Republic of Benin
Capital
Porto-Novo
Region
Africa
Population
13,224,860
Area (km²)
112,622
Benin, a West African nation with a population of about 13.2 million, spans 112,622 km² and is known for its vibrant cultural heritage, including being the birthplace of voodoo. Its capital is Porto-Novo, though Cotonou serves as the economic hub, and the country boasts a diverse economy centered on agriculture, cotton exports, and emerging tourism. With GDP data unavailable here, Benin continues to focus on sustainable development amid challenges like poverty and climate change.
Despite a relatively low GDP per capita of $1,394.18, Benin exhibits a robust GDP growth rate of 6.353%. This suggests significant economic expansion, potentially indicating a developing economy with strong momentum, though the benefits may still be unevenly distributed among the population.
Benin reports a strikingly low unemployment rate of 1.657%, which is exceptionally low even compared to many developed nations. This figure is counterintuitive for a country with a modest GDP per capita, and could suggest a large informal sector or specific employment dynamics not fully captured by standard metrics.
Benin's high fertility rate of 4.56 children per woman, coupled with a relatively low life expectancy of 60.77 years, points to a very young and rapidly growing population. This demographic structure presents both opportunities for a large workforce and significant challenges for providing adequate education, healthcare, and job creation in the future.
Over half of Benin's population (51.746%) resides in urban areas, which is a notable level of urbanization for a country with its economic profile. This trend indicates a shift from rural to urban living, bringing potential benefits like improved infrastructure access but also challenges such as urban planning, housing, and service provision.
GDP (Current US$)
$19.67B
Year: 2023
GDP Per Capita
$1,394.18
GDP Growth (%)
6.35%
Inflation (%)
2.74%
Unemployment (%)
1.66%
Debt to GDP (%)
N/A%
Source: World Bank • Last updated: 1/23/2026
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