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Economy of Benin vs Estonia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $43.1B for Estonia, ranking 126/197 and 100/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $10.1B (23.4% of GDP) in Estonia.

Benin vs Estonia GDP by year

Benin
Estonia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Estonia
2024 $21,482,643,706 $43,130,419,829
2023 $19,673,291,004 $41,470,344,395
2022 $17,425,405,091 $38,226,641,740
2021 $17,687,623,530 $37,201,101,171
2020 $15,686,741,884 $31,820,771,494
2019 $14,391,686,313 $31,873,748,770
2018 $14,262,408,090 $31,222,632,741
2017 $12,701,655,837 $27,469,461,919
2016 $11,821,065,853 $24,561,027,788
2015 $11,388,160,997 $23,311,847,751
2014 $13,284,527,847 $27,055,689,003
2013 $12,517,845,124 $25,451,032,781
2012 $11,141,358,116 $23,237,406,116
2011 $10,693,321,364 $23,303,915,795
2010 $9,535,345,016 $19,524,355,419
2009 $9,738,626,517 $19,633,984,440
2008 $9,787,734,526 $24,342,935,404
2007 $8,169,048,383 $22,450,264,166
2006 $7,034,111,315 $17,025,671,810
2005 $6,567,654,954 $14,109,491,357
2004 $6,190,270,380 $12,148,595,031
2003 $5,349,258,094 $9,876,595,528
2002 $4,194,342,686 $7,370,119,619
2001 $3,666,222,635 $6,250,218,423
2000 $3,519,991,440 $5,686,579,748
1999 $3,677,393,999 $5,756,912,266
1998 $2,455,092,686 $5,674,080,543
1997 $2,268,301,646 $5,154,420,649
1996 $2,361,116,449 $4,786,018,988
1995 $2,169,627,138 $4,502,970,889
1994 $1,598,075,944 $4,123,011,420
1993 $2,274,558,083 $4,013,091,682
1992 $1,695,315,306 -
1991 $1,986,437,797 -
1990 $1,959,965,330 -
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/estonia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Estonia by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Estonia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Estonia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $31,428 $49,969
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $30,264 $48,637
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $28,340 $48,218
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $27,951 $44,252
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $23,934 $40,672
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $24,021 $40,586
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $23,618 $37,121
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $20,852 $34,507
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $18,666 $31,948
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $17,722 $29,713
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $20,582 $29,404
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $19,310 $27,831
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $17,568 $26,243
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $17,556 $24,652
2010 $973 $2,220 $14,664 $21,614
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $14,712 $20,489
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $18,206 $22,804
2007 $912 $2,136 $16,745 $22,201
2006 $809 $2,021 $12,641 $19,344
2005 $779 $1,946 $10,415 $16,638
2004 $759 $1,915 $8,916 $14,538
2003 $676 $1,842 $7,205 $13,135
2002 $546 $1,800 $5,343 $11,667
2001 $492 $1,746 $4,503 $10,309
2000 $487 $1,671 $4,071 $9,425
1999 $525 $1,592 $4,141 $8,412
1998 $362 $1,537 $4,093 $8,451
1997 $345 $1,508 $3,683 $7,980
1996 $369 $1,444 $3,381 $6,892
1995 $348 $1,395 $3,134 $6,480
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $2,819 $5,967
1993 $387 $1,311 $2,686 $5,814
1992 $302 $1,265 - $5,872
1991 $365 $1,239 - $7,151
1990 $371 $1,186 - $7,481
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/estonia | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $31,428 in Estonia, ranking 40/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Estonia ranks 45th at $49,969.

Economic indicators

Benin Estonia
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$43.1B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
100/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
-0.09%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$31,428
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
40/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$49,969
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
45/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$10.1B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
23.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$7,356
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
65/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$23,740
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
23.7%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
43.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
3.52%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
7.5%
2024
Population
15272847
1339590

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Estonia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Estonia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 43.6% 23.4%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 43.5% 20.1%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 40.1% 19.2%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 42.1% 18.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 44.7% 19.1%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 39.1% 9.05%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 38.8% 8.51%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 38.9% 9.43%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 38.9% 10.2%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 39.3% 10.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 37.6% 11.6%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 38.3% 11.4%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 39.4% 11.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 37.6% 7.6%
2010 14.1% 21% 40.7% 7.99%
2009 17% 18.7% 46.1% 7.98%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 39.5% 4.67%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 33.8% 3.91%
2006 13% 8.37% 33.5% 4.72%
2005 14.1% 27% 33.7% 4.73%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 34.1% 5.16%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 35% 5.6%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 35.9% 5.66%
2001 15.4% 38% 35.3% 4.93%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 36.4% 5.11%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 40.7% 5.93%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 38.9% 5.4%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 35.8% 6.03%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 38.6% 7.3%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 39.5% 8.66%
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/estonia | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Estonia spent $18.8B, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 23.4% in Estonia, ranking 99/185 and 171/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Estonia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Estonia
2024 -3.06% -1.51%
2023 -4.13% -3.13%
2022 -5.55% -1.08%
2021 -5.71% -2.57%
2020 -4.68% -5.42%
2019 -0.53% -0.11%
2018 -2.96% -1.15%
2017 -4.18% -1.07%
2016 -4.29% -0.62%
2015 -5.55% -0.24%
2014 -1.65% 0.42%
2013 -1.37% -0.66%
2012 -0.22% -0.86%
2011 -0.98% 0.09%
2010 -0.28% -1.09%
2009 -2.24% -3.43%
2008 -0.04% -2.92%
2007 0.22% 2.5%
2006 -0.15% 2.71%
2005 -1.52% 1.07%
2004 -0.7% 2.29%
2003 -1.07% 1.67%
2002 -3.33% 0.29%
2001 -3.27% 0.4%
2000 -3.69% -0.11%
1999 1.94% -3.42%
1998 1.83% 0.65%
1997 0.47% 2.98%
1996 -0.11% -0.93%
1995 -1.91% -0.26%
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/estonia | 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 Estonia's deficit of $651M, or 1.51% of GDP.

Over the past 30 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 26 of those years, while Estonia ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.96% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.52% of GDP for Estonia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Estonia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Estonia
2024 1.2% 3.52%
2023 2.7% 9.16%
2022 1.4% 19.4%
2021 1.7% 4.65%
2020 3% -0.44%
2019 -0.9% 2.28%
2018 0.8% 3.44%
2017 1.8% 3.42%
2016 -0.8% 0.15%
2015 0.2% -0.49%
2014 -0.6% -0.11%
2013 0.4% 2.78%
2012 6.7% 3.93%
2011 2.7% 4.98%
2010 2.1% 2.97%
2009 0.9% -0.08%
2008 7.4% 10.4%
2007 1.3% 6.6%
2006 3.8% 4.44%
2005 5.4% 4.08%
2004 0.9% 3.05%
2003 1.5% 1.33%
2002 2.4% 3.57%
2001 4% 5.75%
2000 4.2% 4.02%
1999 0.3% 3.3%
1998 5.8% 8.21%
1997 3.8% 10.6%

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/estonia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 4.46% in Estonia. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 3.52% in Estonia.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Estonia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $372K
Textiles & consumer goods $239K
Animal & marine products $53K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $22K
Metals $16K
Miscellaneous $7K
Raw materials & minerals $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Estonia
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$543M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
107/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-1.26%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$22.1B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$19B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$10.4B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$13.6B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
75.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
75.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Estonia
Economic freedom 60 78.7
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 10/197
Property rights 46.4 93.6
Government integrity 44.1 86.3
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 92.4
Tax burden 69.4 77.9
Government spending 89.1 46
Fiscal health 65.4 93.1
Business freedom 53.3 82.8
Labor freedom 60.2 59
Monetary freedom 82.1 73.9
Trade freedom 62.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 50 70

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Estonia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Estonia
2026 60 78.7
2025 58.5 78.9
2024 57.7 77.8
2023 59.8 78.6
2022 61 80
2021 59.6 78.2
2020 55.2 77.7
2019 55.3 76.6
2018 56.7 78.8
2017 59.2 79.1
2016 59.3 77.2
2015 58.8 76.8
2014 57.1 75.9
2013 57.6 75.3
2012 55.7 73.2
2011 56 75.2
2010 55.4 74.7
2009 55.4 76.4
2008 55.2 77.9
2007 55.1 78
2006 54 74.9
2005 52.3 75.2
2004 54.6 77.4
2003 54.9 77.7
2002 57.3 77.6
2001 60.1 76.1
2000 61.5 69.9
1999 60.6 73.8
1998 61.7 72.5
1997 61.3 69.1
1996 54.5 65.4
1995 - 65.2

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 78.7 for Estonia, ranking 10/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Estonia
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
65.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
20.1%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
1.77%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$39.6B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$48,880
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$2.07B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
125/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$285M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
-$3.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
-$3.72B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
22.5%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
24.6%
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/estonia | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. TradeMap (2024, 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.