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Economy of Benin vs Rwanda compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $14.3B for Rwanda, ranking 126/197 and 144/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $9.58B (67.2% of GDP) in Rwanda.

Benin vs Rwanda GDP by year

Benin
Rwanda
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Rwanda
2024 $21,482,643,706 $14,251,642,235
2023 $19,673,291,004 $14,331,722,703
2022 $17,425,405,091 $13,316,161,002
2021 $17,687,623,530 $11,078,787,090
2020 $15,686,741,884 $10,174,386,857
2019 $14,391,686,313 $10,349,300,277
2018 $14,262,408,090 $9,637,904,521
2017 $12,701,655,837 $9,252,833,891
2016 $11,821,065,853 $8,695,272,058
2015 $11,388,160,997 $8,543,760,200
2014 $13,284,527,847 $8,238,966,124
2013 $12,517,845,124 $7,819,964,030
2012 $11,141,358,116 $7,654,761,050
2011 $10,693,321,364 $6,884,913,658
2010 $9,535,345,016 $6,124,756,654
2009 $9,738,626,517 $5,674,476,969
2008 $9,787,734,526 $5,179,854,065
2007 $8,169,048,383 $4,070,507,895
2006 $7,034,111,315 $3,319,784,539
2005 $6,567,654,954 $2,933,819,766
2004 $6,190,270,380 $2,376,496,067
2003 $5,349,258,094 $2,138,237,279
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,966,003,468
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,966,600,715
2000 $3,519,991,440 $2,068,836,754
1999 $3,677,393,999 $2,157,108,263
1998 $2,455,092,686 $1,989,343,546
1997 $2,268,301,646 $1,851,558,197
1996 $2,361,116,449 $1,382,334,879
1995 $2,169,627,138 $1,293,535,193
1994 $1,598,075,944 $753,636,370
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,971,525,712
1992 $1,695,315,306 $2,029,026,962
1991 $1,986,437,797 $1,911,600,237
1990 $1,959,965,330 $2,550,185,679
1989 $1,502,294,416 $2,405,022,593
1988 $1,620,246,084 $2,395,492,687
1987 $1,562,412,228 $2,157,432,668
1986 $1,336,102,025 $1,944,710,684
1985 $1,045,712,789 $1,715,626,331
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,587,413,084
1983 $1,095,348,199 $1,479,687,587
1982 $1,267,778,670 $1,407,243,139
1981 $1,291,120,188 $1,407,062,527
1980 $1,405,251,847 $1,254,765,642
1979 $1,186,231,020 $1,109,346,131
1978 $928,843,469 $905,709,076
1977 $750,049,779 $746,650,613
1976 $698,408,262 $637,753,853
1975 $676,870,140 $571,863,500
1974 $554,654,861 $308,458,423
1973 $504,376,074 $290,746,157
1972 $410,331,857 $246,457,838
1971 $335,073,028 $222,952,504
1970 $333,627,713 $219,900,006
1969 $330,748,245 $188,700,037
1968 $326,323,105 $172,200,018
1967 $306,221,953 $159,560,018
1966 $302,925,235 $124,525,703
1965 $289,908,680 $148,799,980
1964 $269,819,006 $129,999,994
1963 $253,927,697 $128,000,000
1962 $236,434,954 $125,000,008
1961 $235,668,221 $122,000,016
1960 $226,195,578 $119,000,024

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Rwanda by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Rwanda
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Rwanda
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $975 $3,099
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $830 $2,733
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $779 $2,285
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $810 $2,336
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $772 $2,125
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $758 $1,968
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $730 $1,866
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $734 $1,781
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $725 $1,678
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $705 $1,512
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $707 $1,455
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $651 $1,413
2010 $973 $2,220 $594 $1,314
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $564 $1,241
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $528 $1,191
2007 $912 $2,136 $426 $1,079
2006 $809 $2,021 $357 $1,002
2005 $779 $1,946 $324 $914
2004 $759 $1,915 $269.5 $832
2003 $676 $1,842 $249 $775
2002 $546 $1,800 $234 $760
2001 $492 $1,746 $237.3 $670
2000 $487 $1,671 $251.9 $609
1999 $525 $1,592 $264.7 $554
1998 $362 $1,537 $246.2 $528
1997 $345 $1,508 $238.7 $500
1996 $369 $1,444 $206 $499
1995 $348 $1,395 $228 $514
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $111 $311
1993 $387 $1,311 $247 $521
1992 $302 $1,265 $264.1 $575
1991 $365 $1,239 $254 $542
1990 $371 $1,186 $346 $549
1989 $293.3 - $335 -
1988 $326 - $344 -
1987 $324 - $320 -
1986 $285.8 - $297.7 -
1985 $230.4 - $271.6 -
1984 $238.6 - $259.9 -
1983 $256 - $250.6 -
1982 $305 - $246.4 -
1981 $320 - $254.6 -
1980 $358 - $234.4 -
1979 $311 - $213.8 -
1978 $249.8 - $179.9 -
1977 $207 - $152.7 -
1976 $197.7 - $134.4 -
1975 $196.5 - $124.1 -
1974 $164.9 - $68.9 -
1973 $153.6 - $66.9 -
1972 $127.9 - $58.4 -
1971 $106.9 - $54.4 -
1970 $108.8 - $55.2 -
1969 $110.3 - $48.9 -
1968 $111.2 - $46 -
1967 $106.6 - $44 -
1966 $107.6 - $35.4 -
1965 $105.1 - $43.5 -
1964 $99.8 - $39 -
1963 $95.7 - $39.3 -
1962 $90.8 - $39.2 -
1961 $92.1 - $39.3 -
1960 $89.9 - $39.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $1,000 in Rwanda, ranking 178/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Rwanda ranks 168th at $3,711.

Economic indicators

Benin Rwanda
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$14.3B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
144/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
8.89%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$1,000
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
178/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,711
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
168/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$9.58B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
67.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$672
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
157/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$2,194
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.75B
2024
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
33.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
28.8%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
1.77%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
11.3%
2024
Population
15272847
14975051

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Rwanda
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Rwanda
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 28.8% 67.2%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 27% 63.4%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 29.7% 60.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 31.6% 67.3%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 33.5% 68.7%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 28.2% 53.6%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 26.4% 49.2%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 25.1% 45.6%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 25.1% 41.1%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 26.6% 33.1%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 27.5% 29.1%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 26.2% 26.7%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 24.6% 19.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 24.7% 18.7%
2010 14.1% 21% 23.8% 18.8%
2009 17% 18.7% 22.3% 18.5%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 22.5% 18.3%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 22.4% 22.1%
2006 13% 8.37% 20.6% 22.5%
2005 14.1% 27% 19.9% 58.9%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 17.9% 80.9%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 18.5% 79.5%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 20.5% 92%
2001 15.4% 38% 19.1% 84%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 18.2% 86%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 22.4% 78.4%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 16.4% 70.1%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 17% 72.2%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 19.5% 83.4%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 18% 100.8%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 13.3% -
1993 12% 41.9% 20.3% -
1992 13.5% 41.8% 21.5% -
1991 12.6% 44% - -
1990 13.3% 45.3% - -
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/rwanda | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Rwanda spent $4.1B, or 28.8% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 67.2% in Rwanda, ranking 99/185 and 65/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Rwanda
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Rwanda
2024 -3.06% -6.57%
2023 -4.13% -5.04%
2022 -5.55% -5.74%
2021 -5.71% -7%
2020 -4.68% -9.54%
2019 -0.53% -5.08%
2018 -2.96% -2.57%
2017 -4.18% -2.52%
2016 -4.29% -2.27%
2015 -5.55% -2.68%
2014 -1.65% -3.92%
2013 -1.37% -1.27%
2012 -0.22% -2.38%
2011 -0.98% -0.86%
2010 -0.28% -0.64%
2009 -2.24% 0.26%
2008 -0.04% 0.83%
2007 0.22% -1.56%
2006 -0.15% -0.03%
2005 -1.52% 1.12%
2004 -0.7% 2.27%
2003 -1.07% -1.23%
2002 -3.33% -2.03%
2001 -3.27% -1.8%
2000 -3.69% -0.22%
1999 1.94% -4.41%
1998 1.83% -2.59%
1997 0.47% -2.22%
1996 -0.11% -5.01%
1995 -1.91% -2.04%
1994 -1.57% -9.54%
1993 -0.41% -6.6%
1992 -1.98% -7.21%
1991 -2.25% -
1990 -2.37% -
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/rwanda | 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 Rwanda's deficit of $936M, or 6.57% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Rwanda ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 3.03% of GDP for Rwanda.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Rwanda
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Rwanda
2024 1.2% 1.77%
2023 2.7% 19.8%
2022 1.4% 17.7%
2021 1.7% -0.39%
2020 3% 9.85%
2019 -0.9% 3.35%
2018 0.8% -0.31%
2017 1.8% 8.28%
2016 -0.8% 7.17%
2015 0.2% 2.53%
2014 -0.6% 2.35%
2013 0.4% 5.92%
2012 6.7% 10.3%
2011 2.7% 3.08%
2010 2.1% -0.25%
2009 0.9% 12.9%
2008 7.4% 15.4%
2007 1.3% 9.08%
2006 3.8% 8.88%
2005 5.4% 9.01%
2004 0.9% 12.3%
2003 1.5% 7.45%
2002 2.4% 1.99%
2001 4% 3.34%
2000 4.2% 3.9%
1999 0.3% -2.41%
1998 5.8% 6.21%
1997 3.8% 12%

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/rwanda | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 6.83% in Rwanda. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 1.77% in Rwanda.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $12K
Machinery & equipment $10K
Chemicals & pharma $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Rwanda
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $8K
Raw agricultural goods $4K
Textiles & consumer goods $4K
Machinery & equipment $2K
Wood & paper products $2K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Rwanda
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$1.81B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
140/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-12.7%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$5.55B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$3.2B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$991M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$1.08B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
39.1%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
30.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Rwanda
Economic freedom 60 56.5
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 121/197
Property rights 46.4 60.3
Government integrity 44.1 53.9
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 27.5
Tax burden 69.4 80.6
Government spending 89.1 75.7
Fiscal health 65.4 37.5
Business freedom 53.3 60.1
Labor freedom 60.2 49.1
Monetary freedom 82.1 72.3
Trade freedom 62.6 61.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Rwanda
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Rwanda
2026 60 56.5
2025 58.5 54.8
2024 57.7 51.6
2023 59.8 52.2
2022 61 57.1
2021 59.6 68.3
2020 55.2 70.9
2019 55.3 71.1
2018 56.7 69.1
2017 59.2 67.6
2016 59.3 63.1
2015 58.8 64.8
2014 57.1 64.7
2013 57.6 64.1
2012 55.7 64.9
2011 56 62.7
2010 55.4 59.1
2009 55.4 54.2
2008 55.2 54.2
2007 55.1 52.4
2006 54 52.8
2005 52.3 51.7
2004 54.6 53.3
2003 54.9 47.8
2002 57.3 50.4
2001 60.1 45.4
2000 61.5 42.3
1999 60.6 39.8
1998 61.7 39.1
1997 61.3 38.3
1996 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 56.5 for Rwanda, ranking 121/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Rwanda
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
47.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
21%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
24.6%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$14.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$3,620
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$2.41B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
123/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$560M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$573M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$13.2M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
3.09%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
27.4%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
25.9%
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/rwanda | 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.