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Economy of Benin vs Vanuatu compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a GDP of $21.5B compared to $1.12B for Vanuatu, ranking 126/197 and 188/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $11.5B in government debt (53.4% of GDP), compared to $507M (45.3% of GDP) in Vanuatu.

Benin vs Vanuatu GDP by year

Benin
Vanuatu
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Vanuatu
2024 $21,482,643,706 $1,117,972,034
2023 $19,673,291,004 $1,115,861,056
2022 $17,425,405,091 $1,055,031,361
2021 $17,687,623,530 $950,394,007
2020 $15,686,741,884 $909,421,044
2019 $14,391,686,313 $936,526,268
2018 $14,262,408,090 $914,727,908
2017 $12,701,655,837 $880,043,284
2016 $11,821,065,853 $804,323,577
2015 $11,388,160,997 $759,690,181
2014 $13,284,527,847 $773,717,011
2013 $12,517,845,124 $758,304,466
2012 $11,141,358,116 $747,839,698
2011 $10,693,321,364 $770,153,588
2010 $9,535,345,016 $670,712,980
2009 $9,738,626,517 $592,622,319
2008 $9,787,734,526 $590,748,429
2007 $8,169,048,383 $516,392,923
2006 $7,034,111,315 $439,358,587
2005 $6,567,654,954 $394,962,433
2004 $6,190,270,380 $364,996,869
2003 $5,349,258,094 $314,471,413
2002 $4,194,342,686 $262,596,536
2001 $3,666,222,635 $257,926,882
2000 $3,519,991,440 $272,014,628
1999 $3,677,393,999 $268,006,973
1998 $2,455,092,686 $262,293,411
1997 $2,268,301,646 $272,771,209
1996 $2,361,116,449 $261,370,044
1995 $2,169,627,138 $249,333,250
1994 $1,598,075,944 $233,701,301
1993 $2,274,558,083 $200,491,853
1992 $1,695,315,306 $209,088,825
1991 $1,986,437,797 $201,334,169
1990 $1,959,965,330 $168,879,207
1989 $1,502,294,416 $154,013,202
1988 $1,620,246,084 $158,351,368
1987 $1,562,412,228 $139,464,174
1986 $1,336,102,025 $126,498,935
1985 $1,045,712,789 $131,856,421
1984 $1,051,134,009 $144,482,515
1983 $1,095,348,199 $117,389,554
1982 $1,267,778,670 $114,501,913
1981 $1,291,120,188 $113,781,796
1980 $1,405,251,847 $121,185,498
1979 $1,186,231,020 $119,258,835
1978 $928,843,469 -
1977 $750,049,779 -
1976 $698,408,262 -
1975 $676,870,140 -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

GDP per capita in Benin vs Vanuatu by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vanuatu
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Vanuatu
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $3,411 $3,606
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $3,483 $3,568
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $3,370 $3,453
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $3,107 $3,136
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,043 $3,118
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $3,207 $3,315
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $3,207 $3,233
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $3,160 $3,146
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $2,956 $3,030
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $2,855 $2,966
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $2,973 $2,890
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $2,980 $2,832
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $3,005 $2,834
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $3,163 $2,816
2010 $973 $2,220 $2,815 $2,733
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $2,546 $2,730
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $2,604 $2,701
2007 $912 $2,136 $2,334 $2,573
2006 $809 $2,021 $2,035 $2,496
2005 $779 $1,946 $1,874 $2,287
2004 $759 $1,915 $1,774 $2,157
2003 $676 $1,842 $1,567 $2,070
2002 $546 $1,800 $1,341 $1,995
2001 $492 $1,746 $1,350 $2,125
2000 $487 $1,671 $1,460 $2,206
1999 $525 $1,592 $1,472 $2,084
1998 $362 $1,537 $1,471 $2,091
1997 $345 $1,508 $1,562 $2,087
1996 $369 $1,444 $1,529 $1,998
1995 $348 $1,395 $1,492 $1,961
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $1,431 $1,946
1993 $387 $1,311 $1,257 $1,789
1992 $302 $1,265 $1,344 $1,777
1991 $365 $1,239 $1,326 $1,737
1990 $371 $1,186 $1,141 $1,670
1989 $293.3 - $1,067 -
1988 $326 - $1,125 -
1987 $324 - $1,017 -
1986 $285.8 - $946 -
1985 $230.4 - $1,012 -
1984 $238.6 - $1,137 -
1983 $256 - $947 -
1982 $305 - $946 -
1981 $320 - $962 -
1980 $358 - $1,048 -
1979 $311 - $1,055 -
1978 $249.8 - - -
1977 $207 - - -
1976 $197.7 - - -
1975 $196.5 - - -
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/vanuatu | CC BY

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,485, ranking 162/197, compared to $3,411 in Vanuatu, ranking 137/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Vanuatu ranks 170th at $3,606.

Economic indicators

Benin Vanuatu
Gross domestic product
$21.5B
2024
$1.12B
2024
GDP rank
126/197
2024
188/197
2024
GDP growth
7.45%
2023-2024
0.94%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$3,411
2024
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2024
137/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$3,606
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
170/197
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$507M
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
45.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$1,546
2024
Government debt per person rank
151/185
2024
131/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$3,164
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
24.7%
2019
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
3%
2019
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
41.1%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.2%
2023-2024
11.2%
2022-2023
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
4.05%
2020
Population
15272847
344750

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Vanuatu
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Vanuatu
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 18.1% 53.4% 41.1% 45.3%
2023 19.2% 54.9% 41.6% 41.8%
2022 19.9% 54.2% 42% 42.8%
2021 19.9% 50.3% 44.4% 48.5%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 43.4% 48%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 39.8% 45.1%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 33.3% 45.3%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 37.1% 52.6%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 35.2% 42.5%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 42.4% 36.3%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 23.3% 20.2%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 22.9% 18.6%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 24.5% 19.3%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 25.1% 21.3%
2010 14.1% 21% 28.3% 20.2%
2009 17% 18.7% 27.6% 21.1%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 27.8% 21.2%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 22.5% 19.5%
2006 13% 8.37% 20.1% 22.2%
2005 14.1% 27% 18.3% 26.3%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 18.5% 30.4%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 18.8% 38.3%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 22.3% 38.8%
2001 15.4% 38% 22.3% 37%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 25.4% 36.1%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 23.9% 30.6%
1998 10.9% 39.2% 27.9% 28%
1997 12.7% 42.9% 22.2% 22.9%
1996 13.3% 43.4% 24.5% 23.1%
1995 14.8% 48.3% 28% 24.1%
1994 13.6% 64.6% 24.4% 21.6%
1993 12% 41.9% 26.2% 20.3%
1992 13.5% 41.8% 31.8% 21%
1991 12.6% 44% 33.2% 15.9%
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/vanuatu | CC BY

In 2024, Benin's government spending was $3.88B, accounting for 18.1% of its GDP, while Vanuatu spent $459M, or 41.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 53.4% in Benin and 45.3% in Vanuatu, ranking 99/185 and 119/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Vanuatu
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Vanuatu
2024 -3.06% -2.34%
2023 -4.13% -0.95%
2022 -5.55% -6.5%
2021 -5.71% 2.38%
2020 -4.68% -1.95%
2019 -0.53% 2.81%
2018 -2.96% 6.26%
2017 -4.18% -1.2%
2016 -4.29% -0.72%
2015 -5.55% -8.66%
2014 -1.65% 1.44%
2013 -1.37% -0.25%
2012 -0.22% -1.7%
2011 -0.98% -2.19%
2010 -0.28% -2.63%
2009 -2.24% -0.85%
2008 -0.04% -0.04%
2007 0.22% 0.28%
2006 -0.15% 0.49%
2005 -1.52% 1.86%
2004 -0.7% 0.8%
2003 -1.07% -1.35%
2002 -3.33% -3.63%
2001 -3.27% -3.33%
2000 -3.69% -6.28%
1999 1.94% -0.55%
1998 1.83% -6.65%
1997 0.47% -0.51%
1996 -0.11% -1.78%
1995 -1.91% -2.59%
1994 -1.57% -1.49%
1993 -0.41% -3.67%
1992 -1.98% -2.32%
1991 -2.25% -2.81%
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/vanuatu | 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 Vanuatu's deficit of $26.2M, or 2.34% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 30 of those years, while Vanuatu ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.91% of GDP, compared to deficit of 1.49% of GDP for Vanuatu.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Vanuatu
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Vanuatu
2024 1.2% -
2023 2.7% 11.2%
2022 1.4% 6.68%
2021 1.7% 2.34%
2020 3% 5.33%
2019 -0.9% 2.76%
2018 0.8% 2.33%
2017 1.8% 3.08%
2016 -0.8% 0.84%
2015 0.2% 2.48%
2014 -0.6% 0.8%
2013 0.4% 1.46%
2012 6.7% 1.35%
2011 2.7% 0.87%
2010 2.1% 2.76%
2009 0.9% 4.3%
2008 7.4% 4.84%
2007 1.3% 3.94%
2006 3.8% 2.04%
2005 5.4% 1.2%
2004 0.9% 1.42%
2003 1.5% 3.02%
2002 2.4% 1.96%
2001 4% 3.58%
2000 4.2% 2.54%
1999 0.3% 2%
1998 5.8% 3.28%
1997 3.8% 2.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 27 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.33%, compared with 3.01% in Vanuatu. In 2023, inflation was 1.2% in Benin and 11.2% in Vanuatu.

Balance of trade

Benin Vanuatu
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$127M
2022
Current account balance ranking
135/190
2023
90/190
2022
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-12.1%
2022
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$350M
2022
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$73.6M
2022
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$230M
2022
Service exports
$461M
2023
$78.5M
2022
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.8%
2024
54.2%
2022
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
18.8%
2024
9.43%
2022

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Vanuatu
Economic freedom 60 61.1
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 92/197
Property rights 46.4 62.1
Government integrity 44.1 48.3
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 67.9
Tax burden 69.4 96.9
Government spending 89.1 48.1
Fiscal health 65.4 78.8
Business freedom 53.3 50.3
Labor freedom 60.2 41
Monetary freedom 82.1 72.1
Trade freedom 62.6 62
Investment freedom 50 65
Financial freedom 50 40

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Vanuatu
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Vanuatu
2026 60 61.1
2025 58.5 61.8
2024 57.7 62.2
2023 59.8 62.1
2022 61 62.9
2021 59.6 60.5
2020 55.2 60.7
2019 55.3 56.4
2018 56.7 69.5
2017 59.2 67.4
2016 59.3 60.8
2015 58.8 61.1
2014 57.1 59.5
2013 57.6 56.6
2012 55.7 56.6
2011 56 56.7
2010 55.4 56.4
2009 55.4 58.4
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/vanuatu | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 61.1 for Vanuatu, ranking 92/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Vanuatu
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
59.1%
2022
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
7.37%
2022
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.2%
2024
24.3%
2022
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$1.28B
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,390
2024
$4,140
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$615M
2024
Total reserves ranking n/a
152/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$9.21M
2022
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$28.9M
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$2.79M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
2.04%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
15.9%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.1%
2024
38.3%
2022

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/vanuatu | 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.