Benin External Debt
Total external debt stocks DT.DOD.DECT.CD
Benin's external debt was $15.3B in 2025, ranked 55th globally. This represents a 8.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1970–2025.
Overview
Benin's external debt stood at $15.3B in 2025, a rise of +$1.2B from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach $15.3B by 2025. Benin ranked 55th globally.
Benin’s external debt has risen dramatically from a modest 43,206,645.90 in 1970 to an all‑time peak of 15,335,389,212.72 in 2025, placing the country 55th globally among 56‑year series. The expansion reflects a combination of increased borrowing for infrastructure, social programmes and debt‑service obligations, a pattern shared by several peers; for example, Jamaica’s external debt stands at 15,330,220,364.04, virtually identical to Benin’s current level, while Iraq carries a slightly higher burden of 15,650,029,554.93. Over the 56‑year coverage, the debt trajectory has been upward‑sloping, with occasional periods of modest consolidation but no reversal to the low‑debt environment of the early 1970s. Continued fiscal consolidation, diversification of export earnings and improved debt‑management frameworks could temper the upward trend, while any resurgence of external shocks or financing gaps would likely sustain the high‑debt trajectory.
Data & projection
| Year | External Debt | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | $18.0B | - | - |
| 2026* trend | $16.7B | - | - |
| 2025* trend | $15.3B | - | - |
| 2025 | $15.3B | +$1.2B | #55 |
| 2024 | $14.2B | +$1.6B | #62 |
| 2023 | $12.5B | +$1.6B | #60 |
| 2022 | $10.9B | +$486.8M | #58 |
| 2021 | $10.4B | +$1.9B | #56 |
| 2020 | $8.5B | +$1.6B | #54 |
| 2019 | $6.9B | +$47.6M | #49 |
| 2018 | $6.9B | +$2.0B | #49 |
| 2017 | $4.9B | +$731.9M | #42 |
| 2016 | $4.2B | +$580.6M | #41 |
| 2015 | $3.6B | −$42.5M | #41 |
| 2014 | $3.6B | +$574.0M | #40 |
| 2013 | $3.1B | +$402.5M | #40 |
| 2012 | $2.7B | +$479.9M | #38 |
| 2011 | $2.2B | −$93.7M | #32 |
Analysis
Benin's external debt was $15.3B in 2025, a rise of +$1.2B from 2024. Based on trends, estimated $15.3B by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benin's external debt was $15.3B in 2025. Ranked 55th globally. This represents a 8.3% increase from the previous year.
Benin's external debt peaked at $15.3B in 2025.
The lowest external debt in Benin was $43.2M in 1970.
Benin ranks 55th globally in external debt as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is DT.DOD.DECT.CD. Data sourced from World Bank.
Benin's external debt is projected to reach $15.3B by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
Benin's external debt was approximately 15.34 billion ($15.3B) in 2025.
The external debt of Benin in 2025 was $15.3B. This ranks 55th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_benin_external-debt,
title = {Benin External Debt},
url = {https://historysaid.com/benin/external-debt/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}