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Economy of Bahrain vs Benin compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Bahrain has a GDP of $47.1B compared to $21.5B for Benin, ranking 96/197 and 126/197 by economy size, respectively.

Bahrain has $62.8B in government debt (133.4% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (53.4% of GDP) in Benin.

Bahrain vs Benin GDP by year

Bahrain
Benin
1x
Year GDP, current $
Bahrain Benin
2024 $47,109,734,309 $21,482,643,706
2023 $46,192,260,638 $19,673,291,004
2022 $46,458,191,489 $17,425,405,091
2021 $40,840,212,766 $17,687,623,530
2020 $35,837,632,979 $15,686,741,884
2019 $40,446,808,511 $14,391,686,313
2018 $39,567,978,723 $14,262,408,090
2017 $37,204,813,830 $12,701,655,837
2016 $33,884,680,851 $11,821,065,853
2015 $32,523,297,872 $11,388,160,997
2014 $34,772,526,596 $13,284,527,847
2013 $33,823,324,468 $12,517,845,124
2012 $31,963,404,255 $11,141,358,116
2011 $29,914,680,851 $10,693,321,364
2010 $26,805,984,043 $9,535,345,016
2009 $22,938,218,085 $9,738,626,517
2008 $25,710,904,255 $9,787,734,526
2007 $21,730,000,000 $8,169,048,383
2006 $18,504,760,638 $7,034,111,315
2005 $15,968,723,404 $6,567,654,954
2004 $13,150,159,574 $6,190,270,380
2003 $11,074,813,830 $5,349,258,094
2002 $9,593,510,638 $4,194,342,686
2001 $8,976,196,809 $3,666,222,635
2000 $9,062,898,936 $3,519,991,440
1999 $7,528,469,149 $3,677,393,999
1998 $7,031,309,043 $2,455,092,686
1997 $7,219,407,713 $2,268,301,646
1996 $6,938,166,755 $2,361,116,449
1995 $6,651,180,851 $2,169,627,138
1994 $6,330,627,926 $1,598,075,944
1993 $5,913,001,064 $2,274,558,083
1992 $5,402,232,447 $1,695,315,306
1991 $5,248,911,170 $1,986,437,797
1990 $4,809,511,005 $1,959,965,330
1989 $4,393,093,963 $1,502,294,416
1988 $4,209,834,173 $1,620,246,084
1987 $3,856,922,694 $1,562,412,228
1986 $3,470,746,843 $1,336,102,025
1985 $4,152,376,484 $1,045,712,789
1984 $4,440,874,566 $1,051,134,009
1983 $4,247,030,468 $1,095,348,199
1982 $4,145,421,080 $1,267,778,670
1981 $3,943,109,532 $1,291,120,188
1980 $3,493,834,468 $1,405,251,847
1979 $2,710,160,739 $1,186,231,020
1978 $2,272,042,965 $928,843,469
1977 $1,989,060,283 $750,049,779
1976 $1,581,709,519 $698,408,262
1975 $1,099,107,601 $676,870,140
1974 $1,042,176,884 $554,654,861
1973 $761,132,545 $504,376,074
1972 $534,081,184 $410,331,857
1971 $422,181,562 $335,073,028
1970 $391,577,364 $333,627,713
1969 - $330,748,245
1968 - $326,323,105
1967 - $306,221,953
1966 - $302,925,235
1965 - $289,908,680
1964 - $269,819,006
1963 - $253,927,697
1962 - $236,434,954
1961 - $235,668,221
1960 - $226,195,578

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

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

GDP per capita in Bahrain vs Benin by year

Bahrain
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Bahrain Benin
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $29,654 $66,941 $1,485 $4,435
2023 $29,290 $64,171 $1,394 $4,130
2022 $30,471 $61,678 $1,266 $3,844
2021 $27,148 $54,955 $1,319 $3,464
2020 $24,343 $53,436 $1,200 $3,245
2019 $27,260 $56,600 $1,131 $3,149
2018 $26,324 $51,993 $1,152 $2,965
2017 $24,785 $50,185 $1,055 $2,886
2016 $23,800 $47,429 $1,011 $2,842
2015 $23,734 $48,034 $1,002 $2,725
2014 $26,452 $54,299 $1,204 $2,670
2013 $26,990 $56,310 $1,169 $2,512
2012 $26,439 $56,713 $1,072 $2,346
2011 $25,033 $52,677 $1,059 $2,265
2010 $21,819 $49,255 $973 $2,220
2009 $19,465 $48,626 $1,024 $2,213
2008 $23,299 $50,330 $1,061 $2,215
2007 $20,908 $49,347 $912 $2,136
2006 $19,267 $48,009 $809 $2,021
2005 $17,966 $47,268 $779 $1,946
2004 $15,964 $46,317 $759 $1,915
2003 $14,486 $45,427 $676 $1,842
2002 $13,501 $45,091 $546 $1,800
2001 $13,573 $46,162 $492 $1,746
2000 $14,214 $45,688 $487 $1,671
1999 $12,123 $43,561 $525 $1,592
1998 $11,625 $42,281 $362 $1,537
1997 $12,255 $40,965 $345 $1,508
1996 $12,092 $40,106 $369 $1,444
1995 $11,901 $38,839 $348 $1,395
1994 $11,629 $37,579 $262.1 $1,316
1993 $11,152 $37,870 $387 $1,311
1992 $10,460 $33,648 $302 $1,265
1991 $10,434 $31,657 $365 $1,239
1990 $9,343 $26,902 $371 $1,186
1989 $8,833 - $293.3 -
1988 $8,772 - $326 -
1987 $8,333 - $324 -
1986 $7,777 - $285.8 -
1985 $9,649 - $230.4 -
1984 $10,697 - $238.6 -
1983 $10,599 - $256 -
1982 $10,712 - $305 -
1981 $10,557 - $320 -
1980 $9,733 - $358 -
1979 $7,891 - $311 -
1978 $6,926 - $249.8 -
1977 $6,358 - $207 -
1976 $5,310 - $197.7 -
1975 $3,880 - $196.5 -
1974 $3,874 - $164.9 -
1973 $2,981 - $153.6 -
1972 $2,206 - $127.9 -
1971 $1,830 - $106.9 -
1970 $1,742 - $108.8 -
1969 - - $110.3 -
1968 - - $111.2 -
1967 - - $106.6 -
1966 - - $107.6 -
1965 - - $105.1 -
1964 - - $99.8 -
1963 - - $95.7 -
1962 - - $90.8 -
1961 - - $92.1 -
1960 - - $89.9 -

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

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

Bahrain's GDP per capita is $29,654, ranking 42/197, compared to $1,485 in Benin, ranking 162/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Bahrain ranks 26th at $66,941, while Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435.

Economic indicators

Bahrain Benin
Gross domestic product
$47.1B
2024
$21.5B
2024
GDP rank
96/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP growth
2.6%
2023-2024
7.45%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$29,654
2024
$1,485
2024
GDP per capita rank
42/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$66,941
2024
$4,435
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
26/197
2024
162/197
2024
Government debt
$62.8B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
133.4%
2024
53.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$39,552
2024
$794
2024
Government debt per person rank
14/185
2024
151/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,253
2026
$1,091
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$20.4B
2024
n/a
Income share by richest 10% n/a
27.2%
2021
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.1%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.92%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
n/a
Unemployment rate
1.2%
2012
1.69%
2022
Population
1669503
15272847

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Bahrain
Spending

Debt
Benin
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Bahrain Benin
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.1% 133.4% 18.1% 53.4%
2023 29.1% 123% 19.2% 54.9%
2022 28.4% 111.6% 19.9% 54.2%
2021 30.6% 122.3% 19.9% 50.3%
2020 34.6% 125.7% 19.1% 46.1%
2019 31.2% 97.1% 14.3% 40.4%
2018 32.1% 90.4% 16.5% 40.8%
2017 30.7% 84% 17.7% 39.4%
2016 33.3% 77.4% 15.4% 35.9%
2015 34.8% 63.2% 18.2% 30.9%
2014 27.3% 42.6% 14.2% 22.3%
2013 32% 42.3% 14.9% 18.5%
2012 31.1% 34.8% 14.2% 19.5%
2011 30.2% 31.6% 14.7% 21.9%
2010 31.1% 28.8% 14.1% 21%
2009 24.6% 20.5% 17% 18.7%
2008 22.7% 12.1% 14.5% 18.3%
2007 22.4% 15.7% 15.8% 14.3%
2006 23.1% 19.4% 13% 8.37%
2005 23.9% 23.2% 14.1% 27%
2004 25% 28.2% 13.4% 21.5%
2003 28.1% 31.1% 13.7% 23.4%
2002 30.6% 27.2% 15.3% 30.8%
2001 26.5% 25% 15.4% 38%
2000 22.2% 24.7% 15.6% 39.6%
1999 27.1% 24.7% 10.7% 39.4%
1998 25.7% 20% 10.9% 39.2%
1997 31% 14.8% 12.7% 42.9%
1996 22.7% 13.1% 13.3% 43.4%
1995 25.1% 13.6% 14.8% 48.3%
1994 26.1% 5.62% 13.6% 64.6%
1993 26.7% 5.95% 12% 41.9%
1992 29.4% 6.45% 13.5% 41.8%
1991 28.5% 6.71% 12.6% 44%
1990 32.4% 7.24% 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/bahrain/benin | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government spending was $13.7B, accounting for 29.1% of its GDP, while Benin spent $3.88B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 133.4% in Bahrain and 53.4% in Benin, ranking 9/185 and 99/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Bahrain

Benin
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Bahrain Benin
2024 -10.6% -3.06%
2023 -9.67% -4.13%
2022 -6.02% -5.55%
2021 -10.6% -5.71%
2020 -17.3% -4.68%
2019 -8.57% -0.53%
2018 -11.3% -2.96%
2017 -13.4% -4.18%
2016 -16.6% -4.29%
2015 -17.5% -5.55%
2014 -3.32% -1.65%
2013 -8.55% -1.37%
2012 -5.77% -0.22%
2011 -4.9% -0.98%
2010 -9.29% -0.28%
2009 -5.36% -2.24%
2008 4.08% -0.04%
2007 1.52% 0.22%
2006 2.24% -0.15%
2005 2.8% -1.52%
2004 0.24% -0.7%
2003 -1.7% -1.07%
2002 -3.27% -3.33%
2001 0.7% -3.27%
2000 7.33% -3.69%
1999 -4.85% 1.94%
1998 -5.49% 1.83%
1997 -6.39% 0.47%
1996 0.24% -0.11%
1995 -3.99% -1.91%
1994 -5.18% -1.57%
1993 -2.77% -0.41%
1992 -5.41% -1.98%
1991 -3.47% -2.25%
1990 -6.79% -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/bahrain/benin | CC BY

In 2024, Bahrain's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $5B, equivalent to 10.6% of GDP. This compares to Benin's deficit of $658M, or 3.06% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Bahrain recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Benin ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Bahrain posted an annual deficit equal to 5.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.92% of GDP for Benin.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Bahrain

Benin
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Bahrain Benin
2024 0.92% 1.2%
2023 0.07% 2.7%
2022 3.63% 1.4%
2021 -0.61% 1.7%
2020 -2.32% 3%
2019 1.01% -0.9%
2018 2.09% 0.8%
2017 1.39% 1.8%
2016 2.79% -0.8%
2015 1.85% 0.2%
2014 2.65% -0.6%
2013 3.3% 0.4%
2012 2.76% 6.7%
2011 -0.4% 2.7%
2010 1.96% 2.1%
2009 2.8% 0.9%
2008 3.53% 7.4%
2007 3.26% 1.3%
2006 2.01% 3.8%
2005 2.59% 5.4%
2004 2.35% 0.9%
2003 1.59% 1.5%
2002 -0.5% 2.4%
2001 -1.21% 4%
2000 -0.7% 4.2%
1999 -1.29% 0.3%
1998 -0.37% 5.8%
1997 2.43% 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/bahrain/benin | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Bahrain has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.34%, compared with 2.29% in Benin. In 2024, inflation was 0.92% in Bahrain and 1.2% in Benin.

Top exports between countries

Bahrain
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $147K
Miscellaneous $5K
Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $2K

Balance of trade

Bahrain Benin
Current account balance
$2.28B
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
44/190
2024
135/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
+4.84%
2024
-8.18%
2023
Goods imports
$20.7B
2024
$4.65B
2023
Goods exports
$24.3B
2024
$4.05B
2023
Service imports
$12.4B
2024
$1.54B
2023
Service exports
$17B
2024
$461M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
70.1%
2024
21.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
87.7%
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.

Bahrain Benin
Economic freedom 65.7 60
Economic freedom ranking 63/197 96/197
Property rights 60.9 46.4
Government integrity 45.9 44.1
Judicial effectiveness 30 47.7
Tax burden 99.9 69.4
Government spending 75 89.1
Fiscal health 0 65.4
Business freedom 75.9 53.3
Labor freedom 55.5 60.2
Monetary freedom 88.8 82.1
Trade freedom 86.8 62.6
Investment freedom 90 50
Financial freedom 80 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Bahrain
Benin
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Bahrain Benin
2026 65.7 60
2025 65.6 58.5
2024 63.4 57.7
2023 62.5 59.8
2022 62 61
2021 69.9 59.6
2020 66.3 55.2
2019 66.4 55.3
2018 67.7 56.7
2017 68.5 59.2
2016 74.3 59.3
2015 73.4 58.8
2014 75.1 57.1
2013 75.5 57.6
2012 75.2 55.7
2011 77.7 56
2010 76.3 55.4
2009 74.8 55.4
2008 72.2 55.2
2007 71.2 55.1
2006 71.6 54
2005 71.2 52.3
2004 75.1 54.6
2003 76.3 54.9
2002 75.6 57.3
2001 75.9 60.1
2000 75.7 61.5
1999 75.2 60.6
1998 75.6 61.7
1997 76.1 61.3
1996 76.4 54.5
1995 76.2 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Bahrain is 65.7, ranking 63/197, compared to 60 for Benin, ranking 96/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Bahrain Benin
Services, % of GDP
53.2%
2024
48.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
42.3%
2024
17.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
0.25%
2024
24.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$44.6B
2024
$20.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$62,230
2024
$4,390
2024
Total reserves including gold
$4.95B
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
102/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$2.43B
2024
-$430M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$2.7B
2024
$543M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$275M
2024
$60.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
5.38%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
36.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
28.4%
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/bahrain/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. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.