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Economy of Benin vs Egypt compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $389B for Egypt, ranking 126/197 and 41/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $354B (90.9% of GDP) in Egypt.

Benin vs Egypt GDP by year

Benin
Egypt
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Egypt
2024 $21,482,643,706 $389,059,911,004
2023 $19,673,291,004 $395,926,075,163
2022 $17,425,405,091 $476,747,720,365
2021 $17,687,623,530 $424,671,765,456
2020 $15,686,741,884 $383,817,841,547
2019 $14,391,686,313 $318,678,815,490
2018 $14,262,408,090 $262,588,632,527
2017 $12,701,655,837 $248,362,771,739
2016 $11,821,065,853 $332,441,717,791
2015 $11,388,160,997 $329,366,576,819
2014 $13,284,527,847 $305,595,408,895
2013 $12,517,845,124 $288,434,108,527
2012 $11,141,358,116 $279,116,666,667
2011 $10,693,321,364 $235,989,672,978
2010 $9,535,345,016 $218,983,666,062
2009 $9,738,626,517 $189,147,005,445
2008 $9,787,734,526 $162,818,181,818
2007 $8,169,048,383 $130,437,828,371
2006 $7,034,111,315 $107,426,086,957
2005 $6,567,654,954 $89,660,339,660
2004 $6,190,270,380 $78,782,467,532
2003 $5,349,258,094 $80,288,461,538
2002 $4,194,342,686 $85,146,067,416
2001 $3,666,222,635 $96,684,636,119
2000 $3,519,991,440 $99,838,543,960
1999 $3,677,393,999 $90,710,704,807
1998 $2,455,092,686 $84,828,807,556
1997 $2,268,301,646 $78,436,578,171
1996 $2,361,116,449 $67,629,716,981
1995 $2,169,627,138 $60,159,245,060
1994 $1,598,075,944 $51,897,983,393
1993 $2,274,558,083 $46,578,631,453
1992 $1,695,315,306 $41,855,986,519
1991 $1,986,437,797 $37,387,836,491
1990 $1,959,965,330 $42,978,914,311
1989 $1,502,294,416 $39,756,299,050
1988 $1,620,246,084 $34,980,124,929
1987 $1,562,412,228 $40,455,616,654
1986 $1,336,102,025 $41,253,507,951
1985 $1,045,712,789 $39,053,502,251
1984 $1,051,134,009 $33,971,188,992
1983 $1,095,348,199 $30,966,239,814
1982 $1,267,778,670 $27,655,172,414
1981 $1,291,120,188 $22,136,081,081
1980 $1,405,251,847 $21,669,908,176
1979 $1,186,231,020 $18,020,571,429
1978 $928,843,469 $14,811,704,063
1977 $750,049,779 $14,400,806,876
1976 $698,408,262 $13,315,988,083
1975 $676,870,140 $11,632,178,869
1974 $554,654,861 $9,228,963,225
1973 $504,376,074 $10,098,534,613
1972 $410,331,857 $9,299,638,056
1971 $335,073,028 $8,609,283,346
1970 $333,627,713 $8,042,200,452
1969 $330,748,245 $6,524,455,206
1968 $326,323,105 $5,932,242,991
1967 $306,221,953 $5,605,484,299
1966 $302,925,235 $5,278,005,612
1965 $289,908,680 $4,948,667,540
1964 $269,819,006 $4,709,245,762
1963 $253,927,697 $4,187,146,232
1962 $236,434,954 $4,035,462,027
1961 $235,668,221 $4,494,575,611
1960 $226,195,578 $4,206,270,352

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Egypt by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Egypt
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Egypt
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $3,338 $19,094
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $3,457 $18,525
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $4,233 $17,527
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $3,827 $15,579
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,511 $15,232
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $2,963 $13,364
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $2,485 $12,329
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $2,395 $11,125
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $3,271 $10,666
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $3,307 $10,903
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $3,133 $10,256
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $3,026 $10,511
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $2,996 $10,342
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $2,591 $8,988
2010 $973 $2,220 $2,455 $8,838
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $2,162 $8,465
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,896 $8,191
2007 $912 $2,136 $1,548 $7,641
2006 $809 $2,021 $1,299 $7,079
2005 $779 $1,946 $1,106 $6,554
2004 $759 $1,915 $991 $6,207
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,031 $5,928
2002 $546 $1,800 $1,117 $5,753
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,295 $5,650
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,366 $5,452
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,268 $5,121
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,213 $4,869
1997 $345 $1,508 $1,146 $4,661
1996 $369 $1,444 $1,009 $4,434
1995 $348 $1,395 $916 $4,235
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $807 $4,048
1993 $387 $1,311 $740 $3,895
1992 $302 $1,265 $681 $3,784
1991 $365 $1,239 $623 $3,627
1990 $371 $1,186 $736 $3,566
1989 $293.3 - $701 -
1988 $326 - $634 -
1987 $324 - $754 -
1986 $285.8 - $790 -
1985 $230.4 - $770 -
1984 $238.6 - $690 -
1983 $256 - $648 -
1982 $305 - $596 -
1981 $320 - $490 -
1980 $358 - $493 -
1979 $311 - $421 -
1978 $249.8 - $355 -
1977 $207 - $353 -
1976 $197.7 - $335 -
1975 $196.5 - $299.2 -
1974 $164.9 - $243.1 -
1973 $153.6 - $272.2 -
1972 $127.9 - $256.5 -
1971 $106.9 - $243 -
1970 $108.8 - $232.3 -
1969 $110.3 - $193 -
1968 $111.2 - $179.8 -
1967 $106.6 - $174.1 -
1966 $107.6 - $168.1 -
1965 $105.1 - $161.6 -
1964 $99.8 - $157.7 -
1963 $95.7 - $143.9 -
1962 $90.8 - $142.4 -
1961 $92.1 - $162.8 -
1960 $89.9 - $156.4 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $3,338 in Egypt, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Egypt ranks 99th at $19,094.

Economic indicators

Benin Egypt
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$389B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
41/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
2.4%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$3,338
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
138/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$19,094
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
99/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$354B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
90.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$3,036
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
99/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,948
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$42.6B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
24.6%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
4.2%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
22.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
28.3%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
21%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
5.95%
2024
Population
15272847
120697176

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Egypt
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Egypt
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 22.9% 90.9%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 22.7% 95.9%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 24.9% 88.5%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 25.5% 89.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 25.7% 86.2%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 26.9% 80.1%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 28.6% 87.9%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 30.6% 97.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 31% 91.6%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 31.3% 83.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 33.9% 80.9%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 32.9% 79.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 29.2% 69.9%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 30.5% 72.8%
2010 14.1% 21% 31.4% 69.6%
2009 17% 18.7% 32.5% 69.5%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 32.7% 66.8%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 31.3% 76.3%
2006 13% 8.37% 34.5% 85.9%
2005 14.1% 27% 30.3% 98.3%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 30.1% 96.5%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 30.6% 97.1%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 30.9% 85.8%
2001 15.4% 38% 27.9% 79.1%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 26% 71.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 26.3% 72.4%
1998 10.9% 39.2% - 73.8%
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/egypt | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Egypt spent $89.2B, or 22.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 90.9% in Egypt, ranking 99/185 and 31/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Egypt
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Egypt
2024 -3.06% -7.12%
2023 -4.13% -5.77%
2022 -5.55% -5.74%
2021 -5.71% -6.96%
2020 -4.68% -7.47%
2019 -0.53% -7.6%
2018 -2.96% -8.97%
2017 -4.18% -9.9%
2016 -4.29% -11.8%
2015 -5.55% -10.4%
2014 -1.65% -10.7%
2013 -1.37% -12.3%
2012 -0.22% -9.47%
2011 -0.98% -9.6%
2010 -0.28% -7.45%
2009 -2.24% -6.2%
2008 -0.04% -6.05%
2007 0.22% -4.9%
2006 -0.15% -7.35%
2005 -1.52% -6.69%
2004 -0.7% -5.76%
2003 -1.07% -5.73%
2002 -3.33% -6.77%
2001 -3.27% -1.07%
2000 -3.69% 1.32%
1999 1.94% 2.14%
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/egypt | 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 Egypt's deficit of $27.7B, or 7.12% of GDP.

Over the past 26 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Egypt ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.27% of GDP, compared to deficit of 6.86% of GDP for Egypt.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Egypt
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Egypt
2024 1.2% 28.3%
2023 2.7% 33.9%
2022 1.4% 13.9%
2021 1.7% 5.21%
2020 3% 5.04%
2019 -0.9% 9.15%
2018 0.8% 14.4%
2017 1.8% 29.5%
2016 -0.8% 13.8%
2015 0.2% 10.4%
2014 -0.6% 10.1%
2013 0.4% 9.47%
2012 6.7% 7.11%
2011 2.7% 10.1%
2010 2.1% 11.3%
2009 0.9% 11.8%
2008 7.4% 18.3%
2007 1.3% 9.32%
2006 3.8% 7.64%
2005 5.4% 4.87%
2004 0.9% 11.3%
2003 1.5% 4.51%
2002 2.4% 2.74%
2001 4% 2.27%
2000 4.2% 2.68%
1999 0.3% 3.08%
1998 5.8% 3.87%
1997 3.8% 4.63%

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/egypt | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 10.7% in Egypt. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 28.3% in Egypt.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $10.5M
Machinery & equipment $61K
Raw agricultural goods $24K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K
Raw materials & minerals $8K
Wood & paper products $1K
Egypt
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $15.6M
Metals $6.12M
Machinery & equipment $3.85M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.73M
Raw agricultural goods $1.08M
Textiles & consumer goods $764K
Chemicals & pharma $714K
Weapons & explosives $480K
Animal & marine products $137K
Wood & paper products $15K

Balance of trade

Benin Egypt
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$22.3B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
184/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-5.72%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$72.9B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$34.8B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$27.5B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$29.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
23.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
16.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Egypt
Economic freedom 60 50.3
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 160/197
Property rights 46.4 35.5
Government integrity 44.1 27.1
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 24
Tax burden 69.4 85.7
Government spending 89.1 83.4
Fiscal health 65.4 21.8
Business freedom 53.3 51.4
Labor freedom 60.2 43.1
Monetary freedom 82.1 56
Trade freedom 62.6 60.2
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Egypt
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Egypt
2026 60 50.3
2025 58.5 50.9
2024 57.7 49.7
2023 59.8 49.6
2022 61 49.1
2021 59.6 55.7
2020 55.2 54
2019 55.3 52.5
2018 56.7 53.4
2017 59.2 52.6
2016 59.3 56
2015 58.8 55.2
2014 57.1 52.9
2013 57.6 54.8
2012 55.7 57.9
2011 56 59.1
2010 55.4 59
2009 55.4 58
2008 55.2 58.5
2007 55.1 54.4
2006 54 53.2
2005 52.3 55.8
2004 54.6 55.5
2003 54.9 55.3
2002 57.3 54.1
2001 60.1 51.5
2000 61.5 51.7
1999 60.6 58
1998 61.7 55.8
1997 61.3 54.5
1996 54.5 52
1995 - 45.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 50.3 for Egypt, ranking 160/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Egypt
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
48.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
32.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
13.7%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$409B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$18,230
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$44.9B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
44/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$46.1B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$46.6B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$508M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
8.86%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
33.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
13%
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/egypt | 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 (2020–2024, 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.