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Economy of Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $25.6B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 80/197 and 115/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $16.5B (64.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Ghana
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Trinidad
2024 $82,308,110,386 $25,633,544,529
2023 $80,547,146,878 $25,036,993,423
2022 $73,919,003,210 $28,341,164,301
2021 $79,514,204,730 $24,222,963,263
2020 $70,008,243,860 $20,888,515,184
2019 $68,352,629,246 $23,477,745,792
2018 $67,259,353,966 $23,883,058,083
2017 $60,385,409,435 $23,830,750,901
2016 $56,144,179,398 $23,624,322,193
2015 $49,436,806,230 $26,841,141,793
2014 $54,678,533,806 $29,474,180,005
2013 $62,845,721,960 $28,560,537,057
2012 $41,271,701,061 $27,147,349,937
2011 $39,336,668,081 $25,433,007,437
2010 $32,197,655,567 $22,157,920,592
2009 $26,048,720,006 $19,172,165,226
2008 $28,679,383,241 $27,871,587,350
2007 $24,827,339,138 $21,641,620,050
2006 $20,885,037,597 $18,369,361,094
2005 $10,744,568,381 $15,982,389,018
2004 $8,881,417,907 $13,280,291,990
2003 $7,632,723,556 $11,305,459,802
2002 $6,166,197,848 $9,008,298,229
2001 $5,314,872,854 $8,824,849,191
2000 $4,982,850,662 $8,154,342,116
1999 $7,718,109,982 $6,808,982,521
1998 $7,482,069,162 $6,043,686,654
1997 $6,891,443,192 $5,737,771,523
1996 $6,932,991,739 $5,759,570,336
1995 $6,464,382,808 $5,329,217,747
1994 $5,446,383,727 $4,947,181,646
1993 $5,968,922,939 $4,669,491,134
1992 $6,416,103,926 $5,439,552,941
1991 $6,603,185,268 $5,307,905,882
1990 $5,889,106,573 $5,068,000,000
1989 $5,251,858,440 $4,323,058,824
1988 $5,197,765,032 $4,496,910,569
1987 $5,074,829,932 $4,797,777,778
1986 $5,735,677,434 $4,794,444,444
1985 $4,504,306,723 $7,375,918,367
1984 $4,412,279,843 $7,757,083,333
1983 $4,057,275,132 $7,763,750,000
1982 $4,035,994,398 $8,140,416,667
1981 $4,222,441,860 $6,992,083,333
1980 $4,445,228,216 $6,235,833,333
1979 $4,020,227,920 $4,602,416,625
1978 $3,662,478,185 $3,562,333,458
1977 $3,189,428,571 $3,138,666,667
1976 $2,765,254,237 $2,500,424,955
1975 $2,810,106,383 $2,442,669,825
1974 $2,894,409,938 $2,042,001,071
1973 $3,006,766,758 $1,308,785,431
1972 $2,112,293,280 $1,083,391,758
1971 $2,417,108,578 $896,765,215
1970 $2,215,028,588 $821,850,000
1969 $1,962,050,556 $779,200,000
1968 $1,666,909,518 $758,899,950
1967 $1,747,187,645 $761,981,912
1966 $2,126,300,672 $723,739,857
1965 $2,053,462,968 $736,573,159
1964 $1,731,296,200 $711,897,520
1963 $1,540,797,589 $678,239,329
1962 $1,382,515,654 $619,322,810
1961 $1,302,674,325 $584,964,621
1960 $1,217,230,095 $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $906 $3,103 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $479 $2,904 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $406 $2,729 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $358 $2,584 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $403 $2,239 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $400 $2,167 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $378 $2,097 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $389 $2,026 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $372 $1,947 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $321 $1,875 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $360 $1,821 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $396 $1,739 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $418 $1,678 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $383 $1,581 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $350 - $3,482 -
1988 $355 - $3,656 -
1987 $355 - $3,941 -
1986 $411 - $3,985 -
1985 $330 - $6,212 -
1984 $330 - $6,613 -
1983 $311 - $6,690 -
1982 $319 - $7,091 -
1981 $344 - $6,160 -
1980 $372 - $5,559 -
1979 $347 - $4,155 -
1978 $326 - $3,258 -
1977 $292.3 - $2,907 -
1976 $261 - $2,345 -
1975 $273 - $2,319 -
1974 $289.4 - $1,962 -
1973 $310 - $1,273 -
1972 $223.8 - $1,067 -
1971 $263.4 - $894 -
1970 $248.2 - $829 -
1969 $225.8 - $795 -
1968 $196.7 - $783 -
1967 $211.2 - $797 -
1966 $263.3 - $768 -
1965 $260.5 - $793 -
1964 $225 - $780 -
1963 $205 - $756 -
1962 $188.4 - $704 -
1961 $181.9 - $678 -
1960 $174.9 - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $18,733 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 61/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Ghana Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$25.6B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
115/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
2.51%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$18,733
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$16.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
64.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$12,028
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
45/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$11,007
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
32.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
4.01%
2024
Population
35885254
1374840

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 32.3% 64.2%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 33.5% 62.2%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 27.2% 51.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 30.3% 58.4%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 36.2% 62.5%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 31.2% 46.2%
2018 20.9% 62% 30.2% 41.5%
2017 17.6% 57% 30.7% 39.8%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 31.9% 35.4%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 35% 27.1%
2014 21% 50.1% 32.8% 23.5%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 31.3% 21.6%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 29.5% 21.8%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 29.4% 26.4%
2010 19% 32.9% 30.4% 16.8%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 37% 20.7%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 26.7% 13.5%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 25.7% 16.2%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 31.6% 16.9%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 26.7% 19.8%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 22.5% 24.2%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 22.2% 30.2%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 24.4% 37%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 24.8% 36.6%
2000 12% 74.5% 23.1% 38.9%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 24.1% 42.2%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 26.9% 42.8%
1997 12% 45.2% 27.2% 46.1%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 27.6% 47%
1995 13% 47.6% 26.2% 50.1%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 25.4% 52.6%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 26.9% 58.8%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 28.6% 49.2%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 29.6% 49.5%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 26.9% 47.7%
1989 7.24% 23% 30.9% 51.9%
1988 7.23% 23.5% 45.3% 65.3%
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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.28B, or 32.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 57/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Trinidad
2024 -7.31% -5.24%
2023 -3.37% -1.24%
2022 -11.8% 0.92%
2021 -12% -8.1%
2020 -17.4% -12.2%
2019 -7.52% -3.74%
2018 -6.79% -5.89%
2017 -3.97% -10.4%
2016 -6.75% -10.1%
2015 -4.01% -7.56%
2014 -7.81% -4.31%
2013 -9.12% -2.67%
2012 -8.36% -1.26%
2011 -5.47% -0.67%
2010 -7.13% 0.13%
2009 -5.05% -5.42%
2008 -5.56% 5.39%
2007 -4.91% 3.12%
2006 -3.11% 1.56%
2005 -1.87% 2.36%
2004 -2.02% 1.84%
2003 -1.99% 1.8%
2002 -2.73% -0.2%
2001 -3.64% 0.61%
2000 -3.98% 0.17%
1999 -5.64% -0.88%
1998 -5.27% -1.8%
1997 -6.14% 0.11%
1996 -5.61% -0.45%
1995 -4.52% 0.17%
1994 -4.99% -0.02%
1993 -5.39% 0.23%
1992 -4.5% -2.74%
1991 -1.47% -0.21%
1990 -1.93% -1.27%
1989 -0.81% -4.46%
1988 -1.08% -9.34%
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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.34B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 37 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.43% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.21% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Trinidad
2024 22.8% 0.53%
2023 38.1% 4.63%
2022 31.3% 5.83%
2021 9.97% 2.06%
2020 9.89% 0.6%
2019 7.14% 1%
2018 7.81% 1.02%
2017 12.4% 1.88%
2016 17.5% 3.07%
2015 17.1% 4.66%
2014 15.5% 5.68%
2013 11.7% 5.2%
2012 11.2% 9.26%
2011 8.73% 5.11%
2010 10.7% 10.5%
2009 19.2% 6.98%
2008 16.5% 12%
2007 10.7% 7.89%
2006 11.7% 8.33%
2005 15.4% 6.87%
2004 18% 3.72%
2003 29.8% 3.81%
2002 9.36% 4.15%
2001 41.5% 5.54%
2000 40.2% 3.56%
1999 4.87% 3.44%
1998 14.6% 5.61%
1997 27.9% 3.63%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 4.88% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $59K
Chemicals & pharma $41K
Wood & paper products $14K
Precious metals & jewellery $6K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Animal & marine products $1K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Trinidad
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $3.11M
Chemicals & pharma $320K
Machinery & equipment $60K
Metals $20K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Miscellaneous $6K
Wood & paper products $4K

Balance of trade

Ghana Trinidad
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$645M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$7.54B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$10B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$2.71B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$1.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
45%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Trinidad
Economic freedom 57.3 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 87/197
Property rights 50.2 47.3
Government integrity 45.4 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 58.8
Tax burden 79.4 76.1
Government spending 84 71.1
Fiscal health 10.1 86.3
Business freedom 64.5 67.1
Labor freedom 54.9 57.2
Monetary freedom 56.7 81
Trade freedom 65.2 68.8
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Trinidad
2026 57.3 62.4
2025 56 63.6
2024 55.8 60.4
2023 58 59.5
2022 59.8 58.8
2021 59.2 59
2020 59.4 58.3
2019 57.5 57
2018 56 57.7
2017 56.2 61.2
2016 63 62.9
2015 63 64.1
2014 64.2 62.7
2013 61.3 62.3
2012 60.7 64.4
2011 59.4 66.5
2010 60.2 65.7
2009 58.1 68
2008 57 69.5
2007 57.6 70.6
2006 55.6 70.4
2005 56.5 71.5
2004 59.1 71.3
2003 58.2 68.8
2002 57.2 70.1
2001 58 71.8
2000 58.1 74.5
1999 57.9 72.4
1998 57 72
1997 56.7 71.3
1996 57.7 69.2
1995 55.6 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$36,580
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
94/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$980M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
19%
2023

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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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)
  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.