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Economy of Benin vs Tonga compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $591M for Tonga, ranking 126/197 and 191/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $256M (37% of GDP) in Tonga.

Benin vs Tonga GDP by year

Benin
Tonga
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Tonga
2024 $21,482,643,706 -
2023 $19,673,291,004 $591,139,749
2022 $17,425,405,091 $556,514,555
2021 $17,687,623,530 $519,306,353
2020 $15,686,741,884 $506,571,468
2019 $14,391,686,313 $506,031,239
2018 $14,262,408,090 $493,530,783
2017 $12,701,655,837 $459,976,850
2016 $11,821,065,853 $420,828,262
2015 $11,388,160,997 $437,525,514
2014 $13,284,527,847 $440,997,738
2013 $12,517,845,124 $451,788,498
2012 $11,141,358,116 $471,122,971
2011 $10,693,321,364 $414,143,828
2010 $9,535,345,016 $366,887,375
2009 $9,738,626,517 $312,415,028
2008 $9,787,734,526 $344,438,844
2007 $8,169,048,383 $298,519,623
2006 $7,034,111,315 $292,232,703
2005 $6,567,654,954 $261,823,805
2004 $6,190,270,380 $230,678,011
2003 $5,349,258,094 $202,246,591
2002 $4,194,342,686 $182,764,281
2001 $3,666,222,635 $181,117,230
2000 $3,519,991,440 $204,848,488
1999 $3,677,393,999 $199,208,718
1998 $2,455,092,686 $191,504,893
1997 $2,268,301,646 $214,991,452
1996 $2,361,116,449 $222,100,576
1995 $2,169,627,138 $208,871,666
1994 $1,598,075,944 $195,990,986
1993 $2,274,558,083 $138,489,884
1992 $1,695,315,306 $137,066,291
1991 $1,986,437,797 $132,201,141
1990 $1,959,965,330 $113,563,822
1989 $1,502,294,416 $106,344,855
1988 $1,620,246,084 $106,657,267
1987 $1,562,412,228 $81,667,133
1986 $1,336,102,025 $68,195,856
1985 $1,045,712,789 $60,058,663
1984 $1,051,134,009 $64,248,355
1983 $1,095,348,199 $60,863,964
1982 $1,267,778,670 $62,068,161
1981 $1,291,120,188 $62,242,013
1980 $1,405,251,847 $53,260,077
1979 $1,186,231,020 $44,667,002
1978 $928,843,469 $41,567,472
1977 $750,049,779 $34,139,388
1976 $698,408,262 $30,036,417
1975 $676,870,140 $32,506,742
1974 $554,654,861 -
1973 $504,376,074 -
1972 $410,331,857 -
1971 $335,073,028 -
1970 $333,627,713 -
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/tonga | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Tonga by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tonga
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Tonga
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 - -
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $5,652 $7,803
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $5,298 $7,296
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $4,923 $6,929
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $4,792 $6,676
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $4,789 $6,473
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $4,675 $6,393
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $4,366 $6,229
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $3,988 $5,920
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $4,124 $5,472
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $4,137 $5,336
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $4,219 $5,120
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $4,384 $4,996
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $3,850 $4,855
2010 $973 $2,220 $3,416 $4,465
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $2,914 $4,384
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $3,218 $4,600
2007 $912 $2,136 $2,797 $4,316
2006 $809 $2,021 $2,750 $4,327
2005 $779 $1,946 $2,478 $4,315
2004 $759 $1,915 $2,195 $4,235
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,936 $4,231
2002 $546 $1,800 $1,759 $4,171
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,754 $3,955
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,995 $3,834
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,952 $3,636
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,889 $3,527
1997 $345 $1,508 $2,136 $3,434
1996 $369 $1,444 $2,215 $3,410
1995 $348 $1,395 $2,084 $3,347
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,957 $3,088
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,383 $2,882
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,370 $2,716
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,323 $2,652
1990 $371 $1,186 $1,139 $2,416
1989 $293.3 - $1,070 -
1988 $326 - $1,078 -
1987 $324 - $830 -
1986 $285.8 - $696 -
1985 $230.4 - $613 -
1984 $238.6 - $656 -
1983 $256 - $621 -
1982 $305 - $633 -
1981 $320 - $636 -
1980 $358 - $545 -
1979 $311 - $458 -
1978 $249.8 - $428 -
1977 $207 - $353 -
1976 $197.7 - $315 -
1975 $196.5 - $349 -
1974 $164.9 - - -
1973 $153.6 - - -
1972 $127.9 - - -
1971 $106.9 - - -
1970 $108.8 - - -
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/tonga | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $5,652 in Tonga, ranking 115/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Tonga ranks 144th at $7,803.

Economic indicators

Benin Tonga
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$591M
2023
GDP rank
126/197
2024
191/197
2023
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
2.79%
2022-2023
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$5,652
2023
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
115/197
2023
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$7,803
2023
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
144/197
2023
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$256M
2023
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
37%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$2,445
2023
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
111/185
2023
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$3,886
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
22%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
4%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
51.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
3.18%
2023-2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
1.65%
2023
Population
15272847
103309

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Tonga
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Tonga
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 51.3% 37%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 48.2% 43.3%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 44.4% 43.2%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 44.6% 43%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 37.9% 42.6%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 39.9% 42.8%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 39.6% 45.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 39.7% 44.7%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 37.2% 49.4%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 37.4% 51.1%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 31.5% 47.4%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 34.3% 48.9%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 32% 60%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 32.6% 51.9%
2010 14.1% 21% 28.4% 44.7%
2009 17% 18.7% 23.9% 39.7%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 24% 34%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 23.2% 37.8%
2006 13% 8.37% 25.6% 39.6%
2005 14.1% 27% 19.8% 43.3%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 19.3% 52.2%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 20% 56.2%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 21.3% 60.7%
2001 15.4% 38% 19.1% 53.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 20% 43.6%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 18.8% 38.4%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Tonga spent $285M, or 51.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 37% in Tonga, ranking 99/185 and 142/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Tonga
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Tonga
2024 -3.06% 4.17%
2023 -4.13% 6.14%
2022 -5.55% -0.1%
2021 -5.71% -0.87%
2020 -4.68% 5.25%
2019 -0.53% 3.28%
2018 -2.96% 2.92%
2017 -4.18% 3.58%
2016 -4.29% 1.47%
2015 -5.55% -2.75%
2014 -1.65% 6.38%
2013 -1.37% -1.3%
2012 -0.22% -1.74%
2011 -0.98% -6.02%
2010 -0.28% -1.22%
2009 -2.24% 6.85%
2008 -0.04% 2.14%
2007 0.22% 5.39%
2006 -0.15% 1.34%
2005 -1.52% 4.23%
2004 -0.7% 4.23%
2003 -1.07% 2.37%
2002 -3.33% 2.59%
2001 -3.27% 2.23%
2000 -3.69% 1.35%
1999 1.94% 1.55%
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/tonga | CC BY

In 2023, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $812M, equivalent to 4.13% of GDP. This compares to Tonga's surplus of $36.3M, or 6.14% of GDP.

Over the past 25 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 23 of those years, while Tonga ran a deficit in 7 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.24% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.97% of GDP for Tonga.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Tonga
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Tonga
2024 1.2% 3.18%
2023 2.7% 6.35%
2022 1.4% 11%
2021 1.7% 5.64%
2020 3% -0.35%
2019 -0.9% 1.18%
2018 0.8% 5.03%
2017 1.8% 7.52%
2016 -0.8% 2.58%
2015 0.2% -1.05%
2014 -0.6% 2.51%
2013 0.4% 0.78%
2012 6.7% 1.15%
2011 2.7% 6.27%
2010 2.1% 3.53%
2009 0.9% 1.43%
2008 7.4% 10.4%
2007 1.3% 5.84%
2006 3.8% 6.15%
2005 5.4% 8.67%
2004 0.9% 11%
2003 1.5% 11.6%
2002 2.4% 10.4%
2001 4% 8.29%
2000 4.2% 6.33%
1999 0.3% 4.46%
1998 5.8% 3.27%
1997 3.8% 2.12%

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/tonga | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 5.19% in Tonga. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 3.18% in Tonga.

Balance of trade

Benin Tonga
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$43.5M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
83/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-7.93%
2023
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$232M
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$10.8M
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$161M
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$93.6M
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
64.9%
2023
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
14.7%
2023

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Tonga
Economic freedom 60 58.9
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 107/197
Property rights 46.4 71.1
Government integrity 44.1 45.1
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 64.9
Tax burden 69.4 85.6
Government spending 89.1 31
Fiscal health 65.4 97.3
Business freedom 53.3 59.2
Labor freedom 60.2 55.9
Monetary freedom 82.1 61
Trade freedom 62.6 75.4
Investment freedom 50 40
Financial freedom 50 20

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Tonga
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Tonga
2026 60 58.9
2025 58.5 58.5
2024 57.7 59.2
2023 59.8 60
2022 61 60.8
2021 59.6 57.5
2020 55.2 58.8
2019 55.3 57.7
2018 56.7 63.1
2017 59.2 63
2016 59.3 59.6
2015 58.8 59.3
2014 57.1 58.2
2013 57.6 56
2012 55.7 57
2011 56 55.8
2010 55.4 53.4
2009 55.4 54.1
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 -
1999 60.6 -
1998 61.7 -
1997 61.3 -
1996 54.5 -

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 58.9 for Tonga, ranking 107/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Tonga
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
50%
2023
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
14.9%
2023
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
19%
2023
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$619M
2023
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$8,400
2023
Total reserves including gold n/a
$377M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
163/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$13.3M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
-$12.1M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$1.25M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
2.76%
2023
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
20.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
25.9%
2023

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/tonga | 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.