Skip to content

Economy of Benin vs Sierra Leone compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $6.97B for Sierra Leone, ranking 126/197 and 160/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $2.91B (41.7% of GDP) in Sierra Leone.

Benin vs Sierra Leone GDP by year

Benin
Sierra Leone
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Sierra Leone
2024 $21,482,643,706 $6,971,127,235
2023 $19,673,291,004 $6,415,852,767
2022 $17,425,405,091 $7,121,125,278
2021 $17,687,623,530 $7,166,931,485
2020 $15,686,741,884 $6,688,307,703
2019 $14,391,686,313 $6,523,577,594
2018 $14,262,408,090 $6,390,514,689
2017 $12,701,655,837 $5,749,846,528
2016 $11,821,065,853 $6,084,297,211
2015 $11,388,160,997 $6,788,352,975
2014 $13,284,527,847 $7,686,138,791
2013 $12,517,845,124 $7,502,762,863
2012 $11,141,358,116 $6,141,666,509
2011 $10,693,321,364 $4,861,632,885
2010 $9,535,345,016 $4,262,805,967
2009 $9,738,626,517 $3,953,403,098
2008 $9,787,734,526 $4,157,895,298
2007 $8,169,048,383 $3,632,957,611
2006 $7,034,111,315 $3,263,697,467
2005 $6,567,654,954 $2,545,275,313
2004 $6,190,270,380 $2,237,350,687
2003 $5,349,258,094 $2,142,618,046
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,933,863,911
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,681,473,894
2000 $3,519,991,440 $635,866,404
1999 $3,677,393,999 $669,386,624
1998 $2,455,092,686 $672,368,187
1997 $2,268,301,646 $850,232,760
1996 $2,361,116,449 $941,709,423
1995 $2,169,627,138 $870,740,292
1994 $1,598,075,944 $911,853,802
1993 $2,274,558,083 $768,867,883
1992 $1,695,315,306 $679,940,814
1991 $1,986,437,797 $779,981,987
1990 $1,959,965,330 $649,644,098
1989 $1,502,294,416 $932,974,420
1988 $1,620,246,084 $1,055,083,933
1987 $1,562,412,228 $660,106,336
1986 $1,336,102,025 $490,181,457
1985 $1,045,712,789 $856,890,459
1984 $1,051,134,009 $1,087,471,862
1983 $1,095,348,199 $995,104,305
1982 $1,267,778,670 $1,295,361,886
1981 $1,291,120,188 $1,114,830,472
1980 $1,405,251,847 $1,100,685,845
1979 $1,186,231,020 $1,109,374,911
1978 $928,843,469 $960,728,339
1977 $750,049,779 $691,777,584
1976 $698,408,262 $594,895,942
1975 $676,870,140 $679,336,344
1974 $554,654,861 $648,590,643
1973 $504,376,074 $575,230,724
1972 $410,331,857 $465,381,340
1971 $335,073,028 $419,549,305
1970 $333,627,713 $434,410,974
1969 $330,748,245 $408,690,163
1968 $326,323,105 $329,859,732
1967 $306,221,953 $348,795,303
1966 $302,925,235 $375,479,850
1965 $289,908,680 $359,379,856
1964 $269,819,006 $371,847,461
1963 $253,927,697 $348,547,279
1962 $236,434,954 $342,721,416
1961 $235,668,221 $327,834,191
1960 $226,195,578 $322,009,962

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/sierra-leone | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Sierra Leone by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sierra Leone
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Sierra Leone
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $807 $3,522
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $758 $3,368
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $860 $3,144
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $885 $2,849
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $845 $2,719
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $844 $2,704
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $846 $2,640
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $779 $2,501
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $844 $2,635
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $965 $2,560
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,118 $2,762
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,117 $2,701
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $938 $2,317
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $761 $2,043
2010 $973 $2,220 $685 $1,900
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $653 $1,814
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $705 $1,824
2007 $912 $2,136 $632 $1,770
2006 $809 $2,021 $580 $1,698
2005 $779 $1,946 $463 $1,615
2004 $759 $1,915 $418 $1,541
2003 $676 $1,842 $414 $1,458
2002 $546 $1,800 $389 $1,360
2001 $492 $1,746 $358 $1,121
2000 $487 $1,671 $143.7 $1,242
1999 $525 $1,592 $155 $1,167
1998 $362 $1,537 $156.5 $1,180
1997 $345 $1,508 $199.9 $1,157
1996 $369 $1,444 $224.3 $1,225
1995 $348 $1,395 $208.4 $1,187
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $218.5 $1,266
1993 $387 $1,311 $185 $1,269
1992 $302 $1,265 $163.2 $1,220
1991 $365 $1,239 $183.7 $1,445
1990 $371 $1,186 $154.8 $1,382
1989 $293.3 - $231.3 -
1988 $326 - $268.2 -
1987 $324 - $172.4 -
1986 $285.8 - $131.5 -
1985 $230.4 - $235.5 -
1984 $238.6 - $306 -
1983 $256 - $285.8 -
1982 $305 - $380 -
1981 $320 - $334 -
1980 $358 - $336 -
1979 $311 - $346 -
1978 $249.8 - $305 -
1977 $207 - $224.2 -
1976 $197.7 - $196.4 -
1975 $196.5 - $228.4 -
1974 $164.9 - $222.1 -
1973 $153.6 - $200.6 -
1972 $127.9 - $165.4 -
1971 $106.9 - $151.8 -
1970 $108.8 - $160.2 -
1969 $110.3 - $153.6 -
1968 $111.2 - $126.3 -
1967 $106.6 - $136.1 -
1966 $107.6 - $149.3 -
1965 $105.1 - $145.6 -
1964 $99.8 - $153.4 -
1963 $95.7 - $146.3 -
1962 $90.8 - $146.3 -
1961 $92.1 - $142.3 -
1960 $89.9 - $142 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/sierra-leone | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $807 in Sierra Leone, ranking 186/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Sierra Leone ranks 171st at $3,522.

Economic indicators

Benin Sierra Leone
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$6.97B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
160/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.29%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$807
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
186/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,522
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
171/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$2.91B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
41.7%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$337
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
174/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$2,915
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
29.4%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.4%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
15.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
28.4%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
18.8%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
3.19%
2018
Population
15272847
9049533

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Sierra Leone
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Sierra Leone
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 15.6% 41.7%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 15.4% 49.5%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 16.7% 54%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 16.8% 47.1%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 15.6% 46.4%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 13.3% 45.3%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 13.7% 44.2%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 15% 44.2%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 14.9% 38.9%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 13.1% 28.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 13.5% 26.8%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 11.4% 22.3%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 13.5% 24.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 13.2% 25.8%
2010 14.1% 21% 12.5% 28.9%
2009 17% 18.7% 11.3% 31.1%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 10.3% 46.1%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 8.1% 26.4%
2006 13% 8.37% 9.97% 61.9%
2005 14.1% 27% 10.9% 78.9%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 11.1% 93.2%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 11.7% 99.8%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 12.6% 99.8%
2001 15.4% 38% 12% 113.5%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 10.3% -
1999 10.7% 39.4% - -
1998 10.9% 39.2% - -
1997 12.7% 42.9% - -
1996 13.3% 43.4% - -
1995 14.8% 48.3% - -
1994 13.6% 64.6% - -
1993 12% 41.9% - -
1992 13.5% 41.8% - -
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/sierra-leone | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Sierra Leone spent $1.09B, or 15.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 41.7% in Sierra Leone, ranking 99/185 and 128/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Sierra Leone
2024 -3.06% -4.53%
2023 -4.13% -4.99%
2022 -5.55% -5.93%
2021 -5.71% -4.35%
2020 -4.68% -3.5%
2019 -0.53% -1.95%
2018 -2.96% -3.57%
2017 -4.18% -5.61%
2016 -4.29% -5.41%
2015 -5.55% -2.86%
2014 -1.65% -2.77%
2013 -1.37% -1.74%
2012 -0.22% -3.41%
2011 -0.98% -2.78%
2010 -0.28% -3.09%
2009 -2.24% -1.51%
2008 -0.04% -2.22%
2007 0.22% 12.6%
2006 -0.15% -0.93%
2005 -1.52% -1.17%
2004 -0.7% -1.46%
2003 -1.07% -2.78%
2002 -3.33% -3.03%
2001 -3.27% -3.22%
2000 -3.69% -1.94%
1999 1.94% -
1998 1.83% -
1997 0.47% -
1996 -0.11% -
1995 -1.91% -
1994 -1.57% -
1993 -0.41% -
1992 -1.98% -
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/sierra-leone | 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 Sierra Leone's deficit of $316M, or 4.53% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 24 of those years, while Sierra Leone ran a deficit in 24 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.44% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.49% of GDP for Sierra Leone.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Sierra Leone
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Sierra Leone
2024 1.2% 28.4%
2023 2.7% 47.7%
2022 1.4% 27.2%
2021 1.7% 11.9%
2020 3% 13.4%
2019 -0.9% 14.8%
2018 0.8% 16%
2017 1.8% 18.2%
2016 -0.8% 10.9%
2015 0.2% 6.7%
2014 -0.6% 4.6%
2013 0.4% 5.5%
2012 6.7% 6.6%
2011 2.7% 6.8%
2010 2.1% 7.2%
2009 0.9% 7.5%
2008 7.4% 8.2%
2007 1.3% 17%
2006 3.8% 10.5%
2005 5.4% 13.7%
2004 0.9% 12.9%
2003 1.5% 4%
2002 2.4% 0.1%
2001 4% 2.6%
2000 4.2% -0.9%
1999 0.3% 34.1%
1998 5.8% 36%
1997 3.8% 14.6%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/sierra-leone | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 13.8% in Sierra Leone. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 28.4% in Sierra Leone.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Metals $72K
Raw agricultural goods $30K
Machinery & equipment $26K
Textiles & consumer goods $7K
Raw materials & minerals $5K
Chemicals & pharma $1K
Sierra Leone
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $3.21M

Balance of trade

Benin Sierra Leone
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$606M
2023
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
109/190
2023
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-9.45%
2023
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$1.92B
2023
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$1.34B
2023
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$348M
2023
Service exports
$461M
2023
$42.5M
2023
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
23.3%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
17.3%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Sierra Leone
Economic freedom 60 49.6
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 165/197
Property rights 46.4 32.9
Government integrity 44.1 35.8
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 42
Tax burden 69.4 88.2
Government spending 89.1 92.4
Fiscal health 65.4 54.1
Business freedom 53.3 44.8
Labor freedom 60.2 38.2
Monetary freedom 82.1 53.6
Trade freedom 62.6 63.6
Investment freedom 50 30
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Sierra Leone
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Sierra Leone
2026 60 49.6
2025 58.5 48
2024 57.7 44.6
2023 59.8 50.2
2022 61 52
2021 59.6 51.7
2020 55.2 48
2019 55.3 47.5
2018 56.7 51.8
2017 59.2 52.6
2016 59.3 52.3
2015 58.8 51.7
2014 57.1 50.5
2013 57.6 48.3
2012 55.7 49.1
2011 56 49.6
2010 55.4 47.9
2009 55.4 47.8
2008 55.2 48.3
2007 55.1 47
2006 54 45.2
2005 52.3 44.8
2004 54.6 43.6
2003 54.9 42.2
2002 57.3 -
2001 60.1 -
2000 61.5 44.2
1999 60.6 47.2
1998 61.7 47.7
1997 61.3 45
1996 54.5 52.3
1995 - 49.8

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/sierra-leone | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 49.6 for Sierra Leone, ranking 165/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Sierra Leone
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
42.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
25.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
29.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$7.08B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$3,490
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$433M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
160/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$241M
2023
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$122M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
2.22%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
56.8%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
20.5%
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/sierra-leone | 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 (1995–2026, 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 (2018–2023, 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.