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Economy of Ghana vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 80/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Ghana vs Tanzania GDP by year

Ghana
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Tanzania
2024 $82,308,110,386 $78,844,405,385
2023 $80,547,146,878 $79,030,935,627
2022 $73,919,003,210 $75,749,121,843
2021 $79,514,204,730 $70,655,628,148
2020 $70,008,243,860 $66,068,737,786
2019 $68,352,629,246 $61,026,731,926
2018 $67,259,353,966 $57,003,712,892
2017 $60,385,409,435 $53,274,884,533
2016 $56,144,179,398 $49,774,409,374
2015 $49,436,806,230 $47,413,919,817
2014 $54,678,533,806 $49,986,726,461
2013 $62,845,721,960 $45,648,857,242
2012 $41,271,701,061 $39,650,394,363
2011 $39,336,668,081 $34,657,140,096
2010 $32,197,655,567 $32,012,892,919
2009 $26,048,720,006 $29,400,573,554
2008 $28,679,383,241 $27,947,821,398
2007 $24,827,339,138 $21,860,434,823
2006 $20,885,037,597 $18,619,859,795
2005 $10,744,568,381 $18,395,383,647
2004 $8,881,417,907 $16,673,062,473
2003 $7,632,723,556 $15,211,487,709
2002 $6,166,197,848 $14,129,651,896
2001 $5,314,872,854 $13,563,990,022
2000 $4,982,850,662 $13,371,767,082
1999 $7,718,109,982 $12,704,334,196
1998 $7,482,069,162 $12,172,790,056
1997 $6,891,443,192 $11,158,197,942
1996 $6,932,991,739 $9,433,528,150
1995 $6,464,382,808 $7,631,431,840
1994 $5,446,383,727 $6,550,480,484
1993 $5,968,922,939 $6,182,872,708
1992 $6,416,103,926 $6,681,997,469
1991 $6,603,185,268 $7,197,768,159
1990 $5,889,106,573 $6,184,384,225
1989 $5,251,858,440 $6,418,799,007
1988 $5,197,765,032 $7,406,614,407
1987 $5,074,829,932 $7,824,193,222
1986 $5,735,677,434 $10,840,864,521
1985 $4,504,306,723 $15,328,295,175
1984 $4,412,279,843 $12,906,635,133
1983 $4,057,275,132 $14,049,883,809
1982 $4,035,994,398 $13,927,383,240
1981 $4,222,441,860 $13,161,540,378
1980 $4,445,228,216 $11,409,228,087
1979 $4,020,227,920 $9,804,637,491
1978 $3,662,478,185 $9,261,675,710
1977 $3,189,428,571 $7,732,598,995
1976 $2,765,254,237 $6,472,511,988
1975 $2,810,106,383 $5,729,917,840
1974 $2,894,409,938 $4,977,337,978
1973 $3,006,766,758 $4,144,104,535
1972 $2,112,293,280 $3,472,787,266
1971 $2,417,108,578 $3,050,673,517
1970 $2,215,028,588 $2,851,419,386
1969 $1,962,050,556 $5,142,066,811
1968 $1,666,909,518 $4,895,251,824
1967 $1,747,187,645 $4,565,132,048
1966 $2,126,300,672 $4,377,998,825
1965 $2,053,462,968 $3,817,226,546
1964 $1,731,296,200 $3,748,840,925
1963 $1,540,797,589 $3,456,579,293
1962 $1,382,515,654 $3,101,589,993
1961 $1,302,674,325 $2,826,179,031
1960 $1,217,230,095 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Tanzania by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $992 $2,728
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $957 $2,472
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $925 $2,435
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $911 $2,317
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $993 $2,221
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $935 $2,176
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $837 $2,083
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $753 $2,211
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $715 $2,069
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $674 $1,972
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $657 $1,908
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $528 $1,820
2006 $906 $3,103 $462 $1,707
2005 $479 $2,904 $469 $1,598
2004 $406 $2,729 $438 $1,482
2003 $358 $2,584 $410 $1,379
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $391 $1,302
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $385 $1,229
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $390 $1,164
1999 $403 $2,239 $382 $1,120
1998 $400 $2,167 $375 $1,082
1997 $378 $2,097 $353 $1,059
1996 $389 $2,026 $305 $1,026
1995 $372 $1,947 $251.2 $981
1994 $321 $1,875 $222.5 $958
1993 $360 $1,821 $218.2 $959
1992 $396 $1,739 $243.4 $955
1991 $418 $1,678 $268.8 $952
1990 $383 $1,581 $236.9 $925
1989 $350 - $252.3 -
1988 $355 - $299 -
1987 $355 - $326 -
1986 $411 - $466 -
1985 $330 - $681 -
1984 $330 - $593 -
1983 $311 - $667 -
1982 $319 - $683 -
1981 $344 - $665 -
1980 $372 - $595 -
1979 $347 - $527 -
1978 $326 - $515 -
1977 $292.3 - $446 -
1976 $261 - $387 -
1975 $273 - $355 -
1974 $289.4 - $320 -
1973 $310 - $276.1 -
1972 $223.8 - $239.8 -
1971 $263.4 - $218.4 -
1970 $248.2 - $211.3 -
1969 $225.8 - $394 -
1968 $196.7 - $388 -
1967 $211.2 - $374 -
1966 $263.3 - $370 -
1965 $260.5 - $333 -
1964 $225 - $337 -
1963 $205 - $320 -
1962 $188.4 - $295.7 -
1961 $181.9 - $277.4 -
1960 $174.9 - $267.8 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Ghana Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
2.43%
2024
Population
35885254
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 19% 47.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 20.9% 62% 17.3% 42%
2017 17.6% 57% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 21% 50.1% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 19.6% 30%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 19% 28.4%
2010 19% 32.9% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 17% 44.5%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 12% 74.5% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 12% 45.2% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 13% 47.6% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 16.8% 126%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 57/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Tanzania
2024 -7.31% -3.03%
2023 -3.37% -3.67%
2022 -11.8% -3.92%
2021 -12% -3.55%
2020 -17.4% -2.56%
2019 -7.52% -2.06%
2018 -6.79% -2.01%
2017 -3.97% -1.14%
2016 -6.75% -2.08%
2015 -4.01% -3.17%
2014 -7.81% -2.91%
2013 -9.12% -3.76%
2012 -8.36% -4%
2011 -5.47% -3.51%
2010 -7.13% -4.74%
2009 -5.05% -4.46%
2008 -5.56% -1.92%
2007 -4.91% -1.44%
2006 -3.11% -3.38%
2005 -1.87% -3.28%
2004 -2.02% -2.43%
2003 -1.99% -1.77%
2002 -2.73% -0.73%
2001 -3.64% -0.41%
2000 -3.98% -0.73%
1999 -5.64% -1.14%
1998 -5.27% 0.13%
1997 -6.14% -0.03%
1996 -5.61% 1.57%
1995 -4.52% -2.12%
1994 -4.99% -3.74%
1993 -5.39% -2.02%
1992 -4.5% -4.96%
1991 -1.47% 0.6%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Tanzania
2024 22.8% 3.06%
2023 38.1% 3.8%
2022 31.3% 4.35%
2021 9.97% 3.69%
2020 9.89% 3.29%
2019 7.14% 3.46%
2018 7.81% 3.49%
2017 12.4% 5.32%
2016 17.5% 5.17%
2015 17.1% 5.59%
2014 15.5% 6.13%
2013 11.7% 7.87%
2012 11.2% 16%
2011 8.73% 12.7%
2010 10.7% 6.2%
2009 19.2% 12.1%
2008 16.5% 10.3%
2007 10.7% 7.03%
2006 11.7% 7.25%
2005 15.4% 5.03%
2004 18% 4.74%
2003 29.8% 5.3%
2002 9.36% 5.32%
2001 41.5% 5.15%
2000 40.2% 5.92%
1999 4.87% 7.89%
1998 14.6% 12.8%
1997 27.9% 16.1%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Precious metals & jewellery $7M
Machinery & equipment $1.64M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1M
Chemicals & pharma $206K
Textiles & consumer goods $122K
Wood & paper products $22K
Metals $11K
Raw materials & minerals $10K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $7.86M
Raw materials & minerals $5.4M
Machinery & equipment $732K
Chemicals & pharma $194K
Raw agricultural goods $126K
Wood & paper products $48K
Animal & marine products $35K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10K
Metals $3K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K

Balance of trade

Ghana Tanzania
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Tanzania
Economic freedom 57.3 59
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 106/197
Property rights 50.2 45.2
Government integrity 45.4 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 29.6
Tax burden 79.4 80.4
Government spending 84 89.1
Fiscal health 10.1 75
Business freedom 64.5 48.1
Labor freedom 54.9 62.3
Monetary freedom 56.7 73.4
Trade freedom 65.2 58.8
Investment freedom 60 55
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Tanzania
2026 57.3 59
2025 56 59.3
2024 55.8 59.1
2023 58 60
2022 59.8 59.5
2021 59.2 61.3
2020 59.4 61.7
2019 57.5 60.2
2018 56 59.9
2017 56.2 58.6
2016 63 58.5
2015 63 57.5
2014 64.2 57.8
2013 61.3 57.9
2012 60.7 57
2011 59.4 57
2010 60.2 58.3
2009 58.1 58.3
2008 57 56.5
2007 57.6 56.8
2006 55.6 58.5
2005 56.5 56.3
2004 59.1 60.1
2003 58.2 56.9
2002 57.2 58.3
2001 58 54.9
2000 58.1 56
1999 57.9 60
1998 57 59.6
1997 56.7 59.3
1996 57.7 57.5
1995 55.6 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1962–2000, 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.