Benin

Africa · Western Africa · capital Porto-Novo

About Benin

The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo. Porto-Novo is the seat of national government for Benin, a country in Western Africa.

Benin has a population of about 14.1 million people, the 76th largest population in the world. Population figures come from World Bank estimates.

Benin covers 112,622 square kilometers (43,484 square miles), making Benin the 102nd largest country in the world by area.

Benin borders 4 countries: Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo.

Life expectancy at birth in Benin is 60.8 years, the 208th highest of any country in the world.

Benin is in Africa, in the Western Africa region. Benin is one of 58 countries and territories in Africa.

Data updated April 1, 2026

Statistics and world rankings for Benin
Populationtotal people	14.1Mpeople	76th
Land Areatotal km²	112.6Kkm²	102nd
GDP per PersonUSD per person	$1.4K	181st
Total GDPUSD · whole economy	$19.7B	127th
Life Expectancyyears, at birth	60.8years	208th
Urban Population% living in cities	51.7%	150th
Internet Users% of people online	32.2%	170th
Fertility Ratechildren per woman	4.56births/woman	14th
Tourist Arrivalsvisitors per year	337.0Karrivals/year	130th
Forest Cover% of land forested	26.9%	114th
Unemployment Rate% of labor force	1.6%	174th
Military Spending% of GDP	0.8%of GDP	130th
Renewable Energy% of energy use	54.5%	44th
Inflation Rateannual CPI change	2.7%	154th
Beer Consumptionliters per year	no data
Coffee Consumptionkg per year	no data
Wine Consumptionliters per year	no data
Education Spending% of GDP	3.2%of GDP	130th
Health Spending% of GDP	3.3%of GDP	172nd
Arable Land% of land arable	31.4%	27th
Foreign Direct InvestmentUSD inflow/year	$443.0M	124th

ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 BJ · alpha-3 BEN · Western Africa