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Economy of Benin vs Brunei compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $15.3B for Brunei, ranking 126/197 and 142/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $351M (2.29% of GDP) in Brunei.

Benin vs Brunei GDP by year

Benin
Brunei
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Brunei
2024 $21,482,643,706 $15,340,808,592
2023 $19,673,291,004 $15,095,084,656
2022 $17,425,405,091 $16,681,536,467
2021 $17,687,623,530 $14,006,496,617
2020 $15,686,741,884 $12,005,799,654
2019 $14,391,686,313 $13,469,235,365
2018 $14,262,408,090 $13,566,908,391
2017 $12,701,655,837 $12,128,168,045
2016 $11,821,065,853 $11,400,266,045
2015 $11,388,160,997 $12,930,296,870
2014 $13,284,527,847 $17,097,797,386
2013 $12,517,845,124 $18,094,148,099
2012 $11,141,358,116 $19,048,443,341
2011 $10,693,321,364 $18,524,791,063
2010 $9,535,345,016 $13,707,121,038
2009 $9,738,626,517 $11,912,904,510
2008 $9,787,734,526 $15,926,456,515
2007 $8,169,048,383 $13,432,029,484
2006 $7,034,111,315 $12,644,616,419
2005 $6,567,654,954 $10,547,202,621
2004 $6,190,270,380 $8,619,178,774
2003 $5,349,258,094 $7,167,725,262
2002 $4,194,342,686 $6,333,082,876
2001 $3,666,222,635 $6,096,155,767
2000 $3,519,991,440 $6,570,999,088
1999 $3,677,393,999 $6,309,070,378
1998 $2,455,092,686 $5,550,846,020
1997 $2,268,301,646 $7,793,034,376
1996 $2,361,116,449 $7,663,377,306
1995 $2,169,627,138 $7,700,144,069
1994 $1,598,075,944 $6,467,782,518
1993 $2,274,558,083 $6,203,339,912
1992 $1,695,315,306 $6,327,966,435
1991 $1,986,437,797 $6,284,497,294
1990 $1,959,965,330 $6,039,881,087
1989 $1,502,294,416 $4,983,622,881
1988 $1,620,246,084 $4,535,130,305
1987 $1,562,412,228 $4,918,010,080
1986 $1,336,102,025 $4,190,280,003
1985 $1,045,712,789 $6,967,623,884
1984 $1,051,134,009 $7,632,788,075
1983 $1,095,348,199 $7,927,590,750
1982 $1,267,778,670 $8,932,198,186
1981 $1,291,120,188 $9,367,218,664
1980 $1,405,251,847 $10,795,432,294
1979 $1,186,231,020 $6,044,367,628
1978 $928,843,469 $4,100,423,674
1977 $750,049,779 $3,681,242,528
1976 $698,408,262 $3,054,765,590
1975 $676,870,140 $2,496,420,258
1974 $554,654,861 $2,319,576,214
1973 $504,376,074 $433,095,527
1972 $410,331,857 $270,822,782
1971 $335,073,028 $197,525,768
1970 $333,627,713 $179,078,929
1969 $330,748,245 $161,210,236
1968 $326,323,105 $160,818,236
1967 $306,221,953 $139,029,537
1966 $302,925,235 $132,757,528
1965 $289,908,680 $114,039,501
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/brunei | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Brunei by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Brunei
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Brunei
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $33,153 $89,879
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $32,891 $85,033
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $36,633 $81,802
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $31,007 $78,249
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $26,834 $69,788
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $30,427 $69,354
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $30,988 $65,149
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $28,024 $61,658
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $26,663 $56,680
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $30,625 $62,708
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $41,027 $81,226
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $44,003 $83,237
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $46,969 $87,256
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $46,383 $82,735
2010 $973 $2,220 $34,938 $79,543
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $30,946 $77,957
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $42,157 $80,477
2007 $912 $2,136 $36,217 $83,693
2006 $809 $2,021 $34,675 $86,114
2005 $779 $1,946 $29,386 $81,534
2004 $759 $1,915 $24,423 $80,404
2003 $676 $1,842 $20,678 $79,632
2002 $546 $1,800 $18,621 $76,838
2001 $492 $1,746 $18,288 $74,254
2000 $487 $1,671 $20,130 $73,087
1999 $525 $1,592 $19,752 $70,585
1998 $362 $1,537 $17,769 $68,257
1997 $345 $1,508 $25,522 $73,980
1996 $369 $1,444 $25,692 $70,008
1995 $348 $1,395 $26,443 $70,440
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $22,767 $69,779
1993 $387 $1,311 $22,397 $69,387
1992 $302 $1,265 $23,451 $70,016
1991 $365 $1,239 $23,932 $72,610
1990 $371 $1,186 $23,659 $70,201
1989 $293.3 - $20,090 -
1988 $326 - $18,825 -
1987 $324 - $21,030 -
1986 $285.8 - $18,501 -
1985 $230.4 - $31,827 -
1984 $238.6 - $36,061 -
1983 $256 - $38,720 -
1982 $305 - $45,075 -
1981 $320 - $48,793 -
1980 $358 - $58,005 -
1979 $311 - $33,501 -
1978 $249.8 - $23,447 -
1977 $207 - $21,747 -
1976 $197.7 - $18,671 -
1975 $196.5 - $15,793 -
1974 $164.9 - $15,195 -
1973 $153.6 - $2,939 -
1972 $127.9 - $1,905 -
1971 $106.9 - $1,432 -
1970 $108.8 - $1,325 -
1969 $110.3 - $1,226 -
1968 $111.2 - $1,274 -
1967 $106.6 - $1,149 -
1966 $107.6 - $1,146 -
1965 $105.1 - $1,029 -
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/brunei | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $33,153 in Brunei, ranking 36/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Brunei ranks 9th at $89,879.

Economic indicators

Benin Brunei
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$15.3B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
142/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.05%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$33,153
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
36/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$89,879
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
9/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$351M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
2.29%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$759
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
153/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$24,405
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
29.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
-0.39%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
4.87%
2024
Population
15272847
470884

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Brunei
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Brunei
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 29.8% 2.29%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 29.4% 2.33%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 26.4% 2.06%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 29.3% 2.51%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 33.2% 2.86%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 32.4% 2.58%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 32.2% 2.59%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 36.6% 2.83%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 39.4% 3%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 38.7% 2.95%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 34.1% 3.23%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 33.6% 2.21%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 31% 2.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 29.7% 2.13%
2010 14.1% 21% 36.2% 1.11%
2009 17% 18.7% 34.8% 1.11%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 27.2% 0.94%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 29.3% 0.68%
2006 13% 8.37% 28% 0.59%
2005 14.1% 27% 29.1% 0%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 33.2% 0%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 30.9% 0%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 41.4% 0%
2001 15.4% 38% 35.5% 0%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 37.5% 0%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 44.1% 0%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 45.4% 0%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 39% 0%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 36.9% 0%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 44% 0%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 47.1% 0%
1993 12% 41.9% 38% 0%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 34.1% 0%
1991 12.6% 44% 30.6% 0%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 32% 0%
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/brunei | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Brunei spent $4.57B, or 29.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 2.29% in Brunei, ranking 99/185 and 185/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Brunei
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Brunei
2024 -3.06% -10.2%
2023 -4.13% -10.9%
2022 -5.55% 2.53%
2021 -5.71% -8.16%
2020 -4.68% -15.8%
2019 -0.53% -3.69%
2018 -2.96% -3.59%
2017 -4.18% -10.4%
2016 -4.29% -21.7%
2015 -5.55% -14.5%
2014 -1.65% 3.58%
2013 -1.37% 13%
2012 -0.22% 15.8%
2011 -0.98% 25.6%
2010 -0.28% 7.61%
2009 -2.24% 3.61%
2008 -0.04% 36.1%
2007 0.22% 3.12%
2006 -0.15% 19.8%
2005 -1.52% 16%
2004 -0.7% 8.57%
2003 -1.07% 8.06%
2002 -3.33% -4.61%
2001 -3.27% 2.59%
2000 -3.69% 6.86%
1999 1.94% -18.3%
1998 1.83% -24%
1997 0.47% -11.8%
1996 -0.11% -8.7%
1995 -1.91% -19.8%
1994 -1.57% -22.6%
1993 -0.41% -12.8%
1992 -1.98% -8.28%
1991 -2.25% -1.06%
1990 -2.37% -1.63%
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/brunei | 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 Brunei's deficit of $1.56B, or 10.2% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Brunei ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.7% of GDP for Brunei.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Brunei
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Brunei
2024 1.2% -0.39%
2023 2.7% 0.36%
2022 1.4% 3.68%
2021 1.7% 1.73%
2020 3% 1.94%
2019 -0.9% -0.39%
2018 0.8% 1.03%
2017 1.8% -1.26%
2016 -0.8% -0.28%
2015 0.2% -0.49%
2014 -0.6% -0.21%
2013 0.4% 0.39%
2012 6.7% 0.11%
2011 2.7% 0.14%
2010 2.1% 0.36%
2009 0.9% 1.04%
2008 7.4% 2.08%
2007 1.3% 0.97%
2006 3.8% 0.16%
2005 5.4% 1.24%
2004 0.9% 0.81%
2003 1.5% 0.3%
2002 2.4% -2.31%
2001 4% 0.6%
2000 4.2% 1.56%
1999 0.3% -0.42%
1998 5.8% -0.44%
1997 3.8% 1.71%

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/brunei | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 0.5% in Brunei. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and -0.39% in Brunei.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $769K
Machinery & equipment $187K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Brunei
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Benin Brunei
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$2.23B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
45/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+14.5%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$7.36B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$11.1B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$1.75B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$410M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
58.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
74.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Brunei
Economic freedom 60 67.5
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 55/197
Property rights 46.4 66.1
Government integrity 44.1 60.4
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 48.6
Tax burden 69.4 95
Government spending 89.1 75.6
Fiscal health 65.4 39
Business freedom 53.3 75.3
Labor freedom 60.2 75.1
Monetary freedom 82.1 74.8
Trade freedom 62.6 84.6
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Brunei
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Brunei
2026 60 67.5
2025 58.5 67
2024 57.7 65.9
2023 59.8 65.7
2022 61 64.8
2021 59.6 66.6
2020 55.2 66.6
2019 55.3 65.1
2018 56.7 64.2
2017 59.2 69.8
2016 59.3 67.3
2015 58.8 68.9
2014 57.1 69
2013 57.6 -
2012 55.7 -
2011 56 -
2010 55.4 -
2009 55.4 -
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/brunei | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 67.5 for Brunei, ranking 55/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Brunei
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
39%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
61.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
1.17%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$16.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$92,750
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$4.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
105/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$29.1M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$29.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
27.9%
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/brunei | 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 (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2023, 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.