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Economy of Ghana vs Sri Lanka compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $99B for Sri Lanka, ranking 80/197 and 72/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $99.8B (100.8% of GDP) in Sri Lanka.

Ghana vs Sri Lanka GDP by year

Ghana
Sri Lanka
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Sri Lanka
2024 $82,308,110,386 $98,963,185,510
2023 $80,547,146,878 $83,716,142,582
2022 $73,919,003,210 $74,143,020,263
2021 $79,514,204,730 $88,556,698,938
2020 $70,008,243,860 $84,335,574,582
2019 $68,352,629,246 $88,998,706,297
2018 $67,259,353,966 $94,450,015,983
2017 $60,385,409,435 $94,369,350,286
2016 $56,144,179,398 $88,000,211,172
2015 $49,436,806,230 $85,090,301,052
2014 $54,678,533,806 $82,531,125,191
2013 $62,845,721,960 $76,976,203,829
2012 $41,271,701,061 $70,447,217,164
2011 $39,336,668,081 $67,753,285,897
2010 $32,197,655,567 $58,636,049,434
2009 $26,048,720,006 $42,066,224,093
2008 $28,679,383,241 $40,713,826,215
2007 $24,827,339,138 $32,350,238,760
2006 $20,885,037,597 $28,267,410,543
2005 $10,744,568,381 $24,405,791,045
2004 $8,881,417,907 $20,662,525,941
2003 $7,632,723,556 $18,881,765,437
2002 $6,166,197,848 $16,536,535,647
2001 $5,314,872,854 $15,749,753,805
2000 $4,982,850,662 $16,595,882,819
1999 $7,718,109,982 $15,711,933,513
1998 $7,482,069,162 $15,760,736,956
1997 $6,891,443,192 $15,091,913,884
1996 $6,932,991,739 $13,897,738,375
1995 $6,464,382,808 $13,029,697,561
1994 $5,446,383,727 $11,717,604,209
1993 $5,968,922,939 $10,338,679,636
1992 $6,416,103,926 $9,703,011,636
1991 $6,603,185,268 $9,000,362,582
1990 $5,889,106,573 $8,032,551,173
1989 $5,251,858,440 $6,987,267,684
1988 $5,197,765,032 $6,978,371,581
1987 $5,074,829,932 $6,682,167,120
1986 $5,735,677,434 $6,405,210,564
1985 $4,504,306,723 $5,978,460,972
1984 $4,412,279,843 $6,043,474,843
1983 $4,057,275,132 $5,167,913,302
1982 $4,035,994,398 $4,768,765,017
1981 $4,222,441,860 $4,415,844,156
1980 $4,445,228,216 $4,024,621,900
1979 $4,020,227,920 $3,364,611,432
1978 $3,662,478,185 $2,733,183,857
1977 $3,189,428,571 $4,104,509,583
1976 $2,765,254,237 $3,591,319,857
1975 $2,810,106,383 $3,791,298,146
1974 $2,894,409,938 $3,574,586,466
1973 $3,006,766,758 $2,875,625,000
1972 $2,112,293,280 $2,553,936,348
1971 $2,417,108,578 $2,369,308,600
1970 $2,215,028,588 $2,296,470,588
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,965,546,218
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,801,344,538
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,859,465,021
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,751,470,588
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,698,319,328
1964 $1,731,296,200 $1,309,747,899
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,240,672,269
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,434,156,379
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,444,327,731
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,409,873,950

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/sri-lanka | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Sri Lanka by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sri Lanka
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Sri Lanka
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $4,516 $15,633
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $3,799 $14,456
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $3,343 $14,194
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $3,997 $14,316
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $3,848 $12,941
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $4,082 $14,113
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $4,359 $14,178
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $4,399 $13,610
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $4,149 $13,079
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $4,058 $12,227
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $3,972 $11,721
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $3,739 $11,253
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $3,328 $10,249
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $3,225 $9,076
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $2,808 $8,234
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $2,027 $7,576
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,974 $7,317
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $1,579 $6,820
2006 $906 $3,103 $1,389 $6,261
2005 $479 $2,904 $1,207 $5,679
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,029 $5,216
2003 $358 $2,584 $946 $4,850
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $835 $4,522
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $804 $4,328
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $860 $4,368
1999 $403 $2,239 $829 $4,103
1998 $400 $2,167 $848 $3,952
1997 $378 $2,097 $827 $3,804
1996 $389 $2,026 $776 $3,582
1995 $372 $1,947 $742 $3,454
1994 $321 $1,875 $678 $3,260
1993 $360 $1,821 $607 $3,067
1992 $396 $1,739 $580 $2,851
1991 $418 $1,678 $546 $2,713
1990 $383 $1,581 $491 $2,527
1989 $350 - $430 -
1988 $355 - $434 -
1987 $355 - $420 -
1986 $411 - $407 -
1985 $330 - $385 -
1984 $330 - $391 -
1983 $311 - $336 -
1982 $319 - $312 -
1981 $344 - $292.5 -
1980 $372 - $271.1 -
1979 $347 - $230.8 -
1978 $326 - $191 -
1977 $292.3 - $292.1 -
1976 $261 - $260.3 -
1975 $273 - $279.8 -
1974 $289.4 - $268.7 -
1973 $310 - $220.2 -
1972 $223.8 - $199.4 -
1971 $263.4 - $188.8 -
1970 $248.2 - $186.9 -
1969 $225.8 - $163.6 -
1968 $196.7 - $153.5 -
1967 $211.2 - $162.3 -
1966 $263.3 - $156.6 -
1965 $260.5 - $155.6 -
1964 $225 - $122.9 -
1963 $205 - $119.4 -
1962 $188.4 - $141.4 -
1961 $181.9 - $145.9 -
1960 $174.9 - $145.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/sri-lanka | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $4,516 in Sri Lanka, ranking 124/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Sri Lanka ranks 111th at $15,633.

Economic indicators

Ghana Sri Lanka
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$99B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
72/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
5.01%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$4,516
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
124/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$15,633
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
111/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$99.8B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
100.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$4,554
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
85/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$2,874
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$19.5B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
30.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
19.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
-0.43%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
7.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
4.67%
2023
Population
35885254
22185425

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Sri Lanka
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Sri Lanka
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 19.3% 100.8%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 19.5% 110.4%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 18.6% 115.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 20% 102.7%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 22.1% 96.9%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 19.5% 82.6%
2018 20.9% 62% 17.5% 83.6%
2017 17.6% 57% 17.9% 72.3%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 18.2% 75%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 19.3% 76.3%
2014 21% 50.1% 17.2% 69.6%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 16.6% 69.5%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 17.3% 67.5%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 19.1% 69.4%
2010 19% 32.9% 19.3% 68.7%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 21% 72.8%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 19.1% 68.8%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 19.9% 71.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 20.5% 74.3%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 20.1% 76.6%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 19.3% 86.5%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 19.3% 86.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 20.8% 96.3%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 22.4% 84.4%
2000 12% 74.5% 21.7% 79.2%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 20.5% 77.7%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 21.4% 74.2%
1997 12% 45.2% 21.4% 70.1%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 23.1% 76.2%
1995 13% 47.6% 24.8% 77.8%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 24.1% 77.9%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 23.2% 79.2%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 23% 77.9%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 26.4% 80.5%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 25.4% 78.9%
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/sri-lanka | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Sri Lanka spent $19.1B, or 19.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 100.8% in Sri Lanka, ranking 57/185 and 23/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Sri Lanka
2024 -7.31% -5.64%
2023 -3.37% -8.32%
2022 -11.8% -10.2%
2021 -12% -11.7%
2020 -17.4% -13.4%
2019 -7.52% -7.52%
2018 -6.79% -4.96%
2017 -3.97% -5.1%
2016 -6.75% -5%
2015 -4.01% -6.64%
2014 -7.81% -5.99%
2013 -9.12% -5%
2012 -8.36% -5.44%
2011 -5.47% -6.01%
2010 -7.13% -6.73%
2009 -5.05% -8.33%
2008 -5.56% -5.93%
2007 -4.91% -5.81%
2006 -3.11% -5.91%
2005 -1.87% -5.93%
2004 -2.02% -6.32%
2003 -1.99% -6.15%
2002 -2.73% -6.9%
2001 -3.64% -8.48%
2000 -3.98% -7.78%
1999 -5.64% -5.58%
1998 -5.27% -6.79%
1997 -6.14% -5.71%
1996 -5.61% -6.89%
1995 -4.52% -7.11%
1994 -4.99% -7.41%
1993 -5.39% -5.77%
1992 -4.5% -4.95%
1991 -1.47% -7.97%
1990 -1.93% -6.39%
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/sri-lanka | 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 Sri Lanka's deficit of $5.58B, or 5.64% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Sri Lanka ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.85% of GDP for Sri Lanka.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Sri Lanka
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Sri Lanka
2024 22.8% -0.43%
2023 38.1% 16.5%
2022 31.3% 49.7%
2021 9.97% 7.01%
2020 9.89% 6.15%
2019 7.14% 3.53%
2018 7.81% 2.14%
2017 12.4% 7.7%
2016 17.5% 3.96%
2015 17.1% 3.77%
2014 15.5% 3.18%
2013 11.7% 6.91%
2012 11.2% 7.54%
2011 8.73% 6.72%
2010 10.7% 6.22%
2009 19.2% 3.46%
2008 16.5% 22.6%
2007 10.7% 15.8%
2006 11.7% 10%
2005 15.4% 11.6%
2004 18% 7.58%
2003 29.8% 6.31%
2002 9.36% 9.55%
2001 41.5% 14.2%
2000 40.2% 6.18%
1999 4.87% 4.69%
1998 14.6% 9.36%
1997 27.9% 9.57%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/sri-lanka | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 9.34% in Sri Lanka. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and -0.43% in Sri Lanka.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $275K
Wood & paper products $166K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $52K
Machinery & equipment $42K
Animal & marine products $1K
Sri Lanka
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $8.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $2.17M
Raw materials & minerals $1.77M
Chemicals & pharma $1.26M
Metals $731K
Textiles & consumer goods $275K
Wood & paper products $186K
Machinery & equipment $137K
Miscellaneous $82K
Animal & marine products $6K

Balance of trade

Ghana Sri Lanka
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$1.21B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
53/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+1.22%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$18.8B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$12.8B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$3.48B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$6.91B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
22.5%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
19.9%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Sri Lanka
Economic freedom 57.3 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 162/197
Property rights 50.2 47.3
Government integrity 45.4 37.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 47.2
Tax burden 79.4 77
Government spending 84 89
Fiscal health 10.1 0
Business freedom 64.5 60.1
Labor freedom 54.9 54.3
Monetary freedom 56.7 65.9
Trade freedom 65.2 65.6
Investment freedom 60 30
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Sri Lanka
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Sri Lanka
2026 57.3 50.3
2025 56 49.4
2024 55.8 49.2
2023 58 52.2
2022 59.8 53.3
2021 59.2 55.7
2020 59.4 57.4
2019 57.5 56.4
2018 56 57.8
2017 56.2 57.4
2016 63 59.9
2015 63 58.6
2014 64.2 60
2013 61.3 60.7
2012 60.7 58.3
2011 59.4 57.1
2010 60.2 54.6
2009 58.1 56
2008 57 58.4
2007 57.6 59.4
2006 55.6 58.7
2005 56.5 61
2004 59.1 61.6
2003 58.2 62.5
2002 57.2 64
2001 58 66
2000 58.1 63.2
1999 57.9 64
1998 57 64.6
1997 56.7 65.5
1996 57.7 62.5
1995 55.6 60.6

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/sri-lanka | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 50.3 for Sri Lanka, ranking 162/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Sri Lanka
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
8.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$84.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$15,240
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$6.09B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
92/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$651M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$761M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$110M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
4.98%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
14.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
27%
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/sri-lanka | 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 (2019–2024, 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.