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Economy of Benin vs Romania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $383B for Romania, ranking 126/197 and 42/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $220B (57.4% of GDP) in Romania.

Benin vs Romania GDP by year

Benin
Romania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Romania
2024 $21,482,643,706 $382,564,217,989
2023 $19,673,291,004 $347,757,995,759
2022 $17,425,405,091 $295,319,437,557
2021 $17,687,623,530 $285,071,280,114
2020 $15,686,741,884 $250,625,048,304
2019 $14,391,686,313 $250,080,428,512
2018 $14,262,408,090 $241,791,427,224
2017 $12,701,655,837 $210,147,385,855
2016 $11,821,065,853 $185,290,759,249
2015 $11,388,160,997 $177,885,131,240
2014 $13,284,527,847 $199,722,319,676
2013 $12,517,845,124 $189,798,603,751
2012 $11,141,358,116 $179,117,323,107
2011 $10,693,321,364 $192,623,977,894
2010 $9,535,345,016 $170,064,350,672
2009 $9,738,626,517 $174,110,532,659
2008 $9,787,734,526 $214,315,932,061
2007 $8,169,048,383 $174,588,782,939
2006 $7,034,111,315 $122,023,735,993
2005 $6,567,654,954 $98,454,380,120
2004 $6,190,270,380 $74,973,656,852
2003 $5,349,258,094 $57,806,384,143
2002 $4,194,342,686 $46,065,502,703
2001 $3,666,222,635 $40,395,116,581
2000 $3,519,991,440 $37,253,739,511
1999 $3,677,393,999 $35,953,156,754
1998 $2,455,092,686 $41,696,091,974
1997 $2,268,301,646 $35,575,214,078
1996 $2,361,116,449 $36,937,074,278
1995 $2,169,627,138 $37,430,162,103
1994 $1,598,075,944 $30,072,805,104
1993 $2,274,558,083 $26,361,160,450
1992 $1,695,315,306 $25,121,666,667
1991 $1,986,437,797 $28,850,634,900
1990 $1,959,965,330 $38,247,882,300
1989 $1,502,294,416 $41,450,777,202
1988 $1,620,246,084 $40,424,528,302
1987 $1,562,412,228 $38,067,567,568
1986 $1,336,102,025 -
1985 $1,045,712,789 -
1984 $1,051,134,009 -
1983 $1,095,348,199 -
1982 $1,267,778,670 -
1981 $1,291,120,188 -
1980 $1,405,251,847 -
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/romania | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Romania by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Romania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Romania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $20,080 $49,077
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $18,244 $45,982
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $15,504 $41,979
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $14,908 $37,534
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $13,009 $34,194
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $12,910 $33,425
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $12,416 $29,383
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $10,728 $26,943
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $9,405 $23,905
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $8,977 $21,625
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $10,032 $20,633
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $9,498 $19,678
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $8,930 $19,808
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $9,561 $18,804
2010 $973 $2,220 $8,400 $17,355
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $8,548 $16,641
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $10,435 $16,782
2007 $912 $2,136 $8,360 $13,703
2006 $809 $2,021 $5,758 $11,554
2005 $779 $1,946 $4,618 $9,602
2004 $759 $1,915 $3,495 $8,989
2003 $676 $1,842 $2,679 $7,559
2002 $546 $1,800 $2,120 $7,162
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,825 $6,520
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,660 $5,850
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,600 $5,596
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,853 $5,545
1997 $345 $1,508 $1,577 $5,564
1996 $369 $1,444 $1,633 $5,746
1995 $348 $1,395 $1,650 $5,429
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,323 $4,995
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,158 $4,699
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,102 $4,515
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,254 $4,795
1990 $371 $1,186 $1,648 $5,280
1989 $293.3 - $1,790 -
1988 $326 - $1,753 -
1987 $324 - $1,659 -
1986 $285.8 - - -
1985 $230.4 - - -
1984 $238.6 - - -
1983 $256 - - -
1982 $305 - - -
1981 $320 - - -
1980 $358 - - -
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/romania | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $20,080 in Romania, ranking 58/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Romania ranks 47th at $49,077.

Economic indicators

Benin Romania
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$383B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
42/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
0.92%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$20,080
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
58/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$49,077
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
47/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$220B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
57.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$11,533
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
48/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$13,912
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$47.4B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
6
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
21.8%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.4%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
39.9%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
5.6%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.5%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
5.43%
2024
Population
15272847
18839108

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Romania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Romania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 39.9% 57.4%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 36.6% 52.1%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 37.4% 51.7%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 37% 51.5%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 38.1% 49.3%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 33.2% 36.5%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 31.7% 36.2%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 31% 37.1%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 31.8% 39.5%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 34.2% 39.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 33.8% 40.5%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 34.2% 39.3%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 33.5% 36.2%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 35% 32.6%
2010 14.1% 21% 37.4% 30.2%
2009 17% 18.7% 36.3% 22.5%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 35.3% 13%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 34.6% 12.4%
2006 13% 8.37% 33.9% 12.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 32.3% 17.8%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 33.7% 21.3%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 31.8% 24.9%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 32.1% 27.4%
2001 15.4% 38% 33.2% 27.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 35% 29.6%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 35.1% 21.7%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 34.7% 16.5%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 33.5% 15%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 33.5% 11%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 34.4% 6.91%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 33.1% -
1993 12% 41.9% 33.5% -
1992 13.5% 41.8% 41.5% -
1991 12.6% 44% 38.3% -
1990 13.3% 45.3% 38.4% -
1989 17.1% 50.3% 40.1% -
1988 - - 36.6% -
1987 - - 40.7% -
1986 - - 42.5% -
1985 - - 41.6% -
1984 - - 28.6% -
1983 - - 25.8% -
1982 - - 28.5% -
1981 - - 30.4% -
1980 - - 33.6% -
1979 - - 42% -
1978 - - 42.1% -
1977 - - 39.9% -
1976 - - 37.5% -
1975 - - 40.6% -
1974 - - 37.6% -
1973 - - 32.6% -
1972 - - 29.9% -
1971 - - 27.2% -
1970 - - 28.1% -
1969 - - 32.1% -
1968 - - 31.8% -
1967 - - 30.6% -
1966 - - 27.3% -
1965 - - 25.6% -
1964 - - 25.1% -
1963 - - 23.1% -
1962 - - 43.4% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Romania spent $153B, or 39.9% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 57.4% in Romania, ranking 99/185 and 87/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Romania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Romania
2024 -3.06% -8.68%
2023 -4.13% -5.61%
2022 -5.55% -5.83%
2021 -5.71% -6.7%
2020 -4.68% -9.54%
2019 -0.53% -4.55%
2018 -2.96% -2.74%
2017 -4.18% -2.86%
2016 -4.29% -2.5%
2015 -5.55% -1.35%
2014 -1.65% -1.76%
2013 -1.37% -2.44%
2012 -0.22% -2.39%
2011 -0.98% -4.14%
2010 -0.28% -6.22%
2009 -2.24% -6.86%
2008 -0.04% -4.6%
2007 0.22% -3.05%
2006 -0.15% -1.36%
2005 -1.52% -0.69%
2004 -0.7% -3.39%
2003 -1.07% -2.29%
2002 -3.33% -2.59%
2001 -3.27% -3.2%
2000 -3.69% -3.99%
1999 1.94% -3.58%
1998 1.83% -5.33%
1997 0.47% -5.19%
1996 -0.11% -4.74%
1995 -1.91% -3.32%
1994 -1.57% -2.2%
1993 -0.41% -0.35%
1992 -1.98% -4.55%
1991 -2.25% 3.23%
1990 -2.37% 1.03%
1989 0.89% -2.87%
1988 - 8.4%
1987 - 2.37%
1986 - 5.72%
1985 - 6.36%
1984 - 15.2%
1983 - 9.35%
1982 - 0.36%
1981 - 0.61%
1980 - -1.95%
1979 - 0%
1978 - 0%
1977 - 0.23%
1976 - 0.66%
1975 - 0.41%
1974 - 0.51%
1973 - 1.53%
1972 - 1.21%
1971 - 0.89%
1970 - 0.52%
1969 - 0.93%
1968 - 1.65%
1967 - 1.23%
1966 - 0.91%
1965 - -1.29%
1964 - -3.11%
1963 - -1.61%
1962 - -4.86%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/romania | 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 Romania's deficit of $33.2B, or 8.68% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Romania ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.53% of GDP for Romania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Romania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Romania
2024 1.2% 5.6%
2023 2.7% 10.4%
2022 1.4% 13.8%
2021 1.7% 5%
2020 3% 2.6%
2019 -0.9% 3.8%
2018 0.8% 4.6%
2017 1.8% 1.3%
2016 -0.8% -1.6%
2015 0.2% -0.6%
2014 -0.6% 1.1%
2013 0.4% 4%
2012 6.7% 3.3%
2011 2.7% 5.8%
2010 2.1% 6.1%
2009 0.9% 5.6%
2008 7.4% 7.8%
2007 1.3% 4.8%
2006 3.8% 6.6%
2005 5.4% 9%
2004 0.9% 11.9%
2003 1.5% 15.4%
2002 2.4% 22.5%
2001 4% 34.5%
2000 4.2% 45.7%
1999 0.3% 45.8%
1998 5.8% 59.1%
1997 3.8% 154.8%

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

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

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 17.5% in Romania. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 5.6% in Romania.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $359K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $110K
Romania
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $374K
Wood & paper products $252K
Raw materials & minerals $229K
Textiles & consumer goods $179K
Chemicals & pharma $97K
Metals $63K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Romania
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$31.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
185/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-8.16%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$129B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$93.3B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$30.2B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$42.9B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
41.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
35.6%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Romania
Economic freedom 60 65.4
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 64/197
Property rights 46.4 81
Government integrity 44.1 50
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 67
Tax burden 69.4 89.1
Government spending 89.1 56.7
Fiscal health 65.4 21.4
Business freedom 53.3 74.4
Labor freedom 60.2 63.6
Monetary freedom 82.1 72.7
Trade freedom 62.6 79.4
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Romania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Romania
2026 60 65.4
2025 58.5 66.5
2024 57.7 64.4
2023 59.8 64.5
2022 61 67.1
2021 59.6 69.5
2020 55.2 69.7
2019 55.3 68.6
2018 56.7 69.4
2017 59.2 69.7
2016 59.3 65.6
2015 58.8 66.6
2014 57.1 65.5
2013 57.6 65.1
2012 55.7 64.4
2011 56 64.7
2010 55.4 64.2
2009 55.4 63.2
2008 55.2 61.7
2007 55.1 61.2
2006 54 58.2
2005 52.3 52.1
2004 54.6 50
2003 54.9 50.6
2002 57.3 48.7
2001 60.1 50
2000 61.5 52.1
1999 60.6 50.1
1998 61.7 54.4
1997 61.3 50.8
1996 54.5 46.2
1995 - 42.9

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 65.4 for Romania, ranking 64/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Romania
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
62.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
25.3%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
2.81%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$335B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$47,920
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$73.4B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
35/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$5.17B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$7.16B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$1.99B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
19%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
25%
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/romania | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1962–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2022–2024, 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.