According to current projections, Benin’s population will continue to grow throughout the rest of the century. At 12.12 million people in 2020, Benin’s population is projected to surpass 30 million people in 2030 and reach 46.83 million people by 2099, more than tripling its current population.
Benin’s population is currently growing at a rate of 2.73%, adding over 322,000 people to the population. Benin’s fertility rate is considerably high at 4.87 births per woman; however, this has declined over the past five years from 5.22 births per woman. Because the fertility rate is the main factor for population growth, the population growth change rate has also declined over the last five years from 2.83%.
| Benin Population (as of 11/19/2024) | 14,598,632 |
| Last UN Estimate (July 1, 2024) | 14,462,700 |
| Births per Day | 1,323 |
| Deaths per Day | 345 |
| Migrations per Day | -21 |
| Net Change per Day | 957 |
| Population Change Since Jan. 1 | 310,068 |
Net increase of 1 person every 1.5 minutes
Population estimates based on interpolation of data from World Population Prospects
| One birth every 1.08 minutes | |
| One death every 4.17 minutes | |
| One emigrant every 68.57 minutes | |
| Net gain of one person every 1.5 minutes |
City | 2024 Pop. |
|---|---|
| Cotonou | 780,000 |
| Abomey-Calavi | 385,755 |
| Djougou | 237,040 |
| Porto-Novo | 234,168 |
| Parakou | 163,753 |
| Bohicon | 125,092 |
| Kandi | 109,701 |
| Lokossa | 86,971 |
| Ouidah | 83,503 |
| Abomey | 82,154 |
Most of Benin's population lives on the southern coastline on the Bight of Benin, which is part of the Gulf of Guinea. The capital is Porto-Novo with a population of 265,000 but the largest city is Cotonou with a population of 685,000. Benin is a relatively small country -- the 101st largest in the world -- with a population density of 78 people per square kilometer, or 120th in the world.
Just under half of the people living in Benin live in urban areas, and there are several significant cities in the country that house them. The largest city, and economic and government center of the country is Cotonou with a population of 818,100. Two-thirds of Benin's industries are found in Cotonou. The next largest city is the nations' capital Porto-Novo with a population of 234,300. The city is located on the Gulf of Guinea, and although it is the capital, most activities associated with a capital city actually happen in Cotonou. Other notable cities are Parakou with a population os 227,900, Djougou with a population of 206,500 and Bohicon with a population of 164,700.
Year | Population | Change | Density (/km²) | Population Rank | Density Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,462,700 | 2.59% | 128 | 76 | 95 |
| 2023 | 14,111,000 | 2.65% | 125 | 76 | 96 |
| 2020 | 13,070,200 | 2.7% | 116 | 76 | 96 |
| 2019 | 12,726,800 | 2.77% | 113 | 77 | 98 |
| 2018 | 12,383,300 | 2.85% | 110 | 77 | 99 |
| 2017 | 12,039,800 | 2.92% | 107 | 77 | 102 |
| 2015 | 11,360,700 | 3% | 101 | 78 | 108 |
| 2010 | 9,797,480 | 3.06% | 87 | 87 | 114 |
| 2005 | 8,426,140 | 3.13% | 75 | 90 | 121 |
| 2000 | 7,221,620 | 3.01% | 64 | 93 | 126 |
| 1995 | 6,226,770 | 3.35% | 55 | 93 | 135 |
| 1990 | 5,281,480 | 3.08% | 47 | 99 | 137 |
| 1985 | 4,538,010 | 2.94% | 40 | 104 | 138 |
| 1980 | 3,925,250 | 2.64% | 35 | 107 | 139 |
| 1975 | 3,445,410 | 2.37% | 31 | 106 | 140 |
| 1970 | 3,065,060 | 2.13% | 27 | 107 | 140 |
| 1965 | 2,757,940 | 1.84% | 24 | 108 | 138 |
| 1960 | 2,517,290 | 1.35% | 22 | 108 | 135 |
| 1955 | 2,353,650 | 0.9% | 21 | 108 | 134 |
Year | Population | Change | Density (/km²) | Population Rank | Density Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 14,462,700 | 2.59% | 128 | 76 | 95 |
| 2025 | 14,814,500 | 2.54% | 131 | 76 | 93 |
| 2030 | 16,618,800 | 2.33% | 147 | 76 | 87 |
| 2035 | 18,492,600 | 2.16% | 164 | 74 | 84 |
| 2040 | 20,445,800 | 2.03% | 181 | 72 | 80 |
| 2045 | 22,443,600 | 1.88% | 199 | 69 | 76 |
| 2050 | 24,433,800 | 1.71% | 217 | 69 | 72 |
| 2055 | 26,386,100 | 1.55% | 234 | 66 | 69 |
| 2060 | 28,272,800 | 1.39% | 251 | 66 | 62 |
| 2065 | 30,111,500 | 1.27% | 267 | 63 | 58 |
| 2070 | 31,879,300 | 1.15% | 283 | 62 | 56 |
| 2075 | 33,548,400 | 1.03% | 298 | 60 | 54 |
| 2080 | 35,063,000 | 0.89% | 311 | 59 | 51 |
| 2085 | 36,439,000 | 0.77% | 323 | 58 | 48 |
| 2090 | 37,652,000 | 0.66% | 334 | 58 | 46 |
| 2095 | 38,700,700 | 0.55% | 343 | 57 | 46 |
Benin, officially the Republic of Benin and formerly Dahomey, is a West African country bordered by Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Togo.
Benin has a young population with a life expectancy of just 59 years. There are 42 different African ethnic groups, the ancestors of a number of groups who have settled in the area over centuries and migrated to the country. Major ethnic groups include the Yoruba in the southeast (who migrated from Nigeria), the Dendi in the north-central region (who originated from Mali), the Bariba and Fula in the northeast, the Betammaribe and Somba, the Fon near Abomey, and the Aja, Xueda, and Mina.
In 2002, the composition of the country was 39% Fon, 15% Adja, 12% Yoruba, 9% Bariba, 7% Fula, 6% Ottamari, 4% Kabye and 2.5% Dendi.
A wave of recent migration has brought many other African nationals to the country, including Togolese and Ingerians. There is also a group of Indians and Lebanese in the region for commerce and trade. There is a European population of about 5,500, most of which include personnel of embassies, foreign aid missions, and missionary groups.
Benin has one of the world's highest death rates for children under five with little access to healthcare. Benin also has one of the world's lowest literacy rates at about 43%.
The country of Benin is relatively divided in terms of religion. Christianity is the largest religion, with 48.5% of the population practicing one denomination or another. An additional 27.7% practice Islam, 12.2% of people have an uncommon religion or no religion at all, and 11.6% of the people follow Vodun. Vodun is a traditional African religion that believes in many gods.
Benin is one of the largest cotton producers in Africa, and this industry alone accounts for 40% of the national GDP, and 80& of their exports. Other common exports from Benin include textiles, cocoa beans, maize, beans, rice, nuts, and various tubers. Without any other major industries, it has been difficult for the economy in Benin to thrive. However, Patrice Talon- the president elected in 2016, is working on expanding private exports which are expected to encourage growth by allowing Benin to export to more countries.
Became its own nation, free from France and accepted into the UN, in 1960. The growth rate of the country saw a sharp increase at that time, going from 0.43% to 1.09% in 1960. The population continued to expand significantly as they began navigating their way as an independent country. Drawing many immigrants, the rate of growth got to 2.31% by 1975 and over 3% annually by 1990. The population has more than quadrupled since its independence in 1960.