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Economy of Ghana vs Zimbabwe compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Ghana has a GDP of $82.3B compared to $41.5B for Zimbabwe, ranking 80/197 and 102/197 by economy size, respectively.

Ghana has $57.9B in government debt (70.3% of GDP), compared to $30.3B (73% of GDP) in Zimbabwe.

Ghana vs Zimbabwe GDP by year

Ghana
Zimbabwe
1x
Year GDP, current $
Ghana Zimbabwe
2024 $82,308,110,386 $41,539,411,516
2023 $80,547,146,878 $35,871,779,681
2022 $73,919,003,210 $40,757,561,709
2021 $79,514,204,730 $41,287,673,690
2020 $70,008,243,860 $31,980,334,561
2019 $68,352,629,246 $33,357,695,635
2018 $67,259,353,966 $34,141,666,667
2017 $60,385,409,435 $51,035,657,371
2016 $56,144,179,398 $20,559,250,000
2015 $49,436,806,230 $19,973,250,000
2014 $54,678,533,806 $19,505,500,000
2013 $62,845,721,960 $19,100,750,000
2012 $41,271,701,061 $17,123,500,000
2011 $39,336,668,081 $14,109,000,000
2010 $32,197,655,567 $12,047,750,000
2009 $26,048,720,006 $9,670,750,000
2008 $28,679,383,241 $4,418,000,000
2007 $24,827,339,138 $5,294,750,000
2006 $20,885,037,597 $5,446,750,000
2005 $10,744,568,381 $5,758,250,000
2004 $8,881,417,907 $5,808,500,000
2003 $7,632,723,556 $5,730,500,000
2002 $6,166,197,848 $6,345,250,000
2001 $5,314,872,854 $6,780,750,000
2000 $4,982,850,662 $6,693,250,000
1999 $7,718,109,982 $6,861,500,000
1998 $7,482,069,162 $6,405,250,000
1997 $6,891,443,192 $8,534,000,000
1996 $6,932,991,739 $8,557,500,000
1995 $6,464,382,808 $7,115,000,000
1994 $5,446,383,727 $6,894,250,000
1993 $5,968,922,939 $6,567,250,000
1992 $6,416,103,926 $6,755,000,000
1991 $6,603,185,268 $8,646,000,000
1990 $5,889,106,573 $8,788,301,546
1989 $5,251,858,440 $8,290,553,535
1988 $5,197,765,032 $7,818,774,177
1987 $5,074,829,932 $6,744,657,033
1986 $5,735,677,434 $6,220,698,247
1985 $4,504,306,723 $5,640,137,575
1984 $4,412,279,843 $6,355,369,172
1983 $4,057,275,132 $7,768,031,182
1982 $4,035,994,398 $8,544,060,905
1981 $4,222,441,860 $8,015,464,252
1980 $4,445,228,216 $6,682,278,300
1979 $4,020,227,920 $5,180,102,910
1978 $3,662,478,185 $4,353,822,343
1977 $3,189,428,571 $4,366,610,469
1976 $2,765,254,237 $4,320,576,877
1975 $2,810,106,383 $4,373,532,601
1974 $2,894,409,938 $3,984,194,614
1973 $3,006,766,758 $3,311,043,292
1972 $2,112,293,280 $2,679,096,597
1971 $2,417,108,578 $2,179,828,710
1970 $2,215,028,588 $1,885,168,339
1969 $1,962,050,556 $1,748,891,294
1968 $1,666,909,518 $1,480,355,355
1967 $1,747,187,645 $1,397,715,282
1966 $2,126,300,672 $1,282,403,936
1965 $2,053,462,968 $1,312,105,394
1964 $1,731,296,200 $1,217,759,447
1963 $1,540,797,589 $1,160,103,724
1962 $1,382,515,654 $1,118,172,226
1961 $1,302,674,325 $1,097,206,526
1960 $1,217,230,095 $1,053,528,036

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

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

GDP per capita in Ghana vs Zimbabwe by year

Ghana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Zimbabwe
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Ghana Zimbabwe
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,391 $8,020 $2,497 $5,928
2023 $2,384 $7,556 $2,195 $5,791
2022 $2,230 $7,208 $2,536 $5,396
2021 $2,445 $6,608 $2,614 $4,827
2020 $2,195 $6,047 $2,060 $4,179
2019 $2,187 $6,003 $2,184 $4,166
2018 $2,195 $5,536 $2,271 $3,993
2017 $2,012 $5,171 $3,445 $10,756
2016 $1,912 $5,011 $1,408 $4,275
2015 $1,723 $5,191 $1,387 $4,046
2014 $1,950 $5,517 $1,373 $3,903
2013 $2,295 $5,215 $1,363 $3,784
2012 $1,544 $4,934 $1,239 $3,472
2011 $1,507 $4,381 $1,038 $3,047
2010 $1,264 $3,855 $902 $2,661
2009 $1,048 $3,617 $736 $2,233
2008 $1,183 $3,516 $341 $1,987
2007 $1,050 $3,241 $414 $2,396
2006 $906 $3,103 $431 $2,454
2005 $479 $2,904 $461 $2,496
2004 $406 $2,729 $470 $2,591
2003 $358 $2,584 $468 $2,708
2002 $297.5 $2,475 $525 $3,238
2001 $263.5 $2,397 $566 $3,533
2000 $253.7 $2,315 $563 $3,429
1999 $403 $2,239 $582 $3,491
1998 $400 $2,167 $552 $3,527
1997 $378 $2,097 $751 $3,457
1996 $389 $2,026 $767 $3,372
1995 $372 $1,947 $648 $3,051
1994 $321 $1,875 $634 $3,012
1993 $360 $1,821 $605 $2,703
1992 $396 $1,739 $631 $2,651
1991 $418 $1,678 $831 $2,930
1990 $383 $1,581 $867 $2,757
1989 $350 - $840 -
1988 $355 - $816 -
1987 $355 - $726 -
1986 $411 - $693 -
1985 $330 - $649 -
1984 $330 - $757 -
1983 $311 - $959 -
1982 $319 - $1,096 -
1981 $344 - $1,069 -
1980 $372 - $949 -
1979 $347 - $779 -
1978 $326 - $665 -
1977 $292.3 - $677 -
1976 $261 - $687 -
1975 $273 - $717 -
1974 $289.4 - $674 -
1973 $310 - $579 -
1972 $223.8 - $483 -
1971 $263.4 - $406 -
1970 $248.2 - $361 -
1969 $225.8 - $346 -
1968 $196.7 - $302 -
1967 $211.2 - $294.4 -
1966 $263.3 - $278.7 -
1965 $260.5 - $294.3 -
1964 $225 - $281.9 -
1963 $205 - $277.1 -
1962 $188.4 - $275.7 -
1961 $181.9 - $279.2 -
1960 $174.9 - $276.6 -

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

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

Ghana's GDP per capita is $2,391, ranking 151/197, compared to $2,497 in Zimbabwe, ranking 148/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Ghana ranks 140th at $8,020, while Zimbabwe ranks 154th at $5,928.

Economic indicators

Ghana Zimbabwe
Gross domestic product
$82.3B
2024
$41.5B
2024
GDP rank
80/197
2024
102/197
2024
GDP growth
5.59%
2023-2024
1.74%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,391
2024
$2,497
2024
GDP per capita rank
151/197
2024
148/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$8,020
2024
$5,928
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
140/197
2024
154/197
2024
Government debt
$57.9B
2024
$30.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
70.3%
2024
73%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,682
2024
$1,824
2024
Government debt per person rank
123/185
2024
121/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,110
2026
$2,897
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$7.58B
2024
$2.46B
1999
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
32.2%
2016
40.5%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
1.6%
2016
1.9%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.2%
2024
12.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
22.8%
2023-2024
736%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
25%
2025
35%
2024
Unemployment rate
2.87%
2022
12.1%
2024
Population
35885254
17361868

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Ghana
Spending

Debt
Zimbabwe
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Ghana Zimbabwe
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.2% 70.3% 12.9% 73%
2023 18.5% 79.1% 15.5% 76.1%
2022 27.5% 92.7% 14.4% 66.8%
2021 27.2% 86.9% 12.8% 39.9%
2020 31.5% 79.1% 9.27% 56.8%
2019 22.5% 62.9% 9.36% 53.9%
2018 20.9% 62% 13.9% 33%
2017 17.6% 57% 19.8% 49%
2016 19.9% 55.9% 16.6% 35.1%
2015 18.6% 53.9% 14.7% 34.1%
2014 21% 50.1% 14.1% 29.2%
2013 21.6% 42.9% 14.7% 26.4%
2012 22.1% 35.5% 14.6% 27.2%
2011 19.5% 31.2% 16.2% 30%
2010 19% 32.9% 12.8% 33.2%
2009 16.6% 25.4% 7.93% 39.7%
2008 16.6% 23.2% 2.54% 41.3%
2007 16.8% 21.1% 3.43% 30.2%
2006 14.4% 17.3% 5.72% 26.7%
2005 12.9% 31.7% 10.5% 22.4%
2004 13.7% 38.4% - -
2003 12.1% 49.3% - -
2002 10.7% 54.1% - -
2001 13.8% 57.8% - -
2000 12% 74.5% - -
1999 11.1% 51.7% - -
1998 11.8% 37.6% - -
1997 12% 45.2% - -
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/zimbabwe | CC BY

In 2024, Ghana's government spending was $19.1B, accounting for 23.2% of its GDP, while Zimbabwe spent $5.37B, or 12.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 70.3% in Ghana and 73% in Zimbabwe, ranking 57/185 and 50/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Ghana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Ghana Zimbabwe
2024 -7.31% -1.06%
2023 -3.37% -3.9%
2022 -11.8% -3.3%
2021 -12% -2.24%
2020 -17.4% -0.34%
2019 -7.52% -1.72%
2018 -6.79% -3.81%
2017 -3.97% -7.37%
2016 -6.75% -4.63%
2015 -4.01% -1.45%
2014 -7.81% -0.71%
2013 -9.12% -0.69%
2012 -8.36% -0.13%
2011 -5.47% -1.72%
2010 -7.13% -0.11%
2009 -5.05% -1.39%
2008 -5.56% -1.2%
2007 -4.91% -1.67%
2006 -3.11% -1.4%
2005 -1.87% -3.46%
2004 -2.02% -
2003 -1.99% -
2002 -2.73% -
2001 -3.64% -
2000 -3.98% -
1999 -5.64% -
1998 -5.27% -
1997 -6.14% -
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/zimbabwe | 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 Zimbabwe's deficit of $438M, or 1.06% of GDP.

Over the past 20 years, Ghana recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Zimbabwe ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Ghana posted an annual deficit equal to 6.97% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.11% of GDP for Zimbabwe.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Ghana

Zimbabwe
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Ghana Zimbabwe
2024 22.8% 736%
2023 38.1% 667%
2022 31.3% 193.4%
2021 9.97% 98.5%
2020 9.89% 557%
2019 7.14% 255.3%
2018 7.81% 10.6%
2017 12.4% 0.9%
2016 17.5% -1.6%
2015 17.1% -2.4%
2014 15.5% -0.2%
2013 11.7% 1.6%
2012 11.2% 3.7%
2011 8.73% 3.5%
2010 10.7% 3%
2009 19.2% 6.2%
2008 16.5% 157%
2007 10.7% -72.7%
2006 11.7% 33%
2005 15.4% -31.5%
2004 18% 113.6%
2003 29.8% -8.6%
2002 9.36% -34.4%
2001 41.5% -37.2%
2000 40.2% 4.5%
1999 4.87% -13.4%
1998 14.6% -28%
1997 27.9% -1%

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/zimbabwe | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Ghana has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 17.6%, compared with 93.4% in Zimbabwe. In 2024, inflation was 22.8% in Ghana and 736% in Zimbabwe.

Top exports between countries

Ghana
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $434K
Machinery & equipment $108K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Wood & paper products $3K
Metals $1K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Zimbabwe
Export category Export value
Miscellaneous $69K
Raw agricultural goods $11K
Animal & marine products $10K
Precious metals & jewellery $5K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Ghana Zimbabwe
Current account balance
$1.68B
2024
$501M
2024
Current account balance ranking
49/190
2024
62/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.04%
2024
+1.21%
2024
Goods imports
$15.4B
2024
$9.06B
2024
Goods exports
$19.2B
2024
$7.79B
2024
Service imports
$11.5B
2024
$1.66B
2024
Service exports
$9.27B
2024
$457M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
34.3%
2024
23.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
35.5%
2024
18%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Ghana Zimbabwe
Economic freedom 57.3 35.2
Economic freedom ranking 118/197 190/197
Property rights 50.2 19.4
Government integrity 45.4 20.7
Judicial effectiveness 57.5 16.8
Tax burden 79.4 73.6
Government spending 84 93.9
Fiscal health 10.1 52.4
Business freedom 64.5 42
Labor freedom 54.9 33.3
Monetary freedom 56.7 0
Trade freedom 65.2 50.4
Investment freedom 60 10
Financial freedom 60 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Ghana
Zimbabwe
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Ghana Zimbabwe
2026 57.3 35.2
2025 56 35.1
2024 55.8 38.2
2023 58 39
2022 59.8 33.1
2021 59.2 39.5
2020 59.4 43.1
2019 57.5 40.4
2018 56 44
2017 56.2 44
2016 63 38.2
2015 63 37.6
2014 64.2 35.5
2013 61.3 28.6
2012 60.7 26.3
2011 59.4 22.1
2010 60.2 21.4
2009 58.1 22.7
2008 57 29.5
2007 57.6 32
2006 55.6 33.5
2005 56.5 35.2
2004 59.1 34.4
2003 58.2 36.7
2002 57.2 36.7
2001 58 38.8
2000 58.1 48.7
1999 57.9 47.2
1998 57 44.6
1997 56.7 48
1996 57.7 46.7
1995 55.6 48.5

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Ghana is 57.3, ranking 118/197, compared to 35.2 for Zimbabwe, ranking 190/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Ghana Zimbabwe
Services, % of GDP
40.9%
2024
50.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
31.5%
2024
35%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
20.9%
2024
8.69%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$79.5B
2024
$39.9B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$7,720
2024
$5,870
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.62B
2023
$485M
2024
Total reserves ranking
112/177
2023
157/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$1.76B
2024
-$465M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$1.77B
2024
$465M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$5.37M
2024
$131M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.45%
2024
3.44%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
23.4%
2016
38.3%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
10%
2024
8.85%
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/zimbabwe | 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 (2021–2024, 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.