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Economy of Ghana vs Pakistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $372B for Pakistan, ranking 80/197 and 43/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $262B (70.4% of GDP) in Pakistan.

Ghana vs Pakistan GDP by year

Ghana
Pakistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Pakistan
2024 $82,308,110,386 $371,570,000,121
2023 $80,547,146,878 $336,686,348,609
2022 $73,919,003,210 $374,890,295,667
2021 $79,514,204,730 $348,516,647,445
2020 $70,008,243,860 $300,425,609,818
2019 $68,352,629,246 $320,909,472,771
2018 $67,259,353,966 $356,128,166,705
2017 $60,385,409,435 $339,205,534,861
2016 $56,144,179,398 $313,630,000,130
2015 $49,436,806,230 $299,963,590,535
2014 $54,678,533,806 $271,390,474,858
2013 $62,845,721,960 $258,657,231,672
2012 $41,271,701,061 $250,106,966,105
2011 $39,336,668,081 $230,586,581,060
2010 $32,197,655,567 $196,709,621,850
2009 $26,048,720,006 $187,337,783,856
2008 $28,679,383,241 $202,203,748,584
2007 $24,827,339,138 $184,140,869,997
2006 $20,885,037,597 $161,871,385,506
2005 $10,744,568,381 $145,208,562,961
2004 $8,881,417,907 $132,216,048,339
2003 $7,632,723,556 $112,371,913,741
2002 $6,166,197,848 $97,923,302,809
2001 $5,314,872,854 $97,145,618,480
2000 $4,982,850,662 $99,484,802,345
1999 $7,718,109,982 $62,973,857,069
1998 $7,482,069,162 $62,191,955,814
1997 $6,891,443,192 $62,433,340,468
1996 $6,932,991,739 $63,320,170,084
1995 $6,464,382,808 $60,636,071,684
1994 $5,446,383,727 $52,293,470,813
1993 $5,968,922,939 $51,809,999,353
1992 $6,416,103,926 $48,884,671,947
1991 $6,603,185,268 $45,625,336,680
1990 $5,889,106,573 $40,010,423,970
1989 $5,251,858,440 $40,171,106,279
1988 $5,197,765,032 $38,472,742,808
1987 $5,074,829,932 $33,351,529,275
1986 $5,735,677,434 $31,899,070,056
1985 $4,504,306,723 $31,144,920,844
1984 $4,412,279,843 $31,151,825,467
1983 $4,057,275,132 $28,691,889,764
1982 $4,035,994,398 $30,725,971,564
1981 $4,222,441,860 $28,100,606,061
1980 $4,445,228,216 $23,654,444,444
1979 $4,020,227,920 $19,688,383,838
1978 $3,662,478,185 $17,811,515,152
1977 $3,189,428,571 $15,126,060,606
1976 $2,765,254,237 $13,168,080,808
1975 $2,810,106,383 $11,230,606,061
1974 $2,894,409,938 $8,899,191,919
1973 $3,006,766,758 $6,383,429,490
1972 $2,112,293,280 $9,415,016,360
1971 $2,417,108,578 $10,665,896,682
1970 $2,215,028,588 $10,027,509,450
1969 $1,962,050,556 $8,683,116,338
1968 $1,666,909,518 $8,041,999,160
1967 $1,747,187,645 $7,464,510,710
1966 $2,126,300,672 $6,561,108,778
1965 $2,053,462,968 $5,929,231,415
1964 $1,731,296,200 $5,204,955,901
1963 $1,540,797,589 $4,630,827,383
1962 $1,382,515,654 $4,310,163,797
1961 $1,302,674,325 $4,118,647,627
1960 $1,217,230,095 $3,749,265,015

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Pakistan by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Pakistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Pakistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $1,479 $6,252
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $1,360 $6,014
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $1,538 $5,920
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $1,455 $5,367
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $1,278 $5,048
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $1,390 $5,038
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $1,569 $4,979
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $1,519 $4,790
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $1,425 $4,631
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $1,380 $4,480
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,267 $4,313
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,225 $4,174
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,204 $4,047
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,132 $3,880
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $987 $3,786
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $964 $3,777
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,067 $3,721
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $998 $3,672
2006 $906 $3,103 $901 $3,515
2005 $479 $2,904 $828 $3,293
2004 $406 $2,729 $772 $3,048
2003 $358 $2,584 $672 $2,822
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $600 $2,688
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $610 $2,644
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $642 $2,565
1999 $403 $2,239 $418 $2,475
1998 $400 $2,167 $424 $2,419
1997 $378 $2,097 $438 $2,398
1996 $389 $2,026 $457 $2,401
1995 $372 $1,947 $451 $2,315
1994 $321 $1,875 $400 $2,224
1993 $360 $1,821 $408 $2,160
1992 $396 $1,739 $396 $2,132
1991 $418 $1,678 $380 $1,992
1990 $383 $1,581 $344 $1,895
1989 $350 - $358 -
1988 $355 - $354 -
1987 $355 - $317 -
1986 $411 - $314 -
1985 $330 - $317 -
1984 $330 - $327 -
1983 $311 - $311 -
1982 $319 - $345 -
1981 $344 - $328 -
1980 $372 - $287.4 -
1979 $347 - $249.2 -
1978 $326 - $233.4 -
1977 $292.3 - $204.7 -
1976 $261 - $183.9 -
1975 $273 - $161.7 -
1974 $289.4 - $132 -
1973 $310 - $97.5 -
1972 $223.8 - $148.1 -
1971 $263.4 - $172.5 -
1970 $248.2 - $166.7 -
1969 $225.8 - $148.5 -
1968 $196.7 - $141.6 -
1967 $211.2 - $135.2 -
1966 $263.3 - $122.2 -
1965 $260.5 - $113.6 -
1964 $225 - $102.5 -
1963 $205 - $93.7 -
1962 $188.4 - $89.5 -
1961 $181.9 - $87.8 -
1960 $174.9 - $82 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $1,479 in Pakistan, ranking 163/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Pakistan ranks 150th at $6,252.

Economic indicators

Ghana Pakistan
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$372B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
43/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
3.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$1,479
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$6,252
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
150/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$262B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
70.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$1,041
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
140/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$1,668
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$52.1B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
25.5%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
4.2%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
12.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
10.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
6.96%
2025
Population
35885254
260356147

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Pakistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Pakistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 19.5% 70.4%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 19.3% 78.5%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 20% 77.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 18.5% 74.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 20.3% 80.8%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 19.1% 78.7%
2018 20.9% 62% 19.1% 66.3%
2017 17.6% 57% 19.1% 62.1%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 17.7% 62.1%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 17.8% 59.1%
2014 21% 50.1% 18.1% 58.8%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 19.5% 59.2%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 19.4% 58.4%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 17.9% 56.2%
2010 19% 32.9% 18.3% 56.7%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 17.3% 54.6%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 18% 49.5%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 16.1% 44.2%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 14.5% 46.2%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 13% 47.9%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 12.1% 50.6%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 12.9% 56.3%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 14.4% 60.5%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 12.9% 65.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 13.8% 61.7%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 13.2% 60.7%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 14.1% 53.8%
1997 12% 45.2% 13.7% 52.8%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 15% 52.5%
1995 13% 47.6% 14% 52.3%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 14.5% 58.5%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 17% 57.9%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 22.6% 53.3%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 21.4% 55.8%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 23.9% 48.3%
1989 7.24% 23% 26.1% 46.6%
1988 7.23% 23.5% 27.9% 45%
1987 7.32% 26.8% 29.5% 44.4%
1986 7.29% 18.2% 27.6% 43.1%
1985 6.08% 14.4% 28.3% 37%
1984 4.64% 13% 25.4% 33.4%
1983 3.49% 9.21% 24.8% 33.6%
1982 4.73% 8.51% 24.5% 33.8%
1981 5.74% 8.77% 21.6% 29.7%
1980 7.51% 9.75% 22% 33.3%
1979 9.14% 11.5% 25.3% 36.8%
1978 6.54% 11.4% 25.5% 36.1%
1977 10.5% 20.7% 20.4% 36.4%
1976 12.8% 26% 21% 35.8%
1975 13.2% 21.8% 20.4% 32.1%
1974 9.52% 21.8% 15.3% 38%
1973 9.35% 25.4% 13.9% 43.4%
1972 11.4% 29.8% 13.5% 88.7%
1971 11.7% 29.5% 22.1% 33.2%
1970 12.2% 31.9% 23.6% 31.6%
1969 11.2% 31.4% 15.6% 29.1%
1968 12.3% 34.5% 13.7% 27.5%
1967 11.5% 33.9% 12.9% 25.9%
1966 9.12% 29.8% 12.2% 25.1%
1965 14.2% 30.2% 11.2% 22.7%
1964 15.8% 30.8% 12.1% 21.3%
1963 15.3% 30.5% 14.7% 19.2%
1962 12.5% 11.8% 11.8% 16.6%
1961 - - 10.6% 19.6%
1960 - - 10% 19.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1993, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Pakistan spent $72.4B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 70.4% in Pakistan, ranking 57/185 and 56/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Pakistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Pakistan
2024 -7.31% -6.81%
2023 -3.37% -7.76%
2022 -11.8% -7.84%
2021 -12% -6.04%
2020 -17.4% -7.03%
2019 -7.52% -7.79%
2018 -6.79% -5.67%
2017 -3.97% -5.17%
2016 -6.75% -3.92%
2015 -4.01% -4.74%
2014 -7.81% -4.37%
2013 -9.12% -7.48%
2012 -8.36% -7.74%
2011 -5.47% -6.23%
2010 -7.13% -5.42%
2009 -5.05% -4.53%
2008 -5.56% -5.94%
2007 -4.91% -4.23%
2006 -3.11% -2.79%
2005 -1.87% -2.29%
2004 -2.02% -1.29%
2003 -1.99% -0.12%
2002 -2.73% -2.64%
2001 -3.64% -2.45%
2000 -3.98% -3.21%
1999 -5.64% -3.07%
1998 -5.27% -4.46%
1997 -6.14% -3.87%
1996 -5.61% -4.33%
1995 -4.52% -3.9%
1994 -4.99% -3.63%
1993 -5.39% -5.53%
1992 -4.5% -11.3%
1991 -1.47% -10.8%
1990 -1.93% -11.9%
1989 -0.81% -7.01%
1988 -1.08% -9.35%
1987 -0.92% -11.7%
1986 -1.26% -9.79%
1985 -1.19% -10.6%
1984 -0.98% -8.9%
1983 -1.13% -7.55%
1982 -2.03% -8.24%
1981 -3.8% -5.83%
1980 -4.73% -5.32%
1979 -3.61% -11.6%
1978 -1.21% -12.4%
1977 -4.68% -8.74%
1976 -5.53% -9.05%
1975 -4.05% -8.97%
1974 -2.06% -4.45%
1973 -2.64% -3.99%
1972 -2.19% -3.16%
1971 0.13% -7.45%
1970 -2.35% -10.8%
1969 -2.67% -7.08%
1968 -2.34% -5.56%
1967 -2.32% -4.27%
1966 -1.29% -4.48%
1965 -3.29% -3.28%
1964 -3.72% -4.89%
1963 -5.66% -6.55%
1962 -5.04% -3.39%
1961 - -4.6%
1960 - -3.83%
1959 - -3.71%
1958 - -4.2%
1957 - -2.21%
1956 - -2.36%
1955 - -2%
1954 - -3.18%
1953 - -2.66%
1952 - -0.73%
1951 - 0.63%
1950 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1992, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/pakistan | 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 Pakistan's deficit of $25.3B, or 6.81% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Pakistan ran a deficit in 63 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.2% of GDP for Pakistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Pakistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Pakistan
2024 22.8% 12.6%
2023 38.1% 30.8%
2022 31.3% 19.9%
2021 9.97% 9.5%
2020 9.89% 9.74%
2019 7.14% 10.6%
2018 7.81% 5.08%
2017 12.4% 4.09%
2016 17.5% 3.77%
2015 17.1% 2.53%
2014 15.5% 7.19%
2013 11.7% 7.69%
2012 11.2% 9.68%
2011 8.73% 11.9%
2010 10.7% 12.9%
2009 19.2% 13.6%
2008 16.5% 20.3%
2007 10.7% 7.6%
2006 11.7% 7.92%
2005 15.4% 9.06%
2004 18% 7.44%
2003 29.8% 2.91%
2002 9.36% 3.29%
2001 41.5% 3.15%
2000 40.2% 4.37%
1999 4.87% 4.14%
1998 14.6% 6.23%
1997 27.9% 11.4%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 9.26% in Pakistan. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 12.6% in Pakistan.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $13.4M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.81M
Raw agricultural goods $1.47M
Textiles & consumer goods $811K
Metals $807K
Wood & paper products $485K
Raw materials & minerals $193K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Pakistan
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22.1M
Raw materials & minerals $21.6M
Textiles & consumer goods $19.5M
Raw agricultural goods $9.68M
Machinery & equipment $1.83M
Chemicals & pharma $1.35M
Animal & marine products $514K
Metals $320K
Weapons & explosives $164K
Miscellaneous $57K

Balance of trade

Ghana Pakistan
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$496M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
63/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+0.13%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$32.1B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$11.2B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$8.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
17.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
10.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Pakistan
Economic freedom 57.3 48.9
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 168/197
Property rights 50.2 25.7
Government integrity 45.4 26.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 27.6
Tax burden 79.4 78.2
Government spending 84 88.5
Fiscal health 10.1 10.1
Business freedom 64.5 54.4
Labor freedom 54.9 51.7
Monetary freedom 56.7 54.1
Trade freedom 65.2 70.4
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Pakistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Pakistan
2026 57.3 48.9
2025 56 49.1
2024 55.8 49.5
2023 58 49.4
2022 59.8 48.8
2021 59.2 51.7
2020 59.4 54.8
2019 57.5 55
2018 56 54.4
2017 56.2 52.8
2016 63 55.9
2015 63 55.6
2014 64.2 55.2
2013 61.3 55.1
2012 60.7 54.7
2011 59.4 55.1
2010 60.2 55.2
2009 58.1 57
2008 57 55.6
2007 57.6 57.2
2006 55.6 57.9
2005 56.5 53.3
2004 59.1 54.9
2003 58.2 55
2002 57.2 55.8
2001 58 56
2000 58.1 56.4
1999 57.9 53
1998 57 53.2
1997 56.7 56
1996 57.7 58.4
1995 55.6 57.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 48.9 for Pakistan, ranking 168/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Pakistan
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
50.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
20.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
23.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$358B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$6,100
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$18.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
63/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$2.66B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$84M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
4.5%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
13.2%
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/pakistan | 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 (1950–1993, 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 (2021–2024, 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.