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Economy of Benin vs Tanzania compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $78.8B for Tanzania, ranking 126/197 and 82/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $39.3B (49.9% of GDP) in Tanzania.

Benin vs Tanzania GDP by year

Benin
Tanzania
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Tanzania
2024 $21,482,643,706 $78,844,405,385
2023 $19,673,291,004 $79,030,935,627
2022 $17,425,405,091 $75,749,121,843
2021 $17,687,623,530 $70,655,628,148
2020 $15,686,741,884 $66,068,737,786
2019 $14,391,686,313 $61,026,731,926
2018 $14,262,408,090 $57,003,712,892
2017 $12,701,655,837 $53,274,884,533
2016 $11,821,065,853 $49,774,409,374
2015 $11,388,160,997 $47,413,919,817
2014 $13,284,527,847 $49,986,726,461
2013 $12,517,845,124 $45,648,857,242
2012 $11,141,358,116 $39,650,394,363
2011 $10,693,321,364 $34,657,140,096
2010 $9,535,345,016 $32,012,892,919
2009 $9,738,626,517 $29,400,573,554
2008 $9,787,734,526 $27,947,821,398
2007 $8,169,048,383 $21,860,434,823
2006 $7,034,111,315 $18,619,859,795
2005 $6,567,654,954 $18,395,383,647
2004 $6,190,270,380 $16,673,062,473
2003 $5,349,258,094 $15,211,487,709
2002 $4,194,342,686 $14,129,651,896
2001 $3,666,222,635 $13,563,990,022
2000 $3,519,991,440 $13,371,767,082
1999 $3,677,393,999 $12,704,334,196
1998 $2,455,092,686 $12,172,790,056
1997 $2,268,301,646 $11,158,197,942
1996 $2,361,116,449 $9,433,528,150
1995 $2,169,627,138 $7,631,431,840
1994 $1,598,075,944 $6,550,480,484
1993 $2,274,558,083 $6,182,872,708
1992 $1,695,315,306 $6,681,997,469
1991 $1,986,437,797 $7,197,768,159
1990 $1,959,965,330 $6,184,384,225
1989 $1,502,294,416 $6,418,799,007
1988 $1,620,246,084 $7,406,614,407
1987 $1,562,412,228 $7,824,193,222
1986 $1,336,102,025 $10,840,864,521
1985 $1,045,712,789 $15,328,295,175
1984 $1,051,134,009 $12,906,635,133
1983 $1,095,348,199 $14,049,883,809
1982 $1,267,778,670 $13,927,383,240
1981 $1,291,120,188 $13,161,540,378
1980 $1,405,251,847 $11,409,228,087
1979 $1,186,231,020 $9,804,637,491
1978 $928,843,469 $9,261,675,710
1977 $750,049,779 $7,732,598,995
1976 $698,408,262 $6,472,511,988
1975 $676,870,140 $5,729,917,840
1974 $554,654,861 $4,977,337,978
1973 $504,376,074 $4,144,104,535
1972 $410,331,857 $3,472,787,266
1971 $335,073,028 $3,050,673,517
1970 $333,627,713 $2,851,419,386
1969 $330,748,245 $5,142,066,811
1968 $326,323,105 $4,895,251,824
1967 $306,221,953 $4,565,132,048
1966 $302,925,235 $4,377,998,825
1965 $289,908,680 $3,817,226,546
1964 $269,819,006 $3,748,840,925
1963 $253,927,697 $3,456,579,293
1962 $236,434,954 $3,101,589,993
1961 $235,668,221 $2,826,179,031
1960 $226,195,578 $2,651,729,807

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Tanzania by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tanzania
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Tanzania
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $1,150 $4,221
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $1,186 $4,019
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $1,171 $3,800
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $1,125 $3,493
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $1,084 $3,291
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $1,031 $2,982
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $992 $2,728
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $957 $2,472
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $925 $2,435
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $911 $2,317
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $993 $2,221
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $935 $2,176
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $837 $2,083
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $753 $2,211
2010 $973 $2,220 $715 $2,069
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $674 $1,972
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $657 $1,908
2007 $912 $2,136 $528 $1,820
2006 $809 $2,021 $462 $1,707
2005 $779 $1,946 $469 $1,598
2004 $759 $1,915 $438 $1,482
2003 $676 $1,842 $410 $1,379
2002 $546 $1,800 $391 $1,302
2001 $492 $1,746 $385 $1,229
2000 $487 $1,671 $390 $1,164
1999 $525 $1,592 $382 $1,120
1998 $362 $1,537 $375 $1,082
1997 $345 $1,508 $353 $1,059
1996 $369 $1,444 $305 $1,026
1995 $348 $1,395 $251.2 $981
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $222.5 $958
1993 $387 $1,311 $218.2 $959
1992 $302 $1,265 $243.4 $955
1991 $365 $1,239 $268.8 $952
1990 $371 $1,186 $236.9 $925
1989 $293.3 - $252.3 -
1988 $326 - $299 -
1987 $324 - $326 -
1986 $285.8 - $466 -
1985 $230.4 - $681 -
1984 $238.6 - $593 -
1983 $256 - $667 -
1982 $305 - $683 -
1981 $320 - $665 -
1980 $358 - $595 -
1979 $311 - $527 -
1978 $249.8 - $515 -
1977 $207 - $446 -
1976 $197.7 - $387 -
1975 $196.5 - $355 -
1974 $164.9 - $320 -
1973 $153.6 - $276.1 -
1972 $127.9 - $239.8 -
1971 $106.9 - $218.4 -
1970 $108.8 - $211.3 -
1969 $110.3 - $394 -
1968 $111.2 - $388 -
1967 $106.6 - $374 -
1966 $107.6 - $370 -
1965 $105.1 - $333 -
1964 $99.8 - $337 -
1963 $95.7 - $320 -
1962 $90.8 - $295.7 -
1961 $92.1 - $277.4 -
1960 $89.9 - $267.8 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $1,150 in Tanzania, ranking 170/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Tanzania ranks 165th at $4,221.

Economic indicators

Benin Tanzania
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$78.8B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
82/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
5.53%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$1,150
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
170/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$4,221
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
165/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$39.3B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
49.9%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$573
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
160/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$2,309
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.32B
2024
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
33.1%
2018
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.9%
2018
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
19.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
3.06%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
6%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
2.43%
2024
Population
15272847
73145892

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Tanzania
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Tanzania
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 19.1% 49.9%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 19% 47.8%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 19.1% 44.9%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 18.4% 43.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 17.4% 41.3%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 17.3% 40.4%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 17.3% 42%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 16.4% 40.1%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 16.9% 39.8%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 17.2% 39.5%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 17.3% 36.4%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 18.8% 32.7%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 19.6% 30%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 19% 28.4%
2010 14.1% 21% 19.8% 27.6%
2009 17% 18.7% 19.6% 23.9%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 18.1% 21.6%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 17.8% 23.8%
2006 13% 8.37% 17.6% 17.4%
2005 14.1% 27% 18.3% 25.4%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 17% 44.5%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 15.4% 44.4%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 13.6% 47.4%
2001 15.4% 38% 12.4% 50.8%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 12.3% 55.4%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 12.8% 62.9%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 11.4% 62.2%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 12.8% 73.4%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 13.4% 89.6%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 15.6% 111.1%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 16.8% 126%
1993 12% 41.9% 16.4% 129.2%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 17.6% 117.6%
1991 12.6% 44% 14.2% 106.5%
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 (1989–2000, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Tanzania spent $15.1B, or 19.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 49.9% in Tanzania, ranking 99/185 and 109/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Tanzania
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Tanzania
2024 -3.06% -3.03%
2023 -4.13% -3.67%
2022 -5.55% -3.92%
2021 -5.71% -3.55%
2020 -4.68% -2.56%
2019 -0.53% -2.06%
2018 -2.96% -2.01%
2017 -4.18% -1.14%
2016 -4.29% -2.08%
2015 -5.55% -3.17%
2014 -1.65% -2.91%
2013 -1.37% -3.76%
2012 -0.22% -4%
2011 -0.98% -3.51%
2010 -0.28% -4.74%
2009 -2.24% -4.46%
2008 -0.04% -1.92%
2007 0.22% -1.44%
2006 -0.15% -3.38%
2005 -1.52% -3.28%
2004 -0.7% -2.43%
2003 -1.07% -1.77%
2002 -3.33% -0.73%
2001 -3.27% -0.41%
2000 -3.69% -0.73%
1999 1.94% -1.14%
1998 1.83% 0.13%
1997 0.47% -0.03%
1996 -0.11% 1.57%
1995 -1.91% -2.12%
1994 -1.57% -3.74%
1993 -0.41% -2.02%
1992 -1.98% -4.96%
1991 -2.25% 0.6%
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/tanzania | 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 Tanzania's deficit of $2.39B, or 3.03% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Tanzania ran a deficit in 31 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.3% of GDP for Tanzania.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Tanzania
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Tanzania
2024 1.2% 3.06%
2023 2.7% 3.8%
2022 1.4% 4.35%
2021 1.7% 3.69%
2020 3% 3.29%
2019 -0.9% 3.46%
2018 0.8% 3.49%
2017 1.8% 5.32%
2016 -0.8% 5.17%
2015 0.2% 5.59%
2014 -0.6% 6.13%
2013 0.4% 7.87%
2012 6.7% 16%
2011 2.7% 12.7%
2010 2.1% 6.2%
2009 0.9% 12.1%
2008 7.4% 10.3%
2007 1.3% 7.03%
2006 3.8% 7.25%
2005 5.4% 5.03%
2004 0.9% 4.74%
2003 1.5% 5.3%
2002 2.4% 5.32%
2001 4% 5.15%
2000 4.2% 5.92%
1999 0.3% 7.89%
1998 5.8% 12.8%
1997 3.8% 16.1%

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/tanzania | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 6.97% in Tanzania. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 3.06% in Tanzania.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $803K
Raw materials & minerals $72K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $36K
Textiles & consumer goods $28K
Raw agricultural goods $6K
Wood & paper products $2K
Tanzania
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $223K
Raw agricultural goods $113K
Animal & marine products $45K
Raw materials & minerals $20K
Machinery & equipment $15K

Balance of trade

Benin Tanzania
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$2.38B
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
147/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.02%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$14.2B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$9.12B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$2.8B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$6.85B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
21.7%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
19.8%
2024

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Tanzania
Economic freedom 60 59
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 106/197
Property rights 46.4 45.2
Government integrity 44.1 40.9
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 29.6
Tax burden 69.4 80.4
Government spending 89.1 89.1
Fiscal health 65.4 75
Business freedom 53.3 48.1
Labor freedom 60.2 62.3
Monetary freedom 82.1 73.4
Trade freedom 62.6 58.8
Investment freedom 50 55
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Tanzania
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Tanzania
2026 60 59
2025 58.5 59.3
2024 57.7 59.1
2023 59.8 60
2022 61 59.5
2021 59.6 61.3
2020 55.2 61.7
2019 55.3 60.2
2018 56.7 59.9
2017 59.2 58.6
2016 59.3 58.5
2015 58.8 57.5
2014 57.1 57.8
2013 57.6 57.9
2012 55.7 57
2011 56 57
2010 55.4 58.3
2009 55.4 58.3
2008 55.2 56.5
2007 55.1 56.8
2006 54 58.5
2005 52.3 56.3
2004 54.6 60.1
2003 54.9 56.9
2002 57.3 58.3
2001 60.1 54.9
2000 61.5 56
1999 60.6 60
1998 61.7 59.6
1997 61.3 59.3
1996 54.5 57.5
1995 - 57.3

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 59 for Tanzania, ranking 106/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Tanzania
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
29.6%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
28.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
23.3%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$80.2B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$4,130
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$5.05B
2018
Total reserves ranking n/a
101/177
2018
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$1.72B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$1.72B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$0
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
2.57%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
26.4%
2018
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
39.8%
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/tanzania | 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 (1989–2000, 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.