2018 Edition

Background

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a West African kingdom that rose to prominence in about 1600 and over the next two and a half centuries became a regional power, largely based on its slave trade. Coastal areas of Dahomey began to be controlled by the French in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975.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, who won a second five-year term in March 2011. Patrice TALON, a wealthy businessman, took office in 2016 after campaigning to restore public confidence in the government.

Area

land

110,622 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

elevation extremes

0 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean

mean elevation

273 m

note

658 highest point: Mont Sokbaro

Environment Current Issues

inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification (the spread of the desert into agricultural lands in the north is accelerated by regular droughts)

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, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

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

230 sq km (2012)

Land Boundaries

border countries (4)

Burkina Faso 386 km, Niger 277 km, Nigeria 809 km, Togo 651 km

total

2,123 km

Land Use

arable land: 22.9% (2011 est.) / permanent crops: 3.5% (2011 est.) / permanent pasture: 4.9% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

31.3% (2011 est.)

forest

40% (2011 est.)

other

28.7% (2011 est.)

Location

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

Map References

Africa

Maritime Claims

continental shelf

200 nm

exclusive fishing zone

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

Population Distribution

the population is primarily located in the south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the north remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations of residents in the west

Terrain

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Age Structure

0-14 years

42.26% (male 2,445,265 /female 2,347,091)

15-24 years

20.53% (male 1,184,977 /female 1,143,605)

25-54 years

30.66% (male 1,759,834 /female 1,717,467)

55-64 years

3.65% (male 184,453 /female 229,945)

65 years and over

2.89% (male 128,920 /female 198,947) (2018 est.)

Birth Rate

34.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Children Under The Age Of 5 Years Underweight

18% (2014)

Contraceptive Prevalence Rate

17.9% (2014)

Death Rate

7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.)

Demographic Profile

Benin has a youthful age structure – almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 – which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates. Benin’s total fertility has been falling over time but remains high, declining from almost 7 children per women in 1990 to 4.8 in 2016. Benin’s low contraceptive use and high unmet need for contraception contribute to the sustained high fertility rate. Although the majority of Beninese women use skilled health care personnel for antenatal care and delivery, the high rate of maternal mortality indicates the need for more access to high quality obstetric care.Poverty, unemployment, increased living costs, and dwindling resources increasingly drive the Beninese to migrate. An estimated 4.4 million, more than 40%, of Beninese live abroad. Virtually all Beninese emigrants move to West African countries, particularly Nigeria and Cote d’Ivoire. Of the less than 1% of Beninese emigrants who settle in Europe, the vast majority live in France, Benin’s former colonial ruler.With about 40% of the population living below the poverty line, many desperate parents resort to sending their children to work in wealthy households as domestic servants (a common practice known as vidomegon), mines, quarries, or agriculture domestically or in Nigeria and other neighboring countries, often under brutal conditions. Unlike in other West African countries, where rural people move to the coast, farmers from Benin’s densely populated southern and northwestern regions move to the historically sparsely populated central region to pursue agriculture. Immigrants from West African countries came to Benin in increasing numbers between 1992 and 2002 because of its political stability and porous borders.

Dependency Ratios

elderly dependency ratio

6 (2015 est.)

potential support ratio

16.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

86.1 (2015 est.)

youth dependency ratio

80.1 (2015 est.)

Drinking Water Source

improved: urban: 85.2% of population

rural: 72.1% of population

total: 77.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 14.8% of population

rural: 27.9% of population

total: 22.1% of population (2015 est.)

Education Expenditures

4.4% of GDP (2015)

Ethnic Groups

Fon and related 38.4%, Adja and related 15.1%, Yoruba and related 12%, Bariba and related 9.6%, Fulani and related 8.6%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4.3%, Dendi and related 2.9%, other 0.9%, foreigner 1.9% (2013 est.)

Health Expenditures

4.6% of GDP (2014)

Hiv Aids Adult Prevalence Rate

1% (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids Deaths

2,500 (2017 est.)

Hiv Aids People Living With Hiv Aids

70,000 (2017 est.)

Hospital Bed Density

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)

Infant Mortality Rate

female

48.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

male

54.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

total

51.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2018 est.)

Languages

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

Life Expectancy At Birth

female

64.2 years (2018 est.)

male

61.2 years (2018 est.)

total population

62.7 years (2018 est.)

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write (2015 est.)

female

27.3% (2015 est.)

male

49.9% (2015 est.)

total population

38.4% (2015 est.)

Major Infectious Diseases

animal contact diseases

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high (2016)

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever (2016)

respiratory diseases

meningococcal meningitis (2016)

vectorborne diseases

dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever (2016)

Major Urban Areas Population

285,000 PORTO-NOVO (capital), 685,000 COTONOU (seat of government), 928,000 Abomey-Calavi (2018)

Maternal Mortality Rate

405 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median Age

female

18.7 years (2018 est.)

male

18.1 years

total

18.4 years

Mother S Mean Age At First Birth

20.3 years (2011/12 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

adjective

Beninese

noun

Beninese (singular and plural)

Net Migration Rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate

9.6% (2016)

Physicians Density

0.15 physicians/1,000 population (2016)

Population

11,340,504 (July 2018 est.)

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, 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

2.68% (2018 est.)

Religions

Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.)

Sanitation Facility Access

improved: urban: 35.6% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 7.3% of population (2015 est.)

total: 19.7% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved: urban: 64.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural: 92.7% of population (2015 est.)

total: 80.3% of population (2015 est.)

School Life Expectancy Primary To Tertiary Education

female

11 years (2013)

male

14 years (2013)

total

12 years (2013)

Sex Ratio

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

25-54 years

1.02 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

55-64 years

0.76 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

65 years and over

0.66 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2017 est.)

Total Fertility Rate

4.67 children born/woman (2018 est.)

Unemployment Youth Ages 15 24

female

5.9% (2011 est.)

male

5.2% (2011 est.)

total

5.6% (2011 est.)

Urbanization

rate of urbanization

3.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

47.3% of total population (2018)

Administrative Divisions

12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Capital

geographic coordinates

6 29 N, 2 37 E

name

Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government)

time difference

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

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Benin

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

10 years

Constitution

amendments

proposed concurrently by the president of the republic (after a decision in the Council of Ministers) and the National Assembly; consideration of drafts or proposals requires at least three-fourths majority vote of the Assembly membership; passage requires approval in a referendum unless approved by at least four-fifths majority vote of the Assembly membership; constitutional articles affecting territorial sovereignty, the republican form of government, and secularity of Benin cannot be amended (2017)

history

previous 1946, 1958 (preindependence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990 (2017)

Country Name

conventional long form

Republic of Benin

conventional short form

Benin

etymology

named for the Bight of Benin, the body of water on which the country lies

former

Dahomey, People's Republic of Benin

local long form

Republique du Benin

local short form

Benin

Diplomatic Representation From The Us

chief of mission

Ambassador Lucy TAMLYN (since 8 November 2015)

embassy

Caporal Bernard Anani, 01 BP 2012, 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

chancery

2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Hector POSSET (since 18 January 2017)

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1996

telephone

[1] (202) 232-6656

Executive Branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government

election results

Patrice TALON elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Lionel ZINSOU (FCBE) 28.4%, Patrice TALON (independent) 24.8%, Sebastien AJAVON (independent) 23.%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE (ABT) 8.8%, Pascal KOUPAKI (NC) 5.9%, other 9.1%; percent of vote in second round - Patrice TALON 65.4%, Lionel ZINSOU 34.6%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 6 March and 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

head of government

President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016); prime minister position abolished

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

note

uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government Type

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

Judicial Branch

highest courts

Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the court president and 3 chamber presidents organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president); note - jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice is limited to cases of high treason by the national president or members of the government while in office

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the national president upon the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the national president; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; High Court of Justice "other" members elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA

subordinate courts

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; district courts; village courts; Assize courts

Legal System

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

Legislative Branch

description

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - FCBE 30.2%, UN 14.4%, PRD 10.6%, AND 7.6%, RB-RP 7.1%, other 30.1%; seats by party - FCBE 33, UN 13, PRD 10, RB-RP 7, AND 5, other 15; composition - men 77, women 6, percent of women 7.2%

elections

last held on 26 April 2015 (next to be held in April 2019)

National Anthem

lyrics/music

Gilbert Jean DAGNON

name

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

note

adopted 1960

National Holiday

Independence Day, 1 August (1960)

National Symbol S

leopard; national colors: green, yellow, red

Political Parties And Leaders

Alliance for a Triumphant Benin or ABT [Abdoulaye BIO TCHANE]African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]Benin Renaissance or RB [Lehady SOGLO]Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE [Yayi BONI]Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]National Alliance for Development and Democracy or AND [Valentin Aditi HOUDE]New Consciousness Rally or NC [Pascal KOUPAKI]Patriotic Awakening or RP [Janvier YAHOUEDEOU]Social Democrat Party or PSD [Emmanuel GOLOU]Sun Alliance or AS [Sacca LAFIA]Union Makes the Nation or UN [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] (includes PRD, MADEP)United Democratic Forces or FDU [Mathurin NAGO]

note

approximately 20 additional minor parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture Products

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

Budget

expenditures

2.152 billion (2017 est.)

revenues

1.578 billion (2017 est.)

Budget Surplus Or Deficit

-6.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Central Bank Discount Rate

4.25% (31 December 2010)

4.25% (31 December 2009)

Commercial Bank Prime Lending Rate

5.3% (31 December 2017 est.)

5.3% (31 December 2016 est.)

Current Account Balance

-$1.024 billion (2017 est.)

-$808 million (2016 est.)

Debt External

$2.804 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.476 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Distribution Of Family Income Gini Index

36.5 (2003)

Economy Overview

The free market economy of Benin has grown consecutively for four years, though growth slowed in 2017, as its close trade links to Nigeria expose Benin to risks from volatile commodity prices. Cotton is a key export commodity, with export earnings significantly impacted by the price of cotton in the broader market. The economy began deflating in 2017, with the consumer price index falling 0.8%.During the first two years of President TALON’s administration, which began in April 2016, the government has followed an ambitious action plan to kickstart development through investments in infrastructure, education, agriculture, and governance. Electricity generation, which has constrained Benin’s economic growth, has increased and blackouts have been considerably reduced. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for a large proportion of investment in infrastructure projects.Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory, and has used equipment from donors effectively against such piracy. Pilferage has significantly dropped at the Port of Cotonou, though the port is still struggling with effective implementation of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code. Projects included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) first compact (2006-11) were designed to increase investment and private sector activity by improving key institutional and physical infrastructure. The four projects focused on access to land, access to financial services, access to justice, and access to markets (including modernization of the port). The Port of Cotonou is a major contributor to Benin’s economy, with revenues projected to account for more than 40% of Benin’s national budget.Benin will need further efforts to upgrade infrastructure, stem corruption, and expand access to foreign markets to achieve its potential. In September 2015, Benin signed a second MCC Compact for $375 million that entered into force in June 2017 and is designed to strengthen the national utility service provider, attract private sector investment, fund infrastructure investments in electricity generation and distribution, and develop off-grid electrification for poor and unserved households. As part of the Government of Benin’s action plan to spur growth, Benin passed public private partnership legislation in 2017 to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, encourage new information and communication technology, and establish Independent Power Producers. In April 2017, the IMF approved a three year $150.4 million Extended Credit Facility agreement to maintain debt sustainability and boost donor confidence.

Exchange Rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

605.3 (2017 est.)

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)

Exports

$1.974 billion (2017 est.)

$1.588 billion (2016 est.)

Exports Commodities

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

Exports Partners

Bangladesh 18.1%, India 10.7%, Ukraine 9%, Niger 8.1%, China 7.7%, Nigeria 7.2%, Turkey 4% (2017)

Fiscal Year

calendar year

Gdp Composition By End Use

exports of goods and services

31.6% (2017 est.)

government consumption

13.1% (2017 est.)

household consumption

70.5% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services

-43% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital

27.6% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2017 est.)

Gdp Composition By Sector Of Origin

agriculture

26.1% (2017 est.)

industry

22.8% (2017 est.)

services

51.1% (2017 est.)

Gdp Official Exchange Rate

$9.246 billion (2017 est.) (2017 est.)

Gdp Per Capita Ppp

$2,300 (2017 est.)

$2,200 (2016 est.)

$2,200 (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Purchasing Power Parity

$25.39 billion (2017 est.)

$24.04 billion (2016 est.)

$23.12 billion (2015 est.)

note

data are in 2017 dollars

Gdp Real Growth Rate

5.6% (2017 est.)

4% (2016 est.)

2.1% (2015 est.)

Gross National Saving

17.3% of GDP (2017 est.)

15.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

16.6% of GDP (2015 est.)

Household Income Or Consumption By Percentage Share

highest 10%

29% (2003)

lowest 10%

29% (2003)

Imports

$2.787 billion (2017 est.)

$2.443 billion (2016 est.)

Imports Commodities

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Imports Partners

Thailand 18.1%, India 15.9%, France 8.5%, China 7.5%, Togo 5.9%, Netherlands 4.3%, Belgium 4.3% (2017)

Industrial Production Growth Rate

3% (2017 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Inflation Rate Consumer Prices

0.1% (2017 est.)

-0.8% (2016 est.)

Labor Force

3.662 million (2007 est.)

Market Value Of Publicly Traded Shares

note

NA

Population Below Poverty Line

36.2% (2011 est.)

Public Debt

54.6% of GDP (2017 est.)

49.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Reserves Of Foreign Exchange And Gold

$698.9 million (31 December 2017 est.)

$57.5 million (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Broad Money

$2.644 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.189 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Domestic Credit

$1.963 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$1.553 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Stock Of Narrow Money

$2.644 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$2.189 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

Taxes And Other Revenues

17.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)

Unemployment Rate

1% (2014 est.)

Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Consumption Of Energy

5.664 million Mt (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Exports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Imports

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude Oil Production

0 bbl/day (2017 est.)

Crude Oil Proved Reserves

8 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)

Electricity Access

electrification - rural areas

9% (2013)

electrification - total population

29% (2013)

electrification - urban areas

57% (2013)

population without electricity

7.3 million (2013)

Electricity Consumption

1.143 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Exports

0 kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity From Fossil Fuels

88% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)

Electricity From Hydroelectric Plants

9% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Nuclear Fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity From Other Renewable Sources

2% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)

Electricity Imports

1.088 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity Installed Generating Capacity

321,000 kW (2016 est.)

Electricity Production

335 million kWh (2016 est.)

Natural Gas Consumption

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Exports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Imports

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Production

0 cu m (2017 est.)

Natural Gas Proved Reserves

1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Consumption

38,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Exports

1,514 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Imports

38,040 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined Petroleum Products Production

0 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadband Fixed Subscriptions

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (2017 est.)

total

28,833 (2017 est.)

Broadcast Media

state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station providing 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 (2016)

Internet Country Code

.bj

Internet Users

percent of population

12% (July 2016 est.)

total

1,288,336 (July 2016 est.)

Telephone System

domestic

fixed-line teledensity only about 1 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has increased rapidly, exceeding 79 per 100 persons in 2017 (2017)

general assessment

fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment; mobile networks account for almost all internet connections; govt. aims to provide telecoms services to 80% of the country, mostly via mobile infrastructure; govt. restructures state-owned telcos; Mobile Number Portability (MNP) becomes available; Benin joins free roaming scheme (2017)

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);Orange commissions new connection from the ACE submarine cable, connecting Benin with Tenerife (2017)

Telephones Fixed Lines

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

56,787 (2017 est.)

Telephones Mobile Cellular

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

79 (2017 est.)

total subscriptions

8,773,044 (2017 est.)

Airports

6 (2013)

Airports With Paved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2017)

total

1 (2017)

Airports With Unpaved Runways

1,524 to 2,437 m

1 (2013)

2,438 to 3,047 m

2 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2 (2013)

total

5 (2013)

Civil Aircraft Registration Country Code Prefix

TY (2016)

Merchant Marine

by type

other 6 (2017)

total

6 (2017)

National Air Transport System

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

805,347 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

112,392 (2015)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

1 (2015)

number of registered air carriers

1 (2015)

Pipelines

134 km gas

Ports And Terminals

LNG terminal(s) (import)

Cotonou

major seaport(s)

Cotonou

Railways

narrow gauge

438 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)

total

438 km (2014)

Roadways

paved

1,400 km (2006)

total

16,000 km (2006)

unpaved

14,600 km (2006)

Waterways

150 km (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border) (2011)

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) (2013)

Military Expenditures

1.14% of GDP (2016)

1.1% of GDP (2015)

0.96% of GDP (2014)

0.94% of GDP (2013)

0.96% of GDP (2012)

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 (2013)

Disputes International

talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona RiverBenin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualoulocation 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