Benin is a lower-middle-income country with a population of 14.5M people. The capital is Porto-Novo, while the largest city is Cotonou, with 780K residents. Benin shares land borders with Nigeria, Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger.
Benin ranks 126/197 by GDP ($21.5B) and 162/197 by GDP per capita ($1,485). The top export category is textiles & consumer goods, while the top import is raw agricultural goods.
Main facts and rankings
Benin
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Population |
15272847
|
76/197 |
| GDP |
$21.5B
2024 |
126/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$1,485
2024 |
162/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$4,435
2024 |
162/197 |
| Government debt |
$11.5B
2024 |
123/185 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
53.4%
2024 |
99/185 |
| Government debt per person |
$794
2024 |
151/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$1,091
2026 |
194/197 |
| Land area | 43,537 sq mi | 99/197 |
| Population density | 349 ppl/mi² | 72/197 |
| Fertility rate | 4.56 | 14/196 |
| Median age | 19 years | 179/196 |
| Life expectancy | 61.3 years | 189/197 |
Benin trends dashboard: time-series charts
| Year | GDP |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $21,482,643,706 |
| 2023 | $19,673,291,004 |
| 2022 | $17,425,405,091 |
| 2021 | $17,687,623,530 |
| 2020 | $15,686,741,884 |
| 2019 | $14,391,686,313 |
| 2018 | $14,262,408,090 |
| 2017 | $12,701,655,837 |
| 2016 | $11,821,065,853 |
| 2015 | $11,388,160,997 |
| 2014 | $13,284,527,847 |
| 2013 | $12,517,845,124 |
| 2012 | $11,141,358,116 |
| 2011 | $10,693,321,364 |
| 2010 | $9,535,345,016 |
| 2009 | $9,738,626,517 |
| 2008 | $9,787,734,526 |
| 2007 | $8,169,048,383 |
| 2006 | $7,034,111,315 |
| 2005 | $6,567,654,954 |
| 2004 | $6,190,270,380 |
| 2003 | $5,349,258,094 |
| 2002 | $4,194,342,686 |
| 2001 | $3,666,222,635 |
| 2000 | $3,519,991,440 |
| 1999 | $3,677,393,999 |
| 1998 | $2,455,092,686 |
| 1997 | $2,268,301,646 |
| 1996 | $2,361,116,449 |
| 1995 | $2,169,627,138 |
| 1994 | $1,598,075,944 |
| 1993 | $2,274,558,083 |
| 1992 | $1,695,315,306 |
| 1991 | $1,986,437,797 |
| 1990 | $1,959,965,330 |
| 1989 | $1,502,294,416 |
| 1988 | $1,620,246,084 |
| 1987 | $1,562,412,228 |
| 1986 | $1,336,102,025 |
| 1985 | $1,045,712,789 |
| 1984 | $1,051,134,009 |
| 1983 | $1,095,348,199 |
| 1982 | $1,267,778,670 |
| 1981 | $1,291,120,188 |
| 1980 | $1,405,251,847 |
| 1979 | $1,186,231,020 |
| 1978 | $928,843,469 |
| 1977 | $750,049,779 |
| 1976 | $698,408,262 |
| 1975 | $676,870,140 |
| 1974 | $554,654,861 |
| 1973 | $504,376,074 |
| 1972 | $410,331,857 |
| 1971 | $335,073,028 |
| 1970 | $333,627,713 |
| 1969 | $330,748,245 |
| 1968 | $326,323,105 |
| 1967 | $306,221,953 |
| 1966 | $302,925,235 |
| 1965 | $289,908,680 |
| 1964 | $269,819,006 |
| 1963 | $253,927,697 |
| 1962 | $236,434,954 |
| 1961 | $235,668,221 |
| 1960 | $226,195,578 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/benin | CC BY 
| Year | GDP per capita |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $1,485 |
| 2023 | $1,394 |
| 2022 | $1,266 |
| 2021 | $1,319 |
| 2020 | $1,200 |
| 2019 | $1,131 |
| 2018 | $1,152 |
| 2017 | $1,055 |
| 2016 | $1,011 |
| 2015 | $1,002 |
| 2014 | $1,204 |
| 2013 | $1,169 |
| 2012 | $1,072 |
| 2011 | $1,059 |
| 2010 | $973 |
| 2009 | $1,024 |
| 2008 | $1,061 |
| 2007 | $912 |
| 2006 | $809 |
| 2005 | $779 |
| 2004 | $759 |
| 2003 | $676 |
| 2002 | $546 |
| 2001 | $492 |
| 2000 | $487 |
| 1999 | $525 |
| 1998 | $362 |
| 1997 | $345 |
| 1996 | $369 |
| 1995 | $348 |
| 1994 | $262.1 |
| 1993 | $387 |
| 1992 | $302 |
| 1991 | $365 |
| 1990 | $371 |
| 1989 | $293.3 |
| 1988 | $326 |
| 1987 | $324 |
| 1986 | $285.8 |
| 1985 | $230.4 |
| 1984 | $238.6 |
| 1983 | $256 |
| 1982 | $305 |
| 1981 | $320 |
| 1980 | $358 |
| 1979 | $311 |
| 1978 | $249.8 |
| 1977 | $207 |
| 1976 | $197.7 |
| 1975 | $196.5 |
| 1974 | $164.9 |
| 1973 | $153.6 |
| 1972 | $127.9 |
| 1971 | $106.9 |
| 1970 | $108.8 |
| 1969 | $110.3 |
| 1968 | $111.2 |
| 1967 | $106.6 |
| 1966 | $107.6 |
| 1965 | $105.1 |
| 1964 | $99.8 |
| 1963 | $95.7 |
| 1962 | $90.8 |
| 1961 | $92.1 |
| 1960 | $89.9 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/benin | CC BY
Benin's life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years |
|---|---|
| 2026 | 61.3 |
| 2025 | 61.1 |
| 2024 | 61 |
| 2023 | 60.8 |
| 2022 | 60.5 |
| 2021 | 59.6 |
| 2020 | 60.2 |
| 2019 | 59.9 |
| 2018 | 59.7 |
| 2017 | 59.5 |
| 2016 | 59.3 |
| 2015 | 59.1 |
| 2014 | 59 |
| 2013 | 58.9 |
| 2012 | 58.6 |
| 2011 | 58.5 |
| 2010 | 58.4 |
| 2009 | 58.3 |
| 2008 | 58.1 |
| 2007 | 58.2 |
| 2006 | 58 |
| 2005 | 57.7 |
| 2004 | 57.3 |
| 2003 | 57.1 |
| 2002 | 56.9 |
| 2001 | 56.7 |
| 2000 | 56.6 |
| 1999 | 56.3 |
| 1998 | 56.2 |
| 1997 | 56 |
| 1996 | 55.6 |
| 1995 | 55.4 |
| 1994 | 55 |
| 1993 | 54.6 |
| 1992 | 54.1 |
| 1991 | 53.4 |
| 1990 | 53 |
| 1989 | 52.5 |
| 1988 | 52 |
| 1987 | 51.3 |
| 1986 | 50.6 |
| 1985 | 50 |
| 1984 | 49.4 |
| 1983 | 48.8 |
| 1982 | 48.5 |
| 1981 | 48.1 |
| 1980 | 47.7 |
| 1979 | 47.4 |
| 1978 | 46.9 |
| 1977 | 46.5 |
| 1976 | 46 |
| 1975 | 45.4 |
| 1974 | 44.9 |
| 1973 | 44.4 |
| 1972 | 43.9 |
| 1971 | 43.4 |
| 1970 | 43 |
| 1969 | 42.6 |
| 1968 | 42.2 |
| 1967 | 41.8 |
| 1966 | 41.3 |
| 1965 | 41 |
| 1964 | 40.5 |
| 1963 | 40.1 |
| 1962 | 39.6 |
| 1961 | 39.2 |
| 1960 | 38.8 |
| 1959 | 38.4 |
| 1958 | 38 |
| 1957 | 37.6 |
| 1956 | 37.3 |
| 1955 | 37 |
| 1954 | 36.7 |
| 1953 | 36.3 |
| 1952 | 36 |
| 1951 | 35.7 |
| 1950 | 35.4 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/benin | CC BY
Benin's population clock and projection
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,462,724 |
| 2023 | 14,111,034 |
| 2022 | 13,759,501 |
| 2021 | 13,413,417 |
| 2020 | 13,070,169 |
| 2019 | 12,726,755 |
| 2018 | 12,383,347 |
| 2017 | 12,039,780 |
| 2016 | 11,697,842 |
| 2015 | 11,360,681 |
| 2014 | 11,030,004 |
| 2013 | 10,708,834 |
| 2012 | 10,397,657 |
| 2011 | 10,093,623 |
| 2010 | 9,797,484 |
| 2009 | 9,509,423 |
| 2008 | 9,228,466 |
| 2007 | 8,953,969 |
| 2006 | 8,693,242 |
| 2005 | 8,426,144 |
| 2004 | 8,159,094 |
| 2003 | 7,913,070 |
| 2002 | 7,675,426 |
| 2001 | 7,445,596 |
| 2000 | 7,221,619 |
| 1999 | 7,002,818 |
| 1998 | 6,789,489 |
| 1997 | 6,583,365 |
| 1996 | 6,391,858 |
| 1995 | 6,226,773 |
| 1994 | 6,096,506 |
| 1993 | 5,872,706 |
| 1992 | 5,617,844 |
| 1991 | 5,446,932 |
| 1990 | 5,281,479 |
| 1989 | 5,121,657 |
| 1988 | 4,967,341 |
| 1987 | 4,818,486 |
| 1986 | 4,675,420 |
| 1985 | 4,538,012 |
| 1984 | 4,405,895 |
| 1983 | 4,278,978 |
| 1982 | 4,156,596 |
| 1981 | 4,038,307 |
| 1980 | 3,925,251 |
| 1979 | 3,818,528 |
| 1978 | 3,718,305 |
| 1977 | 3,623,202 |
| 1976 | 3,532,196 |
| 1975 | 3,445,407 |
| 1974 | 3,362,633 |
| 1973 | 3,283,496 |
| 1972 | 3,207,543 |
| 1971 | 3,134,767 |
| 1970 | 3,065,057 |
| 1969 | 2,998,222 |
| 1968 | 2,934,257 |
| 1967 | 2,872,997 |
| 1966 | 2,814,317 |
| 1965 | 2,757,936 |
| 1964 | 2,704,003 |
| 1963 | 2,652,908 |
| 1962 | 2,604,659 |
| 1961 | 2,559,223 |
| 1960 | 2,517,286 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/benin | CC BY
Benin's birth and fertility rates
| Year | Fertility rate |
|---|---|
| 2023 | 4.56 |
| 2022 | 4.63 |
| 2021 | 4.71 |
| 2020 | 4.8 |
| 2019 | 4.9 |
| 2018 | 5.03 |
| 2017 | 5.16 |
| 2016 | 5.25 |
| 2015 | 5.32 |
| 2014 | 5.37 |
| 2013 | 5.41 |
| 2012 | 5.43 |
| 2011 | 5.44 |
| 2010 | 5.45 |
| 2009 | 5.49 |
| 2008 | 5.55 |
| 2007 | 5.63 |
| 2006 | 5.67 |
| 2005 | 5.69 |
| 2004 | 5.72 |
| 2003 | 5.76 |
| 2002 | 5.79 |
| 2001 | 5.85 |
| 2000 | 5.94 |
| 1999 | 6.03 |
| 1998 | 6.14 |
| 1997 | 6.23 |
| 1996 | 6.28 |
| 1995 | 6.33 |
| 1994 | 6.42 |
| 1993 | 6.51 |
| 1992 | 6.59 |
| 1991 | 6.67 |
| 1990 | 6.74 |
| 1989 | 6.82 |
| 1988 | 6.87 |
| 1987 | 6.92 |
| 1986 | 6.96 |
| 1985 | 7 |
| 1984 | 7.03 |
| 1983 | 7.05 |
| 1982 | 7.06 |
| 1981 | 7.06 |
| 1980 | 6.99 |
| 1979 | 6.91 |
| 1978 | 6.82 |
| 1977 | 6.83 |
| 1976 | 6.83 |
| 1975 | 6.83 |
| 1974 | 6.82 |
| 1973 | 6.81 |
| 1972 | 6.8 |
| 1971 | 6.77 |
| 1970 | 6.74 |
| 1969 | 6.71 |
| 1968 | 6.67 |
| 1967 | 6.64 |
| 1966 | 6.63 |
| 1965 | 6.61 |
| 1964 | 6.57 |
| 1963 | 6.51 |
| 1962 | 6.46 |
| 1961 | 6.4 |
| 1960 | 6.28 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/benin | CC BY
| Year | Median age, years |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 19 |
| 2023 | 18.8 |
| 2022 | 18.7 |
| 2021 | 18.6 |
| 2020 | 18.5 |
| 2019 | 18.4 |
| 2018 | 18.3 |
| 2017 | 18.3 |
| 2016 | 18.2 |
| 2015 | 18.1 |
| 2014 | 18.1 |
| 2013 | 18 |
| 2012 | 18 |
| 2011 | 17.9 |
| 2010 | 17.8 |
| 2009 | 17.8 |
| 2008 | 17.7 |
| 2007 | 17.6 |
| 2006 | 17.6 |
| 2005 | 17.5 |
| 2004 | 17.4 |
| 2003 | 17.4 |
| 2002 | 17.3 |
| 2001 | 17.2 |
| 2000 | 17.1 |
| 1999 | 17.1 |
| 1998 | 17 |
| 1997 | 17 |
| 1996 | 16.9 |
| 1995 | 17 |
| 1994 | 17.2 |
| 1993 | 17.1 |
| 1992 | 16.9 |
| 1991 | 16.9 |
| 1990 | 16.9 |
| 1989 | 16.9 |
| 1988 | 16.9 |
| 1987 | 16.9 |
| 1986 | 17 |
| 1985 | 17 |
| 1984 | 17.1 |
| 1983 | 17.1 |
| 1982 | 17.2 |
| 1981 | 17.3 |
| 1980 | 17.3 |
| 1979 | 17.4 |
| 1978 | 17.5 |
| 1977 | 17.6 |
| 1976 | 17.7 |
| 1975 | 17.8 |
| 1974 | 17.9 |
| 1973 | 18.1 |
| 1972 | 18.3 |
| 1971 | 18.4 |
| 1970 | 18.6 |
| 1969 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 19 |
| 1967 | 19.3 |
| 1966 | 19.5 |
| 1965 | 19.7 |
| 1964 | 19.9 |
| 1963 | 20.1 |
| 1962 | 20.3 |
| 1961 | 20.6 |
| 1960 | 20.8 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/benin | CC BY
Benin vs. World: Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to toggle between world maps that display different statistics comparing Benin with other countries.
Benin: National Statistics
Finance
|
Benin
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$20.6B
2024 |
121/194 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
18.1%
2024 |
171/195 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
3.23%
2023 |
133/193 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.72%
2024 |
139/163 |
| Armed forces personnel |
12,000
2020 |
124/174 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-3.06%
2024 |
101/188 |
| Unemployment rate |
1.69%
2022 |
180/196 |
| Services, % of GDP |
48.9%
2024 |
139/191 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
17.4%
2024 |
146/194 |
| Economic freedom index |
60
2026 |
96/197 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
27.2%
2021 |
89/169 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
3.1%
2021 |
49/169 |
| Personal remittances received |
$236M
2024 |
139/191 |
| International tourist arrivals |
337,000
2019 |
138/188 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
6.72%
2019 |
83/184 |
| Banked people share |
51.8%
2024 |
111/158 |
Energy
|
Benin
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
376 kg
2022 |
150/177 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$10.2
2022 |
130/173 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
7.05 megatons
2024 |
125/187 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.49 tons
2024 |
154/187 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
39.6%
2022 |
118/176 |
| Renewable energy use share |
54.5%
2021 |
44/193 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
0.05%
2022 |
140/147 |
| Net energy imports use share |
40.9%
2022 |
58/144 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
105.3 kWh
2022 |
137/147 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
0.26%
2021 |
184/192 |
| Hydroelectric share |
0.006%
2021 |
147/192 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
47/192 |
| Electricity access |
57%
2023 |
168/195 |
Society
|
Benin
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.18%
2024 |
76/197 |
| Annual migration change |
-7,847
2025 |
127/196 |
| Urban population |
52.5%
2024 |
131/195 |
| Male:Female ratio |
50.1:49.9
2024 |
N/A |
| Average male height |
5.52 ft
2025 |
150/190 |
| Average female height |
5.2 ft
2025 |
137/190 |
| Quality of life index |
23.3
2026 |
171/197 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
45
2025 |
84/197 |
| Higher education index |
36
2026 |
119/183 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
1.1
2017 |
147/197 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
26.8
2019 |
40/197 |
| Visa free countries |
68
2025 |
142/195 |
| Adult literacy rate |
51.4%
2022 |
184/196 |
| English speaking |
1%
2025 |
171/197 |
| People using the Internet |
32.2%
2023 |
169/195 |
Health
|
Benin
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$46.5
2023 |
175/192 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$19.7
2023 |
161/192 |
| Life expectancy |
61.3 years
2026 |
189/197 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
38.4%
2023 |
14/181 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.22
2023 |
159/193 |
| Age at first childbirth |
20.5 years
2025 |
105/137 |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
518
2023 |
8/193 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
77.9
2023 |
10/192 |
| Obesity rate |
11.5%
2022 |
153/189 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
8.1%
2024 |
101/195 |
| Air quality index |
17
2026 |
165/197 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
6.3%
2022 |
159/164 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
8.83 liters
2020 |
42/186 |
Territory
|
Benin
|
Rank | |
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.08%
2026 |
99/197 |
| Land area per capita |
3,010 sq mi
2024 |
124/197 |
| Agricultural land area |
18,211 sq mi
2026 |
90/194 |
| Forest area |
11,526 sq mi
2026 |
91/196 |
| Roads length |
9,942 mi
2006 |
105/176 |
Compare Benin with other countries
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- Wikidata (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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