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Economy of Benin vs East Timor compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $1.87B for East Timor, ranking 126/197 and 181/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $249M (13.3% of GDP) in East Timor.

Benin vs East Timor GDP by year

Benin
East Timor
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin East Timor
2024 $21,482,643,706 $1,865,608,515
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,079,767,170
2022 $17,425,405,091 $3,208,599,889
2021 $17,687,623,530 $3,625,024,341
2020 $15,686,741,884 $2,162,619,241
2019 $14,391,686,313 $2,032,550,389
2018 $14,262,408,090 $1,555,988,614
2017 $12,701,655,837 $1,584,878,440
2016 $11,821,065,853 $1,640,464,612
2015 $11,388,160,997 $1,590,282,371
2014 $13,284,527,847 $1,447,535,183
2013 $12,517,845,124 $1,395,727,421
2012 $11,141,358,116 $1,160,555,040
2011 $10,693,321,364 $1,042,534,598
2010 $9,535,345,016 $881,909,347
2009 $9,738,626,517 $726,937,836
2008 $9,787,734,526 $648,523,571
2007 $8,169,048,383 $542,795,447
2006 $7,034,111,315 $453,792,415
2005 $6,567,654,954 $462,267,954
2004 $6,190,270,380 $440,771,962
2003 $5,349,258,094 $490,439,116
2002 $4,194,342,686 $469,455,491
2001 $3,666,222,635 $477,359,253
2000 $3,519,991,440 $366,924,277
1999 $3,677,393,999 $225,357,600
1998 $2,455,092,686 $325,729,800
1997 $2,268,301,646 $319,972,700
1996 $2,361,116,449 $306,956,900
1995 $2,169,627,138 $262,819,900
1994 $1,598,075,944 $239,040,500
1993 $2,274,558,083 $216,914,400
1992 $1,695,315,306 $187,891,500
1991 $1,986,437,797 $147,713,000
1990 $1,959,965,330 $128,210,142
1989 $1,502,294,416 -
1988 $1,620,246,084 -
1987 $1,562,412,228 -
1986 $1,336,102,025 -
1985 $1,045,712,789 -
1984 $1,051,134,009 -
1983 $1,095,348,199 -
1982 $1,267,778,670 -
1981 $1,291,120,188 -
1980 $1,405,251,847 -
1979 $1,186,231,020 -
1978 $928,843,469 -
1977 $750,049,779 -
1976 $698,408,262 -
1975 $676,870,140 -
1974 $554,654,861 -
1973 $504,376,074 -
1972 $410,331,857 -
1971 $335,073,028 -
1970 $333,627,713 -
1969 $330,748,245 -
1968 $326,323,105 -
1967 $306,221,953 -
1966 $302,925,235 -
1965 $289,908,680 -
1964 $269,819,006 -
1963 $253,927,697 -
1962 $236,434,954 -
1961 $235,668,221 -
1960 $226,195,578 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/east-timor | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs East Timor by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
East Timor
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin East Timor
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $1,332 $4,423
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $1,502 $4,807
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $2,343 $5,730
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $2,685 $6,825
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $1,631 $6,132
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $1,562 $4,557
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $1,219 $3,561
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $1,266 $3,463
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $1,336 $3,391
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $1,320 $3,108
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,225 $2,860
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,205 $2,566
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $1,023 $2,386
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $939 $2,066
2010 $973 $2,220 $813 $1,955
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $687 $1,810
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $628 $1,675
2007 $912 $2,136 $540 $1,516
2006 $809 $2,021 $465 $1,377
2005 $779 $1,946 $487 $1,435
2004 $759 $1,915 $474 $1,379
2003 $676 $1,842 $535 $1,355
2002 $546 $1,800 $534 $1,417
2001 $492 $1,746 $588 $1,619
2000 $487 $1,671 $492 $1,483
1999 $525 $1,592 $270 $819
1998 $362 $1,537 $346 $1,108
1997 $345 $1,508 $349 $1,149
1996 $369 $1,444 $344 $1,116
1995 $348 $1,395 $303 $1,043
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $283.1 $985
1993 $387 $1,311 $264.1 $925
1992 $302 $1,265 $235.1 $843
1991 $365 $1,239 $189.8 $766
1990 $371 $1,186 $168.6 $685
1989 $293.3 - - -
1988 $326 - - -
1987 $324 - - -
1986 $285.8 - - -
1985 $230.4 - - -
1984 $238.6 - - -
1983 $256 - - -
1982 $305 - - -
1981 $320 - - -
1980 $358 - - -
1979 $311 - - -
1978 $249.8 - - -
1977 $207 - - -
1976 $197.7 - - -
1975 $196.5 - - -
1974 $164.9 - - -
1973 $153.6 - - -
1972 $127.9 - - -
1971 $106.9 - - -
1970 $108.8 - - -
1969 $110.3 - - -
1968 $111.2 - - -
1967 $106.6 - - -
1966 $107.6 - - -
1965 $105.1 - - -
1964 $99.8 - - -
1963 $95.7 - - -
1962 $90.8 - - -
1961 $92.1 - - -
1960 $89.9 - - -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/east-timor | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $1,332 in East Timor, ranking 167/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while East Timor ranks 163rd at $4,423.

Economic indicators

Benin East Timor
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$1.87B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
181/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
-9.1%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$1,332
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
167/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$4,423
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
163/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$249M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
13.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$177.5
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
182/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,440
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
24%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
4%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
90.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.1%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
1.54%
2022
Population
15272847
1441764

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
East Timor
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin East Timor
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 90.8% 13.3%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 78.6% 12.4%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 59.9% 7.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 45.7% 6.53%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 61.7% 10.1%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 68.8% 9.51%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 85.5% 9.31%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 87.3% 6.71%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 112.2% 4.71%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 98.1% 2.95%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 111% 1.52%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 96.1% 0.46%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 129.3% 0.002%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 133.3% 0%
2010 14.1% 21% 121.3% 0%
2009 17% 18.7% 121.8% 0%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 122.4% 0%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 75.8% 0%
2006 13% 8.37% 59.8% 0%
2005 14.1% 27% 58.3% 0%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 74.2% 0%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 80.1% 0%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 93.5% 0%
2001 15.4% 38% 95.7% 0%
2000 15.6% 39.6% - -
1999 10.7% 39.4% - -
1998 10.9% 39.2% - -
1997 12.7% 42.9% - -
1996 13.3% 43.4% - -
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/east-timor | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while East Timor spent $1.69B, or 90.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 13.3% in East Timor, ranking 99/185 and 178/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

East Timor
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin East Timor
2024 -3.06% -43.5%
2023 -4.13% -34.7%
2022 -5.55% -29.5%
2021 -5.71% -20.1%
2020 -4.68% -18.9%
2019 -0.53% -25.4%
2018 -2.96% -26.9%
2017 -4.18% -33.8%
2016 -4.29% -55.7%
2015 -5.55% -33.2%
2014 -1.65% -37.5%
2013 -1.37% -14.4%
2012 -0.22% -38.7%
2011 -0.98% -25.4%
2010 -0.28% -19.8%
2009 -2.24% -17.2%
2008 -0.04% -18.6%
2007 0.22% -29.9%
2006 -0.15% 41%
2005 -1.52% -10.5%
2004 -0.7% -7.48%
2003 -1.07% -8.24%
2002 -3.33% -7.64%
2001 -3.27% 3.24%
2000 -3.69% -
1999 1.94% -
1998 1.83% -
1997 0.47% -
1996 -0.11% -
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/east-timor | 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 East Timor's deficit of $812M, or 43.5% of GDP.

Over the past 24 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while East Timor ran a deficit in 22 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.39% of GDP, compared to deficit of 21.4% of GDP for East Timor.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

East Timor
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin East Timor
2024 1.2% 2.1%
2023 2.7% 8.4%
2022 1.4% 7%
2021 1.7% 3.8%
2020 3% 0.5%
2019 -0.9% 0.9%
2018 0.8% 2.3%
2017 1.8% 0.5%
2016 -0.8% -1.5%
2015 0.2% 0.6%
2014 -0.6% 0.8%
2013 0.4% 9.5%
2012 6.7% 10.9%
2011 2.7% 13.2%
2010 2.1% 5.2%
2009 0.9% -0.2%
2008 7.4% 7.4%
2007 1.3% 8.6%
2006 3.8% 5.2%
2005 5.4% 1.6%
2004 0.9% 2.2%
2003 1.5% 8%
2002 2.4% 4.1%
2001 4% 3.6%
2000 4.2% -
1999 0.3% -
1998 5.8% -
1997 3.8% -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/east-timor | CC BY

Over the past 24 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.08%, compared with 4.36% in East Timor. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.1% in East Timor.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
East Timor
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $14K
Metals $8K
Wood & paper products $2K

Balance of trade

Benin East Timor
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$587M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
108/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-31.5%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$839M
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$196M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$432M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$82.1M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
84.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
10.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin East Timor
Economic freedom 60 47.9
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 173/197
Property rights 46.4 43.5
Government integrity 44.1 43.9
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 34.5
Tax burden 69.4 97.1
Government spending 89.1 0
Fiscal health 65.4 19.6
Business freedom 53.3 62.7
Labor freedom 60.2 56.5
Monetary freedom 82.1 72.2
Trade freedom 62.6 79.8
Investment freedom 50 45
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
East Timor
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin East Timor
2026 60 47.9
2025 58.5 47.9
2024 57.7 50.2
2023 59.8 47.2
2022 61 46.3
2021 59.6 44.7
2020 55.2 45.9
2019 55.3 44.2
2018 56.7 48.1
2017 59.2 46.3
2016 59.3 45.8
2015 58.8 45.5
2014 57.1 43.2
2013 57.6 43.7
2012 55.7 43.3
2011 56 42.8
2010 55.4 45.8
2009 55.4 50.5
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 -
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/east-timor | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 47.9 for East Timor, ranking 173/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin East Timor
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
71.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
11.8%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
20.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.31B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$5,040
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$737M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
147/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$211M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$216M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$4.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.23%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
41.8%
2014
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
30.1%
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/east-timor | 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 (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2022, 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.