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Economy of Benin vs Guinea-Bissau compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $2.22B for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 126/197 and 176/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $1.82B (82.2% of GDP) in Guinea-Bissau.

Benin vs Guinea-Bissau GDP by year

Benin
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Guinea-Bissau
2024 $21,482,643,706 $2,218,393,805
2023 $19,673,291,004 $2,127,688,181
2022 $17,425,405,091 $1,859,601,384
2021 $17,687,623,530 $1,908,094,558
2020 $15,686,741,884 $1,705,057,581
2019 $14,391,686,313 $1,596,227,316
2018 $14,262,408,090 $1,554,133,594
2017 $12,701,655,837 $1,469,978,606
2016 $11,821,065,853 $1,245,074,264
2015 $11,388,160,997 $1,152,384,167
2014 $13,284,527,847 $1,135,250,721
2013 $12,517,845,124 $1,109,682,824
2012 $11,141,358,116 $1,049,412,177
2011 $10,693,321,364 $1,157,074,319
2010 $9,535,345,016 $940,112,539
2009 $9,738,626,517 $890,167,833
2008 $9,787,734,526 $952,667,544
2007 $8,169,048,383 $753,162,998
2006 $7,034,111,315 $634,781,901
2005 $6,567,654,954 $639,776,041
2004 $6,190,270,380 $582,169,841
2003 $5,349,258,094 $553,614,800
2002 $4,194,342,686 $466,773,711
2001 $3,666,222,635 $412,610,872
2000 $3,519,991,440 $391,345,597
1999 $3,677,393,999 $579,365,780
1998 $2,455,092,686 $591,034,143
1997 $2,268,301,646 $698,107,222
1996 $2,361,116,449 $702,965,148
1995 $2,169,627,138 $660,195,402
1994 $1,598,075,944 $612,502,085
1993 $2,274,558,083 $615,779,519
1992 $1,695,315,306 $588,309,271
1991 $1,986,437,797 $668,470,891
1990 $1,959,965,330 $634,187,269
1989 $1,502,294,416 $554,072,303
1988 $1,620,246,084 $427,514,322
1987 $1,562,412,228 $451,893,375
1986 $1,336,102,025 $338,524,233
1985 $1,045,712,789 $373,959,151
1984 $1,051,134,009 $359,980,491
1983 $1,095,348,199 $425,225,177
1982 $1,267,778,670 $430,284,022
1981 $1,291,120,188 $402,230,865
1980 $1,405,251,847 $287,648,258
1979 $1,186,231,020 $308,143,183
1978 $928,843,469 $318,876,550
1977 $750,049,779 $298,871,675
1976 $698,408,262 $292,152,321
1975 $676,870,140 $283,311,997
1974 $554,654,861 $256,769,730
1973 $504,376,074 $232,331,281
1972 $410,331,857 $227,986,203
1971 $335,073,028 $204,167,297
1970 $333,627,713 $204,670,551
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/guinea-bissau | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Guinea-Bissau by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Guinea-Bissau
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $1,008 $3,119
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $988 $2,990
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $883 $2,789
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $927 $2,523
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $847 $2,340
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $811 $2,247
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $809 $2,058
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $783 $2,082
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $680 $1,824
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $645 $1,730
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $652 $1,456
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $654 $1,416
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $635 $1,402
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $720 $1,472
2010 $973 $2,220 $600 $1,370
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $583 $1,315
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $640 $1,309
2007 $912 $2,136 $519 $1,260
2006 $809 $2,021 $449 $1,226
2005 $779 $1,946 $463 $1,187
2004 $759 $1,915 $431 $1,105
2003 $676 $1,842 $420 $1,089
2002 $546 $1,800 $362 $1,095
2001 $492 $1,746 $327 $1,064
2000 $487 $1,671 $317 $1,014
1999 $525 $1,592 $479 $1,001
1998 $362 $1,537 $498 $861
1997 $345 $1,508 $599 $1,118
1996 $369 $1,444 $615 $1,052
1995 $348 $1,395 $589 $945
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $561 $909
1993 $387 $1,311 $582 $890
1992 $302 $1,265 $574 $880
1991 $365 $1,239 $672 $877
1990 $371 $1,186 $651 $824
1989 $293.3 - $578 -
1988 $326 - $454 -
1987 $324 - $488 -
1986 $285.8 - $371 -
1985 $230.4 - $417 -
1984 $238.6 - $407 -
1983 $256 - $489 -
1982 $305 - $503 -
1981 $320 - $477 -
1980 $358 - $347 -
1979 $311 - $376 -
1978 $249.8 - $403 -
1977 $207 - $403 -
1976 $197.7 - $421 -
1975 $196.5 - $435 -
1974 $164.9 - $419 -
1973 $153.6 - $392 -
1972 $127.9 - $389 -
1971 $106.9 - $348 -
1970 $108.8 - $350 -
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/guinea-bissau | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $1,008 in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 177/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Guinea-Bissau ranks 179th at $3,119.

Economic indicators

Benin Guinea-Bissau
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$2.22B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
176/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.15%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$1,008
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
177/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,119
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
179/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$1.82B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
82.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$828
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
146/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,711
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
26.1%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
20.4%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
3.7%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
2.67%
2022
Population
15272847
2311915

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Guinea-Bissau
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Guinea-Bissau
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 20.4% 82.2%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 21.9% 79.4%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 21.3% 80.7%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 25% 78.8%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 25% 77.6%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 18.8% 65.1%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 19.5% 59.1%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 18.1% 51.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 20.5% 59.1%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 21.5% 56.3%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 23% 60.1%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 12.4% 49.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 13% 47.4%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 17.3% 45.6%
2010 14.1% 21% 18.5% 61.7%
2009 17% 18.7% 20.6% 148.3%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 21.8% 148.8%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 23.7% 164%
2006 13% 8.37% 19.8% 190.4%
2005 14.1% 27% 20.2% 203.7%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 23% 202%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 17% 183.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 14.1% 197.5%
2001 15.4% 38% 19.1% 204.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 23.5% 217.1%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 12.1% 109.9%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 8.72% 109.1%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 12.7% 94.3%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 8.93% 117.3%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 8.14% 103.3%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 18.4% 105.5%
1993 12% 41.9% 13.1% 112.4%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 10.1% 85.3%
1991 12.6% 44% 9.19% 88.9%
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/guinea-bissau | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Guinea-Bissau spent $452M, or 20.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 82.2% in Guinea-Bissau, ranking 99/185 and 41/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Guinea-Bissau
2024 -3.06% -7.26%
2023 -4.13% -8.15%
2022 -5.55% -6.06%
2021 -5.71% -5.88%
2020 -4.68% -9.64%
2019 -0.53% -3.86%
2018 -2.96% -4.76%
2017 -4.18% -1.32%
2016 -4.29% -5.34%
2015 -5.55% -3.16%
2014 -1.65% -2.44%
2013 -1.37% -1.67%
2012 -0.22% -2.12%
2011 -0.98% -1.35%
2010 -0.28% -0.23%
2009 -2.24% 2.68%
2008 -0.04% -0.73%
2007 0.22% -8.77%
2006 -0.15% -4.57%
2005 -1.52% -4.96%
2004 -0.7% -5.92%
2003 -1.07% -5.63%
2002 -3.33% -3.7%
2001 -3.27% -1.83%
2000 -3.69% -2.8%
1999 1.94% -4.06%
1998 1.83% -5.95%
1997 0.47% -2.56%
1996 -0.11% 3.48%
1995 -1.91% 2.45%
1994 -1.57% -5.54%
1993 -0.41% -0.34%
1992 -1.98% -0.25%
1991 -2.25% 1.61%
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/guinea-bissau | 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 Guinea-Bissau's deficit of $161M, or 7.26% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Guinea-Bissau ran a deficit in 30 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.25% of GDP for Guinea-Bissau.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Guinea-Bissau
2024 1.2% 3.7%
2023 2.7% 7.2%
2022 1.4% 7.9%
2021 1.7% 3.3%
2020 3% 1.5%
2019 -0.9% 0.3%
2018 0.8% 0.4%
2017 1.8% -0.2%
2016 -0.8% 2.7%
2015 0.2% 1.5%
2014 -0.6% -1%
2013 0.4% 0.8%
2012 6.7% 2.1%
2011 2.7% 5.1%
2010 2.1% 1.1%
2009 0.9% -1.6%
2008 7.4% 10.4%
2007 1.3% 4.6%
2006 3.8% 2%
2005 5.4% 3.4%
2004 0.9% 0.8%
2003 1.5% -3.5%
2002 2.4% 3.3%
2001 4% 3.3%
2000 4.2% 8.6%
1999 0.3% -2.1%
1998 5.8% 8.1%
1997 3.8% 49.1%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/guinea-bissau | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 4.39% in Guinea-Bissau. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 3.7% in Guinea-Bissau.

Balance of trade

Benin Guinea-Bissau
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$160M
2023
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
95/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-7.53%
2023
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$403M
2023
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$240M
2023
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$189M
2023
Service exports
$461M
2023
$44.8M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
11.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Guinea-Bissau
Economic freedom 60 43.2
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 181/197
Property rights 46.4 28.4
Government integrity 44.1 21
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 13.2
Tax burden 69.4 89
Government spending 89.1 86.5
Fiscal health 65.4 6.5
Business freedom 53.3 34.6
Labor freedom 60.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 82.1 75.9
Trade freedom 62.6 47
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Guinea-Bissau
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Guinea-Bissau
2026 60 43.2
2025 58.5 43.6
2024 57.7 42.7
2023 59.8 44.6
2022 61 46
2021 59.6 54.9
2020 55.2 53.3
2019 55.3 54
2018 56.7 56.9
2017 59.2 56.1
2016 59.3 51.8
2015 58.8 52
2014 57.1 51.3
2013 57.6 51.1
2012 55.7 50.1
2011 56 46.5
2010 55.4 43.6
2009 55.4 45.4
2008 55.2 44.4
2007 55.1 46.1
2006 54 46.5
2005 52.3 46
2004 54.6 42.6
2003 54.9 43.1
2002 57.3 42.3
2001 60.1 42.5
2000 61.5 34.7
1999 60.6 33.5
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/guinea-bissau | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 43.2 for Guinea-Bissau, ranking 181/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Guinea-Bissau
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
37.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
15.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
42.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$2.18B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$3,140
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$24.8M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$26.7M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$389K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.75%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
50.5%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
24.9%
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/guinea-bissau | 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. 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.