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Economy of Benin vs Venezuela compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $99.7B for Venezuela, ranking 124/197 and 78/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $308B (309% of GDP) in Venezuela.

Benin vs Venezuela GDP by year

Benin
Venezuela
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Venezuela
2025 $24,566,420,904 $99,661,244,156
2024 $21,482,643,706 $120,566,112,397
2023 $19,673,291,004 $102,377,501,186
2022 $17,425,405,091 $89,013,251,021
2021 $17,687,623,530 $56,615,026,263
2020 $15,686,741,884 $42,837,965,907
2019 $14,391,686,313 $73,014,157,108
2018 $14,262,408,090 $101,987,075,929
2017 $12,701,655,837 $115,892,475,743
2016 $11,821,065,853 $112,948,035,495
2015 $11,388,160,997 $125,249,941,854
2014 $13,284,527,847 $214,838,755,022
2013 $12,517,845,124 $258,512,396,298
2012 $11,141,358,116 $371,846,610,182
2011 $10,693,321,364 $316,482,190,800
2010 $9,535,345,016 $393,192,354,511
2009 $9,738,626,517 $329,787,628,928
2008 $9,787,734,526 $315,953,388,511
2007 $8,169,048,383 $230,364,012,576
2006 $7,034,111,315 $183,477,522,124
2005 $6,567,654,954 $145,513,489,652
2004 $6,190,270,380 $112,451,400,425
2003 $5,349,258,094 $83,620,628,582
2002 $4,194,342,686 $92,893,587,734
2001 $3,666,222,635 $122,911,036,747
2000 $3,519,991,440 $117,146,466,003
1999 $3,677,393,999 $97,972,842,462
1998 $2,455,092,686 $91,336,763,255
1997 $2,268,301,646 $85,837,678,560
1996 $2,361,116,449 $70,543,211,119
1995 $2,169,627,138 $77,389,487,770
1994 $1,598,075,944 $58,418,666,667
1993 $2,274,558,083 $60,037,460,783
1992 $1,695,315,306 $60,416,519,620
1991 $1,986,437,797 $53,453,444,787
1990 $1,959,965,330 $48,606,952,195
1989 $1,502,294,416 $43,536,709,104
1988 $1,620,246,084 $60,226,413,793
1987 $1,562,412,228 $48,029,034,483
1986 $1,336,102,025 $60,516,123,711
1985 $1,045,712,789 $61,965,466,667
1984 $1,051,134,009 $59,867,743,468
1983 $1,095,348,199 $67,556,279,070
1982 $1,267,778,670 $67,736,744,186
1981 $1,291,120,188 $66,327,441,860
1980 $1,405,251,847 $59,116,511,628
1979 $1,186,231,020 $48,310,930,233
1978 $928,843,469 $39,316,279,070
1977 $750,049,779 $36,210,697,674
1976 $698,408,262 $31,419,534,884
1975 $676,870,140 $27,464,651,163
1974 $554,654,861 $26,100,930,233
1973 $504,376,074 $17,035,581,395
1972 $410,331,857 $13,977,727,273
1971 $335,073,028 $12,986,590,909
1970 $333,627,713 $11,561,111,111
1969 $330,748,245 $10,285,111,111
1968 $326,323,105 $10,034,444,444
1967 $306,221,953 $9,250,000,000
1966 $302,925,235 $8,781,333,333
1965 $289,908,680 $8,427,777,778
1964 $269,819,006 $8,192,413,793
1963 $253,927,697 $9,608,717,288
1962 $236,434,954 $8,814,309,884
1961 $235,668,221 $8,067,267,031
1960 $226,195,578 $7,663,938,303

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

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Venezuela by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Venezuela
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Venezuela
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $3,495 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $4,244 -
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $3,617 -
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $3,155 -
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $2,005 -
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $1,506 -
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $2,523 -
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $3,422 -
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $3,792 -
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $3,671 -
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $4,097 -
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $7,101 -
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $8,642 -
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $12,582 -
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $10,844 $21,241
2010 $973 $2,220 $13,646 $20,236
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $11,597 $20,562
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $11,262 $21,402
2007 $912 $2,136 $8,332 $20,236
2006 $809 $2,021 $6,739 $18,399
2005 $779 $1,946 $5,432 $16,511
2004 $759 $1,915 $4,269 $14,757
2003 $676 $1,842 $3,230 $12,359
2002 $546 $1,800 $3,652 $13,375
2001 $492 $1,746 $4,920 $14,714
2000 $487 $1,671 $4,776 $14,174
1999 $525 $1,592 $4,071 $13,623
1998 $362 $1,537 $3,870 $14,568
1997 $345 $1,508 $3,711 $14,655
1996 $369 $1,444 $3,113 $13,824
1995 $348 $1,395 $3,487 $13,890
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $2,689 $13,370
1993 $387 $1,311 $2,825 $13,702
1992 $302 $1,265 $2,907 $13,652
1991 $365 $1,239 $2,633 $12,880
1990 $371 $1,186 $2,452 $11,628
1989 $293.3 - $2,250 -
1988 $326 - $3,191 -
1987 $324 - $2,611 -
1986 $285.8 - $3,376 -
1985 $230.4 - $3,549 -
1984 $238.6 - $3,520 -
1983 $256 - $4,079 -
1982 $305 - $4,202 -
1981 $320 - $4,228 -
1980 $358 - $3,874 -
1979 $311 - $3,257 -
1978 $249.8 - $2,727 -
1977 $207 - $2,585 -
1976 $197.7 - $2,309 -
1975 $196.5 - $2,078 -
1974 $164.9 - $2,034 -
1973 $153.6 - $1,367 -
1972 $127.9 - $1,155 -
1971 $106.9 - $1,106 -
1970 $108.8 - $1,015 -
1969 $110.3 - $932 -
1968 $111.2 - $938 -
1967 $106.6 - $893 -
1966 $107.6 - $876 -
1965 $105.1 - $869 -
1964 $99.8 - $874 -
1963 $95.7 - $1,060 -
1962 $90.8 - $1,007 -
1961 $92.1 - $954 -
1960 $89.9 - $939 -

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

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $3,495 in Venezuela, ranking 138/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Venezuela ranks 93rd at $21,241.

Economic indicators

Benin Venezuela
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$99.7B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
78/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
1.57%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$3,495
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
138/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$21,241
2011
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
93/197
2011
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$308B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
309%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$10,790
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
58/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$2,659
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$3.98B
2002
Number of billionaires n/a
1
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
33.2%
2006
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.2%
2006
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
20.3%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
252%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
58.9%
2026
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
7.53%
2020
Population
15358725
28692435

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Venezuela
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Venezuela
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 20.3% 309%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 17.5% 169.1%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 13.1% 138.5%
2022 20% 59.7% 15.1% 164.4%
2021 20% 55.6% 13.1% 254.2%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 11.2% 337%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 21% 206%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 37.9% 175.3%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 21.8% 133.6%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 19.7% 138.4%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 22.9% 129.8%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 31.6% 84.9%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 36.5% 85.4%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 38% 58.4%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 39.4% 52.5%
2010 14.1% 21% 31.1% 37.7%
2009 17% 18.7% 33.3% 27.6%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 34.9% 20.3%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 35.9% 26.4%
2006 13% 8.37% 39.3% 25.7%
2005 14.1% 27% 33.5% 34.9%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 31.9% 41.8%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 32.2% 56%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 31% 48.2%
2001 15.4% 38% 31.9% 30.7%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 28.3% 27.7%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 26.1% 29.6%
1998 14.9% 53.6% 28.8% 30.7%
1997 17.3% 42.9% 31% 34.8%
1996 18.2% 43.4% 27.7% 45.9%
1995 20.2% 48.3% 32.9% 45.9%
1994 18.5% 64.6% 42.2% 63.9%
1993 16.4% 41.9% 27.7% 57.7%
1992 18.4% 41.8% 30.6% 54.8%
1991 17.2% 44% 33.9% 62.2%
1990 18.1% 45.3% 31.9% 63.3%
1989 17.1% 50.3% 32.5% 61.8%
1988 - - 33.2% 46.3%
1987 - - 25.1% 58.3%
1986 - - 21.5% 45.9%
1985 - - 20.3% 34.1%
1984 - - 19.7% 36.4%
1983 - - 25.3% 21.4%
1982 - - 29% 18.6%
1981 - - 29.6% 18.9%
1980 - - 22% 16.6%
1979 - - 22.3% 19.2%
1978 - - 29.2% 16.6%
1977 - - 30.6% 12.7%
1976 - - 26.6% 9.64%
1975 - - 33.8% 8.31%
1974 - - 35.3% 7.72%
1973 - - 20% 9.78%
1972 - - 21.3% 10.6%
1971 - - 19.6% 9.64%
1970 - - 19.5% 10.6%
1969 - - 21% 9.91%
1968 - - 19.8% 7.84%
1967 - - 19.8% 6.74%
1966 - - 19.1% 5.84%
1965 - - 18.7% 5.46%
1964 - - 17.9% 4.95%
1963 - - 18.7% 6.3%
1962 - - 17.6% 7.24%
1961 - - 11.8% 8.79%
1960 - - 23.7% 8.28%

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/venezuela | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Venezuela spent $20.2B, or 20.3% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 309% in Venezuela, ranking 83/185 and 1/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Venezuela
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Venezuela
2025 -2.9% -5.84%
2024 -3.06% -3.67%
2023 -4.13% -1.25%
2022 -5.55% -5.29%
2021 -2.53% -5.85%
2020 -4.68% -6.63%
2019 -0.53% -10.9%
2018 -2.96% -31%
2017 -4.18% -13.3%
2016 -4.29% -8.46%
2015 -5.55% -8.06%
2014 -1.65% -9.81%
2013 -1.37% -10.4%
2012 -0.22% -9.86%
2011 -0.98% -8.24%
2010 -0.28% -4.74%
2009 -2.24% -8.69%
2008 -0.04% -3.46%
2007 0.22% -2.82%
2006 -0.15% -1.6%
2005 -1.52% 4.09%
2004 -0.7% 2.47%
2003 -1.07% 0.17%
2002 -3.33% -1.48%
2001 -3.27% -4.59%
2000 -3.69% 4.45%
1999 1.94% 0.74%
1998 2.5% -4.49%
1997 0.64% 2.58%
1996 -0.15% 7.94%
1995 -2.61% -5.86%
1994 -2.14% -11.2%
1993 -0.56% -2.92%
1992 -2.71% -6.37%
1991 -3.08% -2.28%
1990 -3.24% 3.84%
1989 0.89% -0.91%
1988 - -9.24%
1987 - -7.47%
1986 - 0.82%
1985 - 6.97%
1984 - 5.33%
1983 - 1.24%
1982 - -0.17%
1981 - 4.74%
1980 - 4.41%
1979 - -3.07%
1978 - -5.44%
1977 - -4.69%
1976 - 1.65%
1975 - 0.88%
1974 - 2.76%
1973 - 1.98%
1972 - 0.42%
1971 - 0.78%
1970 - -1.22%
1969 - -2.17%
1968 - -0.32%
1967 - 0.51%
1966 - 0.23%
1965 - 0.39%
1964 - 1.91%
1963 - 1.92%
1962 - 2.14%
1961 - -1.91%
1960 - -4.08%
1959 - -4.98%
1958 - -4.86%
1957 - 6.7%
1956 - 0.76%
1955 - 0.38%
1954 - 1.84%
1953 - 0.03%
1952 - -0.5%
1951 - -0.24%
1950 - -0.23%
1949 - 0.15%
1948 - 1.27%
1947 - 0.09%
1946 - -0.9%
1945 - 2.9%
1944 - 1.85%
1943 - -0.27%
1942 - 0.2%
1941 - 0.01%
1940 - -1.07%
1939 - -0.78%
1938 - 0.68%
1937 - 0.73%
1936 - -0.52%
1935 - -2.23%
1934 - 1.34%
1933 - 1.03%
1932 - 0.51%
1931 - 1.02%
1930 - -2.03%
1929 - -0.34%
1928 - -0.68%
1927 - 1.55%
1926 - 0.14%
1925 - 0.54%
1924 - 0.37%
1923 - 1.32%
1922 - 1.57%
1921 - -0.97%
1920 - -1.75%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1989, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/benin/venezuela | 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 Venezuela's deficit of $5.82B, or 5.84% of GDP.

Over the past 37 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 32 of those years, while Venezuela ran a deficit in 29 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 1.87% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.69% of GDP for Venezuela.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Venezuela
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Venezuela
2025 1.1% 252%
2024 1.2% 49.4%
2023 2.7% 338%
2022 1.4% 186.5%
2021 1.7% 1,589%
2020 3% 2,355%
2019 -0.9% 19,906%
2018 0.8% 65,374%
2017 1.8% 438%
2016 -0.8% 254.9%
2015 0.2% 121.7%
2014 -0.6% 62.2%
2013 0.4% 40.6%
2012 6.7% 21.1%
2011 2.7% 26.1%
2010 2.1% 28.2%
2009 0.9% 26%
2008 7.4% 31.4%
2007 1.3% 18.7%
2006 3.8% 13.7%
2005 5.4% 16%
2004 0.9% 21.7%
2003 1.5% 31.1%
2002 2.4% 22.4%
2001 4% 12.5%
2000 4.2% 16.2%
1999 0.3% 23.6%
1998 5.8% 35.8%
1997 3.8% 50%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 3,150% in Venezuela. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 252% in Venezuela.

Balance of trade

Benin Venezuela
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
-$3.87B
2016
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
155/190
2016
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
-3.43%
2016
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$16.3B
2016
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$27.4B
2016
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$9.47B
2016
Service exports
$461M
2023
$1.28B
2016
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
10.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
14.9%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Venezuela
Economic freedom 60 27.3
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 194/197
Property rights 46.4 0
Government integrity 44.1 6.9
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 5.1
Tax burden 69.4 73.4
Government spending 89.1 93
Fiscal health 65.4 29.1
Business freedom 53.3 31.1
Labor freedom 60.2 35.5
Monetary freedom 82.1 0
Trade freedom 62.6 43.2
Investment freedom 50 0
Financial freedom 50 10

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Venezuela
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Venezuela
2026 60 27.3
2025 58.5 27.6
2024 57.7 28.1
2023 59.8 25.8
2022 61 24.8
2021 59.6 24.7
2020 55.2 25.2
2019 55.3 25.9
2018 56.7 25.2
2017 59.2 27
2016 59.3 33.7
2015 58.8 34.3
2014 57.1 36.3
2013 57.6 36.1
2012 55.7 38.1
2011 56 37.6
2010 55.4 37.1
2009 55.4 39.9
2008 55.2 44.7
2007 55.1 47.9
2006 54 44.6
2005 52.3 45.2
2004 54.6 46.7
2003 54.9 54.8
2002 57.3 54.7
2001 60.1 54.6
2000 61.5 57.4
1999 60.6 56.1
1998 61.7 54
1997 61.3 52.8
1996 54.5 54.5
1995 - 59.8

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 27.3 for Venezuela, ranking 194/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Venezuela
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
51.7%
2014
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
37.2%
2014
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
5.03%
2014
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$110B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$20,840
2011
Total reserves including gold n/a
$9.79B
2017
Total reserves ranking n/a
80/177
2017
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$27M
2016
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$1.63B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$2.6B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
33.1%
2015
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
5.93%
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/venezuela | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1920–1997, 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. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. 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.