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Economy of Benin vs Kiribati compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $308M for Kiribati, ranking 126/197 and 192/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $30.5M (9.92% of GDP) in Kiribati.

Benin vs Kiribati GDP by year

Benin
Kiribati
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Kiribati
2024 $21,482,643,706 $307,862,564
2023 $19,673,291,004 $288,610,748
2022 $17,425,405,091 $270,040,453
2021 $17,687,623,530 $285,259,881
2020 $15,686,741,884 $220,898,020
2019 $14,391,686,313 $216,985,388
2018 $14,262,408,090 $233,514,717
2017 $12,701,655,837 $222,875,736
2016 $11,821,065,853 $206,467,819
2015 $11,388,160,997 $191,559,399
2014 $13,284,527,847 $200,287,282
2013 $12,517,845,124 $201,730,861
2012 $11,141,358,116 $207,001,546
2011 $10,693,321,364 $195,970,140
2010 $9,535,345,016 $165,458,433
2009 $9,738,626,517 $140,177,384
2008 $9,787,734,526 $147,017,895
2007 $8,169,048,383 $138,054,946
2006 $7,034,111,315 $112,338,353
2005 $6,567,654,954 $113,895,437
2004 $6,190,270,380 $104,085,892
2003 $5,349,258,094 $96,105,619
2002 $4,194,342,686 $74,743,869
2001 $3,666,222,635 $64,935,850
2000 $3,519,991,440 $74,910,527
1999 $3,677,393,999 $77,323,978
1998 $2,455,092,686 $74,905,706
1997 $2,268,301,646 $80,205,807
1996 $2,361,116,449 $81,456,854
1995 $2,169,627,138 $68,596,395
1994 $1,598,075,944 $67,055,334
1993 $2,274,558,083 $58,953,596
1992 $1,695,315,306 $61,491,369
1991 $1,986,437,797 $41,247,792
1990 $1,959,965,330 $36,534,295
1989 $1,502,294,416 $37,645,319
1988 $1,620,246,084 $38,278,810
1987 $1,562,412,228 $29,554,413
1986 $1,336,102,025 $25,993,009
1985 $1,045,712,789 $26,126,615
1984 $1,051,134,009 $34,394,167
1983 $1,095,348,199 $31,000,546
1982 $1,267,778,670 $32,742,713
1981 $1,291,120,188 $35,267,489
1980 $1,405,251,847 $33,157,723
1979 $1,186,231,020 $34,466,197
1978 $928,843,469 $36,563,965
1977 $750,049,779 $31,335,459
1976 $698,408,262 $33,246,817
1975 $676,870,140 $44,547,454
1974 $554,654,861 $69,256,489
1973 $504,376,074 $25,645,040
1972 $410,331,857 $15,314,346
1971 $335,073,028 $12,356,134
1970 $333,627,713 $11,560,877
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/kiribati | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Kiribati by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Kiribati
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Kiribati
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $2,289 $3,702
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $2,178 $3,486
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $2,070 $3,329
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $2,222 $3,020
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $1,752 $2,711
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $1,751 $2,763
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $1,913 $2,672
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $1,853 $2,562
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $1,743 $2,463
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $1,640 $2,311
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,737 $2,084
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,772 $2,049
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $1,844 $1,896
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $1,771 $1,786
2010 $973 $2,220 $1,522 $1,724
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,317 $1,718
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,411 $1,735
2007 $912 $2,136 $1,353 $1,792
2006 $809 $2,021 $1,123 $1,728
2005 $779 $1,946 $1,162 $1,617
2004 $759 $1,915 $1,083 $1,579
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,021 $1,578
2002 $546 $1,800 $810 $1,605
2001 $492 $1,746 $719 $1,591
2000 $487 $1,671 $845 $1,638
1999 $525 $1,592 $887 $1,526
1998 $362 $1,537 $874 $1,593
1997 $345 $1,508 $953 $1,535
1996 $369 $1,444 $986 $1,519
1995 $348 $1,395 $844 $1,518
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $838 $1,469
1993 $387 $1,311 $748 $1,431
1992 $302 $1,265 $792 $1,421
1991 $365 $1,239 $540 $1,139
1990 $371 $1,186 $488 $1,192
1989 $293.3 - $515 -
1988 $326 - $536 -
1987 $324 - $424 -
1986 $285.8 - $382 -
1985 $230.4 - $393 -
1984 $238.6 - $527 -
1983 $256 - $483 -
1982 $305 - $519 -
1981 $320 - $568 -
1980 $358 - $542 -
1979 $311 - $573 -
1978 $249.8 - $611 -
1977 $207 - $520 -
1976 $197.7 - $548 -
1975 $196.5 - $730 -
1974 $164.9 - $1,131 -
1973 $153.6 - $422 -
1972 $127.9 - $256.2 -
1971 $106.9 - $210.7 -
1970 $108.8 - $201 -
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/kiribati | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $2,289 in Kiribati, ranking 152/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Kiribati ranks 169th at $3,702.

Economic indicators

Benin Kiribati
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$308M
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
192/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
5.27%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$2,289
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
152/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,702
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
169/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$30.5M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
9.92%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$226.9
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
181/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,967
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
22.8%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
4%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
98.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.5%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
2.79%
2023
Population
15272847
139020

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Kiribati
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Kiribati
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 98.1% 9.92%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 95.3% 11.4%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 87.5% 16.3%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 84% 17.3%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 102.2% 21%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 108.3% 19%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 108.8% 19%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 92.1% 20.2%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 99% 21.2%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 90.9% 18.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 101.2% 8.97%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 78% 8.86%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 83.9% 8.13%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 80.9% 8.8%
2010 14.1% 21% 75.7% 9.43%
2009 17% 18.7% 74.7% 10.3%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 79.4% 13.9%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 77.3% 11.1%
2006 13% 8.37% 82.1% 12.9%
2005 14.1% 27% 95.6% 12.1%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 103.8% 13.6%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 84.4% 12.3%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 96.9% 13.3%
2001 15.4% 38% 101.3% 17%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 66% 12.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 77.6% 11.8%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 74.7% 9.81%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 70.9% 10.7%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 68.4% 11%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 69.6% 12.3%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 54.6% 12.3%
1993 12% 41.9% 55.3% 10.9%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 65.9% 7.31%
1991 12.6% 44% 82.1% 8.43%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 105.5% 7.72%
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/kiribati | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Kiribati spent $302M, or 98.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 9.92% in Kiribati, ranking 99/185 and 180/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Kiribati
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Kiribati
2024 -3.06% -22%
2023 -4.13% 0.13%
2022 -5.55% -18.3%
2021 -5.71% -10.8%
2020 -4.68% 3.57%
2019 -0.53% 10.8%
2018 -2.96% 5.18%
2017 -4.18% 34.1%
2016 -4.29% 20.1%
2015 -5.55% 42.5%
2014 -1.65% 35%
2013 -1.37% 11.8%
2012 -0.22% -5.43%
2011 -0.98% -17.6%
2010 -0.28% -7.8%
2009 -2.24% -8.56%
2008 -0.04% -15.8%
2007 0.22% -12.5%
2006 -0.15% -12.3%
2005 -1.52% -9.96%
2004 -0.7% -19.2%
2003 -1.07% -8.93%
2002 -3.33% 3.13%
2001 -3.27% -10.9%
2000 -3.69% -0.03%
1999 1.94% -1.81%
1998 1.83% 14.6%
1997 0.47% 5.92%
1996 -0.11% -20.2%
1995 -1.91% -5.14%
1994 -1.57% 0.74%
1993 -0.41% 6.27%
1992 -1.98% 0.79%
1991 -2.25% 3.87%
1990 -2.37% -4.62%
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/kiribati | 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 Kiribati's deficit of $67.7M, or 22% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Kiribati ran a deficit in 19 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.38% of GDP for Kiribati.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Kiribati
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Kiribati
2024 1.2% 2.5%
2023 2.7% 9.3%
2022 1.4% 5.3%
2021 1.7% 2.1%
2020 3% 2.6%
2019 -0.9% -1.8%
2018 0.8% 0.6%
2017 1.8% 0.4%
2016 -0.8% 1.9%
2015 0.2% 0.6%
2014 -0.6% 2.1%
2013 0.4% -1.5%
2012 6.7% -3%
2011 2.7% 1.5%
2010 2.1% -3.9%
2009 0.9% 9.8%
2008 7.4% 13.7%
2007 1.3% 3.6%
2006 3.8% -1%
2005 5.4% -0.4%
2004 0.9% -0.7%
2003 1.5% 1.6%
2002 2.4% 3.2%
2001 4% 6%
2000 4.2% 0.4%
1999 0.3% 1.8%
1998 5.8% 3.7%
1997 3.8% 2.6%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 2.25% in Kiribati. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.5% in Kiribati.

Balance of trade

Benin Kiribati
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$59.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
85/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-19.3%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$227M
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$8.49M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$108M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$7M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
94.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
6.27%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Kiribati
Economic freedom 60 50.8
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 158/197
Property rights 46.4 69.6
Government integrity 44.1 50.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 54.6
Tax burden 69.4 72.6
Government spending 89.1 0
Fiscal health 65.4 19.8
Business freedom 53.3 60.2
Labor freedom 60.2 65.3
Monetary freedom 82.1 76.7
Trade freedom 62.6 80
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Kiribati
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Kiribati
2026 60 50.8
2025 58.5 50.9
2024 57.7 51.3
2023 59.8 58.8
2022 61 59.2
2021 59.6 44.4
2020 55.2 45.2
2019 55.3 47.3
2018 56.7 50.8
2017 59.2 50.9
2016 59.3 46.2
2015 58.8 46.4
2014 57.1 46.3
2013 57.6 45.9
2012 55.7 46.9
2011 56 44.8
2010 55.4 43.7
2009 55.4 45.7
2008 55.2 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 54 -
2005 52.3 -
2004 54.6 -
2003 54.9 -
2002 57.3 -
2001 60.1 -
2000 61.5 -
1999 60.6 -
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/kiribati | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 50.8 for Kiribati, ranking 158/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Kiribati
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
67.1%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
11.5%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
27.2%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$493M
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$6,060
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$8.06M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$8.07M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$16.4K
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
5.5%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
25.8%
2023

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/kiribati | 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.