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Economy of Bahamas vs Benin compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

The Bahamas has a GDP of $15.8B compared to $21.5B for Benin, ranking 140/197 and 126/197 by economy size, respectively.

The Bahamas has $11.5B in government debt (72.5% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (53.4% of GDP) in Benin.

Bahamas vs Benin GDP by year

Bahamas
Benin
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahamas Benin
2024 $15,832,800,000 $21,482,643,706
2023 $15,271,300,000 $19,673,291,004
2022 $13,896,800,000 $17,425,405,091
2021 $12,037,000,000 $17,687,623,530
2020 $10,363,200,000 $15,686,741,884
2019 $13,277,000,000 $14,391,686,313
2018 $12,819,200,000 $14,262,408,090
2017 $12,446,900,000 $12,701,655,837
2016 $11,880,900,000 $11,821,065,853
2015 $11,837,600,000 $11,388,160,997
2014 $11,139,100,000 $13,284,527,847
2013 $10,475,300,000 $12,517,845,124
2012 $10,720,400,000 $11,141,358,116
2011 $10,070,450,000 $10,693,321,364
2010 $10,095,760,000 $9,535,345,016
2009 $9,981,960,000 $9,738,626,517
2008 $10,526,000,000 $9,787,734,526
2007 $10,618,340,000 $8,169,048,383
2006 $10,167,250,000 $7,034,111,315
2005 $9,836,200,000 $6,567,654,954
2004 $9,055,290,000 $6,190,270,380
2003 $8,870,090,000 $5,349,258,094
2002 $8,881,160,000 $4,194,342,686
2001 $8,317,830,000 $3,666,222,635
2000 $8,076,470,000 $3,519,991,440
1999 $7,683,870,000 $3,677,393,999
1998 $6,833,220,000 $2,455,092,686
1997 $6,332,360,000 $2,268,301,646
1996 $3,609,000,000 $2,361,116,449
1995 $3,429,000,000 $2,169,627,138
1994 $3,259,000,000 $1,598,075,944
1993 $3,092,000,000 $2,274,558,083
1992 $3,109,000,000 $1,695,315,306
1991 $3,111,160,000 $1,986,437,797
1990 $3,166,000,000 $1,959,965,330
1989 $3,062,000,000 $1,502,294,416
1988 $2,817,900,000 $1,620,246,084
1987 $2,713,999,900 $1,562,412,228
1986 $2,472,500,000 $1,336,102,025
1985 $2,320,699,900 $1,045,712,789
1984 $2,041,100,000 $1,051,134,009
1983 $1,732,800,000 $1,095,348,199
1982 $1,578,300,000 $1,267,778,670
1981 $1,426,500,000 $1,291,120,188
1980 $1,335,300,000 $1,405,251,847
1979 $1,139,800,100 $1,186,231,020
1978 $832,400,000 $928,843,469
1977 $713,000,000 $750,049,779
1976 $642,100,000 $698,408,262
1975 $596,200,000 $676,870,140
1974 $632,400,000 $554,654,861
1973 $670,900,000 $504,376,074
1972 $590,900,000 $410,331,857
1971 $573,400,000 $335,073,028
1970 $539,500,000 $333,627,713
1969 $538,700,000 $330,748,245
1968 $453,800,000 $326,323,105
1967 $398,000,000 $306,221,953
1966 $346,800,000 $302,925,235
1965 $300,272,048 $289,908,680
1964 $266,560,043 $269,819,006
1963 $237,650,038 $253,927,697
1962 $212,170,034 $236,434,954
1961 $190,022,030 $235,668,221
1960 $169,736,027 $226,195,578

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/benin | CC BY

GDP per capita in Bahamas vs Benin by year

Bahamas
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahamas Benin
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $39,455 $41,198 $1,485 $4,435
2023 $38,232 $39,090 $1,394 $4,130
2022 $34,957 $36,791 $1,266 $3,844
2021 $30,368 $31,065 $1,319 $3,464
2020 $26,179 $27,205 $1,200 $3,245
2019 $33,640 $36,116 $1,131 $3,149
2018 $32,642 $35,228 $1,152 $2,965
2017 $31,875 $34,282 $1,055 $2,886
2016 $30,617 $32,285 $1,011 $2,842
2015 $30,719 $32,138 $1,002 $2,725
2014 $29,137 $31,726 $1,204 $2,670
2013 $27,643 $30,294 $1,169 $2,512
2012 $28,552 $31,036 $1,072 $2,346
2011 $27,091 $30,074 $1,059 $2,265
2010 $27,473 $29,625 $973 $2,220
2009 $27,513 $29,197 $1,024 $2,213
2008 $29,392 $30,679 $1,061 $2,215
2007 $30,052 $31,232 $912 $2,136
2006 $29,185 $30,402 $809 $2,021
2005 $28,602 $29,143 $779 $1,946
2004 $26,650 $27,660 $759 $1,915
2003 $26,429 $27,031 $676 $1,842
2002 $26,782 $27,171 $546 $1,800
2001 $25,372 $26,351 $492 $1,746
2000 $24,940 $25,422 $487 $1,671
1999 $24,041 $24,184 $525 $1,592
1998 $21,667 $22,556 $362 $1,537
1997 $20,368 $21,606 $345 $1,508
1996 $11,784 $21,287 $369 $1,444
1995 $11,375 $20,377 $348 $1,395
1994 $10,991 $19,441 $262.1 $1,316
1993 $10,613 $18,781 $387 $1,311
1992 $10,873 $18,636 $302 $1,265
1991 $11,082 $19,296 $365 $1,239
1990 $11,473 $19,817 $371 $1,186
1989 $11,291 - $293.3 -
1988 $10,576 - $326 -
1987 $10,361 - $324 -
1986 $9,601 - $285.8 -
1985 $9,167 - $230.4 -
1984 $8,202 - $238.6 -
1983 $7,081 - $256 -
1982 $6,559 - $305 -
1981 $6,029 - $320 -
1980 $5,743 - $358 -
1979 $4,994 - $311 -
1978 $3,720 - $249.8 -
1977 $3,253 - $207 -
1976 $2,993 - $197.7 -
1975 $2,841 - $196.5 -
1974 $3,080 - $164.9 -
1973 $3,341 - $153.6 -
1972 $3,014 - $127.9 -
1971 $3,004 - $106.9 -
1970 $2,916 - $108.8 -
1969 $3,027 - $110.3 -
1968 $2,668 - $111.2 -
1967 $2,453 - $106.6 -
1966 $2,239 - $107.6 -
1965 $2,030 - $105.1 -
1964 $1,883 - $99.8 -
1963 $1,759 - $95.7 -
1962 $1,651 - $90.8 -
1961 $1,555 - $92.1 -
1960 $1,459 - $89.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/benin | CC BY

The Bahamas' GDP per capita is $39,455, ranking 30/197, compared to $1,485 in Benin, ranking 162/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), the Bahamas ranks 57th at $41,198, while Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435.

Economic indicators

Bahamas Benin
Gross domestic product
$15.8B
2024
$21.5B
2024
GDP rank
140/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP growth
3.38%
2023-2024
7.45%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$39,455
2024
$1,485
2024
GDP per capita rank
30/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$41,198
2024
$4,435
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
57/197
2024
162/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
72.5%
2024
53.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$28,616
2024
$794
2024
Government debt per person rank
25/185
2024
151/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$29,535
2026
$1,091
2026
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.2%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
20.6%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.41%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4%
2016
n/a
Unemployment rate
8.65%
2023
1.69%
2022
Population
405203
15272847

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahamas
Spending

Debt
Benin
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahamas Benin
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 20.6% 72.5% 18.1% 53.4%
2023 22.2% 74.8% 19.2% 54.9%
2022 23.9% 79.1% 19.9% 54.2%
2021 26.9% 84.5% 19.9% 50.3%
2020 28.2% 81.9% 19.1% 46.1%
2019 19.9% 59.3% 14.3% 40.4%
2018 19.2% 60.6% 16.5% 40.8%
2017 22.5% 53.4% 17.7% 39.4%
2016 19.4% 51% 15.4% 35.9%
2015 17.9% 48.5% 18.2% 30.9%
2014 17.6% 46.3% 14.2% 22.3%
2013 18.4% 44.8% 14.9% 18.5%
2012 16.5% 36.4% 14.2% 19.5%
2011 17.1% 35.3% 14.7% 21.9%
2010 15.3% 33.7% 14.1% 21%
2009 15.6% 30.9% 17% 18.7%
2008 14.4% 25.5% 14.5% 18.3%
2007 13.3% 23% 15.8% 14.3%
2006 13% 22.8% 13% 8.37%
2005 12.3% 22% 14.1% 27%
2004 12.4% 21.4% 13.4% 21.5%
2003 11.8% 20.9% 13.7% 23.4%
2002 11.3% 18.8% 15.3% 30.8%
2001 11.2% 18.2% 15.4% 38%
2000 11.3% 18.7% 15.6% 39.6%
1999 8.78% 18.7% 10.7% 39.4%
1998 11.6% 20% 10.9% 39.2%
1997 12.5% 20.8% 12.7% 42.9%
1996 11.2% 20.2% 13.3% 43.4%
1995 11.2% 20.5% 14.8% 48.3%
1994 11.4% 20.4% 13.6% 64.6%
1993 11.5% 19.8% 12% 41.9%
1992 11.8% 17.9% 13.5% 41.8%
1991 12% 15.4% 12.6% 44%
1990 11.4% 13.2% 13.3% 45.3%
1989 - - 17.1% 50.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/benin | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government spending was $3.26B, accounting for 20.6% of its GDP, while Benin spent $3.88B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 72.5% in the Bahamas and 53.4% in Benin, ranking 53/185 and 99/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahamas

Benin
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahamas Benin
2024 -1.18% -3.06%
2023 -3.49% -4.13%
2022 -5.16% -5.55%
2021 -11.1% -5.71%
2020 -8.09% -4.68%
2019 -1.65% -0.53%
2018 -3.24% -2.96%
2017 -5.92% -4.18%
2016 -2.61% -4.29%
2015 -3.24% -5.55%
2014 -4.38% -1.65%
2013 -5.16% -1.37%
2012 -3.15% -0.22%
2011 -2.87% -0.98%
2010 -2.56% -0.28%
2009 -2.45% -2.24%
2008 -0.83% -0.04%
2007 -0.76% 0.22%
2006 -0.43% -0.15%
2005 -1.11% -1.52%
2004 -1.93% -0.7%
2003 -1.63% -1.07%
2002 -1.62% -3.33%
2001 0.3% -3.27%
2000 0.09% -3.69%
1999 1.68% 1.94%
1998 -0.41% 1.83%
1997 -1.56% 0.47%
1996 -0.15% -0.11%
1995 0.18% -1.91%
1994 -0.39% -1.57%
1993 -1.05% -0.41%
1992 -2.23% -1.98%
1991 -2.29% -2.25%
1990 -2.64% -2.37%
1989 - 0.89%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/benin | CC BY

In 2024, the Bahamas' government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $187M, equivalent to 1.18% of GDP. This compares to Benin's deficit of $658M, or 3.06% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, the Bahamas recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Benin ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, the Bahamas posted an annual deficit equal to 2.37% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.92% of GDP for Benin.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahamas

Benin
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahamas Benin
2024 0.41% 1.2%
2023 3.05% 2.7%
2022 5.61% 1.4%
2021 2.9% 1.7%
2020 0.04% 3%
2019 2.49% -0.9%
2018 2.27% 0.8%
2017 1.52% 1.8%
2016 -0.35% -0.8%
2015 1.86% 0.2%
2014 1.51% -0.6%
2013 0.72% 0.4%
2012 1.97% 6.7%
2011 3.2% 2.7%
2010 1.34% 2.1%
2009 2.06% 0.9%
2008 4.49% 7.4%
2007 2.49% 1.3%
2006 2.39% 3.8%
2005 1.59% 5.4%
2004 0.98% 0.9%
2003 3.03% 1.5%
2002 2.17% 2.4%
2001 2.04% 4%
2000 1.61% 4.2%
1999 1.25% 0.3%
1998 1.34% 5.8%
1997 0.54% 3.8%

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/bahamas/benin | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, the Bahamas has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.95%, compared with 2.29% in Benin. In 2024, inflation was 0.41% in the Bahamas and 1.2% in Benin.

Top exports between countries

Bahamas
Export category Export value
Benin
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $43K

Balance of trade

Bahamas Benin
Current account balance
-$1.05B
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
127/190
2024
135/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-6.65%
2024
-8.18%
2023
Goods imports
$4.6B
2024
$4.65B
2023
Goods exports
$874M
2024
$4.05B
2023
Service imports
$2.47B
2024
$1.54B
2023
Service exports
$5.9B
2024
$461M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
41.5%
2024
21.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
37.8%
2024
18.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Bahamas Benin
Economic freedom 65.1 60
Economic freedom ranking 66/197 96/197
Property rights 62.7 46.4
Government integrity 67.1 44.1
Judicial effectiveness 79.8 47.7
Tax burden 96.1 69.4
Government spending 83.8 89.1
Fiscal health 9.1 65.4
Business freedom 69.4 53.3
Labor freedom 66.5 60.2
Monetary freedom 77.2 82.1
Trade freedom 59.4 62.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 60 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahamas
Benin
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahamas Benin
2026 65.1 60
2025 63.2 58.5
2024 62.5 57.7
2023 62.6 59.8
2022 68.7 61
2021 64.6 59.6
2020 64.5 55.2
2019 62.9 55.3
2018 63.3 56.7
2017 61.1 59.2
2016 70.9 59.3
2015 68.7 58.8
2014 69.8 57.1
2013 70.1 57.6
2012 68 55.7
2011 68 56
2010 67.3 55.4
2009 70.3 55.4
2008 71.1 55.2
2007 72 55.1
2006 72.3 54
2005 72.6 52.3
2004 72.1 54.6
2003 73.5 54.9
2002 74.4 57.3
2001 74.8 60.1
2000 73.9 61.5
1999 74.7 60.6
1998 74.5 61.7
1997 74.5 61.3
1996 74 54.5
1995 71.8 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/bahamas/benin | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for the Bahamas is 65.1, ranking 66/197, compared to 60 for Benin, ranking 96/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahamas Benin
Services, % of GDP
77.2%
2024
48.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
9.63%
2024
17.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.51%
2024
24.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$14.9B
2024
$20.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$39,550
2024
$4,390
2024
Total reserves including gold
$2.51B
2023
n/a
Total reserves ranking
122/177
2023
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$77.6M
2024
-$430M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$241M
2024
$543M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$163M
2024
$60.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.38%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
9.3%
2020
36.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
26.8%
2024
35.1%
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/bahamas/benin | 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. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  9. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.