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Economy of Benin vs Gambia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $2.4B for the Gambia, ranking 126/197 and 174/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $1.92B (80% of GDP) in the Gambia.

Benin vs Gambia GDP by year

Benin
Gambia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Gambia
2024 $21,482,643,706 $2,404,888,749
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,382,262,185
2022 $17,425,405,091 $2,204,734,528
2021 $17,687,623,530 $2,014,158,842
2020 $15,686,741,884 $1,812,170,891
2019 $14,391,686,313 $1,813,609,692
2018 $14,262,408,090 $1,670,671,328
2017 $12,701,655,837 $1,504,909,463
2016 $11,821,065,853 $1,484,578,886
2015 $11,388,160,997 $1,378,176,609
2014 $13,284,527,847 $1,229,461,721
2013 $12,517,845,124 $1,375,609,453
2012 $11,141,358,116 $1,415,004,738
2011 $10,693,321,364 $1,409,693,597
2010 $9,535,345,016 $1,543,294,927
2009 $9,738,626,517 $1,450,142,509
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,561,766,956
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,279,703,047
2006 $7,034,111,315 $1,054,112,488
2005 $6,567,654,954 $1,027,701,068
2004 $6,190,270,380 $961,900,651
2003 $5,349,258,094 $487,038,685
2002 $4,194,342,686 $578,235,309
2001 $3,666,222,635 $687,410,645
2000 $3,519,991,440 $782,913,872
1999 $3,677,393,999 $814,724,032
1998 $2,455,092,686 $840,285,265
1997 $2,268,301,646 $803,633,342
1996 $2,361,116,449 $848,239,446
1995 $2,169,627,138 $785,999,865
1994 $1,598,075,944 $746,493,952
1993 $2,274,558,083 $755,040,974
1992 $1,695,315,306 $714,254,256
1991 $1,986,437,797 $690,311,081
1990 $1,959,965,330 $317,083,695
1989 $1,502,294,416 $284,120,329
1988 $1,620,246,084 $266,672,212
1987 $1,562,412,228 $220,626,484
1986 $1,336,102,025 $185,646,987
1985 $1,045,712,789 $225,726,359
1984 $1,051,134,009 $177,340,880
1983 $1,095,348,199 $213,448,585
1982 $1,267,778,670 $216,050,552
1981 $1,291,120,188 $218,767,743
1980 $1,405,251,847 $241,083,090
1979 $1,186,231,020 $207,112,628
1978 $928,843,469 $171,833,086
1977 $750,049,779 $138,093,099
1976 $698,408,262 $112,190,829
1975 $676,870,140 $115,179,719
1974 $554,654,861 $95,796,022
1973 $504,376,074 $75,187,749
1972 $410,331,857 $59,160,569
1971 $335,073,028 $55,728,663
1970 $333,627,713 $52,296,084
1969 $330,748,245 $45,168,072
1968 $326,323,105 $41,160,066
1967 $306,221,953 $46,695,007
1966 $302,925,235 $44,212,081
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/gambia | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Gambia by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Gambia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Gambia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $871 $3,476
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $883 $3,289
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $836 $3,067
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $782 $2,778
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $720 $2,531
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $738 $2,422
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $696 $2,277
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $643 $2,039
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $650 $2,013
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $620 $1,990
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $568 $1,934
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $654 $2,007
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $693 $2,065
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $711 $2,064
2010 $973 $2,220 $801 $2,267
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $775 $2,177
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $859 $2,088
2007 $912 $2,136 $725 $1,985
2006 $809 $2,021 $615 $1,931
2005 $779 $1,946 $616 $1,938
2004 $759 $1,915 $593 $1,979
2003 $676 $1,842 $309 $1,850
2002 $546 $1,800 $377 $1,744
2001 $492 $1,746 $460 $1,823
2000 $487 $1,671 $538 $1,731
1999 $525 $1,592 $575 $1,649
1998 $362 $1,537 $610 $1,572
1997 $345 $1,508 $600 $1,544
1996 $369 $1,444 $652 $1,489
1995 $348 $1,395 $622 $1,472
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $608 $1,473
1993 $387 $1,311 $635 $1,487
1992 $302 $1,265 $623 $1,462
1991 $365 $1,239 $628 $1,440
1990 $371 $1,186 $301 $1,409
1989 $293.3 - $280.9 -
1988 $326 - $274.9 -
1987 $324 - $237 -
1986 $285.8 - $207.7 -
1985 $230.4 - $262.8 -
1984 $238.6 - $214.8 -
1983 $256 - $268.6 -
1982 $305 - $282.1 -
1981 $320 - $296 -
1980 $358 - $338 -
1979 $311 - $300 -
1978 $249.8 - $257.6 -
1977 $207 - $213.8 -
1976 $197.7 - $179.3 -
1975 $196.5 - $189.8 -
1974 $164.9 - $162.6 -
1973 $153.6 - $131.4 -
1972 $127.9 - $106.5 -
1971 $106.9 - $103.3 -
1970 $108.8 - $99.8 -
1969 $110.3 - $88.7 -
1968 $111.2 - $83.1 -
1967 $106.6 - $97 -
1966 $107.6 - $94.4 -
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/gambia | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $871 in the Gambia, ranking 183/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while the Gambia ranks 172nd at $3,476.

Economic indicators

Benin Gambia
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$2.4B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
174/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
5.55%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$871
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
183/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,476
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
172/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.92B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
80%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$697
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
155/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$741
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
30.5%
2020
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.6%
2020
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
25.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
11.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
17%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
6.48%
2023
Population
15272847
2902554

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Gambia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Gambia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 25.8% 80%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 24.9% 80.2%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 24.6% 83.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 21.5% 83.1%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 25.3% 85.9%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 23.9% 83%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 19% 83.6%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 23.6% 87%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 19.4% 80.7%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 19.6% 69.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 19% 71.1%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 17.2% 58.2%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 19.1% 49.5%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 16.5% 49.2%
2010 14.1% 21% 14.6% 42.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 14.4% 38.9%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 11.6% 39.5%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 11.2% 38%
2006 13% 8.37% 14% 87.3%
2005 14.1% 27% 12.9% 82.6%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 12.4% 81.3%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 9.3% 91.7%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 8.59% 93.9%
2001 15.4% 38% 9.68% 75.2%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 9.54% 73.3%
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/gambia | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while the Gambia spent $621M, or 25.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 80% in the Gambia, ranking 99/185 and 45/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Gambia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Gambia
2024 -3.06% -4.08%
2023 -4.13% -3.69%
2022 -5.55% -5.72%
2021 -5.71% -4.77%
2020 -4.68% -2.37%
2019 -0.53% -2.75%
2018 -2.96% -3.92%
2017 -4.18% -4.35%
2016 -4.29% -6.22%
2015 -5.55% -5.38%
2014 -1.65% -3.94%
2013 -1.37% -5.11%
2012 -0.22% -2.85%
2011 -0.98% -3.03%
2010 -0.28% -2.93%
2009 -2.24% -1.65%
2008 -0.04% -0.45%
2007 0.22% 0.27%
2006 -0.15% -3.19%
2005 -1.52% -3.33%
2004 -0.7% -1.77%
2003 -1.07% -1.73%
2002 -3.33% 0.06%
2001 -3.27% -2.52%
2000 -3.69% -0.09%
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/gambia | 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 Gambia's deficit of $98.2M, or 4.08% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while the Gambia ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.02% of GDP for the Gambia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Gambia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Gambia
2024 1.2% 11.6%
2023 2.7% 17%
2022 1.4% 11.5%
2021 1.7% 7.37%
2020 3% 5.93%
2019 -0.9% 7.12%
2018 0.8% 6.52%
2017 1.8% 8.03%
2016 -0.8% 7.23%
2015 0.2% 6.81%
2014 -0.6% 5.95%
2013 0.4% 5.7%
2012 6.7% 4.25%
2011 2.7% 4.8%
2010 2.1% 5.05%
2009 0.9% 4.56%
2008 7.4% 4.44%
2007 1.3% 5.37%
2006 3.8% 2.06%
2005 5.4% 4.84%
2004 0.9% 14.2%
2003 1.5% 17%
2002 2.4% 8.61%
2001 4% 4.49%
2000 4.2% 0.84%
1999 0.3% 3.81%
1998 5.8% 1.11%
1997 3.8% 2.78%

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/gambia | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 6.75% in the Gambia. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 11.6% in the Gambia.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $40K
Textiles & consumer goods $5K
Machinery & equipment $3K
Gambia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $93K

Balance of trade

Benin Gambia
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$99.8M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
88/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-4.15%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$1.39B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$363M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$161M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$485M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
33.4%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
8.75%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Gambia
Economic freedom 60 56.3
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 123/197
Property rights 46.4 55.4
Government integrity 44.1 40.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 45.8
Tax burden 69.4 79.2
Government spending 89.1 81.1
Fiscal health 65.4 54.8
Business freedom 53.3 50.1
Labor freedom 60.2 46.4
Monetary freedom 82.1 57.3
Trade freedom 62.6 64.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Gambia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Gambia
2026 60 56.3
2025 58.5 56.8
2024 57.7 58.2
2023 59.8 57.9
2022 61 58
2021 59.6 58.8
2020 55.2 56.3
2019 55.3 52.4
2018 56.7 52.3
2017 59.2 53.4
2016 59.3 57.1
2015 58.8 57.5
2014 57.1 59.5
2013 57.6 58.8
2012 55.7 58.8
2011 56 57.4
2010 55.4 55.1
2009 55.4 55.8
2008 55.2 56.9
2007 55.1 57.7
2006 54 57.3
2005 52.3 56.5
2004 54.6 55.3
2003 54.9 56.3
2002 57.3 57.7
2001 60.1 56.6
2000 61.5 52.7
1999 60.6 52.1
1998 61.7 53.4
1997 61.3 52.9
1996 54.5 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 56.3 for the Gambia, ranking 123/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Gambia
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
56.8%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
15.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
20.4%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.43B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$3,430
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$629M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
151/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$232M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$232M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
-$665K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
3.25%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
53.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
29.9%
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/gambia | 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 (2022–2024, 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.