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Economy of Benin vs Botswana compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $19.4B for Botswana, ranking 126/197 and 133/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $5.82B (30% of GDP) in Botswana.

Benin vs Botswana GDP by year

Benin
Botswana
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Botswana
2024 $21,482,643,706 $19,402,063,513
2023 $19,673,291,004 $19,411,266,967
2022 $17,425,405,091 $20,321,150,599
2021 $17,687,623,530 $18,750,182,236
2020 $15,686,741,884 $14,960,251,608
2019 $14,391,686,313 $16,725,908,149
2018 $14,262,408,090 $17,031,943,186
2017 $12,701,655,837 $16,105,155,857
2016 $11,821,065,853 $15,082,637,184
2015 $11,388,160,997 $13,530,748,845
2014 $13,284,527,847 $15,470,088,501
2013 $12,517,845,124 $14,271,738,933
2012 $11,141,358,116 $13,907,464,500
2011 $10,693,321,364 $15,110,643,612
2010 $9,535,345,016 $12,637,273,429
2009 $9,738,626,517 $10,118,459,242
2008 $9,787,734,526 $10,730,829,116
2007 $8,169,048,383 $10,567,270,656
2006 $7,034,111,315 $9,919,158,482
2005 $6,567,654,954 $9,918,907,108
2004 $6,190,270,380 $8,957,467,707
2003 $5,349,258,094 $7,511,582,173
2002 $4,194,342,686 $5,438,863,983
2001 $3,666,222,635 $5,489,608,300
2000 $3,519,991,440 $5,788,329,609
1999 $3,677,393,999 $5,484,263,347
1998 $2,455,092,686 $4,790,481,509
1997 $2,268,301,646 $5,020,265,627
1996 $2,361,116,449 $4,847,757,218
1995 $2,169,627,138 $4,730,599,122
1994 $1,598,075,944 $4,259,259,604
1993 $2,274,558,083 $4,160,129,175
1992 $1,695,315,306 $4,146,464,587
1991 $1,986,437,797 $3,942,876,703
1990 $1,959,965,330 $3,790,636,324
1989 $1,502,294,416 $3,083,822,112
1988 $1,620,246,084 $2,644,554,159
1987 $1,562,412,228 $1,965,226,890
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,392,602,164
1985 $1,045,712,789 $1,114,783,343
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,240,822,167
1983 $1,095,348,199 $1,172,230,397
1982 $1,267,778,670 $1,014,945,696
1981 $1,291,120,188 $1,073,812,830
1980 $1,405,251,847 $1,060,889,704
1979 $1,186,231,020 $819,870,259
1978 $928,843,469 $590,407,374
1977 $750,049,779 $451,624,780
1976 $698,408,262 $372,025,093
1975 $676,870,140 $355,168,572
1974 $554,654,861 $306,044,208
1973 $504,376,074 $244,124,164
1972 $410,331,857 $164,460,915
1971 $335,073,028 $127,448,614
1970 $333,627,713 $96,243,234
1969 $330,748,245 $77,361,547
1968 $326,323,105 $66,248,441
1967 $306,221,953 $58,642,354
1966 $302,925,235 $51,465,655
1965 $289,908,680 $45,788,696
1964 $269,819,006 $41,616,348
1963 $253,927,697 $38,091,843
1962 $236,434,954 $35,644,957
1961 $235,668,221 $32,902,613
1960 $226,195,578 $30,411,414

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Botswana by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Botswana
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Botswana
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $7,696 $20,538
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $7,826 $21,012
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $8,329 $19,977
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $7,808 $17,961
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $6,323 $15,292
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $7,172 $15,960
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $7,408 $15,786
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $7,105 $15,701
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $6,749 $16,228
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $6,141 $14,144
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $7,122 $15,003
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $6,667 $13,621
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $6,596 $12,737
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $7,287 $13,635
2010 $973 $2,220 $6,216 $12,753
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $5,083 $11,686
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $5,503 $13,810
2007 $912 $2,136 $5,529 $13,389
2006 $809 $2,021 $5,292 $12,563
2005 $779 $1,946 $5,391 $11,458
2004 $759 $1,915 $4,957 $10,818
2003 $676 $1,842 $4,230 $10,439
2002 $546 $1,800 $3,117 $9,958
2001 $492 $1,746 $3,206 $9,420
2000 $487 $1,671 $3,451 $9,380
1999 $525 $1,592 $3,340 $9,188
1998 $362 $1,537 $2,981 $8,441
1997 $345 $1,508 $3,194 $8,497
1996 $369 $1,444 $3,156 $7,890
1995 $348 $1,395 $3,156 $7,503
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $2,917 $7,049
1993 $387 $1,311 $2,929 $6,847
1992 $302 $1,265 $3,005 $6,753
1991 $365 $1,239 $2,939 $6,598
1990 $371 $1,186 $2,903 $6,104
1989 $293.3 - $2,428 -
1988 $326 - $2,141 -
1987 $324 - $1,639 -
1986 $285.8 - $1,200 -
1985 $230.4 - $994 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,145 -
1983 $256 - $1,121 -
1982 $305 - $1,006 -
1981 $320 - $1,107 -
1980 $358 - $1,132 -
1979 $311 - $909 -
1978 $249.8 - $695 -
1977 $207 - $565 -
1976 $197.7 - $490 -
1975 $196.5 - $493 -
1974 $164.9 - $446 -
1973 $153.6 - $374 -
1972 $127.9 - $264.2 -
1971 $106.9 - $212.2 -
1970 $108.8 - $163 -
1969 $110.3 - $131.8 -
1968 $111.2 - $113.4 -
1967 $106.6 - $100.9 -
1966 $107.6 - $89.1 -
1965 $105.1 - $79.7 -
1964 $99.8 - $73.5 -
1963 $95.7 - $68.9 -
1962 $90.8 - $66 -
1961 $92.1 - $62.3 -
1960 $89.9 - $58.9 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $7,696 in Botswana, ranking 97/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Botswana ranks 95th at $20,538.

Economic indicators

Benin Botswana
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$19.4B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
133/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
-2.99%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$7,696
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
97/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$20,538
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
95/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$5.82B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
30%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$2,310
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
114/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$5,271
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.59B
2023
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
42.9%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.4%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
33.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.82%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.9%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
24.4%
2024
Population
15272847
2615162

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Botswana
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Botswana
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 33.8% 30%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 32.4% 22.5%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 29.5% 21.3%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 33% 23.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 38.5% 24.8%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 36.4% 21.3%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 35.9% 19.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 35% 19.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 34.2% 22.4%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 39.7% 25.7%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 36.4% 23.9%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 34.8% 24.7%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 38.3% 27.3%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 37.4% 28.1%
2010 14.1% 21% 44.7% 27.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 54.5% 23.5%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 48% 7.77%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 38.3% 6.12%
2006 13% 8.37% 34.1% 6.32%
2005 14.1% 27% 35% 7.74%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 42% 11.3%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 44% 7.29%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 46% 8.55%
2001 15.4% 38% 42.9% 7.61%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 39.8% 8.37%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 41.7% 9.68%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 44.3% 12%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 40% -
1996 13.3% 43.4% 37.2% -
1995 14.8% 48.3% 38.1% -
1994 13.6% 64.6% 39.2% -
1993 12% 41.9% 44.2% -
1992 13.5% 41.8% 43.4% -
1991 12.6% 44% 42.3% -
1990 13.3% 45.3% 40.5% -
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/benin/botswana | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Botswana spent $6.55B, or 33.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 30% in Botswana, ranking 99/185 and 158/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Botswana
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Botswana
2024 -3.06% -7.82%
2023 -4.13% -4.25%
2022 -5.55% -0.006%
2021 -5.71% -2.46%
2020 -4.68% -11.5%
2019 -0.53% -8.43%
2018 -2.96% -5.07%
2017 -4.18% -1.16%
2016 -4.29% 0.72%
2015 -5.55% -5.06%
2014 -1.65% 3.88%
2013 -1.37% 6.07%
2012 -0.22% 0.92%
2011 -0.98% -0.12%
2010 -0.28% -8.36%
2009 -2.24% -14.4%
2008 -0.04% -7.59%
2007 0.22% 5.92%
2006 -0.15% 13.7%
2005 -1.52% 10.7%
2004 -0.7% 1.42%
2003 -1.07% -0.18%
2002 -3.33% -4.02%
2001 -3.27% -2.96%
2000 -3.69% 8.95%
1999 1.94% 6.18%
1998 1.83% -
1997 0.47% -
1996 -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/benin/botswana | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $658M, equivalent to 3.06% of GDP. This compares to Botswana's deficit of $1.52B, or 7.82% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Botswana ran a deficit in 16 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.96% of GDP for Botswana.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Botswana
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Botswana
2024 1.2% 2.82%
2023 2.7% 5.07%
2022 1.4% 11.7%
2021 1.7% 7.24%
2020 3% 1.89%
2019 -0.9% 2.77%
2018 0.8% 3.24%
2017 1.8% 3.31%
2016 -0.8% 2.81%
2015 0.2% 3.06%
2014 -0.6% 4.4%
2013 0.4% 5.88%
2012 6.7% 7.54%
2011 2.7% 8.46%
2010 2.1% 6.95%
2009 0.9% 8.03%
2008 7.4% 12.7%
2007 1.3% 7.08%
2006 3.8% 11.6%
2005 5.4% 8.61%
2004 0.9% 6.95%
2003 1.5% 9.19%
2002 2.4% 8.03%
2001 4% 6.56%
2000 4.2% 8.6%
1999 0.3% 7.75%
1998 5.8% 6.66%
1997 3.8% 8.72%

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/benin/botswana | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 6.7% in Botswana. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.82% in Botswana.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Botswana
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $231K
Textiles & consumer goods $24K
Machinery & equipment $4K
Miscellaneous $3K

Balance of trade

Benin Botswana
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$821M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
118/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-4.23%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$6.86B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$4.66B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$1.29B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$935M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
43.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
27.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Botswana
Economic freedom 60 67.7
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 53/197
Property rights 46.4 71.7
Government integrity 44.1 59.6
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 70.2
Tax burden 69.4 87.1
Government spending 89.1 69.8
Fiscal health 65.4 72.4
Business freedom 53.3 61.5
Labor freedom 60.2 60.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 72
Trade freedom 62.6 77
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Botswana
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Botswana
2026 60 67.7
2025 58.5 69.9
2024 57.7 68
2023 59.8 64.9
2022 61 64.8
2021 59.6 67.6
2020 55.2 69.6
2019 55.3 69.5
2018 56.7 69.9
2017 59.2 70.1
2016 59.3 71.1
2015 58.8 69.8
2014 57.1 72
2013 57.6 70.6
2012 55.7 69.6
2011 56 68.8
2010 55.4 70.3
2009 55.4 69.7
2008 55.2 68.2
2007 55.1 68.1
2006 54 68.8
2005 52.3 69.3
2004 54.6 69.9
2003 54.9 68.6
2002 57.3 66.2
2001 60.1 66.8
2000 61.5 65.8
1999 60.6 62.9
1998 61.7 62.8
1997 61.3 59.1
1996 54.5 61.6
1995 - 56.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 67.7 for Botswana, ranking 53/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Botswana
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
63.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
29.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
1.71%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$20,570
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.46B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
113/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$464M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$467M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$3.02M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
16.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
36%
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/benin/botswana | 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 (2020–2024, 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.