2011 Edition

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. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has attempted to stem corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.

Area

112,622 sq km 110,622 sq km 2,000 sq km

total

112,622 sq km

water

2,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Coastline

121 km

Elevation extremes

Atlantic Ocean 0 m Mont Sokbaro 658 m

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

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected 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, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%) 15 cu m/yr (2001)

per capita

15 cu m/yr (2001)

total

0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%)

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

Irrigated land

120 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

1,989 km Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

border countries

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

total

1,989 km

Land use

23.53% 2.37% 74.1% (2005)

arable land

23.53%

other

74.1% (2005)

permanent crops

2.37%

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

200 nm

territorial sea

200 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Terrain

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Total renewable water resources

25.8 cu km (2001)

Age structure

44.7% (male 2,126,973/female 2,042,340) 52.6% (male 2,443,370/female 2,461,421) 2.7% (male 101,640/female 149,288) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

44.7% (male 2,126,973/female 2,042,340)

15-64 years

52.6% (male 2,443,370/female 2,461,421)

65 years and over

2.7% (male 101,640/female 149,288) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

38.11 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

20.2% (2006)

Death rate

9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 84% of population rural: 69% of population total: 75% of population urban: 16% of population rural: 31% of population total: 25% of population (2008)

rural

31% of population

total

25% of population (2008)

urban

16% of population

Education expenditures

3.5% of GDP (2007)

Ethnic groups

Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)

Health expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

1.2% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

2,700 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

60,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

61.56 deaths/1,000 live births 64.89 deaths/1,000 live births 58.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

58.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

61.56 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

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

Life expectancy at birth

59.84 years 58.61 years 61.14 years (2011 est.)

female

61.14 years (2011 est.)

total population

59.84 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 34.7% 47.9% 23.3% (2002 census)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

23.3% (2002 census)

male

47.9%

total population

34.7%

Major cities - population

COTONOU (seat of government) 815,000; PORTO-NOVO (capital) 276,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and yellow fever meningococcal meningitis rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and yellow fever

Maternal mortality rate

410 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

17.4 years 17 years 17.9 years (2011 est.)

female

17.9 years (2011 est.)

male

17 years

total

17.4 years

Nationality

Beninese (singular and plural) Beninese

adjective

Beninese

noun

Beninese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Physicians density

0.059 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

9,325,032 (July 2011 est.) 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

2.911% (2011 est.)

Religions

Catholic 27.1%, Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, Protestant 10.4% (Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%), other Christian 5.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 24% of population rural: 4% of population total: 12% of population urban: 76% of population rural: 96% of population total: 88% of population (2008)

rural

96% of population

total

88% of population (2008)

urban

76% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

9 years 11 years 8 years (2005)

female

8 years (2005)

male

11 years

total

9 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.69 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.69 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.04 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

5.31 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

0.8% 1.1% 0.6% (2002)

female

0.6% (2002)

total

0.8%

Urbanization

42% of total population (2010) 4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

42% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

Porto-Novo (official capital) 6 29 N, 2 37 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) Cotonou (seat of government)

geographic coordinates

6 29 N, 2 37 E

name

Porto-Novo (official capital)

time difference

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

Constitution

adopted by referendum 2 December 1990

Country name

Republic of Benin Benin Republique du Benin Benin Dahomey

conventional long form

Republic of Benin

conventional short form

Benin

former

Dahomey

local long form

Republique du Benin

local short form

Benin

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador James A. KNIGHT Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou [229] 21-30-06-50 [229] 21-30-03-84

chief of mission

Ambassador James A. KNIGHT

embassy

Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou

FAX

[229] 21-30-03-84

mailing address

01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou

telephone

[229] 21-30-06-50

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 232-6656 [1] (202) 265-1996

chancery

2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1996

telephone

[1] (202) 232-6656

Executive branch

President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); Prime Minister Pascal KOUPAKI (since 28 May 2011) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 13 March 2011 (next to be held in March 2016) Thomas YAYI Boni re-elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 53.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 35.6%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE 6.1%, other 5.2%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

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

election results

Thomas YAYI Boni re-elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 53.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 35.6%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE 6.1%, other 5.2%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 13 March 2011 (next to be held in March 2016)

head of government

President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); Prime Minister Pascal KOUPAKI (since 28 May 2011)

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic

Independence

1 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (7 members; 4 appointed by the National Assembly, 3 appointed by the President; appointed for a 5-year term for one term); Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (President of the Supreme Court appointed by the President for a 5-year term); High Court of Justice (composed of members of the Constitutional Court and 6 members appointed by the National Assembly)

Legal system

civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) last held on 30 April 2011 (next to be held in 2015) percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 41, UN 30, other 12

election results

percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 41, UN 30, other 12

elections

last held on 30 April 2011 (next to be held in 2015)

National anthem

"L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day) Gilbert Jean DAGNON adopted 1960

lyrics/music

Gilbert Jean DAGNON

name

"L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)

National holiday

National Day, 1 August (1960)

National symbol(s)

leopard

Political parties and leaders

African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare S?HOU?TO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU] approximately 20 additional minor parties

Political pressure groups and leaders

economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups

other

economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

$1.218 billion $1.418 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$1.418 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$1.218 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.) 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA% NA%

Current account balance

-$485.1 million (2010 est.) -$523.4 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$2.894 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

36.5 (2003)

Economy - overview

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output had averaged about 4% before the global recession, but fell to 2.7% in 2009 and 3% in 2010. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth, 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. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture. As result of these reforms, Benin has become the most competitive country in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, according to the World Economic Forum. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G-8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.

Electricity - consumption

653 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports

651 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

128 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) 493.51 (2007) 522.59 (2006)

Exports

$1.254 billion (2010 est.) $1.13 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood

Exports - partners

India 26.4%, China 21.4%, Niger 6.5%, Nigeria 5.6%, Indonesia 4.4% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

35.8% 6.1% 58.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

35.8%

industry

6.1%

services

58.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,500 (2010 est.) $1,600 (2009 est.) $1,600 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

2.5% (2010 est.) 2.7% (2009 est.) 5% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$6.649 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$13.99 billion (2010 est.) $13.66 billion (2009 est.) $13.3 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.1% 29% (2003)

highest 10%

29% (2003)

lowest 10%

3.1%

Imports

$1.781 billion (2010 est.) $1.646 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Imports - partners

China 35.2%, France 8%, US 7.2%, Malaysia 5.9%, UK 4.8%, Netherlands 4.3%, India 4.1%, Thailand 4% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2010 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.) 2.2% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

3.662 million (2007 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

25,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

10,840 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

33,410 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

8 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

37.4% (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$953 million (31 December 2010 est.) $1.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.389 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $2.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.204 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.316 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.619 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.679 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

18.3% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Broadcast media

state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with multiple channels giving it a wide broadcast reach; several privately-owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2007)

Internet country code

.bj

Internet hosts

1,286 (2010)

Internet users

200,100 (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; long distance fiber-optic links with Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

domestic

fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly

general assessment

inadequate system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment

international

country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; long distance fiber-optic links with Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - main lines in use

133,400 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

7.075 million (2010)

Airports

5 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2010)

total

1

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2010)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

2,438 to 3,047 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2010)

total

4

Ports and terminals

Cotonou

Railways

438 km 438 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

total

438 km

Roadways

16,000 km 1,400 km 14,600 km (2006)

total

16,000 km

unpaved

14,600 km (2006)

Waterways

150 km (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border) (2010)

Manpower available for military service

2,095,373 2,038,351 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,038,351 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,095,373

Manpower fit for military service

1,385,065 1,400,045 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,400,045 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,385,065

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

108,496 104,526 (2010 est.)

female

104,526 (2010 est.)

male

108,496

Military branches

Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin Air Force (Force Aerienne du Benin, FAB) (2011)

Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB)

Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin Air Force (Force Aerienne du Benin, FAB) (2011)

Military expenditures

1% of GDP (2009)

Military service age and obligation

18-35 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a higher education diploma is required; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2011)

Disputes - international

talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualou; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved

Illicit drugs

transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

9,444 (Togo) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

9,444 (Togo) (2007)