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Economy of Ghana vs Uruguay compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $81B for Uruguay, ranking 80/197 and 81/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $55.6B (68.7% of GDP) in Uruguay.

Ghana vs Uruguay GDP by year

Ghana
Uruguay
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Uruguay
2024 $82,308,110,386 $80,961,511,074
2023 $80,547,146,878 $77,991,666,838
2022 $73,919,003,210 $70,594,110,920
2021 $79,514,204,730 $60,739,084,241
2020 $70,008,243,860 $53,559,359,262
2019 $68,352,629,246 $62,222,313,619
2018 $67,259,353,966 $65,344,577,416
2017 $60,385,409,435 $65,005,997,963
2016 $56,144,179,398 $57,480,787,465
2015 $49,436,806,230 $57,680,327,999
2014 $54,678,533,806 $61,496,186,974
2013 $62,845,721,960 $61,337,621,934
2012 $41,271,701,061 $54,232,266,359
2011 $39,336,668,081 $50,342,406,067
2010 $32,197,655,567 $41,950,361,212
2009 $26,048,720,006 $32,708,319,078
2008 $28,679,383,241 $31,119,602,539
2007 $24,827,339,138 $23,797,773,024
2006 $20,885,037,597 $19,741,420,740
2005 $10,744,568,381 $17,362,857,684
2004 $8,881,417,907 $13,686,329,890
2003 $7,632,723,556 $12,045,638,352
2002 $6,166,197,848 $13,606,515,723
2001 $5,314,872,854 $20,898,761,742
2000 $4,982,850,662 $22,823,270,892
1999 $7,718,109,982 $23,983,945,191
1998 $7,482,069,162 $25,385,886,978
1997 $6,891,443,192 $23,969,739,234
1996 $6,932,991,739 $20,515,458,114
1995 $6,464,382,808 $19,297,663,097
1994 $5,446,383,727 $17,474,588,896
1993 $5,968,922,939 $15,002,136,971
1992 $6,416,103,926 $12,878,148,791
1991 $6,603,185,268 $11,206,176,651
1990 $5,889,106,573 $9,298,807,850
1989 $5,251,858,440 $8,438,951,476
1988 $5,197,765,032 $8,213,538,369
1987 $5,074,829,932 $7,367,494,080
1986 $5,735,677,434 $5,880,112,788
1985 $4,504,306,723 $4,732,017,873
1984 $4,412,279,843 $4,850,238,550
1983 $4,057,275,132 $5,102,276,308
1982 $4,035,994,398 $9,178,780,077
1981 $4,222,441,860 $11,048,301,421
1980 $4,445,228,216 $10,163,020,116
1979 $4,020,227,920 $7,181,182,224
1978 $3,662,478,185 $4,910,254,566
1977 $3,189,428,571 $4,114,670,014
1976 $2,765,254,237 $3,667,161,241
1975 $2,810,106,383 $3,538,278,047
1974 $2,894,409,938 $4,090,209,682
1973 $3,006,766,758 $3,964,296,443
1972 $2,112,293,280 $2,189,418,689
1971 $2,417,108,578 $2,807,258,065
1970 $2,215,028,588 $2,137,096,774
1969 $1,962,050,556 $2,004,435,484
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,593,674,185
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,597,713,469
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,809,185,094
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,890,767,156
1964 $1,731,296,200 $1,975,701,816
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,539,681,491
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,710,004,407
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,547,388,781
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,242,289,239

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Uruguay by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Uruguay
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Uruguay
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $23,907 $36,418
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $23,019 $34,471
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $20,819 $33,001
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $17,882 $29,432
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $15,758 $25,725
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $18,316 $25,783
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $19,250 $24,386
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $19,185 $23,607
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $17,010 $22,841
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $17,126 $22,169
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $18,322 $21,868
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $18,335 $20,661
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $16,260 $19,495
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $15,132 $19,135
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $12,641 $17,873
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $9,881 $16,422
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $9,424 $15,694
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $7,222 $14,397
2006 $906 $3,103 $6,001 $13,179
2005 $479 $2,904 $5,284 $12,296
2004 $406 $2,729 $4,169 $11,103
2003 $358 $2,584 $3,671 $10,303
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $4,150 $10,030
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $6,383 $10,719
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $6,988 $10,929
1999 $403 $2,239 $7,371 $10,938
1998 $400 $2,167 $7,837 $11,002
1997 $378 $2,097 $7,436 $10,461
1996 $389 $2,026 $6,398 $9,524
1995 $372 $1,947 $6,050 $8,906
1994 $321 $1,875 $5,508 $8,897
1993 $360 $1,821 $4,753 $8,162
1992 $396 $1,739 $4,102 $7,808
1991 $418 $1,678 $3,589 $7,112
1990 $383 $1,581 $2,995 $6,683
1989 $350 - $2,734 -
1988 $355 - $2,677 -
1987 $355 - $2,416 -
1986 $411 - $1,939 -
1985 $330 - $1,568 -
1984 $330 - $1,615 -
1983 $311 - $1,707 -
1982 $319 - $3,085 -
1981 $344 - $3,728 -
1980 $372 - $3,443 -
1979 $347 - $2,443 -
1978 $326 - $1,678 -
1977 $292.3 - $1,414 -
1976 $261 - $1,268 -
1975 $273 - $1,232 -
1974 $289.4 - $1,433 -
1973 $310 - $1,397 -
1972 $223.8 - $776 -
1971 $263.4 - $1,000 -
1970 $248.2 - $766 -
1969 $225.8 - $723 -
1968 $196.7 - $579 -
1967 $211.2 - $585 -
1966 $263.3 - $668 -
1965 $260.5 - $705 -
1964 $225 - $745 -
1963 $205 - $587 -
1962 $188.4 - $659 -
1961 $181.9 - $604 -
1960 $174.9 - $491 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $23,907 in Uruguay, ranking 52/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Uruguay ranks 61st at $36,418.

Economic indicators

Ghana Uruguay
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$81B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
81/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
3.11%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$23,907
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
52/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$36,418
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
61/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$55.6B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
68.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$16,421
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
38/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$12,433
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$284M
1996
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
30%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
2.2%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
31.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
4.85%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
8.25%
2025
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
8.21%
2024
Population
35885254
3382789

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Uruguay
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Uruguay
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 31.1% 68.7%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 30.5% 64%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 30% 59.9%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 30.2% 64.1%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 32.8% 68.2%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 30.6% 59.6%
2018 20.9% 62% 30.3% 57.9%
2017 17.6% 57% 29.7% 55.8%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 29.7% 56.4%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 28.4% 57.8%
2014 21% 50.1% 29.1% 51.1%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 28.8% 50%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 27.7% 49.8%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 26.3% 41.3%
2010 19% 32.9% 27.4% 40.9%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 27.2% 46.2%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 26.3% 46.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 26.8% 52.8%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 26.8% 61.1%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 26.3% 66.2%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 26.6% 73.7%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 27.7% 91.9%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 27.6% 90.1%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 27.8% 39.4%
2000 12% 74.5% 26.6% 30.5%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 27.2% 24.1%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 27.3% 19.4%
1997 12% 45.2% 27.6% 18.8%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 26.5% 18.3%
1995 13% 47.6% 26.2% 18.5%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 29.5% 19.3%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 27.7% 20%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 23.6% 22.2%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 22.2% 20.4%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 21.1% 26.2%
1989 7.24% 23% 37% -
1988 7.23% 23.5% 26% 34.8%
1987 7.32% 26.8% 24.4% 37.3%
1986 7.29% 18.2% 25.1% 34.6%
1985 6.08% 14.4% 24.6% 29%
1984 4.64% 13% 25.6% 39.5%
1983 3.49% 9.21% 26.5% 21.2%
1982 4.73% 8.51% 29.5% 13.5%
1981 5.74% 8.77% 25% 4.32%
1980 7.51% 9.75% 21.8% 4.59%
1979 9.14% 11.5% 20.2% 3.98%
1978 6.54% 11.4% 22.9% 5.64%
1977 10.5% 20.7% 23.5% 7.26%
1976 12.8% 26% 24.2% 8.67%
1975 13.2% 21.8% 23% 8.13%
1974 9.52% 21.8% 23.8% 7.61%
1973 9.35% 25.4% 22.6% 7%
1972 11.4% 29.8% 24.6% 9.12%
1971 11.7% 29.5% 20.1% 9.3%
1970 12.2% 31.9% 15.1% 6.11%
1969 11.2% 31.4% 14.6% -
1968 12.3% 34.5% 14.1% -
1967 11.5% 33.9% 14.7% -
1966 9.12% 29.8% 14.1% -
1965 14.2% 30.2% 15.6% -
1964 15.8% 30.8% 14.3% -
1963 15.3% 30.5% 14.6% -
1962 12.5% 11.8% 16% -
1961 - - 13% -
1960 - - 9.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Uruguay spent $25.2B, or 31.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 68.7% in Uruguay, ranking 57/185 and 59/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Uruguay
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Uruguay
2024 -7.31% -3.22%
2023 -3.37% -3.13%
2022 -11.8% -2.52%
2021 -12% -2.61%
2020 -17.4% -4.64%
2019 -7.52% -2.71%
2018 -6.79% -1.89%
2017 -3.97% -2.51%
2016 -6.75% -2.68%
2015 -4.01% -1.86%
2014 -7.81% -2.6%
2013 -9.12% -1.72%
2012 -8.36% -2.17%
2011 -5.47% -0.33%
2010 -7.13% -0.39%
2009 -5.05% -1.39%
2008 -5.56% -1.31%
2007 -4.91% -0.16%
2006 -3.11% -0.64%
2005 -1.87% -0.28%
2004 -2.02% -0.87%
2003 -1.99% -2.19%
2002 -2.73% -3.19%
2001 -3.64% -2.85%
2000 -3.98% -2.76%
1999 -5.64% -2.76%
1998 -5.27% -0.76%
1997 -6.14% -0.97%
1996 -5.61% -1.32%
1995 -4.52% -1.08%
1994 -4.99% -2.37%
1993 -5.39% -0.47%
1992 -4.5% 0.6%
1991 -1.47% 0.88%
1990 -1.93% 0.49%
1989 -0.81% -13.1%
1988 -1.08% -1.47%
1987 -0.92% -0.66%
1986 -1.26% -0.34%
1985 -1.19% -1.88%
1984 -0.98% -4.94%
1983 -1.13% -3.54%
1982 -2.03% -8.22%
1981 -3.8% -1.15%
1980 -4.73% 0.43%
1979 -3.61% 0.99%
1978 -1.21% -0.47%
1977 -4.68% -0.69%
1976 -5.53% -2.01%
1975 -4.05% -4.38%
1974 -2.06% -3.74%
1973 -2.64% -1.09%
1972 -2.19% -2.25%
1971 0.13% -5.86%
1970 -2.35% -1.33%
1969 -2.67% -2.37%
1968 -2.34% -2.93%
1967 -2.32% -4.12%
1966 -1.29% -2.01%
1965 -3.29% -5.14%
1964 -3.72% -3.61%
1963 -5.66% -4.4%
1962 -5.04% -5.02%
1961 - -0.86%
1960 - 0.79%
1959 - 0.64%
1958 - -1.38%
1957 - -0.72%
1956 - 0.04%
1955 - -1.24%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/ghana/uruguay | 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 Uruguay's deficit of $2.6B, or 3.22% of GDP.

Over the past 63 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 62 of those years, while Uruguay ran a deficit in 58 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.31% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.28% of GDP for Uruguay.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Uruguay
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Uruguay
2024 22.8% 4.85%
2023 38.1% 5.87%
2022 31.3% 9.1%
2021 9.97% 7.75%
2020 9.89% 9.76%
2019 7.14% 7.88%
2018 7.81% 7.61%
2017 12.4% 6.22%
2016 17.5% 9.64%
2015 17.1% 8.67%
2014 15.5% 8.88%
2013 11.7% 8.58%
2012 11.2% 8.1%
2011 8.73% 8.09%
2010 10.7% 6.7%
2009 19.2% 7.06%
2008 16.5% 7.88%
2007 10.7% 8.11%
2006 11.7% 6.4%
2005 15.4% 4.7%
2004 18% 9.16%
2003 29.8% 19.4%
2002 9.36% 14%
2001 41.5% 4.36%
2000 40.2% 4.76%
1999 4.87% 5.66%
1998 14.6% 10.8%
1997 27.9% 19.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 8.56% in Uruguay. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 4.85% in Uruguay.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $592K
Machinery & equipment $502K
Uruguay
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $3.99M
Chemicals & pharma $95K
Precious metals & jewellery $37K

Balance of trade

Ghana Uruguay
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-0.78%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$13B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$16.3B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$6.22B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$7.1B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
23.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
28.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Uruguay
Economic freedom 57.3 69.8
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 39/197
Property rights 50.2 87.4
Government integrity 45.4 79
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 80.9
Tax burden 79.4 73.3
Government spending 84 72
Fiscal health 10.1 76.6
Business freedom 64.5 83.8
Labor freedom 54.9 61.7
Monetary freedom 56.7 70.2
Trade freedom 65.2 73.2
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Uruguay
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Uruguay
2026 57.3 69.8
2025 56 70.2
2024 55.8 69.8
2023 58 70.2
2022 59.8 70
2021 59.2 69.3
2020 59.4 69.1
2019 57.5 68.6
2018 56 69.2
2017 56.2 69.7
2016 63 68.8
2015 63 68.6
2014 64.2 69.3
2013 61.3 69.7
2012 60.7 69.9
2011 59.4 70
2010 60.2 69.8
2009 58.1 69.1
2008 57 67.9
2007 57.6 68.4
2006 55.6 65.3
2005 56.5 66.9
2004 59.1 66.7
2003 58.2 69.8
2002 57.2 68.7
2001 58 70.7
2000 58.1 69.3
1999 57.9 68.5
1998 57 68.6
1997 56.7 67.5
1996 57.7 63.7
1995 55.6 62.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 69.8 for Uruguay, ranking 39/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Uruguay
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
65.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
16.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
6.42%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$73.3B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$34,170
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$17.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
66/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$2.58B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
-$3.94B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
-$1.37B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
17.3%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
15.6%
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/uruguay | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1955–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, 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 (2020–2024, 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.