Benin: economy and key statistics
Benin is number 124 in the 311 Nations Index, with a GDP of $24.6 billion in 2025. GDP per person is $1,658. The economy grew by 8.1% in 2025. Unemployment is 1.6%. The economy is 50% services, 23% agriculture, 18% industry.
Part of the 311 Nations Index (311institute.com). Last updated .
National power
Benin is number 132 in the 311 National Power Index, scoring 26.2 out of 100: economic 41, technology 10, military 14 and human capital 49.
Economy at a glance
| Indicator | Latest figure | Year |
|---|---|---|
| GDP | $24.6 billion | 2025 |
| GDP (purchasing power) | $71.4 billion | 2025 |
| GDP per person | $1,658 | 2025 |
| Economic growth | +8.1% | 2025 |
| Inflation | 1.1% | 2025 |
| Unemployment | 1.6% | 2025 |
| Population | 14.8 million | 2025 |
| Labour force | 6.6 million | 2025 |
| Services share of GDP | 50% | 2025 |
| Industry share of GDP | 18% | 2025 |
| Manufacturing share of GDP | 10% | 2025 |
| Agriculture share of GDP | 23% | 2025 |
| Exports share of GDP | 17% | 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment | 2.5% of GDP | 2024 |
| High-tech share of manufactured exports | 31% | 2024 |
| Internet users | 34% of people | 2024 |
Main export industries
Benin exported goods worth about $1.1bn in 2024. Its biggest export industries:
- Cotton: $0.5bn (47.2% of goods exports)
- Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits: $0.2bn (15.5% of goods exports)
- Food industries, residues and wastes thereof: $0.1bn (8.7% of goods exports)
- Fruit and nuts, edible: $0.1bn (4.6% of goods exports)
- Animal, vegetable or microbial fats and oils and their cleavage products: $0.0bn (4.0% of goods exports)
Source: UN Comtrade, goods only (services exports are not included).
Other economies in Africa
- South Africa (#40)
- Nigeria (#50)
- Kenya (#62)
- Ethiopia (#67)
- Angola (#69)
- Ghana (#70)
- Côte d'Ivoire (#77)
- DR Congo (#81)
- Tanzania (#83)
- Uganda (#89)
- Sudan (#91)
- Cameroon (#92)
- Zimbabwe (#96)
- Senegal (#108)
- Mali (#114)
Questions and answers
How big is the economy of Benin?
Benin had a GDP of $24.6 billion in 2025, ranking number 124 in the 311 Nations Index.
What is GDP per person in Benin?
GDP per person in Benin was $1,658 in 2025.
How fast is the economy of Benin growing?
The economy of Benin grew by 8.1% in 2025.
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
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