Skip to content

Economy of Benin vs El Salvador compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $35.4B for El Salvador, ranking 126/197 and 105/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $30.9B (87.5% of GDP) in El Salvador.

Benin vs El Salvador GDP by year

Benin
El Salvador
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin El Salvador
2024 $21,482,643,706 $35,364,960,000
2023 $19,673,291,004 $33,853,940,000
2022 $17,425,405,091 $31,870,120,000
2021 $17,687,623,530 $29,043,140,000
2020 $15,686,741,884 $24,921,190,000
2019 $14,391,686,313 $26,881,140,000
2018 $14,262,408,090 $26,020,850,000
2017 $12,701,655,837 $24,979,190,000
2016 $11,821,065,853 $24,191,430,000
2015 $11,388,160,997 $23,438,240,000
2014 $13,284,527,847 $22,593,470,000
2013 $12,517,845,124 $21,990,960,000
2012 $11,141,358,116 $21,386,150,000
2011 $10,693,321,364 $20,283,780,000
2010 $9,535,345,016 $18,447,920,000
2009 $9,738,626,517 $17,601,620,000
2008 $9,787,734,526 $17,986,890,000
2007 $8,169,048,383 $17,011,750,000
2006 $7,034,111,315 $15,999,890,000
2005 $6,567,654,954 $14,698,000,000
2004 $6,190,270,380 $13,724,810,900
2003 $5,349,258,094 $13,243,892,200
2002 $4,194,342,686 $12,664,190,300
2001 $3,666,222,635 $12,282,533,600
2000 $3,519,991,440 $11,784,927,700
1999 $3,677,393,999 $11,284,197,000
1998 $2,455,092,686 $10,936,669,900
1997 $2,268,301,646 $10,221,705,900
1996 $2,361,116,449 $9,586,327,800
1995 $2,169,627,138 $8,921,947,100
1994 $1,598,075,944 $7,679,384,000
1993 $2,274,558,083 $6,680,269,200
1992 $1,695,315,306 $5,813,399,300
1991 $1,986,437,797 $5,252,342,400
1990 $1,959,965,330 $4,817,542,204
1989 $1,502,294,416 $4,372,215,300
1988 $1,620,246,084 $4,189,880,000
1987 $1,562,412,228 $3,958,045,800
1986 $1,336,102,025 $3,771,663,200
1985 $1,045,712,789 $3,800,368,600
1984 $1,051,134,009 $3,661,683,400
1983 $1,095,348,199 $3,506,347,800
1982 $1,267,778,670 $3,399,189,100
1981 $1,291,120,188 $3,437,200,200
1980 $1,405,251,847 $3,573,959,900
1979 $1,186,231,020 $3,463,639,900
1978 $928,843,469 $3,127,960,000
1977 $750,049,779 $2,941,640,100
1976 $698,408,262 $2,328,280,100
1975 $676,870,140 $1,884,120,100
1974 $554,654,861 $1,665,880,000
1973 $504,376,074 $1,442,320,000
1972 $410,331,857 $1,263,720,000
1971 $335,073,028 $1,186,120,000
1970 $333,627,713 $1,132,920,000
1969 $330,748,245 $1,049,400,000
1968 $326,323,105 $1,009,760,100
1967 $306,221,953 $976,200,000
1966 $302,925,235 $929,520,000
1965 $289,908,680 $877,720,000
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/el-salvador | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs El Salvador by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
El Salvador
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin El Salvador
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $5,580 $13,264
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $5,365 $12,680
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $5,075 $11,876
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $4,643 $10,810
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,997 $9,393
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $4,320 $9,757
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $4,184 $9,204
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $4,020 $8,965
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $3,901 $8,456
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $3,790 $7,934
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $3,666 $7,504
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $3,582 $7,093
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $3,498 $6,708
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $3,331 $6,594
2010 $973 $2,220 $3,040 $6,248
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $2,910 $6,063
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $2,983 $6,175
2007 $912 $2,136 $2,831 $5,949
2006 $809 $2,021 $2,666 $5,695
2005 $779 $1,946 $2,447 $5,292
2004 $759 $1,915 $2,286 $4,998
2003 $676 $1,842 $2,208 $4,829
2002 $546 $1,800 $2,115 $4,672
2001 $492 $1,746 $2,058 $4,543
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,983 $4,422
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,908 $4,298
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,860 $4,171
1997 $345 $1,508 $1,749 $4,043
1996 $369 $1,444 $1,651 $3,880
1995 $348 $1,395 $1,548 $3,808
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,344 $3,591
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,180 $3,390
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,041 $3,171
1991 $365 $1,239 $956 $2,945
1990 $371 $1,186 $892 $2,856
1989 $293.3 - $825 -
1988 $326 - $806 -
1987 $324 - $777 -
1986 $285.8 - $755 -
1985 $230.4 - $776 -
1984 $238.6 - $763 -
1983 $256 - $745 -
1982 $305 - $735 -
1981 $320 - $752 -
1980 $358 - $787 -
1979 $311 - $773 -
1978 $249.8 - $712 -
1977 $207 - $684 -
1976 $197.7 - $553 -
1975 $196.5 - $457 -
1974 $164.9 - $413 -
1973 $153.6 - $366 -
1972 $127.9 - $329 -
1971 $106.9 - $316 -
1970 $108.8 - $309 -
1969 $110.3 - $293.4 -
1968 $111.2 - $290.1 -
1967 $106.6 - $288.4 -
1966 $107.6 - $282.4 -
1965 $105.1 - $274.3 -
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/el-salvador | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $5,580 in El Salvador, ranking 116/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while El Salvador ranks 120th at $13,264.

Economic indicators

Benin El Salvador
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$35.4B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
105/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
2.6%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$5,580
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
116/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$13,264
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
120/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$30.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
87.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$4,883
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
81/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$4,768
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
29.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.9%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
31.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
0.85%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
2.71%
2024
Population
15272847
6399793

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
El Salvador
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin El Salvador
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 31.4% 87.5%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 30.5% 85.1%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 28.7% 83.7%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 31.1% 88%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 32.7% 95.4%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 27.8% 77.9%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 27.6% 77%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 28.1% 77.1%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 27.5% 75.2%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 27.1% 73.5%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 27.6% 71.8%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 28.5% 69.7%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 27.4% 70%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 25.3% 65.6%
2010 14.1% 21% 25.6% 66.8%
2009 17% 18.7% 26% 65.8%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 24.5% 54.2%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 22.8% 52.2%
2006 13% 8.37% 23.4% 52.6%
2005 14.1% 27% 22.4% 46.3%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 21.5% 46.8%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 22.6% 46%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 22.5% 43.8%
2001 15.4% 38% 21.7% 37.8%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 21% 29.6%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 19.7% 28%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 19.3% 25.7%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 18.6% 27.8%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 21% 28.5%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 18.6% 28%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 18.9% 30.5%
1993 12% 41.9% 18.5% 31.9%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 20.8% 36.4%
1991 12.6% 44% 18.5% 43.3%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 15.9% -
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/el-salvador | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while El Salvador spent $11.1B, or 31.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 87.5% in El Salvador, ranking 99/185 and 36/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

El Salvador
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin El Salvador
2024 -3.06% -4.55%
2023 -4.13% -4.69%
2022 -5.55% -2.68%
2021 -5.71% -5.53%
2020 -4.68% -8.18%
2019 -0.53% -3.07%
2018 -2.96% -2.71%
2017 -4.18% -2.53%
2016 -4.29% -3.1%
2015 -5.55% -3.63%
2014 -1.65% -4.02%
2013 -1.37% -4.46%
2012 -0.22% -3.81%
2011 -0.98% -4.47%
2010 -0.28% -4.97%
2009 -2.24% -6.65%
2008 -0.04% -3.8%
2007 0.22% -2.32%
2006 -0.15% -3.42%
2005 -1.52% -3.47%
2004 -0.7% -2.76%
2003 -1.07% -4.23%
2002 -3.33% -5.5%
2001 -3.27% -4.95%
2000 -3.69% -3.45%
1999 1.94% -3.08%
1998 1.83% -2.94%
1997 0.47% -1.97%
1996 -0.11% -2.7%
1995 -1.91% -0.18%
1994 -1.57% -0.94%
1993 -0.41% -1.42%
1992 -1.98% -4.29%
1991 -2.25% -2.3%
1990 -2.37% -0.61%
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/el-salvador | 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 El Salvador's deficit of $1.61B, or 4.55% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while El Salvador ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.52% of GDP for El Salvador.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

El Salvador
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin El Salvador
2024 1.2% 0.85%
2023 2.7% 4.05%
2022 1.4% 7.2%
2021 1.7% 3.47%
2020 3% -0.37%
2019 -0.9% 0.08%
2018 0.8% 1.09%
2017 1.8% 1.01%
2016 -0.8% 0.6%
2015 0.2% -0.73%
2014 -0.6% 1.14%
2013 0.4% 0.76%
2012 6.7% 1.73%
2011 2.7% 5.13%
2010 2.1% 1.18%
2009 0.9% 1.06%
2008 7.4% 6.71%
2007 1.3% 4.58%
2006 3.8% 4.04%
2005 5.4% 4.69%
2004 0.9% 4.45%
2003 1.5% 2.12%
2002 2.4% 1.87%
2001 4% 3.75%
2000 4.2% 2.27%
1999 0.3% 0.51%
1998 5.8% 2.55%
1997 3.8% 4.49%

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/el-salvador | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 2.51% in El Salvador. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 0.85% in El Salvador.

Balance of trade

Benin El Salvador
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$633M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
110/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-1.79%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$15.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$5.59B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$3.26B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
51.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
32.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin El Salvador
Economic freedom 60 57.7
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 114/197
Property rights 46.4 42.7
Government integrity 44.1 31.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 15.3
Tax burden 69.4 76.8
Government spending 89.1 72.7
Fiscal health 65.4 59.4
Business freedom 53.3 65.7
Labor freedom 60.2 51.6
Monetary freedom 82.1 70.6
Trade freedom 62.6 76.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
El Salvador
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin El Salvador
2026 60 57.7
2025 58.5 56.6
2024 57.7 54.4
2023 59.8 56
2022 61 59.6
2021 59.6 61
2020 55.2 61.6
2019 55.3 61.8
2018 56.7 63.2
2017 59.2 64.1
2016 59.3 65.1
2015 58.8 65.7
2014 57.1 66.2
2013 57.6 66.7
2012 55.7 68.7
2011 56 68.8
2010 55.4 69.9
2009 55.4 69.8
2008 55.2 68.5
2007 55.1 68.9
2006 54 69.6
2005 52.3 71.5
2004 54.6 71.2
2003 54.9 71.5
2002 57.3 73
2001 60.1 73
2000 61.5 76.3
1999 60.6 75.1
1998 61.7 70.2
1997 61.3 70.5
1996 54.5 70.1
1995 - 69.1

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/el-salvador | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 57.7 for El Salvador, ranking 114/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin El Salvador
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
61%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
22.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
4.38%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$32.5B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$12,420
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.7B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
110/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$636M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$924M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$288M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
35%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
27.2%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
20.3%
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/el-salvador | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.