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Economy of Ghana vs Nicaragua compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $22.2B for Nicaragua, ranking 69/197 and 128/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $7.74B (34.8% of GDP) in Nicaragua.

Ghana vs Nicaragua GDP by year

Ghana
Nicaragua
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Nicaragua
2025 $114,209,905,279 $22,237,167,113
2024 $83,288,585,604 $19,696,311,850
2023 $80,547,146,876 $17,805,842,221
2022 $73,919,003,212 $15,634,573,556
2021 $79,514,204,730 $14,209,019,392
2020 $70,008,243,860 $12,726,422,432
2019 $68,352,629,246 $12,699,023,614
2018 $67,259,353,966 $13,025,221,974
2017 $60,385,409,435 $13,785,893,007
2016 $56,144,179,398 $13,286,093,388
2015 $49,436,806,230 $12,756,696,261
2014 $54,678,533,806 $11,880,438,824
2013 $62,845,721,960 $10,982,988,249
2012 $41,271,701,061 $10,532,017,232
2011 $39,336,668,081 $9,774,329,333
2010 $32,197,655,567 $8,758,602,233
2009 $26,048,720,006 $8,298,702,489
2008 $28,679,383,241 $8,496,967,597
2007 $24,827,339,138 $7,423,375,015
2006 $20,885,037,597 $6,763,672,381
2005 $10,744,568,381 $6,321,324,279
2004 $8,881,417,907 $5,792,932,838
2003 $7,632,723,556 $5,322,228,351
2002 $6,166,197,848 $5,223,727,303
2001 $5,314,872,854 $5,351,752,034
2000 $4,982,850,662 $5,109,587,050
1999 $7,718,109,982 $4,856,026,259
1998 $7,482,069,162 $4,635,347,386
1997 $6,891,443,192 $4,389,973,490
1996 $6,932,991,739 $4,308,351,903
1995 $6,464,382,808 $4,140,470,000
1994 $5,446,383,727 $3,863,185,119
1993 $5,968,922,939 $1,756,454,248
1992 $6,416,103,926 $1,792,800,000
1991 $6,603,185,268 $1,488,804,124
1990 $5,889,106,573 $1,009,455,484
1989 $5,251,858,440 $1,013,184,756
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,630,900,096
1987 $5,074,829,932 $3,851,200,118
1986 $5,735,677,434 $2,885,799,994
1985 $4,504,306,723 $2,683,699,935
1984 $4,412,279,843 $3,117,599,872
1983 $4,057,275,132 $2,753,100,058
1982 $4,035,994,398 $2,454,499,872
1981 $4,222,441,860 $2,474,700,227
1980 $4,445,228,216 $2,144,300,006
1979 $4,020,227,920 $1,567,599,982
1978 $3,662,478,185 $2,127,699,979
1977 $3,189,428,571 $2,226,999,874
1976 $2,765,254,237 $1,836,899,999
1975 $2,810,106,383 $1,581,599,959
1974 $2,894,409,938 $1,521,400,012
1973 $3,006,766,758 $1,092,900,015
1972 $2,112,293,280 $878,570,045
1971 $2,417,108,578 $828,569,953
1970 $2,215,028,588 $778,569,939
1969 $1,962,050,556 $750,000,003
1968 $1,666,909,518 $692,859,985
1967 $1,747,187,645 $657,140,011
1966 $2,126,300,672 $607,140,010
1965 $2,053,462,968 $564,290,020
1964 $1,731,296,200 $347,119,918
1963 $1,540,797,589 $297,324,163
1962 $1,382,515,654 $269,283,804
1961 $1,302,674,325 $244,144,237
1960 $1,217,230,095 $227,223,322

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Nicaragua by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Nicaragua
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Nicaragua
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $3,173 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $2,848 $8,709
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $2,609 $8,320
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $2,323 $7,797
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $2,138 $7,119
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $1,938 $6,274
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $1,959 $5,981
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $2,035 $5,935
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $2,183 $6,225
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $2,132 $5,882
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $2,074 $5,449
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,958 $5,068
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,835 $4,711
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,785 $4,508
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,680 $4,325
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $1,527 $4,042
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $1,467 $3,880
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,524 $4,044
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $1,350 $3,891
2006 $906 $3,103 $1,248 $3,658
2005 $479 $2,904 $1,183 $3,456
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,099 $3,255
2003 $358 $2,584 $1,021 $3,046
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $1,014 $2,948
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,052 $2,917
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $1,017 $2,806
1999 $403 $2,239 $980 $2,672
1998 $400 $2,167 $949 $2,497
1997 $378 $2,097 $913 $2,418
1996 $389 $2,026 $911 $2,325
1995 $372 $1,947 $892 $2,187
1994 $321 $1,875 $849 $2,064
1993 $360 $1,821 $394 $1,998
1992 $396 $1,739 $411 $2,003
1991 $418 $1,678 $350 $1,995
1990 $383 $1,581 $242.5 $1,979
1989 $350 - $249.2 -
1988 $355 - $662 -
1987 $355 - $992 -
1986 $411 - $761 -
1985 $330 - $724 -
1984 $330 - $861 -
1983 $311 - $780 -
1982 $319 - $714 -
1981 $344 - $740 -
1980 $372 - $659 -
1979 $347 - $495 -
1978 $326 - $691 -
1977 $292.3 - $744 -
1976 $261 - $633 -
1975 $273 - $561 -
1974 $289.4 - $557 -
1973 $310 - $413 -
1972 $223.8 - $341 -
1971 $263.4 - $331 -
1970 $248.2 - $321 -
1969 $225.8 - $319 -
1968 $196.7 - $304 -
1967 $211.2 - $297.9 -
1966 $263.3 - $284 -
1965 $260.5 - $272.3 -
1964 $225 - $172.7 -
1963 $205 - $152.5 -
1962 $188.4 - $142.3 -
1961 $181.9 - $132.9 -
1960 $174.9 - $127.5 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $3,173 in Nicaragua, ranking 140/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Nicaragua ranks 138th at $8,709.

Economic indicators

Ghana Nicaragua
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$22.2B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
128/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
4.92%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$3,173
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
140/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$8,709
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
138/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$7.74B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
34.8%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$1,104
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
142/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$1,939
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
37.2%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
26.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
2.1%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
6%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
5.2%
2018
Population
36032857
7144725

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Nicaragua
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Nicaragua
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 26.1% 34.8%
2024 22% 70.3% 26.2% 37.9%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 26% 42.4%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 28.6% 45.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 30% 48.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 28.9% 49.2%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 27.7% 44.2%
2018 20.9% 62% 27.7% 39.1%
2017 17.6% 57% 27.3% 34.7%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 26.8% 30.9%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 25.4% 28.9%
2014 21% 50.1% 24.6% 28.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 24.2% 28.8%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 24.1% 27.9%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 23.5% 28.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 22.6% 30.3%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 22.7% 29.3%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 21.9% 26%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 21.5% 30.9%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 21.4% 51.2%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 21.3% 66.6%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 20.8% 84%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 20.9% 109.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 18.7% 110.4%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 19.2% 87.5%
2000 12% 74.5% 20.6% 95.2%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 22.1% 99.8%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 18.5% 86.5%
1997 12% 45.2% 17.9% 86.4%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 18% -
1995 13% 47.6% 17.7% -
1994 12.7% 50.6% 18.4% -
1993 12.1% 34.1% 18.4% -
1992 9.2% 21.3% 18.4% -
1991 7.09% 17.3% 16.8% -
1990 6.59% 17.8% 28.2% -
1989 7.24% 23% - -
1988 7.23% 23.5% 24.8% -
1987 7.32% 26.8% - 266.6%
1986 7.29% 18.2% 26.1% 159.2%
1985 6.08% 14.4% 29.9% 218%
1984 4.64% 13% 31.9% 198%
1983 3.49% 9.21% 33.8% 211.6%
1982 4.73% 8.51% 49.4% 159.1%
1981 5.74% 8.77% 39.3% 149.1%
1980 7.51% 9.75% 30.4% 152.1%
1979 9.14% 11.5% 20.7% 116.3%
1978 6.54% 11.4% 17.7% 76.9%
1977 10.5% 20.7% 19.9% 62.7%
1976 12.8% 26% 16.2% 59.5%
1975 13.2% 21.8% 17.5% 57.8%
1974 9.52% 21.8% 15.3% 40%
1973 9.35% 25.4% 12.8% 32.9%
1972 11.4% 29.8% 15.1% 30.2%
1971 11.7% 29.5% 15.1% 31.6%
1970 12.2% 31.9% 13.2% 35.4%
1969 11.2% 31.4% 11.1% -
1968 12.3% 34.5% 10.9% -
1967 11.5% 33.9% 12.7% -
1966 9.12% 29.8% 12.2% -
1965 14.2% 30.2% 10.9% -
1964 15.8% 30.8% 10.2% -
1963 15.3% 30.5% 10.5% -
1962 12.5% 11.8% 10.6% -
1961 - - 9.93% -
1960 - - 11.2% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Nicaragua spent $5.8B, or 26.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 34.8% in Nicaragua, ranking 108/185 and 145/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Nicaragua
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Nicaragua
2025 -1.35% 2.1%
2024 -6.23% 2.25%
2023 -3.37% 2.3%
2022 -11.8% 0.65%
2021 -12% -1.26%
2020 -17.4% -2.57%
2019 -7.52% -1.12%
2018 -6.79% -4.35%
2017 -3.97% -1.75%
2016 -6.75% -1.92%
2015 -4.01% -1.64%
2014 -7.81% -0.89%
2013 -9.12% -0.3%
2012 -8.36% 0.22%
2011 -5.47% 0.59%
2010 -7.13% 0.69%
2009 -5.05% -0.9%
2008 -5.56% 0.27%
2007 -4.91% 1.88%
2006 -3.11% 1.36%
2005 -1.87% 1.72%
2004 -2.02% 1.69%
2003 -1.99% 1.3%
2002 -2.73% 2.07%
2001 -3.64% 0.34%
2000 -3.98% 2.15%
1999 -5.64% -6.86%
1998 -5.27% -2.88%
1997 -6.14% -3.31%
1996 -5.61% -5%
1995 -4.52% -4.62%
1994 -4.99% -5.79%
1993 -5.39% -4.66%
1992 -4.5% -3.8%
1991 -1.47% -3.45%
1990 -1.93% -15.2%
1989 -0.81% -
1988 -1.08% -22.4%
1987 -0.92% -
1986 -1.26% -7.33%
1985 -1.19% -11.3%
1984 -0.98% -11.8%
1983 -1.13% -15.6%
1982 -2.03% -20.2%
1981 -3.8% -10.6%
1980 -4.73% -6.53%
1979 -3.61% -5.89%
1978 -1.21% -4.44%
1977 -4.68% -5.91%
1976 -5.53% -2.2%
1975 -4.05% -3.53%
1974 -2.06% -1.41%
1973 -2.64% 1.21%
1972 -2.19% -2.61%
1971 0.13% -2.33%
1970 -2.35% -2.69%
1969 -2.67% -1.57%
1968 -2.34% -1.21%
1967 -2.32% -2.11%
1966 -1.29% -1.04%
1965 -3.29% 0.3%
1964 -3.72% 0.2%
1963 -5.66% 0.75%
1962 -5.04% -0.29%
1961 - 0.04%
1960 - -1.28%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/nicaragua | 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 Nicaragua's surplus of $467M, or 2.1% of GDP.

Over the past 64 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 63 of those years, while Nicaragua ran a deficit in 42 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.25% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.08% of GDP for Nicaragua.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Nicaragua
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Nicaragua
2025 14.2% 2.1%
2024 22.8% 4.6%
2023 38.1% 8.4%
2022 31.3% 10.5%
2021 9.97% 4.9%
2020 9.89% 3.7%
2019 7.14% 5.4%
2018 7.81% 4.9%
2017 12.4% 3.9%
2016 17.5% 3.5%
2015 17.1% 4%
2014 15.5% 6%
2013 11.7% 7.1%
2012 11.2% 7.2%
2011 8.73% 8.1%
2010 10.7% 5.5%
2009 19.2% 3.7%
2008 16.5% 19.8%
2007 10.7% 11.1%
2006 11.7% 9.1%
2005 15.4% 9.6%
2004 18% 8.5%
2003 29.8% 5.3%
2002 9.36% 3.8%
2001 41.5% 7.4%
2000 40.2% 11.5%
1999 4.87% 11.2%
1998 14.6% 13%
1997 27.9% 9.2%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 7.34% in Nicaragua. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 2.1% in Nicaragua.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Metals $80K
Nicaragua
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $594K
Raw agricultural goods $109K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Machinery & equipment $7K

Balance of trade

Ghana Nicaragua
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$818M
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
52/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$10.1B
2024
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$6.84B
2024
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$1.31B
2024
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$1.3B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
54.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
41.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Nicaragua
Economic freedom 57.3 53.6
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 139/197
Property rights 50.2 23.8
Government integrity 45.4 13.4
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 8.8
Tax burden 79.4 74.5
Government spending 84 77.7
Fiscal health 10.1 96.9
Business freedom 64.5 54.4
Labor freedom 54.9 47.3
Monetary freedom 56.7 69.4
Trade freedom 65.2 67
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Nicaragua
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Nicaragua
2026 57.3 53.6
2025 56 54
2024 55.8 53.4
2023 58 54.9
2022 59.8 54.8
2021 59.2 56.3
2020 59.4 57.2
2019 57.5 57.7
2018 56 58.9
2017 56.2 59.2
2016 63 58.6
2015 63 57.6
2014 64.2 58.4
2013 61.3 56.6
2012 60.7 57.9
2011 59.4 58.8
2010 60.2 58.3
2009 58.1 59.8
2008 57 60.8
2007 57.6 62.7
2006 55.6 63.8
2005 56.5 62.5
2004 59.1 61.4
2003 58.2 62.6
2002 57.2 61.1
2001 58 58
2000 58.1 56.9
1999 57.9 54
1998 57 53.8
1997 56.7 53.3
1996 57.7 54.1
1995 55.6 42.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 53.6 for Nicaragua, ranking 139/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Nicaragua
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
45.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
29.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
14.5%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$19.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$8,780
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$8.32B
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
87/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$1.28B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.35B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$73.8M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
9.74%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
24.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
25.8%
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/nicaragua | 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 (1960–1999, 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 (2020–2023, 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.