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Economy of Ghana vs Taiwan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Ghana has a GDP of $114B compared to $802B for Taiwan, ranking 69/197 and 22/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $55.8B in government debt (48.8% of GDP), compared to $215B (22.4% of GDP) in Taiwan.

Ghana vs Taiwan GDP by year

Ghana
Taiwan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Taiwan
2025 $114,209,905,279 -
2024 $83,288,585,604 $801,529,000,000
2023 $80,547,146,876 $757,328,000,000
2022 $73,919,003,212 $765,529,000,000
2021 $79,514,204,730 $777,062,000,000
2020 $70,008,243,860 $676,935,000,000
2019 $68,352,629,246 $613,453,000,000
2018 $67,259,353,966 $610,744,000,000
2017 $60,385,409,435 $591,734,000,000
2016 $56,144,179,398 $543,002,000,000
2015 $49,436,806,230 $534,474,000,000
2014 $54,678,533,806 $535,332,000,000
2013 $62,845,721,960 $512,957,000,000
2012 $41,271,701,061 $495,536,000,000
2011 $39,336,668,081 $483,957,000,000
2010 $32,197,655,567 $444,245,000,000
2009 $26,048,720,006 $390,788,000,000
2008 $28,679,383,241 $415,824,000,000
2007 $24,827,339,138 $406,940,000,000
2006 $20,885,037,597 $386,492,000,000
2005 $10,744,568,381 $374,042,000,000
2004 $8,881,417,907 $346,881,000,000
2003 $7,632,723,556 $317,374,000,000
2002 $6,166,197,848 $307,429,000,000
2001 $5,314,872,854 $299,303,000,000
2000 $4,982,850,662 $330,725,000,000
1999 $7,718,109,982 $303,827,000,000
1998 $7,482,069,162 $279,926,000,000
1997 $6,891,443,192 $303,315,000,000
1996 $6,932,991,739 $292,473,000,000
1995 $6,464,382,808 $279,013,000,000
1994 $5,446,383,727 $256,213,000,000
1993 $5,968,922,939 $234,943,000,000
1992 $6,416,103,926 $222,947,000,000
1991 $6,603,185,268 $187,100,000,000
1990 $5,889,106,573 $166,392,000,000
1989 $5,251,858,440 $152,687,000,000
1988 $5,197,765,032 $126,378,000,000
1987 $5,074,829,932 $104,956,000,000
1986 $5,735,677,434 $78,347,000,000
1985 $4,504,306,723 $63,599,000,000
1984 $4,412,279,843 $61,036,000,000
1983 $4,057,275,132 $54,155,000,000
1982 $4,035,994,398 $49,540,000,000
1981 $4,222,441,860 $49,047,000,000
1980 $4,445,228,216 $42,292,000,000
1979 $4,020,227,920 $33,875,000,000
1978 $3,662,478,185 $27,373,000,000
1977 $3,189,428,571 $22,252,000,000
1976 $2,765,254,237 $18,988,000,000
1975 $2,810,106,383 $15,836,000,000
1974 $2,894,409,938 $14,739,000,000
1973 $3,006,766,758 $10,940,000,000
1972 $2,112,293,280 $8,063,000,000
1971 $2,417,108,578 $6,727,000,000
1970 $2,215,028,588 $5,785,000,000
1969 $1,962,050,556 $5,017,000,000
1968 $1,666,909,518 $4,325,000,000
1967 $1,747,187,645 $3,709,000,000
1966 $2,126,300,672 $3,207,000,000
1965 $2,053,462,968 $2,869,000,000
1964 $1,731,296,200 $2,592,000,000
1963 $1,540,797,589 $2,218,000,000
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,960,000,000
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,778,000,000
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,743,000,000
1959 - $1,444,000,000
1958 - $1,836,000,000
1957 - $1,636,000,000
1956 - $1,399,000,000
1955 - $1,940,000,000
1954 - $1,628,000,000
1953 - $1,481,000,000
1952 - $1,677,000,000
1951 - $1,197,000,000

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Taiwan by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Taiwan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Taiwan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $3,257 - - -
2024 $2,419 $8,020 $34,238 -
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $32,444 -
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $32,827 -
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $33,111 -
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $28,705 -
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $25,998 -
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $25,901 -
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $25,121 $50,500
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $23,091 -
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $22,780 $46,800
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $22,874 -
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $21,973 $39,600
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $21,295 $39,400
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $20,866 $38,200
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $19,197 $35,700
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $16,933 $32,000
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $18,081 $31,100
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $17,757 $30,100
2006 $906 $3,103 $16,934 $29,500
2005 $479 $2,904 $16,456 $27,500
2004 $406 $2,729 $15,317 $25,300
2003 $358 $2,584 $14,066 $23,400
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $13,686 $18,000
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $13,397 $17,200
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $14,908 $17,400
1999 $403 $2,239 $13,804 $16,100
1998 $400 $2,167 $12,820 -
1997 $378 $2,097 $14,020 -
1996 $389 $2,026 $13,641 -
1995 $372 $1,947 $13,119 -
1994 $321 $1,875 $12,150 -
1993 $360 $1,821 $11,242 -
1992 $396 $1,739 $10,768 -
1991 $418 $1,678 $9,125 -
1990 $383 $1,581 $8,205 -
1989 $350 - $7,613 -
1988 $355 - $6,370 -
1987 $355 - $5,350 -
1986 $411 - $4,036 -
1985 $330 - $3,314 -
1984 $330 - $3,224 -
1983 $311 - $2,903 -
1982 $319 - $2,699 -
1981 $344 - $2,720 -
1980 $372 - $2,389 -
1979 $347 - $1,950 -
1978 $326 - $1,606 -
1977 $292.3 - $1,330 -
1976 $261 - $1,158 -
1975 $273 - $985 -
1974 $289.4 - $934 -
1973 $310 - $706 -
1972 $223.8 - $530 -
1971 $263.4 - $451 -
1970 $248.2 - $397 -
1969 $225.8 - $357 -
1968 $196.7 - $319 -
1967 $211.2 - $280.8 -
1966 $263.3 - $249.1 -
1965 $260.5 - $229.3 -
1964 $225 - $213.6 -
1963 $205 - $188.6 -
1962 $188.4 - $172 -
1961 $181.9 - $161.2 -
1960 $174.9 - $163.4 -
1959 - - $140.4 -
1958 - - $185.1 -
1957 - - $170.5 -
1956 - - $150.6 -
1955 - - $216.3 -
1954 - - $188.3 -
1953 - - $177.7 -
1952 - - $208.4 -
1951 - - $154.3 -

Data sources: National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2017, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $3,257, ranking 139/197, compared to $34,238 in Taiwan, ranking 38/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Taiwan ranks 44th at $50,500.

Economic indicators

Ghana Taiwan
Gross domestic product
$114B
2025
$802B
2024
GDP rank
69/197
2025
22/197
2024
GDP growth
5.95%
2024-2025
2.16%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$3,257
2025
$34,238
2024
GDP per capita rank
139/197
2025
38/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$50,500
2017
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
44/197
2017
Government debt
$55.8B
2025
$215B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
48.8%
2025
22.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$1,590
2025
$9,170
2024
Government debt per person rank
128/185
2025
64/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,135
2026
$18,863
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$16.4B
2025
n/a
Number of millionaires n/a
772,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
66
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
17%
2025
15.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
14.2%
2024-2025
1.7%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
14%
2026
2%
2024
Unemployment rate
3.97%
2024
3.35%
2025
Population
36032857
23229461

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Taiwan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Taiwan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 17% 48.8% - 22.4%
2024 22% 70.3% 15.8% 26.8%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 17.1% 29%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 16% 29.5%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 15.4% 30.1%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 16.2% 32%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 15.3% 32.6%
2018 20.9% 62% 15.4% 33.8%
2017 17.6% 57% 15.4% 34.5%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 15.6% 35.4%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 15.5% 35.9%
2014 21% 50.1% - 37.5%
2013 21.6% 42.9% - 38.9%
2012 22.1% 35.5% - 39.2%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 18.3% 38.3%
2010 19% 32.9% - 36.9%
2009 16.6% 25.4% - 36.7%
2008 16.6% 23.2% - 33.4%
2007 16.8% 21.1% - 32.2%
2006 14.4% 17.3% - 33.3%
2005 12.9% 31.7% - 34.1%
2004 13.7% 38.4% - 33.4%
2003 12.1% 49.3% - 32.1%
2002 10.7% 54.1% - 29.8%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 22.4% 30.1%
2000 12% 74.5% - 26.2%
1999 11.1% 51.7% - 23.7%
1998 11.8% 37.6% - 23.7%
1997 12% 45.2% - 25%
1996 12.4% 42.9% - -
1995 13% 47.6% - -
1994 12.7% 50.6% - -
1993 12.1% 34.1% - -
1992 9.2% 21.3% - -
1991 7.09% 17.3% 25.4% -
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% 23.6% -
1980 7.51% 9.75% - -
1979 9.14% 11.5% - -
1978 6.54% 11.4% - -
1977 10.5% 20.7% - -
1976 12.8% 26% 20.3% -
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 (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Ghana's government spending was $19.4B, accounting for 17% of its GDP, while Taiwan spent $127B, or 15.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 48.8% in Ghana and 22.4% in Taiwan, ranking 108/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Taiwan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Taiwan
2025 -1.35% -
2024 -6.23% 0.43%
2023 -3.37% -0.61%
2022 -11.8% 0.17%
2021 -12% -0.18%
2020 -17.4% -1.03%
2019 -7.52% 0.11%
2018 -6.79% 0.02%
2017 -3.97% -0.14%
2016 -6.75% -0.31%
2015 -4.01% 0.1%
2014 -7.81% -
2013 -9.12% -
2012 -8.36% -
2011 -5.47% -2.15%
2010 -7.13% -
2009 -5.05% -
2008 -5.56% -
2007 -4.91% -
2006 -3.11% -
2005 -1.87% -
2004 -2.02% -
2003 -1.99% -
2002 -2.73% -
2001 -3.64% -3.7%
2000 -3.98% -
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
1997 -6.14% -
1996 -5.61% -
1995 -4.52% -
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -4.5%
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% -0.78%
1980 -4.73% -
1979 -3.61% -
1978 -1.21% -
1977 -4.68% -
1976 -5.53% 1.32%
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); National Statistics, Taiwan (1976–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5.19B, equivalent to 6.23% of GDP. This compares to Taiwan's surplus of $3.45B, or 0.43% of GDP.

Over the past 49 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 49 of those years, while Taiwan ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.72% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.75% of GDP for Taiwan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Taiwan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Taiwan
2025 14.2% 1.7%
2024 22.8% 2.2%
2023 38.1% 2.5%
2022 31.3% 2.9%
2021 9.97% 2%
2020 9.89% -0.2%
2019 7.14% 0.6%
2018 7.81% 1.4%
2017 12.4% 0.6%
2016 17.5% 1.4%
2015 17.1% -0.3%
2014 15.5% 1.2%
2013 11.7% 0.8%
2012 11.2% 1.9%
2011 8.73% 1.4%
2010 10.7% 1%
2009 19.2% -0.9%
2008 16.5% 3.5%
2007 10.7% 1.8%
2006 11.7% 0.6%
2005 15.4% 2.3%
2004 18% 1.6%
2003 29.8% -0.3%
2002 9.36% -0.2%
2001 41.5% 0%
2000 40.2% 1.2%
1999 4.87% 0.2%
1998 14.6% 1.7%
1997 27.9% 0.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 1.16% in Taiwan. In 2025, inflation was 14.2% in Ghana and 1.7% in Taiwan.

Balance of trade

Ghana Taiwan
Current account balance
$9.39B
2025
$113B
2024
Current account balance ranking
25/190
2025
5/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+8.22%
2025
+14.1%
2024
Goods imports
$17.5B
2025
n/a
Goods exports
$31.2B
2025
n/a
Service imports
$14.6B
2025
n/a
Service exports
$10.1B
2025
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
33.9%
2024
54.5%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
73.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Taiwan
Economic freedom 57.3 79.8
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 6/197
Property rights 50.2 83.4
Government integrity 45.4 74.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 94.3
Tax burden 79.4 78.9
Government spending 84 90
Fiscal health 10.1 92.9
Business freedom 64.5 78.6
Labor freedom 54.9 69
Monetary freedom 56.7 80.3
Trade freedom 65.2 86
Investment freedom 60 70
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Taiwan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Taiwan
2026 57.3 79.8
2025 56 79.7
2024 55.8 80
2023 58 80.7
2022 59.8 80.1
2021 59.2 78.6
2020 59.4 77.1
2019 57.5 77.3
2018 56 76.6
2017 56.2 76.5
2016 63 74.7
2015 63 75.1
2014 64.2 73.9
2013 61.3 72.7
2012 60.7 71.9
2011 59.4 70.8
2010 60.2 70.4
2009 58.1 69.5
2008 57 70.3
2007 57.6 69.4
2006 55.6 69.7
2005 56.5 71.3
2004 59.1 69.6
2003 58.2 71.7
2002 57.2 71.3
2001 58 72.8
2000 58.1 72.5
1999 57.9 71.5
1998 57 70.4
1997 56.7 70
1996 57.7 74.1
1995 55.6 74.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 79.8 for Taiwan, ranking 6/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Taiwan
Services, % of GDP
42.9%
2025
58.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
29.3%
2025
40.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
21.3%
2025
1.46%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$92.3B
2025
$832B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$8,080
2025
n/a
Total reserves including gold
$4.47B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
108/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.87B
2025
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
n/a
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
n/a
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.5%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
1.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
9.9%
2024
26.9%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); National Statistics, Taiwan (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. National Statistics, Taiwan (1951–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (1999–2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. 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.