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Economy of Ghana vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 80/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Ghana vs Rwanda GDP by year

Ghana
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Rwanda
2024 $82,308,110,386 $14,251,642,235
2023 $80,547,146,878 $14,331,722,703
2022 $73,919,003,210 $13,316,161,002
2021 $79,514,204,730 $11,078,787,090
2020 $70,008,243,860 $10,174,386,857
2019 $68,352,629,246 $10,349,300,277
2018 $67,259,353,966 $9,637,904,521
2017 $60,385,409,435 $9,252,833,891
2016 $56,144,179,398 $8,695,272,058
2015 $49,436,806,230 $8,543,760,200
2014 $54,678,533,806 $8,238,966,124
2013 $62,845,721,960 $7,819,964,030
2012 $41,271,701,061 $7,654,761,050
2011 $39,336,668,081 $6,884,913,658
2010 $32,197,655,567 $6,124,756,654
2009 $26,048,720,006 $5,674,476,969
2008 $28,679,383,241 $5,179,854,065
2007 $24,827,339,138 $4,070,507,895
2006 $20,885,037,597 $3,319,784,539
2005 $10,744,568,381 $2,933,819,766
2004 $8,881,417,907 $2,376,496,067
2003 $7,632,723,556 $2,138,237,279
2002 $6,166,197,848 $1,966,003,468
2001 $5,314,872,854 $1,966,600,715
2000 $4,982,850,662 $2,068,836,754
1999 $7,718,109,982 $2,157,108,263
1998 $7,482,069,162 $1,989,343,546
1997 $6,891,443,192 $1,851,558,197
1996 $6,932,991,739 $1,382,334,879
1995 $6,464,382,808 $1,293,535,193
1994 $5,446,383,727 $753,636,370
1993 $5,968,922,939 $1,971,525,712
1992 $6,416,103,926 $2,029,026,962
1991 $6,603,185,268 $1,911,600,237
1990 $5,889,106,573 $2,550,185,679
1989 $5,251,858,440 $2,405,022,593
1988 $5,197,765,032 $2,395,492,687
1987 $5,074,829,932 $2,157,432,668
1986 $5,735,677,434 $1,944,710,684
1985 $4,504,306,723 $1,715,626,331
1984 $4,412,279,843 $1,587,413,084
1983 $4,057,275,132 $1,479,687,587
1982 $4,035,994,398 $1,407,243,139
1981 $4,222,441,860 $1,407,062,527
1980 $4,445,228,216 $1,254,765,642
1979 $4,020,227,920 $1,109,346,131
1978 $3,662,478,185 $905,709,076
1977 $3,189,428,571 $746,650,613
1976 $2,765,254,237 $637,753,853
1975 $2,810,106,383 $571,863,500
1974 $2,894,409,938 $308,458,423
1973 $3,006,766,758 $290,746,157
1972 $2,112,293,280 $246,457,838
1971 $2,417,108,578 $222,952,504
1970 $2,215,028,588 $219,900,006
1969 $1,962,050,556 $188,700,037
1968 $1,666,909,518 $172,200,018
1967 $1,747,187,645 $159,560,018
1966 $2,126,300,672 $124,525,703
1965 $2,053,462,968 $148,799,980
1964 $1,731,296,200 $129,999,994
1963 $1,540,797,589 $128,000,000
1962 $1,382,515,654 $125,000,008
1961 $1,302,674,325 $122,000,016
1960 $1,217,230,095 $119,000,024

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Rwanda by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $975 $3,099
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $830 $2,733
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $779 $2,285
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $810 $2,336
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $772 $2,125
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $758 $1,968
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $730 $1,866
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $734 $1,781
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $725 $1,678
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $705 $1,512
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $707 $1,455
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $651 $1,413
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $594 $1,314
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $564 $1,241
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $528 $1,191
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $426 $1,079
2006 $906 $3,103 $357 $1,002
2005 $479 $2,904 $324 $914
2004 $406 $2,729 $269.5 $832
2003 $358 $2,584 $249 $775
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $234 $760
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $237.3 $670
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $251.9 $609
1999 $403 $2,239 $264.7 $554
1998 $400 $2,167 $246.2 $528
1997 $378 $2,097 $238.7 $500
1996 $389 $2,026 $206 $499
1995 $372 $1,947 $228 $514
1994 $321 $1,875 $111 $311
1993 $360 $1,821 $247 $521
1992 $396 $1,739 $264.1 $575
1991 $418 $1,678 $254 $542
1990 $383 $1,581 $346 $549
1989 $350 - $335 -
1988 $355 - $344 -
1987 $355 - $320 -
1986 $411 - $297.7 -
1985 $330 - $271.6 -
1984 $330 - $259.9 -
1983 $311 - $250.6 -
1982 $319 - $246.4 -
1981 $344 - $254.6 -
1980 $372 - $234.4 -
1979 $347 - $213.8 -
1978 $326 - $179.9 -
1977 $292.3 - $152.7 -
1976 $261 - $134.4 -
1975 $273 - $124.1 -
1974 $289.4 - $68.9 -
1973 $310 - $66.9 -
1972 $223.8 - $58.4 -
1971 $263.4 - $54.4 -
1970 $248.2 - $55.2 -
1969 $225.8 - $48.9 -
1968 $196.7 - $46 -
1967 $211.2 - $44 -
1966 $263.3 - $35.4 -
1965 $260.5 - $43.5 -
1964 $225 - $39 -
1963 $205 - $39.3 -
1962 $188.4 - $39.2 -
1961 $181.9 - $39.3 -
1960 $174.9 - $39.4 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Ghana Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
11.3%
2024
Population
35885254
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 27% 63.4%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 20.9% 62% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 17.6% 57% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 21% 50.1% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 19% 32.9% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 20.5% 92%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 19.1% 84%
2000 12% 74.5% 18.2% 86%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 12% 45.2% 17% 72.2%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 13% 47.6% 18% 100.8%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 13.3% -
1993 12.1% 34.1% 20.3% -
1992 9.2% 21.3% 21.5% -
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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 57/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Rwanda
2024 -7.31% -6.57%
2023 -3.37% -5.04%
2022 -11.8% -5.74%
2021 -12% -7%
2020 -17.4% -9.54%
2019 -7.52% -5.08%
2018 -6.79% -2.57%
2017 -3.97% -2.52%
2016 -6.75% -2.27%
2015 -4.01% -2.68%
2014 -7.81% -3.92%
2013 -9.12% -1.27%
2012 -8.36% -2.38%
2011 -5.47% -0.86%
2010 -7.13% -0.64%
2009 -5.05% 0.26%
2008 -5.56% 0.83%
2007 -4.91% -1.56%
2006 -3.11% -0.03%
2005 -1.87% 1.12%
2004 -2.02% 2.27%
2003 -1.99% -1.23%
2002 -2.73% -2.03%
2001 -3.64% -1.8%
2000 -3.98% -0.22%
1999 -5.64% -4.41%
1998 -5.27% -2.59%
1997 -6.14% -2.22%
1996 -5.61% -5.01%
1995 -4.52% -2.04%
1994 -4.99% -9.54%
1993 -5.39% -6.6%
1992 -4.5% -7.21%
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 33 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.93% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Rwanda
2024 22.8% 1.77%
2023 38.1% 19.8%
2022 31.3% 17.7%
2021 9.97% -0.39%
2020 9.89% 9.85%
2019 7.14% 3.35%
2018 7.81% -0.31%
2017 12.4% 8.28%
2016 17.5% 7.17%
2015 17.1% 2.53%
2014 15.5% 2.35%
2013 11.7% 5.92%
2012 11.2% 10.3%
2011 8.73% 3.08%
2010 10.7% -0.25%
2009 19.2% 12.9%
2008 16.5% 15.4%
2007 10.7% 9.08%
2006 11.7% 8.88%
2005 15.4% 9.01%
2004 18% 12.3%
2003 29.8% 7.45%
2002 9.36% 1.99%
2001 41.5% 3.34%
2000 40.2% 3.9%
1999 4.87% -2.41%
1998 14.6% 6.21%
1997 27.9% 12%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $68K
Machinery & equipment $33K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Wood & paper products $6K
Chemicals & pharma $4K
Metals $2K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $1.76M
Machinery & equipment $74K
Wood & paper products $58K
Raw agricultural goods $16K
Metals $15K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Animal & marine products $4K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Ghana Rwanda
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$991M
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Rwanda
Economic freedom 57.3 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 121/197
Property rights 50.2 60.3
Government integrity 45.4 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 27.5
Tax burden 79.4 80.6
Government spending 84 75.7
Fiscal health 10.1 37.5
Business freedom 64.5 60.1
Labor freedom 54.9 49.1
Monetary freedom 56.7 72.3
Trade freedom 65.2 61.8
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Rwanda
2026 57.3 56.5
2025 56 54.8
2024 55.8 51.6
2023 58 52.2
2022 59.8 57.1
2021 59.2 68.3
2020 59.4 70.9
2019 57.5 71.1
2018 56 69.1
2017 56.2 67.6
2016 63 63.1
2015 63 64.8
2014 64.2 64.7
2013 61.3 64.1
2012 60.7 64.9
2011 59.4 62.7
2010 60.2 59.1
2009 58.1 54.2
2008 57 54.2
2007 57.6 52.4
2006 55.6 52.8
2005 56.5 51.7
2004 59.1 53.3
2003 58.2 47.8
2002 57.2 50.4
2001 58 45.4
2000 58.1 42.3
1999 57.9 39.8
1998 57 39.1
1997 56.7 38.3
1996 57.7 -
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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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 (2021–2023, 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.