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Economy of Ghana vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 80/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Ghana vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Ghana
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Vanuatu
2024 $82,308,110,386 $1,117,972,034
2023 $80,547,146,878 $1,115,861,056
2022 $73,919,003,210 $1,055,031,361
2021 $79,514,204,730 $950,394,007
2020 $70,008,243,860 $909,421,044
2019 $68,352,629,246 $936,526,268
2018 $67,259,353,966 $914,727,908
2017 $60,385,409,435 $880,043,284
2016 $56,144,179,398 $804,323,577
2015 $49,436,806,230 $759,690,181
2014 $54,678,533,806 $773,717,011
2013 $62,845,721,960 $758,304,466
2012 $41,271,701,061 $747,839,698
2011 $39,336,668,081 $770,153,588
2010 $32,197,655,567 $670,712,980
2009 $26,048,720,006 $592,622,319
2008 $28,679,383,241 $590,748,429
2007 $24,827,339,138 $516,392,923
2006 $20,885,037,597 $439,358,587
2005 $10,744,568,381 $394,962,433
2004 $8,881,417,907 $364,996,869
2003 $7,632,723,556 $314,471,413
2002 $6,166,197,848 $262,596,536
2001 $5,314,872,854 $257,926,882
2000 $4,982,850,662 $272,014,628
1999 $7,718,109,982 $268,006,973
1998 $7,482,069,162 $262,293,411
1997 $6,891,443,192 $272,771,209
1996 $6,932,991,739 $261,370,044
1995 $6,464,382,808 $249,333,250
1994 $5,446,383,727 $233,701,301
1993 $5,968,922,939 $200,491,853
1992 $6,416,103,926 $209,088,825
1991 $6,603,185,268 $201,334,169
1990 $5,889,106,573 $168,879,207
1989 $5,251,858,440 $154,013,202
1988 $5,197,765,032 $158,351,368
1987 $5,074,829,932 $139,464,174
1986 $5,735,677,434 $126,498,935
1985 $4,504,306,723 $131,856,421
1984 $4,412,279,843 $144,482,515
1983 $4,057,275,132 $117,389,554
1982 $4,035,994,398 $114,501,913
1981 $4,222,441,860 $113,781,796
1980 $4,445,228,216 $121,185,498
1979 $4,020,227,920 $119,258,835
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Vanuatu by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $906 $3,103 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $479 $2,904 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $406 $2,729 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $358 $2,584 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $403 $2,239 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $400 $2,167 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $378 $2,097 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $389 $2,026 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $372 $1,947 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $321 $1,875 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $360 $1,821 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $396 $1,739 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $383 $1,581 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $350 - $1,067 -
1988 $355 - $1,125 -
1987 $355 - $1,017 -
1986 $411 - $946 -
1985 $330 - $1,012 -
1984 $330 - $1,137 -
1983 $311 - $947 -
1982 $319 - $946 -
1981 $344 - $962 -
1980 $372 - $1,048 -
1979 $347 - $1,055 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Ghana Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$3,164
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
4.05%
2020
Population
35885254
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 42% 42.8%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 43.4% 48%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 20.9% 62% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 17.6% 57% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 21% 50.1% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 19% 32.9% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 22.3% 37%
2000 12% 74.5% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 27.9% 28%
1997 12% 45.2% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 13% 47.6% 28% 24.1%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 31.8% 21%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 33.2% 15.9%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 57/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Vanuatu
2024 -7.31% -2.34%
2023 -3.37% -0.95%
2022 -11.8% -6.5%
2021 -12% 2.38%
2020 -17.4% -1.95%
2019 -7.52% 2.81%
2018 -6.79% 6.26%
2017 -3.97% -1.2%
2016 -6.75% -0.72%
2015 -4.01% -8.66%
2014 -7.81% 1.44%
2013 -9.12% -0.25%
2012 -8.36% -1.7%
2011 -5.47% -2.19%
2010 -7.13% -2.63%
2009 -5.05% -0.85%
2008 -5.56% -0.04%
2007 -4.91% 0.28%
2006 -3.11% 0.49%
2005 -1.87% 1.86%
2004 -2.02% 0.8%
2003 -1.99% -1.35%
2002 -2.73% -3.63%
2001 -3.64% -3.33%
2000 -3.98% -6.28%
1999 -5.64% -0.55%
1998 -5.27% -6.65%
1997 -6.14% -0.51%
1996 -5.61% -1.78%
1995 -4.52% -2.59%
1994 -4.99% -1.49%
1993 -5.39% -3.67%
1992 -4.5% -2.32%
1991 -1.47% -2.81%
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/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 34 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Vanuatu
2024 22.8% -
2023 38.1% 11.2%
2022 31.3% 6.68%
2021 9.97% 2.34%
2020 9.89% 5.33%
2019 7.14% 2.76%
2018 7.81% 2.33%
2017 12.4% 3.08%
2016 17.5% 0.84%
2015 17.1% 2.48%
2014 15.5% 0.8%
2013 11.7% 1.46%
2012 11.2% 1.35%
2011 8.73% 0.87%
2010 10.7% 2.76%
2009 19.2% 4.3%
2008 16.5% 4.84%
2007 10.7% 3.94%
2006 11.7% 2.04%
2005 15.4% 1.2%
2004 18% 1.42%
2003 29.8% 3.02%
2002 9.36% 1.96%
2001 41.5% 3.58%
2000 40.2% 2.54%
1999 4.87% 2%
1998 14.6% 3.28%
1997 27.9% 2.83%

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

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

Over the past 27 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.4%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Ghana Vanuatu
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$230M
2022
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Vanuatu
Economic freedom 57.3 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 92/197
Property rights 50.2 62.1
Government integrity 45.4 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 67.9
Tax burden 79.4 96.9
Government spending 84 48.1
Fiscal health 10.1 78.8
Business freedom 64.5 50.3
Labor freedom 54.9 41
Monetary freedom 56.7 72.1
Trade freedom 65.2 62
Investment freedom 60 65
Financial freedom 60 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Vanuatu
2026 57.3 61.1
2025 56 61.8
2024 55.8 62.2
2023 58 62.1
2022 59.8 62.9
2021 59.2 60.5
2020 59.4 60.7
2019 57.5 56.4
2018 56 69.5
2017 56.2 67.4
2016 63 60.8
2015 63 61.1
2014 64.2 59.5
2013 61.3 56.6
2012 60.7 56.6
2011 59.4 56.7
2010 60.2 56.4
2009 58.1 58.4
2008 57 -
2007 57.6 -
2006 55.6 -
2005 56.5 -
2004 59.1 -
2003 58.2 -
2002 57.2 -
2001 58 -
2000 58.1 -
1999 57.9 -
1998 57 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.