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BEN · Western Africa · Africa
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Benin
Republic of Benin
Quick facts
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Population
- 11 m
- Area
- 112,622 km²
- Region
- Western Africa
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (Fr)
- Demonym
- Beninese
- UN member
- Yes
How Benin compares
Economy size$21 B
123rd of 178 worldwide · 8th of 16 in Western Africa
Income per person$1,485
144th of 178 worldwide · 7th of 16 in Western Africa
Life expectancy61.0 yrs
171st of 179 worldwide · 13th of 16 in Western Africa
Internet access34.0%
148th of 179 worldwide · 10th of 16 in Western Africa
Military spending$154 M
133rd of 163 worldwide · 11th of 16 in Western Africa
Highlights
GDP
$21 B
World Bank2024
Gross Domestic Product — the total market value of all goods and services produced in a year, at current prices.
GDP per capita
$1,485
World Bank2024
GDP divided by population — a rough measure of average economic output per person.
Life expectancy
61.0 yrs
World Bank2024
Years a newborn would live if current mortality patterns held throughout its life.
Internet users
34.0%
ITU / World Bank2024
Share of the population that used the internet in the last three months.
Resource rents
2.3%
World Bank2021
Total natural-resource rents (oil, gas, mineral, forest) as a share of GDP.
The history journey
From the Aja kingdoms of Allada and Porto-Novo and the Fon Kingdom of Dahomey at Abomey, through conquest and the slave trade, to a pioneering African democracy.
Pilot a cinematic, sourced journey through its eras — moment by moment.