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Economy of Benin vs Vietnam compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Benin has a GDP of $24.6B compared to $515B for Vietnam, ranking 124/197 and 33/197 by economy size, respectively.

Benin has $14.1B in government debt (57.3% of GDP), compared to $156B (30.3% of GDP) in Vietnam.

Benin vs Vietnam GDP by year

Benin
Vietnam
1x
Year GDP, current $
Benin Vietnam
2025 $24,566,420,904 $514,697,215,165
2024 $21,482,643,706 $476,324,572,784
2023 $19,673,291,004 $433,805,036,898
2022 $17,425,405,091 $413,445,230,669
2021 $17,687,623,530 $366,474,752,771
2020 $15,686,741,884 $346,615,738,538
2019 $14,391,686,313 $334,365,270,497
2018 $14,262,408,090 $310,106,478,395
2017 $12,701,655,837 $281,353,605,987
2016 $11,821,065,853 $257,096,001,178
2015 $11,388,160,997 $239,258,328,382
2014 $13,284,527,847 $233,451,469,643
2013 $12,517,845,124 $213,708,811,665
2012 $11,141,358,116 $195,590,661,129
2011 $10,693,321,364 $172,595,049,184
2010 $9,535,345,016 $147,201,173,197
2009 $9,738,626,517 $106,014,659,565
2008 $9,787,734,526 $99,130,304,099
2007 $8,169,048,383 $77,414,425,532
2006 $7,034,111,315 $66,371,664,817
2005 $6,567,654,954 $57,633,255,738
2004 $6,190,270,380 $45,427,854,693
2003 $5,349,258,094 $39,552,513,232
2002 $4,194,342,686 $35,064,105,501
2001 $3,666,222,635 $32,685,198,809
2000 $3,519,991,440 $31,172,518,403
1999 $3,677,393,999 $28,683,659,007
1998 $2,455,092,686 $27,209,602,050
1997 $2,268,301,646 $26,843,700,442
1996 $2,361,116,449 $24,657,470,575
1995 $2,169,627,138 $20,736,164,459
1994 $1,598,075,944 $16,286,433,533
1993 $2,274,558,083 $13,180,953,598
1992 $1,695,315,306 $9,866,990,236
1991 $1,986,437,797 $9,613,369,520
1990 $1,959,965,330 $6,471,740,806
1989 $1,502,294,416 $6,293,304,975
1988 $1,620,246,084 $25,423,812,649
1987 $1,562,412,228 $36,658,108,850
1986 $1,336,102,025 $26,336,616,250
1985 $1,045,712,789 $14,094,687,821
1984 $1,051,134,009 -
1983 $1,095,348,199 -
1982 $1,267,778,670 -
1981 $1,291,120,188 -
1980 $1,405,251,847 -
1979 $1,186,231,020 -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

GDP per capita in Benin vs Vietnam by year

Benin
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Vietnam
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Benin Vietnam
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $1,658 - $5,066 -
2024 $1,485 $4,435 $4,717 $16,386
2023 $1,394 $4,130 $4,323 $15,034
2022 $1,266 $3,844 $4,148 $13,905
2021 $1,319 $3,464 $3,704 $12,049
2020 $1,200 $3,245 $3,534 $11,609
2019 $1,131 $3,149 $3,441 $11,029
2018 $1,152 $2,965 $3,222 $10,010
2017 $1,055 $2,886 $2,956 $9,170
2016 $1,011 $2,842 $2,735 $8,375
2015 $1,002 $2,725 $2,578 $7,672
2014 $1,204 $2,670 $2,546 $7,297
2013 $1,169 $2,512 $2,360 $6,758
2012 $1,072 $2,346 $2,185 $6,377
2011 $1,059 $2,265 $1,951 $5,786
2010 $973 $2,220 $1,683 $5,389
2009 $1,024 $2,213 $1,226 $5,061
2008 $1,061 $2,215 $1,164 $4,844
2007 $912 $2,136 $926 $4,581
2006 $809 $2,021 $808 $4,237
2005 $779 $1,946 $711 $3,894
2004 $759 $1,915 $565 $3,543
2003 $676 $1,842 $497 $3,240
2002 $546 $1,800 $445 $3,002
2001 $492 $1,746 $419 $2,809
2000 $487 $1,671 $404 $2,614
1999 $525 $1,592 $376 $2,421
1998 $362 $1,537 $361 $2,308
1997 $345 $1,508 $362 $2,189
1996 $369 $1,444 $337 $2,019
1995 $348 $1,395 $287.8 $1,841
1994 $262.1 $1,316 $229.9 $1,674
1993 $387 $1,311 $189.4 $1,534
1992 $302 $1,265 $144.5 $1,413
1991 $365 $1,239 $143.7 $1,298
1990 $371 $1,186 $98.8 $1,210
1989 $293.3 - $98.1 -
1988 $326 - $405 -
1987 $324 - $595 -
1986 $285.8 - $436 -
1985 $230.4 - $238.6 -
1984 $238.6 - - -
1983 $256 - - -
1982 $305 - - -
1981 $320 - - -
1980 $358 - - -
1979 $311 - - -
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 (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

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

Benin's GDP per capita is $1,658, ranking 162/197, compared to $5,066 in Vietnam, ranking 122/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Benin ranks 162nd at $4,435, while Vietnam ranks 108th at $16,386.

Economic indicators

Benin Vietnam
Gross domestic product
$24.6B
2025
$515B
2025
GDP rank
124/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP growth
8.07%
2024-2025
8.02%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$1,658
2025
$5,066
2025
GDP per capita rank
162/197
2025
122/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$16,386
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
162/197
2024
108/197
2024
Government debt
$14.1B
2025
$156B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
57.3%
2025
30.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$950
2025
$1,537
2025
Government debt per person rank
145/185
2025
130/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,056
2026
$5,133
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$316B
2025
Number of billionaires n/a
5
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
28.1%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
2.6%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.5%
2025
22.1%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
1.1%
2024-2025
3.3%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate n/a
4.5%
2023
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
1.53%
2024
Population
15358725
102486146

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Benin
Spending

Debt
Vietnam
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Benin Vietnam
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 18.5% 57.3% 22.1% 30.3%
2024 18.2% 60.5% 19.1% 31.2%
2023 19.3% 61.3% 18.8% 34.3%
2022 20% 59.7% 18.2% 34.9%
2021 20% 55.6% 20.1% 39.2%
2020 19.1% 46.1% 21.3% 41.3%
2019 14.3% 40.4% 19.8% 41%
2018 16.5% 40.8% 20.5% 43.8%
2017 17.7% 39.4% 21.5% 46.6%
2016 15.4% 35.9% 22.2% 47.9%
2015 18.2% 30.9% 24.2% 46.1%
2014 14.2% 22.3% 22.8% 43.6%
2013 14.9% 18.5% 24.5% 41.4%
2012 14.2% 19.5% 23.5% 38.3%
2011 14.7% 21.9% 21.2% 36.2%
2010 14.1% 21% 23.7% 37.3%
2009 17% 18.7% 25% 36.2%
2008 14.5% 18.3% 21.4% 31%
2007 15.8% 14.3% 22.3% 32.2%
2006 13% 8.37% 20.5% 30.2%
2005 14.1% 27% 20.6% 28.7%
2004 13.4% 21.5% 19.4% 29.4%
2003 13.7% 23.4% 22.2% 29.8%
2002 15.3% 30.8% 19.7% 27.7%
2001 15.4% 38% 19.2% 25.4%
2000 15.6% 39.6% 17.8% 24.8%
1999 10.7% 39.4% 16.7% -
1998 14.9% 53.6% 16% -
1997 17.3% 42.9% - -
1996 18.2% 43.4% - -
1995 20.2% 48.3% - -
1994 18.5% 64.6% - -
1993 16.4% 41.9% - -
1992 18.4% 41.8% - -
1991 17.2% 44% - -
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/vietnam | CC BY

In 2025, Benin's government spending was $4.54B, accounting for 18.5% of its GDP, while Vietnam spent $114B, or 22.1% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 57.3% in Benin and 30.3% in Vietnam, ranking 83/185 and 153/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Benin

Vietnam
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Benin Vietnam
2025 -2.9% -2.2%
2024 -3.06% -1.54%
2023 -4.13% -1.72%
2022 -5.55% 0.67%
2021 -2.53% -1.43%
2020 -4.68% -2.86%
2019 -0.53% -0.4%
2018 -2.96% -1.02%
2017 -4.18% -1.96%
2016 -4.29% -3.16%
2015 -5.55% -4.98%
2014 -1.65% -5.02%
2013 -1.37% -5.96%
2012 -0.22% -5.46%
2011 -0.98% -0.9%
2010 -0.28% -2.25%
2009 -2.24% -4.82%
2008 -0.04% -0.45%
2007 0.22% -1.74%
2006 -0.15% 0.2%
2005 -1.52% -0.95%
2004 -0.7% -0.15%
2003 -1.07% -2.56%
2002 -3.33% -1.85%
2001 -3.27% -2.19%
2000 -3.69% -1.61%
1999 1.94% -1.25%
1998 2.5% -0.1%
1997 0.64% -
1996 -0.15% -
1995 -2.61% -
1994 -2.14% -
1993 -0.56% -
1992 -2.71% -
1991 -3.08% -
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/vietnam | 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 Vietnam's deficit of $11.3B, or 2.2% of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Benin recorded a fiscal deficit in 25 of those years, while Vietnam ran a deficit in 26 years. On average, Benin posted an annual deficit equal to 2.01% of GDP, compared to deficit of 2.06% of GDP for Vietnam.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Benin

Vietnam
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Benin Vietnam
2025 1.1% 3.3%
2024 1.2% 3.6%
2023 2.7% 3.3%
2022 1.4% 3.2%
2021 1.7% 1.8%
2020 3% 3.2%
2019 -0.9% 2.8%
2018 0.8% 3.5%
2017 1.8% 3.5%
2016 -0.8% 2.7%
2015 0.2% 0.6%
2014 -0.6% 4.1%
2013 0.4% 6.6%
2012 6.7% 9.1%
2011 2.7% 18.7%
2010 2.1% 10.5%
2009 0.9% 6.7%
2008 7.4% 23.1%
2007 1.3% 8.3%
2006 3.8% 7.5%
2005 5.4% 8.4%
2004 0.9% 7.9%
2003 1.5% 3.3%
2002 2.4% 4.1%
2001 4% -0.3%
2000 4.2% -1.8%
1999 0.3% 4.1%
1998 5.8% 7.2%
1997 3.8% 3.1%

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

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

Over the past 29 years, Benin has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.25%, compared with 5.59% in Vietnam. In 2025, inflation was 1.1% in Benin and 3.3% in Vietnam.

Top exports between countries

Benin
Export category Export value
Raw agricultural goods $4.1M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $1.55M
Textiles & consumer goods $1.22M
Chemicals & pharma $45K
Wood & paper products $31K
Animal & marine products $12K
Miscellaneous $5K
Raw materials & minerals $3K
Metals $2K
Vietnam
Export category Export value

Balance of trade

Benin Vietnam
Current account balance
-$1.61B
2023
$30.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
132/190
2023
18/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-8.18%
2023
+6.33%
2024
Goods imports
$4.65B
2023
$363B
2024
Goods exports
$4.05B
2023
$407B
2024
Service imports
$1.54B
2023
$35.6B
2024
Service exports
$461M
2023
$25B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
20.1%
2025
92.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.1%
2025
98.2%
2025

Economic freedom indices

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

Benin Vietnam
Economic freedom 60 64.4
Economic freedom ranking 96/197 73/197
Property rights 46.4 47.3
Government integrity 44.1 39.2
Judicial effectiveness 47.7 31.3
Tax burden 69.4 80.9
Government spending 89.1 89.5
Fiscal health 65.4 96.9
Business freedom 53.3 70
Labor freedom 60.2 54.7
Monetary freedom 82.1 73.2
Trade freedom 62.6 79.8
Investment freedom 50 60
Financial freedom 50 50

Economic freedom comparison by year

Benin
Vietnam
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Benin Vietnam
2026 60 64.4
2025 58.5 65.2
2024 57.7 62.8
2023 59.8 61.8
2022 61 60.6
2021 59.6 61.7
2020 55.2 58.8
2019 55.3 55.3
2018 56.7 53.1
2017 59.2 52.4
2016 59.3 54
2015 58.8 51.7
2014 57.1 50.8
2013 57.6 51
2012 55.7 51.3
2011 56 51.6
2010 55.4 49.8
2009 55.4 51
2008 55.2 50.4
2007 55.1 49.8
2006 54 50.5
2005 52.3 48.1
2004 54.6 46.1
2003 54.9 46.2
2002 57.3 45.6
2001 60.1 44.3
2000 61.5 43.7
1999 60.6 42.7
1998 61.7 40.4
1997 61.3 38.6
1996 54.5 40.2
1995 - 41.7

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

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

The Economic Freedom Index for Benin is 60, ranking 96/197, compared to 64.4 for Vietnam, ranking 73/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Benin Vietnam
Services, % of GDP
50.1%
2025
42.7%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
17.5%
2025
37.6%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
22.9%
2025
11.6%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$23.7B
2025
$505B
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$4,760
2025
$17,580
2025
Total reserves including gold n/a
$85.6B
2025
Total reserves ranking n/a
33/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$430M
2023
-$19.6B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$543M
2024
$20.2B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$60.3M
2024
$600M
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.38%
2024
7.29%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
36.2%
2021
4.2%
2022
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
35.8%
2025
30.8%
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/vietnam | 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. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1989–1997, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2020–2025, 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.