Benin Trade Openness
Trade as % of GDP NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS
Benin's trade openness was 40.98% in 2025, ranked 166th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1960–2025.
Overview
Benin's trade openness stood at 40.98% in 2025, a rise of +0.34% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 40.98% by 2025. Benin ranked 166th globally.
Benin’s trade openness, measured as the sum of exports and imports relative to GDP, has risen markedly from 18.23 in 1960 to 40.98 in 2025, placing the country 166th in the world ranking. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 65.27 in 2014, a level that reflected a surge in both commodity exports and regional trade integration, before settling back to the current figure after a modest decline. The lowest point occurred in 1962 at 13.48, when the post‑colonial economy was still heavily dependent on subsistence agriculture and limited external linkages. Benin’s 2025 openness is comparable to the Syrian Arab Republic’s 41.42 and New Caledonia’s 41.47, suggesting a convergence with other small, open economies that rely on niche export sectors. Continued diversification of export goods, improvements in port infrastructure, and deeper participation in regional trade agreements could sustain the upward trajectory and potentially lift Benin’s openness above the mid‑40s in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Trade Openness | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2027* trend | 38.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 39.80% | - | - |
| 2025* trend | 40.98% | - | - |
| 2025 | 40.98% | +0.34% | #166 |
| 2024 | 40.64% | −4.02% | #20 |
| 2023 | 44.66% | +0.28% | #26 |
| 2022 | 44.38% | −3.67% | #18 |
| 2021 | 48.05% | +3.22% | #35 |
| 2020 | 44.83% | −18.85% | #40 |
| 2019 | 63.68% | +1.89% | #61 |
| 2018 | 61.80% | +0.32% | #57 |
| 2017 | 61.48% | +2.49% | #65 |
| 2016 | 58.99% | +2.23% | #59 |
| 2015 | 56.76% | −8.51% | #52 |
| 2014 | 65.27% | +6.07% | #64 |
| 2013 | 59.20% | +8.46% | #51 |
| 2012 | 50.74% | +3.52% | #29 |
| 2011 | 47.22% | −4.21% | #21 |
Analysis
Benin's trade openness was 40.98% in 2025, a rise of +0.34% from 2024. Based on trends, estimated 40.98% by 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benin's trade openness was 40.98% in 2025. Ranked 166th globally. This represents a 0.8% increase from the previous year.
Benin's trade openness peaked at 65.27% in 2014.
The lowest trade openness in Benin was 13.48% in 1962.
Benin ranks 166th globally in trade openness as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is NE.TRD.GNFS.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Benin's trade openness is projected to reach 40.98% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The trade openness of Benin in 2025 was 40.98%. This ranks 166th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_benin_trade-openness,
title = {Benin Trade Openness},
url = {https://historysaid.com/benin/trade-openness/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}