Table of Contents
Overview
Benin, formerly known as Dahomey, is one of Africa’s smaller nations, but densely populated, with over 15 million people according to the CIA Fact Sheet. It’s located in West Africa, along the Gulf of Guinea, and borders Burkina Faso (386 km), Niger (277 km), Nigeria (809), and Togo (651 km).
According to the Africa for Investors report, cassava is the largest crop, accounting for approximately 4 million metric tons annually and supporting local food security and exports. Benin is divided into 12 departments: Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, and Zou.
Agriculture
Agriculture is a key part of Benin’s economy, covering 41.8% of the land and employing many people. Main crops include cassava, yams, maize, oil palm, and cotton, with cotton as a major export. The sector accounts for 25.4% of GDP (2024 est.) and is supported by food processing industries.
Land use consists of 31.4% arable land, 5.5% permanent crops, and 4.9% pasture. Irrigation spans 530 sq km, but issues such as deforestation, desertification, and drought threaten sustainability. Other important crops are soybeans, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, and peppers.
Crime
Numbeo reports a crime index of 36.66 (low-moderate), a property crime index of 43.33 (moderate), and a drugs index of 35.94 (low). The Global Economy stats reveal the homicide rate was 1.1 per 100,000 in 2017, down from 6.2 in 2015.
Top cities like Cotonou and Abomey-Calavi experience urban theft; the north faces terrorism and smuggling. Law enforcement capacity is limited.
Demographics
The current population of Benin is 15,014,025 as of January, 2026, based on Worldometer’s elaboration of the latest United Nations data. The population is highest along the Atlantic coast in the south, but the north remains sparsely populated.
Urbanization is at 50.1%, increasing by 3.74% annually. Key cities include Abomey-Calavi, Cotonou, and Porto-Novo. The median age is 17.2 years, with 45.3% under 14, 52.2% aged 15-64, and 2.5% aged 65 or older. Population growth is 3.26%, driven by a birth rate of 39.82 per 1,000 and a death rate of 7.45 per 1,000. Fertility averages 5.3 children per woman. Benin has over 7 ethnic groups, led by the Fon at 38.4%, while French is the official language, alongside Fon and Yoruba.
Economy
Benin has a GDP of $56.424 billion and 7.5% growth as of 2024. While the average income is $3,900, inflation is 1.2%.
The economy is divided into agriculture, industry, and services, with the industrial sector including textiles, food processing, construction materials, and cement. Beninese exports total $4.511 billion, mainly gold, cotton, coconuts, cashews, soybeans, and wood, with major shares to the UAE and Bangladesh. Imports are $6.189 billion, mainly rice, petroleum, and palm oil, with China and India being the highest shareholders.
Education
Benin allocates 3.2% of GDP (2023 est.) and 18% of its budget (2025 est.) to education, demonstrating commitment despite challenges. Literacy is 51.4% (as of 2022), with a slight gender gap: higher among males (62.6%) than among females (41.5%).
School life expectancy averages 10 years, with males (11) having a longer average than females (9). Rural adoption is limited, worsened by a youthful population (45.3% under 14).
Geography
Benin, with a time zone of UTC +1, is located at 9°30′N, 2°15′E in Western Africa. It is between Nigeria and Togo, covering 112,622 sq km, roughly the size of Pennsylvania. It has a 121 km coastline along the Bight of Benin, with no natural harbors due to sandbanks.
With about 2,123 km of boundaries, Benin is bordered by four countries. The terrain includes flat coastal plains, savanna, and northern hills or low mountains at an average elevation of 273 m.
Health
Per 2024 estimates, the average life expectancy is 63 years, with males at 61.1 and females at 65. Infant mortality remains high at 51.6 per 1,000 live births, and maternal mortality is at 518 per 100,000.
Health spending is backward, accounting for just 2.6% of the GDP or national budget. Access to improved water sources stands at 67.4%, while sanitation coverage is at 39.5%. Obesity affects 9.6% of the population, and 19.6% of children under five are underweight. Per capita alcohol consumption is 1.25 liters of pure alcohol, and tobacco use stands at 4.8%.
Military
The Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) include the Army, Air Force, Navy, and National Guard, with an estimated 10,000 to 12,000 active personnel in 2025. Their expenditures are around 0.7% of GDP in 2024. The equipment used is mostly older, sourced from China, France, and other countries.
Benin participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force against Boko Haram in the Lake Chad region. In 2018, security forces merged into the Republican Police to handle public order.
Miscellaneous
We’re in a digital era. As of 2023, according to the World Telecommunication and ICT Indicators Database, only 32% of Benin’s population use the internet.
Religion
The 2020 Pew Research estimate cited on Wikipedia shows Benin’s ppulation is made up of 52.2% Christian, 24.6% Muslim, 17.9% Vodun traditionalists, and 5.3% other or none.
Weather
From December to March, the harmattan (a hot, dry, dusty wind) reduces visibility and causes discomfort in the north. Hazards include droughts and desertification, driven by deforestation and environmental pressures.
Coastal proximity stabilizes southern temperatures, and terrain variations shape local climate patterns. This climate supports agriculture but poses sustainability risks.