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Economy of Benin vs Chad compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $19.5B for Chad, ranking 126/197 and 132/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $6.37B (32.7% of GDP) in Chad.

Benin vs Chad GDP by year

Benin
Chad
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Chad
2024 $21,482,643,706 $19,518,819,751
2023 $19,673,291,004 $18,340,233,749
2022 $17,425,405,091 $17,828,508,290
2021 $17,687,623,530 $16,871,937,698
2020 $15,686,741,884 $14,932,897,821
2019 $14,391,686,313 $14,905,517,743
2018 $14,262,408,090 $15,327,000,249
2017 $12,701,655,837 $13,349,041,409
2016 $11,821,065,853 $13,026,289,836
2015 $11,388,160,997 $14,559,599,500
2014 $13,284,527,847 $18,144,336,904
2013 $12,517,845,124 $17,865,316,886
2012 $11,141,358,116 $17,892,228,570
2011 $10,693,321,364 $16,685,349,674
2010 $9,535,345,016 $14,058,506,664
2009 $9,738,626,517 $12,317,614,054
2008 $9,787,734,526 $13,385,593,990
2007 $8,169,048,383 $10,865,385,132
2006 $7,034,111,315 $9,709,626,596
2005 $6,567,654,954 $8,655,892,393
2004 $6,190,270,380 $4,422,855,661
2003 $5,349,258,094 $2,742,815,072
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,997,005,709
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,710,843,377
2000 $3,519,991,440 $1,388,506,772
1999 $3,677,393,999 $1,534,673,583
1998 $2,455,092,686 $1,744,794,531
1997 $2,268,301,646 $1,544,689,577
1996 $2,361,116,449 $1,607,345,356
1995 $2,169,627,138 $1,445,919,895
1994 $1,598,075,944 $1,179,837,963
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,463,251,164
1992 $1,695,315,306 $1,881,847,670
1991 $1,986,437,797 $1,877,137,982
1990 $1,959,965,330 $1,738,605,558
1989 $1,502,294,416 $1,433,686,312
1988 $1,620,246,084 $1,482,597,298
1987 $1,562,412,228 $1,163,426,852
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,067,828,246
1985 $1,045,712,789 $1,033,069,709
1984 $1,051,134,009 $919,103,735
1983 $1,095,348,199 $832,415,806
1982 $1,267,778,670 $834,369,860
1981 $1,291,120,188 $876,937,558
1980 $1,405,251,847 $1,033,002,404
1979 $1,186,231,020 $1,004,316,496
1978 $928,843,469 $1,113,920,124
1977 $750,049,779 $935,360,465
1976 $698,408,262 $866,044,962
1975 $676,870,140 $864,602,105
1974 $554,654,861 $652,532,795
1973 $504,376,074 $647,199,483
1972 $410,331,857 $585,427,547
1971 $335,073,028 $501,866,730
1970 $333,627,713 $469,266,737
1969 $330,748,245 $471,635,622
1968 $326,323,105 $453,980,096
1967 $306,221,953 $449,826,323
1966 $302,925,235 $432,794,922
1965 $289,908,680 $416,926,303
1964 $269,819,006 $392,247,518
1963 $253,927,697 $371,767,002
1962 $236,434,954 $357,635,713
1961 $235,668,221 $333,975,336
1960 $226,195,578 $313,582,728

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Chad by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Chad
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Chad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $962 $2,743
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $949 $2,700
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $966 $2,624
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $946 $2,435
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $867 $2,186
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $893 $2,352
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $949 $2,228
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $854 $2,097
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $862 $2,120
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $994 $2,378
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,279 $2,133
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,305 $2,110
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $1,354 $2,435
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $1,308 $2,388
2010 $973 $2,220 $1,142 $2,320
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,036 $2,087
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,166 $2,181
2007 $912 $2,136 $980 $2,149
2006 $809 $2,021 $907 $2,079
2005 $779 $1,946 $838 $2,102
2004 $759 $1,915 $446 $1,808
2003 $676 $1,842 $289.1 $1,378
2002 $546 $1,800 $219.1 $1,226
2001 $492 $1,746 $194.3 $1,152
2000 $487 $1,671 $163.1 $1,044
1999 $525 $1,592 $186.6 $1,066
1998 $362 $1,537 $219.8 $1,096
1997 $345 $1,508 $201.4 $1,049
1996 $369 $1,444 $216.9 $1,010
1995 $348 $1,395 $204 $1,014
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $173.9 $1,026
1993 $387 $1,311 $220.7 $933
1992 $302 $1,265 $290.6 $1,107
1991 $365 $1,239 $302 $1,046
1990 $371 $1,186 $290.6 $967
1989 $293.3 - $246.4 -
1988 $326 - $263.5 -
1987 $324 - $213.9 -
1986 $285.8 - $203.4 -
1985 $230.4 - $202.7 -
1984 $238.6 - $182.2 -
1983 $256 - $167.2 -
1982 $305 - $176.1 -
1981 $320 - $194 -
1980 $358 - $228.8 -
1979 $311 - $222.9 -
1978 $249.8 - $252.5 -
1977 $207 - $215.9 -
1976 $197.7 - $203.7 -
1975 $196.5 - $207.5 -
1974 $164.9 - $160 -
1973 $153.6 - $162.4 -
1972 $127.9 - $150.4 -
1971 $106.9 - $131.8 -
1970 $108.8 - $125.9 -
1969 $110.3 - $129.2 -
1968 $111.2 - $126.9 -
1967 $106.6 - $128.2 -
1966 $107.6 - $125.8 -
1965 $105.1 - $123.6 -
1964 $99.8 - $118.6 -
1963 $95.7 - $114.7 -
1962 $90.8 - $112.6 -
1961 $92.1 - $107.3 -
1960 $89.9 - $102.8 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $962 in Chad, ranking 182/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Chad ranks 182nd at $2,743.

Economic indicators

Benin Chad
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$19.5B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
132/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$962
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
182/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$2,743
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
182/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$6.37B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
32.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$314
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
177/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,276
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
29.5%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.8%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
18.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
5.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
1.14%
2018
Population
15272847
21893857

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Chad
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Chad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 18.8% 32.7%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 17.1% 32.2%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 12.6% 32.1%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 13% 41.6%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 14.1% 41.7%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 10.6% 38.4%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 9.73% 33.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 11.3% 39.2%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 11.2% 40.1%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 13.8% 31.3%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 16.9% 29.4%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 16.6% 22.3%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 16.6% 20%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 16.3% 22.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 18.5% 22.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 19.8% 23.9%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 14.6% 15.7%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 13.6% 17.6%
2006 13% 8.37% 10.7% 20.1%
2005 14.1% 27% 8.87% 22%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 9.84% 25.2%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 14.9% 34.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 13.8% 42%
2001 15.4% 38% 12% 43.5%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 14% 52.4%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 12.9% 44.7%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 10.1% 34.7%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 12% 41.3%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 12% 40.5%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 12.3% 41.1%
1994 13.6% 64.6% - -
1993 12% 41.9% - -
1992 13.5% 41.8% - -
1991 12.6% 44% - -
1990 13.3% 45.3% - -
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 (1989–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Chad spent $3.67B, or 18.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 32.7% in Chad, ranking 99/185 and 151/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Chad
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Chad
2024 -3.06% -2.11%
2023 -4.13% -1.26%
2022 -5.55% 3.79%
2021 -5.71% -1.29%
2020 -4.68% 1.24%
2019 -0.53% -0.11%
2018 -2.96% 1.39%
2017 -4.18% -0.18%
2016 -4.29% -1.51%
2015 -5.55% -3.29%
2014 -1.65% -3.22%
2013 -1.37% -1.5%
2012 -0.22% 0.33%
2011 -0.98% 1.75%
2010 -0.28% -3.16%
2009 -2.24% -8.44%
2008 -0.04% 2.82%
2007 0.22% 2.02%
2006 -0.15% 1.7%
2005 -1.52% -0.05%
2004 -0.7% -1.84%
2003 -1.07% -4.32%
2002 -3.33% -4.08%
2001 -3.27% -3.53%
2000 -3.69% -4.68%
1999 1.94% -4.07%
1998 1.83% -1.73%
1997 0.47% -2.58%
1996 -0.11% -2.86%
1995 -1.91% -3.12%
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/chad | 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 Chad's deficit of $412M, or 2.11% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Chad ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.46% of GDP for Chad.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Chad
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Chad
2024 1.2% 5.1%
2023 2.7% 2.3%
2022 1.4% 5.8%
2021 1.7% -0.8%
2020 3% 4.5%
2019 -0.9% -1%
2018 0.8% 4%
2017 1.8% -0.9%
2016 -0.8% -1.6%
2015 0.2% 4.8%
2014 -0.6% -5.5%
2013 0.4% 0.2%
2012 6.7% 7.5%
2011 2.7% 2%
2010 2.1% -2.1%
2009 0.9% 10.1%
2008 7.4% 8.3%
2007 1.3% -7.4%
2006 3.8% 9.6%
2005 5.4% 4.4%
2004 0.9% -4.8%
2003 1.5% -1.8%
2002 2.4% 5.2%
2001 4% 12.4%
2000 4.2% 3.8%
1999 0.3% -8.4%
1998 5.8% 4.3%
1997 3.8% 5.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 2.34% in Chad. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 5.1% in Chad.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Metals $34.5M
Machinery & equipment $812K
Textiles & consumer goods $95K
Chemicals & pharma $94K
Wood & paper products $14K
Animal & marine products $1K
Chad
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $72K
Wood & paper products $9K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K

Balance of trade

Benin Chad
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$37.7M
1994
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
82/190
1994
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.2%
1994
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$212M
1994
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$135M
1994
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$199M
1994
Service exports
$461M
2023
$54.8M
1994
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
18.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
29.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Chad
Economic freedom 60 51.2
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 154/197
Property rights 46.4 17.2
Government integrity 44.1 15.2
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 15
Tax burden 69.4 77.9
Government spending 89.1 92.2
Fiscal health 65.4 97.9
Business freedom 53.3 27.4
Labor freedom 60.2 53.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 71.6
Trade freedom 62.6 46.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Chad
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Chad
2026 60 51.2
2025 58.5 52.2
2024 57.7 51.4
2023 59.8 52
2022 61 49.8
2021 59.6 50.4
2020 55.2 50.2
2019 55.3 49.9
2018 56.7 49.3
2017 59.2 49
2016 59.3 46.3
2015 58.8 45.9
2014 57.1 44.5
2013 57.6 45.2
2012 55.7 44.8
2011 56 45.3
2010 55.4 47.5
2009 55.4 47.5
2008 55.2 47.8
2007 55.1 50.1
2006 54 50
2005 52.3 52.1
2004 54.6 53.1
2003 54.9 52.6
2002 57.3 49.2
2001 60.1 46.4
2000 61.5 46.8
1999 60.6 47.2
1998 61.7 46.6
1997 61.3 45.1
1996 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 51.2 for Chad, ranking 154/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Chad
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
29.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
28.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
37.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$19.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$2,710
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$1.05B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
140/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$26.5M
1994
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$1.02B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
44.8%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
26.8%
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/chad | 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 (1989–1998, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2024, 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.