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Economy of Benin vs Samoa compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $1.18B for Samoa, ranking 126/197 and 185/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $296M (25.2% of GDP) in Samoa.

Benin vs Samoa GDP by year

Benin
Samoa
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Samoa
2024 $21,482,643,706 $1,175,749,786
2023 $19,673,291,004 $1,044,909,500
2022 $17,425,405,091 $889,554,712
2021 $17,687,623,530 $859,724,936
2020 $15,686,741,884 $868,884,903
2019 $14,391,686,313 $912,950,466
2018 $14,262,408,090 $878,448,433
2017 $12,701,655,837 $884,844,384
2016 $11,821,065,853 $843,924,797
2015 $11,388,160,997 $824,150,499
2014 $13,284,527,847 $796,683,520
2013 $12,517,845,124 $797,736,334
2012 $11,141,358,116 $773,141,661
2011 $10,693,321,364 $744,097,050
2010 $9,535,345,016 $680,260,907
2009 $9,738,626,517 $628,006,115
2008 $9,787,734,526 $641,346,192
2007 $8,169,048,383 $573,548,460
2006 $7,034,111,315 $499,923,758
2005 $6,567,654,954 $476,801,793
2004 $6,190,270,380 $407,747,565
2003 $5,349,258,094 $333,426,188
2002 $4,194,342,686 $281,790,134
2001 $3,666,222,635 $266,299,591
2000 $3,519,991,440 $258,856,140
1999 $3,677,393,999 $255,408,060
1998 $2,455,092,686 $269,485,244
1997 $2,268,301,646 $285,475,592
1996 $2,361,116,449 $249,907,869
1995 $2,169,627,138 $224,865,731
1994 $1,598,075,944 $221,098,107
1993 $2,274,558,083 $133,122,897
1992 $1,695,315,306 $132,303,041
1991 $1,986,437,797 $125,597,205
1990 $1,959,965,330 $125,766,270
1989 $1,502,294,416 $122,888,610
1988 $1,620,246,084 $133,016,065
1987 $1,562,412,228 $111,713,922
1986 $1,336,102,025 $100,947,849
1985 $1,045,712,789 $95,572,173
1984 $1,051,134,009 $109,200,934
1983 $1,095,348,199 $111,862,824
1982 $1,267,778,670 $121,221,652
1981 $1,291,120,188 $118,190,655
1980 $1,405,251,847 $125,747,038
1979 $1,186,231,020 $122,257,393
1978 $928,843,469 $108,223,444
1977 $750,049,779 $98,295,671
1976 $698,408,262 $85,003,078
1975 $676,870,140 $93,489,283
1974 $554,654,861 $93,549,611
1973 $504,376,074 $82,452,985
1972 $410,331,857 $62,566,116
1971 $335,073,028 $53,719,569
1970 $333,627,713 $45,208,338
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/samoa | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Samoa by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Samoa
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Samoa
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $5,393 $8,737
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $4,823 $8,195
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $4,132 $6,909
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $4,022 $6,350
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $4,100 $6,451
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $4,352 $6,638
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $4,232 $6,318
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $4,308 $6,280
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $4,147 $6,141
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $4,084 $5,682
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $3,983 $5,468
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $4,024 $5,387
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $3,935 $5,339
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $3,822 $5,494
2010 $973 $2,220 $3,524 $5,229
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $3,279 $4,906
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $3,374 $4,939
2007 $912 $2,136 $3,039 $4,713
2006 $809 $2,021 $2,663 $4,592
2005 $779 $1,946 $2,550 $4,379
2004 $759 $1,915 $2,189 $3,997
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,798 $3,792
2002 $546 $1,800 $1,528 $3,553
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,454 $3,335
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,425 $3,062
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,417 $2,871
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,506 $2,792
1997 $345 $1,508 $1,608 $2,722
1996 $369 $1,444 $1,419 $2,681
1995 $348 $1,395 $1,288 $2,478
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,277 $2,294
1993 $387 $1,311 $775 $2,323
1992 $302 $1,265 $777 $2,198
1991 $365 $1,239 $742 $2,166
1990 $371 $1,186 $744 $2,148
1989 $293.3 - $728 -
1988 $326 - $790 -
1987 $324 - $666 -
1986 $285.8 - $604 -
1985 $230.4 - $573 -
1984 $238.6 - $655 -
1983 $256 - $671 -
1982 $305 - $728 -
1981 $320 - $713 -
1980 $358 - $765 -
1979 $311 - $751 -
1978 $249.8 - $671 -
1977 $207 - $615 -
1976 $197.7 - $541 -
1975 $196.5 - $610 -
1974 $164.9 - $626 -
1973 $153.6 - $563 -
1972 $127.9 - $433 -
1971 $106.9 - $377 -
1970 $108.8 - $322 -
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/samoa | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $5,393 in Samoa, ranking 117/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Samoa ranks 137th at $8,737.

Economic indicators

Benin Samoa
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$1.18B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
185/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.75%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$5,393
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
117/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$8,737
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
137/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$296M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
25.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$1,357
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
135/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$3,750
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
31.3%
2013
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.7%
2013
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
26.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.17%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
0.37%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
5.05%
2022
Population
15272847
220932

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Samoa
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Samoa
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 26.3% 25.2%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 28.8% 31.8%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 31.1% 41%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 34.1% 45.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 30.5% 43.2%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 31.8% 44.3%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 30% 49.4%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 30.9% 46.7%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 27.3% 49%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 30.5% 56.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 35.3% 54.9%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 30.7% 54.1%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 33.6% 50.9%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 33.7% 41.5%
2010 14.1% 21% 29.4% 40.3%
2009 17% 18.7% 31.5% 33.3%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 27.7% 28.2%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 31.1% 31.5%
2006 13% 8.37% 27.7% 33.5%
2005 14.1% 27% 30.6% 34.2%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 27.3% 39.8%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 28.5% 42.8%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 30.7% 50.3%
2001 15.4% 38% 30% 53.8%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 30.4% 55.8%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 33.8% 59.4%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 28.1% 58.9%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 31% -
1996 13.3% 43.4% 38.9% -
1995 14.8% 48.3% 42.2% -
1994 13.6% 64.6% 54.1% -
1993 12% 41.9% 49.5% -
1992 13.5% 41.8% 43.4% -
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/samoa | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Samoa spent $310M, or 26.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 25.2% in Samoa, ranking 99/185 and 165/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Samoa
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Samoa
2024 -3.06% 9.29%
2023 -4.13% 2.7%
2022 -5.55% 5.03%
2021 -5.71% 1.71%
2020 -4.68% 5.41%
2019 -0.53% 1.51%
2018 -2.96% 0.06%
2017 -4.18% -1.98%
2016 -4.29% -0.35%
2015 -5.55% -3.79%
2014 -1.65% -5.38%
2013 -1.37% -3.82%
2012 -0.22% -7.43%
2011 -0.98% -5.25%
2010 -0.28% -5.49%
2009 -2.24% -2.98%
2008 -0.04% -0.36%
2007 0.22% 0.55%
2006 -0.15% -0.44%
2005 -1.52% 0.23%
2004 -0.7% -0.74%
2003 -1.07% -0.51%
2002 -3.33% -1.77%
2001 -3.27% -1.96%
2000 -3.69% -0.62%
1999 1.94% 0.27%
1998 1.83% 1.64%
1997 0.47% 1.92%
1996 -0.11% 1.21%
1995 -1.91% -5.82%
1994 -1.57% -9.51%
1993 -0.41% -13.2%
1992 -1.98% -9.89%
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/samoa | 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 Samoa's surplus of $109M, or 9.29% of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of those years, while Samoa ran a deficit in 20 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.9% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.51% of GDP for Samoa.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Samoa
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Samoa
2024 1.2% 2.17%
2023 2.7% 7.92%
2022 1.4% 11%
2021 1.7% 3.13%
2020 3% -1.57%
2019 -0.9% 0.98%
2018 0.8% 4.2%
2017 1.8% 1.75%
2016 -0.8% 1.3%
2015 0.2% 0.72%
2014 -0.6% -0.41%
2013 0.4% 0.61%
2012 6.7% 2.05%
2011 2.7% 5.24%
2010 2.1% 0.78%
2009 0.9% 6.32%
2008 7.4% 11.6%
2007 1.3% 5.58%
2006 3.8% 3.7%
2005 5.4% 1.86%
2004 0.9% 16.3%
2003 1.5% 0.12%
2002 2.4% 8.05%
2001 4% 3.84%
2000 4.2% 0.97%
1999 0.3% 0.27%
1998 5.8% 2.22%
1997 3.8% 6.86%

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/samoa | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 3.84% in Samoa. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.17% in Samoa.

Balance of trade

Benin Samoa
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$65.6M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
72/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+5.58%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$448M
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$42.2M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$128M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$327M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
48.9%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
30.7%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Samoa
Economic freedom 60 68
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 52/197
Property rights 46.4 77.1
Government integrity 44.1 64.1
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 77.6
Tax burden 69.4 79.3
Government spending 89.1 75.2
Fiscal health 65.4 98.7
Business freedom 53.3 63.7
Labor freedom 60.2 73.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 69.4
Trade freedom 62.6 67.2
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Samoa
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Samoa
2026 60 68
2025 58.5 66.6
2024 57.7 67.2
2023 59.8 68.3
2022 61 68.3
2021 59.6 61.9
2020 55.2 62.1
2019 55.3 62.2
2018 56.7 61.5
2017 59.2 58.4
2016 59.3 63.5
2015 58.8 61.9
2014 57.1 61.1
2013 57.6 57.1
2012 55.7 60.5
2011 56 60.6
2010 55.4 60.4
2009 55.4 59.5
2008 55.2 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 54 -
2005 52.3 -
2004 54.6 -
2003 54.9 -
2002 57.3 -
2001 60.1 63.1
2000 61.5 60.8
1999 60.6 58.7
1998 61.7 49.9
1997 61.3 51.5
1996 54.5 47.6

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 68 for Samoa, ranking 52/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Samoa
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
69.4%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
10.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
9.8%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$1.1B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$8,620
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$508M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
155/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$1.69M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$3.74M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$2.05M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
3.15%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
21.9%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
29%
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/samoa | 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. 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.