Skip to content

Economy of Benin vs Singapore compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $547B for Singapore, ranking 126/197 and 28/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $950B (173.5% of GDP) in Singapore.

Benin vs Singapore GDP by year

Benin
Singapore
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Singapore
2024 $21,482,643,706 $547,386,645,892
2023 $19,673,291,004 $505,439,514,078
2022 $17,425,405,091 $509,017,841,147
2021 $17,687,623,530 $436,591,382,250
2020 $15,686,741,884 $349,165,858,545
2019 $14,391,686,313 $376,161,998,830
2018 $14,262,408,090 $377,123,710,561
2017 $12,701,655,837 $343,673,334,902
2016 $11,821,065,853 $319,646,468,521
2015 $11,388,160,997 $307,998,545,269
2014 $13,284,527,847 $314,863,580,758
2013 $12,517,845,124 $307,576,360,585
2012 $11,141,358,116 $295,092,888,077
2011 $10,693,321,364 $279,356,499,090
2010 $9,535,345,016 $239,807,980,591
2009 $9,738,626,517 $194,150,283,772
2008 $9,787,734,526 $193,617,323,539
2007 $8,169,048,383 $180,941,701,358
2006 $7,034,111,315 $148,627,286,361
2005 $6,567,654,954 $127,807,848,728
2004 $6,190,270,380 $115,033,593,101
2003 $5,349,258,094 $97,646,401,096
2002 $4,194,342,686 $92,538,372,870
2001 $3,666,222,635 $89,793,790,670
2000 $3,519,991,440 $96,076,539,926
1999 $3,677,393,999 $86,286,849,755
1998 $2,455,092,686 $85,728,207,782
1997 $2,268,301,646 $100,123,787,215
1996 $2,361,116,449 $96,293,086,513
1995 $2,169,627,138 $87,812,540,788
1994 $1,598,075,944 $73,688,724,431
1993 $2,274,558,083 $60,603,815,716
1992 $1,695,315,306 $52,131,320,033
1991 $1,986,437,797 $45,466,164,978
1990 $1,959,965,330 $36,144,336,769
1989 $1,502,294,416 $30,465,364,739
1988 $1,620,246,084 $25,371,462,488
1987 $1,562,412,228 $20,919,215,578
1986 $1,336,102,025 $18,586,746,057
1985 $1,045,712,789 $19,156,532,746
1984 $1,051,134,009 $19,749,361,098
1983 $1,095,348,199 $17,784,112,150
1982 $1,267,778,670 $16,084,252,378
1981 $1,291,120,188 $14,175,228,844
1980 $1,405,251,847 $11,896,256,783
1979 $1,186,231,020 $9,296,921,724
1978 $928,843,469 $7,517,176,355
1977 $750,049,779 $6,618,585,074
1976 $698,408,262 $6,327,077,974
1975 $676,870,140 $5,633,673,930
1974 $554,654,861 $5,221,534,956
1973 $504,376,074 $3,696,213,333
1972 $410,331,857 $2,721,440,981
1971 $335,073,028 $2,263,785,444
1970 $333,627,713 $1,920,574,150
1969 $330,748,245 $1,659,893,768
1968 $326,323,105 $1,425,706,091
1967 $306,221,953 $1,238,035,816
1966 $302,925,235 $1,096,425,608
1965 $289,908,680 $974,644,096
1964 $269,819,006 $894,153,311
1963 $253,927,697 $917,608,012
1962 $236,434,954 $826,239,212
1961 $235,668,221 $764,629,788
1960 $226,195,578 $704,751,700

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Singapore by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Singapore
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Singapore
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $90,674 $150,689
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $85,412 $143,786
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $90,299 $143,095
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $80,056 $132,617
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $61,410 $101,518
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $65,952 $105,335
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $66,882 $103,963
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $61,236 $95,744
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $57,006 $89,902
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $55,646 $87,156
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $57,565 $84,555
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $56,967 $83,088
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $55,548 $82,108
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $53,891 $80,052
2010 $973 $2,220 $47,237 $75,401
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $38,927 $66,213
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $40,009 $67,735
2007 $912 $2,136 $39,433 $68,805
2006 $809 $2,021 $33,768 $64,061
2005 $779 $1,946 $29,961 $58,822
2004 $759 $1,915 $27,608 $54,384
2003 $676 $1,842 $23,730 $48,778
2002 $546 $1,800 $22,160 $45,083
2001 $492 $1,746 $21,700 $43,109
2000 $487 $1,671 $23,853 $43,781
1999 $525 $1,592 $21,797 $39,949
1998 $362 $1,537 $21,829 $37,560
1997 $345 $1,508 $26,376 $39,286
1996 $369 $1,444 $26,233 $36,873
1995 $348 $1,395 $24,915 $35,090
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $21,552 $33,058
1993 $387 $1,311 $18,290 $30,062
1992 $302 $1,265 $16,136 $27,022
1991 $365 $1,239 $14,502 $25,530
1990 $371 $1,186 $11,862 $23,815
1989 $293.3 - $10,395 -
1988 $326 - $8,914 -
1987 $324 - $7,539 -
1986 $285.8 - $6,800 -
1985 $230.4 - $7,002 -
1984 $238.6 - $7,228 -
1983 $256 - $6,633 -
1982 $305 - $6,078 -
1981 $320 - $5,597 -
1980 $358 - $4,928 -
1979 $311 - $3,901 -
1978 $249.8 - $3,194 -
1977 $207 - $2,846 -
1976 $197.7 - $2,759 -
1975 $196.5 - $2,490 -
1974 $164.9 - $2,342 -
1973 $153.6 - $1,685 -
1972 $127.9 - $1,264 -
1971 $106.9 - $1,071 -
1970 $108.8 - $926 -
1969 $110.3 - $813 -
1968 $111.2 - $709 -
1967 $106.6 - $626 -
1966 $107.6 - $567 -
1965 $105.1 - $517 -
1964 $99.8 - $486 -
1963 $95.7 - $511 -
1962 $90.8 - $472 -
1961 $92.1 - $449 -
1960 $89.9 - $428 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $90,674 in Singapore, ranking 7/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Singapore ranks 2nd at $150,689.

Economic indicators

Benin Singapore
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$547B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
28/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
4.39%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$90,674
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
7/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$150,689
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
2/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$950B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
173.5%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$157,326
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
1/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$52,793
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$638B
2024
Number of millionaires n/a
331,000
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
n/a
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
n/a
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
14.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
2.39%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
2.74%
2024
Population
15272847
6125852

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Singapore
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Singapore
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 14.6% 173.5%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 14.8% 172.8%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 15% 154.3%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 15.6% 141.7%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 24.1% 148.2%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 14% 127.9%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 13.9% 109.4%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 13.6% 107.6%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 15.3% 106.3%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 14.4% 102.2%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 12.6% 97.7%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 10.9% 98.2%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 9.83% 106.7%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 9.66% 103.1%
2010 14.1% 21% 10.2% 98.7%
2009 17% 18.7% 15.9% 101.7%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 14% 97.9%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 9.01% 87.8%
2006 13% 8.37% 12.3% 86.5%
2005 14.1% 27% 12.4% 92.7%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 14.1% 95.7%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 15.6% 99.1%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 15.9% 96.3%
2001 15.4% 38% 18.2% 94.5%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 16.1% 82.3%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 15.9% 85.3%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 18.1% 84.6%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 14.5% 70.8%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 18.1% 71.3%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 13.8% 69.8%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 11.7% 70.7%
1993 12% 41.9% 14.5% 71.2%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 14.5% 79%
1991 12.6% 44% 15.9% 76.4%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 15.1% 73.5%
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/singapore | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Singapore spent $79.7B, or 14.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 173.5% in Singapore, ranking 99/185 and 4/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Singapore
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Singapore
2024 -3.06% 4.44%
2023 -4.13% 3.47%
2022 -5.55% 1.21%
2021 -5.71% 1.13%
2020 -4.68% -6.73%
2019 -0.53% 3.77%
2018 -2.96% 3.68%
2017 -4.18% 5.24%
2016 -4.29% 3.25%
2015 -5.55% 2.86%
2014 -1.65% 4.6%
2013 -1.37% 5.96%
2012 -0.22% 7.34%
2011 -0.98% 7.96%
2010 -0.28% 5.68%
2009 -2.24% -0.09%
2008 -0.04% 3.59%
2007 0.22% 7.12%
2006 -0.15% 2.16%
2005 -1.52% 2.56%
2004 -0.7% 2.06%
2003 -1.07% 0.68%
2002 -3.33% 2.23%
2001 -3.27% 1.2%
2000 -3.69% 4.59%
1999 1.94% 5.2%
1998 1.83% 2.41%
1997 0.47% 5.66%
1996 -0.11% 1.98%
1995 -1.91% 4.8%
1994 -1.57% 7.9%
1993 -0.41% 4.36%
1992 -1.98% 2.7%
1991 -2.25% 0.68%
1990 -2.37% 1.97%
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/singapore | 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 Singapore's surplus of $24.3B, or 4.44% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Singapore ran a deficit in 2 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to surplus of 3.36% of GDP for Singapore.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Singapore
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Singapore
2024 1.2% 2.39%
2023 2.7% 4.83%
2022 1.4% 6.13%
2021 1.7% 2.32%
2020 3% -0.17%
2019 -0.9% 0.57%
2018 0.8% 0.44%
2017 1.8% 0.58%
2016 -0.8% -0.53%
2015 0.2% -0.52%
2014 -0.6% 1.03%
2013 0.4% 2.36%
2012 6.7% 4.58%
2011 2.7% 5.25%
2010 2.1% 2.83%
2009 0.9% 0.59%
2008 7.4% 6.64%
2007 1.3% 2.11%
2006 3.8% 0.97%
2005 5.4% 0.43%
2004 0.9% 1.66%
2003 1.5% 0.51%
2002 2.4% -0.39%
2001 4% 1%
2000 4.2% 1.36%
1999 0.3% 0.02%
1998 5.8% -0.27%
1997 3.8% 2%

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/singapore | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 1.74% in Singapore. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 2.39% in Singapore.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $2.44M
Raw agricultural goods $742K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $597K
Raw materials & minerals $183K
Metals $147K
Wood & paper products $35K
Chemicals & pharma $26K
Machinery & equipment $1K
Singapore
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $2.46M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.55M
Chemicals & pharma $551K
Raw materials & minerals $417K
Animal & marine products $415K
Miscellaneous $365K
Raw agricultural goods $296K
Textiles & consumer goods $205K
Wood & paper products $150K
Precious metals & jewellery $44K

Balance of trade

Benin Singapore
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$96B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
8/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+17.5%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$435B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$583B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$351B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$396B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
143.6%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
178.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Singapore
Economic freedom 60 84.4
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 1/197
Property rights 46.4 89.2
Government integrity 44.1 86.1
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 58.3
Tax burden 69.4 89.5
Government spending 89.1 93.4
Fiscal health 65.4 80
Business freedom 53.3 90.6
Labor freedom 60.2 77
Monetary freedom 82.1 83.5
Trade freedom 62.6 95
Investment freedom 50 90
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Singapore
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Singapore
2026 60 84.4
2025 58.5 84.1
2024 57.7 83.5
2023 59.8 83.9
2022 61 84.4
2021 59.6 89.7
2020 55.2 89.4
2019 55.3 89.4
2018 56.7 88.8
2017 59.2 88.6
2016 59.3 87.8
2015 58.8 89.4
2014 57.1 89.4
2013 57.6 88
2012 55.7 87.5
2011 56 87.2
2010 55.4 86.1
2009 55.4 87.1
2008 55.2 87.3
2007 55.1 87.1
2006 54 88
2005 52.3 88.6
2004 54.6 88.9
2003 54.9 88.2
2002 57.3 87.4
2001 60.1 87.8
2000 61.5 87.7
1999 60.6 86.9
1998 61.7 87
1997 61.3 87.3
1996 54.5 86.5
1995 - 86.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 84.4 for Singapore, ranking 1/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Singapore
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
73%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
21.4%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
0.03%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$451B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$126,190
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$384B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
9/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$96.7B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$152B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$55.3B
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
22.2%
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/singapore | 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. TradeMap (2020–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  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.