Skip to content

Economy of Ghana vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 80/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Ghana vs Singapore GDP by year

Ghana
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Singapore
2024 $82,308,110,386 $547,386,645,892
2023 $80,547,146,878 $505,439,514,078
2022 $73,919,003,210 $509,017,841,147
2021 $79,514,204,730 $436,591,382,250
2020 $70,008,243,860 $349,165,858,545
2019 $68,352,629,246 $376,161,998,830
2018 $67,259,353,966 $377,123,710,561
2017 $60,385,409,435 $343,673,334,902
2016 $56,144,179,398 $319,646,468,521
2015 $49,436,806,230 $307,998,545,269
2014 $54,678,533,806 $314,863,580,758
2013 $62,845,721,960 $307,576,360,585
2012 $41,271,701,061 $295,092,888,077
2011 $39,336,668,081 $279,356,499,090
2010 $32,197,655,567 $239,807,980,591
2009 $26,048,720,006 $194,150,283,772
2008 $28,679,383,241 $193,617,323,539
2007 $24,827,339,138 $180,941,701,358
2006 $20,885,037,597 $148,627,286,361
2005 $10,744,568,381 $127,807,848,728
2004 $8,881,417,907 $115,033,593,101
2003 $7,632,723,556 $97,646,401,096
2002 $6,166,197,848 $92,538,372,870
2001 $5,314,872,854 $89,793,790,670
2000 $4,982,850,662 $96,076,539,926
1999 $7,718,109,982 $86,286,849,755
1998 $7,482,069,162 $85,728,207,782
1997 $6,891,443,192 $100,123,787,215
1996 $6,932,991,739 $96,293,086,513
1995 $6,464,382,808 $87,812,540,788
1994 $5,446,383,727 $73,688,724,431
1993 $5,968,922,939 $60,603,815,716
1992 $6,416,103,926 $52,131,320,033
1991 $6,603,185,268 $45,466,164,978
1990 $5,889,106,573 $36,144,336,769
1989 $5,251,858,440 $30,465,364,739
1988 $5,197,765,032 $25,371,462,488
1987 $5,074,829,932 $20,919,215,578
1986 $5,735,677,434 $18,586,746,057
1985 $4,504,306,723 $19,156,532,746
1984 $4,412,279,843 $19,749,361,098
1983 $4,057,275,132 $17,784,112,150
1982 $4,035,994,398 $16,084,252,378
1981 $4,222,441,860 $14,175,228,844
1980 $4,445,228,216 $11,896,256,783
1979 $4,020,227,920 $9,296,921,724
1978 $3,662,478,185 $7,517,176,355
1977 $3,189,428,571 $6,618,585,074
1976 $2,765,254,237 $6,327,077,974
1975 $2,810,106,383 $5,633,673,930
1974 $2,894,409,938 $5,221,534,956
1973 $3,006,766,758 $3,696,213,333
1972 $2,112,293,280 $2,721,440,981
1971 $2,417,108,578 $2,263,785,444
1970 $2,215,028,588 $1,920,574,150
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,659,893,768
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,425,706,091
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,238,035,816
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,096,425,608
1965 $2,053,462,968 $974,644,096
1964 $1,731,296,200 $894,153,311
1963 $1,540,797,589 $917,608,012
1962 $1,382,515,654 $826,239,212
1961 $1,302,674,325 $764,629,788
1960 $1,217,230,095 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Singapore by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $906 $3,103 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $479 $2,904 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $406 $2,729 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $358 $2,584 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $403 $2,239 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $400 $2,167 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $378 $2,097 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $389 $2,026 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $372 $1,947 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $321 $1,875 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $360 $1,821 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $396 $1,739 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $418 $1,678 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $383 $1,581 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $350 - $10,395 -
1988 $355 - $8,914 -
1987 $355 - $7,539 -
1986 $411 - $6,800 -
1985 $330 - $7,002 -
1984 $330 - $7,228 -
1983 $311 - $6,633 -
1982 $319 - $6,078 -
1981 $344 - $5,597 -
1980 $372 - $4,928 -
1979 $347 - $3,901 -
1978 $326 - $3,194 -
1977 $292.3 - $2,846 -
1976 $261 - $2,759 -
1975 $273 - $2,490 -
1974 $289.4 - $2,342 -
1973 $310 - $1,685 -
1972 $223.8 - $1,264 -
1971 $263.4 - $1,071 -
1970 $248.2 - $926 -
1969 $225.8 - $813 -
1968 $196.7 - $709 -
1967 $211.2 - $626 -
1966 $263.3 - $567 -
1965 $260.5 - $517 -
1964 $225 - $486 -
1963 $205 - $511 -
1962 $188.4 - $472 -
1961 $181.9 - $449 -
1960 $174.9 - $428 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Ghana Singapore
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
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
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
2.74%
2024
Population
35885254
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 15% 154.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 14% 127.9%
2018 20.9% 62% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 17.6% 57% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 21% 50.1% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 19% 32.9% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 14% 97.9%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 12% 74.5% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 13% 47.6% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 14.5% 79%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 15.1% 73.5%
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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 57/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Singapore
2024 -7.31% 4.44%
2023 -3.37% 3.47%
2022 -11.8% 1.21%
2021 -12% 1.13%
2020 -17.4% -6.73%
2019 -7.52% 3.77%
2018 -6.79% 3.68%
2017 -3.97% 5.24%
2016 -6.75% 3.25%
2015 -4.01% 2.86%
2014 -7.81% 4.6%
2013 -9.12% 5.96%
2012 -8.36% 7.34%
2011 -5.47% 7.96%
2010 -7.13% 5.68%
2009 -5.05% -0.09%
2008 -5.56% 3.59%
2007 -4.91% 7.12%
2006 -3.11% 2.16%
2005 -1.87% 2.56%
2004 -2.02% 2.06%
2003 -1.99% 0.68%
2002 -2.73% 2.23%
2001 -3.64% 1.2%
2000 -3.98% 4.59%
1999 -5.64% 5.2%
1998 -5.27% 2.41%
1997 -6.14% 5.66%
1996 -5.61% 1.98%
1995 -4.52% 4.8%
1994 -4.99% 7.9%
1993 -5.39% 4.36%
1992 -4.5% 2.7%
1991 -1.47% 0.68%
1990 -1.93% 1.97%
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/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Singapore
2024 22.8% 2.39%
2023 38.1% 4.83%
2022 31.3% 6.13%
2021 9.97% 2.32%
2020 9.89% -0.17%
2019 7.14% 0.57%
2018 7.81% 0.44%
2017 12.4% 0.58%
2016 17.5% -0.53%
2015 17.1% -0.52%
2014 15.5% 1.03%
2013 11.7% 2.36%
2012 11.2% 4.58%
2011 8.73% 5.25%
2010 10.7% 2.83%
2009 19.2% 0.59%
2008 16.5% 6.64%
2007 10.7% 2.11%
2006 11.7% 0.97%
2005 15.4% 0.43%
2004 18% 1.66%
2003 29.8% 0.51%
2002 9.36% -0.39%
2001 41.5% 1%
2000 40.2% 1.36%
1999 4.87% 0.02%
1998 14.6% -0.27%
1997 27.9% 2%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $142M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8.6M
Raw agricultural goods $1.55M
Metals $993K
Machinery & equipment $613K
Wood & paper products $135K
Chemicals & pharma $119K
Precious metals & jewellery $76K
Textiles & consumer goods $25K
Animal & marine products $1K
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $53.2M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $11.6M
Raw materials & minerals $10.2M
Chemicals & pharma $6.4M
Metals $5.14M
Wood & paper products $2.9M
Textiles & consumer goods $2.16M
Miscellaneous $1.23M
Precious metals & jewellery $80K
Raw agricultural goods $9K

Balance of trade

Ghana Singapore
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$583B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$351B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Singapore
Economic freedom 57.3 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 1/197
Property rights 50.2 89.2
Government integrity 45.4 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 58.3
Tax burden 79.4 89.5
Government spending 84 93.4
Fiscal health 10.1 80
Business freedom 64.5 90.6
Labor freedom 54.9 77
Monetary freedom 56.7 83.5
Trade freedom 65.2 95
Investment freedom 60 90
Financial freedom 60 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Singapore
2026 57.3 84.4
2025 56 84.1
2024 55.8 83.5
2023 58 83.9
2022 59.8 84.4
2021 59.2 89.7
2020 59.4 89.4
2019 57.5 89.4
2018 56 88.8
2017 56.2 88.6
2016 63 87.8
2015 63 89.4
2014 64.2 89.4
2013 61.3 88
2012 60.7 87.5
2011 59.4 87.2
2010 60.2 86.1
2009 58.1 87.1
2008 57 87.3
2007 57.6 87.1
2006 55.6 88
2005 56.5 88.6
2004 59.1 88.9
2003 58.2 88.2
2002 57.2 87.4
2001 58 87.8
2000 58.1 87.7
1999 57.9 86.9
1998 57 87
1997 56.7 87.3
1996 57.7 86.5
1995 55.6 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Singapore
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$55.3B
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
22.2%
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/singapore | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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.