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Economy of Ghana vs Suriname compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $4.42B for Suriname, ranking 80/197 and 164/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $3.86B (87.3% of GDP) in Suriname.

Ghana vs Suriname GDP by year

Ghana
Suriname
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Suriname
2024 $82,308,110,386 $4,416,775,112
2023 $80,547,146,878 $3,472,693,412
2022 $73,919,003,210 $3,791,603,200
2021 $79,514,204,730 $3,107,923,198
2020 $70,008,243,860 $2,911,807,496
2019 $68,352,629,246 $4,016,040,575
2018 $67,259,353,966 $3,996,198,867
2017 $60,385,409,435 $3,591,679,431
2016 $56,144,179,398 $3,317,421,648
2015 $49,436,806,230 $5,126,237,646
2014 $54,678,533,806 $5,240,606,061
2013 $62,845,721,960 $5,145,757,576
2012 $41,271,701,061 $4,980,000,000
2011 $39,336,668,081 $4,422,276,622
2010 $32,197,655,567 $4,368,370,998
2009 $26,048,720,006 $3,875,409,836
2008 $28,679,383,241 $3,532,969,035
2007 $24,827,339,138 $2,936,612,022
2006 $20,885,037,597 $2,626,380,435
2005 $10,744,568,381 $1,793,410,397
2004 $8,881,417,907 $1,484,092,538
2003 $7,632,723,556 $1,274,190,311
2002 $6,166,197,848 $1,093,574,468
2001 $5,314,872,854 $834,279,358
2000 $4,982,850,662 $947,671,970
1999 $7,718,109,982 $886,290,698
1998 $7,482,069,162 $1,110,850,000
1997 $6,891,443,192 $926,422,500
1996 $6,932,991,739 $861,372,806
1995 $6,464,382,808 $691,590,498
1994 $5,446,383,727 $605,492,537
1993 $5,968,922,939 $428,764,706
1992 $6,416,103,926 $404,600,000
1991 $6,603,185,268 $448,100,000
1990 $5,889,106,573 $388,400,000
1989 $5,251,858,440 $542,600,000
1988 $5,197,765,032 $1,161,000,000
1987 $5,074,829,932 $980,000,000
1986 $5,735,677,434 $891,000,000
1985 $4,504,306,723 $873,000,000
1984 $4,412,279,843 $864,000,000
1983 $4,057,275,132 $883,500,000
1982 $4,035,994,398 $915,000,000
1981 $4,222,441,860 $889,000,000
1980 $4,445,228,216 $795,000,000
1979 $4,020,227,920 $782,500,000
1978 $3,662,478,185 $735,500,000
1977 $3,189,428,571 $641,500,000
1976 $2,765,254,237 $505,500,000
1975 $2,810,106,383 $465,500,000
1974 $2,894,409,938 $409,850,000
1973 $3,006,766,758 $339,450,000
1972 $2,112,293,280 $311,950,000
1971 $2,417,108,578 $301,000,000
1970 $2,215,028,588 $274,900,000
1969 $1,962,050,556 $259,650,000
1968 $1,666,909,518 $241,350,000
1967 $1,747,187,645 $220,700,000
1966 $2,126,300,672 $190,350,000
1965 $2,053,462,968 $154,150,000
1964 $1,731,296,200 $134,400,000
1963 $1,540,797,589 $125,950,000
1962 $1,382,515,654 $116,150,000
1961 $1,302,674,325 $107,700,000
1960 $1,217,230,095 $99,650,000

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Suriname by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Suriname
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Suriname
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $6,962 $21,801
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $5,522 $21,110
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $6,084 $20,079
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $5,030 $18,458
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $4,755 $16,947
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $6,630 $19,772
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $6,666 $17,855
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $6,050 $17,568
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $5,644 $14,475
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $8,814 $16,544
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $9,108 $16,598
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $9,043 $16,173
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $8,851 $15,185
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $7,950 $13,926
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $7,944 $13,039
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $7,130 $12,393
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $6,576 $12,097
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $5,530 $11,530
2006 $906 $3,103 $5,003 $10,803
2005 $479 $2,904 $3,453 $10,014
2004 $406 $2,729 $2,888 $9,389
2003 $358 $2,584 $2,516 $8,552
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $2,202 $8,046
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,715 $7,865
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $1,988 $7,535
1999 $403 $2,239 $1,898 $7,367
1998 $400 $2,167 $2,429 $7,521
1997 $378 $2,097 $2,068 $7,422
1996 $389 $2,026 $1,963 $7,048
1995 $372 $1,947 $1,610 $7,000
1994 $321 $1,875 $1,434 $6,973
1993 $360 $1,821 $1,022 $6,650
1992 $396 $1,739 $969 $6,992
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,080 $6,852
1990 $383 $1,581 $942 $6,493
1989 $350 - $1,329 -
1988 $355 - $2,886 -
1987 $355 - $2,469 -
1986 $411 - $2,271 -
1985 $330 - $2,256 -
1984 $330 - $2,261 -
1983 $311 - $2,333 -
1982 $319 - $2,430 -
1981 $344 - $2,368 -
1980 $372 - $2,118 -
1979 $347 - $2,072 -
1978 $326 - $1,928 -
1977 $292.3 - $1,666 -
1976 $261 - $1,302 -
1975 $273 - $1,190 -
1974 $289.4 - $1,041 -
1973 $310 - $858 -
1972 $223.8 - $785 -
1971 $263.4 - $768 -
1970 $248.2 - $724 -
1969 $225.8 - $708 -
1968 $196.7 - $681 -
1967 $211.2 - $644 -
1966 $263.3 - $575 -
1965 $260.5 - $482 -
1964 $225 - $435 -
1963 $205 - $424 -
1962 $188.4 - $409 -
1961 $181.9 - $395 -
1960 $174.9 - $378 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $6,962 in Suriname, ranking 102/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Suriname ranks 89th at $21,801.

Economic indicators

Ghana Suriname
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$4.42B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
164/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
1.72%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$6,962
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$21,801
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
89/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$3.86B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
87.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$6,077
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
74/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$3,263
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
30.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.2%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
29.2%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
16.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
10%
2013
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
7.92%
2016
Population
35885254
646767

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Suriname
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Suriname
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 29.2% 87.3%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 29% 98.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 29.5% 116.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 32% 115.8%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 30.2% 146.4%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 40.5% 84%
2018 20.9% 62% 29.5% 68.6%
2017 17.6% 57% 28.7% 73%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 27.9% 75.4%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 29.9% 41.2%
2014 21% 50.1% 25.2% 25.2%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 26.2% 27.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 25.1% 20.1%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 21% 18.7%
2010 19% 32.9% 21% 17.3%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 24% 14.6%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 20.5% 14.8%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 22.6% 16.4%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 22.2% 22.5%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 22.2% 27.1%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 20.8% 29.4%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 19.2% 31.5%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 22.2% 37.4%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 21.8% 37.2%
2000 12% 74.5% 24.4% 48.4%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 19.6% 32.3%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 30.3% 21.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 21.1% 16.8%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 21.4% 11.8%
1995 13% 47.6% 20.2% 16.3%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 19.8% 30.5%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 21.2% 51.1%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 24.4% 64.4%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 26.6% 75.7%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 22.7% 72.9%
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/suriname | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Suriname spent $1.29B, or 29.2% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 87.3% in Suriname, ranking 57/185 and 37/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Suriname
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Suriname
2024 -7.31% -2.42%
2023 -3.37% -1.68%
2022 -11.8% -2.69%
2021 -12% -5.66%
2020 -17.4% -12%
2019 -7.52% -20.2%
2018 -6.79% -8.56%
2017 -3.97% -8.62%
2016 -6.75% -10.2%
2015 -4.01% -8.29%
2014 -7.81% -2.65%
2013 -9.12% -2.64%
2012 -8.36% -0.38%
2011 -5.47% 2.32%
2010 -7.13% -0.15%
2009 -5.05% 2.03%
2008 -5.56% 2.39%
2007 -4.91% 5.01%
2006 -3.11% 0.59%
2005 -1.87% -3.39%
2004 -2.02% -1.2%
2003 -1.99% -0.11%
2002 -2.73% -3.3%
2001 -3.64% 3.49%
2000 -3.98% -7.76%
1999 -5.64% -4.92%
1998 -5.27% -6.39%
1997 -6.14% -0.32%
1996 -5.61% 3.42%
1995 -4.52% 1.17%
1994 -4.99% -1.89%
1993 -5.39% -4.68%
1992 -4.5% -6.45%
1991 -1.47% -9.8%
1990 -1.93% -3.04%
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/suriname | 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 Suriname's deficit of $107M, or 2.42% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 35 of those years, while Suriname ran a deficit in 27 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.69% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.4% of GDP for Suriname.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Suriname
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Suriname
2024 22.8% 16.2%
2023 38.1% 51.6%
2022 31.3% 52.4%
2021 9.97% 59.1%
2020 9.89% 34.9%
2019 7.14% -
2018 7.81% -
2017 12.4% 22%
2016 17.5% 55.4%
2015 17.1% 6.89%
2014 15.5% 3.38%
2013 11.7% 1.92%
2012 11.2% 5.01%
2011 8.73% 17.7%
2010 10.7% 6.94%
2009 19.2% -0.13%
2008 16.5% 14.7%
2007 10.7% 6.43%
2006 11.7% 11.3%
2005 15.4% 9.9%
2004 18% 9.99%
2003 29.8% 23%
2002 9.36% 15.5%
2001 41.5% 38.6%
2000 40.2% 59.4%
1999 4.87% 98.8%
1998 14.6% 19%
1997 27.9% 7.15%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 24.9% in Suriname. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 16.2% in Suriname.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $70K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Suriname
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $20K
Machinery & equipment $10K

Balance of trade

Ghana Suriname
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$9.31M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
76/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+0.21%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$1.65B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$921M
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$211M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
38.4%
2010
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
52.5%
2010

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Suriname
Economic freedom 57.3 53
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 143/197
Property rights 50.2 40.5
Government integrity 45.4 41
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 46.5
Tax burden 79.4 69.1
Government spending 84 74.3
Fiscal health 10.1 76.6
Business freedom 64.5 56.9
Labor freedom 54.9 69
Monetary freedom 56.7 56.4
Trade freedom 65.2 65.2
Investment freedom 60 20
Financial freedom 60 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Suriname
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Suriname
2026 57.3 53
2025 56 50.9
2024 55.8 46.7
2023 58 46.1
2022 59.8 48.1
2021 59.2 46.4
2020 59.4 49.5
2019 57.5 48.1
2018 56 48.1
2017 56.2 48
2016 63 53.8
2015 63 54.2
2014 64.2 54.2
2013 61.3 52
2012 60.7 52.6
2011 59.4 53.1
2010 60.2 52.5
2009 58.1 54.1
2008 57 54.3
2007 57.6 54.8
2006 55.6 55.1
2005 56.5 51.9
2004 59.1 47.9
2003 58.2 46.9
2002 57.2 48
2001 58 44.3
2000 58.1 45.8
1999 57.9 40.1
1998 57 39.9
1997 56.7 35.9
1996 57.7 36.7
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 53 for Suriname, ranking 143/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Suriname
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
50.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
35.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
6.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$3.61B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$20,000
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$1.63B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
132/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$26.5M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
-$37.6M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
-$11.1M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
20.5%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
70%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
36.2%
2010

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/suriname | 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 (2019–2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.