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Economy of Benin vs China compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $19.5T for China, ranking 124/197 and 2/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $19.3T (99.2% of GDP) in China.

Benin vs China GDP by year

Benin
China
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin China
2025 $24,566,420,904 $19,498,039,388,043
2024 $21,482,643,706 $18,729,668,435,848
2023 $19,673,291,004 $18,270,356,654,533
2022 $17,425,405,091 $18,316,765,021,690
2021 $17,687,623,530 $18,201,698,719,564
2020 $15,686,741,884 $14,996,414,166,715
2019 $14,391,686,313 $14,560,167,101,283
2018 $14,262,408,090 $14,147,765,772,964
2017 $12,701,655,837 $12,537,559,062,283
2016 $11,821,065,853 $11,456,024,084,962
2015 $11,388,160,997 $11,280,814,787,469
2014 $13,284,527,847 $10,674,533,168,257
2013 $12,517,845,124 $9,743,124,247,267
2012 $11,141,358,116 $8,673,664,713,189
2011 $10,693,321,364 $7,671,757,207,851
2010 $9,535,345,016 $6,192,564,874,453
2009 $9,738,626,517 $5,189,577,094,998
2008 $9,787,734,526 $4,667,346,414,522
2007 $8,169,048,383 $3,604,055,822,572
2006 $7,034,111,315 $2,791,498,472,804
2005 $6,567,654,954 $2,317,551,298,052
2004 $6,190,270,380 $1,984,196,551,300
2003 $5,349,258,094 $1,683,903,309,844
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,489,821,682,051
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,355,036,590,252
2000 $3,519,991,440 $1,223,754,919,971
1999 $3,677,393,999 $1,103,843,203,576
1998 $2,455,092,686 $1,037,134,141,760
1997 $2,268,301,646 $967,753,570,435
1996 $2,361,116,449 $868,523,936,530
1995 $2,169,627,138 $738,190,896,228
1994 $1,598,075,944 $566,929,539,493
1993 $2,274,558,083 $446,557,291,212
1992 $1,695,315,306 $428,502,354,788
1991 $1,986,437,797 $384,510,452,962
1990 $1,959,965,330 $361,560,229,446
1989 $1,502,294,416 $348,380,566,802
1988 $1,620,246,084 $312,888,888,889
1987 $1,562,412,228 $273,455,156,951
1986 $1,336,102,025 $301,310,144,928
1985 $1,045,712,789 $310,064,625,850
1984 $1,051,134,009 $260,442,857,143
1983 $1,095,348,199 $231,130,268,199
1982 $1,267,778,670 $205,480,916,031
1981 $1,291,120,188 $196,218,253,968
1980 $1,405,251,847 $191,487,500,000
1979 $1,186,231,020 $178,573,913,043
1978 $928,843,469 $149,788,617,886
1977 $750,049,779 $175,226,595,860
1976 $698,408,262 $154,196,810,059
1975 $676,870,140 $163,687,619,736
1974 $554,654,861 $144,418,433,058
1973 $504,376,074 $138,764,340,892
1972 $410,331,857 $113,871,930,714
1971 $335,073,028 $99,959,013,880
1970 $333,627,713 $92,752,930,873
1969 $330,748,245 $79,847,786,729
1968 $326,323,105 $70,980,323,819
1967 $306,221,953 $73,011,350,596
1966 $302,925,235 $76,854,053,259
1965 $289,908,680 $70,565,994,356
1964 $269,819,006 $59,821,862,703
1963 $253,927,697 $50,812,227,919
1962 $236,434,954 $47,310,737,754
1961 $235,668,221 $50,162,299,350
1960 $226,195,578 $59,846,235,025

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs China by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin China
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $13,862 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $13,293 $27,105
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $12,951 $25,179
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $12,971 $23,032
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $12,887 $20,843
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $10,627 $18,267
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $10,343 $17,601
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $10,086 $16,298
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $8,980 $15,022
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $8,255 $14,157
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $8,175 $13,463
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $7,781 $12,942
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $7,147 $12,228
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $6,405 $11,420
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $5,704 $10,457
2010 $973 $2,220 $4,629 $9,411
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $3,898 $8,448
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $3,523 $7,713
2007 $912 $2,136 $2,735 $6,935
2006 $809 $2,021 $2,129 $5,946
2005 $779 $1,946 $1,778 $5,148
2004 $759 $1,915 $1,531 $4,505
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,307 $4,007
2002 $546 $1,800 $1,164 $3,591
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,065 $3,258
2000 $487 $1,671 $969 $2,964
1999 $525 $1,592 $881 $2,690
1998 $362 $1,537 $835 $2,483
1997 $345 $1,508 $787 $2,297
1996 $369 $1,444 $713 $2,088
1995 $348 $1,395 $613 $1,884
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $476 $1,680
1993 $387 $1,311 $379 $1,471
1992 $302 $1,265 $368 $1,276
1991 $365 $1,239 $334 $1,105
1990 $371 $1,186 $319 $991
1989 $293.3 - $311 -
1988 $326 - $284 -
1987 $324 - $252.3 -
1986 $285.8 - $282.4 -
1985 $230.4 - $295 -
1984 $238.6 - $251.2 -
1983 $256 - $225.9 -
1982 $305 - $203.7 -
1981 $320 - $197.4 -
1980 $358 - $195.1 -
1979 $311 - $184.3 -
1978 $249.8 - $156.7 -
1977 $207 - $185.7 -
1976 $197.7 - $165.7 -
1975 $196.5 - $178.6 -
1974 $164.9 - $160.4 -
1973 $153.6 - $157.3 -
1972 $127.9 - $132.1 -
1971 $106.9 - $118.8 -
1970 $108.8 - $113.3 -
1969 $110.3 - $100.3 -
1968 $111.2 - $91.6 -
1967 $106.6 - $96.8 -
1966 $107.6 - $104.5 -
1965 $105.1 - $98.7 -
1964 $99.8 - $85.7 -
1963 $95.7 - $74.5 -
1962 $90.8 - $71.1 -
1961 $92.1 - $76 -
1960 $89.9 - $89.7 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $13,862 in China, ranking 77/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while China ranks 77th at $27,105.

Economic indicators

Benin China
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$19.5T
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
2/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
4.96%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$13,862
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
77/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$27,105
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
77/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$19.3T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
99.2%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$13,756
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
47/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$10,414
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$15.5T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
5,305,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
539
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
28.4%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
32.9%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
0%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
4.57%
2022
Population
15358725
1403335670

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
China
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin China
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 32.9% 99.2%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 32.9% 90.4%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 32.7% 84.1%
2022 20% 59.7% 32.6% 77.3%
2021 20% 55.6% 31.9% 72.1%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 34.8% 70.1%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 33.6% 59.8%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 32.6% 55.9%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 32% 53.9%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 31.7% 50%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 31% 40.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 28.4% 39.3%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 28.1% 36.4%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 27.7% 33.8%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 26.6% 33.2%
2010 14.1% 21% 24.7% 33.3%
2009 17% 18.7% 25.2% 34%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 22.2% 26.7%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 17.9% 28.7%
2006 13% 8.37% 18.1% 25.2%
2005 14.1% 27% 18% 25.9%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 17.6% 26%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 18% 26.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 18.2% 25.6%
2001 15.4% 38% 17.2% 24.3%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 16.1% 22.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 14.9% 21.6%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 12.6% 20.4%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 11.5% 20.4%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 11% 21.2%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 11.1% 21.4%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 12.4% -
1993 16.4% 41.9% 13.4% -
1992 18.4% 41.8% 14.6% -
1991 17.2% 44% 16.5% -
1990 18.1% 45.3% 18.2% -
1989 17.1% 50.3% 18.6% -
1988 - - 20.9% 4.46%
1987 - - 23.4% 3.6%
1986 - - 25.6% 3.24%
1985 - - 25.8% 3.31%
1984 - - 26.9% 0.97%
1983 - - 28.3% -
1982 - - 27.9% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while China spent $6.41T, or 32.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 99.2% in China, ranking 83/185 and 26/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

China
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin China
2025 -2.9% -7.87%
2024 -3.06% -7.11%
2023 -4.13% -6.71%
2022 -5.55% -7.32%
2021 -2.53% -5.9%
2020 -4.68% -9.56%
2019 -0.53% -6%
2018 -2.96% -4.2%
2017 -4.18% -3.34%
2016 -4.29% -3.33%
2015 -5.55% -2.5%
2014 -1.65% -0.67%
2013 -1.37% -0.82%
2012 -0.22% -0.3%
2011 -0.98% -0.1%
2010 -0.28% -0.36%
2009 -2.24% -1.72%
2008 -0.04% -0.02%
2007 0.22% 0.06%
2006 -0.15% -1.13%
2005 -1.52% -1.38%
2004 -0.7% -1.49%
2003 -1.07% -2.36%
2002 -3.33% -2.84%
2001 -3.27% -2.56%
2000 -3.69% -2.81%
1999 1.94% -2.3%
1998 2.5% -1.08%
1997 0.64% -0.73%
1996 -0.15% -0.73%
1995 -2.61% -0.94%
1994 -2.14% -1.68%
1993 -0.56% -0.89%
1992 -2.71% -1.22%
1991 -3.08% -1.04%
1990 -3.24% -0.72%
1989 0.89% -0.91%
1988 - -2.22%
1987 - -2.08%
1986 - -1.82%
1985 - -0.45%
1984 - -1.44%
1983 - -1.61%
1982 - -1.33%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1982–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/china | 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 China's deficit of $1.53T, or 7.87% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while China ran a deficit in 36 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.56% of GDP for China.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

China
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin China
2025 1.1% 0%
2024 1.2% 0.2%
2023 2.7% 0.2%
2022 1.4% 2%
2021 1.7% 0.9%
2020 3% 2.5%
2019 -0.9% 2.9%
2018 0.8% 2.1%
2017 1.8% 1.6%
2016 -0.8% 2%
2015 0.2% 1.4%
2014 -0.6% 2%
2013 0.4% 2.6%
2012 6.7% 2.6%
2011 2.7% 5.4%
2010 2.1% 3.3%
2009 0.9% -0.7%
2008 7.4% 5.8%
2007 1.3% 4.8%
2006 3.8% 1.5%
2005 5.4% 1.8%
2004 0.9% 3.9%
2003 1.5% 1.2%
2002 2.4% -0.8%
2001 4% 0.7%
2000 4.2% 0.4%
1999 0.3% -1.4%
1998 5.8% -0.8%
1997 3.8% 2.8%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 1.76% in China. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 0% in China.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $16.2M
Raw materials & minerals $2.78M
Machinery & equipment $2.53M
Raw agricultural goods $1.72M
Animal & marine products $1.32M
Wood & paper products $364K
Metals $284K
Chemicals & pharma $60K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $38K
Precious metals & jewellery $9K
China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $688M
Textiles & consumer goods $413M
Metals $259M
Chemicals & pharma $121M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $90.7M
Raw agricultural goods $44.1M
Raw materials & minerals $35.4M
Wood & paper products $18.3M
Miscellaneous $13.8M
Animal & marine products $10.1M

Balance of trade

Benin China
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$735B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
1/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+3.77%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$2.69T
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$3.75T
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$623B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$385B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
16.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
21.1%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin China
Economic freedom 60 48.3
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 170/197
Property rights 46.4 40.9
Government integrity 44.1 42.3
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 38.6
Tax burden 69.4 69.3
Government spending 89.1 67.8
Fiscal health 65.4 4.4
Business freedom 53.3 68.7
Labor freedom 60.2 57.9
Monetary freedom 82.1 76.1
Trade freedom 62.6 73.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
China
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin China
2026 60 48.3
2025 58.5 49
2024 57.7 48.5
2023 59.8 48.3
2022 61 48
2021 59.6 58.4
2020 55.2 59.5
2019 55.3 58.4
2018 56.7 57.8
2017 59.2 57.4
2016 59.3 52
2015 58.8 52.7
2014 57.1 52.5
2013 57.6 51.9
2012 55.7 51.2
2011 56 52
2010 55.4 51
2009 55.4 53.2
2008 55.2 53.1
2007 55.1 52
2006 54 53.6
2005 52.3 53.7
2004 54.6 52.5
2003 54.9 52.6
2002 57.3 52.8
2001 60.1 52.6
2000 61.5 56.4
1999 60.6 54.8
1998 61.7 53.1
1997 61.3 51.7
1996 54.5 51.3
1995 - 52

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 48.3 for China, ranking 170/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin China
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
57.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
35.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
6.66%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$20T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$29,160
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.75T
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
1/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$77.2B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$42.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$192B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
0%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
40.5%
2024

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/china | 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 (1982–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024–2025, 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.