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Economy of Benin vs Haiti compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $25.2B for Haiti, ranking 126/197 and 117/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $3.91B (15.5% of GDP) in Haiti.

Benin vs Haiti GDP by year

Benin
Haiti
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Haiti
2024 $21,482,643,706 $25,224,154,991
2023 $19,673,291,004 $19,850,585,722
2022 $17,425,405,091 $20,253,551,921
2021 $17,687,623,530 $20,944,387,976
2020 $15,686,741,884 $14,508,222,518
2019 $14,391,686,313 $15,016,090,930
2018 $14,262,408,090 $16,403,864,618
2017 $12,701,655,837 $15,093,357,161
2016 $11,821,065,853 $14,069,277,526
2015 $11,388,160,997 $14,849,629,309
2014 $13,284,527,847 $15,146,883,498
2013 $12,517,845,124 $14,902,488,604
2012 $11,141,358,116 $13,708,925,477
2011 $10,693,321,364 $13,008,746,039
2010 $9,535,345,016 $11,859,312,725
2009 $9,738,626,517 $11,597,002,835
2008 $9,787,734,526 $10,432,962,635
2007 $8,169,048,383 $9,228,637,768
2006 $7,034,111,315 $7,638,739,123
2005 $6,567,654,954 $7,030,149,730
2004 $6,190,270,380 $6,087,360,684
2003 $5,349,258,094 $5,071,947,798
2002 $4,194,342,686 $6,205,847,214
2001 $3,666,222,635 $6,331,970,324
2000 $3,519,991,440 $6,813,566,099
1999 $3,677,393,999 $4,153,725,884
1998 $2,455,092,686 $3,723,903,724
1997 $2,268,301,646 $3,338,949,152
1996 $2,361,116,449 $2,907,517,604
1995 $2,169,627,138 $2,813,313,279
1994 $1,598,075,944 $2,167,569,046
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,878,253,767
1992 $1,695,315,306 $2,257,129,792
1991 $1,986,437,797 $3,473,562,628
1990 $1,959,965,330 $3,096,289,800
1989 $1,502,294,416 $2,736,243,800
1988 $1,620,246,084 $2,613,926,800
1987 $1,562,412,228 $2,047,200,000
1986 $1,336,102,025 $2,318,000,000
1985 $1,045,712,789 $2,009,400,000
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,816,200,000
1983 $1,095,348,199 $1,623,600,000
1982 $1,267,778,670 $1,474,200,000
1981 $1,291,120,188 $1,479,400,000
1980 $1,405,251,847 $1,383,800,000
1979 $1,186,231,020 $1,080,600,000
1978 $928,843,469 $974,200,000
1977 $750,049,779 $947,000,000
1976 $698,408,262 $879,000,000
1975 $676,870,140 $681,400,000
1974 $554,654,861 $565,399,322
1973 $504,376,074 $466,798,973
1972 $410,331,857 $371,998,958
1971 $335,073,028 $362,800,000
1970 $333,627,713 $331,200,000
1969 $330,748,245 $391,820,400
1968 $326,323,105 $367,968,800
1967 $306,221,953 $369,124,200
1966 $302,925,235 $368,948,600
1965 $289,908,680 $353,251,800
1964 $269,819,006 $325,281,200
1963 $253,927,697 $294,883,400
1962 $236,434,954 $281,896,800
1961 $235,668,221 $271,066,000
1960 $226,195,578 $273,187,200

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Haiti by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Haiti
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Haiti
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $2,143 $3,194
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $1,706 $3,292
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $1,761 $3,275
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $1,841 $3,145
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $1,290 $3,103
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $1,352 $3,237
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $1,496 $3,197
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $1,395 $3,339
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $1,318 $3,253
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $1,411 $3,026
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,460 $3,076
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,458 $3,042
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $1,361 $2,830
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $1,312 $2,858
2010 $973 $2,220 $1,210 $2,695
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,197 $2,855
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,095 $2,724
2007 $912 $2,136 $985 $2,647
2006 $809 $2,021 $829 $2,504
2005 $779 $1,946 $776 $2,427
2004 $759 $1,915 $683 $2,322
2003 $676 $1,842 $579 $2,331
2002 $546 $1,800 $721 $2,248
2001 $492 $1,746 $749 $2,230
2000 $487 $1,671 $821 $2,229
1999 $525 $1,592 $510 $2,201
1998 $362 $1,537 $465 $2,152
1997 $345 $1,508 $425 $2,122
1996 $369 $1,444 $377 $2,070
1995 $348 $1,395 $372 $1,989
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $292.1 $1,807
1993 $387 $1,311 $258.1 $2,048
1992 $302 $1,265 $316 $2,158
1991 $365 $1,239 $497 $2,273
1990 $371 $1,186 $452 $2,202
1989 $293.3 - $407 -
1988 $326 - $397 -
1987 $324 - $318 -
1986 $285.8 - $367 -
1985 $230.4 - $325 -
1984 $238.6 - $299.2 -
1983 $256 - $272.8 -
1982 $305 - $252.6 -
1981 $320 - $258.5 -
1980 $358 - $246.5 -
1979 $311 - $196.2 -
1978 $249.8 - $180.3 -
1977 $207 - $178.7 -
1976 $197.7 - $169.1 -
1975 $196.5 - $133.6 -
1974 $164.9 - $113 -
1973 $153.6 - $95.1 -
1972 $127.9 - $77.3 -
1971 $106.9 - $76.8 -
1970 $108.8 - $71.5 -
1969 $110.3 - $86.1 -
1968 $111.2 - $82.4 -
1967 $106.6 - $84.2 -
1966 $107.6 - $85.7 -
1965 $105.1 - $83.6 -
1964 $99.8 - $78.5 -
1963 $95.7 - $72.4 -
1962 $90.8 - $70.4 -
1961 $92.1 - $69 -
1960 $89.9 - $70.8 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $2,143 in Haiti, ranking 153/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Haiti ranks 177th at $3,194.

Economic indicators

Benin Haiti
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$25.2B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
-4.17%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$2,143
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,194
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
177/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$3.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
15.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$332
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
176/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,896
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
31.2%
2012
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.1%
2012
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
5.25%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
26.9%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
14.1%
2012
Population
15272847
12076663

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Haiti
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Haiti
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 5.25% 15.5%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 6.46% 28.5%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 8.33% 29.5%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 9.42% 28.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 9.86% 22.3%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 9.59% 26.5%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 11.3% 24.1%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 10.2% 22.5%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 10.5% 24.4%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 12.7% 23.9%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 14.6% 21.4%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 15.9% 25.1%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 16.4% 24.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 14.1% 22.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 12.6% 24.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 11.6% 19.4%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 11.2% 33.9%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 11.1% 24.4%
2006 13% 8.37% 9.67% 32.2%
2005 14.1% 27% 8.75% 29.7%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 7.38% 30.4%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 7.83% 37.8%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 6.64% 32%
2001 15.4% 38% 6.11% 28.8%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 6.25% 32.5%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 6.91% 24.1%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 5.4% 24%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 5.46% 26.2%
1996 13.3% 43.4% - 26.2%
1995 14.8% 48.3% - 26.2%
1994 13.6% 64.6% - 35.3%
1993 12% 41.9% - 98%
1992 13.5% 41.8% - 118.9%
1991 12.6% 44% - 80.7%
1990 13.3% 45.3% - 85.1%
1989 17.1% 50.3% - 98.7%
1988 - - - 90.9%
1987 - - 32.4% 58.6%
1986 - - 15.1% 26.5%
1985 - - 17.4% 25.6%
1984 - - 16.9% 27.3%
1983 - - 21.9% 28.9%
1982 - - 20.7% 25.5%
1981 - - 17.4% 23.7%
1980 - - 17.2% 20.3%
1979 - - 13.1% 19.8%
1978 - - 18.9% 20.1%
1977 - - 16.7% 18.5%
1976 - - 13.4% 14.9%
1975 - - 12.8% 14.2%
1974 - - 9.24% 13.3%
1973 - - 9.4% 8.92%
1972 - - 11.2% 11.1%
1971 - - 11.2% 11%
1970 - - 11.4% 12.5%
1969 - - 10.1% -
1968 - - 10.3% -
1967 - - 7.52% -
1966 - - 7.2% -
1965 - - 7.91% -
1964 - - - -
1963 - - 8.95% -
1962 - - - -
1961 - - - -
1960 - - 7.34% 21.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Haiti spent $1.32B, or 5.25% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 15.5% in Haiti, ranking 99/185 and 177/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Haiti
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Haiti
2024 -3.06% 6.96%
2023 -4.13% 0.77%
2022 -5.55% -1.75%
2021 -5.71% -2.45%
2020 -4.68% -1.96%
2019 -0.53% -1.99%
2018 -2.96% -1.13%
2017 -4.18% -0.32%
2016 -4.29% 0.12%
2015 -5.55% -1.47%
2014 -1.65% -3.64%
2013 -1.37% -3.98%
2012 -0.22% -2.71%
2011 -0.98% -1.43%
2010 -0.28% -1.5%
2009 -2.24% -2%
2008 -0.04% -1.8%
2007 0.22% -1.55%
2006 -0.15% -0.91%
2005 -1.52% -0.83%
2004 -0.7% -1.34%
2003 -1.07% -2.24%
2002 -3.33% -1.8%
2001 -3.27% -1.55%
2000 -3.69% -1.36%
1999 1.94% -1.54%
1998 1.83% 0.21%
1997 0.47% 0.37%
1996 -0.11% -
1995 -1.91% -
1994 -1.57% -
1993 -0.41% -
1992 -1.98% -
1991 -2.25% -
1990 -2.37% -
1989 0.89% -
1988 - -
1987 - -4.94%
1986 - -1.4%
1985 - -0.97%
1984 - -3.52%
1983 - -5.72%
1982 - -3.93%
1981 - -4.38%
1980 - -5.68%
1979 - -2.21%
1978 - -3.24%
1977 - -2.85%
1976 - -1.16%
1975 - -1.73%
1974 - 0.23%
1973 - 0.03%
1972 - 0.24%
1971 - -0.08%
1970 - -0.19%
1969 - -0.39%
1968 - -0.46%
1967 - 0%
1966 - 0%
1965 - 0%
1964 - -
1963 - 0%
1962 - -
1961 - -
1960 - 0.006%
1959 - -1.11%
1958 - -2.21%
1957 - 0.28%
1956 - -2.18%
1955 - -0.86%
1954 - -0.81%
1953 - -1.01%
1952 - -
1951 - -
1950 - -
1949 - -0.12%
1948 - 0.21%
1947 - 1.06%
1946 - 0.51%
1945 - 0.47%
1944 - -
1943 - -
1942 - -
1941 - -0.21%
1940 - 0.13%
1939 - -0.16%
1938 - 0.15%
1937 - -0.08%
1936 - -0.06%
1935 - -0.2%
1934 - -1.23%
1933 - 0%
1932 - 0.4%
1931 - -0.49%
1930 - -0.52%
1929 - -0.32%
1928 - -0.25%
1927 - 0.73%
1926 - -0.45%
1925 - 0.05%
1924 - -0.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/haiti | 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 Haiti's surplus of $1.76B, or 6.96% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Haiti ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.17% of GDP for Haiti.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Haiti
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Haiti
2024 1.2% 26.9%
2023 2.7% 36.8%
2022 1.4% 34%
2021 1.7% 16.8%
2020 3% 22.8%
2019 -0.9% 18.7%
2018 0.8% 12.5%
2017 1.8% 10.7%
2016 -0.8% 11.5%
2015 0.2% 6.73%
2014 -0.6% 3.44%
2013 0.4% 4.77%
2012 6.7% 5.02%
2011 2.7% 6.33%
2010 2.1% 4.83%
2009 0.9% 0.39%
2008 7.4% 15.3%
2007 1.3% 6.56%
2006 3.8% 11.3%
2005 5.4% 14%
2004 0.9% 21%
2003 1.5% 28.7%
2002 2.4% 7.03%
2001 4% 13.3%
2000 4.2% 9.33%
1999 0.3% 3%
1998 5.8% 5.27%
1997 3.8% 20.6%

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/haiti | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 13.5% in Haiti. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 26.9% in Haiti.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $21K
Haiti
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Benin Haiti
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$145M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
92/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-0.58%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$4.27B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$767M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$518M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$96.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
18.8%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
3.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Haiti
Economic freedom 60 46.1
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 178/197
Property rights 46.4 6.6
Government integrity 44.1 13
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 17.3
Tax burden 69.4 81.7
Government spending 89.1 98.7
Fiscal health 65.4 99.5
Business freedom 53.3 30.7
Labor freedom 60.2 54.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 45.1
Trade freedom 62.6 66.4
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Haiti
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Haiti
2026 60 46.1
2025 58.5 46.1
2024 57.7 48.2
2023 59.8 49.9
2022 61 50
2021 59.6 50.8
2020 55.2 52.3
2019 55.3 52.7
2018 56.7 55.8
2017 59.2 49.6
2016 59.3 51.3
2015 58.8 51.3
2014 57.1 48.9
2013 57.6 48.1
2012 55.7 50.7
2011 56 52.1
2010 55.4 50.8
2009 55.4 50.5
2008 55.2 49
2007 55.1 51.4
2006 54 49.2
2005 52.3 48.4
2004 54.6 51.2
2003 54.9 50.6
2002 57.3 47.9
2001 60.1 47.1
2000 61.5 45.7
1999 60.6 45.9
1998 61.7 45.7
1997 61.3 45.8
1996 54.5 41
1995 - 43

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 46.1 for Haiti, ranking 178/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Haiti
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
48.3%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
33.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
15.9%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$20.7B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$3,190
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$2.72B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
121/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$20M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$20M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
2.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
58.5%
2012
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
9.94%
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/haiti | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1924–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)

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.