Country Profile: Benin

Benin is a West African nation bordered by Nigeria to the east and Togo to the west, covering an area of approximately 112,622 square kilometers. The country has a population of around 15.2 million, primarily residing in urban areas along the coast. Benin's economy, driven by agriculture and trade relations with Nigeria, faces challenges such as poverty and infrastructure deficits. Governed as a presidential republic, the nation has made significant strides toward democracy since gaining independence from France in 1960, although recent years have seen a restriction of political pluralism.

Geography

Benin is located in Western Africa, bordered by the Bight of Benin. The country's terrain consists mostly of flat plains with some low mountains, and it has a tropical climate that varies from humid in the south to semiarid in the north. The coastline stretches for 121 kilometers and features challenging access due to sandbanks and a lack of natural harbors.

Area: 112,622 sq km (2023)
Land boundaries: Total of 2,123 km, including 809 km with Nigeria
Climate: Tropical; hot and humid in the south, semiarid in the north
Natural resources: Offshore oil deposits, limestone, timber
Population distribution: High concentration in urban coastal cities

People and Society

Benin's total population is approximately 15.2 million people, with a median age of 17.2 years. The country is home to about 42 ethnic groups, with the largest being the Fon and Yoruba. French is the official language, while various indigenous languages thrive. The country has a diverse religious landscape, including significant populations of Muslims and adherents of Vodoun.

Population (2025 estimate): 15,186,090
Urban population: 50.1% (2023)
Literacy rate: 51.4% (2022)
Birth rate: 39.82 births/1,000 population (2025)
Life expectancy: 63 years (2024)

Economy

Benin's economy has shown robust growth, registering a real GDP growth rate of 6.4% in 2023. The country is a significant exporter of cotton and has strong trade relationships, particularly with Nigeria. Despite challenges such as widespread poverty (38.5% below the poverty line) and recent fiscal deficits, Benin's membership in the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU) facilitates trade and investment.

GDP (official exchange rate): $21.483 billion (2024)
GDP per capita: $3,900 (2024 estimate)
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (2024)
Agriculture contribution to GDP: 24.2% (2024)
Remittances: 1.7% of GDP (2023)

Government

Benin operates as a presidential republic, with its president serving as both head of state and head of government. The government structure includes a unicameral National Assembly and a Supreme Court. The most recent elections occurred in April 2021, with President Patrice Talon re-elected.

Capital: Porto-Novo (constitutional), Cotonou (seat of government)
Administrative divisions: 12 departments
Electoral system: Proportional representation with 109 seats in the National Assembly
Independence: Achieved on August 1, 1960
Next election: Scheduled for April 12, 2026

Military and Security

Benin maintains a small but capable military force, comprising an army, air force, and navy. The country faces security challenges, particularly in relation to extremist groups operating in the Sahel region. To address these threats, the government has pledged to modernize its military capabilities.

Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2024)
Active duty personnel: Estimated 10-12,000 (2025)
Service age: 18-30 years, with a 18-month compulsory service
Military focus: Counter-terrorism and border security
Participation in international coalitions: Involved in the Multinational Joint Task Force

Energy

Benin's energy sector relies heavily on fossil fuels, with a significant percentage of electricity generation capacity sourced from non-renewable resources. Access to electricity remains a challenge, particularly in rural areas.

Electricity access: 56.5% of the total population (2022)
Installed capacity: 505,000 kW (2023)
Electricity consumption: 1.459 billion kWh (2023)
Fossil fuels contribution: 96.7% of total installed capacity (2023)
Petroleum consumption: 40,000 bbl/day (2023)

Environment

Benin faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, water pollution, and inadequate potable water supplies. The country's commitment to addressing these issues is evident through participation in various international environmental agreements.

Major environmental issues: Deforestation, desertification, and water pollution
Total renewable water resources: 26.39 billion cubic meters (2022)
Carbon dioxide emissions: 5.948 million metric tonnes (2023)
Municipal solid waste generated: 685,900 tons annually (2024 est.)
Recycling rate: 56.9% of municipal solid waste (2022)

Transportation

Benin's transportation infrastructure includes limited railways and a modest road network. The main port is in Cotonou, which serves as a critical gateway for trade.

Airports: 10 (2025)
Railways: 438 km (2014)
Merchant marine: 6 vessels (2023)
Total ports: 1 main port in Cotonou
Civil aircraft registration code: TY

Communications

The communication sector in Benin is growing, with an increasing number of mobile subscriptions. However, fixed-line telecommunication remains limited.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 18.2 million (2024)
Internet users: 32% of the population (2023)
Fixed-line subscriptions: 1,350 (2024)
Broadband subscriptions: 24,000 (2023)
Broadcast media: Includes state-run and private radio and TV stations

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	15,186,090 (2025 est.)
Area	112,622 sq km
GDP (official exchange rate)	$21.483 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	1.8% (2024)
Birth rate	39.82 births/1,000 population (2025)
Life expectancy	63 years (2024 est.)
Electricity access	56.5% (2022)
Total fertility rate	5.3 children born/woman (2025)
Literacy rate	51.4% (2022 est.)
Military expenditures	0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)