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Topic 02 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Benin: Economy & Innovation
What does an economy do for the people inside it?
Benin is placed 124th of 176 countries on economy & innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: GDP per Capita (PPP) 4,116 (2025); Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit 40.87 (2025).
Share
Economy & Innovation
124th
of 176 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 4,116GDP per Capita (PPP), 2025GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
- 40.87Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, 2025Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
- -0.98Economic Complexity Index, 2024ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
- 51.84Account Ownership at a Financial Institution, 2024Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Benin on economy & innovation — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
4,116
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)
Higher is better
Benin: 4,116. Across the 185 countries in this edition, values run from 1,067 (Burundi) to 139,593 (Singapore); the world median is 17,265.
- World median
- 17,265
- Best in Western Africa
- 10,396 Cabo Verde
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 2,625 · Niger 1,861 · Nigeria 8,145 · Togo 3,486
Key 2 of 4
Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit
World Bank Group
Latest reading per country, 2016–2025 · Benin’s is from 2024 · CC BY 4.0
40.87
Firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)
Higher is better
Benin: 40.87. Across the 179 countries at their latest reading, values run from 2.113 (Pakistan) to 88.52 (Israel); the world median is 35.95.
- World median
- 35.95
- Best in Western Africa
- 47.24 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 17.3 · Niger 16.43 · Nigeria 20.82 · Togo 47.24
Key 3 of 4
Economic Complexity Index
Growth Lab at Harvard University
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC0 1.0
-0.98
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3)
Higher is better
Ranked 117th of 145 by Growth Lab at Harvard University
Benin: -0.98. Across the 145 countries in this edition, values run from -3.53 (Chad) to 1.729 (Japan); the world median is 0.131.
- World median
- 0.131
- Best in Western Africa
- -0.507 Senegal
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso -0.708 · Niger -0.835 · Nigeria -2.281 · Togo -0.637
Key 4 of 4
Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
World Bank Group
2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0
51.84
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+)
Higher is better
Benin: 51.84. Across the 139 countries in this edition, values run from 14.83 (Niger) to 99.85 (Iceland); the world median is 72.83.
- World median
- 72.83
- Best in Western Africa
- 81.24 Ghana
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 51.43 · Niger 14.83 · Nigeria 63.26 · Togo 57.43
02Over time
Which way Benin is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
GDP per Capita (PPP)
GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from 2,536 in 2000 to 4,116 in 2025; the world median went from 10,589 to 17,265.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2025 4,116 17,265 2024 3,901 18,108 2023 3,721 17,686 2022 3,588 16,933 2021 3,464 16,260 2020 3,318 15,631 2019 3,281 16,761 2018 3,155 16,349 2017 3,042 16,129 2016 2,963 15,512 2015 2,952 14,857 2014 2,987 14,475 2013 2,893 14,681 2012 2,780 14,631 2011 2,732 13,916 2010 2,734 14,101 2009 2,758 13,655 2008 2,778 14,030 2007 2,729 13,755 2006 2,652 12,983 2005 2,632 12,023 2004 2,673 11,608 2003 2,639 11,183 2002 2,630 11,144 2001 2,591 10,907 2000 2,536 10,589 Economic Complexity Index
ECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from -1.265 in 2000 to -0.98 in 2024; the world median went from 0.016 to 0.131.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2024 -0.980 0.1310 2023 -1.023 0.0710 2022 -0.911 0.0580 2021 -0.987 0.0010 2020 -0.899 0.0470 2019 -1.246 0.0300 2018 -0.637 -0.0150 2017 -0.836 0.0080 2016 -1.321 -0.0660 2015 -0.923 -0.0600 2014 -0.748 -0.0190 2013 -1.158 0.0140 2012 -1.321 0.0060 2011 -1.611 -0.0140 2010 -1.470 -0.0020 2009 -1.172 0.0990 2008 -1.394 0.0700 2007 -1.410 -0.0080 2006 -1.262 0.0740 2005 -1.179 0.0510 2004 -1.378 0.0505 2003 -1.435 0.0450 2002 -1.211 0.0100 2001 -1.153 0.0470 2000 -1.265 0.0160 Account Ownership at a Financial Institution
Adults with an account (% of population aged 15+) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from 10.46 in 2011 to 51.84 in 2024; the world median went from 37.03 to 72.83.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2024 52 73 2021 49 74 2017 38 59 2014 17 52 2011 10 37
03In context
Benin beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 176 countries on economy & innovation, never a place within the region.
Benin and the countries it borders
Standing among all 176; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | GDP per Capita (PPP)GDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP) | Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of CreditFirms with a bank loan or line of credit (%) | Economic Complexity IndexECI score (standardised, roughly −3 to +3) | Account Ownership at a Financial InstitutionAdults with an account (% of population aged 15+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Togo | 114th | 3,486 | 47.24 | -0.637 | 57.43 |
| Benin | 124th | 4,116 | 40.87 | -0.98 | 51.84 |
 Nigeria | 136th | 8,145 | 20.82 | -2.281 | 63.26 |
 Burkina Faso | 150th | 2,625 | 17.3 | -0.708 | 51.43 |
 Niger | 166th | 1,861 | 16.43 | -0.835 | 14.83 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 176.
Placed either side on economy & innovation
The countries immediately above and below Benin in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Benin is ahead of the world, and behind
52 more statistics filed under economy & innovation, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median7
Statistics on which Benin does better than the middle country measured.
GDP GrowthWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3968.0743.396▲ Improved since 2015
Benin: 8.074 · world median 3.396 · GDP growth (annual %). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -5.847 to 19.34; higher is better.
Position 9th of 186 · derived.
Livestock Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 107.06140.91107.06▲ Improved since 2012
Benin: 140.91 · world median 107.06 · Livestock production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 35.52 to 190.08; higher is better.
Position 20th of 194 · derived.
Crop Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.23128.14106.23▲ Improved since 2012
Benin: 128.14 · world median 106.23 · Crop production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 53.79 to 189.93; higher is better.
Position 27th of 195 · derived.
Food Production IndexFAO · 2022 · world median 106.08126.25106.08▲ Improved since 2012
Benin: 126.25 · world median 106.08 · Food production index (2014–2016 = 100). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 71.08 to 177.49; higher is better.
Position 32nd of 195 · derived.
Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.149.7416.1▲ Improved since 2013
Benin: 49.74 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.
Liner Shipping Connectivity IndexUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 56.2178.0556.21▲ Improved since 2016
Benin: 78.05 · world median 56.21 · LSCI (index, average Q1 2023 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 4.13 to 1,319; higher is better.
Ranked 66th of 175 by UNCTAD.
Government AI Readiness IndexOxford Insights · 2025 · world median 40.1941.7140.19▲ Improved since 2020
Benin: 41.71 · world median 40.19 · AI readiness score (0–100). Oxford Insights, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 12.12 to 88.36; higher is better.
Ranked 90th of 195 by Oxford Insights.
Behind the world median20
Statistics on which Benin does worse than the middle country measured.
Regulatory QualityWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median -0.093-0.296-0.093▲ Improved since 2015
Benin: -0.296 · world median -0.093 · Regulatory Quality (−2.5 to 2.5). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -2.106 to 2.113; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 209 · derived.
Interest Payments on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 1.4512.0281.451▼ Worsened since 2014
Benin: 2.028 · world median 1.451 · Interest payments on external debt (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.069 to 17.92; lower is better.
Position 38th of 112 · derived, 1st = worst.
Digitally-Deliverable Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 25.4214.5225.42▼ Worsened since 2014
Benin: 14.52 · world median 25.42 · Digitally-deliverable services exports (% of services exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.377 to 87.15; higher is better.
Position 114th of 170 · derived.
Comprehensive Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 46,48618,37746,486No real change since 2010
Benin: 18,377 · world median 46,486 · National comprehensive wealth per person (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 4,276 to 1,246,092; higher is better.
Position 109th of 150 · derived.
Firms with an International Quality CertificationWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 10.45.99210.4No earlier reading
Benin: 5.992 · world median 10.4 · Firms with an internationally recognised quality certification (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 45.77; higher is better.
ICT Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 0.9750.180.975▼ Worsened since 2014
Benin: 0.18 · world median 0.975 · ICT goods exports (% of total goods exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.45; higher is better.
Position 89th of 119 · derived.
External Debt Stocks (% of GNI)World Bank Group · 2024 · world median 43.9466.5543.94▼ Worsened since 2014
Benin: 66.55 · world median 43.94 · External debt stocks (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 2.213 to 350.57; lower is better.
Position 28th of 110 · derived, 1st = worst.
GNI per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 14,2734,02814,273▲ Improved since 2015
Benin: 4,028 · world median 14,273 · GNI per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1,181 to 116,633; higher is better.
Position 81st of 102 · derived.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8158.2441.81No earlier reading
Benin: 58.24 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 37th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
New Business DensityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 2.1870.692.187No real change since 2014
Benin: 0.69 · world median 2.187 · New limited liability companies registered per 1,000 people aged 15–64. World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 26.76; higher is better.
Total Factor Productivity LevelGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.6270.4050.627▼ Worsened since 2013
Benin: 0.405 · world median 0.627 · TFP level at current PPPs (USA = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.052 to 1.192; higher is better.
Debt Service on External DebtWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 12.9326.8112.93▼ Worsened since 2014
Benin: 26.81 · world median 12.93 · Total debt service (% of exports of goods, services and primary income). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.285 to 96.2; lower is better.
Position 19th of 109 · derived, 1st = worst.
Historical GDP per Capita (Maddison)GGDC · 2022 · world median 12,8902,47712,890▲ Improved since 2012
Benin: 2,477 · world median 12,890 · GDP per capita (2011 international $). Maddison Project, Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 596.39 to 149,171; higher is better.
Position 139th of 166 · derived.
Productive Capacities IndexUNCTAD · 2022 · world median 46.6730.7146.67▲ Improved since 2012
Benin: 30.71 · world median 46.67 · Productive Capacities Index (1–100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 17.8 to 71.02; higher is better.
Position 165th of 195 · derived.
Global Innovation IndexWorld Intellectual Property Organization · 2025 · world median 28.5217.8128.52▲ Improved since 2022
Benin: 17.81 · world median 28.52 · GII score (0–100). World Intellectual Property Organization, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.94 to 65.96; higher is better.
Ranked 118th of 139 by World Intellectual Property Organization.
Frontier Technology Readiness IndexUNCTAD · 2023 · world median 0.4850.2050.485▼ Worsened since 2013
Benin: 0.205 · world median 0.485 · Frontier Technology Readiness Index (0–1). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1; higher is better.
Position 148th of 170 · derived.
Actual Individual Consumption per Capita (PPP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 12,8002,71312,800No real change since 2017
Benin: 2,713 · world median 12,800 · Actual individual consumption per capita (PPP, current international $). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 688.7 to 52,654; higher is better.
Position 151st of 173 · derived.
Management Practices IndexWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 52.3940.1652.39No earlier reading
Benin: 40.16 · world median 52.39 · Management practices index, medium and large firms (0–100). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 28.07 to 69.29; higher is better.
Position 151st of 169 · derived.
Informal Output (DGE Model Estimate)World Bank Group (Prospects Group) · 2020 · world median 27.542.4227.5▲ Improved since 2010
Benin: 42.42 · world median 27.5 · Informal output, model estimate (% of official GDP). World Bank Group (Prospects Group), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 7.91 to 60.43; lower is better.
World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.835.463.8No earlier reading
Benin: 35.4 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.
Ranked 97th of 99 by World Energy Council.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Logistics Performance IndexWorld Bank Group · 2023 · world median 2.92.92.9▲ Improved since 2014
Benin: 2.9 · world median 2.9 · LPI score (1–5). World Bank Group, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.9 to 4.3; higher is better.
Ranked 66th of 139 by World Bank Group.
No better end24
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Gross Capital Formation (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 22.9335.8322.93Moved since 2015
Benin: 35.83 · world median 22.93 · Gross capital formation (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -3.679 to 45.27.
Position 7th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Corporate Income Tax RateOECD · 2026 · world median 243024Moved since 2016
Benin: 30 · world median 24 · Combined statutory corporate income tax rate, central and sub-central government (%). OECD, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 36.13.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6.57222.926.572Moved since 2015
Benin: 22.92 · world median 6.572 · Agriculture, forestry and fishing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.025 to 47.59.
Position 23rd of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Commodity Export DependenceUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 67.1792.7167.17Moved since 2014
Benin: 92.71 · world median 67.17 · Commodity exports (% of merchandise exports, three-year average). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.605 to 99.77.
Tariff Rate, Applied, Weighted Mean, All ProductsWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 3.6610.163.66Moved since 2012
Benin: 10.16 · world median 3.66 · Applied tariff rate, trade-weighted mean (%). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 29.52.
Export Concentration IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 0.3060.3970.306Moved since 2015
Benin: 0.397 · world median 0.306 · Export concentration index (0–1, normalised Herfindahl–Hirschman). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.059 to 0.933.
Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7082.3041.708No real change since 2011
Benin: 2.304 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.
Position 87th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Terms of Trade IndexUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 103.23104.26103.23Moved since 2015
Benin: 104.26 · world median 103.23 · Terms of trade index (2015 = 100). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 38.2 to 1,448.
Foreign Direct Investment InflowsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 1.9681.9971.968Moved since 2015
Benin: 1.997 · world median 1.968 · FDI inflows (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -32.97 to 2,221.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2401,7452,240Moved since 2022
Benin: 1,745 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Manufacturing Value Added (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 11.2610.1511.26No real change since 2015
Benin: 10.15 · world median 11.26 · Manufacturing value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.481 to 43.97.
Position 72nd of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Household ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 62.0458.3162.04Moved since 2015
Benin: 58.31 · world median 62.04 · Household and NPISH final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 25.21 to 133.34.
Position 77th of 131 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Complexity Outlook IndexGrowth Lab at Harvard University · 2024 · world median -0.225-0.874-0.225Moved since 2014
Benin: -0.874 · world median -0.225 · Complexity Outlook Index (standardised; roughly −2.5 to +3). Growth Lab at Harvard University, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -1.682 to 2.878.
Inflation, GDP DeflatorWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 3.3061.5513.306Moved since 2015
Benin: 1.551 · world median 3.306 · Annual change in the GDP implicit deflator (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from -7.93 to 227.09.
Creative Goods ExportsUNCTAD · 2024 · world median 1.2350.1631.235Moved since 2014
Benin: 0.163 · world median 1.235 · Creative goods exports (% of merchandise exports). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.23.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.95260.94657.95No real change since 2014
Benin: 260.94 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Price Level of Household ConsumptionGGDC · 2023 · world median 0.5230.3520.523Moved since 2013
Benin: 0.352 · world median 0.523 · Price level of household consumption (US output price level in 2021 = 1). Groningen Growth and Development Centre (GGDC), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0.177 to 65.54.
Industry Value Added including Construction (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 24.6517.524.65Moved since 2015
Benin: 17.5 · world median 24.65 · Industry, including construction, value added (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.228 to 75.09.
Position 128th of 158 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Exports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 36.3417.0536.34Moved since 2015
Benin: 17.05 · world median 36.34 · Exports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.103 to 199.76.
Position 118th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Imports of Goods and Services (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 41.7220.0641.72Moved since 2015
Benin: 20.06 · world median 41.72 · Imports of goods and services (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.279 to 196.89.
Position 124th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Trade (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2025 · world median 79.6837.1279.68Moved since 2015
Benin: 37.12 · world median 79.68 · Exports plus imports (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2.382 to 396.65.
Position 124th of 138 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Services ExportsUNCTAD · 2025 · world median 9.6021.8769.602Moved since 2015
Benin: 1.876 · world median 9.602 · Services exports (% of GDP). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.085 to 166.21.
General Government ConsumptionWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 16.218.87116.21Moved since 2015
Benin: 8.871 · world median 16.21 · General government final consumption expenditure (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 5.445 to 38.94.
Position 120th of 132 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Merchant Fleet by Country of OwnershipUNCTAD · 2026 · world median 275.730.8275.73No real change since 2016
Benin: 0.8 · world median 275.73 · Merchant fleet owned (thousand dead-weight tons). UN Trade and Development (UNCTAD), 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 397,071.
No current reading for Benin
Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2022), Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic (last 2019), Creative Services Exports (last 2023), Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, Gini Index (last 2021), Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID) (last 2021), Gross Savings (% of GDP) (last 2023), ICT Services Exports (last 2023), Income Share Held by Lowest 20% (last 2021), Income Share Held by Richest 10% (last 2021), Palma Ratio (last 2021), Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants and Tax Revenue (% of GDP). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Economy & Innovation among Benin’s 16 topics
Economy & Innovation is Benin’s 12th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability20th of 1864/4 keys
- Gender & Equality70th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour70th of 1824/4 keys
- Peace & Security69th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions89th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology96th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties111th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 126th of 1934/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade123rd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 129th of 1844/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality112th of 1593/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation124th of 1764/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge162nd of 1984/4 keys
- Energy147th of 1653/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing183rd of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital186th of 1963/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on economy & innovation
The three countries placed highest of 176, and the leaders Benin can most readily be measured against.
1
AustriaWestern Europe
1st of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
GermanyWestern Europe
3rd of 176 · 4 of 4 keys
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Mauritius36th4/4 keysHighest in Western Africa
Togo114th4/4 keysThis page
Benin124th4/4 keys
Positions out of 176 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Benin and economy & innovation
On economy & innovation
China Leads Global High-Technology Exports
The world’s ten largest high-technology exporters as a treemap, with the rest of the world beside them. Each country’s figure is its own most recent year, between 2022 and 2024.
On economy & innovation
India vs Pakistan 2025: Comparison of Hunger Index, Happiness, HDI, Rule of Law, Literacy & GDP
India and Pakistan on six published measures: hunger, happiness, human development, rule of law, literacy and GDP per capita, each from its own publisher and year.
On economy & innovation
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
08Questions
Benin on economy & innovation: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Benin rank on economy & innovation?
Benin is placed 124th of 176 countries on Economy & Innovation in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (GDP per Capita (PPP), Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit, Economic Complexity Index and Account Ownership at a Financial Institution). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest GDP per Capita (PPP) figure for Benin?
4,116 in 2025 (gDP per capita (constant 2021 international $, PPP)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 17,265.
What is the latest Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit figure for Benin?
40.87 in 2025 (firms with a bank loan or line of credit (%)), according to World Bank Group. The world median in the same edition was 35.95.
How does Benin compare with Nigeria on economy & innovation?
Nigeria is placed 136th of 176, and Benin 124th. GDP per Capita (PPP): Nigeria 8,145, Benin 4,116; Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit: Nigeria 20.82, Benin 40.87; Economic Complexity Index: Nigeria -2.281, Benin -0.98; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution: Nigeria 63.26, Benin 51.84.
How have Benin’s economy & innovation figures changed?
GDP per Capita (PPP) rose from 2,536 in 2000 to 4,116 in 2025; Economic Complexity Index rose from -1.265 in 2000 to -0.98 in 2024; Account Ownership at a Financial Institution rose from 10.46 in 2011 to 51.84 in 2024.
Which economy & innovation statistics are missing for Benin?
No current reading is published for Benin on Adjusted Net Savings, Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Business Ready: Operational Efficiency, Business Ready: Public Services, Business Ready: Regulatory Framework, Container Port Traffic, Creative Services Exports, Foreign Value Added Share of Gross Exports, Gini Index, Gini Index of Disposable Income (SWIID), Gross Savings (% of GDP), ICT Services Exports, Income Share Held by Lowest 20%, Income Share Held by Richest 10%, Palma Ratio, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants and Tax Revenue (% of GDP). They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
The total size of an economy is deliberately left out: a very large economy spread over a very large population is not doing more for each person. Growth rates, trade shares and the structure of output (how much is farming, industry or services) are published here as context, because they describe an economy's shape rather than how well it serves people. Jobs and wages have their own topic, Work & Labour.
How the Economy & Innovation standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The economy & innovation method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- GDP per Capita (PPP) — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Firms with a Bank Loan or Line of Credit — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
- Economic Complexity Index — Growth Lab at Harvard University, CC0 1.0
- Account Ownership at a Financial Institution — World Bank Group, CC BY 4.0
The other 52 statistics on this page come from 13 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Benin’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Benin (banner) — Shubert Ciencia derivative work: JamesA, CC BY 2.0
- Austria — chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Germany — dronepicr, CC BY 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Benin: Economy & Innovation — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/benin/economy