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Economy of Benin vs Namibia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $13.4B for Namibia, ranking 126/197 and 147/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $9.05B (67.7% of GDP) in Namibia.

Benin vs Namibia GDP by year

Benin
Namibia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Namibia
2024 $21,482,643,706 $13,372,354,512
2023 $19,673,291,004 $12,408,271,449
2022 $17,425,405,091 $12,569,449,123
2021 $17,687,623,530 $12,402,486,184
2020 $15,686,741,884 $10,583,748,542
2019 $14,391,686,313 $12,541,928,303
2018 $14,262,408,090 $13,682,019,076
2017 $12,701,655,837 $12,895,153,371
2016 $11,821,065,853 $10,722,018,732
2015 $11,388,160,997 $11,335,161,084
2014 $13,284,527,847 $12,435,430,970
2013 $12,517,845,124 $12,043,307,277
2012 $11,141,358,116 $13,042,053,592
2011 $10,693,321,364 $12,523,359,441
2010 $9,535,345,016 $11,431,412,421
2009 $9,738,626,517 $8,938,847,189
2008 $9,787,734,526 $8,607,431,497
2007 $8,169,048,383 $8,839,536,476
2006 $7,034,111,315 $8,001,779,551
2005 $6,567,654,954 $7,248,374,838
2004 $6,190,270,380 $6,609,205,995
2003 $5,349,258,094 $4,926,439,384
2002 $4,194,342,686 $3,349,169,826
2001 $3,666,222,635 $3,557,341,215
2000 $3,519,991,440 $3,922,232,165
1999 $3,677,393,999 $3,868,551,730
1998 $2,455,092,686 $3,873,109,866
1997 $2,268,301,646 $4,154,989,950
1996 $2,361,116,449 $3,989,163,197
1995 $2,169,627,138 $3,978,514,206
1994 $1,598,075,944 $3,666,503,530
1993 $2,274,558,083 $3,251,188,833
1992 $1,695,315,306 $3,429,521,699
1991 $1,986,437,797 $2,996,869,281
1990 $1,959,965,330 $2,789,921,854
1989 $1,502,294,416 $2,535,135,798
1988 $1,620,246,084 $2,495,094,746
1987 $1,562,412,228 $2,300,068,217
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,809,048,527
1985 $1,045,712,789 $1,608,237,350
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,951,260,038
1983 $1,095,348,199 $2,297,400,688
1982 $1,267,778,670 $2,118,710,248
1981 $1,291,120,188 $2,249,908,578
1980 $1,405,251,847 $2,421,990,338
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Namibia by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Namibia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Namibia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $4,413 $11,687
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $4,188 $11,251
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $4,350 $10,663
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $4,413 $9,709
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,879 $9,354
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $4,732 $9,609
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $5,309 $9,854
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $5,144 $9,888
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $4,396 $10,200
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $4,774 $10,466
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $5,378 $10,365
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $5,347 $9,699
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $5,943 $9,364
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $5,835 $9,002
2010 $973 $2,220 $5,418 $8,538
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $4,303 $8,079
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $4,205 $8,125
2007 $912 $2,136 $4,379 $7,875
2006 $809 $2,021 $4,017 $7,374
2005 $779 $1,946 $3,686 $6,767
2004 $759 $1,915 $3,403 $6,480
2003 $676 $1,842 $2,569 $5,693
2002 $546 $1,800 $1,772 $5,433
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,916 $5,196
2000 $487 $1,671 $2,157 $5,129
1999 $525 $1,592 $2,178 $4,961
1998 $362 $1,537 $2,235 $4,852
1997 $345 $1,508 $2,460 $4,764
1996 $369 $1,444 $2,423 $4,612
1995 $348 $1,395 $2,483 $4,509
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $2,356 $4,376
1993 $387 $1,311 $2,155 $4,345
1992 $302 $1,265 $2,347 $4,452
1991 $365 $1,239 $2,117 $4,192
1990 $371 $1,186 $2,037 $3,875
1989 $293.3 - $1,967 -
1988 $326 - $2,063 -
1987 $324 - $1,969 -
1986 $285.8 - $1,599 -
1985 $230.4 - $1,466 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,830 -
1983 $256 - $2,214 -
1982 $305 - $2,097 -
1981 $320 - $2,267 -
1980 $358 - $2,468 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $4,413 in Namibia, ranking 126/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Namibia ranks 128th at $11,687.

Economic indicators

Benin Namibia
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$13.4B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
147/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
3.71%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$4,413
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
126/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$11,687
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
128/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$9.05B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
67.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$2,988
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
100/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$6,197
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.48B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
47.2%
2015
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1%
2015
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
4.2%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
19.9%
2018
Population
15272847
3173089

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Namibia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Namibia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 39.9% 67.7%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 37% 67.2%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 36.6% 69.4%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 39.3% 69.6%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 41.5% 64.3%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 37.4% 57.6%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 36.3% 48.7%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 38.1% 43.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 41.8% 45.8%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 43.7% 42.1%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 41.8% 27.6%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 38.3% 26.1%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 35% 24.6%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 38.5% 27.4%
2010 14.1% 21% 33.5% 16.3%
2009 17% 18.7% 32% 15.9%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 28.4% 19.1%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 26.1% 19.4%
2006 13% 8.37% 27.4% 26.1%
2005 14.1% 27% 27.7% 26.9%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 28.4% 29.2%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 31.1% 27.1%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 29.8% 22.2%
2001 15.4% 38% 30.7% 24.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 30.1% 20.9%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 31.8% 21.8%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 31.3% 19.6%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 30.9% 17.7%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 30.4% 18.7%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 29.6% 18%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 28.7% 16.4%
1993 12% 41.9% 32.4% 17.2%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 32.8% 14.1%
1991 12.6% 44% 33% 11.8%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 30.2% 12.9%
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/namibia | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Namibia spent $5.34B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 67.7% in Namibia, ranking 99/185 and 61/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Namibia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Namibia
2024 -3.06% -3.59%
2023 -4.13% -3.14%
2022 -5.55% -6.33%
2021 -5.71% -8.68%
2020 -4.68% -8.07%
2019 -0.53% -5.49%
2018 -2.96% -5.09%
2017 -4.18% -4.99%
2016 -4.29% -9.3%
2015 -5.55% -8.3%
2014 -1.65% -6.44%
2013 -1.37% -4.69%
2012 -0.22% -3.1%
2011 -0.98% -7.09%
2010 -0.28% -4.98%
2009 -2.24% -0.4%
2008 -0.04% 3.48%
2007 0.22% 6.01%
2006 -0.15% 3.41%
2005 -1.52% -0.31%
2004 -0.7% -2.67%
2003 -1.07% -4.47%
2002 -3.33% -1.38%
2001 -3.27% -2.01%
2000 -3.69% -0.79%
1999 1.94% -1.88%
1998 1.83% -2.76%
1997 0.47% -2.38%
1996 -0.11% -3.7%
1995 -1.91% -1.74%
1994 -1.57% -0.57%
1993 -0.41% -2.73%
1992 -1.98% -2.55%
1991 -2.25% -1.59%
1990 -2.37% 1.08%
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/namibia | 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 Namibia's deficit of $480M, or 3.59% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Namibia ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.06% of GDP for Namibia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Namibia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Namibia
2024 1.2% 4.2%
2023 2.7% 5.9%
2022 1.4% 6.1%
2021 1.7% 3.6%
2020 3% 2.2%
2019 -0.9% 3.7%
2018 0.8% 4.3%
2017 1.8% 6.1%
2016 -0.8% 6.7%
2015 0.2% 3.4%
2014 -0.6% 5.3%
2013 0.4% 5.6%
2012 6.7% 6.7%
2011 2.7% 5%
2010 2.1% 4.9%
2009 0.9% 9.5%
2008 7.4% 9.1%
2007 1.3% 6.5%
2006 3.8% 5%
2005 5.4% 2.3%
2004 0.9% 4.1%
2003 1.5% 7.2%
2002 2.4% 12.7%
2001 4% 10.2%
2000 4.2% 10.2%
1999 0.3% 9.4%
1998 5.8% 6.6%
1997 3.8% 9.7%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 6.29% in Namibia. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 4.2% in Namibia.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Metals $23K
Raw materials & minerals $23K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $18K
Machinery & equipment $8K
Namibia
Export category Export value
Animal & marine products $289K
Machinery & equipment $97K
Chemicals & pharma $2K

Balance of trade

Benin Namibia
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$1.89M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
78/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-0.01%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$6.77B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$4.67B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$2.47B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$1.29B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
68%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
41.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Namibia
Economic freedom 60 60.2
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 95/197
Property rights 46.4 63.1
Government integrity 44.1 51.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 67.2
Tax burden 69.4 66.4
Government spending 89.1 57.1
Fiscal health 65.4 60.5
Business freedom 53.3 58
Labor freedom 60.2 62.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 76.1
Trade freedom 62.6 69.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Namibia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Namibia
2026 60 60.2
2025 58.5 58.7
2024 57.7 57.5
2023 59.8 57.7
2022 61 59.2
2021 59.6 62.6
2020 55.2 60.9
2019 55.3 58.7
2018 56.7 58.5
2017 59.2 62.5
2016 59.3 61.9
2015 58.8 59.6
2014 57.1 59.4
2013 57.6 60.3
2012 55.7 61.9
2011 56 62.7
2010 55.4 62.2
2009 55.4 62.4
2008 55.2 61.4
2007 55.1 63.5
2006 54 60.7
2005 52.3 61.4
2004 54.6 62.4
2003 54.9 67.3
2002 57.3 65.1
2001 60.1 64.8
2000 61.5 66.7
1999 60.6 66.1
1998 61.7 66.1
1997 61.3 61.6
1996 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 60.2 for Namibia, ranking 95/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Namibia
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
54.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
28.9%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
7.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$12.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$11,300
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.36B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
115/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$1.93M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$1.97B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$44.5M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
17.4%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
25.6%
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/namibia | 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 (2020–2024, 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.