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Economy of Benin vs Niger compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $21.6B for Niger, ranking 124/197 and 129/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $9.82B (45.4% of GDP) in Niger.

Benin vs Niger GDP by year

Benin
Niger
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Niger
2025 $24,566,420,904 $21,646,191,388
2024 $21,482,643,706 $19,729,786,047
2023 $19,673,291,004 $16,949,765,464
2022 $17,425,405,091 $15,531,799,641
2021 $17,687,623,530 $14,936,154,253
2020 $15,686,741,884 $13,648,332,190
2019 $14,391,686,313 $12,420,836,507
2018 $14,262,408,090 $12,800,907,986
2017 $12,701,655,837 $11,359,273,443
2016 $11,821,065,853 $10,341,025,540
2015 $11,388,160,997 $9,683,867,926
2014 $13,284,527,847 $10,862,943,544
2013 $12,517,845,124 $10,224,897,438
2012 $11,141,358,116 $9,426,912,648
2011 $10,693,321,364 $8,772,950,778
2010 $9,535,345,016 $7,851,192,502
2009 $9,738,626,517 $7,352,131,310
2008 $9,787,734,526 $7,297,600,226
2007 $8,169,048,383 $5,731,485,052
2006 $7,034,111,315 $4,756,361,252
2005 $6,567,654,954 $4,383,315,965
2004 $6,190,270,380 $3,760,443,738
2003 $5,349,258,094 $3,394,084,732
2002 $4,194,342,686 $2,782,192,879
2001 $3,666,222,635 $2,448,714,704
2000 $3,519,991,440 $2,241,753,193
1999 $3,677,393,999 $2,537,789,821
1998 $2,455,092,686 $2,643,363,519
1997 $2,268,301,646 $2,290,318,910
1996 $2,361,116,449 $2,405,686,940
1995 $2,169,627,138 $2,302,537,562
1994 $1,598,075,944 $1,938,058,175
1993 $2,274,558,083 $3,052,673,849
1992 $1,695,315,306 $3,386,232,579
1991 $1,986,437,797 $3,285,796,875
1990 $1,959,965,330 $3,512,356,508
1989 $1,502,294,416 $2,179,567,114
1988 $1,620,246,084 $2,280,356,193
1987 $1,562,412,228 $2,233,006,105
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,904,096,998
1985 $1,045,712,789 $1,440,581,652
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,461,243,326
1983 $1,095,348,199 $1,803,099,561
1982 $1,267,778,670 $2,017,612,216
1981 $1,291,120,188 $2,170,893,414
1980 $1,405,251,847 $2,508,524,721
1979 $1,186,231,020 $2,109,277,666
1978 $928,843,469 $1,774,365,590
1977 $750,049,779 $1,291,458,041
1976 $698,408,262 $1,064,517,601
1975 $676,870,140 $1,048,690,933
1974 $554,654,861 $1,026,137,111
1973 $504,376,074 $946,385,105
1972 $410,331,857 $742,779,661
1971 $335,073,028 $693,573,704
1970 $333,627,713 $649,916,621
1969 $330,748,245 $625,867,985
1968 $326,323,105 $641,214,226
1967 $306,221,953 $665,586,872
1966 $302,925,235 $702,296,079
1965 $289,908,680 $673,383,511
1964 $269,819,006 $582,816,396
1963 $253,927,697 $586,294,879
1962 $236,434,954 $531,736,599
1961 $235,668,221 $485,785,231
1960 $226,195,578 $449,526,873

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Niger by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Niger
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Niger
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $775 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $730 $2,050
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $648 $1,875
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $614 $1,840
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $610 $1,586
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $575 $1,497
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $541 $1,419
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $577 $1,276
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $530 $1,208
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $500 $1,189
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $486 $1,172
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $565 $1,161
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $552 $1,138
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $529 $1,162
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $511 $1,064
2010 $973 $2,220 $474 $1,058
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $461 $999
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $475 $1,010
2007 $912 $2,136 $387 $955
2006 $809 $2,021 $333 $935
2005 $779 $1,946 $319 $888
2004 $759 $1,915 $283.5 $832
2003 $676 $1,842 $265.2 $837
2002 $546 $1,800 $225.3 $832
2001 $492 $1,746 $205.4 $809
2000 $487 $1,671 $194.8 $764
1999 $525 $1,592 $228.3 $783
1998 $362 $1,537 $246.1 $801
1997 $345 $1,508 $220.6 $745
1996 $369 $1,444 $239.5 $746
1995 $348 $1,395 $237 $757
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $206.2 $748
1993 $387 $1,311 $335 $742
1992 $302 $1,265 $384 $746
1991 $365 $1,239 $384 $738
1990 $371 $1,186 $424 $739
1989 $293.3 - $271.3 -
1988 $326 - $292.6 -
1987 $324 - $295.3 -
1986 $285.8 - $259.6 -
1985 $230.4 - $202.4 -
1984 $238.6 - $211.5 -
1983 $256 - $268.8 -
1982 $305 - $310 -
1981 $320 - $343 -
1980 $358 - $409 -
1979 $311 - $354 -
1978 $249.8 - $307 -
1977 $207 - $229.8 -
1976 $197.7 - $194.8 -
1975 $196.5 - $197.2 -
1974 $164.9 - $198.3 -
1973 $153.6 - $187.9 -
1972 $127.9 - $151.4 -
1971 $106.9 - $145.2 -
1970 $108.8 - $139.8 -
1969 $110.3 - $138.3 -
1968 $111.2 - $145.6 -
1967 $106.6 - $155.4 -
1966 $107.6 - $168.6 -
1965 $105.1 - $166.3 -
1964 $99.8 - $148.1 -
1963 $95.7 - $153.3 -
1962 $90.8 - $143.2 -
1961 $92.1 - $134.6 -
1960 $89.9 - $128.3 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $775 in Niger, ranking 188/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Niger ranks 186th at $2,050.

Economic indicators

Benin Niger
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$21.6B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
129/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
7.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$775
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
188/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$2,050
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
186/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$9.82B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
45.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$352
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
175/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$1,418
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
27.8%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.8%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
14.8%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
-4.45%
2024-2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
0.4%
2022
Population
15358725
29294628

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Niger
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Niger
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 14.8% 45.4%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 13.4% 47.7%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 15.8% 51.8%
2022 20% 59.7% 21.6% 50.7%
2021 20% 55.6% 24.3% 51.3%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 22.4% 45%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 21.6% 39.8%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 21.2% 37%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 19.5% 36.5%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 19.4% 32.8%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 24.2% 29.9%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 23.6% 22.1%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 20.4% 19.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 16.6% 18.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 15.3% 14.7%
2010 14.1% 21% 14.3% 15.1%
2009 17% 18.7% 17.7% 15.9%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 16.9% 14.2%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 17.4% 17.8%
2006 13% 8.37% 15.2% 18.3%
2005 14.1% 27% 15.6% 49.5%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 16.1% 55%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 14% 60.6%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 14.4% 69%
2001 15.4% 38% 13.7% 74%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 13.5% 82.1%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 15% 63.3%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 13.6% 61.3%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 12.9% 69.1%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 10.9% 63.5%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 12.5% 69.4%
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/niger | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Niger spent $3.2B, or 14.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 45.4% in Niger, ranking 83/185 and 114/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Niger
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Niger
2025 -2.9% -3.28%
2024 -3.06% -4.27%
2023 -4.13% -5.37%
2022 -5.55% -6.77%
2021 -2.53% -6.1%
2020 -4.68% -4.82%
2019 -0.53% -3.56%
2018 -2.96% -3.01%
2017 -4.18% -4.12%
2016 -4.29% -4.46%
2015 -5.55% -6.75%
2014 -1.65% -6.12%
2013 -1.37% -1.93%
2012 -0.22% -0.83%
2011 -0.98% -2.19%
2010 -0.28% -0.99%
2009 -2.24% -3.93%
2008 -0.04% 1.11%
2007 0.22% -0.75%
2006 -0.15% 31%
2005 -1.52% -1.53%
2004 -0.7% -2.76%
2003 -1.07% -2.17%
2002 -3.33% -2.21%
2001 -3.27% -2.59%
2000 -3.69% -2.83%
1999 1.94% -4.27%
1998 2.5% -2.23%
1997 0.64% -2.39%
1996 -0.15% -0.36%
1995 -2.61% -3.19%
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/niger | 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 Niger's deficit of $711M, or 3.28% of GDP.

Over the past 31 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of those years, while Niger ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.88% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.05% of GDP for Niger.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Niger
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Niger
2025 1.1% -4.45%
2024 1.2% 9.07%
2023 2.7% 3.7%
2022 1.4% 4.23%
2021 1.7% 3.84%
2020 3% 2.9%
2019 -0.9% -2.49%
2018 0.8% 2.97%
2017 1.8% 2.8%
2016 -0.8% 1.65%
2015 0.2% -0.58%
2014 -0.6% -0.93%
2013 0.4% 2.3%
2012 6.7% 0.46%
2011 2.7% 2.94%
2010 2.1% 0.8%
2009 0.9% 0.58%
2008 7.4% 11.3%
2007 1.3% 0.05%
2006 3.8% 0.04%
2005 5.4% 7.8%
2004 0.9% 0.26%
2003 1.5% -1.61%
2002 2.4% 2.63%
2001 4% 4.01%
2000 4.2% 2.9%
1999 0.3% -2.3%
1998 5.8% 4.55%
1997 3.8% 2.93%

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/niger | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.15% in Niger. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and -4.45% in Niger.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Metals $6.84M
Precious metals & jewellery $4.94M
Raw materials & minerals $1.29M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $949K
Raw agricultural goods $817K
Machinery & equipment $542K
Chemicals & pharma $340K
Animal & marine products $280K
Textiles & consumer goods $95K
Wood & paper products $60K
Niger
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.71M
Raw materials & minerals $1.79M
Metals $906K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $687K
Machinery & equipment $459K
Precious metals & jewellery $223K
Textiles & consumer goods $188K
Chemicals & pharma $168K
Animal & marine products $56K
Wood & paper products $5K

Balance of trade

Benin Niger
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$1.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
123/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-6.09%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$2B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$1.52B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$1.03B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$248M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
18.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
15.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Niger
Economic freedom 60 51
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 156/197
Property rights 46.4 16.6
Government integrity 44.1 33.9
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 28
Tax burden 69.4 78.2
Government spending 89.1 91.4
Fiscal health 65.4 47.6
Business freedom 53.3 32.4
Labor freedom 60.2 54.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 67.9
Trade freedom 62.6 65.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Niger
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Niger
2026 60 51
2025 58.5 51.5
2024 57.7 52.3
2023 59.8 53.7
2022 61 54.9
2021 59.6 57.3
2020 55.2 54.7
2019 55.3 51.6
2018 56.7 49.5
2017 59.2 50.8
2016 59.3 54.3
2015 58.8 54.6
2014 57.1 55.1
2013 57.6 53.9
2012 55.7 54.3
2011 56 54.3
2010 55.4 52.9
2009 55.4 53.8
2008 55.2 52.9
2007 55.1 53.2
2006 54 52.5
2005 52.3 54.1
2004 54.6 54.6
2003 54.9 54.2
2002 57.3 48.2
2001 60.1 48.9
2000 61.5 45.9
1999 60.6 48.6
1998 61.7 47.5
1997 61.3 46.6
1996 54.5 45.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 51 for Niger, ranking 156/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Niger
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
31.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
18.7%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
47.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$20.9B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$2,150
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$337M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$358M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$20.7M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
1.96%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
41.2%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
22%
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/niger | 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. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, 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.