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Economy of Benin vs Trinidad and Tobago compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $25.6B for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 126/197 and 115/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $16.5B (64.2% of GDP) in Trinidad and Tobago.

Benin vs Trinidad and Tobago GDP by year

Benin
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Trinidad
2024 $21,482,643,706 $25,633,544,529
2023 $19,673,291,004 $25,036,993,423
2022 $17,425,405,091 $28,341,164,301
2021 $17,687,623,530 $24,222,963,263
2020 $15,686,741,884 $20,888,515,184
2019 $14,391,686,313 $23,477,745,792
2018 $14,262,408,090 $23,883,058,083
2017 $12,701,655,837 $23,830,750,901
2016 $11,821,065,853 $23,624,322,193
2015 $11,388,160,997 $26,841,141,793
2014 $13,284,527,847 $29,474,180,005
2013 $12,517,845,124 $28,560,537,057
2012 $11,141,358,116 $27,147,349,937
2011 $10,693,321,364 $25,433,007,437
2010 $9,535,345,016 $22,157,920,592
2009 $9,738,626,517 $19,172,165,226
2008 $9,787,734,526 $27,871,587,350
2007 $8,169,048,383 $21,641,620,050
2006 $7,034,111,315 $18,369,361,094
2005 $6,567,654,954 $15,982,389,018
2004 $6,190,270,380 $13,280,291,990
2003 $5,349,258,094 $11,305,459,802
2002 $4,194,342,686 $9,008,298,229
2001 $3,666,222,635 $8,824,849,191
2000 $3,519,991,440 $8,154,342,116
1999 $3,677,393,999 $6,808,982,521
1998 $2,455,092,686 $6,043,686,654
1997 $2,268,301,646 $5,737,771,523
1996 $2,361,116,449 $5,759,570,336
1995 $2,169,627,138 $5,329,217,747
1994 $1,598,075,944 $4,947,181,646
1993 $2,274,558,083 $4,669,491,134
1992 $1,695,315,306 $5,439,552,941
1991 $1,986,437,797 $5,307,905,882
1990 $1,959,965,330 $5,068,000,000
1989 $1,502,294,416 $4,323,058,824
1988 $1,620,246,084 $4,496,910,569
1987 $1,562,412,228 $4,797,777,778
1986 $1,336,102,025 $4,794,444,444
1985 $1,045,712,789 $7,375,918,367
1984 $1,051,134,009 $7,757,083,333
1983 $1,095,348,199 $7,763,750,000
1982 $1,267,778,670 $8,140,416,667
1981 $1,291,120,188 $6,992,083,333
1980 $1,405,251,847 $6,235,833,333
1979 $1,186,231,020 $4,602,416,625
1978 $928,843,469 $3,562,333,458
1977 $750,049,779 $3,138,666,667
1976 $698,408,262 $2,500,424,955
1975 $676,870,140 $2,442,669,825
1974 $554,654,861 $2,042,001,071
1973 $504,376,074 $1,308,785,431
1972 $410,331,857 $1,083,391,758
1971 $335,073,028 $896,765,215
1970 $333,627,713 $821,850,000
1969 $330,748,245 $779,200,000
1968 $326,323,105 $758,899,950
1967 $306,221,953 $761,981,912
1966 $302,925,235 $723,739,857
1965 $289,908,680 $736,573,159
1964 $269,819,006 $711,897,520
1963 $253,927,697 $678,239,329
1962 $236,434,954 $619,322,810
1961 $235,668,221 $584,964,621
1960 $226,195,578 $535,673,252

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Trinidad and Tobago by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Trinidad and Tobago
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Trinidad
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $18,733 $36,329
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $18,308 $34,623
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $20,751 $32,979
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $17,713 $30,482
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $15,284 $26,731
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $17,213 $29,316
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $17,571 $28,673
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $17,566 $28,484
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $17,449 $28,232
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $19,887 $29,825
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $21,908 $32,027
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $21,305 $31,746
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $20,332 $31,883
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $19,151 $31,078
2010 $973 $2,220 $16,815 $30,778
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $14,634 $29,602
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $21,299 $30,807
2007 $912 $2,136 $16,607 $29,355
2006 $809 $2,021 $14,153 $27,393
2005 $779 $1,946 $12,346 $23,536
2004 $759 $1,915 $9,871 $20,674
2003 $676 $1,842 $8,445 $18,743
2002 $546 $1,800 $6,763 $16,141
2001 $492 $1,746 $6,657 $14,797
2000 $487 $1,671 $6,179 $13,953
1999 $525 $1,592 $5,179 $12,812
1998 $362 $1,537 $4,613 $11,735
1997 $345 $1,508 $4,394 $10,769
1996 $369 $1,444 $4,427 $9,883
1995 $348 $1,395 $4,115 $9,099
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $3,840 $8,631
1993 $387 $1,311 $3,647 $8,209
1992 $302 $1,265 $4,277 $8,129
1991 $365 $1,239 $4,205 $7,274
1990 $371 $1,186 $4,047 $6,878
1989 $293.3 - $3,482 -
1988 $326 - $3,656 -
1987 $324 - $3,941 -
1986 $285.8 - $3,985 -
1985 $230.4 - $6,212 -
1984 $238.6 - $6,613 -
1983 $256 - $6,690 -
1982 $305 - $7,091 -
1981 $320 - $6,160 -
1980 $358 - $5,559 -
1979 $311 - $4,155 -
1978 $249.8 - $3,258 -
1977 $207 - $2,907 -
1976 $197.7 - $2,345 -
1975 $196.5 - $2,319 -
1974 $164.9 - $1,962 -
1973 $153.6 - $1,273 -
1972 $127.9 - $1,067 -
1971 $106.9 - $894 -
1970 $108.8 - $829 -
1969 $110.3 - $795 -
1968 $111.2 - $783 -
1967 $106.6 - $797 -
1966 $107.6 - $768 -
1965 $105.1 - $793 -
1964 $99.8 - $780 -
1963 $95.7 - $756 -
1962 $90.8 - $704 -
1961 $92.1 - $678 -
1960 $89.9 - $634 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $18,733 in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 61/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Trinidad and Tobago ranks 62nd at $36,329.

Economic indicators

Benin Trinidad
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$25.6B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
115/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
2.51%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$18,733
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
61/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$36,329
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
62/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$16.5B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
64.2%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$12,028
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
45/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$11,007
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.89B
2001
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
29.9%
1992
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.1%
1992
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
32.3%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
0.53%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.5%
2020
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
4.01%
2024
Population
15272847
1374840

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Trinidad and Tobago
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Trinidad
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 32.3% 64.2%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 33.5% 62.2%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 27.2% 51.3%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 30.3% 58.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 36.2% 62.5%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 31.2% 46.2%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 30.2% 41.5%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 30.7% 39.8%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 31.9% 35.4%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 35% 27.1%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 32.8% 23.5%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 31.3% 21.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 29.5% 21.8%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 29.4% 26.4%
2010 14.1% 21% 30.4% 16.8%
2009 17% 18.7% 37% 20.7%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 26.7% 13.5%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 25.7% 16.2%
2006 13% 8.37% 31.6% 16.9%
2005 14.1% 27% 26.7% 19.8%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 22.5% 24.2%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 22.2% 30.2%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 24.4% 37%
2001 15.4% 38% 24.8% 36.6%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 23.1% 38.9%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 24.1% 42.2%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 26.9% 42.8%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 27.2% 46.1%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 27.6% 47%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 26.2% 50.1%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 25.4% 52.6%
1993 12% 41.9% 26.9% 58.8%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 28.6% 49.2%
1991 12.6% 44% 29.6% 49.5%
1990 13.3% 45.3% 26.9% 47.7%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 30.9% 51.9%
1988 - - 45.3% 65.3%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Trinidad and Tobago spent $8.28B, or 32.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 64.2% in Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 99/185 and 70/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Trinidad
2024 -3.06% -5.24%
2023 -4.13% -1.24%
2022 -5.55% 0.92%
2021 -5.71% -8.1%
2020 -4.68% -12.2%
2019 -0.53% -3.74%
2018 -2.96% -5.89%
2017 -4.18% -10.4%
2016 -4.29% -10.1%
2015 -5.55% -7.56%
2014 -1.65% -4.31%
2013 -1.37% -2.67%
2012 -0.22% -1.26%
2011 -0.98% -0.67%
2010 -0.28% 0.13%
2009 -2.24% -5.42%
2008 -0.04% 5.39%
2007 0.22% 3.12%
2006 -0.15% 1.56%
2005 -1.52% 2.36%
2004 -0.7% 1.84%
2003 -1.07% 1.8%
2002 -3.33% -0.2%
2001 -3.27% 0.61%
2000 -3.69% 0.17%
1999 1.94% -0.88%
1998 1.83% -1.8%
1997 0.47% 0.11%
1996 -0.11% -0.45%
1995 -1.91% 0.17%
1994 -1.57% -0.02%
1993 -0.41% 0.23%
1992 -1.98% -2.74%
1991 -2.25% -0.21%
1990 -2.37% -1.27%
1989 0.89% -4.46%
1988 - -9.34%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1988–1989, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 Trinidad and Tobago's deficit of $1.34B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 36 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Trinidad and Tobago ran a deficit in 23 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.84% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.01% of GDP for Trinidad and Tobago.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Trinidad
2024 1.2% 0.53%
2023 2.7% 4.63%
2022 1.4% 5.83%
2021 1.7% 2.06%
2020 3% 0.6%
2019 -0.9% 1%
2018 0.8% 1.02%
2017 1.8% 1.88%
2016 -0.8% 3.07%
2015 0.2% 4.66%
2014 -0.6% 5.68%
2013 0.4% 5.2%
2012 6.7% 9.26%
2011 2.7% 5.11%
2010 2.1% 10.5%
2009 0.9% 6.98%
2008 7.4% 12%
2007 1.3% 7.89%
2006 3.8% 8.33%
2005 5.4% 6.87%
2004 0.9% 3.72%
2003 1.5% 3.81%
2002 2.4% 4.15%
2001 4% 5.54%
2000 4.2% 3.56%
1999 0.3% 3.44%
1998 5.8% 5.61%
1997 3.8% 3.63%

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/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.29%, compared with 4.88% in Trinidad and Tobago. In 2024, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 0.53% in Trinidad and Tobago.

Balance of trade

Benin Trinidad
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$645M
2024
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
58/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+2.52%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$7.54B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$10B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$2.71B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$1.26B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
n/a
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
45%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Trinidad
Economic freedom 60 62.4
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 87/197
Property rights 46.4 47.3
Government integrity 44.1 45.5
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 58.8
Tax burden 69.4 76.1
Government spending 89.1 71.1
Fiscal health 65.4 86.3
Business freedom 53.3 67.1
Labor freedom 60.2 57.2
Monetary freedom 82.1 81
Trade freedom 62.6 68.8
Investment freedom 50 50
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Trinidad and Tobago
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Trinidad
2026 60 62.4
2025 58.5 63.6
2024 57.7 60.4
2023 59.8 59.5
2022 61 58.8
2021 59.6 59
2020 55.2 58.3
2019 55.3 57
2018 56.7 57.7
2017 59.2 61.2
2016 59.3 62.9
2015 58.8 64.1
2014 57.1 62.7
2013 57.6 62.3
2012 55.7 64.4
2011 56 66.5
2010 55.4 65.7
2009 55.4 68
2008 55.2 69.5
2007 55.1 70.6
2006 54 70.4
2005 52.3 71.5
2004 54.6 71.3
2003 54.9 68.8
2002 57.3 70.1
2001 60.1 71.8
2000 61.5 74.5
1999 60.6 72.4
1998 61.7 72
1997 61.3 71.3
1996 54.5 69.2

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/trinidad-and-tobago | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 62.4 for Trinidad and Tobago, ranking 87/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Trinidad
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
59.2%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
34.6%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
0.78%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$27B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$36,580
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$5.6B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
94/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$980M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
-$453M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$527M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
20%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
19%
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/trinidad-and-tobago | 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 (1988–1997, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  8. 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.