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Economy of Ghana vs Senegal compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $37B for Senegal, ranking 69/197 and 107/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $48.2B (130.2% of GDP) in Senegal.

Ghana vs Senegal GDP by year

Ghana
Senegal
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Senegal
2025 $114,209,905,279 $37,006,536,238
2024 $83,288,585,604 $32,169,996,052
2023 $80,547,146,876 $30,696,331,296
2022 $73,919,003,212 $27,783,332,223
2021 $79,514,204,730 $27,520,784,130
2020 $70,008,243,860 $24,530,513,038
2019 $68,352,629,246 $23,403,995,992
2018 $67,259,353,966 $23,116,701,556
2017 $60,385,409,435 $20,965,069,573
2016 $56,144,179,398 $19,040,312,333
2015 $49,436,806,230 $17,774,766,696
2014 $54,678,533,806 $19,797,253,440
2013 $62,845,721,960 $18,918,667,725
2012 $41,271,701,061 $17,660,870,412
2011 $39,336,668,081 $17,814,283,639
2010 $32,197,655,567 $16,121,315,909
2009 $26,048,720,006 $16,145,867,495
2008 $28,679,383,241 $16,853,989,628
2007 $24,827,339,138 $13,994,218,413
2006 $20,885,037,597 $11,697,918,243
2005 $10,744,568,381 $11,009,033,438
2004 $8,881,417,907 $10,076,816,667
2003 $7,632,723,556 $8,768,721,563
2002 $6,166,197,848 $7,006,402,320
2001 $5,314,872,854 $6,507,824,829
2000 $4,982,850,662 $6,013,185,004
1999 $7,718,109,982 $6,592,834,933
1998 $7,482,069,162 $6,505,607,909
1997 $6,891,443,192 $6,041,478,726
1996 $6,932,991,739 $6,559,712,166
1995 $6,464,382,808 $6,326,342,633
1994 $5,446,383,727 $5,034,588,196
1993 $5,968,922,939 $7,367,986,241
1992 $6,416,103,926 $7,769,817,840
1991 $6,603,185,268 $7,255,210,470
1990 $5,889,106,573 $7,390,967,360
1989 $5,251,858,440 $6,366,039,373
1988 $5,197,765,032 $6,418,419,389
1987 $5,074,829,932 $6,487,353,103
1986 $5,735,677,434 $5,392,093,446
1985 $4,504,306,723 $3,818,944,918
1984 $4,412,279,843 $3,485,165,432
1983 $4,057,275,132 $3,569,356,125
1982 $4,035,994,398 $4,013,951,443
1981 $4,222,441,860 $4,095,892,781
1980 $4,445,228,216 $4,510,108,291
1979 $4,020,227,920 $4,084,877,823
1978 $3,662,478,185 $3,280,354,921
1977 $3,189,428,571 $2,938,046,463
1976 $2,765,254,237 $2,869,777,884
1975 $2,810,106,383 $2,830,388,405
1974 $2,894,409,938 $2,099,325,229
1973 $3,006,766,758 $1,863,398,590
1972 $2,112,293,280 $1,620,857,104
1971 $2,417,108,578 $1,339,549,033
1970 $2,215,028,588 $1,297,407,655
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,245,234,931
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,309,384,862
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,246,480,766
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,246,908,186
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,210,058,228
1964 $1,731,296,200 $1,188,930,645
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,122,139,862
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,085,475,791
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,058,975,257
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,003,692,370

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Senegal by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Senegal
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Senegal
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - $1,955 -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $1,739 $5,071
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $1,698 $4,778
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $1,574 $4,530
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $1,598 $4,174
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $1,461 $3,753
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $1,431 $3,648
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $1,453 $3,380
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $1,355 $3,234
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $1,266 $3,101
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $1,218 $2,994
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,399 $2,854
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,380 $2,769
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,327 $2,764
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,375 $2,685
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $1,276 $2,663
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $1,309 $2,606
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,399 $2,581
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $1,189 $2,499
2006 $906 $3,103 $1,017 $2,422
2005 $479 $2,904 $980 $2,350
2004 $406 $2,729 $918 $2,236
2003 $358 $2,584 $818 $2,131
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $669 $2,027
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $637 $2,044
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $603 $1,963
1999 $403 $2,239 $678 $1,893
1998 $400 $2,167 $685 $1,798
1997 $378 $2,097 $651 $1,719
1996 $389 $2,026 $723 $1,679
1995 $372 $1,947 $715 $1,656
1994 $321 $1,875 $584 $1,578
1993 $360 $1,821 $878 $1,588
1992 $396 $1,739 $951 $1,573
1991 $418 $1,678 $913 $1,561
1990 $383 $1,581 $957 $1,513
1989 $350 - $849 -
1988 $355 - $880 -
1987 $355 - $916 -
1986 $411 - $784 -
1985 $330 - $571 -
1984 $330 - $536 -
1983 $311 - $564 -
1982 $319 - $652 -
1981 $344 - $683 -
1980 $372 - $772 -
1979 $347 - $716 -
1978 $326 - $589 -
1977 $292.3 - $540 -
1976 $261 - $541 -
1975 $273 - $547 -
1974 $289.4 - $417 -
1973 $310 - $381 -
1972 $223.8 - $342 -
1971 $263.4 - $291.1 -
1970 $248.2 - $290.5 -
1969 $225.8 - $287.3 -
1968 $196.7 - $311 -
1967 $211.2 - $305 -
1966 $263.3 - $315 -
1965 $260.5 - $314 -
1964 $225 - $318 -
1963 $205 - $309 -
1962 $188.4 - $307 -
1961 $181.9 - $308 -
1960 $174.9 - $300 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $1,955 in Senegal, ranking 160/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Senegal ranks 158th at $5,071.

Economic indicators

Ghana Senegal
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$37B
2025
GDP rank
69/197
2025
107/197
2025
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
6.68%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$1,955
2025
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
160/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$5,071
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
158/197
2024
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$48.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
130.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$2,544
2025
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
112/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$1,979
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
28.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
29.2%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
1.46%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
n/a
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
5.78%
2024
Population
36032857
19596169

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Senegal
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Senegal
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% 29.2% 130.2%
2024 22% 70.3% 33.5% 132.4%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 35.5% 118.4%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 36.1% 104.7%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 33.7% 98.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 29.6% 90.1%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 34.3% 81.5%
2018 20.9% 62% 22.6% 61.5%
2017 17.6% 57% 22.5% 61.1%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 24% 47.5%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 22.9% 44.5%
2014 21% 50.1% 23.1% 42.4%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 22.1% 36.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 23% 34.5%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 23.3% 32.9%
2010 19% 32.9% 21.7% 34.6%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 21.1% 29.9%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 20.9% 19.1%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 22.2% 19%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 21.3% 17.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 18.7% 36.1%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 18.1% 38%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 17.1% 42.9%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 15.5% 52%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 15.7% 53.2%
2000 12% 74.5% 14% 57.5%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 14.6% 15%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 13.5% 18.8%
1997 12% 45.2% 14.1% 67.8%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 15.4% 0.07%
1995 13% 47.6% 14.4% 65.3%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 15.9% 77.3%
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
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 (1962–1995, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Senegal spent $10.8B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 130.2% in Senegal, ranking 108/185 and 10/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Senegal
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Senegal
2025 -1.35% -7.9%
2024 -6.23% -13.4%
2023 -3.37% -14.8%
2022 -11.8% -16.1%
2021 -12% -13.7%
2020 -17.4% -9.62%
2019 -7.52% -13.9%
2018 -6.79% -3.66%
2017 -3.97% -2.97%
2016 -6.75% -3.27%
2015 -4.01% -3.66%
2014 -7.81% -3.9%
2013 -9.12% -4.34%
2012 -8.36% -4.18%
2011 -5.47% -4.92%
2010 -7.13% -3.94%
2009 -5.05% -3.66%
2008 -5.56% -3.53%
2007 -4.91% -2.8%
2006 -3.11% -3.67%
2005 -1.87% -0.26%
2004 -2.02% 0.18%
2003 -1.99% -0.52%
2002 -2.73% 0.19%
2001 -3.64% -1.44%
2000 -3.98% 0.78%
1999 -5.64% -0.62%
1998 -5.27% 0.93%
1997 -6.14% 0.98%
1996 -5.61% 0.92%
1995 -4.52% 2.41%
1994 -4.99% 5.9%
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
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/senegal | 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 Senegal's deficit of $2.92B, or 7.9% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Senegal ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.82% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.01% of GDP for Senegal.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Senegal
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Senegal
2025 14.2% 1.46%
2024 22.8% 0.8%
2023 38.1% 5.94%
2022 31.3% 9.7%
2021 9.97% 2.18%
2020 9.89% 2.54%
2019 7.14% 1.76%
2018 7.81% 0.46%
2017 12.4% 1.32%
2016 17.5% 0.84%
2015 17.1% 0.14%
2014 15.5% -1.09%
2013 11.7% 0.71%
2012 11.2% 1.42%
2011 8.73% 3.4%
2010 10.7% 1.23%
2009 19.2% -2.25%
2008 16.5% 7.35%
2007 10.7% 5.85%
2006 11.7% 2.11%
2005 15.4% 1.71%
2004 18% 0.51%
2003 29.8% -0.05%
2002 9.36% 2.34%
2001 41.5% 2.97%
2000 40.2% 0.73%
1999 4.87% 0.83%
1998 14.6% 1.16%
1997 27.9% 1.75%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 1.99% in Senegal. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 1.46% in Senegal.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $20.8M
Chemicals & pharma $6.86M
Raw agricultural goods $5.38M
Raw materials & minerals $3.79M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.88M
Metals $1.86M
Wood & paper products $1.41M
Machinery & equipment $1.01M
Animal & marine products $400K
Miscellaneous $70K
Senegal
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $15M
Chemicals & pharma $5.7M
Raw agricultural goods $4.96M
Animal & marine products $2.96M
Raw materials & minerals $2.17M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.68M
Textiles & consumer goods $897K
Metals $347K
Wood & paper products $214K
Miscellaneous $17K

Balance of trade

Ghana Senegal
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
-$6.07B
2023
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
168/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
-19.8%
2023
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
$10.8B
2023
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
$5.52B
2023
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
$4.08B
2023
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
$1.48B
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
38.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
32.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Senegal
Economic freedom 57.3 53.2
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 140/197
Property rights 50.2 57.4
Government integrity 45.4 47.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 50.5
Tax burden 79.4 68.8
Government spending 84 63.1
Fiscal health 10.1 0
Business freedom 64.5 55.2
Labor freedom 54.9 54.4
Monetary freedom 56.7 74.3
Trade freedom 65.2 67
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Senegal
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Senegal
2026 57.3 53.2
2025 56 56.4
2024 55.8 55.4
2023 58 57.7
2022 59.8 60
2021 59.2 58
2020 59.4 58
2019 57.5 56.3
2018 56 55.7
2017 56.2 55.9
2016 63 58.1
2015 63 57.8
2014 64.2 55.4
2013 61.3 55.5
2012 60.7 55.4
2011 59.4 55.7
2010 60.2 54.6
2009 58.1 56.3
2008 57 58.3
2007 57.6 58.1
2006 55.6 56.2
2005 56.5 57.9
2004 59.1 58.9
2003 58.2 58.1
2002 57.2 58.6
2001 58 58.7
2000 58.1 58.9
1999 57.9 60.6
1998 57 59.7
1997 56.7 58.1
1996 57.7 58.2
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 53.2 for Senegal, ranking 140/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Senegal
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
46.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
26.1%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
17.1%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$33.6B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
$5,100
2025
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
-$4.72B
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$2.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$48.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
11.3%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
37.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
26.9%
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/senegal | 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 (1962–1995, 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 (2023–2024, 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.