Current Account Balance: Benin

Analysis# Benin Current Account Balance Benin's current account balance stands at -5% of GDP in 2026, reflecting a persistent deficit in its external transactions. Since 1980, the metric has deteriorated by 6.4 percentage points overall, though it remains far above the all-time low of -20.9% recorded in 1982. The country achieved its only surplus near equilibrium at 0.5% of GDP in 1994, a brief bright spot in an otherwise deficit-prone history. Recent years reveal significant volatility. A notable improvement occurred in 2020, when the deficit narrowed to -1.7% of GDP, but subsequent years proved less favorable, with 2023 marking the worst performance at -8.2%. The trajectory suggests stabilization ahead, as projections indicate gradual improvement from -6.6% in 2024 through 2026's -5% forecast. This recovery reflects structural adjustments in Benin's trade and investment dynamics.