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Economy of Benin vs Mauritania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $10.9B for Mauritania, ranking 126/197 and 153/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $4.67B (42.8% of GDP) in Mauritania.

Benin vs Mauritania GDP by year

Benin
Mauritania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Mauritania
2024 $21,482,643,706 $10,908,045,687
2023 $19,673,291,004 $10,726,838,461
2022 $17,425,405,091 $9,557,966,698
2021 $17,687,623,530 $9,222,536,364
2020 $15,686,741,884 $8,260,752,385
2019 $14,391,686,313 $7,894,764,886
2018 $14,262,408,090 $7,473,550,557
2017 $12,701,655,837 $6,800,135,898
2016 $11,821,065,853 $6,398,747,592
2015 $11,388,160,997 $6,166,863,897
2014 $13,284,527,847 $6,592,537,782
2013 $12,517,845,124 $7,223,071,097
2012 $11,141,358,116 $6,728,208,836
2011 $10,693,321,364 $6,764,627,746
2010 $9,535,345,016 $5,628,878,798
2009 $9,738,626,517 $4,714,595,548
2008 $9,787,734,526 $5,206,437,194
2007 $8,169,048,383 $4,346,212,355
2006 $7,034,111,315 $3,919,577,286
2005 $6,567,654,954 $2,936,019,526
2004 $6,190,270,380 $2,362,501,023
2003 $5,349,258,094 $2,051,147,607
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,777,057,481
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,746,063,558
2000 $3,519,991,440 $1,779,520,886
1999 $3,677,393,999 $1,985,922,776
1998 $2,455,092,686 $2,032,347,665
1997 $2,268,301,646 $2,071,996,564
1996 $2,361,116,449 $2,132,087,009
1995 $2,169,627,138 $2,091,726,101
1994 $1,598,075,944 $1,944,876,755
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,847,353,211
1992 $1,695,315,306 $2,164,298,425
1991 $1,986,437,797 $2,133,692,697
1990 $1,959,965,330 $1,506,914,408
1989 $1,502,294,416 $1,450,647,019
1988 $1,620,246,084 $1,414,951,290
1987 $1,562,412,228 $1,344,664,725
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,186,628,778
1985 $1,045,712,789 $1,009,723,326
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,074,373,230
1983 $1,095,348,199 $1,165,171,263
1982 $1,267,778,670 $1,108,776,653
1981 $1,291,120,188 $1,105,494,682
1980 $1,405,251,847 $1,047,925,106
1979 $1,186,231,020 $951,900,945
1978 $928,843,469 $804,629,877
1977 $750,049,779 $799,030,017
1976 $698,408,262 $775,045,517
1975 $676,870,140 $703,377,837
1974 $554,654,861 $613,010,553
1973 $504,376,074 $493,237,876
1972 $410,331,857 $391,669,449
1971 $335,073,028 $335,568,907
1970 $333,627,713 $309,405,316
1969 $330,748,245 $295,062,308
1968 $326,323,105 $311,395,937
1967 $306,221,953 $282,615,310
1966 $302,925,235 $266,533,605
1965 $289,908,680 $255,340,475
1964 $269,819,006 $224,495,744
1963 $253,927,697 $168,186,297
1962 $236,434,954 $164,271,558
1961 $235,668,221 $159,213,430
1960 $226,195,578 -

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Mauritania by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Mauritania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Mauritania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $2,110 $7,369
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $2,136 $6,966
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $1,960 $6,485
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $1,948 $5,837
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $1,796 $5,741
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $1,767 $5,610
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $1,723 $5,429
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $1,615 $5,353
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $1,566 $4,683
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $1,555 $3,978
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,713 $3,865
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,934 $3,831
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $1,859 $3,465
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $1,931 $3,271
2010 $973 $2,220 $1,660 $3,178
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,435 $3,159
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,636 $3,236
2007 $912 $2,136 $1,405 $3,278
2006 $809 $2,021 $1,301 $3,342
2005 $779 $1,946 $999 $2,809
2004 $759 $1,915 $824 $2,570
2003 $676 $1,842 $732 $2,447
2002 $546 $1,800 $649 $2,296
2001 $492 $1,746 $652 $2,280
2000 $487 $1,671 $681 $2,304
1999 $525 $1,592 $781 $2,411
1998 $362 $1,537 $821 $2,355
1997 $345 $1,508 $859 $2,325
1996 $369 $1,444 $904 $2,436
1995 $348 $1,395 $905 $2,306
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $865 $2,114
1993 $387 $1,311 $850 $2,209
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,036 $2,122
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,062 $2,116
1990 $371 $1,186 $772 $2,070
1989 $293.3 - $762 -
1988 $326 - $762 -
1987 $324 - $746 -
1986 $285.8 - $677 -
1985 $230.4 - $593 -
1984 $238.6 - $650 -
1983 $256 - $725 -
1982 $305 - $710 -
1981 $320 - $729 -
1980 $358 - $711 -
1979 $311 - $664 -
1978 $249.8 - $578 -
1977 $207 - $590 -
1976 $197.7 - $589 -
1975 $196.5 - $551 -
1974 $164.9 - $494 -
1973 $153.6 - $410 -
1972 $127.9 - $335 -
1971 $106.9 - $296 -
1970 $108.8 - $281.3 -
1969 $110.3 - $276.6 -
1968 $111.2 - $301 -
1967 $106.6 - $281.5 -
1966 $107.6 - $273.6 -
1965 $105.1 - $270 -
1964 $99.8 - $244.3 -
1963 $95.7 - $188.2 -
1962 $90.8 - $189 -
1961 $92.1 - $188.2 -
1960 $89.9 - - -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $2,110 in Mauritania, ranking 156/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Mauritania ranks 147th at $7,369.

Economic indicators

Benin Mauritania
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$10.9B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
153/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
6.31%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$2,110
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
156/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$7,369
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
147/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$4.67B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
42.8%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$904
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
145/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$2,078
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
24.6%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.1%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
23.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.49%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
10.4%
2019
Population
15272847
5505206

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Mauritania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Mauritania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 23.6% 42.8%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 24.8% 47.1%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 28.7% 50.5%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 20.8% 54.5%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 18.5% 56.5%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 17.8% 57.7%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 19% 59.2%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 20.3% 55.7%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 20.8% 57.6%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 25.7% 59.9%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 23.9% 49.5%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 20.1% 40.7%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 21.5% 39.3%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 17% 38.8%
2010 14.1% 21% 17.3% 43.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 19.6% 54.3%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 19.8% 57.2%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 19.7% 61.5%
2006 13% 8.37% 19% 38%
2005 14.1% 27% 21.3% 71.1%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 23.9% 22%
2003 13.7% 23.4% - 22.9%
2002 15.3% 30.8% - 59.5%
2001 15.4% 38% - 63.5%
2000 15.6% 39.6% - 55.5%
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/mauritania | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Mauritania spent $2.57B, or 23.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 42.8% in Mauritania, ranking 99/185 and 126/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Mauritania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Mauritania
2024 -3.06% -1.35%
2023 -4.13% -2.45%
2022 -5.55% -3.09%
2021 -5.71% 2.6%
2020 -4.68% 2.78%
2019 -0.53% 2.65%
2018 -2.96% 3.23%
2017 -4.18% 0.53%
2016 -4.29% 0.13%
2015 -5.55% -2.44%
2014 -1.65% -2.64%
2013 -1.37% -0.66%
2012 -0.22% 1.67%
2011 -0.98% 0.07%
2010 -0.28% -0.45%
2009 -2.24% -3.59%
2008 -0.04% -3.32%
2007 0.22% -1.38%
2006 -0.15% 2.05%
2005 -1.52% -3.16%
2004 -0.7% -3.06%
2003 -1.07% -
2002 -3.33% -
2001 -3.27% -
2000 -3.69% -
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/mauritania | 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 Mauritania's deficit of $148M, or 1.35% of GDP.

Over the past 21 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 20 of those years, while Mauritania ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.36% of GDP, compared to deficit of 0.57% of GDP for Mauritania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Mauritania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Mauritania
2024 1.2% 2.49%
2023 2.7% 4.95%
2022 1.4% 9.53%
2021 1.7% 3.57%
2020 3% 2.39%
2019 -0.9% 2.3%
2018 0.8% 3.07%
2017 1.8% 2.25%
2016 -0.8% 1.47%
2015 0.2% 3.25%
2014 -0.6% 3.53%
2013 0.4% 4.13%
2012 6.7% 4.9%
2011 2.7% 5.69%
2010 2.1% 6.28%
2009 0.9% 2.22%
2008 7.4% 7.35%
2007 1.3% 7.25%
2006 3.8% 6.24%
2005 5.4% 12.1%
2004 0.9% 10.4%
2003 1.5% 5.15%
2002 2.4% 3.9%
2001 4% 4.71%
2000 4.2% 3.25%
1999 0.3% 4.07%
1998 5.8% 8.03%
1997 3.8% 4.63%

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/mauritania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 4.97% in Mauritania. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.49% in Mauritania.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.13M
Metals $259K
Machinery & equipment $81K
Wood & paper products $37K
Raw agricultural goods $31K
Textiles & consumer goods $20K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Mauritania
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $31.1M
Machinery & equipment $41K
Raw materials & minerals $12K
Textiles & consumer goods $3K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Mauritania
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$1.04B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
124/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-9.53%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$4.32B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$3.83B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$1.05B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$230M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
52.2%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
41.4%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Mauritania
Economic freedom 60 53.9
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 136/197
Property rights 46.4 32.6
Government integrity 44.1 24.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 26.4
Tax burden 69.4 75.5
Government spending 89.1 80.2
Fiscal health 65.4 87.9
Business freedom 53.3 38.7
Labor freedom 60.2 53.6
Monetary freedom 82.1 77.8
Trade freedom 62.6 59.6
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Mauritania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Mauritania
2026 60 53.9
2025 58.5 54.9
2024 57.7 55.3
2023 59.8 55.3
2022 61 55.3
2021 59.6 56.1
2020 55.2 55.3
2019 55.3 55.7
2018 56.7 54
2017 59.2 54.4
2016 59.3 54.8
2015 58.8 53.3
2014 57.1 53.2
2013 57.6 52.3
2012 55.7 53
2011 56 52.1
2010 55.4 52
2009 55.4 53.9
2008 55.2 55.2
2007 55.1 53.6
2006 54 55.7
2005 52.3 59.4
2004 54.6 61.8
2003 54.9 59
2002 57.3 52.5
2001 60.1 48.5
2000 61.5 46
1999 60.6 42.8
1998 61.7 43.7
1997 61.3 47
1996 54.5 45.5

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1996–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 53.9 for Mauritania, ranking 136/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Mauritania
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
42.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
30.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
19.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$11B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$7,300
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$2.04B
2021
Total reserves ranking n/a
126/177
2021
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$1.44B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$1.44B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$3.9M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
3.82%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
31.8%
2019
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
43.1%
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/mauritania | 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. TradeMap (2021–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.