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Economy of Benin vs Sudan compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $49.7B for Sudan, ranking 126/197 and 94/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $130B (261.4% of GDP) in Sudan.

Benin vs Sudan GDP by year

Benin
Sudan
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Sudan
2024 $21,482,643,706 $49,672,435,513
2023 $19,673,291,004 $39,898,289,821
2022 $17,425,405,091 $51,666,875,363
2021 $17,687,623,530 $34,229,513,775
2020 $15,686,741,884 $27,034,593,750
2019 $14,391,686,313 $32,338,079,165
2018 $14,262,408,090 $32,333,780,383
2017 $12,701,655,837 $41,283,617,976
2016 $11,821,065,853 $42,630,376,000
2015 $11,388,160,997 $51,726,758,677
2014 $13,284,527,847 $49,516,748,618
2013 $12,517,845,124 $43,024,018,082
2012 $11,141,358,116 $37,632,919,967
2011 $10,693,321,364 $55,018,567,211
2010 $9,535,345,016 $58,962,978,034
2009 $9,738,626,517 $51,621,044,077
2008 $9,787,734,526 $64,833,083,257
2007 $8,169,048,383 $59,440,139,775
2006 $7,034,111,315 $45,263,831,634
2005 $6,567,654,954 $35,182,711,988
2004 $6,190,270,380 $26,646,007,251
2003 $5,349,258,094 $21,355,298,460
2002 $4,194,342,686 $18,137,128,388
2001 $3,666,222,635 $15,716,361,792
2000 $3,519,991,440 $12,257,299,147
1999 $3,677,393,999 $10,682,028,340
1998 $2,455,092,686 $11,250,221,537
1997 $2,268,301,646 $11,681,175,864
1996 $2,361,116,449 $9,018,300,725
1995 $2,169,627,138 $13,830,363,900
1994 $1,598,075,944 $12,793,794,737
1993 $2,274,558,083 $8,881,005,436
1992 $1,695,315,306 $7,031,933,492
1991 $1,986,437,797 $44,171,194,366
1990 $1,959,965,330 $33,641,222,222
1989 $1,502,294,416 $21,408,111,111
1988 $1,620,246,084 $14,372,555,556
1987 $1,562,412,228 $12,093,333,333
1986 $1,336,102,025 $10,092,200,000
1985 $1,045,712,789 $8,075,259,600
1984 $1,051,134,009 $10,447,615,385
1983 $1,095,348,199 $8,230,153,846
1982 $1,267,778,670 $8,732,542,274
1981 $1,291,120,188 $10,753,888,154
1980 $1,405,251,847 $8,951,800,000
1979 $1,186,231,020 $8,418,407,787
1978 $928,843,469 $8,128,719,315
1977 $750,049,779 $7,499,005,639
1976 $698,408,262 $6,013,210,816
1975 $676,870,140 $4,823,090,192
1974 $554,654,861 $3,958,931,660
1973 $504,376,074 $3,077,254,460
1972 $410,331,857 $2,483,055,722
1971 $335,073,028 $2,288,340,041
1970 $333,627,713 $2,100,229,759
1969 $330,748,245 $1,847,501,441
1968 $326,323,105 $1,677,771,401
1967 $306,221,953 $1,607,409,539
1966 $302,925,235 $1,484,491,676
1965 $289,908,680 $1,446,869,619
1964 $269,819,006 $1,388,282,600
1963 $253,927,697 $1,351,234,926
1962 $236,434,954 $1,328,259,625
1961 $235,668,221 $1,222,860,429
1960 $226,195,578 $1,126,364,162

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Sudan by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Sudan
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Sudan
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $985 $2,116
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $797 $2,421
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $1,046 $3,355
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $712 $3,249
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $578 $3,349
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $710 $3,914
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $731 $4,199
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $967 $4,252
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $1,033 $4,470
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $1,292 $4,217
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $1,275 $4,261
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $1,139 $3,725
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $1,019 $3,710
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $1,522 $4,112
2010 $973 $2,220 $1,665 $3,806
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,493 $3,732
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,928 $3,938
2007 $912 $2,136 $1,814 $3,836
2006 $809 $2,021 $1,415 $3,637
2005 $779 $1,946 $1,125 $3,407
2004 $759 $1,915 $872 $3,215
2003 $676 $1,842 $714 $3,058
2002 $546 $1,800 $621 $2,898
2001 $492 $1,746 $551 $2,769
2000 $487 $1,671 $441 $2,616
1999 $525 $1,592 $394 $2,475
1998 $362 $1,537 $425 $2,428
1997 $345 $1,508 $453 $2,358
1996 $369 $1,444 $357 $2,006
1995 $348 $1,395 $561 $1,902
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $532 $1,805
1993 $387 $1,311 $379 $1,794
1992 $302 $1,265 $307 $1,710
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,966 $1,599
1990 $371 $1,186 $1,528 $1,468
1989 $293.3 - $992 -
1988 $326 - $680 -
1987 $324 - $584 -
1986 $285.8 - $497 -
1985 $230.4 - $406 -
1984 $238.6 - $534 -
1983 $256 - $431 -
1982 $305 - $472 -
1981 $320 - $605 -
1980 $358 - $525 -
1979 $311 - $515 -
1978 $249.8 - $518 -
1977 $207 - $497 -
1976 $197.7 - $413 -
1975 $196.5 - $343 -
1974 $164.9 - $291.5 -
1973 $153.6 - $235.8 -
1972 $127.9 - $198.2 -
1971 $106.9 - $189 -
1970 $108.8 - $179.6 -
1969 $110.3 - $163.5 -
1968 $111.2 - $153.7 -
1967 $106.6 - $152.4 -
1966 $107.6 - $145.6 -
1965 $105.1 - $146.8 -
1964 $99.8 - $145.7 -
1963 $95.7 - $146.6 -
1962 $90.8 - $148.9 -
1961 $92.1 - $141.6 -
1960 $89.9 - $134.7 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $985 in Sudan, ranking 179/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Sudan ranks 185th at $2,116.

Economic indicators

Benin Sudan
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$49.7B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
94/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
-14%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$985
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
179/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$2,116
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
185/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$130B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
261.4%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$2,574
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
109/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$1,704
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
27.8%
2014
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.2%
2014
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
6.39%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
138.8%
2021-2022
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
7.53%
2022
Population
15272847
53335233

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Sudan
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Sudan
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 6.39% 261.4%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 8.23% 259.9%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 17.9% 186.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 9.84% 189.6%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 10.9% 278.3%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 18.7% 216.5%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 16.8% 209.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 12.8% 149.5%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 9.98% 109.9%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 12.4% 93.2%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 13.5% 84.4%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 15.3% 105.8%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 16.5% 117.7%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 18.2% 78.1%
2010 14.1% 21% 17.4% 74.6%
2009 17% 18.7% 18.8% 71%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 19.7% 55.8%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 19.6% 53.7%
2006 13% 8.37% 18.8% 63.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 19.7% 75.5%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 16.5% 97.8%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 12.5% 117.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 10.5% 121.7%
2001 15.4% 38% 9.87% 125.6%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 10.4% 143.2%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 8.4% 160.5%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 7.79% 179.7%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 7.38% 167.7%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 9.31% 220.9%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 12.9% 239%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 19.6% 386%
1993 12% 41.9% 23.7% 285.9%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 50.4% 495%
1991 12.6% 44% 45.7% -
1990 13.3% 45.3% 31% -
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/sudan | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Sudan spent $3.17B, or 6.39% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 261.4% in Sudan, ranking 99/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Sudan
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Sudan
2024 -3.06% -3.46%
2023 -4.13% -3.7%
2022 -5.55% -2.15%
2021 -5.71% -0.29%
2020 -4.68% -6.03%
2019 -0.53% -10.8%
2018 -2.96% -7.92%
2017 -4.18% -6.07%
2016 -4.29% -3.92%
2015 -5.55% -3.87%
2014 -1.65% -4.72%
2013 -1.37% -5.76%
2012 -0.22% -7.37%
2011 -0.98% -2.33%
2010 -0.28% 0.11%
2009 -2.24% -3.8%
2008 -0.04% 0.49%
2007 0.22% -2.84%
2006 -0.15% -1.32%
2005 -1.52% -1.88%
2004 -0.7% 0.16%
2003 -1.07% 0.77%
2002 -3.33% -0.69%
2001 -3.27% -0.77%
2000 -3.69% -0.7%
1999 1.94% -0.8%
1998 1.83% -0.56%
1997 0.47% -0.59%
1996 -0.11% -2.61%
1995 -1.91% -3.48%
1994 -1.57% -3.03%
1993 -0.41% -8.04%
1992 -1.98% -24.5%
1991 -2.25% -26.5%
1990 -2.37% -16.2%
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/sudan | 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 Sudan's deficit of $1.72B, or 3.46% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Sudan ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.92% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.72% of GDP for Sudan.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Sudan
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Sudan
2024 1.2% -
2023 2.7% -
2022 1.4% 138.8%
2021 1.7% 359%
2020 3% 163.3%
2019 -0.9% 51%
2018 0.8% 63.3%
2017 1.8% 32.4%
2016 -0.8% 17.8%
2015 0.2% 16.9%
2014 -0.6% 36.9%
2013 0.4% 36.5%
2012 6.7% 35.6%
2011 2.7% 18.1%
2010 2.1% 13%
2009 0.9% 11.3%
2008 7.4% 14.3%
2007 1.3% 14.8%
2006 3.8% 7.2%
2005 5.4% 8.51%
2004 0.9% 9.66%
2003 1.5% 6.49%
2002 2.4% 22.2%
2001 4% 1.94%
2000 4.2% 7.12%
1999 0.3% 17.2%
1998 5.8% 24.6%
1997 3.8% 47.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2022, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 26 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.32%, compared with 45.2% in Sudan. In 2022, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 138.8% in Sudan.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Sudan
Export category Export value
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $9K

Balance of trade

Benin Sudan
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$4.44B
2022
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
165/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-8.6%
2022
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$9.99B
2022
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$4.36B
2022
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$1.59B
2022
Service exports
$461M
2023
$1.55B
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
1.27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
0.72%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Sudan
Economic freedom 60 32.5
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 191/197
Property rights 46.4 6.5
Government integrity 44.1 13.8
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 2.4
Tax burden 69.4 84.7
Government spending 89.1 96.5
Fiscal health 65.4 64.6
Business freedom 53.3 27.3
Labor freedom 60.2 33.6
Monetary freedom 82.1 6.2
Trade freedom 62.6 29.6
Investment freedom 50 5
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Sudan
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Sudan
2026 60 32.5
2025 58.5 35.3
2024 57.7 33.9
2023 59.8 32.8
2022 61 32
2021 59.6 39.1
2020 55.2 45
2019 55.3 47.7
2018 56.7 49.4
2017 59.2 48.8
2016 59.3 -
2015 58.8 -
2014 57.1 -
2013 57.6 -
2012 55.7 -
2011 56 -
2010 55.4 -
2009 55.4 -
2008 55.2 -
2007 55.1 -
2006 54 -
2005 52.3 -
2004 54.6 -
2003 54.9 -
2002 57.3 -
2001 60.1 -
2000 61.5 47.2
1999 60.6 39.6
1998 61.7 38.3
1997 61.3 39.9
1996 54.5 39.2
1995 - 39.4

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 32.5 for Sudan, ranking 191/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Sudan
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
54.7%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
23.2%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
22.2%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$35.8B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$2,050
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$178M
2017
Total reserves ranking n/a
171/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$574M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$548M
2023
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
0.42%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
46.5%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
2.89%
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/sudan | 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 (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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. TradeMap (2018, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-02-20)

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.