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Economy of Ghana vs Turkmenistan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $51.4B for Turkmenistan, ranking 80/197 and 92/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $2.11B (4.11% of GDP) in Turkmenistan.

Ghana vs Turkmenistan GDP by year

Ghana
Turkmenistan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Turkmenistan
2024 $82,308,110,386 $51,387,209,872
2023 $80,547,146,878 $45,894,538,666
2022 $73,919,003,210 $42,208,726,138
2021 $79,514,204,730 $40,589,905,812
2020 $70,008,243,860 $41,509,903,182
2019 $68,352,629,246 $40,810,067,975
2018 $67,259,353,966 $40,765,428,571
2017 $60,385,409,435 $37,926,285,714
2016 $56,144,179,398 $36,169,428,571
2015 $49,436,806,230 $35,799,714,286
2014 $54,678,533,806 $43,524,210,526
2013 $62,845,721,960 $39,197,543,860
2012 $41,271,701,061 $35,164,210,526
2011 $39,336,668,081 $29,233,333,333
2010 $32,197,655,567 $22,583,157,895
2009 $26,048,720,006 $20,214,385,965
2008 $28,679,383,241 $19,271,523,179
2007 $24,827,339,138 $12,664,165,103
2006 $20,885,037,597 $10,276,674,365
2005 $10,744,568,381 $8,103,901,996
2004 $8,881,417,907 $6,838,351,088
2003 $7,632,723,556 $5,977,440,583
2002 $6,166,197,848 $4,462,029,109
2001 $5,314,872,854 $3,534,772,732
2000 $4,982,850,662 $2,904,663,311
1999 $7,718,109,982 $2,450,564,100
1998 $7,482,069,162 $2,605,689,134
1997 $6,891,443,192 $2,450,350,625
1996 $6,932,991,739 $2,378,759,975
1995 $6,464,382,808 $2,482,228,440
1994 $5,446,383,727 $2,561,118,608
1993 $5,968,922,939 $3,179,225,949
1992 $6,416,103,926 $3,200,539,816
1991 $6,603,185,268 $3,208,098,919
1990 $5,889,106,573 $3,189,539,641
1989 $5,251,858,440 $3,006,988,217
1988 $5,197,765,032 $3,010,982,414
1987 $5,074,829,932 $2,331,358,820
1986 $5,735,677,434 -
1985 $4,504,306,723 -
1984 $4,412,279,843 -
1983 $4,057,275,132 -
1982 $4,035,994,398 -
1981 $4,222,441,860 -
1980 $4,445,228,216 -
1979 $4,020,227,920 -
1978 $3,662,478,185 -
1977 $3,189,428,571 -
1976 $2,765,254,237 -
1975 $2,810,106,383 -
1974 $2,894,409,938 -
1973 $3,006,766,758 -
1972 $2,112,293,280 -
1971 $2,417,108,578 -
1970 $2,215,028,588 -
1969 $1,962,050,556 -
1968 $1,666,909,518 -
1967 $1,747,187,645 -
1966 $2,126,300,672 -
1965 $2,053,462,968 -
1964 $1,731,296,200 -
1963 $1,540,797,589 -
1962 $1,382,515,654 -
1961 $1,302,674,325 -
1960 $1,217,230,095 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Turkmenistan by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkmenistan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Turkmenistan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $6,857 $21,213
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $6,232 $19,829
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $5,838 $18,340
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $5,723 $16,434
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $5,973 $15,091
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $5,998 $15,478
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $6,125 $14,368
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $5,828 $13,278
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $5,687 $12,919
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $5,759 $12,715
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $7,164 $12,477
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $6,600 $11,723
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $6,054 $11,035
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $5,144 $10,283
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $4,059 $8,972
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $3,708 $8,285
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $3,606 $7,916
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $2,415 $6,901
2006 $906 $3,103 $1,997 $6,164
2005 $479 $2,904 $1,604 $5,489
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,379 $4,798
2003 $358 $2,584 $1,229 $4,536
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $936 $4,393
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $756 $4,401
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $634 $4,209
1999 $403 $2,239 $546 $3,981
1998 $400 $2,167 $591 $3,432
1997 $378 $2,097 $565 $3,222
1996 $389 $2,026 $558 $3,636
1995 $372 $1,947 $592 $3,405
1994 $321 $1,875 $622 $3,659
1993 $360 $1,821 $788 $4,422
1992 $396 $1,739 $811 $4,351
1991 $418 $1,678 $832 $5,117
1990 $383 $1,581 $848 $5,321
1989 $350 - $821 -
1988 $355 - $846 -
1987 $355 - $675 -
1986 $411 - - -
1985 $330 - - -
1984 $330 - - -
1983 $311 - - -
1982 $319 - - -
1981 $344 - - -
1980 $372 - - -
1979 $347 - - -
1978 $326 - - -
1977 $292.3 - - -
1976 $261 - - -
1975 $273 - - -
1974 $289.4 - - -
1973 $310 - - -
1972 $223.8 - - -
1971 $263.4 - - -
1970 $248.2 - - -
1969 $225.8 - - -
1968 $196.7 - - -
1967 $211.2 - - -
1966 $263.3 - - -
1965 $260.5 - - -
1964 $225 - - -
1963 $205 - - -
1962 $188.4 - - -
1961 $181.9 - - -
1960 $174.9 - - -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $6,857 in Turkmenistan, ranking 104/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Turkmenistan ranks 94th at $21,213.

Economic indicators

Ghana Turkmenistan
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$51.4B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
92/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
6.3%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$6,857
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
104/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$21,213
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
94/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$2.11B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
4.11%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$282
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
179/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$7,520
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
31.5%
1998
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.4%
1998
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
14.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
4.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
4%
2010
Population
35885254
7776557

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Turkmenistan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Turkmenistan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 14.5% 4.11%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 13.7% 5.46%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 13% 7.14%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 13.4% 12.3%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 13.5% 15.4%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 13.6% 17.7%
2018 20.9% 62% 13.7% 22.5%
2017 17.6% 57% 17.8% 24.7%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 14.1% 21.1%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 17.3% 19%
2014 21% 50.1% 17% 16%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 16.9% 20.4%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 14.7% 17.9%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 15.4% 14.8%
2010 19% 32.9% 14.6% 7.04%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 14.4% 3.09%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 11.7% 3.56%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 14.4% 3.06%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 16% 4.23%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 21.1% 6.82%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 20.3% 11.4%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 20.8% 16.9%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 19.4% 24.2%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 22.6% 34.1%
2000 12% 74.5% 25.9% 55.1%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 20.8% 66.7%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 26.1% 81.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 26.9% 64.2%
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% - -
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 (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Turkmenistan spent $7.46B, or 14.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 4.11% in Turkmenistan, ranking 57/185 and 183/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Turkmenistan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Turkmenistan
2024 -7.31% -0.08%
2023 -3.37% 0.11%
2022 -11.8% 3.38%
2021 -12% 0.57%
2020 -17.4% -0.16%
2019 -7.52% -0.4%
2018 -6.79% -0.22%
2017 -3.97% -2.84%
2016 -6.75% -2.38%
2015 -4.01% -0.7%
2014 -7.81% 0.89%
2013 -9.12% 1.53%
2012 -8.36% 7.53%
2011 -5.47% 3.84%
2010 -7.13% 2.13%
2009 -5.05% 7.53%
2008 -5.56% 10.7%
2007 -4.91% 4.19%
2006 -3.11% 5.64%
2005 -1.87% 0.86%
2004 -2.02% 1.47%
2003 -1.99% 3.99%
2002 -2.73% 0.19%
2001 -3.64% 0.77%
2000 -3.98% -0.55%
1999 -5.64% 2.48%
1998 -5.27% 1.15%
1997 -6.14% -0.2%
1996 -5.61% -
1995 -4.52% -
1994 -4.99% -
1993 -5.39% -
1992 -4.5% -
1991 -1.47% -
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/turkmenistan | 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 Turkmenistan's deficit of $42.9M, or 0.08% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Turkmenistan ran a deficit in 9 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.1% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.84% of GDP for Turkmenistan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Turkmenistan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Turkmenistan
2024 22.8% 4.6%
2023 38.1% -1.6%
2022 31.3% 11.2%
2021 9.97% 19.5%
2020 9.89% 6.1%
2019 7.14% 5.1%
2018 7.81% 13.3%
2017 12.4% 8%
2016 17.5% 3.6%
2015 17.1% 7.4%
2014 15.5% 6%
2013 11.7% 6.8%
2012 11.2% 5.3%
2011 8.73% 5.3%
2010 10.7% 4.4%
2009 19.2% -2.7%
2008 16.5% 14.5%
2007 10.7% 6.3%
2006 11.7% 8.2%
2005 15.4% 10.7%
2004 18% 5.9%
2003 29.8% 5.6%
2002 9.36% 8.8%
2001 41.5% 11.6%
2000 40.2% 8%
1999 4.87% 23.5%
1998 14.6% 16.8%
1997 27.9% 83.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 10.9% in Turkmenistan. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 4.6% in Turkmenistan.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Turkmenistan
Export category Export value
Wood & paper products $127K
Machinery & equipment $22K
Metals $7K

Balance of trade

Ghana Turkmenistan
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
n/a
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
n/a
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
n/a
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
n/a
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
n/a
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
n/a
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
n/a
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
11.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
17.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Turkmenistan
Economic freedom 57.3 47
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 177/197
Property rights 50.2 17.4
Government integrity 45.4 8.4
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 12.3
Tax burden 79.4 94.2
Government spending 84 94.3
Fiscal health 10.1 99.9
Business freedom 64.5 37.5
Labor freedom 54.9 29.3
Monetary freedom 56.7 76.7
Trade freedom 65.2 74.2
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Turkmenistan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Turkmenistan
2026 57.3 47
2025 56 47.1
2024 55.8 46.3
2023 58 46.5
2022 59.8 46.2
2021 59.2 47.4
2020 59.4 46.5
2019 57.5 48.4
2018 56 47.1
2017 56.2 47.4
2016 63 41.9
2015 63 41.4
2014 64.2 42.2
2013 61.3 42.6
2012 60.7 43.8
2011 59.4 43.6
2010 60.2 42.5
2009 58.1 44.2
2008 57 43.4
2007 57.6 43
2006 55.6 43.8
2005 56.5 47.6
2004 59.1 50.7
2003 58.2 51.3
2002 57.2 43.2
2001 58 41.8
2000 58.1 37.6
1999 57.9 36.1
1998 57 35
1997 56.7 -
1996 57.7 -
1995 55.6 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 47 for Turkmenistan, ranking 177/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Turkmenistan
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
50.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
37.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
12.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$48.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$21,020
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$1.51B
1999
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
135/177
1999
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
n/a
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$1.64B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
1.91%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
0.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
47.2%
2012

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/turkmenistan | 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 (2023, 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.