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Economy of Ghana vs Yemen compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $21.6B for Yemen, ranking 80/197 and 125/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $18.8B (70.9% of GDP) in Yemen.

Ghana vs Yemen GDP by year

Ghana
Yemen
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Yemen
2024 $82,308,110,386 -
2023 $80,547,146,878 -
2022 $73,919,003,210 -
2021 $79,514,204,730 -
2020 $70,008,243,860 -
2019 $68,352,629,246 -
2018 $67,259,353,966 $21,606,160,663
2017 $60,385,409,435 $26,842,229,045
2016 $56,144,179,398 $31,317,825,274
2015 $49,436,806,230 $42,444,490,074
2014 $54,678,533,806 $43,228,585,321
2013 $62,845,721,960 $40,415,233,436
2012 $41,271,701,061 $35,401,331,610
2011 $39,336,668,081 $32,726,417,878
2010 $32,197,655,567 $30,906,749,533
2009 $26,048,720,006 $25,130,278,213
2008 $28,679,383,241 $26,910,855,807
2007 $24,827,339,138 $21,650,528,674
2006 $20,885,037,597 $19,063,143,370
2005 $10,744,568,381 $16,731,566,717
2004 $8,881,417,907 $13,867,634,371
2003 $7,632,723,556 $11,777,532,662
2002 $6,166,197,848 $10,693,430,511
2001 $5,314,872,854 $9,852,990,693
2000 $4,982,850,662 $9,679,316,770
1999 $7,718,109,982 $7,639,325,296
1998 $7,482,069,162 $6,322,175,566
1997 $6,891,443,192 $6,838,298,531
1996 $6,932,991,739 $6,496,163,616
1995 $6,464,382,808 $12,796,345,679
1994 $5,446,383,727 $28,019,483,764
1993 $5,968,922,939 $21,736,802,664
1992 $6,416,103,926 $17,959,367,194
1991 $6,603,185,268 $14,665,445,462
1990 $5,889,106,573 $12,643,821,569
1989 $5,251,858,440 -
1988 $5,197,765,032 -
1987 $5,074,829,932 -
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/yemen | CC BY

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Yemen by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Yemen
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Yemen
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 - -
2023 $2,384 $7,556 - -
2022 $2,230 $7,208 - -
2021 $2,445 $6,608 - -
2020 $2,195 $6,047 - -
2019 $2,187 $6,003 - -
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $634 -
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $811 -
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $975 -
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $1,362 -
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,430 -
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,379 $3,164
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,245 $3,005
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,186 $3,113
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $1,155 $3,603
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $969 $3,411
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $1,072 $3,370
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $890 $3,294
2006 $906 $3,103 $810 $3,205
2005 $479 $2,904 $734 $3,113
2004 $406 $2,729 $628 $2,949
2003 $358 $2,584 $549 $2,844
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $513 $2,768
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $487 $2,702
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $493 $2,624
1999 $403 $2,239 $401 $2,492
1998 $400 $2,167 $343 $2,442
1997 $378 $2,097 $383 $2,351
1996 $389 $2,026 $375 $2,268
1995 $372 $1,947 $764 $2,201
1994 $321 $1,875 $1,735 $2,115
1993 $360 $1,821 $1,397 $2,013
1992 $396 $1,739 $1,198 $1,963
1991 $418 $1,678 $1,016 $1,843
1990 $383 $1,581 $910 $1,742
1989 $350 - - -
1988 $355 - - -
1987 $355 - - -
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/yemen | CC BY

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $634 in Yemen, ranking 191/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Yemen ranks 178th at $3,164.

Economic indicators

Ghana Yemen
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$21.6B
2018
GDP rank
80/197
2024
125/197
2018
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
0.75%
2017-2018
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$634
2018
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
191/197
2018
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$3,164
2013
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
178/197
2013
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$18.8B
2018
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
70.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$551
2018
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
165/185
2018
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$1,127
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
29.4%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
3%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
8.91%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
33.9%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
13.5%
2014
Population
35885254
43325643

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Yemen
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Yemen
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 8.91% 70.9%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 11.8% 77.9%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 12.2% 65.3%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 8.22% 75.9%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 10.6% 87%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 13.2% 91.5%
2018 20.9% 62% 14.3% 86.9%
2017 17.6% 57% 8.39% 83.8%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 16.1% 76.5%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 19.4% 57.7%
2014 21% 50.1% 27.8% 48.9%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 30.8% 48.4%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 36.2% 47.6%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 29.8% 45.7%
2010 19% 32.9% 30.2% 42.4%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 35.2% 49.8%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 41.2% 36.4%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 40.3% 40.4%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 37.4% 40.8%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 36.8% 43.8%
2004 13.7% 38.4% 34.2% 52.1%
2003 12.1% 49.3% 35.3% 56.8%
2002 10.7% 54.1% 30.8% 57.8%
2001 13.8% 57.8% 30.5% 60.6%
2000 12% 74.5% 31.7% 60.8%
1999 11.1% 51.7% 28.2% 96.1%
1998 11.8% 37.6% 34.3% 110.6%
1997 12% 45.2% 34.2% 74.2%
1996 12.4% 42.9% 30.7% 114.9%
1995 13% 47.6% 24.1% 84.1%
1994 12.7% 50.6% 25.2% 73.3%
1993 12.1% 34.1% 25.8% 76.7%
1992 9.2% 21.3% 24.6% 78%
1991 7.09% 17.3% 24.7% 82.7%
1990 6.59% 17.8% 26.6% 91.6%
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 (1962–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Yemen spent $3.08B, or 8.91% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 70.9% in Yemen, ranking 57/185 and 55/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Yemen
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Yemen
2024 -7.31% -2.48%
2023 -3.37% -5.63%
2022 -11.8% -2.15%
2021 -12% -0.89%
2020 -17.4% -4.3%
2019 -7.52% -5.89%
2018 -6.79% -7.85%
2017 -3.97% -4.9%
2016 -6.75% -8.51%
2015 -4.01% -8.75%
2014 -7.81% -4.14%
2013 -9.12% -6.9%
2012 -8.36% -6.32%
2011 -5.47% -4.51%
2010 -7.13% -4.06%
2009 -5.05% -10.2%
2008 -5.56% -4.53%
2007 -4.91% -7.18%
2006 -3.11% 1.19%
2005 -1.87% -1.82%
2004 -2.02% -2.15%
2003 -1.99% -4.2%
2002 -2.73% -0.56%
2001 -3.64% 2.79%
2000 -3.98% 6.09%
1999 -5.64% 0.06%
1998 -5.27% -7.77%
1997 -6.14% -1.5%
1996 -5.61% -0.92%
1995 -4.52% -5.74%
1994 -4.99% -14%
1993 -5.39% -12.8%
1992 -4.5% -10.9%
1991 -1.47% -5.76%
1990 -1.93% -10.3%
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/yemen | CC BY

In 2018, Ghana's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $4.57B, equivalent to 6.79% of GDP. This compares to Yemen's deficit of $1.7B, or 7.85% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Yemen ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 4.82% of GDP, compared to deficit of 5.04% of GDP for Yemen.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Yemen
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Yemen
2024 22.8% 33.9%
2023 38.1% 0.9%
2022 31.3% 29.5%
2021 9.97% 31.5%
2020 9.89% 21.7%
2019 7.14% 15.7%
2018 7.81% 33.6%
2017 12.4% 30.4%
2016 17.5% 21.3%
2015 17.1% 22%
2014 15.5% 8.2%
2013 11.7% 11%
2012 11.2% 9.9%
2011 8.73% 19.5%
2010 10.7% 11.2%
2009 19.2% 3.7%
2008 16.5% 19%
2007 10.7% 7.9%
2006 11.7% 10.8%
2005 15.4% 9.9%
2004 18% 12.5%
2003 29.8% 10.8%
2002 9.36% 12.2%
2001 41.5% 11.9%
2000 40.2% 11%
1999 4.87% 7.9%
1998 14.6% 11.5%
1997 27.9% 4.6%

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/yemen | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 15.5% in Yemen. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 33.9% in Yemen.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $34K
Wood & paper products $16K
Raw agricultural goods $1K
Yemen
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $494K

Balance of trade

Ghana Yemen
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
-$2.42B
2016
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
148/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
-7.72%
2016
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$6.8B
2016
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$473M
2016
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$1.46B
2016
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$466M
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
47.3%
2018
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
8.76%
2018

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Yemen
Economic freedom 57.3 53.7
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 138/197
Property rights 50.2 3.5
Government integrity 45.4 6.2
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 9.9
Tax burden 79.4 93.7
Government spending 84 0
Fiscal health 10.1 71.2
Business freedom 64.5 31.3
Labor freedom 54.9 31.2
Monetary freedom 56.7 48.1
Trade freedom 65.2 67.4
Investment freedom 60 50
Financial freedom 60 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Yemen
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Yemen
2026 57.3 -
2025 56 -
2024 55.8 -
2023 58 -
2022 59.8 -
2021 59.2 -
2020 59.4 -
2019 57.5 -
2018 56 -
2017 56.2 -
2016 63 -
2015 63 53.7
2014 64.2 55.5
2013 61.3 55.9
2012 60.7 55.3
2011 59.4 54.2
2010 60.2 54.4
2009 58.1 56.9
2008 57 53.8
2007 57.6 54.1
2006 55.6 52.6
2005 56.5 53.8
2004 59.1 50.5
2003 58.2 50.3
2002 57.2 48.6
2001 58 44.3
2000 58.1 44.5
1999 57.9 43.3
1998 57 46.1
1997 56.7 48.4
1996 57.7 49.6
1995 55.6 49.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 53.7 for Yemen, ranking 138/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Yemen
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
41.8%
2018
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
25.4%
2018
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
28.7%
2018
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$25.3B
2018
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$3,020
2013
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$1.25B
2022
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
139/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
$15.4M
2015
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
-$371M
2019
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
0.53%
2018
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
48.6%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
6.18%
2018

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/yemen | 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 (1962–1998, 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 (2015–2023, 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.