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Economy of Ghana vs Nauru compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $176M for Nauru, ranking 69/197 and 195/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $25.8M (14.6% of GDP) in Nauru.

Ghana vs Nauru GDP by year

Ghana
Nauru
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Nauru
2025 $114,209,905,279 $176,040,044
2024 $83,288,585,604 $167,833,415
2023 $80,547,146,876 $161,531,317
2022 $73,919,003,212 $180,671,357
2021 $79,514,204,730 $149,268,324
2020 $70,008,243,860 $124,685,688
2019 $68,352,629,246 $125,160,116
2018 $67,259,353,966 $130,995,566
2017 $60,385,409,435 $109,355,639
2016 $56,144,179,398 $97,541,943
2015 $49,436,806,230 $84,863,441
2014 $54,678,533,806 $99,149,244
2013 $62,845,721,960 $94,385,015
2012 $41,271,701,061 $101,055,723
2011 $39,336,668,081 $65,071,880
2010 $32,197,655,567 $47,562,845
2009 $26,048,720,006 $44,176,246
2008 $28,679,383,241 $37,602,265
2007 $24,827,339,138 $22,766,972
2006 $20,885,037,597 $29,200,359
2005 $10,744,568,381 $30,070,666
2004 $8,881,417,907 $30,587,566
2003 $7,632,723,556 $24,778,160
2002 $6,166,197,848 $21,017,424
2001 $5,314,872,854 $22,613,288
2000 $4,982,850,662 $26,930,980
1999 $7,718,109,982 $27,328,613
1998 $7,482,069,162 $29,664,451
1997 $6,891,443,192 $37,331,507
1996 $6,932,991,739 $37,458,801
1995 $6,464,382,808 $39,969,706
1994 $5,446,383,727 $39,742,511
1993 $5,968,922,939 $43,542,088
1992 $6,416,103,926 $51,133,123
1991 $6,603,185,268 $52,533,789
1990 $5,889,106,573 $55,572,376
1989 $5,251,858,440 $53,736,786
1988 $5,197,765,032 $45,931,134
1987 $5,074,829,932 $40,118,410
1986 $5,735,677,434 $39,939,391
1985 $4,504,306,723 $41,548,741
1984 $4,412,279,843 $47,363,231
1983 $4,057,275,132 $48,439,093
1982 $4,035,994,398 $52,877,742
1981 $4,222,441,860 $51,689,637
1980 $4,445,228,216 $46,947,124
1979 $4,020,227,920 $44,431,330
1978 $3,662,478,185 $41,754,147
1977 $3,189,428,571 $40,444,702
1976 $2,765,254,237 $40,287,427
1975 $2,810,106,383 $40,106,776
1974 $2,894,409,938 $35,994,511
1973 $3,006,766,758 $26,529,817
1972 $2,112,293,280 $21,734,269
1971 $2,417,108,578 $19,009,433
1970 $2,215,028,588 $17,570,366
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Nauru by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nauru
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Nauru
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $14,640 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $14,048 $14,173
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $13,603 $13,732
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $15,310 $13,245
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $12,748 $12,112
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $10,709 $10,811
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $10,802 $10,555
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $11,414 $9,657
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $9,657 $9,650
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $8,748 $10,281
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $7,747 $9,955
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $9,230 $9,726
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $8,975 $8,429
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $9,843 $8,153
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $6,444 $6,544
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $4,736 $5,620
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $4,411 $5,568
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $3,757 $5,863
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $2,272 $4,789
2006 $906 $3,103 $2,910 $5,975
2005 $479 $2,904 $2,992 $5,336
2004 $406 $2,729 $3,041 $5,169
2003 $358 $2,584 $2,463 $5,261
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $2,085 $5,132
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $2,232 $5,587
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $2,649 $5,838
1999 $403 $2,239 $2,683 $6,118
1998 $400 $2,167 $2,909 $6,450
1997 $378 $2,097 $3,661 $7,231
1996 $389 $2,026 $3,679 $7,818
1995 $372 $1,947 $3,932 $8,726
1994 $321 $1,875 $3,921 $9,308
1993 $360 $1,821 $4,310 $9,513
1992 $396 $1,739 $5,103 $11,167
1991 $418 $1,678 $5,333 $13,265
1990 $383 $1,581 $5,776 $16,215
1989 $350 - $5,723 -
1988 $355 - $5,012 -
1987 $355 - $4,485 -
1986 $411 - $4,569 -
1985 $330 - $4,859 -
1984 $330 - $5,654 -
1983 $311 - $5,896 -
1982 $319 - $6,577 -
1981 $344 - $6,594 -
1980 $372 - $6,138 -
1979 $347 - $5,950 -
1978 $326 - $5,721 -
1977 $292.3 - $5,646 -
1976 $261 - $5,703 -
1975 $273 - $5,740 -
1974 $289.4 - $5,199 -
1973 $310 - $3,864 -
1972 $223.8 - $3,191 -
1971 $263.4 - $2,811 -
1970 $248.2 - $2,619 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $14,640 in Nauru, ranking 74/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Nauru ranks 119th at $14,173.

Economic indicators

Ghana Nauru
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$176M
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
195/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$14,640
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
74/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$14,173
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
119/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$25.8M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
14.6%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$2,145
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
118/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$9,187
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
25.3%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.4%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
128.7%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
6.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
5.06%
2021
Population
36032857
12139

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Nauru
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Nauru
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 128.7% 14.6%
2024 22% 70.3% 118.4% 16.9%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 111% 19.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 113.8% 18.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 109.5% 24.2%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 109.4% 56.3%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 106% 59.6%
2018 20.9% 62% 90.8% 71.1%
2017 17.6% 57% 102.3% 78%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 96% 86.3%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 85.4% 113%
2014 21% 50.1% 61.3% 147.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 66% 166.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 46% 157.3%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 44.7% 236.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 73.8% 298.9%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 68% 295.6%
2008 16.6% 23.2% - -
2007 16.8% 21.1% - -
2006 14.4% 17.3% - -
2005 12.9% 31.7% - -
2004 13.7% 38.4% - -
2003 12.1% 49.3% - -
2002 10.7% 54.1% - -
2001 13.8% 57.8% - -
2000 12% 74.5% - -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Nauru spent $227M, or 128.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 14.6% in Nauru, ranking 108/185 and 176/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Nauru
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Nauru
2025 -1.35% 3.51%
2024 -6.23% 28.9%
2023 -3.37% 18.2%
2022 -11.8% 20.5%
2021 -12% 52.4%
2020 -17.4% 42.8%
2019 -7.52% 31%
2018 -6.79% 29.6%
2017 -3.97% 16.2%
2016 -6.75% 18.9%
2015 -4.01% 10.7%
2014 -7.81% 29.6%
2013 -9.12% 1.71%
2012 -8.36% 8.12%
2011 -5.47% 2.73%
2010 -7.13% 0.09%
2009 -5.05% 0.37%
2008 -5.56% -
2007 -4.91% -
2006 -3.11% -
2005 -1.87% -
2004 -2.02% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/nauru | 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 Nauru's surplus of $6.19M, or 3.51% of GDP.

Over the past 17 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 17 of those years, while Nauru ran a deficit in 0 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 7.3% of GDP, compared to surplus of 18.5% of GDP for Nauru.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Nauru
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Nauru
2025 14.2% 6.1%
2024 22.8% 9.3%
2023 38.1% 4.8%
2022 31.3% 1.1%
2021 9.97% 2%
2020 9.89% 0.9%
2019 7.14% 4.1%
2018 7.81% 1.1%
2017 12.4% 4.5%
2016 17.5% 8.1%
2015 17.1% 9.8%
2014 15.5% 0.3%
2013 11.7% -1.1%
2012 11.2% 0.3%
2011 8.73% -3.4%
2010 10.7% -2%
2009 19.2% 22.4%
2008 16.5% 1%
2007 10.7% 5.6%
2006 11.7% 19.3%
2005 15.4% 8.7%
2004 18% -
2003 29.8% -
2002 9.36% -
2001 41.5% -
2000 40.2% -
1999 4.87% -
1998 14.6% -
1997 27.9% -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (2005–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 21 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 15.2%, compared with 4.9% in Nauru. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 6.1% in Nauru.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Nauru
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2K

Balance of trade

Ghana Nauru
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$9.73M
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
69/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+5.8%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$92.7M
2024
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$25.5M
2024
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$88.2M
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$64.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
103.7%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
61.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Nauru
Economic freedom 57.3 60
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 97/197
Property rights 50.2 n/a
Government integrity 45.4 n/a
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 n/a
Tax burden 79.4 n/a
Government spending 84 n/a
Fiscal health 10.1 n/a
Business freedom 64.5 n/a
Labor freedom 54.9 n/a
Monetary freedom 56.7 n/a
Trade freedom 65.2 n/a
Investment freedom 60 n/a
Financial freedom 60 n/a

Other economic metrics

Ghana Nauru
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
n/a
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
n/a
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
n/a
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$249M
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$20,200
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$4.51M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
-$5.85M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
-$1.34M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
n/a

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/nauru | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. TradeMap (2024, 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.