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Benin vs Ghana statistics compared

Updated on by Georank team

Benin has a population of 14.5M (ranked 76/197), compared with 34.4M in Ghana (ranked 47/197). Benin's land area is 43,537 sq mi versus 87,851 sq mi for Ghana (ranked 99th vs. 81st).

By GDP, Benin ranks 126/197 ($21.5B) and Ghana ranks 80/197 ($82.3B). By GDP per capita, Benin ranks 162/197 ($1,485), while Ghana ranks 151/197 ($2,391).

Main facts and rankings

Benin Ghana
Population
15272847
35885254
Population rank 76/197 46/197
GDP
$21.5B
2024
$82.3B
2024
GDP rank 126/197 80/197
GDP per capita
$1,485
2024
$2,391
2024
GDP per capita rank 162/197 151/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$4,435
2024
$8,020
2024
Government debt
$11.5B
2024
$57.9B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
53.4%
2024
70.3%
2024
Government debt per person
$794
2024
$1,682
2024
Government debt per person rank 151/185 123/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,091
2026
$2,110
2026
Land area 43,537 sq mi 87,851 sq mi
Population density
349 ppl/mi²
2026
407 ppl/mi²
2026
Fertility rate
4.56
2023
3.4
2023
Median age
19 years
2024
22.2 years
2024
Life expectancy
61.3 years
2026
66.1 years
2026

Benin and Ghana: Comparison Charts

Benin and Ghana economies compared

GDP
Benin

Ghana
1x
Year GDP
Benin Ghana
2024 $21,482,643,706 $82,308,110,386
2023 $19,673,291,004 $80,547,146,878
2022 $17,425,405,091 $73,919,003,210
2021 $17,687,623,530 $79,514,204,730
2020 $15,686,741,884 $70,008,243,860
2019 $14,391,686,313 $68,352,629,246
2018 $14,262,408,090 $67,259,353,966
2017 $12,701,655,837 $60,385,409,435
2016 $11,821,065,853 $56,144,179,398
2015 $11,388,160,997 $49,436,806,230
2014 $13,284,527,847 $54,678,533,806
2013 $12,517,845,124 $62,845,721,960
2012 $11,141,358,116 $41,271,701,061
2011 $10,693,321,364 $39,336,668,081
2010 $9,535,345,016 $32,197,655,567
2009 $9,738,626,517 $26,048,720,006
2008 $9,787,734,526 $28,679,383,241
2007 $8,169,048,383 $24,827,339,138
2006 $7,034,111,315 $20,885,037,597
2005 $6,567,654,954 $10,744,568,381
2004 $6,190,270,380 $8,881,417,907
2003 $5,349,258,094 $7,632,723,556
2002 $4,194,342,686 $6,166,197,848
2001 $3,666,222,635 $5,314,872,854
2000 $3,519,991,440 $4,982,850,662
1999 $3,677,393,999 $7,718,109,982
1998 $2,455,092,686 $7,482,069,162
1997 $2,268,301,646 $6,891,443,192
1996 $2,361,116,449 $6,932,991,739
1995 $2,169,627,138 $6,464,382,808
1994 $1,598,075,944 $5,446,383,727
1993 $2,274,558,083 $5,968,922,939
1992 $1,695,315,306 $6,416,103,926
1991 $1,986,437,797 $6,603,185,268
1990 $1,959,965,330 $5,889,106,573
1989 $1,502,294,416 $5,251,858,440
1988 $1,620,246,084 $5,197,765,032
1987 $1,562,412,228 $5,074,829,932
1986 $1,336,102,025 $5,735,677,434
1985 $1,045,712,789 $4,504,306,723
1984 $1,051,134,009 $4,412,279,843
1983 $1,095,348,199 $4,057,275,132
1982 $1,267,778,670 $4,035,994,398
1981 $1,291,120,188 $4,222,441,860
1980 $1,405,251,847 $4,445,228,216
1979 $1,186,231,020 $4,020,227,920
1978 $928,843,469 $3,662,478,185
1977 $750,049,779 $3,189,428,571
1976 $698,408,262 $2,765,254,237
1975 $676,870,140 $2,810,106,383
1974 $554,654,861 $2,894,409,938
1973 $504,376,074 $3,006,766,758
1972 $410,331,857 $2,112,293,280
1971 $335,073,028 $2,417,108,578
1970 $333,627,713 $2,215,028,588
1969 $330,748,245 $1,962,050,556
1968 $326,323,105 $1,666,909,518
1967 $306,221,953 $1,747,187,645
1966 $302,925,235 $2,126,300,672
1965 $289,908,680 $2,053,462,968
1964 $269,819,006 $1,731,296,200
1963 $253,927,697 $1,540,797,589
1962 $236,434,954 $1,382,515,654
1961 $235,668,221 $1,302,674,325
1960 $226,195,578 $1,217,230,095

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/ghana | CC BY

Benin and Ghana economies compared

GDP per capita
Benin

Ghana
1x
Year GDP per capita
Benin Ghana
2024 $1,485 $2,391
2023 $1,394 $2,384
2022 $1,266 $2,230
2021 $1,319 $2,445
2020 $1,200 $2,195
2019 $1,131 $2,187
2018 $1,152 $2,195
2017 $1,055 $2,012
2016 $1,011 $1,912
2015 $1,002 $1,723
2014 $1,204 $1,950
2013 $1,169 $2,295
2012 $1,072 $1,544
2011 $1,059 $1,507
2010 $973 $1,264
2009 $1,024 $1,048
2008 $1,061 $1,183
2007 $912 $1,050
2006 $809 $906
2005 $779 $479
2004 $759 $406
2003 $676 $358
2002 $546 $297.5
2001 $492 $263.5
2000 $487 $253.7
1999 $525 $403
1998 $362 $400
1997 $345 $378
1996 $369 $389
1995 $348 $372
1994 $262.1 $321
1993 $387 $360
1992 $302 $396
1991 $365 $418
1990 $371 $383
1989 $293.3 $350
1988 $326 $355
1987 $324 $355
1986 $285.8 $411
1985 $230.4 $330
1984 $238.6 $330
1983 $256 $311
1982 $305 $319
1981 $320 $344
1980 $358 $372
1979 $311 $347
1978 $249.8 $326
1977 $207 $292.3
1976 $197.7 $261
1975 $196.5 $273
1974 $164.9 $289.4
1973 $153.6 $310
1972 $127.9 $223.8
1971 $106.9 $263.4
1970 $108.8 $248.2
1969 $110.3 $225.8
1968 $111.2 $196.7
1967 $106.6 $211.2
1966 $107.6 $263.3
1965 $105.1 $260.5
1964 $99.8 $225
1963 $95.7 $205
1962 $90.8 $188.4
1961 $92.1 $181.9
1960 $89.9 $174.9

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/ghana | CC BY

Benin vs. Ghana life expectancy calculator

Life expectancy
Benin

Ghana
1x
Year Life expectancy, years
Benin Ghana
2026 61.3 66.1
2025 61.1 65.9
2024 61 65.7
2023 60.8 65.5
2022 60.5 65.2
2021 59.6 64.3
2020 60.2 64.3
2019 59.9 64.5
2018 59.7 64.1
2017 59.5 63.8
2016 59.3 63.5
2015 59.1 63.2
2014 59 62.8
2013 58.9 62.4
2012 58.6 62
2011 58.5 61.6
2010 58.4 61.3
2009 58.3 60.9
2008 58.1 60.6
2007 58.2 60.3
2006 58 60
2005 57.7 59.6
2004 57.3 59.3
2003 57.1 59
2002 56.9 58.7
2001 56.7 58.4
2000 56.6 58.1
1999 56.3 57.8
1998 56.2 57.5
1997 56 57.2
1996 55.6 57
1995 55.4 56.7
1994 55 56.2
1993 54.6 56.3
1992 54.1 56.1
1991 53.4 55.7
1990 53 55.4
1989 52.5 54.9
1988 52 54.4
1987 51.3 53.8
1986 50.6 53.3
1985 50 52.7
1984 49.4 52.2
1983 48.8 51.8
1982 48.5 51.4
1981 48.1 51.3
1980 47.7 51.1
1979 47.4 50.8
1978 46.9 50.5
1977 46.5 50.1
1976 46 49.7
1975 45.4 49.3
1974 44.9 48.9
1973 44.4 48.6
1972 43.9 48.3
1971 43.4 47.9
1970 43 47.9
1969 42.6 47.9
1968 42.2 47.8
1967 41.8 47.7
1966 41.3 47.7
1965 41 47.7
1964 40.5 47.6
1963 40.1 47.5
1962 39.6 47.3
1961 39.2 47.1
1960 38.8 46.9
1959 38.4 46.7
1958 38 46.4
1957 37.6 46.1
1956 37.3 45.7
1955 37 45.4
1954 36.7 45
1953 36.3 44.5
1952 36 44
1951 35.7 43.6
1950 35.4 43.1

Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/ghana | CC BY

Benin and Ghana population clocks and comparison

Population
Benin

Ghana
1x
Year Population
Benin Ghana
2024 14,462,724 34,427,414
2023 14,111,034 33,787,914
2022 13,759,501 33,149,152
2021 13,413,417 32,518,665
2020 13,070,169 31,887,809
2019 12,726,755 31,258,945
2018 12,383,347 30,637,585
2017 12,039,780 30,008,354
2016 11,697,842 29,356,742
2015 11,360,681 28,696,068
2014 11,030,004 28,041,592
2013 10,708,834 27,386,193
2012 10,397,657 26,734,268
2011 10,093,623 26,095,088
2010 9,797,484 25,474,995
2009 9,509,423 24,862,664
2008 9,228,466 24,249,946
2007 8,953,969 23,642,279
2006 8,693,242 23,040,702
2005 8,426,144 22,449,438
2004 8,159,094 21,868,298
2003 7,913,070 21,296,705
2002 7,675,426 20,729,388
2001 7,445,596 20,167,069
2000 7,221,619 19,637,087
1999 7,002,818 19,149,864
1998 6,789,489 18,688,036
1997 6,583,365 18,238,958
1996 6,391,858 17,810,181
1995 6,226,773 17,399,017
1994 6,096,506 16,993,190
1993 5,872,706 16,589,519
1992 5,617,844 16,184,855
1991 5,446,932 15,787,496
1990 5,281,479 15,394,648
1989 5,121,657 15,006,813
1988 4,967,341 14,636,568
1987 4,818,486 14,289,108
1986 4,675,420 13,965,217
1985 4,538,012 13,661,229
1984 4,405,895 13,370,590
1983 4,278,978 13,029,836
1982 4,156,596 12,643,819
1981 4,038,307 12,281,712
1980 3,925,251 11,941,448
1979 3,818,528 11,597,255
1978 3,718,305 11,248,450
1977 3,623,202 10,911,871
1976 3,532,196 10,594,913
1975 3,445,407 10,294,308
1974 3,362,633 10,000,523
1973 3,283,496 9,714,617
1972 3,207,543 9,438,187
1971 3,134,767 9,176,264
1970 3,065,057 8,925,813
1969 2,998,222 8,690,383
1968 2,934,257 8,475,729
1967 2,872,997 8,271,913
1966 2,814,317 8,074,521
1965 2,757,936 7,882,606
1964 2,704,003 7,695,739
1963 2,652,908 7,514,714
1962 2,604,659 7,337,375
1961 2,559,223 7,162,667
1960 2,517,286 6,961,215

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/ghana | CC BY

Fertility rates in Benin and Ghana

Fertility rate
Benin

Ghana
1x
Year Fertility rate
Benin Ghana
2023 4.56 3.4
2022 4.63 3.43
2021 4.71 3.49
2020 4.8 3.54
2019 4.9 3.59
2018 5.03 3.65
2017 5.16 3.72
2016 5.25 3.87
2015 5.32 3.98
2014 5.37 4.03
2013 5.41 4.11
2012 5.43 4.15
2011 5.44 4.18
2010 5.45 4.18
2009 5.49 4.18
2008 5.55 4.22
2007 5.63 4.29
2006 5.67 4.4
2005 5.69 4.5
2004 5.72 4.5
2003 5.76 4.6
2002 5.79 4.69
2001 5.85 4.77
2000 5.94 4.83
1999 6.03 4.82
1998 6.14 4.83
1997 6.23 4.88
1996 6.28 4.96
1995 6.33 5.11
1994 6.42 5.25
1993 6.51 5.41
1992 6.59 5.52
1991 6.67 5.63
1990 6.74 5.74
1989 6.82 5.82
1988 6.87 5.92
1987 6.92 6.02
1986 6.96 6.08
1985 7 6.12
1984 7.03 6.15
1983 7.05 6.23
1982 7.06 6.31
1981 7.06 6.42
1980 6.99 6.47
1979 6.91 6.51
1978 6.82 6.56
1977 6.83 6.64
1976 6.83 6.7
1975 6.83 6.76
1974 6.82 6.82
1973 6.81 6.87
1972 6.8 6.92
1971 6.77 6.95
1970 6.74 6.95
1969 6.71 6.95
1968 6.67 6.89
1967 6.64 6.89
1966 6.63 6.86
1965 6.61 6.88
1964 6.57 6.9
1963 6.51 6.94
1962 6.46 6.94
1961 6.4 6.91
1960 6.28 6.89

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/ghana | CC BY

Benin and Ghana demographics compared

Median age
Benin

Ghana
1x
Year Median age, years
Benin Ghana
2024 19 22.2
2023 18.8 22
2022 18.7 21.8
2021 18.6 21.7
2020 18.5 21.5
2019 18.4 21.3
2018 18.3 21.2
2017 18.3 21
2016 18.2 20.9
2015 18.1 20.8
2014 18.1 20.7
2013 18 20.6
2012 18 20.5
2011 17.9 20.3
2010 17.8 20.2
2009 17.8 20
2008 17.7 19.9
2007 17.6 19.7
2006 17.6 19.5
2005 17.5 19.3
2004 17.4 19.1
2003 17.4 19
2002 17.3 18.8
2001 17.2 18.6
2000 17.1 18.4
1999 17.1 18.3
1998 17 18.1
1997 17 17.9
1996 16.9 17.7
1995 17 17.6
1994 17.2 17.5
1993 17.1 17.4
1992 16.9 17.3
1991 16.9 17.2
1990 16.9 17.2
1989 16.9 17.1
1988 16.9 17.1
1987 16.9 17.1
1986 17 17.1
1985 17 17.1
1984 17.1 17.1
1983 17.1 17
1982 17.2 16.9
1981 17.3 16.7
1980 17.3 16.7
1979 17.4 16.5
1978 17.5 16.4
1977 17.6 16.2
1976 17.7 16
1975 17.8 15.9
1974 17.9 15.8
1973 18.1 15.8
1972 18.3 15.8
1971 18.4 15.9
1970 18.6 15.9
1969 18.8 16
1968 19 16.1
1967 19.3 16.2
1966 19.5 16.4
1965 19.7 16.5
1964 19.9 16.7
1963 20.1 16.9
1962 20.3 17.2
1961 20.6 17.4
1960 20.8 17.7

Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/facts/benin/ghana | CC BY

Interactive Maps

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National statistics comparison

Finance

Benin Ghana
GNI, Atlas method
$20.6B
2024
$79.5B
2024
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.1%
2024
23.2%
2024
Education expenditure, % of GDP
3.23%
2023
2.91%
2022
Military expenditure, % of GDP
0.72%
2024
0.38%
2024
Armed forces personnel
12,000
2020
16,000
2020
Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
-3.06%
2024
-7.31%
2024
Unemployment rate
1.69%
2022
2.87%
2022
Services, % of GDP
48.9%
2024
40.9%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
17.4%
2024
31.5%
2024
Economic freedom index
60
2026
57.3
2026
Income share by richest 10%
27.2%
2021
32.2%
2016
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2021
1.6%
2016
Listed domestic companies n/a
30
2024
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$7.58B
2024
Total reserves including gold n/a
$3.62B
2023
Personal remittances received
$236M
2024
$3.03B
2024
International tourist arrivals
337,000
2019
897,000
2015
International tourism as share of exports
6.72%
2019
0.87%
2020
Banked people share
51.8%
2024
81.2%
2024

Energy

Benin Ghana
Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita
376 kg
2022
359 kg
2022
GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use
$10.2
2022
$20.1
2022
Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions
7.05 megatons
2024
24.2 megatons
2024
CO2 emissions per capita
0.49 tons
2024
0.7 tons
2024
Fossil fuel energy use share
39.6%
2022
62%
2022
Renewable energy use share
54.5%
2021
39%
2021
Alternative and nuclear energy use share
0.05%
2022
6.03%
2022
Net energy imports use share
40.9%
2022
-22.4%
2022
Electric power consumption per capita
105.3 kWh
2022
553 kWh
2022
Renewable electricity output share
0.26%
2021
34.9%
2021
Hydroelectric share
0.006%
2021
35.4%
2022
Nuclear share
0%
2021
0%
2021
Electricity access
57%
2023
89.5%
2023

Society

Benin Ghana
% of world population
0.18%
2024
0.42%
2024
Annual migration change
-7,847
2025
-17,079
2025
Urban population
52.5%
2024
58.4%
2024
Male:Female ratio
50.1:49.9
2024
49.9:50.1
2024
Average male height
5.52 ft
2025
5.59 ft
2025
Average female height
5.2 ft
2025
5.21 ft
2025
Quality of life index
23.3
2026
41.8
2026
Corruption Perceptions Index
45
2025
43
2025
Higher education index
36
2026
65
2026
Homicides per 100K people
1.1
2017
1.81
2022
Road traffic mortality per 100K people
26.8
2019
25.7
2019
Visa free countries
68
2025
75
2025
Adult literacy rate
51.4%
2022
76.5%
2021
English speaking
1%
2025
66.7%
2023
People using the Internet
32.2%
2023
69.9%
2023

Health

Benin Ghana
Government health expenditure per capita
$46.5
2023
$70.3
2023
Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita
$19.7
2023
$18.7
2023
Life expectancy
61.3 years
2026
66.1 years
2026
Foreign aid share of health expenditure
38.4%
2023
8.53%
2023
Physicians per 1,000 people
0.22
2023
0.27
2023
Age at first childbirth
20.5 years
2025
22.1 years
2025
Maternal mortality per 100K births
518
2023
234
2023
Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age
77.9
2023
37.1
2023
Obesity rate
11.5%
2022
13.3%
2022
Diabetes prevalence
8.1%
2024
2.7%
2024
Air quality index
17
2026
21
2026
Tobacco use prevalence
6.3%
2022
3.4%
2022
Pure alcohol consumption per capita
8.83 liters
2020
4.26 liters
2020

Territory

Benin Ghana
% of world land
0.08%
2026
0.15%
2026
Land area per capita
3,010 sq mi
2024
2,552 sq mi
2024
Agricultural land area
18,211 sq mi
2026
48,663 sq mi
2026
Forest area
11,526 sq mi
2026
30,917 sq mi
2026
Roads length
9,942 mi
2006
68,049 mi
2009

In-depth comparisons

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  3. U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  4. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  5. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  6. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
  7. World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  8. Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  9. Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
  10. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  11. EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)

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