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Economy of Benin vs Tunisia compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $57.5B for Tunisia, ranking 124/197 and 93/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $46.7B (81.3% of GDP) in Tunisia.

Benin vs Tunisia GDP by year

Benin
Tunisia
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Tunisia
2025 $24,566,420,904 $57,502,836,548
2024 $21,482,643,706 $51,412,122,480
2023 $19,673,291,004 $48,205,328,303
2022 $17,425,405,091 $44,929,920,093
2021 $17,687,623,530 $47,073,234,359
2020 $15,686,741,884 $42,491,780,918
2019 $14,391,686,313 $41,905,642,419
2018 $14,262,408,090 $42,686,504,460
2017 $12,701,655,837 $42,163,530,591
2016 $11,821,065,853 $44,360,072,680
2015 $11,388,160,997 $45,779,494,042
2014 $13,284,527,847 $50,271,812,921
2013 $12,517,845,124 $48,685,446,414
2012 $11,141,358,116 $47,311,401,813
2011 $10,693,321,364 $48,123,325,825
2010 $9,535,345,016 $46,206,091,938
2009 $9,738,626,517 $43,455,740,497
2008 $9,787,734,526 $44,859,439,902
2007 $8,169,048,383 $38,915,353,867
2006 $7,034,111,315 $34,376,664,601
2005 $6,567,654,954 $32,272,186,695
2004 $6,190,270,380 $31,183,885,241
2003 $5,349,258,094 $27,453,902,261
2002 $4,194,342,686 $23,141,616,605
2001 $3,666,222,635 $22,065,832,449
2000 $3,519,991,440 $21,473,528,161
1999 $3,677,393,999 $22,943,202,175
1998 $2,455,092,686 $21,802,893,587
1997 $2,268,301,646 $20,746,210,354
1996 $2,361,116,449 $19,587,161,807
1995 $2,169,627,138 $18,030,876,599
1994 $1,598,075,944 $15,633,174,304
1993 $2,274,558,083 $14,608,335,608
1992 $1,695,315,306 $15,496,708,060
1991 $1,986,437,797 $13,074,782,609
1990 $1,959,965,330 $12,290,568,182
1989 $1,502,294,416 $10,101,851,745
1988 $1,620,246,084 $10,096,245,762
1987 $1,562,412,228 $9,696,715,911
1986 $1,336,102,025 $9,017,806,654
1985 $1,045,712,789 $8,410,226,053
1984 $1,051,134,009 $8,254,541,195
1983 $1,095,348,199 $8,350,582,748
1982 $1,267,778,670 $8,133,580,052
1981 $1,291,120,188 $8,428,445,294
1980 $1,405,251,847 $8,744,134,354
1979 $1,186,231,020 $7,188,863,904
1978 $928,843,469 $5,968,460,080
1977 $750,049,779 $5,109,324,009
1976 $698,408,262 $4,508,191,942
1975 $676,870,140 $4,328,965,588
1974 $554,654,861 $3,545,868,575
1973 $504,376,074 $2,730,813,385
1972 $410,331,857 $2,237,556,149
1971 $335,073,028 $1,685,162,272
1970 $333,627,713 $1,439,238,095
1969 $330,748,245 $1,289,904,762
1968 $326,323,105 $1,214,666,667
1967 $306,221,953 $1,085,714,286
1966 $302,925,235 $1,040,952,381
1965 $289,908,680 $991,047,619
1964 $269,819,006 $1,025,866,792
1963 $253,927,697 $1,026,737,600
1962 $236,434,954 $880,027,733
1961 $235,668,221 $866,155,429
1960 $226,195,578 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Tunisia by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Tunisia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Tunisia
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $4,657 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $4,188 $14,521
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $3,951 $14,041
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $3,707 $13,619
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $3,907 $12,444
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,549 $11,918
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $3,529 $12,495
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $3,628 $11,841
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $3,619 $11,289
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $3,848 $10,994
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $4,015 $10,783
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $4,459 $10,947
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $4,370 $10,672
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $4,297 $10,615
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $4,421 $10,436
2010 $973 $2,220 $4,292 $10,555
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $4,080 $10,237
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $4,255 $9,975
2007 $912 $2,136 $3,727 $9,479
2006 $809 $2,021 $3,323 $8,729
2005 $779 $1,946 $3,147 $8,117
2004 $759 $1,915 $3,067 $7,672
2003 $676 $1,842 $2,726 $7,098
2002 $546 $1,800 $2,321 $6,715
2001 $492 $1,746 $2,236 $6,593
2000 $487 $1,671 $2,199 $6,279
1999 $525 $1,592 $2,376 $5,930
1998 $362 $1,537 $2,285 $5,579
1997 $345 $1,508 $2,202 $5,333
1996 $369 $1,444 $2,107 $5,040
1995 $348 $1,395 $1,968 $4,686
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,733 $4,555
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,649 $4,401
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,785 $4,292
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,538 $3,975
1990 $371 $1,186 $1,476 $3,780
1989 $293.3 - $1,239 -
1988 $326 - $1,266 -
1987 $324 - $1,245 -
1986 $285.8 - $1,187 -
1985 $230.4 - $1,135 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,143 -
1983 $256 - $1,184 -
1982 $305 - $1,177 -
1981 $320 - $1,247 -
1980 $358 - $1,324 -
1979 $311 - $1,113 -
1978 $249.8 - $946 -
1977 $207 - $830 -
1976 $197.7 - $752 -
1975 $196.5 - $741 -
1974 $164.9 - $624 -
1973 $153.6 - $493 -
1972 $127.9 - $415 -
1971 $106.9 - $320 -
1970 $108.8 - $280.5 -
1969 $110.3 - $257.7 -
1968 $111.2 - $248.9 -
1967 $106.6 - $228 -
1966 $107.6 - $223.8 -
1965 $105.1 - $217.3 -
1964 $99.8 - $228.5 -
1963 $95.7 - $231.9 -
1962 $90.8 - $201.4 -
1961 $92.1 - $200.7 -
1960 $89.9 - - -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $4,657 in Tunisia, ranking 127/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Tunisia ranks 114th at $14,521.

Economic indicators

Benin Tunisia
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$57.5B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
93/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
2.49%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$4,657
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
127/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$14,521
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
114/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$46.7B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
81.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$3,785
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
95/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$4,193
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$12B
2025
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
27%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3.1%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
34%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
5.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
7.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
15.1%
2023
Population
15358725
12450912

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Tunisia
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Tunisia
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 34% 81.3%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 35.8% 85.7%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 35.9% 84%
2022 20% 59.7% 36.6% 83%
2021 20% 55.6% 33.4% 79.7%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 34.5% 77.7%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 29.5% 67.3%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 28.7% 72.9%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 28.7% 67.1%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 27.2% 58.9%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 27.4% 52.4%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 27.7% 50.7%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 30.8% 45.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 28.3% 49%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 27.9% 43.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 24% 38.8%
2009 17% 18.7% 24.6% 40.3%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 23.7% 41.4%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 23.3% 42.7%
2006 13% 8.37% 22.9% 45.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 23% 50%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 23% 51.6%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 23.5% 52.6%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 24.1% 51.6%
2001 15.4% 38% 24% 52.2%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 24% 62.9%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 24% 61.9%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 24.2% 58.2%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 24.5% 66.6%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 26.7% 66.8%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 26.6% 65.6%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 25.9% 63.9%
1993 16.4% 41.9% 26.7% 63.8%
1992 18.4% 41.8% 25.7% 62.1%
1991 17.2% 44% 27.6% 63.3%
1990 18.1% 45.3% - -
1989 17.1% 50.3% - -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Tunisia spent $19.6B, or 34% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 81.3% in Tunisia, ranking 83/185 and 40/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Tunisia
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Tunisia
2025 -2.9% -5.24%
2024 -3.06% -6.36%
2023 -4.13% -7.27%
2022 -5.55% -7%
2021 -2.53% -7.81%
2020 -4.68% -9.06%
2019 -0.53% -3.6%
2018 -2.96% -4.27%
2017 -4.18% -5.61%
2016 -4.29% -5.87%
2015 -5.55% -4.95%
2014 -1.65% -3.11%
2013 -1.37% -7.05%
2012 -0.22% -4.9%
2011 -0.98% -3.19%
2010 -0.28% -0.46%
2009 -2.24% -2.59%
2008 -0.04% -0.62%
2007 0.22% -2.47%
2006 -0.15% -2.33%
2005 -1.52% -2.59%
2004 -0.7% -2.1%
2003 -1.07% -2.64%
2002 -3.33% -2.55%
2001 -3.27% -2.87%
2000 -3.69% -3.22%
1999 1.94% -3.05%
1998 2.5% -2.84%
1997 0.64% -3.7%
1996 -0.15% -5.18%
1995 -2.61% -4.53%
1994 -2.14% -2.87%
1993 -0.56% -3.22%
1992 -2.71% -3.45%
1991 -3.08% -5.25%
1990 -3.24% -
1989 0.89% -

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

In 2025, Benin's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $712M, equivalent to 2.9% of GDP. This compares to Tunisia's deficit of $3.01B, or 5.24% of GDP.

Over the past 35 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while Tunisia ran a deficit in 35 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.11% of GDP for Tunisia.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Tunisia
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Tunisia
2025 1.1% 5.3%
2024 1.2% 7%
2023 2.7% 9.3%
2022 1.4% 8.3%
2021 1.7% 5.7%
2020 3% 5.6%
2019 -0.9% 6.7%
2018 0.8% 7.3%
2017 1.8% 5.3%
2016 -0.8% 3.6%
2015 0.2% 4.4%
2014 -0.6% 4.6%
2013 0.4% 5.4%
2012 6.7% 4.6%
2011 2.7% 3.2%
2010 2.1% 4.4%
2009 0.9% 3.5%
2008 7.4% 4.9%
2007 1.3% 3.4%
2006 3.8% 4.1%
2005 5.4% 1.9%
2004 0.9% 3.7%
2003 1.5% 2.7%
2002 2.4% 2.7%
2001 4% 1.9%
2000 4.2% 2.8%
1999 0.3% 2.8%
1998 5.8% 3.1%
1997 3.8% 3.6%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 4.54% in Tunisia. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 5.3% in Tunisia.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $192K
Textiles & consumer goods $2K
Metals $1K
Tunisia
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.95M
Metals $2.97M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.76M
Chemicals & pharma $1.58M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $954K
Raw materials & minerals $943K
Animal & marine products $737K
Raw agricultural goods $68K
Wood & paper products $45K
Miscellaneous $1K

Balance of trade

Benin Tunisia
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$775M
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
111/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-1.51%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$18.7B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$8.95B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$3.92B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$11.2B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
54.8%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
46.7%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Tunisia
Economic freedom 60 48.1
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 172/197
Property rights 46.4 55.7
Government integrity 44.1 42.1
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 39.7
Tax burden 69.4 68.5
Government spending 89.1 62.5
Fiscal health 65.4 16
Business freedom 53.3 59.4
Labor freedom 60.2 55.8
Monetary freedom 82.1 72.4
Trade freedom 62.6 54.6
Investment freedom 50 20
Financial freedom 50 30

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Tunisia
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Tunisia
2026 60 48.1
2025 58.5 49.1
2024 57.7 48.8
2023 59.8 52.9
2022 61 54.2
2021 59.6 56.6
2020 55.2 55.8
2019 55.3 55.4
2018 56.7 58.9
2017 59.2 55.7
2016 59.3 57.6
2015 58.8 57.7
2014 57.1 57.3
2013 57.6 57
2012 55.7 58.6
2011 56 58.5
2010 55.4 58.9
2009 55.4 58
2008 55.2 60.1
2007 55.1 60.3
2006 54 57.5
2005 52.3 55.4
2004 54.6 58.4
2003 54.9 58.1
2002 57.3 60.2
2001 60.1 60.8
2000 61.5 61.3
1999 60.6 61.1
1998 61.7 63.9
1997 61.3 63.8
1996 54.5 63.9
1995 - 63.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 48.1 for Tunisia, ranking 172/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Tunisia
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
62.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
22%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
10.3%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$53B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$14,870
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$9.34B
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
84/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$725M
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$760M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$34.6M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
10.9%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
16.6%
2021
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
15.2%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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.