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Economy of Benin vs Dominican Republic compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $124B for the Dominican Republic, ranking 126/197 and 63/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $73.1B (58.8% of GDP) in the Dominican Republic.

Benin vs Dominican Republic GDP by year

Benin
Dominican Republic
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Dominican Republic
2024 $21,482,643,706 $124,282,245,639
2023 $19,673,291,004 $120,456,239,154
2022 $17,425,405,091 $113,478,087,135
2021 $17,687,623,530 $94,850,719,517
2020 $15,686,741,884 $78,546,672,407
2019 $14,391,686,313 $89,146,130,745
2018 $14,262,408,090 $84,994,732,049
2017 $12,701,655,837 $79,070,274,743
2016 $11,821,065,853 $75,552,902,636
2015 $11,388,160,997 $70,966,782,572
2014 $13,284,527,847 $67,014,329,100
2013 $12,517,845,124 $62,555,417,415
2012 $11,141,358,116 $60,561,635,556
2011 $10,693,321,364 $57,948,261,616
2010 $9,535,345,016 $53,801,053,353
2009 $9,738,626,517 $48,223,781,477
2008 $9,787,734,526 $48,091,433,554
2007 $8,169,048,383 $43,965,458,509
2006 $7,034,111,315 $37,879,830,084
2005 $6,567,654,954 $35,777,560,684
2004 $6,190,270,380 $22,322,387,382
2003 $5,349,258,094 $21,403,167,848
2002 $4,194,342,686 $27,137,440,786
2001 $3,666,222,635 $25,601,823,688
2000 $3,519,991,440 $24,305,780,629
1999 $3,677,393,999 $22,136,579,397
1998 $2,455,092,686 $21,672,215,547
1997 $2,268,301,646 $20,017,450,041
1996 $2,361,116,449 $18,241,622,548
1995 $2,169,627,138 $16,637,370,839
1994 $1,598,075,944 $14,644,734,599
1993 $2,274,558,083 $13,081,042,400
1992 $1,695,315,306 $11,605,382,504
1991 $1,986,437,797 $9,824,483,340
1990 $1,959,965,330 $7,073,675,545
1989 $1,502,294,416 $6,686,593,060
1988 $1,620,246,084 $5,374,299,981
1987 $1,562,412,228 $5,827,050,753
1986 $1,336,102,025 $6,122,128,558
1985 $1,045,712,789 $5,044,579,979
1984 $1,051,134,009 $11,594,000,000
1983 $1,095,348,199 $9,220,600,000
1982 $1,267,778,670 $8,267,400,000
1981 $1,291,120,188 $7,561,300,000
1980 $1,405,251,847 $6,761,300,000
1979 $1,186,231,020 $5,498,800,000
1978 $928,843,469 $4,734,400,000
1977 $750,049,779 $4,587,100,000
1976 $698,408,262 $3,951,500,000
1975 $676,870,140 $3,599,200,000
1974 $554,654,861 $2,925,700,000
1973 $504,376,074 $2,344,800,000
1972 $410,331,857 $1,987,400,000
1971 $335,073,028 $1,666,500,000
1970 $333,627,713 $1,485,500,000
1969 $330,748,245 $1,230,500,000
1968 $326,323,105 $1,079,100,000
1967 $306,221,953 $1,034,800,000
1966 $302,925,235 $983,900,000
1965 $289,908,680 $888,100,000
1964 $269,819,006 $1,025,599,900
1963 $253,927,697 $940,799,900
1962 $236,434,954 $824,100,000
1961 $235,668,221 $654,100,200
1960 $226,195,578 $672,399,700

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dominican-republic | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Dominican Republic by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Dominican Republic
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Dominican Republic
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $10,876 $27,542
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $10,630 $25,840
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $10,104 $24,626
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $8,527 $22,053
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $7,135 $18,998
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $8,183 $19,767
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $7,883 $17,995
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $7,413 $16,846
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $7,160 $16,282
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $6,801 $14,804
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $6,496 $13,465
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $6,137 $12,414
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $6,014 $11,777
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $5,827 $11,695
2010 $973 $2,220 $5,479 $11,246
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $4,974 $10,382
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $5,024 $10,346
2007 $912 $2,136 $4,650 $9,951
2006 $809 $2,021 $4,055 $9,130
2005 $779 $1,946 $3,878 $8,215
2004 $759 $1,915 $2,452 $7,375
2003 $676 $1,842 $2,383 $7,098
2002 $546 $1,800 $3,066 $7,158
2001 $492 $1,746 $2,936 $6,848
2000 $487 $1,671 $2,831 $6,639
1999 $525 $1,592 $2,621 $6,305
1998 $362 $1,537 $2,608 $5,963
1997 $345 $1,508 $2,449 $5,618
1996 $369 $1,444 $2,271 $5,161
1995 $348 $1,395 $2,109 $4,871
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,892 $4,599
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,722 $4,474
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,558 $4,151
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,346 $3,722
1990 $371 $1,186 $989 $3,641
1989 $293.3 - $955 -
1988 $326 - $784 -
1987 $324 - $868 -
1986 $285.8 - $932 -
1985 $230.4 - $784 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,844 -
1983 $256 - $1,500 -
1982 $305 - $1,376 -
1981 $320 - $1,288 -
1980 $358 - $1,180 -
1979 $311 - $984 -
1978 $249.8 - $868 -
1977 $207 - $863 -
1976 $197.7 - $763 -
1975 $196.5 - $713 -
1974 $164.9 - $595 -
1973 $153.6 - $490 -
1972 $127.9 - $427 -
1971 $106.9 - $368 -
1970 $108.8 - $338 -
1969 $110.3 - $287.7 -
1968 $111.2 - $259.6 -
1967 $106.6 - $256.2 -
1966 $107.6 - $250.9 -
1965 $105.1 - $233.2 -
1964 $99.8 - $277.3 -
1963 $95.7 - $262.2 -
1962 $90.8 - $236.8 -
1961 $92.1 - $193.9 -
1960 $89.9 - $205.7 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dominican-republic | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $10,876 in the Dominican Republic, ranking 83/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while the Dominican Republic ranks 76th at $27,542.

Economic indicators

Benin Dominican Republic
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$124B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
63/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.95%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$10,876
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
83/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$27,542
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
76/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$73.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
58.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$6,394
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
71/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$6,547
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
29.5%
2024
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.3%
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
19.5%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
3.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
5.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
5.31%
2024
Population
15272847
11637906

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Dominican Republic
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Dominican Republic
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 19.5% 58.8%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 19.1% 60.5%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 18.5% 59.6%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 18.4% 62.8%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 22.2% 71.8%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 17.8% 53.5%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 16.5% 50.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 17.3% 49.5%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 17% 46.7%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 16.7% 44.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 17% 45%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 18.5% 46.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 19.8% 42.4%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 16% 39.1%
2010 14.1% 21% 16.1% 37.4%
2009 17% 18.7% 16.2% 36.8%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 18.5% 33.6%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 16.3% 32.9%
2006 13% 8.37% 17% 36%
2005 14.1% 27% 15.5% 38.3%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 17.3% 34.3%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 17.2% 48.2%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 16.5% 21.5%
2001 15.4% 38% 14.9% 20.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 14.1% 16.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 13.4% 16%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 12.6% 13.2%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 13.2% 13.8%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 11.4% 23%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 11% 25.7%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 12.1% 28.5%
1993 12% 41.9% 13% 36.1%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 10.4% 38.5%
1991 12.6% 44% 8.65% 47.3%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 9.1% 84.7%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 11.3% 62.5%
1988 - - 12.8% 77%
1987 - - 11.2% 86.9%
1986 - - 10.4% 63.8%
1985 - - 9.8% 66.3%
1984 - - 9.32% 28.9%
1983 - - 10.2% 32.9%
1982 - - 10.2% 33.1%
1981 - - 12.1% 29.8%
1980 - - 12.8% 15.2%
1979 - - 13.8% 24%
1978 - - 12.3% 20.9%
1977 - - 11.4% 16.4%
1976 - - 12.5% 15.6%
1975 - - 13.7% 13.1%
1974 - - 14.6% 14.6%
1973 - - 13.7% 14.6%
1972 - - 14.1% 16.4%
1971 - - 13.8% 17.8%
1970 - - 13.3% 18%
1969 - - 15.5% 17.4%
1968 - - 15.5% 18.1%
1967 - - 15% 16.2%
1966 - - 15.2% 14.5%
1965 - - 12.8% -
1964 - - 16.7% -
1963 - - 15.1% -
1962 - - 15.7% -
1961 - - 20% -
1960 - - 20.1% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dominican-republic | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while the Dominican Republic spent $24.2B, or 19.5% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 58.8% in the Dominican Republic, ranking 99/185 and 83/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Dominican Republic
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Dominican Republic
2024 -3.06% -3.09%
2023 -4.13% -3.28%
2022 -5.55% -3.25%
2021 -5.71% -2.92%
2020 -4.68% -7.94%
2019 -0.53% -3.46%
2018 -2.96% -2.17%
2017 -4.18% -3.12%
2016 -4.29% -3.11%
2015 -5.55% -0.03%
2014 -1.65% -2.76%
2013 -1.37% -4.41%
2012 -0.22% -6.26%
2011 -0.98% -3.07%
2010 -0.28% -2.97%
2009 -2.24% -2.9%
2008 -0.04% -3.43%
2007 0.22% 0.28%
2006 -0.15% -1.69%
2005 -1.52% -0.71%
2004 -0.7% -3.6%
2003 -1.07% -4.24%
2002 -3.33% -2.28%
2001 -3.27% -0.73%
2000 -3.69% -0.86%
1999 1.94% -0.79%
1998 1.83% -0.29%
1997 0.47% -0.64%
1996 -0.11% 0.14%
1995 -1.91% 0.82%
1994 -1.57% -0.39%
1993 -0.41% -0.16%
1992 -1.98% 2.35%
1991 -2.25% 0.11%
1990 -2.37% 0.39%
1989 0.89% -0.09%
1988 - -1.68%
1987 - -0.75%
1986 - -0.57%
1985 - -1.27%
1984 - -0.95%
1983 - -1.74%
1982 - -2.4%
1981 - -1.92%
1980 - -1.82%
1979 - -3.26%
1978 - -0.82%
1977 - 0.15%
1976 - -0.22%
1975 - 1.37%
1974 - -0.93%
1973 - -0.53%
1972 - -1.73%
1971 - -0.85%
1970 - -0.68%
1969 - -0.99%
1968 - -0.99%
1967 - -1.68%
1966 - -2.14%
1965 - -1.84%
1964 - -1.36%
1963 - -0.39%
1962 - -1.17%
1961 - -3%
1960 - -0.61%
1959 - -0.29%
1958 - -1.29%
1957 - 0.21%
1956 - -0.05%
1955 - 1.47%
1954 - 1.43%
1953 - 2.79%
1952 - 0%
1951 - -2.58%
1950 - -3.66%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1996, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dominican-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 Dominican Republic's deficit of $3.84B, or 3.09% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while the Dominican Republic ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.96% of GDP for the Dominican Republic.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Dominican Republic
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Dominican Republic
2024 1.2% 3.3%
2023 2.7% 4.79%
2022 1.4% 8.81%
2021 1.7% 8.24%
2020 3% 3.78%
2019 -0.9% 1.81%
2018 0.8% 3.56%
2017 1.8% 3.28%
2016 -0.8% 1.61%
2015 0.2% 0.84%
2014 -0.6% 3%
2013 0.4% 4.83%
2012 6.7% 3.69%
2011 2.7% 5.8%
2010 2.1% 6.33%
2009 0.9% 1.44%
2008 7.4% 10.6%
2007 1.3% 6.14%
2006 3.8% 7.57%
2005 5.4% 4.19%
2004 0.9% 51.5%
2003 1.5% 27.4%
2002 2.4% 5.22%
2001 4% 8.88%
2000 4.2% 7.72%
1999 0.3% 6.47%
1998 5.8% 4.83%
1997 3.8% 8.3%

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/dominican-republic | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 7.64% in the Dominican Republic. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 3.3% in the Dominican Republic.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Dominican Republic
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Dominican Republic
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$4.17B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
163/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.35%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$29.8B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$13.9B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$6.34B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$14.7B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
29%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
22.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Dominican Republic
Economic freedom 60 63.8
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 77/197
Property rights 46.4 53.9
Government integrity 44.1 39.8
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 58
Tax burden 69.4 84.4
Government spending 89.1 89.1
Fiscal health 65.4 76.6
Business freedom 53.3 71.4
Labor freedom 60.2 53.2
Monetary freedom 82.1 72.1
Trade freedom 62.6 67.4
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Dominican Republic
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Dominican Republic
2026 60 63.8
2025 58.5 64.3
2024 57.7 62.9
2023 59.8 62.6
2022 61 63
2021 59.6 62.1
2020 55.2 60.9
2019 55.3 61
2018 56.7 61.6
2017 59.2 62.9
2016 59.3 61
2015 58.8 61
2014 57.1 61.3
2013 57.6 59.7
2012 55.7 60.2
2011 56 60
2010 55.4 60.3
2009 55.4 59.2
2008 55.2 57.7
2007 55.1 56.8
2006 54 56.3
2005 52.3 55.1
2004 54.6 54.6
2003 54.9 57.8
2002 57.3 58.6
2001 60.1 59.1
2000 61.5 59
1999 60.6 58.1
1998 61.7 58.1
1997 61.3 53.5
1996 54.5 58.1
1995 - 55.8

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dominican-republic | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 63.8 for the Dominican Republic, ranking 77/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Dominican Republic
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
59.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
28.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
4.45%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$117B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$26,050
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$13.5B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
71/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$4.52B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$4.48B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
-$47.3M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
5.62%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
19%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
27%
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/dominican-republic | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1950–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021, 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.