01
Physical geography
Mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains.
Local timePorto-Novo ·
Africa / Western Africa · Card 003
Benin
Benin is a country in Western Africa. Its capital is Porto-Novo.
Find Benin
● Capital · Gold highlights this card’s area.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
Map: Natural Earth. Boundaries show geographic context, not a position on sovereignty. Small islands may use enlarged markers.
At a glance
- Capital
- Porto-NovoCotonou is the seat of government.
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (XOF)
- Population
- 14.8 million2025 · World Bank
- Area
- 112,622 km²43,484 square miles
- Independence
- 1960from France
Benin in context
Africa and its surrounding islands. The dot marks Porto-Novo; the mapped territory is highlighted in gold.
Natural Earth · locator mapGeography & languages
02
Languages
Languages used in public life include French.
03
Location
Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo. Cotonou is the seat of government.
Flag
Two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) to the right, with a vertical green band on the left side
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived country profile · Government update
History & independence
The former French colony of Dahomey became independent on 1 August 1960 through decolonization. It was renamed Benin in 1975. A national conference in 1990 opened the way to a new constitution and multiparty elections.
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Dahomey becomes independent
-
The country is renamed Benin
-
A national conference begins a political transition
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived country profile · Government update
Economy
Main activities
Cotton farming and processing, commerce and transport are important activities. Cotonou’s port connects the country to regional trade, including trade with neighboring Nigeria.
Industry and production
textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived country profile · Government update
Population & economic trends
Dated World Bank observations. Population uses selected years; real GDP uses all available annual observations.
Population, 1970–2025
Millions of people14.82025 · millions of people
Population estimates may be revised. Selected years are shown.
Sources: World Bank · Population
View data table
| Year | People | Millions of people |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3,065,057 | 3.065 |
| 1980 | 3,925,251 | 3.925 |
| 1990 | 5,281,479 | 5.281 |
| 2000 | 7,221,619 | 7.222 |
| 2010 | 9,797,484 | 9.797 |
| 2020 | 13,070,169 | 13.070 |
| 2025 | 14,814,460 | 14.814 |
Real GDP, 1990–2025
Billions of constant 2015 US dollars20.72025 · billions of constant 2015 US dollars
Constant prices adjust for inflation. This is total economic output, not current-dollar GDP or income per person. Missing years are left as gaps.
Sources: World Bank · Real GDP
View data table
| Year | Constant 2015 US$ | Billions of constant 2015 US dollars |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 3,958,255,490 | 3.958 |
| 1991 | 4,125,523,428 | 4.126 |
| 1992 | 4,247,544,481 | 4.248 |
| 1993 | 4,495,438,486 | 4.495 |
| 1994 | 4,586,264,346 | 4.586 |
| 1995 | 4,863,513,136 | 4.864 |
| 1996 | 5,073,825,258 | 5.074 |
| 1997 | 5,364,793,325 | 5.365 |
| 1998 | 5,577,293,440 | 5.577 |
| 1999 | 5,875,201,745 | 5.875 |
| 2000 | 6,219,354,273 | 6.219 |
| 2001 | 6,551,040,876 | 6.551 |
| 2002 | 6,855,207,726 | 6.855 |
| 2003 | 7,091,272,067 | 7.091 |
| 2004 | 7,405,393,051 | 7.405 |
| 2005 | 7,532,259,620 | 7.532 |
| 2006 | 7,829,312,268 | 7.829 |
| 2007 | 8,298,002,250 | 8.298 |
| 2008 | 8,704,320,326 | 8.704 |
| 2009 | 8,906,198,943 | 8.906 |
| 2010 | 9,094,481,754 | 9.094 |
| 2011 | 9,364,019,722 | 9.364 |
| 2012 | 9,814,543,622 | 9.815 |
| 2013 | 10,520,350,022 | 10.520 |
| 2014 | 11,189,200,116 | 11.189 |
| 2015 | 11,388,160,997 | 11.388 |
| 2016 | 11,768,488,383 | 11.768 |
| 2017 | 12,435,945,493 | 12.436 |
| 2018 | 13,268,812,303 | 13.269 |
| 2019 | 14,179,807,375 | 14.180 |
| 2020 | 14,725,558,723 | 14.726 |
| 2021 | 15,779,238,957 | 15.779 |
| 2022 | 16,765,906,415 | 16.766 |
| 2023 | 17,831,007,126 | 17.831 |
| 2024 | 19,159,972,711 | 19.160 |
| 2025 | 20,706,965,105 | 20.707 |
Human development
The Human Development Index combines health, education and income. Scores range from 0 to 1.
HDI · 20230.515Low human developmentRank 173 of 193 · 2025 report
Human Development Index over time
19900.351
20000.415
20100.485
20200.504
20230.515
60.8 yearsLife expectancy at birth
3.2 yearsMean schooling, adults aged 25+
The latest values refer to 2023. All historical scores use the same report edition. HDI does not describe every aspect of inequality or quality of life.
Sources: UNDP · Human Development Report 2025
Government
Presidential republic. The November 2025 constitutional revision added provision for a Senate alongside the National Assembly.
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived country profile · Government update
Knowledge check
Three questions about Benin.
QUESTION 1 OF 3
Which currency is listed for Benin?
Sources & notes
Sources: CIA World Factbook · archived country profile · Government update
Prepared 24 September 2026. World Bank series: SP.POP.TOTL (persons) and NY.GDP.MKTP.KD (constant 2015 US dollars); downloaded 24 September 2026, provider update 13 July 2026. UNDP values use the 2025 report and 2023 observation year. These are dated statistical snapshots, not live population or economic counters.
Maps use Natural Earth geographic data. Background geography, flag descriptions and selected historical facts use archived public-domain CIA World Factbook profiles, supplemented by the sources linked above. The Factbook is no longer updated; dated statistics here come from the separately named providers.