2006 Edition

Administrative divisions

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Age structure

0-14 years: 44.1% (male 1,751,709/female 1,719,138) 15-64 years: 53.5% (male 2,067,248/female 2,138,957) 65 years and over: 2.4% (male 75,694/female 110,198) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

5 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total

1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2006)

Area

land

110,620 sq km

total

112,620 sq km

water

2,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Background

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. 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. Geography Benin

Birth rate

38.85 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$1.017 billion; including capital expenditures of $NA (2005 est.)

revenues

$766.8 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

6 29 N, 2 37 E

name

Porto-Novo (official capital)

note

Cotonou (seat of government)

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Coastline

121 km

Constitution

December 1990

Country name

conventional long form

Republic of Benin

conventional short form

Benin

former

Dahomey

local long form

Republique du Benin

local short form

Benin

Currency (code)

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code

XOF

Current account balance

$-400 million (2005 est.)

Death rate

12.22 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$1.6 billion (2000)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Wayne NEILL

embassy

Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou

mailing address

01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou

telephone

[229] 30-06-50

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN

telephone

[1] (202) 232-6656

Disputes - international

Benin and Burkina Faso military clash in 2006 over sections of riverine boundary involving disputed villages and squatters; much of Benin-Niger boundary, including tripoint with Nigeria, remains undemarcated; in 2005, Nigeria ceded thirteen villages to Benin as a consequence of a 2004 joint task force to resolve maritime and land boundary disputes, but clashes among rival gangs along the border persist; a joint boundary commission continues to resurvey the boundary with Togo to verify Benin's claim that Togo moved boundary stones

Economic aid - recipient

$342.6 million (2000)

Economy - overview

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output has averaged around 5% in the past six years, but rapid population growth has offset much of this increase. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth still further, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Many of these proposals are included in Benin's application to receive Millennium Challenge Account funding - for which it was a finalist in 2004-05. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture in spite of government reluctance. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. Benin continues to be hurt by Nigerian trade protection that bans imports of a growing list of products from Benin and elsewhere, which has resulted in increased smuggling and criminality in the border region.

Electricity - consumption

538.2 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2003)

Electricity - imports

474 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - production

69 million kWh (2003)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

14.2%

hydro

85.8%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Sokbaro 658 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002), 733.04 (2001)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government

election results

YAYI Boni elected president; percent of vote - YAYI Boni 74.5%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 25.5%

elections

president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); runoff election held 19 March 2006 (next to be held March 2011)

head of government

President YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006)

Exports

$826.9 million f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Exports - commodities

cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa

Exports - partners

China 31.3%, Indonesia 8.1%, India 7.4%, Niger 6%, Togo 4.8%, Thailand 4.8%, Nigeria 4.6% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1996

[229] 30-06-70

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Benin

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side Economy Benin

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

31.6%

industry

13.8%

services

54.6% (2004 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2005 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3.5% (2005 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$4.34 billion (2005 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$8.419 billion (2005 est.)

Geographic coordinates

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Geography - note

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

Government type

republic

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.9% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,800 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

68,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US; vulnerable to money laundering due to a poorly regulated financial infrastructure This page was last updated on 19 December, 2006

Imports

$1.043 billion f.o.b. (2005 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Imports - partners

France 21.8%, Ghana 7.1%, Cote d'Ivoire 7%, China 6.7%, UK 5.2%, Belgium 4.9%, Togo 4.5%, Thailand 4.2%, Nigeria 4% (2005)

Independence

1 August 1960 (from France)

Industrial production growth rate

8.3% (2001 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Infant mortality rate

female

74.88 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

84.09 deaths/1,000 live births

total

79.56 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3.5% (2005 est.)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMIS, UNOCI, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTO

Internet country code

.bj

Internet hosts

867 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

4 (2002)

Internet users

425,000 (2005) Transportation Benin

Investment (gross fixed)

19.9% of GDP (2005 est.)

Irrigated land

120 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Labor force

3.211 million

Land boundaries

border countries

Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

total

1,989 km

Land use

arable land

23.53%

other

74.1% (2005)

permanent crops

2.37%

Languages

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

Legal system

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - Presidential Movement (UBF, MADEP, FC, Alliance MDC-PC-CPP, IPD, AFP, MDS, RDP) 52, opposition (PRB, PRD, E'toile, and 5 other small parties) 31

elections

last held 30 March 2003 (next to be held March 2007)

Life expectancy at birth

female

54.22 years (2006 est.)

male

51.9 years

total population

53.04 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

22.6% (2002 est.) Government Benin

male

46.4%

total population

33.6%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis (2005)

vectorborne diseases

malaria, yellow fever, and others are high risks in some locations

Manpower available for military service

females age 21-49

1,301,936 (2005 est.)

males age 21-49

1,295,230

Manpower fit for military service

females age 21-49

751,329 (2005 est.)

males age 21-49

749,774

Manpower reaching military service age annually

females

75,068 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

76,661

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea

200 nm

Median age

female

18 years (2006 est.)

male

17.2 years

total

17.6 years

Military branches

Army, Navy, Air Force

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$100.9 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

2.3% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Benin

Military service age and obligation

21 years of age for compulsory and voluntary military service; in practice, volunteers may be taken at the age of 18; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2004)

National holiday

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Nationality

adjective

Beninese

noun

Beninese (singular and plural)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2003 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.218 billion cu m (1 January 2002)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Net migration rate

0.67 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

12,000 bbl/day (2003 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day

Oil - production

400 bbl/day (2003)

Oil - proved reserves

4.105 million bbl (1 January 2002)

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD; Key Force or FC; Movement for Development and Solidarity or MDS; Movement for Development by the Culture-Salute Party-Congress of People for Progress Alliance or Alliance MDC-PS-CPP; New Alliance or NA; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP; Renaissance Party du Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union of Tomorrow's Benin or UBF [Bruno AMOUSSOU]

note

approximately 20 additional minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

7,862,944

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

33% (2001 est.)

Population growth rate

2.73% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Cotonou Military Benin

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (2000)

Radios

660,000 (2000)

Railways

narrow gauge

578 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)

total

578 km

Religions

indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$676 million (2005 est.)

Roadways

paved

1,400 km

total

16,000 km

unpaved

14,600 km (2005)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.98 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Telephone system

domestic

fair system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections

general assessment

NA

international

country code - 229; satellite earth station - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean); fiber optic submarine cable (SAT-3/WASC) provides connectivity to Europe and Asia

Telephones - main lines in use

76,300 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

386,700 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

1 (2001)

Televisions

66,000 (2000)

Terrain

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Total fertility rate

5.2 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Waterways

150 km (on River Niger along northern border) (2005)