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Economy of Ghana vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 80/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Ghana vs Qatar GDP by year

Ghana
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Qatar
2024 $82,308,110,386 $219,162,637,363
2023 $80,547,146,878 $217,308,516,484
2022 $73,919,003,210 $235,709,340,659
2021 $79,514,204,730 $179,732,142,857
2020 $70,008,243,860 $144,411,538,462
2019 $68,352,629,246 $176,371,428,571
2018 $67,259,353,966 $183,335,164,835
2017 $60,385,409,435 $161,099,175,824
2016 $56,144,179,398 $151,732,142,857
2015 $49,436,806,230 $161,739,835,165
2014 $54,678,533,806 $206,224,725,275
2013 $62,845,721,960 $198,727,747,253
2012 $41,271,701,061 $186,833,516,484
2011 $39,336,668,081 $167,775,274,725
2010 $32,197,655,567 $123,627,197,802
2009 $26,048,720,006 $97,798,351,648
2008 $28,679,383,241 $115,270,054,945
2007 $24,827,339,138 $79,712,087,912
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 $10,255,495,027
1997 $6,891,443,192 $11,297,802,115
1996 $6,932,991,739 $9,059,340,385
1995 $6,464,382,808 $8,137,911,978
1994 $5,446,383,727 $7,374,450,769
1993 $5,968,922,939 $7,156,593,654
1992 $6,416,103,926 $7,646,153,984
1991 $6,603,185,268 $6,883,516,484
1990 $5,889,106,573 $7,360,439,423
1989 $5,251,858,440 $6,487,912,088
1988 $5,197,765,032 $6,038,187,033
1987 $5,074,829,932 $5,446,428,681
1986 $5,735,677,434 $5,053,021,951
1985 $4,504,306,723 $6,153,296,456
1984 $4,412,279,843 $6,704,395,824
1983 $4,057,275,132 $6,467,582,308
1982 $4,035,994,398 $7,596,703,214
1981 $4,222,441,860 $8,661,263,764
1980 $4,445,228,216 $7,829,165,262
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $81,817 $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 $76,463 $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 - $19,272 -
1983 $311 - $19,616 -
1982 $319 - $24,385 -
1981 $344 - $29,505 -
1980 $372 - $28,375 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. 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
$82.3B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
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
23.2%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
0.13%
2022
Population
35885254
2999260

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
2024 23.2% 70.3% 26% 41.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 27.3% 43.7%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 57/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Qatar
2024 -7.31% 0.69%
2023 -3.37% 5.56%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Qatar
2024 22.8% 1.27%
2023 38.1% 3.03%
2022 31.3% 5%
2021 9.97% 2.3%
2020 9.89% -2.54%
2019 7.14% -0.67%
2018 7.81% 0.26%
2017 12.4% 0.39%
2016 17.5% 2.68%
2015 17.1% 1.81%
2014 15.5% 3.35%
2013 11.7% 3.22%
2012 11.2% 2.32%
2011 8.73% 1.14%
2010 10.7% -2.43%
2009 19.2% -4.86%
2008 16.5% 15.1%
2007 10.7% 13.8%
2006 11.7% 11.8%
2005 15.4% 8.81%
2004 18% 6.8%
2003 29.8% 2.26%
2002 9.36% 0.24%
2001 41.5% 1.47%
2000 40.2% 1.65%
1999 4.87% 2.18%
1998 14.6% 2.95%
1997 27.9% 4.83%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $306K
Precious metals & jewellery $237K
Raw agricultural goods $50K
Machinery & equipment $47K
Raw materials & minerals $27K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $4K
Animal & marine products $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $14.7M
Wood & paper products $2.06M
Raw materials & minerals $1.65M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.49M
Machinery & equipment $664K
Metals $446K
Miscellaneous $67K

Balance of trade

Ghana Qatar
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$95B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
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 2026-03-09).

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
40.9%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$1.1B
2024
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
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (2022–2023, 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.