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Economy of Benin vs United Kingdom compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $4T for the United Kingdom, ranking 124/197 and 5/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $4.1T (102.3% of GDP) in the United Kingdom.

Benin vs United Kingdom GDP by year

Benin
United Kingdom
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin United Kingdom
2025 $24,566,420,904 $4,002,587,541,846
2024 $21,482,643,706 $3,695,539,513,534
2023 $19,673,291,004 $3,420,796,653,789
2022 $17,425,405,091 $3,181,244,350,465
2021 $17,687,623,530 $3,194,559,188,926
2020 $15,686,741,884 $2,724,001,478,305
2019 $14,391,686,313 $2,875,710,080,015
2018 $14,262,408,090 $2,897,028,009,916
2017 $12,701,655,837 $2,699,118,387,873
2016 $11,821,065,853 $2,706,807,606,539
2015 $11,388,160,997 $2,945,579,890,258
2014 $13,284,527,847 $3,085,362,169,410
2013 $12,517,845,124 $2,796,908,333,283
2012 $11,141,358,116 $2,719,715,961,540
2011 $10,693,321,364 $2,675,590,034,129
2010 $9,535,345,016 $2,496,740,681,057
2009 $9,738,626,517 $2,429,358,155,476
2008 $9,787,734,526 $2,945,251,838,235
2007 $8,169,048,383 $3,104,699,879,952
2006 $7,034,111,315 $2,719,558,417,663
2005 $6,567,654,954 $2,551,361,818,182
2004 $6,190,270,380 $2,429,774,807,763
2003 $5,349,258,094 $2,061,227,755,102
2002 $4,194,342,686 $1,790,536,570,743
2001 $3,666,222,635 $1,656,171,009,069
2000 $3,519,991,440 $1,671,597,821,153
1999 $3,677,393,999 $1,693,458,987,219
1998 $2,455,092,686 $1,660,821,464,061
1997 $2,268,301,646 $1,569,317,288,802
1996 $2,361,116,449 $1,425,287,051,482
1995 $2,169,627,138 $1,349,094,208,616
1994 $1,598,075,944 $1,140,489,745,944
1993 $2,274,558,083 $1,061,388,722,256
1992 $1,695,315,306 $1,179,659,529,660
1991 $1,986,437,797 $1,142,797,178,131
1990 $1,959,965,330 $1,093,169,389,205
1989 $1,502,294,416 $926,884,816,754
1988 $1,620,246,084 $910,122,732,124
1987 $1,562,412,228 $745,162,608,269
1986 $1,336,102,025 $601,452,653,181
1985 $1,045,712,789 $489,285,164,271
1984 $1,051,134,009 $461,487,097,632
1983 $1,095,348,199 $489,618,008,186
1982 $1,267,778,670 $515,048,916,841
1981 $1,291,120,188 $540,765,675,241
1980 $1,405,251,847 $564,947,710,899
1979 $1,186,231,020 $438,994,070,309
1978 $928,843,469 $335,883,029,722
1977 $750,049,779 $263,066,457,352
1976 $698,408,262 $232,614,555,256
1975 $676,870,140 $241,756,637,168
1974 $554,654,861 $206,131,369,799
1973 $504,376,074 $192,537,971,583
1972 $410,331,857 $169,965,034,965
1971 $335,073,028 $148,113,896,325
1970 $333,627,713 $130,671,946,244
1969 $330,748,245 $116,464,702,803
1968 $326,323,105 $107,759,910,068
1967 $306,221,953 $113,116,888,211
1966 $302,925,235 $108,572,752,102
1965 $289,908,680 $101,824,755,079
1964 $269,819,006 $94,407,558,351
1963 $253,927,697 $86,561,961,812
1962 $236,434,954 $81,247,564,157
1961 $235,668,221 $77,741,965,703
1960 $226,195,578 $73,233,967,692

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/united-kingdom | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs United Kingdom by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
United Kingdom
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin United Kingdom
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $57,602 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $53,341 $62,009
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $49,920 $59,911
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $47,035 $59,022
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $47,696 $51,004
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $40,815 $48,230
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $43,161 $50,065
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $43,704 $47,212
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $40,918 $46,113
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $41,259 $44,085
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $45,256 $42,515
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $47,747 $41,267
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $43,608 $39,948
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $42,688 $38,337
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $42,296 $37,224
2010 $973 $2,220 $39,778 $36,484
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $39,009 $35,042
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $47,652 $36,745
2007 $912 $2,136 $50,629 $35,522
2006 $809 $2,021 $44,695 $34,727
2005 $779 $1,946 $42,240 $32,726
2004 $759 $1,915 $40,504 $32,051
2003 $676 $1,842 $34,557 $30,314
2002 $546 $1,800 $30,159 $29,089
2001 $492 $1,746 $28,014 $27,913
2000 $487 $1,671 $28,384 $26,536
1999 $525 $1,592 $28,858 $24,494
1998 $362 $1,537 $28,396 $23,689
1997 $345 $1,508 $26,910 $23,071
1996 $369 $1,444 $24,503 $21,947
1995 $348 $1,395 $23,253 $20,595
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $19,709 $19,605
1993 $387 $1,311 $18,389 $18,336
1992 $302 $1,265 $20,487 $17,349
1991 $365 $1,239 $19,901 $16,791
1990 $371 $1,186 $19,095 $16,505
1989 $293.3 - $16,239 -
1988 $326 - $15,987 -
1987 $324 - $13,119 -
1986 $285.8 - $10,611 -
1985 $230.4 - $8,652 -
1984 $238.6 - $8,179 -
1983 $256 - $8,692 -
1982 $305 - $9,146 -
1981 $320 - $9,599 -
1980 $358 - $10,032 -
1979 $311 - $7,805 -
1978 $249.8 - $5,977 -
1977 $207 - $4,681 -
1976 $197.7 - $4,138 -
1975 $196.5 - $4,300 -
1974 $164.9 - $3,666 -
1973 $153.6 - $3,426 -
1972 $127.9 - $3,030 -
1971 $106.9 - $2,650 -
1970 $108.8 - $2,348 -
1969 $110.3 - $2,101 -
1968 $111.2 - $1,952 -
1967 $106.6 - $2,059 -
1966 $107.6 - $1,987 -
1965 $105.1 - $1,874 -
1964 $99.8 - $1,748 -
1963 $95.7 - $1,613 -
1962 $90.8 - $1,526 -
1961 $92.1 - $1,472 -
1960 $89.9 - $1,398 -

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/united-kingdom | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $57,602 in the United Kingdom, ranking 21/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while the United Kingdom ranks 32nd at $62,009.

Economic indicators

Benin United Kingdom
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$4T
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
5/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
1.39%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$57,602
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
21/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$62,009
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
32/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$4.1T
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
102.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$58,936
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
7/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$43,539
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.1T
2022
Number of millionaires n/a
2,428,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
56
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
43.6%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
3.88%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
3.75%
2025
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
4.9%
2025
Population
15358725
70071289

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
United Kingdom
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin United Kingdom
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 43.6% 102.3%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 43.7% 99.9%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 44.2% 98.9%
2022 20% 59.7% 43.2% 97.5%
2021 20% 55.6% 44.9% 103.4%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 49.3% 104.8%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 38.3% 84.9%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 38.5% 85.6%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 38.8% 86.1%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 39.3% 87.3%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 40.1% 87.3%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 40.8% 86.5%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 41.6% 84.9%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 43.3% 84.1%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 43.3% 81.1%
2010 14.1% 21% 44.5% 75.5%
2009 17% 18.7% 44.2% 64.5%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 40.6% 50.6%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 38.4% 43%
2006 13% 8.37% 38.2% 41.9%
2005 14.1% 27% 38.3% 40.9%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 37.9% 39.7%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 37% 36.6%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 35.8% 35.3%
2001 15.4% 38% 34.5% 34.8%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 33.8% 37.5%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 33.7% 40.3%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 34.3% 41.8%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 34.7% 43.9%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 35.6% 43.5%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 37.5% 43.5%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 37.4% 40.6%
1993 16.4% 41.9% 37.6% 37.8%
1992 18.4% 41.8% 37.7% 33.1%
1991 17.2% 44% 35.7% 28.4%
1990 18.1% 45.3% 34.9% 28.4%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 39.7% 31.4%
1988 - - 40.3% 36.6%
1987 - - 42.7% 41.8%
1986 - - 44.6% 42.9%
1985 - - 48.7% 42.9%
1984 - - 50.3% 44.1%
1983 - - 50.4% 44.2%
1982 - - 50.8% 44.7%
1981 - - 51.2% 41.1%
1980 - - 47.6% 43.7%
1979 - - 45.1% 44.5%
1978 - - 46.2% 47.3%
1977 - - 46.8% 53.7%
1976 - - 49.2% 47.7%
1975 - - 49.1% 49.6%
1974 - - 47.8% 56.2%
1973 - - 43.5% 58.5%
1972 - - 42.3% 65%
1971 - - 41.2% 67.9%
1970 - - 42% 73.4%
1969 - - 39.2% 82.8%
1968 - - 40.3% 88.5%
1967 - - 40.1% 89.1%
1966 - - 35.7% 91.9%
1965 - - 34.6% 94.6%
1964 - - 32.8% 101.1%
1963 - - 37.4% 108.6%
1962 - - 33.8% 110.5%
1961 - - 31.5% 113.8%
1960 - - 33.1% 117.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/united-kingdom | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while the United Kingdom spent $1.75T, or 43.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 102.3% in the United Kingdom, ranking 83/185 and 22/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

United Kingdom
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin United Kingdom
2025 -2.9% -5.38%
2024 -3.06% -6.06%
2023 -4.13% -6.05%
2022 -5.55% -4.6%
2021 -2.53% -7.54%
2020 -4.68% -12.9%
2019 -0.53% -2.38%
2018 -2.96% -2.23%
2017 -4.18% -2.48%
2016 -4.29% -3.28%
2015 -5.55% -4.53%
2014 -1.65% -5.47%
2013 -1.37% -5.29%
2012 -0.22% -7.96%
2011 -0.98% -7.42%
2010 -0.28% -9.25%
2009 -2.24% -9.97%
2008 -0.04% -5.05%
2007 0.22% -2.63%
2006 -0.15% -2.74%
2005 -1.52% -3.13%
2004 -0.7% -3.14%
2003 -1.07% -3.19%
2002 -3.33% -1.95%
2001 -3.27% 0.34%
2000 -3.69% 1.4%
1999 1.94% 0.76%
1998 2.5% -0.21%
1997 0.64% -2%
1996 -0.15% -3.63%
1995 -2.61% -4.97%
1994 -2.14% -5.72%
1993 -0.56% -6.6%
1992 -2.71% -5.39%
1991 -3.08% -2.76%
1990 -3.24% -1.53%
1989 0.89% 0.77%
1988 - 0.46%
1987 - -1.79%
1986 - -2.56%
1985 - -5.57%
1984 - -6.39%
1983 - -6.26%
1982 - -5.66%
1981 - -7.03%
1980 - -5.65%
1979 - -5.79%
1978 - -6.63%
1977 - -4.41%
1976 - -5.61%
1975 - -5.08%
1974 - -4.06%
1973 - -4.29%
1972 - -1.66%
1971 - 1.48%
1970 - 2.61%
1969 - 1.03%
1968 - -2.3%
1967 - -4.57%
1966 - -1.59%
1965 - -2.06%
1964 - -1.76%
1963 - -5.47%
1962 - -0.49%
1961 - 0.56%
1960 - -2.75%
1959 - -0.58%
1958 - -1.73%
1957 - -1.04%
1956 - 0.55%
1955 - -0.39%
1954 - -1.65%
1953 - -2.84%
1952 - -1.26%
1951 - 2.03%
1950 - 0.34%
1949 - 3.01%
1948 - -0.39%
1947 - -15.8%
1946 - -22.5%
1945 - -30.9%
1944 - -29.7%
1943 - -33.3%
1942 - -31.6%
1941 - -32%
1940 - -12.1%
1939 - -2.99%
1938 - 0%
1937 - 0.82%
1936 - 0.17%
1935 - 0.37%
1934 - 0.48%
1933 - 0.99%
1932 - -0.15%
1931 - 0.8%
1930 - 1.01%
1929 - 0.75%
1928 - 1.75%
1927 - 1.62%
1926 - 0.6%
1925 - 0.84%
1924 - 1.19%
1923 - 2.23%
1922 - 2.45%
1921 - 1.15%
1920 - 4.2%
1919 - -6.28%
1918 - -34.4%
1917 - -48.8%
1916 - -50.6%
1915 - -30%
1914 - -14.6%
1913 - 0.25%
1912 - 0.22%
1911 - 0.51%
1910 - 1.75%
1909 - -1.25%
1908 - 0.34%
1907 - 0.66%
1906 - 0.58%
1905 - 0.36%
1904 - 0.2%
1903 - -0.22%
1902 - -1.77%
1901 - -2.74%
1900 - -2.96%
1899 - -0.79%
1898 - 0.01%
1897 - 0.25%
1896 - 0.17%
1895 - 0.3%
1894 - 0.06%
1893 - -0.007%
1892 - 0.14%
1891 - 0.19%
1890 - 0.23%
1889 - 0.3%
1888 - 0.27%
1887 - 0.25%
1886 - 0.07%
1885 - -0.21%
1884 - -0.04%
1883 - 0.06%
1882 - 0.02%
1881 - 0.06%
1880 - 0.1%
1879 - -0.86%
1878 - -0.18%
1877 - -0.18%
1876 - 0.09%
1875 - 0%
1874 - 0.09%
1873 - 0%
1872 - 0.55%
1871 - 0.29%
1870 - 0%
1869 - 0.77%
1868 - -0.45%
1867 - -0.45%
1866 - 0.11%
1865 - 0%
1864 - 0.24%
1863 - 0%
1862 - -0.13%
1861 - -0.4%
1860 - -0.43%
1859 - 0%
1858 - -0.15%
1857 - -0.15%
1856 - -0.6%
1855 - -3.57%
1854 - -3.39%
1853 - 0.5%
1852 - 0.35%
1851 - 0.35%
1850 - 0.37%
1849 - 0.34%
1848 - -0.17%
1847 - -6.13%
1846 - 0.52%
1845 - 0.56%
1844 - 0.59%
1843 - 0.44%
1842 - -0.87%
1841 - -0.42%
1840 - -0.2%
1839 - -0.18%
1838 - -0.19%
1837 - -0.21%
1836 - 0.59%
1835 - 0.42%
1834 - 0.23%
1833 - 0.24%
1832 - 0%
1831 - 0%
1830 - 0.45%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/united-kingdom | 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 the United Kingdom's deficit of $215B, or 5.38% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while the United Kingdom ran a deficit in 33 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.17% of GDP for the United Kingdom.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

United Kingdom
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin United Kingdom
2025 1.1% 3.88%
2024 1.2% 3.27%
2023 2.7% 6.79%
2022 1.4% 7.92%
2021 1.7% 2.52%
2020 3% 0.99%
2019 -0.9% 1.74%
2018 0.8% 2.29%
2017 1.8% 2.56%
2016 -0.8% 1.01%
2015 0.2% 0.37%
2014 -0.6% 1.45%
2013 0.4% 2.29%
2012 6.7% 2.57%
2011 2.7% 3.86%
2010 2.1% 2.49%
2009 0.9% 1.96%
2008 7.4% 3.52%
2007 1.3% 2.39%
2006 3.8% 2.46%
2005 5.4% 2.09%
2004 0.9% 1.39%
2003 1.5% 1.38%
2002 2.4% 1.52%
2001 4% 1.53%
2000 4.2% 1.18%
1999 0.3% 1.75%
1998 5.8% 1.82%
1997 3.8% 2.2%

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/united-kingdom | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 2.46% in the United Kingdom. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 3.88% in the United Kingdom.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $8.17M
Machinery & equipment $920K
Raw agricultural goods $800K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $148K
Textiles & consumer goods $31K
Precious metals & jewellery $22K
Metals $7K
Wood & paper products $2K
Animal & marine products $1K
United Kingdom
Export category Export value
Textiles & consumer goods $25.2M
Animal & marine products $16.3M
Machinery & equipment $12.4M
Chemicals & pharma $3.9M
Wood & paper products $670K
Miscellaneous $346K
Raw materials & minerals $318K
Metals $288K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $216K
Raw agricultural goods $36K

Balance of trade

Benin United Kingdom
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$97.1B
2025
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
189/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-2.43%
2025
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$827B
2025
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$506B
2025
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$450B
2025
Service exports
$461M
2023
$720B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
31.9%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
30.6%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin United Kingdom
Economic freedom 60 70.4
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 35/197
Property rights 46.4 93.6
Government integrity 44.1 83
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 83.1
Tax burden 69.4 61.7
Government spending 89.1 41.1
Fiscal health 65.4 32.4
Business freedom 53.3 83.6
Labor freedom 60.2 61.2
Monetary freedom 82.1 71.9
Trade freedom 62.6 82.8
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 80

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
United Kingdom
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin United Kingdom
2026 60 70.4
2025 58.5 69.3
2024 57.7 68.6
2023 59.8 69.9
2022 61 72.7
2021 59.6 78.4
2020 55.2 79.3
2019 55.3 78.9
2018 56.7 78
2017 59.2 76.4
2016 59.3 76.4
2015 58.8 75.8
2014 57.1 74.9
2013 57.6 74.8
2012 55.7 74.1
2011 56 74.5
2010 55.4 76.5
2009 55.4 79
2008 55.2 79.4
2007 55.1 79.9
2006 54 80.4
2005 52.3 79.2
2004 54.6 77.7
2003 54.9 77.5
2002 57.3 78.5
2001 60.1 77.6
2000 61.5 77.3
1999 60.6 76.2
1998 61.7 76.5
1997 61.3 76.4
1996 54.5 76.4
1995 - 77.9

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

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/united-kingdom | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 70.4 for the United Kingdom, ranking 35/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin United Kingdom
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
73.1%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
16.5%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
0.64%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$3.79T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$214B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
19/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
$10.3B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
-$13B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
-$72.5B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
18.6%
2017
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
19.7%
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/united-kingdom | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1830–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, 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.