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Economy of Benin vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $216B for Qatar, ranking 124/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $89.2B (41.4% of GDP) in Qatar.

Benin vs Qatar GDP by year

Benin
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Qatar
2025 $24,566,420,904 $215,559,615,385
2024 $21,482,643,706 $216,294,505,495
2023 $19,673,291,004 $213,002,809,341
2022 $17,425,405,091 $235,709,325,714
2021 $17,687,623,530 $179,732,009,560
2020 $15,686,741,884 $144,411,363,352
2019 $14,391,686,313 $176,371,267,692
2018 $14,262,408,090 $183,334,953,819
2017 $12,701,655,837 $161,099,122,225
2016 $11,821,065,853 $151,732,181,868
2015 $11,388,160,997 $161,739,955,577
2014 $13,284,527,847 $206,224,598,571
2013 $12,517,845,124 $198,727,642,967
2012 $11,141,358,116 $186,833,502,363
2011 $10,693,321,364 $167,775,274,725
2010 $9,535,345,016 $125,122,252,747
2009 $9,738,626,517 $97,798,351,648
2008 $9,787,734,526 $115,269,780,220
2007 $8,169,048,383 $79,711,813,187
2006 $7,034,111,315 $60,882,142,857
2005 $6,567,654,954 $44,530,494,505
2004 $6,190,270,380 $31,734,065,934
2003 $5,349,258,094 $23,533,791,209
2002 $4,194,342,686 $19,363,736,264
2001 $3,666,222,635 $17,538,461,538
2000 $3,519,991,440 $17,759,890,110
1999 $3,677,393,999 $12,393,131,868
1998 $2,455,092,686 $10,255,494,505
1997 $2,268,301,646 $11,297,802,198
1996 $2,361,116,449 $9,059,340,659
1995 $2,169,627,138 $8,137,912,088
1994 $1,598,075,944 $7,374,450,549
1993 $2,274,558,083 $7,156,593,407
1992 $1,695,315,306 $7,646,153,846
1991 $1,986,437,797 $6,883,516,484
1990 $1,959,965,330 $7,360,439,560
1989 $1,502,294,416 $6,487,912,088
1988 $1,620,246,084 $6,038,186,813
1987 $1,562,412,228 $5,446,428,571
1986 $1,336,102,025 $5,053,021,978
1985 $1,045,712,789 $6,153,296,703
1984 $1,051,134,009 $6,870,329,670
1983 $1,095,348,199 $6,484,890,110
1982 $1,267,778,670 $7,611,263,736
1981 $1,291,120,188 $8,672,527,473
1980 $1,405,251,847 $7,837,915,956
1979 $1,186,231,020 $5,632,962,997
1978 $928,843,469 $4,052,000,413
1977 $750,049,779 $3,617,564,638
1976 $698,408,262 $3,284,273,987
1975 $676,870,140 $2,512,773,166
1974 $554,654,861 $2,401,403,227
1973 $504,376,074 $793,885,560
1972 $410,331,857 $510,262,500
1971 $335,073,028 $387,703,106
1970 $333,627,713 $301,791,302
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/qatar | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Qatar by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Qatar
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Qatar
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $72,525 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $75,685 $126,046
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $80,196 $129,368
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $88,701 $122,921
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $71,752 $116,833
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $51,684 $82,149
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $66,841 $107,503
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $71,040 $110,033
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $63,280 $99,358
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $61,254 $89,935
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $68,985 $102,546
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $95,841 $148,389
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $103,697 $169,203
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $108,470 $180,939
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $103,262 $174,620
2010 $973 $2,220 $77,387 $151,646
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $60,786 $125,898
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $80,781 $126,015
2007 $912 $2,136 $65,954 $124,056
2006 $809 $2,021 $62,582 $127,181
2005 $779 $1,946 $53,950 $115,250
2004 $759 $1,915 $41,036 $110,958
2003 $676 $1,842 $31,602 $94,120
2002 $546 $1,800 $27,227 $93,177
2001 $492 $1,746 $25,871 $89,805
2000 $487 $1,671 $27,535 $88,849
1999 $525 $1,592 $20,234 $84,690
1998 $362 $1,537 $17,665 $84,486
1997 $345 $1,508 $20,523 $79,219
1996 $369 $1,444 $17,125 $62,331
1995 $348 $1,395 $15,823 $60,321
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $14,765 $59,415
1993 $387 $1,311 $14,770 $59,125
1992 $302 $1,265 $16,280 $60,387
1991 $365 $1,239 $15,133 $54,759
1990 $371 $1,186 $16,722 $55,659
1989 $293.3 - $15,243 -
1988 $326 - $14,682 -
1987 $324 - $13,719 -
1986 $285.8 - $13,213 -
1985 $230.4 - $16,815 -
1984 $238.6 - $19,749 -
1983 $256 - $19,669 -
1982 $305 - $24,431 -
1981 $320 - $29,543 -
1980 $358 - $28,407 -
1979 $311 - $21,777 -
1978 $249.8 - $16,757 -
1977 $207 - $16,058 -
1976 $197.7 - $15,710 -
1975 $196.5 - $13,014 -
1974 $164.9 - $13,540 -
1973 $153.6 - $4,905 -
1972 $127.9 - $3,483 -
1971 $106.9 - $2,952 -
1970 $108.8 - $2,594 -
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/qatar | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $72,525 in Qatar, ranking 13/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Qatar ranks 5th at $126,046.

Economic indicators

Benin Qatar
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$216B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
56/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
2.9%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$72,525
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$89.2B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
41.4%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$30,009
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
24/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$37,042
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$177B
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
30,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
25.8%
2017
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.6%
2017
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
27.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
0.6%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
0.1%
2024
Population
15358725
3058826

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Qatar
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Qatar
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 27.1% 41.4%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 26% 41.3%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 26.7% 42.8%
2022 20% 59.7% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 20% 55.6% 29.4% 58.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 34.7% 72.6%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 32.5% 62.1%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 28.9% 52.2%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 34.7% 51.6%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 40.1% 46.7%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 38.6% 35.5%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 32.3% 24.9%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 28.3% 30.9%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 31% 32.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 28.5% 33.5%
2010 14.1% 21% 32% 30.4%
2009 17% 18.7% 36.4% 36%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 23.5% 11.4%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 29.5% 9.37%
2006 13% 8.37% 29.5% 13.9%
2005 14.1% 27% 29% 19.1%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 29.9% 30.1%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 28.5% 38.8%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 31.6% 47.7%
2001 15.4% 38% 32.1% 59.2%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 29.8% 51.6%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 42.4% 81.8%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 16.4% 41.9% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 18.4% 41.8% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 17.2% 44% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 18.1% 45.3% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $58.4B, or 27.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 41.4% in Qatar, ranking 83/185 and 127/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Qatar
2025 -2.9% -1%
2024 -3.06% 0.71%
2023 -4.13% 5.51%
2022 -5.55% 10.4%
2021 -2.53% 0.24%
2020 -4.68% -2.13%
2019 -0.53% 1%
2018 -2.96% 2.26%
2017 -4.18% -6.82%
2016 -4.29% -9.2%
2015 -5.55% 18.4%
2014 -1.65% 13.4%
2013 -1.37% 19.3%
2012 -0.22% 8.55%
2011 -0.98% 5.24%
2010 -0.28% 4.6%
2009 -2.24% 14.1%
2008 -0.04% 9.49%
2007 0.22% 10.3%
2006 -0.15% 8.39%
2005 -1.52% 9.8%
2004 -0.7% 17.7%
2003 -1.07% 6.71%
2002 -3.33% 7.89%
2001 -3.27% 4.48%
2000 -3.69% 4.62%
1999 1.94% -4.35%
1998 2.5% -7%
1997 0.64% -9.4%
1996 -0.15% -8.73%
1995 -2.61% -5.78%
1994 -2.14% -11.8%
1993 -0.56% -9.53%
1992 -2.71% -2.74%
1991 -3.08% -2.57%
1990 -3.24% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's deficit of $2.16B, or 1% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 13 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.95% of GDP, compared to surplus of 2.92% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Qatar
2025 1.1% 0.6%
2024 1.2% 1.2%
2023 2.7% 3.1%
2022 1.4% 5%
2021 1.7% 2.3%
2020 3% -2.5%
2019 -0.9% -0.9%
2018 0.8% 0.1%
2017 1.8% 0.6%
2016 -0.8% 2.7%
2015 0.2% 0.9%
2014 -0.6% 4.2%
2013 0.4% 3.1%
2012 6.7% 1.8%
2011 2.7% 2%
2010 2.1% -2.4%
2009 0.9% -4.9%
2008 7.4% 15.1%
2007 1.3% 13.7%
2006 3.8% 11.7%
2005 5.4% 9%
2004 0.9% 6.8%
2003 1.5% 2.3%
2002 2.4% 0.2%
2001 4% 1.7%
2000 4.2% 1.6%
1999 0.3% 2.2%
1998 5.8% 2.9%
1997 3.8% 2.7%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.99% in Qatar. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 0.6% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $924K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $513K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Precious metals & jewellery $1K
Textiles & consumer goods $1K
Wood & paper products $1K
Qatar
Export category Export value
Weapons & explosives $4.41M
Machinery & equipment $259K
Chemicals & pharma $61K
Raw materials & minerals $39K
Textiles & consumer goods $37K

Balance of trade

Benin Qatar
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$31.9B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
17/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+14.8%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$34.3B
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$90B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$31.3B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$24.4B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
68.6%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Qatar
Economic freedom 60 70.2
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 37/197
Property rights 46.4 66.2
Government integrity 44.1 53.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 41.5
Tax burden 69.4 99.9
Government spending 89.1 79.9
Fiscal health 65.4 96.6
Business freedom 53.3 68
Labor freedom 60.2 58.5
Monetary freedom 82.1 76
Trade freedom 62.6 81.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Qatar
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Qatar
2026 60 70.2
2025 58.5 70.2
2024 57.7 68.8
2023 59.8 68.6
2022 61 67.7
2021 59.6 72
2020 55.2 72.3
2019 55.3 72.6
2018 56.7 72.6
2017 59.2 73.1
2016 59.3 70.7
2015 58.8 70.8
2014 57.1 71.2
2013 57.6 71.3
2012 55.7 71.3
2011 56 70.5
2010 55.4 69
2009 55.4 65.8
2008 55.2 62.2
2007 55.1 62.9
2006 54 62.4
2005 52.3 63.5
2004 54.6 66.5
2003 54.9 65.9
2002 57.3 61.9
2001 60.1 60
2000 61.5 62
1999 60.6 62
1998 61.7 -
1997 61.3 -
1996 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 70.2 for Qatar, ranking 37/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Qatar
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
47%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
57%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
0.31%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$221B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$126,290
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$55.8B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
45/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$311M
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$460M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$1.56B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
n/a
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | 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 (2020–2025, 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.