World · permanent entity record · BN

Benin

Thirty-second orientation

Benin at a glance

Capital: Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 14,814,460; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 112,622 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Beninese (singular and plural); adjective: Beninese; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: 55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language), Yom (a Gur language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba and Fulfulde; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Benin through time

1960-09-20
Admitted to the United Nations
Benin became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	14,814,460World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 15,186,090 (2025 est.) male: 7,500,771 female: 7,685,319CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $24.6 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $1,658; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 61.0 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 53.4%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 59.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 34.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 112,622 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 14,814,460; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: 55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language), Yom (a Gur language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba and Fulfulde; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Beninese (singular and plural); adjective: Beninese; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1960-09-20; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 121 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: yellow, red, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: leopard; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: unnamed elevation · 2,215 ft (675 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Present-day Benin is comprised of about 42 ethnic groups, including the Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century; the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from Mali in the 16th century; the Bariba and the Fula in the northeast; the Ottamari in the Atakora mountains; the Fon in the area around Abomey in the south-central area; and the Mina, Xueda, and Aja, who came from Togo, on the coast. The Kingdom of Dahomey emerged on the Abomey plateau in the 17th century and was a regional power for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. The growth of Dahomey coincided with the growth of the Atlantic slave trade, and it became known as a major source of enslaved people. France began to control the coastal areas of Dahomey in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960, and it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and a Marxist-Leninist government. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU returned to power after elections in 1996 and 2001. He stepped down in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent, who won a second term in 2011. Patrice TALON, a wealthy businessman, took office in 2016; the space for pluralism, dissent, and free expression has narrowed under his administration. TALON won a second term in 2021.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 9 30 N, 2 15 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 112,622 sq km land: 110,622 sq km water: 2,000 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Pennsylvania; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 2,123 km border countries (4): Burkina Faso 386 km; Niger 277 km; Nigeria 809 km; Togo 651 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 121 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive fishing zone: 200 nm; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: unnamed elevation 675 m; located 2.5 km southeast of the town of Kotopounga lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 273 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 41.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 31.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.9% (2023 est.) forest: 28.5% (2023 est.) other: 29.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 530 sq km (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society36 fields

Population: total: 15,186,090 (2025 est.) male: 7,500,771 female: 7,685,319; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Fon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: 55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language), Yom (a Gur language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba and Fulfulde; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 45.3% (male 3,360,027/female 3,294,201) 15-64 years: 52.2% (male 3,727,040/female 3,951,786) 65 years and over: 2.5% (2024 est.) (male 166,191/female 197,807); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 91.1 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 86.3 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 4.8 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 21 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 17.2 years (2025 est.) male: 16.6 years female: 17.7 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: 3.26% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 39.82 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 7.45 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: 0.22 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 50.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 285,000 PORTO-NOVO (capital) (2018); 1.253 million Abomey-Calavi, 722,000 COTONOU (seat of government) (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.84 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 20.5 years (2017/18 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 518 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 51.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 57.8 deaths/1,000 live births female: 47.8 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 63 years (2024 est.) male: 61.1 years female: 65 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 5.3 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 2.59 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 74.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 60.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 67.4% of population (2022 est.) urban: 25.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 39.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 32.6% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 2.6% of GDP (2021) 2.6% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 0.22 physicians/1,000 population (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 0.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 58.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 20.8% of population (2022 est.) total: 39.5% of population (2022 est.) urban: 41.5% of population (2022 est.) rural: 79.2% of population (2022 est.) total: 60.5% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 9.6% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 1.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 4.8% (2025 est.) male: 8.3% (2025 est.) female: 1.5% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 19.6% (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 65.7% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 5.9% (2022) women married by age 18: 27.5% (2022) men married by age 18: 4.6% (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) 18% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 51.4% (2022 est.) male: 62.6% (2022 est.) female: 41.5% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years (2022 est.) male: 11 years (2022 est.) female: 9 years (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment11 fields

Environmental issues: inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution; poaching; deforestation; desertification; droughts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 41.8% (2023 est.) arable land: 31.4% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 5.5% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 4.9% (2023 est.) forest: 28.5% (2023 est.) other: 29.7% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 50.1% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 5.948 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 379,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 5.263 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 306,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 32.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 63.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 106.1 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 34.3 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 43.5 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 685,900 tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 56.9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 145 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 30 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 59 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 26.39 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government23 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: République du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey, People's Republic of Benin etymology: the current name comes from a local ethnic group, the Bini, whose name may be related to the Arabic word bani, meaning "sons;" the former name, Dahomey, comes from a previous kingdom in the area called Dan Homé; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government) geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name Porto-Novo is Portuguese for "new port"; Cotonou means "mouth of the river of death" in the native Fon language; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: previous 1946, 1958 (pre-independence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990 amendment process: proposed concurrently by the president of the republic (after a decision in the Council of Ministers) and the National Assembly; consideration of drafts or proposals requires at least three-fourths majority vote of the Assembly membership; passage requires approval in a referendum unless approved by at least four-fifths majority vote of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles affecting territorial sovereignty, the republican form of government, and secularity of Benin cannot be amended; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016) head of government: President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term) most recent election date: 11 April 2021 election results: 2021: Patrice TALON reelected president in the ; percent of vote - Patrice TALON (independent) 86.3%, Alassane SOUMANOU (FCBE) 11.4%, Corentin KOHOUE (The Democrats) 2.3% 2016: Patrice TALON elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Lionel ZINSOU (FCBE) 28.4%, Patrice TALON (independent) 24.8%, Sebastien AJAVON (independent) 23%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE (ABT) 8.8%, Pascal KOUPAKI (NC) 5.9%, other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Patrice TALON 65.4%, Lionel ZINSOU 34.6% expected date of next election: 12 April 2026 note: the president is both head of state and head of government; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: National Assembly (Assemblée nationale) legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 109 (all directly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 1/8/2023 parties elected and seats per party: Progressive Union for Renewal (53); Republican Block (BR) (28); Democrats (28) percentage of women in chamber: 26.6% expected date of next election: January 2026 note: seat total includes 24 seats reserved for women; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the chief justice and 16 justices organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members, including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the president of the republic on the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the president of the republic; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; other members of the High Court of Justice elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorism Infractions (CRIET) or Cour de Répression des Infractions Economiques et du Terrorisme; district courts; village courts; Assize courts note: jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice is limited to cases of high treason by the national president or members of the government while in office; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP Benin Renaissance or RB Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE Democratic Renewal Party or PRD Progressive Union for Renewal Republican Bloc Sun Alliance or AS The Democrats Union Makes the Nation or UN (includes PRD, MADEP) note: approximately 20 additional minor parties; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Agniola AHOUANMENOU (since 24 July 2025) chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996 email address and website: ambassade.washington@gouv.bj https://beninembassy.us/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Brian SHUKAN (since 5 May 2022) embassy: 01BP 2012, Cotonou mailing address: 2120 Cotonou Place, Washington DC 20521-2120 telephone: [229] 21-36-75-00 FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84 email address and website: ACSCotonou@state.gov https://bj.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 1 August 1960 (from France); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 August (1960); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) to the right, with a vertical green band on the left side meaning: green stands for hope and revival, yellow for wealth, and red for courage history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): leopard; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): green, yellow, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day) lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON history: adopted 1960; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 3 (2 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Royal Palaces of Abomey (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy29 fields

Economic overview: robust economic growth; slightly declining but still widespread poverty; strong trade relations with Nigeria; cotton exporter; COVID-19 has led to capital outflows and border closures; WAEMU member with currency pegged to the euro; recent fiscal deficit and debt reductions; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $56.424 billion (2024 est.) $52.51 billion (2023 est.) $49.374 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 7.5% (2024 est.) 6.4% (2023 est.) 6.3% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $3,900 (2024 est.) $3,700 (2023 est.) $3,600 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $21.483 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.2% (2024 est.) 2.7% (2023 est.) 1.4% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 24.2% (2024 est.) industry: 17.4% (2024 est.) services: 48.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 58.9% (2024 est.) government consumption: 9% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 34.7% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 18.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -21.8% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, cotton, soybeans, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, chillies/peppers (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 9.7% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 6.397 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 1.8% (2024 est.) 1.7% (2023 est.) 1.7% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 3.3% (2024 est.) male: 3.6% (2024 est.) female: 2.9% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 38.5% (2018 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 34.4 (2021 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 3.1% (2021 est.) highest 10%: 27.2% (2021 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 1.7% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $2.024 billion (2019 est.) expenditures: $2.101 billion (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 49.7% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: -$1.609 billion (2023 est.) -$991.005 million (2022 est.) -$734.659 million (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $4.511 billion (2023 est.) $4.271 billion (2022 est.) $4.154 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: UAE 42%, Bangladesh 20%, India 11%, China 5%, Togo 3% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: gold, cotton, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, soybeans, wood (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $6.189 billion (2023 est.) $5.296 billion (2022 est.) $4.925 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: China 21%, India 15%, USA 6%, France 6%, Nigeria 4% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: rice, refined petroleum, palm oil, poultry, cars (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Debt - external: $6.309 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 606.345 (2024 est.) 606.655 (2023 est.) 622.912 (2022 est.) 554.608 (2021 est.) 574.295 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 56.5% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 71.1% electrification - rural areas: 45.5%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 505,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 1.459 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 2 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 844.888 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 385 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 3.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: consumption: 164,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 164,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 40,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 8 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: consumption: 157.25 million cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 157.25 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 1.133 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 6.472 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 1,350 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2024 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 18.2 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 126 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with a wide broadcast reach; several privately owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2019); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .bj; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 32% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 24,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation5 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TY; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 10 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 438 km (2014) narrow gauge: 438 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 6 (2023) by type: other 6; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 1 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 0 very small: 0 ports with oil terminals: 1 key ports: Cotonou; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security6 fields

Military and security forces: Beninese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB; aka Benin Defense Forces): Army, Air Force, National Navy, National Guard (aka Republican Guard) Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2025) note: FAB is under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for external security and supporting the DGPR in maintaining internal security, which has primary responsibility for enforcing law and maintaining order; the DGPR was formed in 2018 through a merger of police and gendarmes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.7% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: estimated 10-12,000 active duty Armed Forces (including National Guard) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military is equipped with a mix of older, secondhand, and limited amounts of newer equipment from a variety of suppliers, including China, France, Germany, South Africa, the former Soviet Union, Spain, and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary and selective compulsory military service for men and women; compulsory service is 18 months (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) are responsible for defense against external aggression and may be required to assist in maintaining public order and internal security under conditions defined by the country's president; it may also participate in economic development projects a key focus for the security forces of Benin is countering infiltrations into the country by terrorist groups tied to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) operating just over the border from northern Benin in Burkina Faso and Niger; in 2022, the Benin Government said it was "at war" after suffering a series of attacks from these groups; later that same year, President TALON pledged to increase the size of the military, modernize military equipment, and establish forward operating bases; the military since 2022 has also deployed thousands of additional troops to the north of the country to better secure the border region; in addition, the FAB participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeastern border (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM); Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Boko Haram note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 23,225 (2024 est.) IDPs: 12,501 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

The underlying United States government material is public domain. The Almanac’s reuse terms do not change the legal status of this preserved source layer.

Benin at a glance

Benin through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile