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Economy of Ghana vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $1.29B for Samoa, ranking 69/197 and 186/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $273M (21.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Ghana vs Samoa GDP by year

Ghana
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Samoa
2025 $114,209,905,279 $1,287,936,622
2024 $83,288,585,604 $1,175,749,786
2023 $80,547,146,876 $1,044,909,500
2022 $73,919,003,212 $889,554,712
2021 $79,514,204,730 $859,724,936
2020 $70,008,243,860 $868,884,903
2019 $68,352,629,246 $912,950,466
2018 $67,259,353,966 $878,448,433
2017 $60,385,409,435 $884,844,384
2016 $56,144,179,398 $843,924,797
2015 $49,436,806,230 $824,150,499
2014 $54,678,533,806 $796,683,520
2013 $62,845,721,960 $797,736,334
2012 $41,271,701,061 $773,141,661
2011 $39,336,668,081 $744,097,050
2010 $32,197,655,567 $680,260,907
2009 $26,048,720,006 $628,006,115
2008 $28,679,383,241 $641,346,192
2007 $24,827,339,138 $573,548,460
2006 $20,885,037,597 $499,923,758
2005 $10,744,568,381 $476,801,793
2004 $8,881,417,907 $407,747,565
2003 $7,632,723,556 $333,426,188
2002 $6,166,197,848 $281,790,134
2001 $5,314,872,854 $266,299,591
2000 $4,982,850,662 $258,856,140
1999 $7,718,109,982 $255,408,060
1998 $7,482,069,162 $269,485,244
1997 $6,891,443,192 $285,475,592
1996 $6,932,991,739 $249,907,869
1995 $6,464,382,808 $224,865,731
1994 $5,446,383,727 $221,098,107
1993 $5,968,922,939 $133,122,897
1992 $6,416,103,926 $132,303,041
1991 $6,603,185,268 $125,597,205
1990 $5,889,106,573 $125,766,270
1989 $5,251,858,440 $122,888,610
1988 $5,197,765,032 $133,016,065
1987 $5,074,829,932 $111,713,922
1986 $5,735,677,434 $100,947,849
1985 $4,504,306,723 $95,572,173
1984 $4,412,279,843 $109,200,934
1983 $4,057,275,132 $111,862,824
1982 $4,035,994,398 $121,221,652
1981 $4,222,441,860 $118,190,655
1980 $4,445,228,216 $125,747,038
1979 $4,020,227,920 $122,257,393
1978 $3,662,478,185 $108,223,444
1977 $3,189,428,571 $98,295,671
1976 $2,765,254,237 $85,003,078
1975 $2,810,106,383 $93,489,283
1974 $2,894,409,938 $93,549,611
1973 $3,006,766,758 $82,452,985
1972 $2,112,293,280 $62,566,116
1971 $2,417,108,578 $53,719,569
1970 $2,215,028,588 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Samoa by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $5,873 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $906 $3,103 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $479 $2,904 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $406 $2,729 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $358 $2,584 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $403 $2,239 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $400 $2,167 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $378 $2,097 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $389 $2,026 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $372 $1,947 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $321 $1,875 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $360 $1,821 $775 $2,323
1992 $396 $1,739 $777 $2,198
1991 $418 $1,678 $742 $2,166
1990 $383 $1,581 $744 $2,148
1989 $350 - $728 -
1988 $355 - $790 -
1987 $355 - $666 -
1986 $411 - $604 -
1985 $330 - $573 -
1984 $330 - $655 -
1983 $311 - $671 -
1982 $319 - $728 -
1981 $344 - $713 -
1980 $372 - $765 -
1979 $347 - $751 -
1978 $326 - $671 -
1977 $292.3 - $615 -
1976 $261 - $541 -
1975 $273 - $610 -
1974 $289.4 - $626 -
1973 $310 - $563 -
1972 $223.8 - $433 -
1971 $263.4 - $377 -
1970 $248.2 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $5,873 in Samoa, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Ghana Samoa
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$1.29B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
186/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
4.2%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$5,873
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
115/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$273M
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
21.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$1,246
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
136/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$3,918
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
26.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
2.21%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
2.95%
2026
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
5.05%
2022
Population
36032857
221158

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 26.4% 21.2%
2024 22% 70.3% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 31.1% 41%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 20.9% 62% 30% 49.4%
2017 17.6% 57% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 27.3% 49%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 21% 50.1% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 19% 32.9% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 30% 53.8%
2000 12% 74.5% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 12% 45.2% 31% -
1996 12.4% 42.9% 38.9% -
1995 13% 47.6% 42.2% -
1994 12.7% 50.6% 54.1% -
1993 12.1% 34.1% 49.5% -
1992 9.2% 21.3% 43.4% -
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $340M, or 26.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 21.2% in Samoa, ranking 108/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Samoa
2025 -1.35% 4.68%
2024 -6.23% 9.29%
2023 -3.37% 2.7%
2022 -11.8% 5.03%
2021 -12% 1.71%
2020 -17.4% 5.41%
2019 -7.52% 1.51%
2018 -6.79% 0.06%
2017 -3.97% -1.98%
2016 -6.75% -0.35%
2015 -4.01% -3.79%
2014 -7.81% -5.38%
2013 -9.12% -3.82%
2012 -8.36% -7.43%
2011 -5.47% -5.25%
2010 -7.13% -5.49%
2009 -5.05% -2.98%
2008 -5.56% -0.36%
2007 -4.91% 0.55%
2006 -3.11% -0.44%
2005 -1.87% 0.23%
2004 -2.02% -0.74%
2003 -1.99% -0.51%
2002 -2.73% -1.77%
2001 -3.64% -1.96%
2000 -3.98% -0.62%
1999 -5.64% 0.27%
1998 -5.27% 1.64%
1997 -6.14% 1.92%
1996 -5.61% 1.21%
1995 -4.52% -5.82%
1994 -4.99% -9.51%
1993 -5.39% -13.2%
1992 -4.5% -9.89%
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 (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $60.3M, or 4.68% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.77% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.32% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Samoa
2025 14.2% 2.21%
2024 22.8% 2.17%
2023 38.1% 7.92%
2022 31.3% 11%
2021 9.97% 3.13%
2020 9.89% -1.57%
2019 7.14% 0.98%
2018 7.81% 4.2%
2017 12.4% 1.75%
2016 17.5% 1.3%
2015 17.1% 0.72%
2014 15.5% -0.41%
2013 11.7% 0.61%
2012 11.2% 2.05%
2011 8.73% 5.24%
2010 10.7% 0.78%
2009 19.2% 6.32%
2008 16.5% 11.6%
2007 10.7% 5.58%
2006 11.7% 3.7%
2005 15.4% 1.86%
2004 18% 16.3%
2003 29.8% 0.12%
2002 9.36% 8.05%
2001 41.5% 3.84%
2000 40.2% 0.97%
1999 4.87% 0.27%
1998 14.6% 2.22%
1997 27.9% 6.86%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 3.78% in Samoa. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 2.21% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Ghana Samoa
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$89.3M
2025
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
64/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+6.93%
2025
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$440M
2025
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$24.2M
2025
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$108M
2025
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$328M
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
43%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
27.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Samoa
Economic freedom 57.3 68
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 52/197
Property rights 50.2 77.1
Government integrity 45.4 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 77.6
Tax burden 79.4 79.3
Government spending 84 75.2
Fiscal health 10.1 98.7
Business freedom 64.5 63.7
Labor freedom 54.9 73.7
Monetary freedom 56.7 69.4
Trade freedom 65.2 67.2
Investment freedom 60 40
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Samoa
2026 57.3 68
2025 56 66.6
2024 55.8 67.2
2023 58 68.3
2022 59.8 68.3
2021 59.2 61.9
2020 59.4 62.1
2019 57.5 62.2
2018 56 61.5
2017 56.2 58.4
2016 63 63.5
2015 63 61.9
2014 64.2 61.1
2013 61.3 57.1
2012 60.7 60.5
2011 59.4 60.6
2010 60.2 60.4
2009 58.1 59.5
2008 57 -
2007 57.6 -
2006 55.6 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 59.1 -
2003 58.2 -
2002 57.2 -
2001 58 63.1
2000 58.1 60.8
1999 57.9 58.7
1998 57 49.9
1997 56.7 51.5
1996 57.7 47.6
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Samoa
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
72.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
10.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
9.09%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$1.24B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$9,300
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
$598M
2025
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
153/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$1.83M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
30%
2025

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/samoa | CC BY

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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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.