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Economy of Benin vs Liberia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $4.78B for Liberia, ranking 126/197 and 163/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $2.73B (57.2% of GDP) in Liberia.

Benin vs Liberia GDP by year

Benin
Liberia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Liberia
2024 $21,482,643,706 $4,779,300,900
2023 $19,673,291,004 $4,390,000,000
2022 $17,425,405,091 $4,001,047,000
2021 $17,687,623,530 $3,513,049,500
2020 $15,686,741,884 $3,176,126,300
2019 $14,391,686,313 $3,319,596,500
2018 $14,262,408,090 $3,422,754,800
2017 $12,701,655,837 $3,390,703,400
2016 $11,821,065,853 $3,398,419,600
2015 $11,388,160,997 $3,227,075,700
2014 $13,284,527,847 $3,225,652,000
2013 $12,517,845,124 $3,177,198,100
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,791,614,000
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,398,000,000
2010 $9,535,345,016 $1,998,000,000
2009 $9,738,626,517 $1,768,000,000
2008 $9,787,734,526 $1,726,000,000
2007 $8,169,048,383 $1,373,000,000
2006 $7,034,111,315 $1,119,000,000
2005 $6,567,654,954 $949,000,000
2004 $6,190,270,380 $897,000,000
2003 $5,349,258,094 $748,000,000
2002 $4,194,342,686 $927,000,000
2001 $3,666,222,635 $906,000,000
2000 $3,519,991,440 $874,000,000
1999 $3,677,393,999 $441,800,000
1998 $2,455,092,686 $359,600,000
1997 $2,268,301,646 $295,900,000
1996 $2,361,116,449 $159,400,000
1995 $2,169,627,138 $134,800,000
1994 $1,598,075,944 $132,200,000
1993 $2,274,558,083 $160,400,000
1992 $1,695,315,306 $223,500,000
1991 $1,986,437,797 $348,000,000
1990 $1,959,965,330 $384,400,000
1989 $1,502,294,416 $786,300,000
1988 $1,620,246,084 $1,038,300,000
1987 $1,562,412,228 $972,800,000
1986 $1,336,102,025 $840,964,400
1985 $1,045,712,789 $851,296,100
1984 $1,051,134,009 $848,478,300
1983 $1,095,348,199 $823,374,900
1982 $1,267,778,670 $863,933,200
1981 $1,291,120,188 $846,514,500
1980 $1,405,251,847 $854,711,500
1979 $1,186,231,020 $814,067,900
1978 $928,843,469 $717,240,400
1977 $750,049,779 $673,010,600
1976 $698,408,262 $596,675,700
1975 $676,870,140 $577,549,300
1974 $554,654,861 $486,955,000
1973 $504,376,074 $386,968,300
1972 $410,331,857 $368,098,000
1971 $335,073,028 $341,543,100
1970 $333,627,713 $323,099,700
1969 $330,748,245 $306,961,800
1968 $326,323,105 $276,820,700
1967 $306,221,953 $261,024,300
1966 $302,925,235 $244,459,500
1965 $289,908,680 $229,260,800
1964 $269,819,006 $218,929,100
1963 $253,927,697 $200,229,600
1962 $236,434,954 $191,861,800
1961 $235,668,221 $183,920,900
1960 $226,195,578 $190,495,600

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Liberia by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Liberia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Liberia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $851 $1,871
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $799 $1,795
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $745 $1,692
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $668 $1,539
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $617 $1,660
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $658 $1,900
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $692 $1,800
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $699 $1,665
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $715 $1,490
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $693 $1,340
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $707 $1,419
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $711 $1,360
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $638 $1,157
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $568 $1,041
2010 $973 $2,220 $492 $980
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $448 $939
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $452 $915
2007 $912 $2,136 $374 $873
2006 $809 $2,021 $321 $815
2005 $779 $1,946 $287.5 $774
2004 $759 $1,915 $284.1 $745
2003 $676 $1,842 $239.8 $716
2002 $546 $1,800 $299.5 $1,013
2001 $492 $1,746 $300 $987
2000 $487 $1,671 $298.5 $965
1999 $525 $1,592 $156.6 $762
1998 $362 $1,537 $134.7 $652
1997 $345 $1,508 $122.6 $548
1996 $369 $1,444 $71.4 $282.2
1995 $348 $1,395 $62.1 $254.4
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $61.5 $262.6
1993 $387 $1,311 $74.4 $328
1992 $302 $1,265 $107.8 $497
1991 $365 $1,239 $177.9 $793
1990 $371 $1,186 $172.9 $787
1989 $293.3 - $312 -
1988 $326 - $424 -
1987 $324 - $409 -
1986 $285.8 - $364 -
1985 $230.4 - $380 -
1984 $238.6 - $390 -
1983 $256 - $391 -
1982 $305 - $422 -
1981 $320 - $426 -
1980 $358 - $443 -
1979 $311 - $435 -
1978 $249.8 - $394 -
1977 $207 - $381 -
1976 $197.7 - $347 -
1975 $196.5 - $346 -
1974 $164.9 - $299.4 -
1973 $153.6 - $244.4 -
1972 $127.9 - $238.6 -
1971 $106.9 - $227.1 -
1970 $108.8 - $220.3 -
1969 $110.3 - $214.7 -
1968 $111.2 - $198.6 -
1967 $106.6 - $192.2 -
1966 $107.6 - $184.6 -
1965 $105.1 - $177.6 -
1964 $99.8 - $173.9 -
1963 $95.7 - $163.1 -
1962 $90.8 - $160.3 -
1961 $92.1 - $157.5 -
1960 $89.9 - $167.2 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $851 in Liberia, ranking 184/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Liberia ranks 188th at $1,871.

Economic indicators

Benin Liberia
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$4.78B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
163/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.02%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$851
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
184/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$1,871
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
188/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$2.73B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
57.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$487
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
167/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,191
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
27.1%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.9%
2016
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
24.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
8.2%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
5.93%
2017
Population
15272847
5887000

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Liberia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Liberia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 24.3% 57.2%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 27.1% 57.8%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 26.9% 54.3%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 29.8% 53.3%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 35.3% 58.7%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 32.3% 48.6%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 32.7% 37.1%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 35.1% 31.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 35.8% 28.6%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 37.1% 24.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 33.4% 24.3%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 27.4% 20.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 30.8% 20.5%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 30.1% 22.7%
2010 14.1% 21% 25.2% 25.6%
2009 17% 18.7% 23.7% 130.9%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 21.6% 233.1%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 17.2% 394%
2006 13% 8.37% 11.1% 472%
2005 14.1% 27% 12.8% 535%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 12.1% 543%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 9.85% 658%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 13.2% 481%
2001 15.4% 38% 12.6% 484%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 15.2% 489%
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/liberia | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Liberia spent $1.16B, or 24.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 57.2% in Liberia, ranking 99/185 and 91/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Liberia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Liberia
2024 -3.06% -1.98%
2023 -4.13% -7.03%
2022 -5.55% -5.33%
2021 -5.71% -2.5%
2020 -4.68% -4.02%
2019 -0.53% -4.92%
2018 -2.96% -4.7%
2017 -4.18% -7.14%
2016 -4.29% -3.83%
2015 -5.55% -3.74%
2014 -1.65% -4.92%
2013 -1.37% 1.29%
2012 -0.22% -2.86%
2011 -0.98% -4.43%
2010 -0.28% 1.17%
2009 -2.24% -1.39%
2008 -0.04% -2.68%
2007 0.22% 2.44%
2006 -0.15% 4.42%
2005 -1.52% -0.55%
2004 -0.7% -0.56%
2003 -1.07% 0.39%
2002 -3.33% -1.63%
2001 -3.27% -0.98%
2000 -3.69% -0.08%
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/liberia | 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 Liberia's deficit of $94.6M, or 1.98% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Liberia ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.22% of GDP for Liberia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Liberia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Liberia
2024 1.2% 8.2%
2023 2.7% 10.1%
2022 1.4% 7.6%
2021 1.7% 7.8%
2020 3% 17%
2019 -0.9% 27%
2018 0.8% 23.5%
2017 1.8% 12.4%
2016 -0.8% 8.8%
2015 0.2% 7.7%
2014 -0.6% 9.9%
2013 0.4% 7.6%
2012 6.7% 6.8%
2011 2.7% 8.5%
2010 2.1% 7.3%
2009 0.9% 7.4%
2008 7.4% 17.5%
2007 1.3% 11.4%
2006 3.8% 9.5%
2005 5.4% 6.9%
2004 0.9% 3.6%
2003 1.5% 10.3%
2002 2.4% 14.2%
2001 4% 12.1%
2000 4.2% 5.3%
1999 0.3% 2%
1998 5.8% -
1997 3.8% -

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

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

Over the past 26 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.1%, compared with 10.4% in Liberia. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 8.2% in Liberia.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1M
Raw agricultural goods $52K
Textiles & consumer goods $15K
Liberia
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Benin Liberia
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$64.8M
2022
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
73/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+1.62%
2022
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$1.53B
2022
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$1.03B
2022
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$434M
2022
Service exports
$461M
2023
$192M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
28.5%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Liberia
Economic freedom 60 49.8
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 163/197
Property rights 46.4 40.4
Government integrity 44.1 25.8
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 23.4
Tax burden 69.4 86.1
Government spending 89.1 79.5
Fiscal health 65.4 56.9
Business freedom 53.3 38
Labor freedom 60.2 43.4
Monetary freedom 82.1 71.4
Trade freedom 62.6 57.4
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Liberia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Liberia
2026 60 49.8
2025 58.5 48.5
2024 57.7 49.9
2023 59.8 49.6
2022 61 47.9
2021 59.6 49.2
2020 55.2 49
2019 55.3 49.7
2018 56.7 50.9
2017 59.2 49.1
2016 59.3 52.2
2015 58.8 52.7
2014 57.1 52.4
2013 57.6 49.3
2012 55.7 48.6
2011 56 46.5
2010 55.4 46.2
2009 55.4 48.1
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/liberia | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 49.8 for Liberia, ranking 163/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Liberia
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
41.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
22.7%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
33.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$4.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$1,750
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$600M
2022
Total reserves ranking n/a
153/177
2022
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$960M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$472M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$74.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
50.9%
2016
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
n/a

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/liberia | 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 (2023–2024, 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.