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Economy of Benin vs Bhutan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $3.01B for Bhutan, ranking 126/197 and 170/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $3.53B (110.4% of GDP) in Bhutan.

Benin vs Bhutan GDP by year

Benin
Bhutan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Bhutan
2024 $21,482,643,706 -
2023 $19,673,291,004 $3,012,896,789
2022 $17,425,405,091 $2,898,227,744
2021 $17,687,623,530 $2,768,802,960
2020 $15,686,741,884 $2,457,604,334
2019 $14,391,686,313 $2,735,683,570
2018 $14,262,408,090 $2,583,335,722
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,591,358,009
2016 $11,821,065,853 $2,357,504,761
2015 $11,388,160,997 $2,187,815,803
2014 $13,284,527,847 $2,089,079,571
2013 $12,517,845,124 $1,943,696,952
2012 $11,141,358,116 $1,973,387,228
2011 $10,693,321,364 $1,977,728,659
2010 $9,535,345,016 $1,708,880,730
2009 $9,738,626,517 $1,331,343,798
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,317,517,835
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,255,767,964
2006 $7,034,111,315 $942,879,879
2005 $6,567,654,954 $860,391,000
2004 $6,190,270,380 $735,348,490
2003 $5,349,258,094 $651,935,430
2002 $4,194,342,686 $559,345,264
2001 $3,666,222,635 $496,110,226
2000 $3,519,991,440 $460,733,418
1999 $3,677,393,999 $399,311,200
1998 $2,455,092,686 $363,458,381
1997 $2,268,301,646 $352,229,077
1996 $2,361,116,449 $303,408,346
1995 $2,169,627,138 $290,490,984
1994 $1,598,075,944 $258,954,708
1993 $2,274,558,083 $225,973,693
1992 $1,695,315,306 $240,233,531
1991 $1,986,437,797 $240,294,286
1990 $1,959,965,330 $287,765,007
1989 $1,502,294,416 $264,798,626
1988 $1,620,246,084 $272,298,067
1987 $1,562,412,228 $242,742,766
1986 $1,336,102,025 $191,218,115
1985 $1,045,712,789 $163,288,815
1984 $1,051,134,009 $160,423,494
1983 $1,095,348,199 $156,704,290
1982 $1,267,778,670 $141,439,317
1981 $1,291,120,188 $139,174,178
1980 $1,405,251,847 $128,669,201
1979 $1,186,231,020 $105,377,995
1978 $928,843,469 $94,086,228
1977 $750,049,779 $97,884,434
1976 $698,408,262 $88,461,263
1975 $676,870,140 $86,820,762
1974 $554,654,861 $92,901,784
1973 $504,376,074 $78,900,289
1972 $410,331,857 $70,139,867
1971 $335,073,028 $66,289,450
1970 $333,627,713 $61,812,113
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/benin/bhutan | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Bhutan by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bhutan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Bhutan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 - -
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $3,831 $16,215
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $3,711 $15,064
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $3,571 $13,459
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,192 $12,475
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $3,577 $12,909
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $3,400 $11,970
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $3,435 $11,677
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $3,152 $11,273
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $2,954 $10,214
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $2,849 $9,323
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $2,680 $8,667
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $2,751 $8,577
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $2,788 $7,935
2010 $973 $2,220 $2,436 $7,246
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,918 $6,466
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,920 $6,035
2007 $912 $2,136 $1,850 $5,729
2006 $809 $2,021 $1,406 $4,860
2005 $779 $1,946 $1,300 $4,523
2004 $759 $1,915 $1,130 $4,173
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,022 $3,942
2002 $546 $1,800 $896 $3,663
2001 $492 $1,746 $812 $3,338
2000 $487 $1,671 $772 $3,113
1999 $525 $1,592 $685 $3,017
1998 $362 $1,537 $638 $2,819
1997 $345 $1,508 $630 $2,683
1996 $369 $1,444 $553 $2,548
1995 $348 $1,395 $530 $2,374
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $467 $2,146
1993 $387 $1,311 $407 $2,001
1992 $302 $1,265 $416 $1,840
1991 $365 $1,239 $401 $1,657
1990 $371 $1,186 $488 $1,638
1989 $293.3 - $462 -
1988 $326 - $489 -
1987 $324 - $449 -
1986 $285.8 - $365 -
1985 $230.4 - $321 -
1984 $238.6 - $326 -
1983 $256 - $328 -
1982 $305 - $306 -
1981 $320 - $311 -
1980 $358 - $296.9 -
1979 $311 - $251.4 -
1978 $249.8 - $232.2 -
1977 $207 - $249.9 -
1976 $197.7 - $233.7 -
1975 $196.5 - $237.4 -
1974 $164.9 - $262.8 -
1973 $153.6 - $230.9 -
1972 $127.9 - $212.4 -
1971 $106.9 - $207.7 -
1970 $108.8 - $200.3 -
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/benin/bhutan | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $3,831 in Bhutan, ranking 132/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Bhutan ranks 109th at $16,215.

Economic indicators

Benin Bhutan
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$3.01B
2023
GDP rank
126/197
2024
170/197
2023
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.63%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$3,831
2023
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
132/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$16,215
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
109/197
2023
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$3.53B
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
110.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$4,485
2023
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
87/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$5,506
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
22.7%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
27.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
4.3%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
3.28%
2024
Population
15272847
803385

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Bhutan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Bhutan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 27.1% 110.4%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 28.8% 117.1%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 32.1% 119.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 36.6% 124.5%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 30.9% 116%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 24.2% 100.8%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 31.7% 103.4%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 30.6% 104.1%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 30.5% 103%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 27.5% 90.2%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 28.9% 89.8%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 32.5% 87.4%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 35.1% 71.5%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 36.1% 62.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 41.5% 55.8%
2009 17% 18.7% 39.3% 61%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 36.1% 60.6%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 33.2% 67.3%
2006 13% 8.37% 33.4% 80.1%
2005 14.1% 27% 36.4% 80.8%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 31% 76%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 34.7% 68.5%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 39.3% 57.7%
2001 15.4% 38% 50.3% 52.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 43% 44%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 40.2% 39.2%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 31.1% 36.4%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 37.8% 33%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 37.9% 36.8%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 38.6% 38.7%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 37.9% 53.2%
1993 12% 41.9% 35.2% 60.2%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 34.5% 35.6%
1991 12.6% 44% 30.8% 33.5%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 35.8% 27.4%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 46.8% 26.4%
1988 - - 45.3% 24.7%
1987 - - 47.5% 17.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Bhutan spent $869M, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 110.4% in Bhutan, ranking 99/185 and 17/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Bhutan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Bhutan
2024 -3.06% -0.17%
2023 -4.13% -4.73%
2022 -5.55% -6.95%
2021 -5.71% -5.76%
2020 -4.68% -1.81%
2019 -0.53% -1.49%
2018 -2.96% -1.52%
2017 -4.18% -4.49%
2016 -4.29% -2.31%
2015 -5.55% -0.49%
2014 -1.65% 2.46%
2013 -1.37% -4.55%
2012 -0.22% -2.1%
2011 -0.98% -3.02%
2010 -0.28% 1.92%
2009 -2.24% -0.8%
2008 -0.04% -2.57%
2007 0.22% 0.79%
2006 -0.15% -0.07%
2005 -1.52% -6.96%
2004 -0.7% 1.8%
2003 -1.07% -10.2%
2002 -3.33% -4.33%
2001 -3.27% -12.2%
2000 -3.69% -3.39%
1999 1.94% -1.28%
1998 1.83% 1.28%
1997 0.47% -1.92%
1996 -0.11% 2.55%
1995 -1.91% -0.88%
1994 -1.57% -0.13%
1993 -0.41% 4.71%
1992 -1.98% -3.47%
1991 -2.25% -0.48%
1990 -2.37% -7.21%
1989 0.89% -10.1%
1988 - 1.33%
1987 - -0.56%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1987–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2023, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 4.13% of GDP. This compares to Bhutan's deficit of $142M, or 4.73% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Bhutan ran a deficit in 28 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.81% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.56% of GDP for Bhutan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Bhutan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Bhutan
2024 1.2% 4.3%
2023 2.7% 4.5%
2022 1.4% 5.9%
2021 1.7% 8.2%
2020 3% 3%
2019 -0.9% 2.8%
2018 0.8% 3.6%
2017 1.8% 4.3%
2016 -0.8% 3.3%
2015 0.2% 6.7%
2014 -0.6% 9.6%
2013 0.4% 8.1%
2012 6.7% 10.1%
2011 2.7% 8.6%
2010 2.1% 4.8%
2009 0.9% 7.1%
2008 7.4% 6.3%
2007 1.3% 5.2%
2006 3.8% 4.9%
2005 5.4% 4.8%
2004 0.9% 3.3%
2003 1.5% 2.5%
2002 2.4% 2.9%
2001 4% 3.7%
2000 4.2% 7.2%
1999 0.3% 9.1%
1998 5.8% 7.6%
1997 3.8% 8.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 5.75% in Bhutan. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 4.3% in Bhutan.

Balance of trade

Benin Bhutan
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$670M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
114/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-32%
2023
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$1.29B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$656M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$228M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$288M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
53.3%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
28.4%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Bhutan
Economic freedom 60 57.5
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 115/197
Property rights 46.4 69.2
Government integrity 44.1 72.2
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 61.8
Tax burden 69.4 83.4
Government spending 89.1 74.1
Fiscal health 65.4 25.8
Business freedom 53.3 67.8
Labor freedom 60.2 60.1
Monetary freedom 82.1 71.6
Trade freedom 62.6 63.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Bhutan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Bhutan
2026 60 57.5
2025 58.5 57.5
2024 57.7 55.4
2023 59.8 59
2022 61 59.3
2021 59.6 58.3
2020 55.2 62.1
2019 55.3 62.9
2018 56.7 61.8
2017 59.2 58.4
2016 59.3 59.5
2015 58.8 57.4
2014 57.1 56.7
2013 57.6 55
2012 55.7 56.6
2011 56 57.6
2010 55.4 57
2009 55.4 57.7
2008 55.2 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 54 -
2005 52.3 -
2004 54.6 -
2003 54.9 -
2002 57.3 -
2001 60.1 -
2000 61.5 -
1999 60.6 -
1998 61.7 -
1997 61.3 -
1996 54.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 57.5 for Bhutan, ranking 115/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Bhutan
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
52.8%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
29.4%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
15%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.93B
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$15,320
2023
Total reserves including gold n/a
$941M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
143/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$22.8M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$2.82M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
4.96%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
12.4%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
45.3%
2023

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/benin/bhutan | 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 (1996–2026, 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 (1987–1997, 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.