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Economy of Benin vs DR Congo compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $71B for the DR Congo, ranking 126/197 and 87/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $16B (22.5% of GDP) in the DR Congo.

Benin vs DR Congo GDP by year

Benin
DR Congo
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin DR Congo
2024 $21,482,643,706 $70,962,185,791
2023 $19,673,291,004 $69,843,655,425
2022 $17,425,405,091 $70,422,346,142
2021 $17,687,623,530 $59,067,289,574
2020 $15,686,741,884 $46,691,989,749
2019 $14,391,686,313 $46,845,900,350
2018 $14,262,408,090 $46,659,954,092
2017 $12,701,655,837 $37,537,521,566
2016 $11,821,065,853 $38,600,224,214
2015 $11,388,160,997 $40,179,574,490
2014 $13,284,527,847 $38,352,980,553
2013 $12,517,845,124 $34,891,189,160
2012 $11,141,358,116 $30,029,369,929
2011 $10,693,321,364 $26,392,379,642
2010 $9,535,345,016 $24,161,641,931
2009 $9,738,626,517 $18,607,259,481
2008 $9,787,734,526 $22,723,488,723
2007 $8,169,048,383 $18,374,807,773
2006 $7,034,111,315 $15,484,044,535
2005 $6,567,654,954 $12,609,728,573
2004 $6,190,270,380 $10,297,483,481
2003 $5,349,258,094 $8,937,567,060
2002 $4,194,342,686 $8,728,038,525
2001 $3,666,222,635 $7,438,189,100
2000 $3,519,991,440 $19,088,046,306
1999 $3,677,393,999 $4,711,259,427
1998 $2,455,092,686 $6,217,805,821
1997 $2,268,301,646 $6,090,838,693
1996 $2,361,116,449 $5,771,456,952
1995 $2,169,627,138 $5,643,439,376
1994 $1,598,075,944 $5,820,382,248
1993 $2,274,558,083 $10,706,259,937
1992 $1,695,315,306 $8,227,343,907
1991 $1,986,437,797 $9,625,436,873
1990 $1,959,965,330 $9,349,764,580
1989 $1,502,294,416 $9,021,862,775
1988 $1,620,246,084 $8,861,299,977
1987 $1,562,412,228 $7,661,625,473
1986 $1,336,102,025 $8,095,367,168
1985 $1,045,712,789 $7,195,042,616
1984 $1,051,134,009 $7,857,729,193
1983 $1,095,348,199 $11,006,712,650
1982 $1,267,778,670 $13,651,667,371
1981 $1,291,120,188 $12,537,821,038
1980 $1,405,251,847 $14,394,927,495
1979 $1,186,231,020 $15,068,422,236
1978 $928,843,469 $15,372,608,002
1977 $750,049,779 $12,344,424,764
1976 $698,408,262 $9,648,583,225
1975 $676,870,140 $10,237,343,174
1974 $554,654,861 $9,596,960,180
1973 $504,376,074 $7,870,239,461
1972 $410,331,857 $6,173,712,814
1971 $335,073,028 $5,594,770,359
1970 $333,627,713 $4,877,684,910
1969 $330,748,245 $5,032,434,970
1968 $326,323,105 $3,909,780,539
1967 $306,221,953 $3,384,063,372
1966 $302,925,235 $4,532,660,182
1965 $289,908,680 $4,043,901,818
1964 $269,819,006 $2,881,545,273
1963 $253,927,697 $6,213,185,743
1962 $236,434,954 $3,779,841,429
1961 $235,668,221 $3,086,746,857
1960 $226,195,578 $3,359,404,118

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs DR Congo by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
DR Congo
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin DR Congo
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $649 $1,821
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $660 $1,731
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $688 $1,590
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $596 $1,402
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $486 $1,089
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $504 $1,056
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $518 $1,049
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $431 $991
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $460 $950
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $496 $910
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $489 $859
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $460 $761
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $410 $648
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $373 $644
2010 $973 $2,220 $352 $606
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $280.2 $573
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $353 $584
2007 $912 $2,136 $294.1 $550
2006 $809 $2,021 $255.4 $508
2005 $779 $1,946 $214.5 $484
2004 $759 $1,915 $180.7 $456
2003 $676 $1,842 $161.5 $428
2002 $546 $1,800 $162.4 $410
2001 $492 $1,746 $142.7 $404
2000 $487 $1,671 $378 $417
1999 $525 $1,592 $96.3 $452
1998 $362 $1,537 $131.5 $481
1997 $345 $1,508 $132.3 $497
1996 $369 $1,444 $127.4 $526
1995 $348 $1,395 $127 $532
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $136.5 $540
1993 $387 $1,311 $263.3 $576
1992 $302 $1,265 $209.7 $674
1991 $365 $1,239 $253.8 $762
1990 $371 $1,186 $254.9 $832
1989 $293.3 - $254.2 -
1988 $326 - $257.7 -
1987 $324 - $230.1 -
1986 $285.8 - $250.9 -
1985 $230.4 - $230.1 -
1984 $238.6 - $259.8 -
1983 $256 - $376 -
1982 $305 - $482 -
1981 $320 - $456 -
1980 $358 - $539 -
1979 $311 - $582 -
1978 $249.8 - $615 -
1977 $207 - $509 -
1976 $197.7 - $408 -
1975 $196.5 - $445 -
1974 $164.9 - $428 -
1973 $153.6 - $361 -
1972 $127.9 - $290.5 -
1971 $106.9 - $270.3 -
1970 $108.8 - $242.2 -
1969 $110.3 - $257.1 -
1968 $111.2 - $205.6 -
1967 $106.6 - $183.3 -
1966 $107.6 - $252.8 -
1965 $105.1 - $232 -
1964 $99.8 - $169.9 -
1963 $95.7 - $376 -
1962 $90.8 - $235.1 -
1961 $92.1 - $197.1 -
1960 $89.9 - $220.1 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $649 in the DR Congo, ranking 190/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while the DR Congo ranks 190th at $1,821.

Economic indicators

Benin DR Congo
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$71B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
87/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
6.13%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$649
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
190/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$1,821
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
190/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$16B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
22.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$146.4
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
183/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,693
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
35.7%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.1%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
16.7%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.89%
2015-2016
Central bank interest rate n/a
17.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
1.47%
2020
Population
15272847
117507801

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
DR Congo
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin DR Congo
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 16.7% 22.5%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 16.5% 27%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 18.3% 23.8%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 13.8% 25.3%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 12.1% 23.7%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 14% 19.4%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 11.9% 19.3%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 10.7% 23.2%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 14.3% 33%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 16% 25.5%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 13.7% 22.8%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 11.9% 23.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 13.4% 25.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 13.7% 29.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 15.4% 31.8%
2009 17% 18.7% 12.4% 91.6%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 10.1% 80.3%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 8.07% 85.1%
2006 13% 8.37% 7.47% 107.5%
2005 14.1% 27% 7.59% 112%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 7.18% 164.1%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 8.87% 114.5%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 4.17% 136%
2001 15.4% 38% 4.16% 185.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 2.49% 135%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 2.15% -
1998 10.9% 39.2% 2.78% -
1997 12.7% 42.9% 2.51% -
1996 13.3% 43.4% 2.17% -
1995 14.8% 48.3% - -
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 (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while the DR Congo spent $11.9B, or 16.7% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 22.5% in the DR Congo, ranking 99/185 and 172/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

DR Congo
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin DR Congo
2024 -3.06% -1.48%
2023 -4.13% -1.65%
2022 -5.55% -1.01%
2021 -5.71% -1.68%
2020 -4.68% -3.17%
2019 -0.53% -3.17%
2018 -2.96% -1.34%
2017 -4.18% -0.05%
2016 -4.29% -0.93%
2015 -5.55% -1.35%
2014 -1.65% 3.73%
2013 -1.37% 3.28%
2012 -0.22% 1.71%
2011 -0.98% -0.94%
2010 -0.28% -0.95%
2009 -2.24% 0.92%
2008 -0.04% -0.41%
2007 0.22% 1.12%
2006 -0.15% 1.97%
2005 -1.52% 1.3%
2004 -0.7% -0.17%
2003 -1.07% -3.92%
2002 -3.33% 0.89%
2001 -3.27% -1.13%
2000 -3.69% -1.85%
1999 1.94% -1.35%
1998 1.83% -1.55%
1997 0.47% -1.06%
1996 -0.11% -0.56%
1995 -1.91% -
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/dr-congo | 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 DR Congo's deficit of $1.05B, or 1.48% of GDP.

Over the past 29 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while the DR Congo ran a deficit in 21 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.51% of GDP for the DR Congo.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

DR Congo
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin DR Congo
2024 1.2% -
2023 2.7% -
2022 1.4% -
2021 1.7% -
2020 3% -
2019 -0.9% -
2018 0.8% -
2017 1.8% -
2016 -0.8% 2.89%
2015 0.2% 0.74%
2014 -0.6% 1.24%
2013 0.4% 0.81%
2012 6.7% 9.72%
2011 2.7% 15.3%
2010 2.1% 7.1%
2009 0.9% 2.8%
2008 7.4% 17.3%
2007 1.3% 16.9%
2006 3.8% 13.1%
2005 5.4% 21.3%
2004 0.9% 3.99%
2003 1.5% 12.9%
2002 2.4% 31.5%
2001 4% 360%
2000 4.2% 514%
1999 0.3% 284.9%
1998 5.8% 29.1%
1997 3.8% 198.5%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2016, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.62%, compared with 77.2% in the DR Congo. In 2016, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.89% in the DR Congo.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Metals $214K
Textiles & consumer goods $163K
Machinery & equipment $108K
Raw agricultural goods $73K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $14K
Chemicals & pharma $9K
Animal & marine products $2K
Raw materials & minerals $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
DR Congo
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $37K
Machinery & equipment $11K
Chemicals & pharma $7K
Precious metals & jewellery $7K
Wood & paper products $4K
Metals $3K

Balance of trade

Benin DR Congo
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$2.72B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
153/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.83%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$31B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$34.9B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$6.14B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$322M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
51.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
48.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin DR Congo
Economic freedom 60 47
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 176/197
Property rights 46.4 15.4
Government integrity 44.1 12.8
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 11.7
Tax burden 69.4 73.8
Government spending 89.1 91.2
Fiscal health 65.4 95.9
Business freedom 53.3 32.3
Labor freedom 60.2 54.2
Monetary freedom 82.1 58.6
Trade freedom 62.6 68.2
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
DR Congo
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin DR Congo
2026 60 47
2025 58.5 47.3
2024 57.7 47.6
2023 59.8 47.9
2022 61 47.6
2021 59.6 49
2020 55.2 49.5
2019 55.3 50.3
2018 56.7 52.1
2017 59.2 56.4
2016 59.3 46.4
2015 58.8 45
2014 57.1 40.6
2013 57.6 39.6
2012 55.7 41.1
2011 56 40.7
2010 55.4 41.4
2009 55.4 42.8
2008 55.2 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 54 -
2005 52.3 -
2004 54.6 -
2003 54.9 -
2002 57.3 -
2001 60.1 -
2000 61.5 34.8
1999 60.6 34
1998 61.7 40.6
1997 61.3 39.5
1996 54.5 39.5
1995 - 41.4

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/dr-congo | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 47 for the DR Congo, ranking 176/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin DR Congo
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
46.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
39.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
9.64%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$72.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$1,760
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$5.1B
2023
Total reserves ranking n/a
99/177
2023
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$2.92B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$2.92B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$198M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
0.69%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
56.2%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
32.5%
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/dr-congo | 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 (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.