Benin

The population of Benin is approximately 15M (2024).

The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.

Benin's GDP per capita is $1.7K (2024).

Life expectancy in Benin is 60.96 years (2024).

Benin covers 112,622 km² (43,484 sq mi).

Benin has a moderate population density of 135 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Benin's population is growing rapidly at 2.5% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Benin falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.7K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Benin reports a low intentional homicide rate of 1.1 per 100,000 people, below the global average.

The official language of Benin is French.

Benin uses the West African CFA franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Benin are July, August, based on climate data for the capital.

Recent estimates indicate that the population of Benin has reached approximately 15.2 million people. The nation currently ranks 75th globally in terms of total population and 9th within the Western Africa subregion. This growth is supported by an annual population growth rate of approximately 2.5%.

The Beninese economy is experiencing significant expansion, with the latest available data showing an annual GDP growth rate of 7.5%. This puts Benin in a strong position compared to many of its neighbors. The country currently ranks 25th in Africa for total GDP, which is valued at approximately $21.5 billion.

The adult literacy rate in Benin is currently 51.4%, placing the country 158th in global literacy rankings. Education remains a critical area for development, with recent initiatives focusing on increasing school enrollment and vocational training. Approximately 34% of the population currently has access to the internet to support these learning efforts.

According to the latest data, the unemployment rate in Benin is very low at 1.59%. This figure ranks Benin 174th out of 186 countries when sorted by the highest unemployment rates, indicating that a large portion of the labor force is engaged in some form of economic activity, often in agriculture or the informal sector.

Recent estimates show that the GDP per capita in Benin is $1,715. The nation ranks 178th globally for this metric and 7th within the Western Africa subregion. Economic policies have focused on infrastructure development and improving the business environment to continue increasing the average income of citizens.

The latest ranking places Benin as the 75th most populous country in the world out of 215 nations. Within Africa, it ranks 28th out of 54 countries, and it is the 9th largest by population in Western Africa. Its global position has risen steadily as the country maintains high growth.

The current estimated population density of Benin is 134.6 people per km² (348.6 per sq mi). This is an increase from the official 2023 density of 125.1 people per km² (324.0 per sq mi). Benin ranks 87th globally for density, with the highest concentration of people in the south.

Recent data indicates that the population of Benin is growing rapidly at an annual rate of 2.46%. Current estimates suggest a daily net increase of approximately 975 people, driven by a high crude birth rate of 33.4 births per 1,000 people. The population continues to rise significantly each year.

The latest official data shows a fertility rate of 4.48 births per woman in Benin. This is the 14th highest fertility rate in the world. High fertility is a primary driver of the nation's rapid population growth, though the rate has gradually declined from historical peaks since the 1990s.

Approximately 52.5% of Benin's population lives in urban areas according to the latest official data. The country is more urbanized than many of its regional neighbors, ranking 148th globally. Major urban centers like Cotonou and Porto-Novo continue to attract residents from rural areas for trade and services.