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Economy of Ghana vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $19.9B for Niger, ranking 80/197 and 130/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $9.39B (47.2% of GDP) in Niger.

Ghana vs Niger GDP by year

Ghana
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Niger
2024 $82,308,110,386 $19,876,128,486
2023 $80,547,146,878 $16,698,786,978
2022 $73,919,003,210 $15,433,852,712
2021 $79,514,204,730 $14,915,002,436
2020 $70,008,243,860 $13,744,653,103
2019 $68,352,629,246 $12,889,555,561
2018 $67,259,353,966 $12,837,307,497
2017 $60,385,409,435 $11,185,104,252
2016 $56,144,179,398 $10,398,861,982
2015 $49,436,806,230 $9,683,867,926
2014 $54,678,533,806 $10,862,943,544
2013 $62,845,721,960 $10,224,897,438
2012 $41,271,701,061 $9,426,912,648
2011 $39,336,668,081 $8,772,950,778
2010 $32,197,655,567 $7,851,192,502
2009 $26,048,720,006 $7,352,131,310
2008 $28,679,383,241 $7,297,600,226
2007 $24,827,339,138 $5,731,485,052
2006 $20,885,037,597 $4,756,361,252
2005 $10,744,568,381 $4,383,315,965
2004 $8,881,417,907 $3,760,443,738
2003 $7,632,723,556 $3,394,084,732
2002 $6,166,197,848 $2,782,192,879
2001 $5,314,872,854 $2,448,714,704
2000 $4,982,850,662 $2,241,753,193
1999 $7,718,109,982 $2,537,789,821
1998 $7,482,069,162 $2,643,363,519
1997 $6,891,443,192 $2,290,318,910
1996 $6,932,991,739 $2,405,686,940
1995 $6,464,382,808 $2,302,537,562
1994 $5,446,383,727 $1,938,058,175
1993 $5,968,922,939 $3,052,673,849
1992 $6,416,103,926 $3,386,232,579
1991 $6,603,185,268 $3,285,796,875
1990 $5,889,106,573 $3,512,356,508
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,179,567,114
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,280,356,193
1987 $5,074,829,932 $2,233,006,105
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,904,096,998
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,440,581,652
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,461,243,326
1983 $4,057,275,132 $1,803,099,561
1982 $4,035,994,398 $2,017,612,216
1981 $4,222,441,860 $2,170,893,414
1980 $4,445,228,216 $2,508,524,721
1979 $4,020,227,920 $2,109,277,666
1978 $3,662,478,185 $1,774,365,590
1977 $3,189,428,571 $1,291,458,041
1976 $2,765,254,237 $1,064,517,601
1975 $2,810,106,383 $1,048,690,933
1974 $2,894,409,938 $1,026,137,111
1973 $3,006,766,758 $946,385,105
1972 $2,112,293,280 $742,779,661
1971 $2,417,108,578 $693,573,704
1970 $2,215,028,588 $649,916,621
1969 $1,962,050,556 $625,867,985
1968 $1,666,909,518 $641,214,226
1967 $1,747,187,645 $665,586,872
1966 $2,126,300,672 $702,296,079
1965 $2,053,462,968 $673,383,511
1964 $1,731,296,200 $582,816,396
1963 $1,540,797,589 $586,294,879
1962 $1,382,515,654 $531,736,599
1961 $1,302,674,325 $485,785,231
1960 $1,217,230,095 $449,526,873

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Niger by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $735 $2,050
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $638 $1,875
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $610 $1,840
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $609 $1,586
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $580 $1,497
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $562 $1,419
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $579 $1,276
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $522 $1,208
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $503 $1,189
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $486 $1,172
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $565 $1,161
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $552 $1,138
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $529 $1,162
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $511 $1,064
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $474 $1,058
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $461 $999
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $475 $1,010
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $387 $955
2006 $906 $3,103 $333 $935
2005 $479 $2,904 $319 $888
2004 $406 $2,729 $283.5 $832
2003 $358 $2,584 $265.2 $837
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $225.3 $832
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $205.4 $809
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $194.8 $764
1999 $403 $2,239 $228.3 $783
1998 $400 $2,167 $246.1 $801
1997 $378 $2,097 $220.6 $745
1996 $389 $2,026 $239.5 $746
1995 $372 $1,947 $237 $757
1994 $321 $1,875 $206.2 $748
1993 $360 $1,821 $335 $742
1992 $396 $1,739 $384 $746
1991 $418 $1,678 $384 $738
1990 $383 $1,581 $424 $739
1989 $350 - $271.3 -
1988 $355 - $292.6 -
1987 $355 - $295.3 -
1986 $411 - $259.6 -
1985 $330 - $202.4 -
1984 $330 - $211.5 -
1983 $311 - $268.8 -
1982 $319 - $310 -
1981 $344 - $343 -
1980 $372 - $409 -
1979 $347 - $354 -
1978 $326 - $307 -
1977 $292.3 - $229.8 -
1976 $261 - $194.8 -
1975 $273 - $197.2 -
1974 $289.4 - $198.3 -
1973 $310 - $187.9 -
1972 $223.8 - $151.4 -
1971 $263.4 - $145.2 -
1970 $248.2 - $139.8 -
1969 $225.8 - $138.3 -
1968 $196.7 - $145.6 -
1967 $211.2 - $155.4 -
1966 $263.3 - $168.6 -
1965 $260.5 - $166.3 -
1964 $225 - $148.1 -
1963 $205 - $153.3 -
1962 $188.4 - $143.2 -
1961 $181.9 - $134.6 -
1960 $174.9 - $128.3 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $735 in Niger, ranking 187/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Ghana Niger
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$19.9B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
130/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
10.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$735
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
187/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$9.39B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
47.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$347
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
173/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$1,163
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
13.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
9.07%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
0.4%
2022
Population
35885254
29080898

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 13.4% 47.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 21.6% 50.6%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 22.4% 45%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 20.9% 62% 21.2% 37%
2017 17.6% 57% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 21% 50.1% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 19% 32.9% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 16.1% 55%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 14% 60.6%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 14.4% 69%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 13.7% 74%
2000 12% 74.5% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 15% 63.3%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 12% 45.2% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 10.9% 63.5%
1995 13% 47.6% 12.5% 69.4%
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/niger | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Niger spent $2.67B, or 13.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 47.2% in Niger, ranking 57/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Niger
2024 -7.31% -4.27%
2023 -3.37% -5.37%
2022 -11.8% -6.77%
2021 -12% -6.1%
2020 -17.4% -4.82%
2019 -7.52% -3.56%
2018 -6.79% -3.01%
2017 -3.97% -4.12%
2016 -6.75% -4.46%
2015 -4.01% -6.75%
2014 -7.81% -6.12%
2013 -9.12% -1.93%
2012 -8.36% -0.83%
2011 -5.47% -2.19%
2010 -7.13% -0.99%
2009 -5.05% -3.93%
2008 -5.56% 1.11%
2007 -4.91% -0.75%
2006 -3.11% 31%
2005 -1.87% -1.53%
2004 -2.02% -2.76%
2003 -1.99% -2.17%
2002 -2.73% -2.21%
2001 -3.64% -2.59%
2000 -3.98% -2.83%
1999 -5.64% -4.27%
1998 -5.27% -2.23%
1997 -6.14% -2.39%
1996 -5.61% -0.36%
1995 -4.52% -3.19%
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/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $848M, or 4.27% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.03% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.01% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Niger
2024 22.8% 9.07%
2023 38.1% 3.7%
2022 31.3% 4.23%
2021 9.97% 3.84%
2020 9.89% 2.9%
2019 7.14% -2.49%
2018 7.81% 2.97%
2017 12.4% 2.8%
2016 17.5% 1.65%
2015 17.1% -0.58%
2014 15.5% -0.93%
2013 11.7% 2.3%
2012 11.2% 0.46%
2011 8.73% 2.94%
2010 10.7% 0.8%
2009 19.2% 0.58%
2008 16.5% 11.3%
2007 10.7% 0.05%
2006 11.7% 0.04%
2005 15.4% 7.8%
2004 18% 0.26%
2003 29.8% -1.61%
2002 9.36% 2.63%
2001 41.5% 4.01%
2000 40.2% 2.9%
1999 4.87% -2.3%
1998 14.6% 4.55%
1997 27.9% 2.93%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 2.39% in Niger. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 9.07% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Metals $27.8M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $13.1M
Chemicals & pharma $9.29M
Raw agricultural goods $3.77M
Raw materials & minerals $3.14M
Wood & paper products $2.57M
Machinery & equipment $1.03M
Textiles & consumer goods $983K
Weapons & explosives $49K
Miscellaneous $14K
Niger
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $8.02M
Machinery & equipment $2.52M
Raw materials & minerals $63K
Metals $57K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Chemicals & pharma $30K
Animal & marine products $2K

Balance of trade

Ghana Niger
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$2.33B
2023
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
146/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-14%
2023
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$2.59B
2023
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$992M
2023
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$1.22B
2023
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$231M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
22.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
27.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Niger
Economic freedom 57.3 51
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 156/197
Property rights 50.2 16.6
Government integrity 45.4 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 28
Tax burden 79.4 78.2
Government spending 84 91.4
Fiscal health 10.1 47.6
Business freedom 64.5 32.4
Labor freedom 54.9 54.7
Monetary freedom 56.7 67.9
Trade freedom 65.2 65.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Niger
2026 57.3 51
2025 56 51.5
2024 55.8 52.3
2023 58 53.7
2022 59.8 54.9
2021 59.2 57.3
2020 59.4 54.7
2019 57.5 51.6
2018 56 49.5
2017 56.2 50.8
2016 63 54.3
2015 63 54.6
2014 64.2 55.1
2013 61.3 53.9
2012 60.7 54.3
2011 59.4 54.3
2010 60.2 52.9
2009 58.1 53.8
2008 57 52.9
2007 57.6 53.2
2006 55.6 52.5
2005 56.5 54.1
2004 59.1 54.6
2003 58.2 54.2
2002 57.2 48.2
2001 58 48.9
2000 58.1 45.9
1999 57.9 48.6
1998 57 47.5
1997 56.7 46.6
1996 57.7 45.8
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Niger
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
45%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
17.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
34.5%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$18.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$2,030
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
-$1.02B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
22.1%
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/niger | 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 (2023–2024, 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.