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% |