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Economy of Benin vs Latvia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $48.6B for Latvia, ranking 124/197 and 99/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $22.8B (46.9% of GDP) in Latvia.

Benin vs Latvia GDP by year

Benin
Latvia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Latvia
2025 $24,566,420,904 $48,618,869,160
2024 $21,482,643,706 $44,001,275,013
2023 $19,673,291,004 $42,779,550,937
2022 $17,425,405,091 $38,003,198,509
2021 $17,687,623,530 $38,183,326,785
2020 $15,686,741,884 $33,379,927,435
2019 $14,391,686,313 $33,099,503,951
2018 $14,262,408,090 $33,247,935,477
2017 $12,701,655,837 $29,391,059,767
2016 $11,821,065,853 $27,117,105,060
2015 $11,388,160,997 $26,344,565,877
2014 $13,284,527,847 $30,277,203,767
2013 $12,517,845,124 $29,152,128,168
2012 $11,141,358,116 $27,116,149,949
2011 $10,693,321,364 $26,575,547,901
2010 $9,535,345,016 $23,468,324,572
2009 $9,738,626,517 $25,691,530,442
2008 $9,787,734,526 $34,135,200,994
2007 $8,169,048,383 $29,420,499,248
2006 $7,034,111,315 $20,434,922,247
2005 $6,567,654,954 $16,306,935,905
2004 $6,190,270,380 $13,827,070,379
2003 $5,349,258,094 $11,244,337,720
2002 $4,194,342,686 $9,249,030,241
2001 $3,666,222,635 $8,190,888,740
2000 $3,519,991,440 $7,761,252,607
1999 $3,677,393,999 $7,324,192,890
1998 $2,455,092,686 $6,974,112,951
1997 $2,268,301,646 $6,349,481,007
1996 $2,361,116,449 $5,799,465,288
1995 $2,169,627,138 $5,608,208,785
1994 $1,598,075,944 -
1993 $2,274,558,083 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Latvia by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Latvia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Latvia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $26,312 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $23,579 $43,394
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $22,710 $42,576
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $20,221 $40,559
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $20,262 $36,912
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $17,564 $32,741
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $17,295 $32,199
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $17,252 $29,818
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $15,132 $25,764
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $13,839 $24,063
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $13,322 $22,544
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $15,186 $21,554
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $14,484 $20,474
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $13,329 $19,417
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $12,903 $17,680
2010 $973 $2,220 $11,188 $16,373
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $11,996 $15,545
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $15,678 $17,443
2007 $912 $2,136 $13,371 $16,246
2006 $809 $2,021 $9,212 $14,180
2005 $779 $1,946 $7,284 $12,826
2004 $759 $1,915 $6,110 $11,319
2003 $676 $1,842 $4,915 $10,193
2002 $546 $1,800 $4,004 $9,569
2001 $492 $1,746 $3,505 $8,808
2000 $487 $1,671 $3,278 $7,849
1999 $525 $1,592 $3,064 $7,256
1998 $362 $1,537 $2,894 $6,922
1997 $345 $1,508 $2,610 $6,366
1996 $369 $1,444 $2,360 $5,688
1995 $348 $1,395 $2,257 $5,391
1994 $262.1 $1,316 - $5,012
1993 $387 $1,311 - $4,722
1992 $302 $1,265 - $4,760
1991 $365 $1,239 - $6,762
1990 $371 $1,186 - $7,448
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $26,312 in Latvia, ranking 51/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Latvia ranks 53rd at $43,394.

Economic indicators

Benin Latvia
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$48.6B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
99/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
2.14%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$26,312
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
51/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$43,394
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
53/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$22.8B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
46.9%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$12,353
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
50/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$16,702
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
26.2%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.6%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
45.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
3.75%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
6.9%
2025
Population
15358725
1826986

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Latvia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Latvia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 45.4% 46.9%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 44% 46.2%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 42.9% 44.4%
2022 20% 59.7% 43.6% 44.4%
2021 20% 55.6% 44.6% 45.9%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 42.6% 44%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 39% 37.9%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 39.4% 38.3%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 37.8% 40.3%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 37.4% 41.7%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 38.7% 38.3%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 39.2% 43.1%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 38.7% 41.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 38.6% 44.4%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 41.2% 46.8%
2010 14.1% 21% 43.6% 48.2%
2009 17% 18.7% 43.6% 37.6%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 38.2% 19.3%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 34.8% 9%
2006 13% 8.37% 35.5% 10.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 35.8% 12.5%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 34.8% 15.3%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 34.4% 15.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 35.4% 15.4%
2001 15.4% 38% 35% 17.8%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 37% 15.1%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 40.4% 14.8%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 38.1% 9.81%
1997 17.3% 42.9% - -
1996 18.2% 43.4% - -
1995 20.2% 48.3% - -
1994 18.5% 64.6% - -
1993 16.4% 41.9% - -
1992 18.4% 41.8% - -
1991 17.2% 44% - -
1990 18.1% 45.3% - -
1989 17.1% 50.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Latvia spent $22.1B, or 45.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 46.9% in Latvia, ranking 83/185 and 112/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Latvia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Latvia
2025 -2.9% -4.05%
2024 -3.06% -1.72%
2023 -4.13% -3.36%
2022 -5.55% -3.95%
2021 -2.53% -5.71%
2020 -4.68% -3.85%
2019 -0.53% -0.39%
2018 -2.96% -0.77%
2017 -4.18% -0.85%
2016 -4.29% -0.41%
2015 -5.55% -1.57%
2014 -1.65% -1.74%
2013 -1.37% -0.58%
2012 -0.22% 0.18%
2011 -0.98% -3.38%
2010 -0.28% -6.56%
2009 -2.24% -7.14%
2008 -0.04% -3.29%
2007 0.22% 0.63%
2006 -0.15% -0.48%
2005 -1.52% -1.06%
2004 -0.7% -1.04%
2003 -1.07% -1.67%
2002 -3.33% -2.59%
2001 -3.27% -2.03%
2000 -3.69% -2.57%
1999 1.94% -3.54%
1998 2.5% -0.66%
1997 0.64% -
1996 -0.15% -
1995 -2.61% -
1994 -2.14% -
1993 -0.56% -
1992 -2.71% -
1991 -3.08% -
1990 -3.24% -
1989 0.89% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $712M, equivalent to 2.9% of GDP. This compares to Latvia's deficit of $1.97B, or 4.05% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Latvia ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.29% of GDP for Latvia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Latvia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Latvia
2025 1.1% 3.75%
2024 1.2% 1.27%
2023 2.7% 8.94%
2022 1.4% 17.3%
2021 1.7% 3.28%
2020 3% 0.22%
2019 -0.9% 2.81%
2018 0.8% 2.53%
2017 1.8% 2.93%
2016 -0.8% 0.14%
2015 0.2% 0.17%
2014 -0.6% 0.62%
2013 0.4% -0.03%
2012 6.7% 2.26%
2011 2.7% 4.37%
2010 2.1% -1.08%
2009 0.9% 3.53%
2008 7.4% 15.4%
2007 1.3% 10.1%
2006 3.8% 6.54%
2005 5.4% 6.75%
2004 0.9% 6.19%
2003 1.5% 2.94%
2002 2.4% 1.94%
2001 4% 2.49%
2000 4.2% 2.65%
1999 0.3% 2.36%
1998 5.8% 4.64%
1997 3.8% 8.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 4.26% in Latvia. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 3.75% in Latvia.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $197K
Latvia
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $12.4M
Raw materials & minerals $1.77M
Chemicals & pharma $304K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $157K
Textiles & consumer goods $38K
Animal & marine products $24K
Machinery & equipment $17K
Miscellaneous $5K
Wood & paper products $4K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Latvia
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$1.64B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
133/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.38%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$25.6B
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$21.1B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$7.07B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$9.33B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
67.2%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
62.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Latvia
Economic freedom 60 71.6
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 31/197
Property rights 46.4 88.8
Government integrity 44.1 67.7
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 70.9
Tax burden 69.4 70.9
Government spending 89.1 42.7
Fiscal health 65.4 80.8
Business freedom 53.3 80.7
Labor freedom 60.2 60.5
Monetary freedom 82.1 76.3
Trade freedom 62.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 80
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Latvia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Latvia
2026 60 71.6
2025 58.5 71.4
2024 57.7 71.5
2023 59.8 72.8
2022 61 74.8
2021 59.6 72.3
2020 55.2 71.9
2019 55.3 70.4
2018 56.7 73.6
2017 59.2 74.8
2016 59.3 70.4
2015 58.8 69.7
2014 57.1 68.7
2013 57.6 66.5
2012 55.7 65.2
2011 56 65.8
2010 55.4 66.2
2009 55.4 66.6
2008 55.2 68.3
2007 55.1 67.9
2006 54 66.9
2005 52.3 66.3
2004 54.6 67.4
2003 54.9 66
2002 57.3 65
2001 60.1 66.4
2000 61.5 63.4
1999 60.6 64.2
1998 61.7 63.4
1997 61.3 62.4
1996 54.5 55

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 71.6 for Latvia, ranking 31/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Latvia
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
64.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
4.01%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$46.1B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$45,740
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$6.1B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
95/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$72.5M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$1.51B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$257M
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
35.8%
2025
24.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.