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Economy of Ghana vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 69/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Ghana vs Qatar GDP by year

Ghana
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Qatar
2025 $114,209,905,279 $215,559,615,385
2024 $83,288,585,604 $216,294,505,495
2023 $80,547,146,876 $213,002,809,341
2022 $73,919,003,212 $235,709,325,714
2021 $79,514,204,730 $179,732,009,560
2020 $70,008,243,860 $144,411,363,352
2019 $68,352,629,246 $176,371,267,692
2018 $67,259,353,966 $183,334,953,819
2017 $60,385,409,435 $161,099,122,225
2016 $56,144,179,398 $151,732,181,868
2015 $49,436,806,230 $161,739,955,577
2014 $54,678,533,806 $206,224,598,571
2013 $62,845,721,960 $198,727,642,967
2012 $41,271,701,061 $186,833,502,363
2011 $39,336,668,081 $167,775,274,725
2010 $32,197,655,567 $125,122,252,747
2009 $26,048,720,006 $97,798,351,648
2008 $28,679,383,241 $115,269,780,220
2007 $24,827,339,138 $79,711,813,187
2006 $20,885,037,597 $60,882,142,857
2005 $10,744,568,381 $44,530,494,505
2004 $8,881,417,907 $31,734,065,934
2003 $7,632,723,556 $23,533,791,209
2002 $6,166,197,848 $19,363,736,264
2001 $5,314,872,854 $17,538,461,538
2000 $4,982,850,662 $17,759,890,110
1999 $7,718,109,982 $12,393,131,868
1998 $7,482,069,162 $10,255,494,505
1997 $6,891,443,192 $11,297,802,198
1996 $6,932,991,739 $9,059,340,659
1995 $6,464,382,808 $8,137,912,088
1994 $5,446,383,727 $7,374,450,549
1993 $5,968,922,939 $7,156,593,407
1992 $6,416,103,926 $7,646,153,846
1991 $6,603,185,268 $6,883,516,484
1990 $5,889,106,573 $7,360,439,560
1989 $5,251,858,440 $6,487,912,088
1988 $5,197,765,032 $6,038,186,813
1987 $5,074,829,932 $5,446,428,571
1986 $5,735,677,434 $5,053,021,978
1985 $4,504,306,723 $6,153,296,703
1984 $4,412,279,843 $6,870,329,670
1983 $4,057,275,132 $6,484,890,110
1982 $4,035,994,398 $7,611,263,736
1981 $4,222,441,860 $8,672,527,473
1980 $4,445,228,216 $7,837,915,956
1979 $4,020,227,920 $5,632,962,997
1978 $3,662,478,185 $4,052,000,413
1977 $3,189,428,571 $3,617,564,638
1976 $2,765,254,237 $3,284,273,987
1975 $2,810,106,383 $2,512,773,166
1974 $2,894,409,938 $2,401,403,227
1973 $3,006,766,758 $793,885,560
1972 $2,112,293,280 $510,262,500
1971 $2,417,108,578 $387,703,106
1970 $2,215,028,588 $301,791,302
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/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Qatar by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $72,525 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $906 $3,103 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $479 $2,904 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $406 $2,729 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $358 $2,584 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $403 $2,239 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $400 $2,167 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $378 $2,097 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $389 $2,026 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $372 $1,947 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $321 $1,875 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $360 $1,821 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $396 $1,739 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $418 $1,678 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $383 $1,581 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $350 - $15,243 -
1988 $355 - $14,682 -
1987 $355 - $13,719 -
1986 $411 - $13,213 -
1985 $330 - $16,815 -
1984 $330 - $19,749 -
1983 $311 - $19,669 -
1982 $319 - $24,431 -
1981 $344 - $29,543 -
1980 $372 - $28,407 -
1979 $347 - $21,777 -
1978 $326 - $16,757 -
1977 $292.3 - $16,058 -
1976 $261 - $15,710 -
1975 $273 - $13,014 -
1974 $289.4 - $13,540 -
1973 $310 - $4,905 -
1972 $223.8 - $3,483 -
1971 $263.4 - $2,952 -
1970 $248.2 - $2,594 -
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/qatar | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Ghana Qatar
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
0.1%
2024
Population
36032857
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 22% 70.3% 26% 41.3%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 20.9% 62% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 17.6% 57% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 21% 50.1% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 31% 32.1%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 19% 32.9% 32% 30.4%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 36.4% 36%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 29% 19.1%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 12% 74.5% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 13% 47.6% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 108/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Qatar
2025 -1.35% -1%
2024 -6.23% 0.71%
2023 -3.37% 5.51%
2022 -11.8% 10.4%
2021 -12% 0.24%
2020 -17.4% -2.13%
2019 -7.52% 1%
2018 -6.79% 2.26%
2017 -3.97% -6.82%
2016 -6.75% -9.2%
2015 -4.01% 18.4%
2014 -7.81% 13.4%
2013 -9.12% 19.3%
2012 -8.36% 8.55%
2011 -5.47% 5.24%
2010 -7.13% 4.6%
2009 -5.05% 14.1%
2008 -5.56% 9.49%
2007 -4.91% 10.3%
2006 -3.11% 8.39%
2005 -1.87% 9.8%
2004 -2.02% 17.7%
2003 -1.99% 6.71%
2002 -2.73% 7.89%
2001 -3.64% 4.48%
2000 -3.98% 4.62%
1999 -5.64% -4.35%
1998 -5.27% -7%
1997 -6.14% -9.4%
1996 -5.61% -8.73%
1995 -4.52% -5.78%
1994 -4.99% -11.8%
1993 -5.39% -9.53%
1992 -4.5% -2.74%
1991 -1.47% -2.57%
1990 -1.93% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 36 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.54% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Qatar
2025 14.2% 0.6%
2024 22.8% 1.2%
2023 38.1% 3.1%
2022 31.3% 5%
2021 9.97% 2.3%
2020 9.89% -2.5%
2019 7.14% -0.9%
2018 7.81% 0.1%
2017 12.4% 0.6%
2016 17.5% 2.7%
2015 17.1% 0.9%
2014 15.5% 4.2%
2013 11.7% 3.1%
2012 11.2% 1.8%
2011 8.73% 2%
2010 10.7% -2.4%
2009 19.2% -4.9%
2008 16.5% 15.1%
2007 10.7% 13.7%
2006 11.7% 11.7%
2005 15.4% 9%
2004 18% 6.8%
2003 29.8% 2.3%
2002 9.36% 0.2%
2001 41.5% 1.7%
2000 40.2% 1.6%
1999 4.87% 2.2%
1998 14.6% 2.9%
1997 27.9% 2.7%

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/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $70K
Wood & paper products $61K
Raw agricultural goods $48K
Machinery & equipment $44K
Raw materials & minerals $27K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Animal & marine products $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $18.2M
Raw materials & minerals $2.68M
Wood & paper products $2.08M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.04M
Machinery & equipment $656K
Metals $438K
Miscellaneous $72K

Balance of trade

Ghana Qatar
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$90B
2025
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Qatar
Economic freedom 57.3 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 37/197
Property rights 50.2 66.2
Government integrity 45.4 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 41.5
Tax burden 79.4 99.9
Government spending 84 79.9
Fiscal health 10.1 96.6
Business freedom 64.5 68
Labor freedom 54.9 58.5
Monetary freedom 56.7 76
Trade freedom 65.2 81.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Qatar
2026 57.3 70.2
2025 56 70.2
2024 55.8 68.8
2023 58 68.6
2022 59.8 67.7
2021 59.2 72
2020 59.4 72.3
2019 57.5 72.6
2018 56 72.6
2017 56.2 73.1
2016 63 70.7
2015 63 70.8
2014 64.2 71.2
2013 61.3 71.3
2012 60.7 71.3
2011 59.4 70.5
2010 60.2 69
2009 58.1 65.8
2008 57 62.2
2007 57.6 62.9
2006 55.6 62.4
2005 56.5 63.5
2004 59.1 66.5
2003 58.2 65.9
2002 57.2 61.9
2001 58 60
2000 58.1 62
1999 57.9 62
1998 57 -
1997 56.7 -
1996 57.7 -
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Qatar
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$1.56B
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
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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. 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 (2022–2024, 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.