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Economy of Belize vs Benin compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Belize has a GDP of $3.2B compared to $21.5B for Benin, ranking 168/197 and 126/197 by economy size, respectively.

Belize has $2.1B in government debt (65.4% of GDP), compared to $11.5B (53.4% of GDP) in Benin.

Belize vs Benin GDP by year

Belize
Benin
1x
Year GDP, current $
Belize Benin
2024 $3,203,631,800 $21,482,643,706
2023 $3,052,362,650 $19,673,291,004
2022 $2,846,604,350 $17,425,405,091
2021 $2,428,606,250 $17,687,623,530
2020 $2,047,284,600 $15,686,741,884
2019 $2,381,187,850 $14,391,686,313
2018 $2,285,915,050 $14,262,408,090
2017 $2,266,028,250 $12,701,655,837
2016 $2,239,604,950 $11,821,065,853
2015 $2,193,095,150 $11,388,160,997
2014 $2,138,242,200 $13,284,527,847
2013 $2,035,191,450 $12,517,845,124
2012 $1,917,083,500 $11,141,358,116
2011 $1,831,576,700 $10,693,321,364
2010 $1,748,988,400 $9,535,345,016
2009 $1,688,012,750 $9,738,626,517
2008 $1,738,453,600 $9,787,734,526
2007 $1,706,190,450 $8,169,048,383
2006 $1,590,463,100 $7,034,111,315
2005 $1,474,298,400 $6,567,654,954
2004 $1,400,202,000 $6,190,270,380
2003 $1,308,280,250 $5,349,258,094
2002 $1,243,912,050 $4,194,342,686
2001 $1,172,045,150 $3,666,222,635
2000 $1,138,138,100 $3,519,991,440
1999 $999,713,050 $3,677,393,999
1998 $929,047,000 $2,455,092,686
1997 $872,916,050 $2,268,301,646
1996 $850,339,100 $2,361,116,449
1995 $818,590,250 $2,169,627,138
1994 $771,838,000 $1,598,075,944
1993 $752,255,150 $2,274,558,083
1992 $695,741,150 $1,695,315,306
1991 $596,682,100 $1,986,437,797
1990 $546,750,912 $1,959,965,330
1989 $491,100,000 $1,502,294,416
1988 $421,450,000 $1,620,246,084
1987 $371,100,000 $1,562,412,228
1986 $311,500,000 $1,336,102,025
1985 $287,300,000 $1,045,712,789
1984 $290,350,000 $1,051,134,009
1983 $262,150,000 $1,095,348,199
1982 $248,550,000 $1,267,778,670
1981 $260,750,000 $1,291,120,188
1980 $257,400,000 $1,405,251,847
1979 $151,800,000 $1,186,231,020
1978 $136,300,000 $928,843,469
1977 $117,650,000 $750,049,779
1976 $97,094,227 $698,408,262
1975 $118,194,026 $676,870,140
1974 $103,160,450 $554,654,861
1973 $78,214,768 $504,376,074
1972 $65,998,069 $410,331,857
1971 $59,074,687 $335,073,028
1970 $53,339,893 $333,627,713
1969 $47,399,905 $330,748,245
1968 $44,999,910 $326,323,105
1967 $47,431,256 $306,221,953
1966 $44,450,044 $302,925,235
1965 $40,110,040 $289,908,680
1964 $36,194,586 $269,819,006
1963 $33,750,114 $253,927,697
1962 $31,857,592 $236,434,954
1961 $29,965,000 $235,668,221
1960 $28,072,478 $226,195,578

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

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

GDP per capita in Belize vs Benin by year

Belize
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Belize Benin
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $7,681 $14,347 $1,485 $4,435
2023 $7,425 $13,730 $1,394 $4,130
2022 $7,068 $13,461 $1,266 $3,844
2021 $6,143 $11,716 $1,319 $3,464
2020 $5,239 $9,639 $1,200 $3,245
2019 $6,172 $10,500 $1,131 $3,149
2018 $6,012 $9,497 $1,152 $2,965
2017 $6,072 $9,121 $1,055 $2,886
2016 $6,141 $9,399 $1,011 $2,842
2015 $6,155 $9,538 $1,002 $2,725
2014 $6,128 $9,490 $1,204 $2,670
2013 $5,957 $9,526 $1,169 $2,512
2012 $5,733 $9,303 $1,072 $2,346
2011 $5,596 $9,722 $1,059 $2,265
2010 $5,461 $9,748 $973 $2,220
2009 $5,400 $9,728 $1,024 $2,213
2008 $5,712 $9,975 $1,061 $2,215
2007 $5,762 $10,226 $912 $2,136
2006 $5,525 $9,910 $809 $2,021
2005 $5,270 $9,466 $779 $1,946
2004 $5,154 $9,245 $759 $1,915
2003 $4,960 $8,850 $676 $1,842
2002 $4,859 $8,154 $546 $1,800
2001 $4,719 $7,852 $492 $1,746
2000 $4,727 $7,544 $487 $1,671
1999 $4,290 $6,790 $525 $1,592
1998 $4,126 $6,333 $362 $1,537
1997 $4,014 $6,243 $345 $1,508
1996 $4,043 $6,087 $369 $1,444
1995 $4,010 $6,091 $348 $1,395
1994 $3,877 $6,073 $262.1 $1,316
1993 $3,860 $6,075 $387 $1,311
1992 $3,643 $5,706 $302 $1,265
1991 $3,190 $5,053 $365 $1,239
1990 $2,986 $4,467 $371 $1,186
1989 $2,742 - $293.3 -
1988 $2,406 - $326 -
1987 $2,166 - $324 -
1986 $1,859 - $285.8 -
1985 $1,754 - $230.4 -
1984 $1,814 - $238.6 -
1983 $1,677 - $256 -
1982 $1,629 - $305 -
1981 $1,753 - $320 -
1980 $1,774 - $358 -
1979 $1,071 - $311 -
1978 $983 - $249.8 -
1977 $866 - $207 -
1976 $729 - $197.7 -
1975 $906 - $196.5 -
1974 $805 - $164.9 -
1973 $619 - $153.6 -
1972 $529 - $127.9 -
1971 $481 - $106.9 -
1970 $442 - $108.8 -
1969 $402 - $110.3 -
1968 $392 - $111.2 -
1967 $426 - $106.6 -
1966 $412 - $107.6 -
1965 $383 - $105.1 -
1964 $356 - $99.8 -
1963 $342 - $95.7 -
1962 $332 - $90.8 -
1961 $320 - $92.1 -
1960 $307 - $89.9 -

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

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

Belize's GDP per capita is $7,681, ranking 98/197, compared to $1,485 in Benin, ranking 162/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Belize ranks 117th at $14,347, while Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435.

Economic indicators

Belize Benin
Gross domestic product
$3.2B
2024
$21.5B
2024
GDP rank
168/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP growth
3.5%
2023-2024
7.45%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$7,681
2024
$1,485
2024
GDP per capita rank
98/197
2024
162/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$14,347
2024
$4,435
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
117/197
2024
162/197
2024
Government debt
$2.1B
2024
$11.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
65.4%
2024
53.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$5,026
2024
$794
2024
Government debt per person rank
78/185
2024
151/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,204
2026
$1,091
2026
Number of billionaires
1
2025
n/a
Income share by richest 10%
30%
2018
27.2%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2018
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
26.3%
2024
18.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
1.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
29.3%
2020
1.69%
2022
Population
430409
15272847

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Belize
Spending

Debt
Benin
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Belize Benin
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 26.3% 65.4% 18.1% 53.4%
2023 25.8% 67.5% 19.2% 54.9%
2022 23.4% 66.8% 19.9% 54.2%
2021 25.7% 82.2% 19.9% 50.3%
2020 33.2% 103% 19.1% 46.1%
2019 27.5% 78.6% 14.3% 40.4%
2018 26.9% 79% 16.5% 40.8%
2017 27.7% 78.1% 17.7% 39.4%
2016 27.7% 70.5% 15.4% 35.9%
2015 27.9% 65.1% 18.2% 30.9%
2014 24.8% 61.5% 14.2% 22.3%
2013 23.8% 62.8% 14.9% 18.5%
2012 22.1% 63.1% 14.2% 19.5%
2011 23.5% 66.2% 14.7% 21.9%
2010 23.3% 68.4% 14.1% 21%
2009 23.2% 69.7% 17% 18.7%
2008 21.8% 64.7% 14.5% 18.3%
2007 22.1% 66.4% 15.8% 14.3%
2006 21.2% 71.4% 13% 8.37%
2005 21.4% 72.7% 14.1% 27%
2004 21.7% 70.7% 13.4% 21.5%
2003 24.6% 67.2% 13.7% 23.4%
2002 24.4% 53.2% 15.3% 30.8%
2001 25.9% 49.5% 15.4% 38%
2000 23.2% 79% 15.6% 39.6%
1999 23.6% 41.5% 10.7% 39.4%
1998 20.9% 38.7% 10.9% 39.2%
1997 19.9% 39.4% 12.7% 42.9%
1996 19.9% 38.4% 13.3% 43.4%
1995 - - 14.8% 48.3%
1994 - - 13.6% 64.6%
1993 - - 12% 41.9%
1992 - - 13.5% 41.8%
1991 - - 12.6% 44%
1990 - - 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 (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Belize's government spending was $842M, accounting for 26.3% of its GDP, while Benin spent $3.88B, or 18.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 65.4% in Belize and 53.4% in Benin, ranking 67/185 and 99/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Belize

Benin
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Belize Benin
2024 -1.23% -3.06%
2023 -2.42% -4.13%
2022 -1.04% -5.55%
2021 -3.29% -5.71%
2020 -8.57% -4.68%
2019 -2.9% -0.53%
2018 -1.37% -2.96%
2017 -3.48% -4.18%
2016 -4.47% -4.29%
2015 -5.14% -5.55%
2014 -1.72% -1.65%
2013 -1.21% -1.37%
2012 -0.22% -0.22%
2011 -1.06% -0.98%
2010 -1.9% -0.28%
2009 -2.46% -2.24%
2008 1.25% -0.04%
2007 -0.19% 0.22%
2006 -2.27% -0.15%
2005 -3.7% -1.52%
2004 -4.52% -0.7%
2003 -8.41% -1.07%
2002 -5.41% -3.33%
2001 -7.23% -3.27%
2000 -6.68% -3.69%
1999 -6.51% 1.94%
1998 -2.69% 1.83%
1997 -1.81% 0.47%
1996 -1.76% -0.11%
1995 - -1.91%
1994 - -1.57%
1993 - -0.41%
1992 - -1.98%
1991 - -2.25%
1990 - -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/belize/benin | CC BY

In 2024, Belize's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $39.4M, equivalent to 1.23% of GDP. This compares to Benin's deficit of $658M, or 3.06% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Belize recorded a fiscal deficit in 28 of those years, while Benin ran a deficit in 25 years. On average, Belize posted an annual deficit equal to 3.19% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.96% of GDP for Benin.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Belize

Benin
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Belize Benin
2024 3.3% 1.2%
2023 4.4% 2.7%
2022 6.3% 1.4%
2021 3.2% 1.7%
2020 0.1% 3%
2019 0.2% -0.9%
2018 0.3% 0.8%
2017 1.1% 1.8%
2016 0.7% -0.8%
2015 -0.9% 0.2%
2014 1.2% -0.6%
2013 0.5% 0.4%
2012 1.2% 6.7%
2011 1.7% 2.7%
2010 0.9% 2.1%
2009 -1.1% 0.9%
2008 6.4% 7.4%
2007 2.3% 1.3%
2006 4.2% 3.8%
2005 3.7% 5.4%
2004 3.1% 0.9%
2003 2.6% 1.5%
2002 2.2% 2.4%
2001 1.1% 4%
2000 0.6% 4.2%
1999 -1.2% 0.3%
1998 -0.8% 5.8%
1997 1% 3.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

Over the past 28 years, Belize has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.73%, compared with 2.29% in Benin. In 2024, inflation was 3.3% in Belize and 1.2% in Benin.

Balance of trade

Belize Benin
Current account balance
-$51.7M
2024
-$1.61B
2023
Current account balance ranking
84/190
2024
135/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.61%
2024
-8.18%
2023
Goods imports
$1.36B
2024
$4.65B
2023
Goods exports
$482M
2024
$4.05B
2023
Service imports
$362M
2024
$1.54B
2023
Service exports
$1.16B
2024
$461M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.7%
2024
21.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
55.2%
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.

Belize Benin
Economic freedom 64.7 60
Economic freedom ranking 71/197 96/197
Property rights 46.3 46.4
Government integrity 46.2 44.1
Judicial effectiveness 73.9 47.7
Tax burden 81.8 69.4
Government spending 81 89.1
Fiscal health 87.5 65.4
Business freedom 67.2 53.3
Labor freedom 57.6 60.2
Monetary freedom 72.6 82.1
Trade freedom 57.8 62.6
Investment freedom 55 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Belize
Benin
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Belize Benin
2026 64.7 60
2025 64.2 58.5
2024 61.2 57.7
2023 59.8 59.8
2022 56.6 61
2021 57.5 59.6
2020 57.4 55.2
2019 55.4 55.3
2018 57.1 56.7
2017 58.6 59.2
2016 57.4 59.3
2015 56.8 58.8
2014 56.7 57.1
2013 57.3 57.6
2012 61.9 55.7
2011 63.8 56
2010 61.5 55.4
2009 63 55.4
2008 63 55.2
2007 63.3 55.1
2006 64.7 54
2005 64.5 52.3
2004 62.8 54.6
2003 63.5 54.9
2002 65.6 57.3
2001 65.9 60.1
2000 63.3 61.5
1999 60.7 60.6
1998 59.1 61.7
1997 64.3 61.3
1996 61.6 54.5
1995 62.9 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Belize is 64.7, ranking 71/197, compared to 60 for Benin, ranking 96/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Belize Benin
Services, % of GDP
62.4%
2024
48.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
14.6%
2024
17.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
7.95%
2024
24.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$2.98B
2024
$20.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$13,760
2024
$4,390
2024
Total reserves including gold
$498M
2024
n/a
Total reserves ranking
156/177
2024
n/a
Net foreign direct investment
-$126M
2024
-$430M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$128M
2024
$543M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$2.61M
2024
$60.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
4.15%
2024
5.38%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
52%
2018
36.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
19.8%
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/belize/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 (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.