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Economy of Ghana vs Saudi Arabia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $1.24T for Saudi Arabia, ranking 80/197 and 18/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $324B (26.2% of GDP) in Saudi Arabia.

Ghana vs Saudi Arabia GDP by year

Ghana
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Saudi Arabia
2024 $82,308,110,386 $1,239,804,533,333
2023 $80,547,146,878 $1,218,584,533,333
2022 $73,919,003,210 $1,239,075,200,000
2021 $79,514,204,730 $982,661,066,667
2020 $70,008,243,860 $767,951,200,000
2019 $68,352,629,246 $888,890,133,333
2018 $67,259,353,966 $886,564,800,000
2017 $60,385,409,435 $741,266,133,333
2016 $56,144,179,398 $689,279,466,667
2015 $49,436,806,230 $693,414,400,000
2014 $54,678,533,806 $787,153,066,667
2013 $62,845,721,960 $769,755,733,333
2012 $41,271,701,061 $751,921,333,333
2011 $39,336,668,081 $680,660,800,000
2010 $32,197,655,567 $528,207,466,667
2009 $26,048,720,006 $429,097,866,667
2008 $28,679,383,241 $519,796,800,000
2007 $24,827,339,138 $415,964,509,673
2006 $20,885,037,597 $376,900,133,511
2005 $10,744,568,381 $328,459,608,764
2004 $8,881,417,907 $258,742,133,333
2003 $7,632,723,556 $215,807,733,333
2002 $6,166,197,848 $189,605,866,667
2001 $5,314,872,854 $184,137,600,000
2000 $4,982,850,662 $189,514,933,333
1999 $7,718,109,982 $161,717,066,667
1998 $7,482,069,162 $146,775,466,667
1997 $6,891,443,192 $165,963,684,913
1996 $6,932,991,739 $158,662,483,311
1995 $6,464,382,808 $143,343,124,166
1994 $5,446,383,727 $135,174,899,866
1993 $5,968,922,939 $132,967,957,276
1992 $6,416,103,926 $137,087,850,467
1991 $6,603,185,268 $132,223,230,975
1990 $5,889,106,573 $117,630,173,565
1989 $5,251,858,440 $95,344,459,279
1988 $5,197,765,032 $88,256,074,766
1987 $5,074,829,932 $85,695,861,148
1986 $5,735,677,434 $86,961,922,765
1985 $4,504,306,723 $103,897,846,494
1984 $4,412,279,843 $119,624,858,116
1983 $4,057,275,132 $129,171,635,311
1982 $4,035,994,398 $153,240,313,858
1981 $4,222,441,860 $184,291,360,139
1980 $4,445,228,216 $164,539,660,725
1979 $4,020,227,920 $111,858,444,786
1978 $3,662,478,185 $80,266,516,687
1977 $3,189,428,571 $74,188,986,586
1976 $2,765,254,237 $64,005,665,722
1975 $2,810,106,383 $46,773,208,643
1974 $2,894,409,938 $45,412,957,746
1973 $3,006,766,758 $14,947,435,499
1972 $2,112,293,280 $9,664,267,087
1971 $2,417,108,578 $7,184,806,909
1970 $2,215,028,588 $5,377,333,333
1969 $1,962,050,556 $4,485,777,644
1968 $1,666,909,518 $4,187,777,711
1967 $1,747,187,645 $3,257,022,223
1966 $2,126,300,672 $2,920,555,557
1965 $2,053,462,968 $2,647,955,558
1964 $1,731,296,200 $2,371,808,713
1963 $1,540,797,589 $2,207,393,172
1962 $1,382,515,654 $2,130,606,532
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,920,811,284
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,748,124,064

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Saudi Arabia by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $35,122 $71,375
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $36,157 $71,565
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $38,510 $71,968
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $31,921 $62,690
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $24,339 $47,518
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $29,567 $59,560
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $29,360 $59,378
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $23,929 $53,120
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $22,268 $49,937
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $23,256 $53,931
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $27,805 $62,578
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $27,865 $62,203
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $28,733 $65,034
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $27,127 $64,125
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $22,028 $58,829
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $17,718 $54,787
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $22,320 $57,236
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $18,596 $55,030
2006 $906 $3,103 $17,564 $54,639
2005 $479 $2,904 $15,976 $53,548
2004 $406 $2,729 $13,154 $51,225
2003 $358 $2,584 $11,487 $48,078
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $10,586 $45,466
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $10,805 $47,381
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $11,715 $48,644
1999 $403 $2,239 $10,452 $47,495
1998 $400 $2,167 $9,836 $48,867
1997 $378 $2,097 $11,545 $48,796
1996 $389 $2,026 $11,472 $48,569
1995 $372 $1,947 $10,786 $48,052
1994 $321 $1,875 $10,602 $48,904
1993 $360 $1,821 $10,885 $49,503
1992 $396 $1,739 $11,730 $50,355
1991 $418 $1,678 $11,847 $49,295
1990 $383 $1,581 $11,055 $46,214
1989 $350 - $9,414 -
1988 $355 - $9,165 -
1987 $355 - $9,386 -
1986 $411 - $10,078 -
1985 $330 - $12,745 -
1984 $330 - $15,541 -
1983 $311 - $17,810 -
1982 $319 - $22,454 -
1981 $344 - $28,703 -
1980 $372 - $27,206 -
1979 $347 - $19,612 -
1978 $326 - $14,914 -
1977 $292.3 - $14,595 -
1976 $261 - $13,313 -
1975 $273 - $10,266 -
1974 $289.4 - $10,503 -
1973 $310 - $3,640 -
1972 $223.8 - $2,474 -
1971 $263.4 - $1,929 -
1970 $248.2 - $1,509 -
1969 $225.8 - $1,313 -
1968 $196.7 - $1,276 -
1967 $211.2 - $1,032 -
1966 $263.3 - $961 -
1965 $260.5 - $904 -
1964 $225 - $840 -
1963 $205 - $812 -
1962 $188.4 - $813 -
1961 $181.9 - $760 -
1960 $174.9 - $718 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $35,122 in Saudi Arabia, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375.

Economic indicators

Ghana Saudi Arabia
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$1.24T
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
18/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$35,122
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
33/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$71,375
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
24/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$324B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
26.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$9,185
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
58/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$23,076
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$2.73T
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
351,855
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
15
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
29.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
1.69%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
4.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
3.52%
2024
Population
35885254
36734925

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Saudi Arabia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 29.6% 26.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 28.3% 23%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 25.3% 21.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 28.2% 25.5%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 37.4% 29.7%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 31.8% 20.3%
2018 20.9% 62% 32.4% 16.8%
2017 17.6% 57% 30.9% 15.9%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 33.3% 12.2%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 38.5% 5.47%
2014 21% 50.1% 38.6% 1.5%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 34.5% 2.08%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 32.5% 2.97%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 32.4% 5.31%
2010 19% 32.9% 33% 8.43%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 37.1% 14%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 26.7% 12.1%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 29.5% 17.1%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 27.3% 25.8%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 28.2% 37.3%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 31.1% 62.9%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 33.1% 81.6%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 35.9% 96.4%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 36.9% 93.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 33.1% 86.7%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 30.3% 103%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 34.5% 101.5%
1997 12% 45.2% 35.6% 76.7%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 33.3% 75.2%
1995 13% 47.6% 32.4% 74.2%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 33.8% 67.9%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 37.7% 58.6%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 41.2% 47.8%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 34.9% 39.4%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 39.3% -
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/saudi-arabia | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Saudi Arabia spent $367B, or 29.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 26.2% in Saudi Arabia, ranking 57/185 and 163/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Saudi Arabia
2024 -7.31% -2.49%
2023 -3.37% -1.77%
2022 -11.8% 2.24%
2021 -12% -1.99%
2020 -17.4% -10.2%
2019 -7.52% -3.96%
2018 -6.79% -5.21%
2017 -3.97% -8.57%
2016 -6.75% -13.2%
2015 -4.01% -14.9%
2014 -7.81% -3.4%
2013 -9.12% 5.47%
2012 -8.36% 11.7%
2011 -5.47% 11.4%
2010 -7.13% 4.39%
2009 -5.05% -5.38%
2008 -5.56% 29.8%
2007 -4.91% 11.8%
2006 -3.11% 20.8%
2005 -1.87% 18%
2004 -2.02% 9.72%
2003 -1.99% 1.2%
2002 -2.73% -5.91%
2001 -3.64% -3.91%
2000 -3.98% 3.18%
1999 -5.64% -5.99%
1998 -5.27% -8.88%
1997 -6.14% -2.51%
1996 -5.61% -3.25%
1995 -4.52% -5.12%
1994 -4.99% -8.31%
1993 -5.39% -9.33%
1992 -4.5% -8.12%
1991 -1.47% -3.28%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 Saudi Arabia's deficit of $30.9B, or 2.49% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Saudi Arabia ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.18% of GDP for Saudi Arabia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Saudi Arabia
2024 22.8% 1.69%
2023 38.1% 2.33%
2022 31.3% 2.47%
2021 9.97% 3.06%
2020 9.89% 3.37%
2019 7.14% -1.19%
2018 7.81% 2.47%
2017 12.4% -0.83%
2016 17.5% 2.05%
2015 17.1% 1.22%
2014 15.5% 2.24%
2013 11.7% 3.51%
2012 11.2% 2.87%
2011 8.73% 5.83%
2010 10.7% 5.34%
2009 19.2% 5.06%
2008 16.5% 9.87%
2007 10.7% 4.17%
2006 11.7% 2.21%
2005 15.4% 0.48%
2004 18% 0.52%
2003 29.8% 0.61%
2002 9.36% 0.25%
2001 41.5% -1.12%
2000 40.2% -1.12%
1999 4.87% -1.33%
1998 14.6% -0.37%
1997 27.9% 0.06%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 1.99% in Saudi Arabia. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 1.69% in Saudi Arabia.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $1.62M
Machinery & equipment $1.42M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.28M
Metals $637K
Chemicals & pharma $328K
Precious metals & jewellery $38K
Raw agricultural goods $28K
Textiles & consumer goods $10K
Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $85.3M
Raw materials & minerals $9.03M
Machinery & equipment $3.91M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.18M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.07M
Metals $587K
Animal & marine products $365K
Miscellaneous $139K
Raw agricultural goods $127K
Wood & paper products $36K

Balance of trade

Ghana Saudi Arabia
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$16.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
180/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-1.31%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$214B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$306B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$125B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$62.8B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
25.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
29.1%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Saudi Arabia
Economic freedom 57.3 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 65/197
Property rights 50.2 51.4
Government integrity 45.4 52.7
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 38.2
Tax burden 79.4 99.2
Government spending 84 77
Fiscal health 10.1 97.9
Business freedom 64.5 71.2
Labor freedom 54.9 41.8
Monetary freedom 56.7 81.2
Trade freedom 65.2 73.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Saudi Arabia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Saudi Arabia
2026 57.3 65.4
2025 56 64.4
2024 55.8 61.9
2023 58 58.3
2022 59.8 55.5
2021 59.2 66
2020 59.4 62.4
2019 57.5 60.7
2018 56 59.6
2017 56.2 64.4
2016 63 62.1
2015 63 62.1
2014 64.2 62.2
2013 61.3 60.6
2012 60.7 62.5
2011 59.4 66.2
2010 60.2 64.1
2009 58.1 64.3
2008 57 62.5
2007 57.6 60.9
2006 55.6 63
2005 56.5 63
2004 59.1 60.4
2003 58.2 63.2
2002 57.2 65.3
2001 58 62.2
2000 58.1 66.5
1999 57.9 65.5
1998 57 69.3
1997 56.7 68.7
1996 57.7 68.3
1995 55.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/saudi-arabia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 65.4 for Saudi Arabia, ranking 65/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Saudi Arabia
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
47.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
44.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
2.54%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$1.26T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$71,730
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$464B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
7/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$6.27B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$21.3B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$27.6B
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
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia | 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 (2022–2024, 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.