Country Profile: Benin

Benin, located in Western Africa and bordered by Nigeria and Togo, features a diverse population composed of approximately 42 ethnic groups. The economy is primarily reliant on agriculture, particularly cotton production, but the country has also faced challenges like poverty and the impacts of COVID-19. Governed as a presidential republic, Benin has experienced significant political changes since its independence from France in 1960, transitioning from military rule to a more democratic system, although recent administrations have seen a reduction in political pluralism.

Geography

Benin's geographical landscape is characterized by a flat to undulating terrain, with a tropical climate in the south and a semiarid climate in the north. The nation has a total area of 112,622 square kilometers, with the majority of its population concentrated along the southern coastal cities. The coastline stretches 121 kilometers, and the region is rich in natural resources such as small offshore oil deposits and timber.

Area: 112,622 sq km total area
Land boundaries: 2,123 km with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, and timber
Climate: tropical with hot, humid conditions in the south

People and Society

With an estimated population of 14.7 million in 2024, Benin is home to multiple ethnic groups, with the Fon and Yoruba being the most prominent. French is the official language, while several indigenous languages such as Fon and Yoruba are widely spoken. The nation's demographics reflect a youthful society, with a median age of 17.2 years and a high birth rate of 40.3 births per 1,000 population.

Population: 14,697,052 (2024 est.)
Urban population: 50.1% of total population (2023)
Literacy rate: 51.4% (2022 est.)
Ethnic diversity: 42 ethnic groups including Fon, Yoruba, and Adja

Economy

Benin's economy has shown robust growth, with a projected 7.5% growth rate for 2024, although poverty remains an issue for a significant portion of the population. The country heavily depends on agriculture, notably cotton production, and maintains strong trade relations with Nigeria. As a member of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Benin's economy utilizes the CFA franc pegged to the euro.

GDP (PPP): $56.424 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (2024 est.)
Poverty rate: 38.5% (2018 est.)
Major exports: cotton, gold, and soybeans

Government

Benin operates as a presidential republic, with Porto-Novo as the constitutional capital and Cotonou as the seat of government. The political framework includes a distinctive separation of powers and a constitutional system modeled primarily after the French legal system. The latest presidential election took place in April 2021, where Patrice TALON was re-elected.

Independence: 1 August 1960 from France
Current president: Patrice TALON (since April 2016)
Legislature: Unicameral National Assembly with 109 members
Suffrage: Universal voting age of 18 years

Military and Security

The Beninese Armed Forces, which include the Army, Air Force, and National Navy, are primarily responsible for the country's defense and internal security. Recent years have seen increased military investment due to external threats from regional terrorist groups. The military's budget is around 0.7% of the GDP as of 2024.

Active-duty personnel: estimated 10,000 (2025)
Military expenditure: 0.7% of GDP (2024)
Main security concern: threats from groups like Boko Haram and ISIS

Energy

Energy access remains a challenge in Benin, with approximately 56.5% of the population having access to electricity. The country relies heavily on fossil fuels, which constitute 96.7% of its electricity generation capacity. Efforts to expand renewable energy sources have begun but are still in early stages.

Electricity consumption: 1.459 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Fossil fuel reliance: 96.7% of total installed capacity
Electricity access: 56.5% of total population (2022 est.)

Environment

Benin faces significant environmental issues, including inadequate potable water supplies, deforestation, and desertification. The country is party to several international environmental agreements, aiming to combat climate change and protect biodiversity.

Deforestation and desertification are critical environmental challenges
Water resources: total renewable water resources estimated at 26.39 billion cubic meters (2020)
Participation in international environmental agreements: including the Climate Change-Paris Agreement and Biodiversity

Transportation

Benin's transportation infrastructure includes a limited railway system and a small number of airports. Cotonou serves as the main port, essential for maritime trade. The total length of railways is 438 km, and the country has 10 airports as of 2025.

Total railways: 438 km (1.000-m gauge)
Airports: 10 (2025 est.)
Key port: Cotonou

Communications

The communications sector in Benin has seen growth, with a mobile cellular subscription rate exceeding the population. Internet usage is growing, with around 32% of the population being internet users as of 2023.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 16.4 million (2023)
Internet users: 32% of the total population (2023)
Fixed-line subscriptions: less than 1 per 100 inhabitants

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	14,697,052	(2024 est.)
Area	112,622 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$56.424 billion	(2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	1.8%	(2024 est.)
Birth rate	40.3 births/1,000 people	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	63 years	(2024 est.)
Electricity access	56.5%	(2022 est.)
Military expenditure	0.7% of GDP	(2024 est.)
Literacy rate	51.4%	(2022 est.)
Urban population	50.1%	(2023)