Benin - Economy
How is the economy of Benin? Based on the information we have, Benin has a robust economic growth; slightly declining but still widespread poverty; strong trade relations with Nigeria; cotton exporter; COVID-19 has led to capital outflows and border closures; WAEMU member with currency pegged to the euro; recent fiscal deficit and debt reductions. Key agricultural products in this country include: cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, cotton, soybeans, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, chillies/peppers (2023).
More about the economy of Benin
Labor force 6.397 million (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate 9.7% (2024 est.)
Industries textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Population below poverty line 38.5% (2018 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
Fiscal year
Exchange rates
Currency Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2024 606.345 (2024 est.)
Exchange rates 2023 606.655 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2022 622.912 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2021 554.608 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2020 574.295 (2020 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023 $6.309 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2023 -$1.609 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022 -$991.005 million (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021 -$734.659 million (2021 est.)
Budget
Revenues $2.024 billion (2019 est.)
Expenditures $2.101 billion (2019 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)
Remittances
Remittances 2023 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)
Household income
Lowest 10% 3.1% (2021 est.)
Highest 10% 27.2% (2021 est.)
Imports
Imports 2023 $6.189 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022 $5.296 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $4.925 billion (2021 est.)
Imports (partners) China 21%, India 15%, USA 6%, France 6%, Nigeria 4% (2023)
Comodities Imports force rice, refined petroleum, palm oil, poultry, cars (2023)
Exports
Imports 2023 $6.189 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022 $5.296 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021 $4.925 billion (2021 est.)
Exports (partners) UAE 42%, Bangladesh 20%, India 11%, China 5%, Togo 3% (2023)
Comodities Exports force gold, cotton, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, soybeans, wood (2023)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024 $56.424 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023 $52.51 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022 $49.374 billion (2022 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate) $21.483 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP Per capita
Real GDP per capita 2024 $3,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023 $3,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022 $3,600 (2022 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
Agriculture 24.2% (2024 est.)
Industry 17.4% (2024 est.)
Services 48.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
Household consumption 58.9% (2024 est.)
Government consumption 9% (2024 est.)
Investment in fixed capital 34.7% (2024 est.)
Investment in inventories 0.4% (2024 est.)
Exports of goods and services 18.8% (2024 est.)
Imports of goods and services -21.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2024 1.8% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023 1.7% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022 1.7% (2022 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
Total 3.3% (2024 est.)
Male 3.6% (2024 est.)
Female 2.9% (2024 est.)
All Important Facts about Benin

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Benin is found in Western Africa