
2001 41.5% 10.2%
2000 40.2% 10.2%
1999 4.87% 9.4%
1998 14.6% 6.6%
1997 27.9% 9.7%

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/namibia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $52K
Metals $33K
Raw materials & minerals $27K
Chemicals & pharma $24K
Textiles & consumer goods $22K
Animal & marine products $1K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.04M
Machinery & equipment $1.38M
Animal & marine products $85K
Chemicals & pharma $37K
Wood & paper products $32K
Raw agricultural goods $27K
Miscellaneous $13K
Textiles & consumer goods $9K
Metals $5K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K

Balance of trade

Ghana Namibia
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Namibia
Economic freedom 57.3 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 95/197
Property rights 50.2 63.1
Government integrity 45.4 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 67.2
Tax burden 79.4 66.4
Government spending 84 57.1
Fiscal health 10.1 60.5
Business freedom 64.5 58
Labor freedom 54.9 62.7
Monetary freedom 56.7 76.1
Trade freedom 65.2 69.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Namibia
2026 57.3 60.2
2025 56 58.7
2024 55.8 57.5
2023 58 57.7
2022 59.8 59.2
2021 59.2 62.6
2020 59.4 60.9
2019 57.5 58.7
2018 56 58.5
2017 56.2 62.5
2016 63 61.9
2015 63 59.6
2014 64.2 59.4
2013 61.3 60.3
2012 60.7 61.9
2011 59.4 62.7
2010 60.2 62.2
2009 58.1 62.4
2008 57 61.4
2007 57.6 63.5
2006 55.6 60.7
2005 56.5 61.4
2004 59.1 62.4
2003 58.2 67.3
2002 57.2 65.1
2001 58 64.8
2000 58.1 66.7
1999 57.9 66.1
1998 57 66.1
1997 56.7 61.6
1996 57.7 -
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Namibia
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (1962–1992, 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.