Benin Population: 12,010,208

Benin is a West African country that extends from the Gulf of Guinea in the Atlantic Ocean to the Niger River, which is the northern border of Benin with Niger. The coastal region of Benin low and flat and replete with lagoons and tidal marshes. The fertile plateau is present behind the coastal region. The flat plateau has some hills. Atakora Mountains are present in the northwest of the country. The total land area of Benin is 112,760 square kilometers.

Largest cities by population in Benin 

The largest city in Benin in terms of population is Cotonou. Other largest cities by population are Abomey-Calavi, Djougou, and Porto-Novo.

CITY NAME POPULATION CITY NAME POPULATION
Cotonou 780,000 Malanville 37,117
Abomey-Calavi 385,755 Pobe 32,983
Djougou 237,040 Savalou 30,187
Porto-Novo 234,168 Sakete 30,111
Parakou 163,753 Come 29,208
Bohicon 125,092 Bembereke 24,006
Kandi 109,701 Bassila 23,616
Lokossa 86,971 Banikoara 22,487
Ouidah 83,503 Ketou 22,341
Abomey 82,154 Dassa-Zoume 21,672
Natitingou 80,892 Tchaourou 20,971
Save 75,970 Allada 20,094
Nikki 54,009 Aplahoue 19,862
Dogbo 41,312 Tanguieta 19,833
Cove 38,566

Benin population history 

The population of Benin in 2020 is 12,123,200, which is 0.16% of the world population. Since independence from French rule in 1960, when the population was 2,431,622, Benin has witnessed a gradual increase in the population growth rate. Consequently, the population has become more than 4 times from the 1960 population. The share in the world population has doubled from 0.08% in 1960 to 0.16% in 2020.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 12,123,200 2.73% 322,049 -2,000 18.8 4.87 108 48.40% 5,869,303 0.16% 7,794,798,739 77
2019 11,801,151 2.75% 316,107 -2,000 18.4 5.15 105 47.90% 5,648,384 0.15% 7,713,468,100 77
2018 11,485,044 2.77% 309,846 -2,000 18.4 5.15 102 47.30% 5,434,128 0.15% 7,631,091,040 78
2017 11,175,198 2.79% 303,135 -2,000 18.4 5.15 99 46.80% 5,226,646 0.15% 7,547,858,925 81
2016 10,872,063 2.80% 296,111 -2,000 18.4 5.15 96 46.20% 5,026,121 0.15% 7,464,022,049 81
2015 10,575,952 2.83% 275,339 -8,454 18.2 5.22 94 45.70% 4,832,633 0.14% 7,379,797,139 85
2010 9,199,259 2.88% 243,407 -9,755 17.9 5.49 82 43.10% 3,964,272 0.13% 6,956,823,603 90
2005 7,982,225 3.06% 223,255 5,001 17.6 5.78 71 40.50% 3,236,223 0.12% 6,541,907,027 92
2000 6,865,951 3.06% 192,079 -570 17.3 6.16 61 38.30% 2,631,898 0.11% 6,143,493,823 94
1995 5,905,558 3.47% 185,412 13,652 17.2 6.56 52 36.80% 2,170,773 0.10% 5,744,212,979 95
1990 4,978,496 3.08% 139,999 -1,745 17.1 6.88 44 34.50% 1,716,829 0.09% 5,327,231,061 103
1985 4,278,501 2.85% 112,267 -2,170 17.3 7.01 38 30.80% 1,317,626 0.09% 4,870,921,740 106
1980 3,717,165 2.63% 90,400 -3,879 17.7 7 33 27.30% 1,016,229 0.08% 4,458,003,514 107
1975 3,265,165 2.31% 70,565 -4,969 18.3 6.83 29 21.90% 715,214 0.08% 4,079,480,606 110
1970 2,912,340 2.04% 55,997 -4,748 19.1 6.65 26 16.70% 486,086 0.08% 3,700,437,046 109
1965 2,632,356 1.60% 40,147 -4,859 20 6.42 23 12.50% 329,541 0.08% 3,339,583,597 109
1960 2,431,622 1.09% 25,607 -4,600 20.9 6.13 22 9.30% 225,522 0.08% 3,034,949,748 109
1955 2,303,587 0.43% 9,672 -4,600 22.3 5.86 20 6.80% 156,746 0.08% 2,773,019,936 109

Benin Population forecast 

The estimated population of Benin in 2050 is 24,280,477. This implies that the population will almost double from the current figures. The annual population growth rate is expected to remain above 2% in the three decades until 2050. The country’s share in the world population will increase to 0.25% in 2050. In the global population ranking, the country will jump from the current 77 to 69 in 2050.

Year Population Yearly % Change Yearly Change Migrants (net) Median Age Fertility Rate Density (P/Km²) Urban Pop % Urban Population Country’s Share of World Pop World Population Global Rank
2020 12,123,200 2.77% 309,450 -2,000 18.8 4.87 108 48.40% 5,869,303 0.16% 7,794,798,739 77
2025 13,822,071 2.66% 339,774 -2,000 19.4 4.87 123 51.20% 7,076,087 0.17% 8,184,437,460 77
2030 15,672,304 2.54% 370,047 -2,000 20.1 4.87 139 54.00% 8,460,898 0.18% 8,548,487,400 78
2035 17,662,700 2.42% 398,079 -2,000 20.9 4.87 157 56.80% 10,024,184 0.20% 8,887,524,213 78
2040 19,775,013 2.28% 422,463 -2,000 21.7 4.87 175 59.40% 11,754,769 0.21% 9,198,847,240 75
2045 21,986,225 2.14% 442,242 -2,000 22.5 4.87 195 62.00% 13,638,450 0.23% 9,481,803,274 73
2050 24,280,477 2.00% 458,850 23.3 4.87 215 64.50% 15,661,166 0.25% 9,735,033,990 69

Benin demographics 

More than 40% of the population is aged less than 15. The second-largest age group is 15-29 age group making up 28% of the population. Older people aged 60 and above constitute just 4.4% of the population. The median age is 18.8 years.

48.4% of the population lives in urban areas. The urban population is mainly present in and around Cotonou, which is the largest city in the country.

The life expectancy at birth is 62.84 years for both the genders.

Benin religion and politics 

The major religion in Benin is Christianity, with 48.5% of the population adhering to various denominations of Christianity. Among Christians, the largest denomination is Roman Catholicism. Islam is followed by 27.7% of the population. Vodun is another religion that is followed by 11.6% of the population.

Benin gained independence from France in the year 1960. The country is a multi-party democracy. The President is both the head of the state and the government. The legislative branch is the National Assembly has 83 members elected for 4 years.

Benin economy 

The economy of Benin is mainly dependent on agriculture. Cotton is the major agricultural produce contributing 40% of the country’s GDP and 80% of the exports. Benin was ranked 141st in terms of GDP and 132nd in terms of PPP in 2018.

Largest Countries in the World by Population

S.No Country Population (2020) World Population Share (%)
1 China 1,439,323,776 18.47%
2 India 1,380,004,385 17.70%
3 United States 331,002,651 4.25%
4 Indonesia 273,523,615 3.51%
5 Pakistan 220,892,340 2.83%
6 Brazil 212,559,417 2.73%
7 Nigeria 206,139,589 2.64%
8 Bangladesh 164,689,383 2.11%
9 Russia 145,934,462 1.87%
10 Mexico 128,932,753 1.65%