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Benin vs Chad
Side-by-side comparison of Benin and Chad from official statistics: size, economy, people, trade, natural resources, health, infrastructure and military, with world ranks, years and sources.
In short
Benin scores 26.7 in the NationsTree Index (170th in the world) and Chad scores 23.1 (181st), a gap of 3.6 points. Their trees are 4.4 m and 4.0 m tall; tree height grows with real GDP and is adjusted by the index.
Chad has 42% more people than Benin. Chad is 11 times larger than Benin by land area. The economy of Benin is 17% larger than that of Chad (GDP at purchasing power parity). Population: Benin 14.8 million and Chad 21.0 million (2025).
GDP per person at purchasing power parity is $4,817 in Benin and $2,903 in Chad (2025, international dollars). People in Benin live on average 5.7 years longer (61.0 vs 55.2 years).
Of 34 indicators reported by both countries, Benin ranks higher in the world on 25 and Chad on 9. Benin is clearly stronger in tourism, institutions & safety and science & innovation. Chad is clearly stronger in military.
Over the last five years Chad improved faster (direction score 74 vs 27 out of 100).
Where they differ most
The indicators with the biggest gap in world position between Benin and Chad.
Beninbetter
43.8
105th of 207
Chad
21.0
191st of 207
General government gross debtEconomy
Benin
59.3%
112th of 189
Chadbetter
33.3%
41st of 189
Government effectivenessInstitutions & safety
Beninbetter
48.9
120th of 205
Chad
30.8
181st of 205
Government budget balanceEconomy
Benin
-2.7%
97th of 192
Chadbetter
-0.3%
42nd of 192
Over time
How the two countries moved against each other, from the yearly data.
Benin overtook Chad in GDP (PPP) in 2016 and has stayed ahead since.
Benin overtook Chad in the NationsTree Index in 2015 and has stayed ahead since.
Benin overtook Chad in GDP per person (PPP) in 2013 and has stayed ahead since.
Benin has been ahead of Chad in life expectancy in every year since 1990.
Chad has been ahead of Benin in population in every year since 1990.
Strength by category
Average world percentile of the indicators in each category (0–100, direction taken into account). i
BeninChad All indicators
Latest available value for each country with its year and world rank. Green: the better world position of the two, red: the weaker one.
| Indicator | Benin | Chad |
|---|---|---|
| Land & people | ||
| Surface area km² | 114,760102nd/216 · 2024 | 1,284,00020th/216 · 2024 |
| Land area km² | 112,760100th/216 · 2024 | 1,259,20021st/216 · 2024 |
| Population people | 14.8 m75th/217 · 2025 | 21.0 m63rd/217 · 2025 |
| Population growth % | 2.40%27th/217 · 2025 | 3.41%6th/217 · 2025 |
| Population density people/km² | 128.387th/216 · 2024 | 16.1197th/216 · 2024 |
| Urban population % | 53.4%147th/217 · 2025 | 27.6%200th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 0–14 % | 41.3%14th/217 · 2025 | 46.0%4th/217 · 2025 |
| Population aged 65+ % | 3.2%190th/217 · 2025 | 2.1%214th/217 · 2025 |
| Economy | ||
| GDP USD | $24.57 bn124th/210 · 2025 | $21.47 bn131st/210 · 2025 |
| GDP (PPP) intl. USD | $71.36 bn117th/199 · 2025 | $60.97 bn126th/199 · 2025 |
| Real GDP (PPP, constant 2021 prices) intl. USD 2021 | $60.98 bn117th/199 · 2025 | $52.10 bn126th/199 · 2025 |
| GDP per person USD | $1,658179th/210 · 2025 | $1,022197th/210 · 2025 |
| GDP per person (PPP) intl. USD | $4,817168th/199 · 2025 | $2,903187th/199 · 2025 |
| GNI per person (Atlas) USD | $1,600171st/201 · 2025 | $970187th/201 · 2025 |
| GDP growth % | 8.1%11th/210 · 2025 | 5.6%43rd/210 · 2025 |
| Inflation % | 1.1%39th/180 · 2025 | -3.9%4th/180 · 2025 |
| Unemployment % | 1.6%13th/187 · 2025 | 1.1%6th/187 · 2025 |
| General government gross debt % of GDP | 59.3%112th/189 · 2025 | 33.3%41st/189 · 2025 |
| Government budget balance % of GDP | -2.7%97th/192 · 2025 | -0.3%42nd/192 · 2025 |
| Main industries | ||
| Agriculture, forestry, fishing % of GDP | 22.9%29th/197 · 2025 | 36.3%5th/197 · 2025 |
| Industry incl. construction % of GDP | 17.5%146th/200 · 2025 | 26.7%72nd/200 · 2025 |
| Manufacturing % of GDP | 10.2%94th/192 · 2025 | 6.3%139th/192 · 2024 |
| Services % of GDP | 50.1%144th/200 · 2025 | 33.9%196th/200 · 2025 |
| Trade | ||
| Exports of goods & services USD | $4.19 bn135th/182 · 2025 | $6.32 bn124th/182 · 2025 |
| Imports of goods & services USD | $4.93 bn140th/182 · 2025 | $3.59 bn148th/182 · 2025 |
| Exports % of GDP | 17.1%154th/183 · 2025 | 29.4%115th/183 · 2025 |
| Imports % of GDP | 20.1%168th/183 · 2025 | 16.7%175th/183 · 2025 |
| Trade openness % of GDP | 37.1%167th/183 · 2025 | 46.1%152nd/183 · 2025 |
| Fuel exports % of merchandise exports | 0.0%163rd/170 · 2024 | — |
| Manufactures exports % of merchandise exports | 7.4%139th/171 · 2024 | — |
| Food exports % of merchandise exports | 39.7%41st/171 · 2024 | — |
| Ores & metals exports % of merchandise exports | 0.1%164th/171 · 2024 | — |
| High-tech exports % of manufactured exports | 30.5%14th/168 · 2024 | — |
| Current account balance % of GDP | -5.7%146th/191 · 2025 | -0.6%84th/191 · 2025 |
| Foreign direct investment, inflows % of GDP | 2.0%103rd/196 · 2025 | 0.0%176th/196 · 2025 |
| Natural resources | ||
| Natural resource rents % of GDP | 2.3%91st/209 · 2021 | 21.3%22nd/209 · 2021 |
| Oil rents % of GDP | 0.00%120th/197 · 2021 | 16.75%11th/197 · 2021 |
| Natural gas rents % of GDP | 0.00%100th/197 · 2021 | 0.01%78th/197 · 2021 |
| Coal rents % of GDP | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 | 0.00%68th/195 · 2021 |
| Mineral rents % of GDP | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 | 0.00%91st/209 · 2021 |
| Forest rents % of GDP | 2.30%31st/209 · 2021 | 4.58%16th/209 · 2021 |
| Arable land % of land area | 32.3%24th/206 · 2024 | 4.2%142nd/206 · 2024 |
| Renewable freshwater per person m³ | 749144th/183 · 2022 | 813137th/183 · 2022 |
| Tourism | ||
| International tourist arrivals arrivals | 337,000139th/194 · 2019 | 10,400189th/194 · 2020 |
| Tourism receipts USD | $240.9 m116th/175 · 2019 | $25.0 m2002 |
| Tourism receipts % of exports | 6.7%75th/168 · 2019 | — |
| Outbound trips departures | — | 5,500107th/107 · 2020 |
| Society & health | ||
| Life expectancy years | 61.0209th/217 · 2024 | 55.2216th/217 · 2024 |
| Under-5 mortality per 1,000 births | 74.7185th/196 · 2024 | 97.3193rd/196 · 2024 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people | 0.22142nd/174 · 2023 | 0.09167th/174 · 2023 |
| Hospital beds per 1,000 people | 0.4139th/145 · 2021 | 0.2145th/145 · 2020 |
| DPT immunization % of children 12–23 months | 63%180th/193 · 2024 | 68%173rd/193 · 2024 |
| Completed lower secondary, 25+ % of adults | 12.3%149th/153 · 2022 | 8.8%2019 |
| Secondary enrolment % gross | 43.6%163rd/173 · 2022 | 23.5%170th/173 · 2024 |
| Social protection coverage (incl. pensions) % of population | 8.7%53rd/55 · 2021 | 11.3%49th/55 · 2022 |
| Old-age dependency ratio % of working-age population | 5.7%185th/217 · 2025 | 4.1%211th/217 · 2025 |
| Health spending % of GDP | 3.3%172nd/193 · 2023 | 5.0%126th/193 · 2023 |
| Adult literacy % | 51.4%92nd/98 · 2022 | 30.6%2019 |
| Tertiary enrolment % gross | 10.2%139th/150 · 2022 | 4.4%2020 |
| Human Development Index index 0–1 | 0.515173rd/193 · 2023 | 0.416190th/193 · 2023 |
| Income inequality (Gini) index | 34.458th/108 · 2021 | 37.472nd/108 · 2022 |
| Extreme poverty % of population | 27.2%93rd/108 · 2021 | 39.5%98th/108 · 2022 |
| Infrastructure & digital | ||
| Access to electricity % of population | 59.0%189th/215 · 2024 | 13.4%214th/215 · 2024 |
| Safely managed drinking water % of population | 17.7%142nd/150 · 2024 | 6.3%149th/150 · 2024 |
| Safely managed sanitation % of population | 16.4%133rd/144 · 2024 | 11.1%139th/144 · 2024 |
| Internet users % of population | 34.0%163rd/186 · 2024 | 12.6%184th/186 · 2024 |
| Mobile subscriptions per 100 people | 12673rd/210 · 2024 | 73174th/210 · 2024 |
| Fixed broadband per 100 people | 0.3185th/208 · 2024 | 0.0208th/208 · 2024 |
| Trade & transport infrastructure quality (LPI) score 1–5 | 2.5085th/164 · 2022 | 2.37115th/164 · 2018 |
| Rail lines route-km | 7582006 | — |
| Air passengers carried passengers | 8992016 | 28,3322014 |
| Environment & energy | ||
| CO₂ emissions per person t CO₂e | 0.4940th/203 · 2024 | 0.1415th/203 · 2024 |
| Renewable energy % of final energy use | 54.5%44th/212 · 2021 | 70.0%29th/212 · 2022 |
| Air pollution (PM2.5) µg/m³ | 39.7177th/200 · 2023 | 43.0183rd/200 · 2023 |
| Forest area % of land area | 28.1%114th/214 · 2024 | 3.0%186th/214 · 2024 |
| Energy use per person kg oil eq. | 430125th/149 · 2024 | 171147th/149 · 2024 |
| Institutions & safety | ||
| Government effectiveness score 0–100 | 48.9120th/205 · 2025 | 30.8181st/205 · 2025 |
| Control of corruption score 0–100 | 43.8105th/207 · 2025 | 21.0191st/207 · 2025 |
| Rule of law score 0–100 | 51.1129th/207 · 2025 | 35.4189th/207 · 2025 |
| Political stability score 0–100 | 58.6145th/207 · 2025 | 38.0187th/207 · 2025 |
| Regulatory quality score 0–100 | 50.4119th/205 · 2025 | 36.5180th/205 · 2025 |
| Voice & accountability score 0–100 | 51.5123rd/205 · 2025 | 31.0180th/205 · 2025 |
| Homicide rate per 100,000 | 1.12017 | — |
| Military | ||
| Military expenditure USD | $216.9 m125th/156 · 2025 | $648.8 m93rd/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of GDP | 0.9%122nd/156 · 2025 | 3.2%26th/156 · 2025 |
| Military expenditure % of government spending | 4.8%84th/154 · 2025 | 15.5%15th/154 · 2025 |
| Armed forces personnel people | 12,000124th/170 · 2020 | 45,00075th/170 · 2020 |
| Armed forces personnel % of labour force | 0.21%153rd/168 · 2020 | 0.85%83rd/168 · 2020 |
| Arms imports (SIPRI TIV) TIV | 4.0 m135th/163 · 2025 | 4.0 m135th/163 · 2025 |
| Science & innovation | ||
| R&D spending % of GDP | — | 0.23%2016 |
| Scientific articles articles | 437106th/197 · 2023 | 52152nd/197 · 2023 |
Questions and answers
Which has more people, Benin or Chad?
Chad has the larger population: 21.0 m (2025) compared with 14.8 m for Benin (2025). Source: World Bank, SP.POP.TOTL.
Which is bigger by area, Benin or Chad?
Chad is larger: 1,284,000 km² (2024) compared with 114,760 km² for Benin (2024). Source: World Bank, AG.SRF.TOTL.K2.
Which economy is larger, Benin or Chad?
Benin has the larger economy at purchasing power parity: $71.36 bn intl. (2025) compared with $60.97 bn intl. for Chad (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.MKTP.PP.CD.
Which is richer per person, Benin or Chad?
Benin has the higher GDP per person (PPP): $4,817 intl. (2025) compared with $2,903 intl. for Chad (2025). Source: World Bank, NY.GDP.PCAP.PP.CD.
Where do people live longer, in Benin or Chad?
Benin has the higher life expectancy at birth: 61.0 years (2024) compared with 55.2 years for Chad (2024). Source: World Bank, SP.DYN.LE00.IN.
Which spends more on the military, Benin or Chad?
Chad spends more on the military: $648.8 m (2025) compared with $216.9 m for Benin (2025). Source: World Bank, MS.MIL.XPND.CD.
Which ranks higher in the NationsTree Index, Benin or Chad?
Benin: 26.7 points (170th in the world); Chad: 23.1 points (181st). The index combines foundations, economic strength, quality of life, problems and 5-year direction from public statistics.
Burkina Faso
Guinea
Madagascar
Gabon
Mozambique
Niger
RwandaSources
World Bank World Development Indicators and Worldwide Governance Indicators, compiling UN agencies, the IMF, WHO, SIPRI and national statistical offices; every row links to its world ranking with the source series. See Sources & licences and Methodology.
Cite as: NationsTree (2026). Benin vs Chad — country comparison. https://nationstree.org/compare/benin-vs-chad. Data as of 26 October 2026.