Country Profile: Benin

Benin, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the Bight of Benin, Nigeria, and Togo. The country has a diverse population of approximately 15.2 million people, predominantly residing in urban areas along the coast. Benin's economy is growing robustly, with significant reliance on cotton exports and robust trade ties with neighboring Nigeria. Governed as a presidential republic, Benin has experienced a transition from military rule to a democratic government, although recent years have seen a narrowing of political freedoms.

Geography

Benin covers an area of 112,622 square kilometers and features a tropical climate with hot, humid conditions in the south and semi-arid weather in the north. The terrain is primarily flat to undulating with some hills and low mountains. Its coastline of 121 kilometers presents challenges with no natural harbors, and access is further complicated by sandbanks.

2,123 km of land borders with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo.
41.8% of land is used for agriculture, with a significant portion dedicated to arable farming.
The highest point is an unnamed elevation at 675 m.
Benin has 28.5% forest coverage as of 2023.

People and Society

With a population estimated at 15,186,090 in 2025, Benin is home to about 42 ethnic groups, with the Fon making up the largest segment. French is the official language, and numerous indigenous languages are spoken. The country holds a mix of religious beliefs, with Islam and Roman Catholicism being the most prevalent.

39.82 births per 1,000 population is the birth rate in 2025.
Life expectancy at birth is 63 years (2024 est.).
The median age of the population is 17.2 years (2025 est.).
Urban population represents 50.1% of the total (2023).

Economy

Benin's economy has shown robust growth, driven by agriculture, particularly cotton production, despite widespread poverty. The country is part of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, which stabilizes its currency. Recent fiscal policies have led to a reduction in both fiscal deficits and debt levels.

$21.48 billion is the GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.).
Real GDP per capita is projected at $3,900 (2024 est.).
The unemployment rate is very low, at 1.8% (2024 est.).
24.2% of GDP originates from agriculture.

Government

Benin operates as a presidential republic with a legal system inspired by French civil law. The government transitioned to democracy in the early 1990s, with the latest constitution adopted in 1990. The president serves as both head of state and government, elected for a five-year term.

The capital city is Porto-Novo, with Cotonou as the seat of government.
12 administrative divisions exist in the country.
Universal suffrage is granted to citizens aged 18 and over.

Military and Security

The Beninese Armed Forces are responsible for external security and internal law enforcement. With a focus on counter-terrorism, the military is equipped with a mix of older equipment from various suppliers, addressing threats from extremist groups in the region.

Military expenditures amount to 0.7% of GDP (2024 est.).
An estimated 10-12,000 personnel serve in active duty roles (2025).
Compulsory military service lasts 18 months for individuals aged 18-30.

Energy

Benin struggles with limited electricity access, with only 56.5% of its population having electricity as of 2022. The energy mix is heavily reliant on fossil fuels, accounting for 96.7% of generating capacity.

Installed electricity generation capacity is 505,000 kW (2023 est.).
Total energy consumption per capita is 6.472 million Btu/person (2023 est.).

Environment

Several environmental challenges affect Benin, including deforestation, water pollution, and inadequate access to potable water. The nation is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Benin is exposed to risks from desertification and climate-induced droughts.
Approximately 41.8% of land is utilized for agriculture (2023).

Transportation

Benin has limited transportation infrastructure, with only a single key port at Cotonou. The railway system spans 438 km, primarily narrow gauge.

There are 10 airports in total (2025).
The country has 6 merchant ships (2023).

Communications

Telecommunication has seen growth, with mobile subscriptions significantly outpacing fixed lines. Approximately 32% of the population had internet access as of 2023.

Total mobile cellular subscriptions reached 18.2 million (2024 est.).
Fixed broadband subscriptions are limited, totaling 24,000 (2023 est.).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	15,186,090	2025 estimate
Area	112,622 sq km
GDP	$21.48 billion	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	1.8%	2024 estimate
Birth Rate	39.82 births/1,000 people	2025 estimate
Life Expectancy	63 years	2024 estimate
Urban Population	50.1%	2023 estimate
Energy Consumption per Capita	6.472 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.7% of GDP	2024 estimate
Total Fertility Rate	5.3 children born/woman	2025 estimate