Benin Population 2024 (Live)

13,967,155

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%.

Population Rank
Growth Rate
2024 World Percentage
Land Area
112,760
The current population of Benin is 13,967,155 based on projections of the latest United Nations data. The UN estimates the July 1, 2024 population at 14,080,072.

Benin Growth Rate

Benin Population 2024 (Live)

Benin Population Clock

Benin Population (as of 3/11/2024)13,967,155
Next UN Estimate (July 1, 2024)14,080,072
Births per Day1,350
Deaths per Day333
Migrations per Day-1
Net Change per Day1,017
Population Change Since Jan. 172,207

Components of Population Change

One birth every 1.07 minutes
One death every 4.32 minutes
One emigrant every 1440 minutes
Net gain of one person every 1.42 minutes

Benin Population Clock

City
2024 Population
Cotonou780,000
Abomey-Calavi385,755
Djougou237,040
Porto-Novo234,168
Parakou163,753
Bohicon125,092
Kandi109,701
Lokossa86,971
Ouidah83,503
Abomey82,154

Benin Area and Population Density

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.

Largest Cities in Benin

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.

Benin Population Density Map

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Density (/km²)
Population Rank
Density Rank
202414,080,0722.76%1257796
202313,712,8282.81%1227797
202012,643,1232.87%11277100
201912,290,4442.93%10977101
201811,940,6832.97%10677105
201711,596,7792.99%10378108
201510,932,7832.97%9782111
20109,445,7103%8489118
20058,149,4193.09%7291124
20006,998,0232.97%6294130
19956,046,5113.33%5494136
19905,133,4193.04%46101139
19854,419,5522.88%39104142
19803,833,9392.56%34107143
19753,378,7032.25%30108142
19703,023,4432.02%27107140
19652,735,8431.72%24108139
19602,512,2841.26%22109135
19552,360,0810.83%21109133

Benin Population by Year (Historical)

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Year
Population
Growth Rate
Density (/km²)
Population Rank
Density Rank
202414,080,0722.76%1257796
202514,454,1992.71%1287795
203016,393,8272.55%1457689
203518,450,1722.39%1647487
204020,620,6472.25%1837181
204522,905,8132.12%2036976
205025,264,0351.98%2246774
205527,657,7331.83%2456566
206030,047,8951.67%2666360
206532,430,7541.54%2886253
207034,777,8661.41%3086250
207537,056,9541.28%3295945
208039,250,7741.16%3485743
208541,320,8271.03%3665542
209043,250,5340.92%3845540
209545,022,9230.81%3995239

Benin Population by Year (Projections)

Benin Population Pyramid 2024

Benin Median Age

17

Total

16.4

Male

17.6

Female

Benin Population by Age

There are people over age 18 in Benin.

Census Years

Year
Date
20232023
201325 May 2013
200211 February 2002
199215 February 1992

Benin Population Pyramid

Benin, officially the Republic of Benin and formerly Dahomey, is a West African country bordered by Niger, Burkina Faso, Nigeria and Togo.

Benin Demographics

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%.

Benin Religion, Economy and Politics

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.

Benin Population History

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.

Benin Population Rank 2024
Country Age
Area (km²)
112,622
2024 Growth Rate
Capital
GDP (IMF '23)
$19.94
GDP (UN '22)
$17.40 Bn

Benin - General Info

  1. World Population Prospects (2022 Revision) - United Nations population estimates and projections.
  2. GeoNames

Sources