Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a West African kingdom that rose to prominence in about 1600 and over the next two and a half centuries became a regional power, largely based on its slave trade. Coastal areas of Dahomey began to be controlled by the French in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975.

A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent, who won a second five-year term in March 2011. Patrice TALON, a wealthy businessman, took office in 2016 after campaigning to restore public confidence in the government.

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Africa

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

121 km

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

arable land 22.9%; permanent crops 3.5%; permanent pasture 4.9%

230 sq km (2012)

the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March

inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands

11,038,805

Fon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.)

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.)

Benin has a youthful age structure – almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 – which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates. Benin’s total fertility has been falling over time but remains high, declining from almost 7 children per women in 1990 to 4.8 in 2016. Benin’s low contraceptive use and high unmet need for contraception contribute to the sustained high fertility rate. Although the majority of Beninese women use skilled health care personnel for antenatal care and delivery, the high rate of maternal mortality indicates the need for more access to high quality obstetric care.

Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.

With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many desperate parents resort to sending their children to work in wealthy households as domestic servants (a common practice known as vidomegon), mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, often under brutal conditions. Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders.

2.71% (2017 est.)

35 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west

PORTO-NOVO (capital) 268,000 (2014); COTONOU (seat of government) 682,000; Abomey-Calavi 757,000 (2015)

20.3 years

405 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

4.77 children born/woman (2017 est.)

17.9% (2014)

4.6% of GDP (2014)

0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2013)

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

urban: 85.2% of population

rural: 72.1% of population

total: 77.9% of population

urban: 14.8% of population

rural: 27.9% of population

total: 22.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 35.6% of population

rural: 7.3% of population

total: 19.7% of population

urban: 64.4% of population

rural: 92.7% of population

total: 80.3% of population (2015 est.)

1% (2016 est.)

67,000 (2016 est.)

2,400 (2016 est.)

9.6% (2016)

18% (2014)

4.3% of GDP (2014)

presidential republic

12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

1 August 1960 (from France)

Independence Day, 1 August (1960)

civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

18 years of age; universal

Alliance for a Triumphant Benin or ABT [Abdoulaye BIO TCHANE]

African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]

Benin Renaissance or RB [Lehady SOGLO]

Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE [Yayi BONI]

Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]

New Consciousness Rally or NC [Pascal KOUPAKI]

Patriotic Awakening or RP [Janvier YAHOUEDEOU]

Social Democrat Party or PSD [Emmanuel GOLOU]

Sun Alliance or AS [Sacca LAFIA]

Union Makes the Nation or UN [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] (includes PRD, MADEP)

United Democratic Forces or FDU [Mathurin NAGO]

economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups

ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage

leopard; national colors: green, yellow, red

The free market economy of Benin has grown consecutively for three years, averaging about 5% annually since 2014, but its close trade links to Nigeria expose Benin to risks from volatile commodity prices. Cotton is a key export commodity; high prices supported export earnings, but prices have fallen. Inflation has subsided and remains just 1% over the past several years.

During the first 6 months of President TALON’s administration, electrical supply, which has hampered Benin’s economic growth, increased and blackouts have been reduced. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for the majority of investment in infrastructure projects.

Benin’s 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture. Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory. Pilferage has significantly dropped as the Port of Cotonou is still making progress towards implementing the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code in an effort to remain competitive. Projects included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) compact (2006-11) were designed to increase investment and private sector activity by improving key institutional and physical infrastructure. The four projects focused on access to land, access to financial services, access to justice, and access to markets (including modernization of the port). The Port of Cotonou is the largest component of Benin’s economy with revenues projected to account for more than 40% of Benin’s national budget.

Realizing its economic potential requires further efforts to infrastructure upgrades, stemming corruption, and expanding access to foreign markets in Nigeria and neighboring landlocked countries. In September 2015, Benin signed a MCC second Compact for $375 million that is designed to strengthen the national utility service provider, attract private sector investment, fund infrastructure investments in electricity generation and distribution, and develop off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households. In order to raise growth, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, encourage new information and communication technology, and establish Independent Power Producers (IPP).

$23.58 billion (2016 est.)

$22.38 billion (2015 est.)

$21.69 billion (2014 est.)

$8.577 billion (2016 est.)

4% (2016 est.)

2.1% (2015 est.)

6.4% (2014 est.)

$2,100 (2016 est.)

$2,100 (2015 est.)

$2,100 (2014 est.)

17.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

17.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

20% of GDP (2014 est.)

cotton, corn, cassava (manioc, tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

4.4% (2016 est.)

3.662 million (2007 est.)

1% (2014 est.)

36.2% (2011 est.)

36.5 (2003)

15.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

-6% of GDP (2016 est.)

50.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

42.4% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

-0.8% (2016 est.)

0.3% (2015 est.)

4.25% (31 December 2010)

4.25% (31 December 2009)

5.3% (31 December 2015 )

$2.182 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.172 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$3.609 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$3.606 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.661 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.631 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$NA

$-615 million (2016 est.)

$-744.7 million (2015 est.)

$1.588 billion (2016 est.)

$1.683 billion (2015 est.)

cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood

India 14.3%, Malaysia 12.2%, Bangladesh 9.5%, Belarus 7.4%, China 6.2%, Nigeria 6.1%, Niger 5.6% (2016)

$2.209 billion (2016 est.)

$2.187 billion (2015 est.)

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

India 14.9%, Thailand 12.4%, France 10.1%, China 8.4%, Togo 7.3%, Netherlands 4.8%, Belgium 4.7% (2016)

$57.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$66.8 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$2.476 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.179 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)

510.53 (2012 est.)

311.6 million kWh (2015 est.)

1.121 billion kWh (2015 est.)

0 kWh (2016 est.)

1.078 billion kWh (2015 est.)

213,000 kW (2015 est.)

97.2% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

2.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

8 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

44,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

5,152 bbl/day (2014 est.)

47,940 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

5 million Mt (2013 est.)

state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station providing a wide broadcast reach; several privately owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2016)

.bj

TY (2016)

6 (2013)

150 km (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border) (2011)

1.14% of GDP (2016)

1.1% of GDP (2015)

0.96% of GDP (2014)

0.94% of GDP (2013)

0.96% of GDP (2012)

Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin Air Force (Force Aerienne du Benin, FAB) (2013)

18-35 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a higher education diploma is required; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2013)

talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualou; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved

transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations