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Economy of Benin vs Bulgaria compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $131B for Bulgaria, ranking 124/197 and 63/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $35.4B (27.1% of GDP) in Bulgaria.

Benin vs Bulgaria GDP by year

Benin
Bulgaria
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Bulgaria
2025 $24,566,420,904 $130,777,235,530
2024 $21,482,643,706 $113,349,149,167
2023 $19,673,291,004 $102,204,457,335
2022 $17,425,405,091 $90,510,784,778
2021 $17,687,623,530 $84,378,926,047
2020 $15,686,741,884 $70,490,478,088
2019 $14,391,686,313 $68,511,235,459
2018 $14,262,408,090 $66,100,606,677
2017 $12,701,655,837 $59,170,671,046
2016 $11,821,065,853 $53,932,152,154
2015 $11,388,160,997 $50,768,512,173
2014 $13,284,527,847 $57,083,817,240
2013 $12,517,845,124 $55,822,115,861
2012 $11,141,358,116 $54,299,825,600
2011 $10,693,321,364 $57,684,243,980
2010 $9,535,345,016 $50,691,645,231
2009 $9,738,626,517 $52,026,461,290
2008 $9,787,734,526 $54,483,464,293
2007 $8,169,048,383 $44,433,521,725
2006 $7,034,111,315 $34,382,295,487
2005 $6,567,654,954 $29,870,182,425
2004 $6,190,270,380 $26,159,078,743
2003 $5,349,258,094 $21,146,038,619
2002 $4,194,342,686 $16,403,880,783
2001 $3,666,222,635 $14,184,170,319
2000 $3,519,991,440 $13,246,669,554
1999 $3,677,393,999 $13,637,793,854
1998 $2,455,092,686 $15,031,821,788
1997 $2,268,301,646 $11,316,706,412
1996 $2,361,116,449 $12,295,588,924
1995 $2,169,627,138 $18,992,388,645
1994 $1,598,075,944 $9,709,230,161
1993 $2,274,558,083 $10,832,041,595
1992 $1,695,315,306 $8,602,874,120
1991 $1,986,437,797 $7,628,764,750
1990 $1,959,965,330 $20,726,605,649
1989 $1,502,294,416 $21,746,286,447
1988 $1,620,246,084 $23,003,003,708
1987 $1,562,412,228 $28,428,718,531
1986 $1,336,102,025 $20,261,546,635
1985 $1,045,712,789 $17,562,270,447
1984 $1,051,134,009 $17,410,894,971
1983 $1,095,348,199 $16,959,180,922
1982 $1,267,778,670 $19,803,624,625
1981 $1,291,120,188 $20,055,685,481
1980 $1,405,251,847 $20,039,544,133
1979 $1,186,231,020 -
1978 $928,843,469 -
1977 $750,049,779 -
1976 $698,408,262 -
1975 $676,870,140 -
1974 $554,654,861 -
1973 $504,376,074 -
1972 $410,331,857 -
1971 $335,073,028 -
1970 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Bulgaria by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Bulgaria
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Bulgaria
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $20,328 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $17,597 $41,969
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $15,854 $38,829
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $14,000 $36,320
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $12,967 $30,959
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $10,761 $27,352
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $10,354 $26,766
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $9,850 $23,998
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $8,697 $22,317
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $7,823 $20,746
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $7,269 $18,896
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $8,070 $17,991
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $7,796 $16,894
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $7,432 $16,327
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $7,850 $15,747
2010 $973 $2,220 $6,854 $14,954
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $6,989 $14,188
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $7,272 $14,347
2007 $912 $2,136 $5,889 $12,822
2006 $809 $2,021 $4,523 $11,406
2005 $779 $1,946 $3,900 $10,291
2004 $759 $1,915 $3,390 $9,200
2003 $676 $1,842 $2,720 $8,416
2002 $546 $1,800 $2,093 $7,786
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,771 $6,960
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,621 $6,424
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,661 $5,808
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,821 $6,178
1997 $345 $1,508 $1,361 $5,751
1996 $369 $1,444 $1,470 $6,849
1995 $348 $1,395 $2,259 $7,743
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,150 $7,338
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,279 $7,032
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,007 $6,917
1991 $365 $1,239 $884 $7,215
1990 $371 $1,186 $2,377 $7,548
1989 $293.3 - $2,450 -
1988 $326 - $2,561 -
1987 $324 - $3,169 -
1986 $285.8 - $2,262 -
1985 $230.4 - $1,960 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,943 -
1983 $256 - $1,897 -
1982 $305 - $2,221 -
1981 $320 - $2,256 -
1980 $358 - $2,261 -
1979 $311 - - -
1978 $249.8 - - -
1977 $207 - - -
1976 $197.7 - - -
1975 $196.5 - - -
1974 $164.9 - - -
1973 $153.6 - - -
1972 $127.9 - - -
1971 $106.9 - - -
1970 $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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $20,328 in Bulgaria, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Bulgaria ranks 54th at $41,969.

Economic indicators

Benin Bulgaria
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$131B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
63/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
3.1%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$20,328
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
58/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$41,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
54/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$35.4B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
27.1%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$5,507
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
79/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$16,126
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$11.2B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
31.1%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
38.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
3.5%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
1.81%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
3.5%
2025
Population
15358725
6390149

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Bulgaria
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Bulgaria
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 38.9% 27.1%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 36.3% 23.8%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 37.5% 22.9%
2022 20% 59.7% 37.6% 22.5%
2021 20% 55.6% 38.5% 23.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 37.7% 22.7%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 36.1% 18.4%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 34.4% 20.1%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 32% 22.9%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 32.7% 27%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 37.3% 25.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 37.1% 26.3%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 35.5% 17.2%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 32.5% 16.5%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 32% 14.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 34.6% 14.1%
2009 17% 18.7% 33.8% 14.5%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 33.5% 14.7%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 33.1% 17.6%
2006 13% 8.37% 32.5% 22.6%
2005 14.1% 27% 34% 28.5%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 34.6% 37.8%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 35.8% 45.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 35.1% 53.4%
2001 15.4% 38% 36.5% 67.1%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 37.1% 73.3%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 36.2% 78.7%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 30.6% 67.3%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 32.9% 88.4%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 44% 113.8%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 45.4% 72%
1994 18.5% 64.6% - -
1993 16.4% 41.9% - -
1992 18.4% 41.8% - -
1991 17.2% 44% - -
1990 18.1% 45.3% - -
1989 17.1% 50.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Bulgaria spent $50.8B, or 38.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 27.1% in Bulgaria, ranking 83/185 and 164/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Bulgaria
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Bulgaria
2025 -2.9% -3.01%
2024 -3.06% -3.01%
2023 -4.13% -3.04%
2022 -5.55% -0.8%
2021 -2.53% -2.8%
2020 -4.68% -2.92%
2019 -0.53% -0.96%
2018 -2.96% 0.12%
2017 -4.18% 0.82%
2016 -4.29% 1.54%
2015 -5.55% -2.77%
2014 -1.65% -3.65%
2013 -1.37% -1.75%
2012 -0.22% -0.43%
2011 -0.98% -1.83%
2010 -0.28% -3.77%
2009 -2.24% -0.86%
2008 -0.04% 2.73%
2007 0.22% 3.09%
2006 -0.15% 3.22%
2005 -1.52% 2.19%
2004 -0.7% 1.59%
2003 -1.07% 0.003%
2002 -3.33% -0.61%
2001 -3.27% -0.58%
2000 -3.69% -0.6%
1999 1.94% 0.15%
1998 2.5% 1.08%
1997 0.64% 0.83%
1996 -0.15% -10.1%
1995 -2.61% -7.98%
1994 -2.14% -
1993 -0.56% -
1992 -2.71% -
1991 -3.08% -
1990 -3.24% -
1989 0.89% -
1988 - -
1987 - -
1986 - -
1985 - -
1984 - -
1983 - -
1982 - -
1981 - -
1980 - -
1979 - -
1978 - -
1977 - -
1976 - -
1975 - -
1974 - -
1973 - -
1972 - -
1971 - -
1970 - -
1969 - -
1968 - -
1967 - -
1966 - -
1965 - -
1964 - -
1963 - -
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - -
1959 - -
1958 - -
1957 - -
1956 - -
1955 - -
1954 - -
1953 - -
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -
1948 - -
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - -
1944 - 0%
1943 - 0%
1942 - -0.3%
1941 - 3.96%
1940 - 0.75%
1939 - 0.72%
1938 - 1%
1937 - 1.41%
1936 - 1.17%
1935 - 1.34%
1934 - -0.12%
1933 - -0.56%
1932 - -2.14%
1931 - -3.07%
1930 - -5.48%
1929 - -6.67%
1928 - -1.09%
1927 - -0.02%
1926 - -0.25%
1925 - -0.97%
1924 - 1.26%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $712M, equivalent to 2.9% of GDP. This compares to Bulgaria's deficit of $3.94B, or 3.01% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Bulgaria ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.1% of GDP for Bulgaria.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Bulgaria
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Bulgaria
2025 1.1% 3.5%
2024 1.2% 2.6%
2023 2.7% 8.6%
2022 1.4% 13%
2021 1.7% 2.8%
2020 3% 1.2%
2019 -0.9% 2.5%
2018 0.8% 2.6%
2017 1.8% 1.2%
2016 -0.8% -1.3%
2015 0.2% -1.1%
2014 -0.6% -1.6%
2013 0.4% 0.4%
2012 6.7% 2.4%
2011 2.7% 3.4%
2010 2.1% 3%
2009 0.9% 2.5%
2008 7.4% 12%
2007 1.3% 7.6%
2006 3.8% 7.4%
2005 5.4% 6%
2004 0.9% 6.1%
2003 1.5% 2.3%
2002 2.4% 5.8%
2001 4% 7.4%
2000 4.2% 10.3%
1999 0.3% 2.6%
1998 5.8% 18.7%
1997 3.8% 1,061%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 41.1% in Bulgaria. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 3.5% in Bulgaria.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $1.13M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $139K
Raw agricultural goods $126K
Bulgaria
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $894K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $164K
Chemicals & pharma $151K
Machinery & equipment $80K
Animal & marine products $31K
Raw materials & minerals $13K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Bulgaria
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$7.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
170/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-5.84%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$58.5B
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$47.9B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$9.42B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$18.6B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
51.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
50.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Bulgaria
Economic freedom 60 68.9
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 44/197
Property rights 46.4 75.8
Government integrity 44.1 48.4
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 58.5
Tax burden 69.4 89.1
Government spending 89.1 58.4
Fiscal health 65.4 90.4
Business freedom 53.3 78.2
Labor freedom 60.2 62.4
Monetary freedom 82.1 75.8
Trade freedom 62.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Bulgaria
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Bulgaria
2026 60 68.9
2025 58.5 68.8
2024 57.7 68.5
2023 59.8 69.3
2022 61 71
2021 59.6 70.4
2020 55.2 70.2
2019 55.3 69
2018 56.7 68.3
2017 59.2 67.9
2016 59.3 65.9
2015 58.8 66.8
2014 57.1 65.7
2013 57.6 65
2012 55.7 64.7
2011 56 64.9
2010 55.4 62.3
2009 55.4 64.6
2008 55.2 63.7
2007 55.1 62.7
2006 54 64.1
2005 52.3 62.3
2004 54.6 59.2
2003 54.9 57
2002 57.3 57.1
2001 60.1 51.9
2000 61.5 47.3
1999 60.6 46.2
1998 61.7 45.7
1997 61.3 47.6
1996 54.5 48.6
1995 - 50

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 68.9 for Bulgaria, ranking 44/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Bulgaria
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
63.3%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
21.2%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
2.47%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$114B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$42,170
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$47.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
51/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$3.37B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$3.05B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$1.21B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
6.8%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
21.7%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
21.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.