Skip to content

Economy of Benin vs Qatar compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $219B for Qatar, ranking 126/197 and 56/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $90.2B (41.2% of GDP) in Qatar.

Benin vs Qatar GDP by year

Benin
Qatar
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Qatar
2024 $21,482,643,706 $219,162,637,363
2023 $19,673,291,004 $217,308,516,484
2022 $17,425,405,091 $235,709,340,659
2021 $17,687,623,530 $179,732,142,857
2020 $15,686,741,884 $144,411,538,462
2019 $14,391,686,313 $176,371,428,571
2018 $14,262,408,090 $183,335,164,835
2017 $12,701,655,837 $161,099,175,824
2016 $11,821,065,853 $151,732,142,857
2015 $11,388,160,997 $161,739,835,165
2014 $13,284,527,847 $206,224,725,275
2013 $12,517,845,124 $198,727,747,253
2012 $11,141,358,116 $186,833,516,484
2011 $10,693,321,364 $167,775,274,725
2010 $9,535,345,016 $123,627,197,802
2009 $9,738,626,517 $97,798,351,648
2008 $9,787,734,526 $115,270,054,945
2007 $8,169,048,383 $79,712,087,912
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 $10,255,495,027
1997 $2,268,301,646 $11,297,802,115
1996 $2,361,116,449 $9,059,340,385
1995 $2,169,627,138 $8,137,911,978
1994 $1,598,075,944 $7,374,450,769
1993 $2,274,558,083 $7,156,593,654
1992 $1,695,315,306 $7,646,153,984
1991 $1,986,437,797 $6,883,516,484
1990 $1,959,965,330 $7,360,439,423
1989 $1,502,294,416 $6,487,912,088
1988 $1,620,246,084 $6,038,187,033
1987 $1,562,412,228 $5,446,428,681
1986 $1,336,102,025 $5,053,021,951
1985 $1,045,712,789 $6,153,296,456
1984 $1,051,134,009 $6,704,395,824
1983 $1,095,348,199 $6,467,582,308
1982 $1,267,778,670 $7,596,703,214
1981 $1,291,120,188 $8,661,263,764
1980 $1,405,251,847 $7,829,165,262
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $76,689 $126,046
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $81,817 $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 $76,463 $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 - $19,272 -
1983 $256 - $19,616 -
1982 $305 - $24,385 -
1981 $320 - $29,505 -
1980 $358 - $28,375 -
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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $76,689 in Qatar, ranking 11/197. 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
$21.5B
2024
$219B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
56/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
2.36%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$76,689
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
11/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$126,046
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
5/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$90.2B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
41.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$31,579
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
23/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$35,660
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$170M
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
26,163
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
2
2025
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
18.1%
2024
26%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
1.27%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.1%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
0.13%
2022
Population
15272847
2999260

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
2024 18.1% 53.4% 26% 41.2%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 27.3% 43.7%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 24.3% 42.6%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 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 10.9% 39.2% 55.1% 76.6%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 47.6% 54.4%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 55.2% 57.8%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 52.2% 50.2%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 59.8% 54.8%
1993 12% 41.9% 62.8% 46.3%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 54.2% 19.9%
1991 12.6% 44% 57.5% 21.8%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 50% 12.6%
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/qatar | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Qatar spent $56.9B, or 26% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 41.2% in Qatar, ranking 99/185 and 130/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Qatar
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Qatar
2024 -3.06% 0.69%
2023 -4.13% 5.56%
2022 -5.55% 10.4%
2021 -5.71% 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 1.83% -7%
1997 0.47% -9.4%
1996 -0.11% -8.73%
1995 -1.91% -5.78%
1994 -1.57% -11.8%
1993 -0.41% -9.53%
1992 -1.98% -2.74%
1991 -2.25% -2.57%
1990 -2.37% 3.23%
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/qatar | 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 Qatar's surplus of $1.52B, or 0.69% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Qatar ran a deficit in 12 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.04% of GDP for Qatar.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Qatar
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Qatar
2024 1.2% 1.27%
2023 2.7% 3.03%
2022 1.4% 5%
2021 1.7% 2.3%
2020 3% -2.54%
2019 -0.9% -0.67%
2018 0.8% 0.26%
2017 1.8% 0.39%
2016 -0.8% 2.68%
2015 0.2% 1.81%
2014 -0.6% 3.35%
2013 0.4% 3.22%
2012 6.7% 2.32%
2011 2.7% 1.14%
2010 2.1% -2.43%
2009 0.9% -4.86%
2008 7.4% 15.1%
2007 1.3% 13.8%
2006 3.8% 11.8%
2005 5.4% 8.81%
2004 0.9% 6.8%
2003 1.5% 2.26%
2002 2.4% 0.24%
2001 4% 1.47%
2000 4.2% 1.65%
1999 0.3% 2.18%
1998 5.8% 2.95%
1997 3.8% 4.83%

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/qatar | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 3.15% in Qatar. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 1.27% in Qatar.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $736K
Raw materials & minerals $15K
Precious metals & jewellery $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
$37.9B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
16/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+17.3%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$32.6B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$95B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$37.1B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$30.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
31.6%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
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 2026-03-09).

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
48.9%
2024
46.1%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
58.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
0.29%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$221B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$121,900
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$54B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
40/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$1.1B
2024
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
35.1%
2024
30.6%
2022

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/qatar | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

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.