Skip to content

Economy of Benin vs Central African Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $2.75B for the Central African Republic, ranking 126/197 and 171/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $1.67B (60.7% of GDP) in the Central African Republic.

Benin vs Central African Republic GDP by year

Benin
Central African Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin CAR
2024 $21,482,643,706 $2,751,494,281
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,555,492,086
2022 $17,425,405,091 $2,382,618,615
2021 $17,687,623,530 $2,516,498,412
2020 $15,686,741,884 $2,326,720,900
2019 $14,391,686,313 $2,221,301,351
2018 $14,262,408,090 $2,220,979,146
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,072,349,973
2016 $11,821,065,853 $1,825,018,145
2015 $11,388,160,997 $1,695,825,714
2014 $13,284,527,847 $1,894,813,389
2013 $12,517,845,124 $1,691,544,110
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,510,126,512
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,437,982,705
2010 $9,535,345,016 $2,142,591,540
2009 $9,738,626,517 $2,067,381,665
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,993,407,888
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,699,811,295
2006 $7,034,111,315 $1,461,859,762
2005 $6,567,654,954 $1,337,894,379
2004 $6,190,270,380 $1,272,360,517
2003 $5,349,258,094 $1,142,315,523
2002 $4,194,342,686 $996,068,145
2001 $3,666,222,635 $932,648,605
2000 $3,519,991,440 $916,777,283
1999 $3,677,393,999 $999,477,511
1998 $2,455,092,686 $967,338,390
1997 $2,268,301,646 $937,741,513
1996 $2,361,116,449 $1,007,791,127
1995 $2,169,627,138 $1,115,389,674
1994 $1,598,075,944 $851,174,357
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,278,781,262
1992 $1,695,315,306 $1,411,917,553
1991 $1,986,437,797 $1,377,374,987
1990 $1,959,965,330 $1,440,711,459
1989 $1,502,294,416 $1,233,930,281
1988 $1,620,246,084 $1,264,899,288
1987 $1,562,412,228 $1,200,991,978
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,122,265,013
1985 $1,045,712,789 $864,849,836
1984 $1,051,134,009 $637,820,670
1983 $1,095,348,199 $658,679,333
1982 $1,267,778,670 $748,312,391
1981 $1,291,120,188 $694,803,623
1980 $1,405,251,847 $797,048,199
1979 $1,186,231,020 $700,764,748
1978 $928,843,469 $610,578,632
1977 $750,049,779 $507,298,148
1976 $698,408,262 $451,152,461
1975 $676,870,140 $378,660,016
1974 $554,654,861 $281,398,706
1973 $504,376,074 $271,183,082
1972 $410,331,857 $230,317,883
1971 $335,073,028 $201,450,800
1970 $333,627,713 $189,106,529
1969 $330,748,245 $188,039,210
1968 $326,323,105 $191,767,442
1967 $306,221,953 $163,820,514
1966 $302,925,235 $157,930,018
1965 $289,908,680 $150,574,795
1964 $269,819,006 $142,025,079
1963 $253,927,697 $129,379,124
1962 $236,434,954 $124,482,774
1961 $235,668,221 $123,134,583
1960 $226,195,578 $112,155,598

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/central-african-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Central African Republic by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Central African Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin CAR
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $516 $1,263
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $496 $1,257
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $467 $1,218
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $492 $1,129
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $463 $1,066
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $449 $985
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $455 $906
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $432 $884
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $387 $826
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $366 $769
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $410 $699
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $364 $710
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $544 $1,062
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $534 $980
2010 $973 $2,220 $477 $936
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $456 $877
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $437 $798
2007 $912 $2,136 $381 $783
2006 $809 $2,021 $334 $743
2005 $779 $1,946 $312 $702
2004 $759 $1,915 $303 $690
2003 $676 $1,842 $278.4 $648
2002 $546 $1,800 $248.6 $688
2001 $492 $1,746 $238 $668
2000 $487 $1,671 $239.2 $640
1999 $525 $1,592 $268 $660
1998 $362 $1,537 $266.6 $645
1997 $345 $1,508 $265.5 $626
1996 $369 $1,444 $293.3 $601
1995 $348 $1,395 $333 $631
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $261.3 $592
1993 $387 $1,311 $405 $570
1992 $302 $1,265 $462 $573
1991 $365 $1,239 $465 $618
1990 $371 $1,186 $502 $620
1989 $293.3 - $443 -
1988 $326 - $466 -
1987 $324 - $450 -
1986 $285.8 - $426 -
1985 $230.4 - $333 -
1984 $238.6 - $248.3 -
1983 $256 - $259.6 -
1982 $305 - $298.4 -
1981 $320 - $280.3 -
1980 $358 - $325 -
1979 $311 - $289.1 -
1978 $249.8 - $254.6 -
1977 $207 - $213.8 -
1976 $197.7 - $192.1 -
1975 $196.5 - $163.6 -
1974 $164.9 - $124 -
1973 $153.6 - $121.8 -
1972 $127.9 - $105.5 -
1971 $106.9 - $94.1 -
1970 $108.8 - $90.2 -
1969 $110.3 - $91.7 -
1968 $111.2 - $95.6 -
1967 $106.6 - $83.6 -
1966 $107.6 - $82.3 -
1965 $105.1 - $80.2 -
1964 $99.8 - $77.2 -
1963 $95.7 - $71.8 -
1962 $90.8 - $70.4 -
1961 $92.1 - $71 -
1960 $89.9 - $65.9 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/central-african-republic | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $516 in the Central African Republic, ranking 195/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while the Central African Republic ranks 195th at $1,263.

Economic indicators

Benin CAR
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$2.75B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
171/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$516
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
195/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$1,263
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
195/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
60.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$313
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
178/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
33.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
1.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
6.9%
2017
Population
15272847
5753659

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Central African Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin CAR
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 19.5% 60.7%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 17.5% 55.6%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 17.4% 49.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 19.2% 46.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 24.2% 42.8%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 15.8% 44.9%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 16.8% 47.9%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 13.1% 47.4%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 11.1% 49.3%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 12.7% 54.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 16.7% 57.5%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 13.4% 51.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 14.7% 31.5%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 14.2% 19.7%
2010 14.1% 21% 17.3% 19.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 16% 20.3%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 16% 35.8%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 12.9% 47.9%
2006 13% 8.37% 13.4% 46.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 16.2% 103%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 13.1% 99.7%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 12.3% 95.9%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 16.7% 98.5%
2001 15.4% 38% 14.1% 103.1%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 17.2% 94.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 18.2% 84.2%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 18.1% 85.3%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 14.5% 96.1%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 11.7% 93%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 20.6% 83.8%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 22.4% 103.4%
1993 12% 41.9% 20.6% 68.2%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 23.1% 57.4%
1991 12.6% 44% 22.6% 55.8%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 22% 44.6%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 19.6% 50.9%
1988 - - 21.4% 48.8%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/central-african-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while the Central African Republic spent $538M, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 60.7% in the Central African Republic, ranking 99/185 and 77/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Central African Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin CAR
2024 -3.06% -5.08%
2023 -4.13% -3.44%
2022 -5.55% -5.23%
2021 -5.71% -5.8%
2020 -4.68% -3.24%
2019 -0.53% 1.33%
2018 -2.96% -0.93%
2017 -4.18% -1%
2016 -4.29% 1.17%
2015 -5.55% -0.53%
2014 -1.65% -3.02%
2013 -1.37% -2.3%
2012 -0.22% -0.78%
2011 -0.98% -2.15%
2010 -0.28% -1.35%
2009 -2.24% -0.54%
2008 -0.04% -1.23%
2007 0.22% 1.04%
2006 -0.15% 8.58%
2005 -1.52% -4.37%
2004 -0.7% -1.74%
2003 -1.07% -3.06%
2002 -3.33% -1.19%
2001 -3.27% -0.88%
2000 -3.69% -2.01%
1999 1.94% -0.5%
1998 1.83% 0.001%
1997 0.47% -1.57%
1996 -0.11% -1.06%
1995 -1.91% -4.84%
1994 -1.57% -7.57%
1993 -0.41% -5.66%
1992 -1.98% -7.33%
1991 -2.25% -8%
1990 -2.37% -6.6%
1989 0.89% -3.25%
1988 - -3.72%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/central-african-republic | 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 the Central African Republic's deficit of $140M, or 5.08% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Central African Republic ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.34% of GDP for the Central African Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Central African Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin CAR
2024 1.2% 1.5%
2023 2.7% 3%
2022 1.4% 5.6%
2021 1.7% 4.3%
2020 3% 0.9%
2019 -0.9% 2.8%
2018 0.8% 1.6%
2017 1.8% 4.2%
2016 -0.8% 4.9%
2015 0.2% 1.4%
2014 -0.6% 17.8%
2013 0.4% 4%
2012 6.7% 5.9%
2011 2.7% 1.2%
2010 2.1% 1.5%
2009 0.9% 3.6%
2008 7.4% 9.2%
2007 1.3% 0.9%
2006 3.8% 6.9%
2005 5.4% 2.9%
2004 0.9% -2.6%
2003 1.5% 4.4%
2002 2.4% 2.3%
2001 4% 4.1%
2000 4.2% 3.4%
1999 0.3% -1.6%
1998 5.8% -2%
1997 3.8% 1.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/central-african-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 3.35% in the Central African Republic. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 1.5% in the Central African Republic.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $54K
Textiles & consumer goods $8K
Raw agricultural goods $5K
Animal & marine products $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
CAR
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $789K
Metals $183K

Balance of trade

Benin CAR
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$24.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
81/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-2.9%
1994
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$131M
1994
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$146M
1994
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$114M
1994
Service exports
$461M
2023
$33.1M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
31.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
15%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin CAR
Economic freedom 60 43.1
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 182/197
Property rights 46.4 5.6
Government integrity 44.1 19.2
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 4
Tax burden 69.4 65.5
Government spending 89.1 90.1
Fiscal health 65.4 59
Business freedom 53.3 26.5
Labor freedom 60.2 48.5
Monetary freedom 82.1 75.6
Trade freedom 62.6 47.6
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Central African Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin CAR
2026 60 43.1
2025 58.5 42.8
2024 57.7 41.3
2023 59.8 43.8
2022 61 45.7
2021 59.6 48.8
2020 55.2 50.7
2019 55.3 49.1
2018 56.7 49.2
2017 59.2 51.8
2016 59.3 45.2
2015 58.8 45.9
2014 57.1 46.7
2013 57.6 50.4
2012 55.7 50.3
2011 56 49.3
2010 55.4 48.4
2009 55.4 48.3
2008 55.2 48.6
2007 55.1 50.6
2006 54 54.2
2005 52.3 56.5
2004 54.6 57.5
2003 54.9 60
2002 57.3 59.8
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/central-african-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 43.1 for the Central African Republic, ranking 182/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin CAR
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
42.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
20%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
27.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.74B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$1,340
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$480M
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
158/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$3.6M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$40.4M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.94%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
68.8%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
23.6%
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/central-african-republic | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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 (1988–1997, 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)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2017, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.