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Economy of Kenya vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Kenya has a GDP of $120B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 64/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Kenya has $81B in government debt (67.3% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Kenya vs Tanzania GDP by year

Kenya
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Kenya Tanzania
2024 $120,339,557,906 $78,844,405,385
2023 $107,500,884,685 $79,030,935,627
2022 $114,448,978,153 $75,749,121,843
2021 $109,703,658,905 $70,655,628,148
2020 $100,657,505,751 $66,068,737,786
2019 $100,378,436,207 $61,026,731,926
2018 $92,202,979,985 $57,003,712,892
2017 $82,036,510,877 $53,274,884,533
2016 $74,815,144,164 $49,774,409,374
2015 $70,120,446,897 $47,413,919,817
2014 $68,285,796,514 $49,986,726,461
2013 $61,671,440,408 $45,648,857,242
2012 $56,396,704,672 $39,650,394,363
2011 $46,869,473,151 $34,657,140,096
2010 $45,405,615,064 $32,012,892,919
2009 $42,347,217,913 $29,400,573,554
2008 $35,895,153,328 $27,947,821,398
2007 $31,958,195,182 $21,860,434,823
2006 $25,825,512,284 $18,619,859,795
2005 $18,737,895,513 $18,395,383,647
2004 $16,095,337,094 $16,673,062,473
2003 $14,904,517,650 $15,211,487,709
2002 $13,147,736,899 $14,129,651,896
2001 $12,986,007,426 $13,563,990,022
2000 $12,705,350,098 $13,371,767,082
1999 $12,896,010,459 $12,704,334,196
1998 $14,093,998,844 $12,172,790,056
1997 $13,115,764,358 $11,158,197,942
1996 $12,045,865,396 $9,433,528,150
1995 $9,046,320,255 $7,631,431,840
1994 $7,148,148,564 $6,550,480,484
1993 $5,751,786,643 $6,182,872,708
1992 $8,209,120,763 $6,681,997,469
1991 $8,151,488,783 $7,197,768,159
1990 $8,572,359,038 $6,184,384,225
1989 $8,283,114,514 $6,418,799,007
1988 $8,355,380,879 $7,406,614,407
1987 $7,970,820,369 $7,824,193,222
1986 $7,239,126,568 $10,840,864,521
1985 $6,135,034,214 $15,328,295,175
1984 $6,191,437,070 $12,906,635,133
1983 $5,979,198,314 $14,049,883,809
1982 $6,431,579,357 $13,927,383,240
1981 $6,854,491,706 $13,161,540,378
1980 $7,265,315,820 $11,409,228,087
1979 $6,234,391,113 $9,804,637,491
1978 $5,303,735,111 $9,261,675,710
1977 $4,494,378,764 $7,732,598,995
1976 $3,474,542,392 $6,472,511,988
1975 $3,259,345,083 $5,729,917,840
1974 $2,969,958,812 $4,977,337,978
1973 $2,509,001,324 $4,144,104,535
1972 $2,107,279,157 $3,472,787,266
1971 $1,778,391,289 $3,050,673,517
1970 $1,603,447,359 $2,851,419,386
1969 $1,458,379,417 $5,142,066,811
1968 $1,353,295,459 $4,895,251,824
1967 $1,232,559,507 $4,565,132,048
1966 $1,164,519,674 $4,377,998,825
1965 $997,919,321 $3,817,226,546
1964 $998,759,334 $3,748,840,925
1963 $926,589,349 $3,456,579,293
1962 $868,111,401 $3,101,589,993
1961 $792,959,473 $2,826,179,031
1960 $791,265,459 $2,651,729,807

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/tanzania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Kenya vs Tanzania by year

Kenya
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Kenya Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $2,132 $6,644 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $1,943 $6,317 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $2,110 $5,883 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $2,061 $5,339 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $1,928 $4,793 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $1,960 $4,687 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $1,836 $4,412 $992 $2,728
2017 $1,667 $4,177 $957 $2,472
2016 $1,554 $3,917 $925 $2,435
2015 $1,489 $3,678 $911 $2,317
2014 $1,483 $3,359 $993 $2,221
2013 $1,371 $3,106 $935 $2,176
2012 $1,285 $2,847 $837 $2,083
2011 $1,096 $2,750 $753 $2,211
2010 $1,092 $2,635 $715 $2,069
2009 $1,048 $2,480 $674 $1,972
2008 $916 $2,459 $657 $1,908
2007 $840 $2,481 $528 $1,820
2006 $700 $2,330 $462 $1,707
2005 $523 $2,189 $469 $1,598
2004 $464 $2,066 $438 $1,482
2003 $443 $1,975 $410 $1,379
2002 $403 $1,940 $391 $1,302
2001 $411 $1,961 $385 $1,229
2000 $415 $1,907 $390 $1,164
1999 $434 $1,910 $382 $1,120
1998 $488 $1,895 $375 $1,082
1997 $467 $1,865 $353 $1,059
1996 $441 $1,875 $305 $1,026
1995 $340 $1,818 $251.2 $981
1994 $276.4 $1,754 $222.5 $958
1993 $229 $1,723 $218.2 $959
1992 $337 $1,728 $243.4 $955
1991 $345 $1,756 $268.8 $952
1990 $374 $1,729 $236.9 $925
1989 $374 - $252.3 -
1988 $391 - $299 -
1987 $387 - $326 -
1986 $364 - $466 -
1985 $320 - $681 -
1984 $334 - $593 -
1983 $335 - $667 -
1982 $374 - $683 -
1981 $413 - $665 -
1980 $454 - $595 -
1979 $403 - $527 -
1978 $355 - $515 -
1977 $311 - $446 -
1976 $248.9 - $387 -
1975 $241.2 - $355 -
1974 $227.2 - $320 -
1973 $198.6 - $276.1 -
1972 $172.6 - $239.8 -
1971 $150.9 - $218.4 -
1970 $141 - $211.3 -
1969 $133.3 - $394 -
1968 $128.7 - $388 -
1967 $121.9 - $374 -
1966 $119.8 - $370 -
1965 $106.9 - $333 -
1964 $111.3 - $337 -
1963 $107.4 - $320 -
1962 $104.6 - $295.7 -
1961 $99.3 - $277.4 -
1960 $102.8 - $267.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/tanzania | CC BY

Kenya's GDP per capita is $2,132, ranking 154/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Kenya ranks 149th at $6,644, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Kenya Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$120B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
64/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
4.72%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$2,132
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
154/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$6,644
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
149/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$81B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.3%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$1,436
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
133/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$3,229
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15B
2024
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
30.1%
2022
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
2.9%
2022
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
23.3%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
4.49%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
9.25%
2025
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
5.44%
2022
2.43%
2024
Population
58955623
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Kenya
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Kenya Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 23.3% 67.3% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 22.7% 73.4% 19% 47.8%
2022 23.2% 67.8% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 24% 68.2% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 24.8% 68% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 24.4% 59.1% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 24.5% 56.4% 17.3% 42%
2017 25.2% 53.9% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 25.4% 50.4% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 23.8% 45.8% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 23.4% 41.3% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 23.2% 39.8% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 22.1% 37.6% 19.6% 30%
2011 20.1% 35.7% 19% 28.4%
2010 21.5% 36.7% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 20.3% 36% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 18.9% 34.3% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 18.1% 34.2% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 17.3% 37.1% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 16.2% 37.4% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 15.4% 40.8% 17% 44.5%
2003 16% 43.8% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 15.7% 42% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 14.9% 41.3% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 14.1% 43.1% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 13.7% 38.4% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 15.3% 38.5% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 15.6% 36% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 15.2% 40.5% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 17.3% 52.1% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 18.8% 57% 16.8% 126%
1993 18.9% 61.6% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 17.6% 41.2% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 16.4% 43% 14.2% 106.5%
1990 17.2% 37.6% - -
1989 16.3% 33.4% - -
1988 15.9% 33.9% - -
1987 15.5% 36.3% - -
1986 15.3% 31.3% - -
1985 15.6% 28.8% - -
1984 14.9% 25.6% - -
1983 14.6% 26.1% - -
1982 16.2% 26.9% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/tanzania | CC BY

In 2024, Kenya's government spending was $28B, accounting for 23.3% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 67.3% in Kenya and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 64/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Kenya

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Kenya Tanzania
2024 -5.77% -3.03%
2023 -5.71% -3.67%
2022 -6.06% -3.92%
2021 -7.2% -3.55%
2020 -8.13% -2.56%
2019 -7.42% -2.06%
2018 -6.94% -2.01%
2017 -7.4% -1.14%
2016 -7.47% -2.08%
2015 -6.68% -3.17%
2014 -5.75% -2.91%
2013 -5.25% -3.76%
2012 -5.29% -4%
2011 -3.64% -3.51%
2010 -3.67% -4.74%
2009 -3.12% -4.46%
2008 -1.95% -1.92%
2007 -0.95% -1.44%
2006 -0.43% -3.38%
2005 -0.19% -3.28%
2004 0.5% -2.43%
2003 -0.73% -1.77%
2002 -1.29% -0.73%
2001 -0.53% -0.41%
2000 0.38% -0.73%
1999 0.84% -1.14%
1998 -0.03% 0.13%
1997 -0.91% -0.03%
1996 -0.49% 1.57%
1995 -0.23% -2.12%
1994 -4.14% -3.74%
1993 -8.57% -2.02%
1992 -8.28% -4.96%
1991 -6.56% 0.6%
1990 -3.28% -
1989 -2.39% -
1988 -1.97% -
1987 -2.27% -
1986 -2.98% -
1985 -3.05% -
1984 -2.55% -
1983 -2.17% -
1982 -3.07% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/tanzania | CC BY

In 2024, Kenya's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $6.94B, equivalent to 5.77% of GDP. This compares to Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Kenya recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Kenya posted an annual deficit equal to 3.8% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Kenya

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Kenya Tanzania
2024 4.49% 3.06%
2023 7.67% 3.8%
2022 7.66% 4.35%
2021 6.11% 3.69%
2020 5.41% 3.29%
2019 5.24% 3.46%
2018 4.69% 3.49%
2017 8.01% 5.32%
2016 6.3% 5.17%
2015 6.58% 5.59%
2014 6.88% 6.13%
2013 5.72% 7.87%
2012 9.38% 16%
2011 14% 12.7%
2010 3.96% 6.2%
2009 9.23% 12.1%
2008 26.2% 10.3%
2007 9.76% 7.03%
2006 14.5% 7.25%
2005 10.3% 5.03%
2004 11.6% 4.74%
2003 9.82% 5.3%
2002 1.96% 5.32%
2001 5.74% 5.15%
2000 9.98% 5.92%
1999 5.74% 7.89%
1998 6.72% 12.8%
1997 11.4% 16.1%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Kenya has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 8.39%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 4.49% in Kenya and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Kenya
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $142M
Raw materials & minerals $106M
Machinery & equipment $72.9M
Metals $52.9M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $45M
Textiles & consumer goods $23M
Wood & paper products $17.7M
Raw agricultural goods $8.85M
Weapons & explosives $8.09M
Miscellaneous $7.62M
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $102M
Raw materials & minerals $65.4M
Textiles & consumer goods $40M
Wood & paper products $30.7M
Machinery & equipment $27.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $23.2M
Chemicals & pharma $17.5M
Metals $14.4M
Animal & marine products $8.45M
Miscellaneous $677K

Balance of trade

Kenya Tanzania
Current account balance
-$1.55B
2024
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
134/190
2024
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.29%
2024
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$22.2B
2024
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$12.5B
2024
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$5.64B
2024
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$8.04B
2024
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
23.1%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Kenya Tanzania
Economic freedom 55.5 59
Economic freedom ranking 128/197 106/197
Property rights 40.2 45.2
Government integrity 32.7 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 47 29.6
Tax burden 76.3 80.4
Government spending 84.1 89.1
Fiscal health 36.2 75
Business freedom 61.5 48.1
Labor freedom 56.5 62.3
Monetary freedom 75.1 73.4
Trade freedom 52 58.8
Investment freedom 55 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Kenya
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Kenya Tanzania
2026 55.5 59
2025 54.8 59.3
2024 53.6 59.1
2023 52.5 60
2022 52.6 59.5
2021 54.9 61.3
2020 55.3 61.7
2019 55.1 60.2
2018 54.7 59.9
2017 53.5 58.6
2016 57.5 58.5
2015 55.6 57.5
2014 57.1 57.8
2013 55.9 57.9
2012 57.5 57
2011 57.4 57
2010 57.5 58.3
2009 58.7 58.3
2008 59.3 56.5
2007 59.6 56.8
2006 59.7 58.5
2005 57.9 56.3
2004 57.7 60.1
2003 58.6 56.9
2002 58.2 58.3
2001 57.6 54.9
2000 59.7 56
1999 58.2 60
1998 58.4 59.6
1997 60.1 59.3
1996 56.4 57.5
1995 54.5 57.3

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

GeoRank.org/economy/kenya/tanzania | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Kenya is 55.5, ranking 128/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Kenya Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
55.3%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
16.5%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.5%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$118B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$6,540
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold
$10.1B
2024
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking
75/177
2024
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$45.8M
2024
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$463M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$418M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.79%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
39.8%
2022
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
39.8%
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/kenya/tanzania | 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. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (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.