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Sub-Saharan Africa / BEN

Benin

Benin flag
ⓘ

2021 Factbook flag mirror; image identity has not been individually audited. Source.

Last updated: October 29, 2026

World Bank directory: capital Porto-Novo · 6.4779°, 2.6323° · sourceRetrieved 2026-10-29 · single source, unverified; directory metadata may be stale.
Benin: CIA World Factbook map from 2021; original boundary notes preserved.
ⓘCIA World Factbook map, February 2021 media edition. Identity reviewed; current boundaries have not been audited. visual contact sheet or original identity check; does not verify current boundaries Boundaries, place names and designations may be dated or disputed; original annotations retained. SHA-256: f5dc34613d0aa9b68f1a52f1cf084d1440ace19e8d8edc7164fe990f8ebe68f4. Provenance and inspection record.

Introduction

Background:1

Present-day Benin is comprised of about 42 ethnic groups, including the Yoruba in the southeast, who migrated from what is now Nigeria in the 12th century; the Dendi in the north-central area, who came from Mali in the 16th century; the Bariba and the Fula in the northeast; the Ottamari in the Atakora mountains; the Fon in the area around Abomey in the south-central area; and the Mina, Xueda, and Aja, who came from Togo, on the coast. The Kingdom of Dahomey emerged on the Abomey plateau in the 17th century and was a regional power for much of the 18th and 19th centuries. The growth of Dahomey coincided with the growth of the Atlantic slave trade, and it became known as a major source of enslaved people. France began to control the coastal areas of Dahomey in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960, and 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 a Marxist-Leninist government. 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 returned to power after elections in 1996 and 2001. He stepped down in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent, who won a second term in 2011. Patrice TALON, a wealthy businessman, took office in 2016; the space for pluralism, dissent, and free expression has narrowed under his administration. TALON won a second term in 2021.

Geography

Location:2

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

Geographic coordinates:3

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Map references:4

Africa

Area:5

Surface area: 114,760 square kilometers (2024)

total:112,622 sq km
land:110,622 sq km
water:2,000 sq km

Area - comparative:7

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Land boundaries:8

total:2,123 km
border countries (4):Burkina Faso 386 km; Niger 277 km; Nigeria 809 km; Togo 651 km

Coastline:9

121 km

Maritime claims:10

territorial sea:200 nm; note: the US does not recognize this claim
continental shelf:200 nm
exclusive fishing zone:200 nm

Climate:11

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Terrain:12

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Elevation:13

highest point:unnamed elevation 675 m; located 2.5 km southeast of the town of Kotopounga
lowest point:Atlantic Ocean 0 m
mean elevation:273 m

Natural resources:14

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Land use:15

agricultural land:41.8% (2023 est.)
arable land:31.4% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:5.5% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:4.9% (2023 est.)
forest:28.5% (2023 est.)
other:29.7% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land:16

530 sq km (2019)

Major watersheds (area sq km):17

Atlantic Ocean drainage:Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)

Population distribution:18

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, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards:19

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

Geography - note:20

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

People and Society

Population:21

Population: 14,814,460 people (2025)

total:14,697,052 (2024 est.)
male:7,253,258
female:7,443,794

Nationality:23

noun:Beninese (singular and plural)
adjective:Beninese

Ethnic groups:24

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.)

Languages:25

55 languages; French (official); Fon (a Gbe language), Yom (a Gur language) and Yoruba are the most important indigenous languages in the south; half a dozen regionally important languages in the north, including Bariba and Fulfulde

Religions:26

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.)

Age structure:27

0-14 years:45.3% (male 3,360,027/female 3,294,201)
15-64 years:52.2% (male 3,727,040/female 3,951,786)
65 years and over:2.5% (2024 est.) (male 166,191/female 197,807)

Dependency ratios:28

total dependency ratio:91.4 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio:86.7 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio:4.7 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio:21.1 (2024 est.)

Median age:29

total:17.2 years (2024 est.)
male:16.6 years
female:17.7 years

Population growth rate:30

Population growth rate: 2.4 % annually (2025)

3.29% (2024 est.)

Birth rate:32

Crude birth rate: 33.42 births per 1,000 people (2024)

40.3 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Death rate:34

Crude death rate: 8.71 deaths per 1,000 people (2024)

7.6 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Net migration rate:36

0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)

Population distribution:37

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, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization:38

Urban population: 53.36 % of population (2025)

urban population:50.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population:40

285,000 PORTO-NOVO (capital) (2018); 1.253 million Abomey-Calavi, 722,000 COTONOU (seat of government) (2022)

Sex ratio:41

at birth:1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.94 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.84 male(s)/female
total population:0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth:42

20.5 years (2017/18 est.)

note:data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49

Maternal mortality ratio:43

Maternal mortality ratio: 518 deaths per 100,000 live births (2023)

518 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate:45

Infant mortality rate: 45.2 deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)

total:52.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male:57.8 deaths/1,000 live births
female:47.8 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth:47

Life expectancy at birth: 60.96 years (2024)

total population:63 years (2024 est.)
male:61.1 years
female:65 years

Total fertility rate:49

Total fertility rate: 4.48 births per woman (2024)

5.34 children born/woman (2024 est.)

Gross reproduction rate:51

2.61 (2024 est.)

Drinking water source:52

At least basic drinking water services: 69.59 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:74.1% of population (2022 est.)
rural:60.8% of population (2022 est.)
total:67.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:25.9% of population (2022 est.)
rural:39.2% of population (2022 est.)
total:32.6% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure:54

Current health expenditure: 3.34 % of GDP (2023)

Health expenditure (as % of GDP):2.6% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget):2.6% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density:56

Physicians: 0.22 per 1,000 people (2023)

0.22 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density:58

0.4 beds/1,000 population (2021 est.)

Sanitation facility access:59

At least basic sanitation services: 22.25 % of population (2024)

improved
urban:58.5% of population (2022 est.)
rural:20.8% of population (2022 est.)
total:39.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved
urban:41.5% of population (2022 est.)
rural:79.2% of population (2022 est.)
total:60.5% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate:61

9.6% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita:62

total:1.25 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer:0.81 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine:0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits:0.2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols:0.22 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use:63

total:4.8% (2025 est.)
male:8.3% (2025 est.)
female:1.5% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight:64

19.6% (2021 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49):65

68.3% (2023 est.)

Child marriage:66

women married by age 15:5.9% (2022)
women married by age 18:27.5% (2022)
men married by age 18:4.6% (2022)

Education expenditure:67

Government education expenditure: 3.23 % of GDP (2023)

Education expenditure (% GDP):3.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget):18% national budget (2025 est.)

Literacy:69

Adult literacy rate: 51.38 % of people aged 15 and over (2022)

total population:51.4% (2022 est.)
male:62.6% (2022 est.)
female:41.5% (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):71

total:10 years (2022 est.)
male:11 years (2022 est.)
female:9 years (2022 est.)

Environment

Environmental issues:72

inadequate supplies of potable water; water pollution; poaching; deforestation; desertification; droughts

International environmental agreements:73

party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified:none of the selected agreements

Climate:74

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Land use:75

agricultural land:41.8% (2023 est.)
arable land:31.4% (2023 est.)
permanent crops:5.5% (2023 est.)
permanent pasture:4.9% (2023 est.)
forest:28.5% (2023 est.)
other:29.7% (2023 est.)

Urbanization:76

urban population:50.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization:3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions:77

total emissions:5.948 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke:379,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids:5.263 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas:306,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions:78

32.6 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Methane emissions:79

energy:63.4 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture:106.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste:34.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)
other:43.5 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling:80

municipal solid waste generated annually:685,900 tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled:56.9% (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal:81

municipal:145 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial:30 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural:59 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total renewable water resources:82

26.39 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Government

Country name:83

conventional long form:Republic of Benin
conventional short form:Benin
local long form:République du Benin
local short form:Benin
former:Dahomey, People's Republic of Benin
etymology:the current name comes from a local ethnic group, the Bini, whose name may be related to the Arabic word bani , meaning "sons;" the former name, Dahomey, comes from a previous kingdom in the area called Dan Homé

Government type:84

presidential republic

Capital:85

name:Porto-Novo (constitutional capital); Cotonou (seat of government)
geographic coordinates:6 29 N, 2 37 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology:the name Porto-Novo is Portuguese for "new port"; Cotonou means "mouth of the river of death" in the native Fon language

Administrative divisions:86

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

Legal system:87

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

Constitution:88

history:previous 1946, 1958 (pre-independence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990
amendment process: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

International law organization participation:89

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship:90

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

Suffrage:91

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch:92

chief of state:President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016)
head of government:President Patrice TALON (since 6 April 2016)
cabinet:Council of Ministers appointed by the president
election/appointment process:president directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term)
most recent election date:11 April 2021
election results
election results:Patrice TALON reelected president in the ; percent of vote - Patrice TALON (independent) 86.3%, Alassane SOUMANOU (FCBE) 11.4%, Corentin KOHOUE (The Democrats) 2.3%
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%
expected date of next election:12 April 2026
note:the president is both head of state and head of government

Legislative branch:93

legislature name:National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)
legislative structure:unicameral
number of seats:109 (all directly elected)
electoral system:proportional representation
scope of elections:full renewal
term in office:4 years
most recent election date:1/8/2023
parties elected and seats per party:Progressive Union for Renewal (53); Republican Block (BR) (28); Democrats (28)
percentage of women in chamber:26.6%
expected date of next election:January 2026
note:seat total includes 24 seats reserved for women

Judicial branch:94

highest court(s):Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the chief justice and 16 justices 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)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the president of the republic on 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 president of the republic; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; other members of the High Court of Justice elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA
subordinate courts:Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Court for the Repression of Economic and Terrorism Infractions (CRIET) or Cour de Répression des Infractions Economiques et du Terrorisme; district courts; village courts; Assize courts
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

Political parties:95

African Movement for Development and Progress or MADEP

Benin Renaissance or RB

Cowrie Force for an Emerging Benin or FCBE

Democratic Renewal Party or PRD

Progressive Union for Renewal

Republican Bloc

Sun Alliance or AS

The Democrats

Union Makes the Nation or UN (includes PRD, MADEP)

note:approximately 20 additional minor parties

Diplomatic representation in the US:96

chief of mission:Ambassador Agniola AHOUANMENOU (since 24 July 2025)
chancery:2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 232-6656
FAX:[1] (202) 265-1996
email address and website
email address and website:ambassade.washington@gouv.bj
email address and website:https://beninembassy.us/

Diplomatic representation from the US:97

chief of mission:Ambassador Brian SHUKAN (since 5 May 2022)
embassy:01BP 2012, Cotonou
mailing address:2120 Cotonou Place, Washington DC 20521-2120
telephone:[229] 21-36-75-00
FAX:[229] 21-30-03-84
email address and website
email address and website:ACSCotonou@state.gov
email address and website:https://bj.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation:98

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, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence:99

1 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday:100

Independence Day, 1 August (1960)

Flag:101

description:two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) to the right, with a vertical green band on the left side
meaning:green stands for hope and revival, yellow for wealth, and red for courage
history:uses the colors of the Pan-African movement

National symbol(s):102

leopard

National color(s):103

green, yellow, red

National anthem(s):104

title:"L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)
lyrics/music:Gilbert Jean DAGNON
history:adopted 1960

National heritage:105

total World Heritage Sites:3 (2 cultural, 1 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales:Royal Palaces of Abomey (c); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Koutammakou, the Land of the Batammariba (c)

Economy

Economic overview:106

robust economic growth; slightly declining but still widespread poverty; strong trade relations with Nigeria; cotton exporter; COVID-19 has led to capital outflows and border closures; WAEMU member with currency pegged to the euro; recent fiscal deficit and debt reductions

Real GDP (purchasing power parity):107

$56.424 billion (2024 est.)

$52.51 billion (2023 est.)

$49.374 billion (2022 est.)

note:data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP growth rate:108

7.5% (2024 est.)

6.4% (2023 est.)

6.3% (2022 est.)

note:annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per capita:109

$3,900 (2024 est.)

$3,700 (2023 est.)

$3,600 (2022 est.)

note:data in 2021 dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):110

GDP: 24,566,420,903.53 current US dollars (2025)

$21.483 billion (2024 est.)

note:data in current dollars at official exchange rate

Inflation rate (consumer prices):112

1.2% (2024 est.)

2.7% (2023 est.)

1.4% (2022 est.)

note:annual % change based on consumer prices

GDP - composition, by sector of origin:113

agriculture:24.2% (2024 est.)
industry:17.4% (2024 est.)
services:48.9% (2024 est.)
note:figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

GDP - composition, by end use:114

household consumption:58.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption:9% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital:34.7% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories:0.4% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services:18.8% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services:-21.8% (2024 est.)
note:figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

Agricultural products:115

cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, cotton, soybeans, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, chillies/peppers (2023)

note:top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Industries:116

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Industrial production growth rate:117

9.7% (2024 est.)

note:annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Labor force:118

6.397 million (2024 est.)

note:number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

Unemployment rate:119

1.8% (2024 est.)

1.7% (2023 est.)

1.7% (2022 est.)

note:% of labor force seeking employment

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24):120

total:3.3% (2024 est.)
male:3.6% (2024 est.)
female:2.9% (2024 est.)
note:% of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Population below poverty line:121

38.5% (2018 est.)

note:% of population with income below national poverty line

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income:122

34.4 (2021 est.)

note:index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

Household income or consumption by percentage share:123

lowest 10%:3.1% (2021 est.)
highest 10%:27.2% (2021 est.)
note:% share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Remittances:124

1.7% of GDP (2023 est.)

1.4% of GDP (2022 est.)

1.3% of GDP (2021 est.)

note:personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Budget:125

revenues:$2.024 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures:$2.101 billion (2019 est.)

Public debt:126

49.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance:127

-$1.609 billion (2023 est.)

-$991.005 million (2022 est.)

-$734.659 million (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Exports:128

$4.511 billion (2023 est.)

$4.271 billion (2022 est.)

$4.154 billion (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - partners:129

UAE 42%, Bangladesh 20%, India 11%, China 5%, Togo 3% (2023)

note:top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Exports - commodities:130

gold, cotton, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, soybeans, wood (2023)

note:top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Imports:131

$6.189 billion (2023 est.)

$5.296 billion (2022 est.)

$4.925 billion (2021 est.)

note:balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - partners:132

China 21%, India 15%, USA 6%, France 6%, Nigeria 4% (2023)

note:top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Imports - commodities:133

rice, refined petroleum, palm oil, poultry, cars (2023)

note:top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Debt - external:134

$6.309 billion (2023 est.)

note:present value of external debt in current US dollars

Exchange rates:135

Currency:Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

606.345 (2024 est.)

606.655 (2023 est.)

622.912 (2022 est.)

554.608 (2021 est.)

574.295 (2020 est.)

Energy

Electricity access:136

electrification - total population:56.5% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas:71.1%
electrification - rural areas:45.5%

Electricity:137

installed generating capacity:505,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption:1.459 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports:2 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports:844.888 million kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses:385 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources:138

fossil fuels:96.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar:3.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal:139

consumption:164,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports:164,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum:140

refined petroleum consumption:40,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves:8 million barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas:141

consumption:157.25 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports:157.25 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves:1.133 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Energy consumption per capita:142

Total energy consumption per capita 2023:6.472 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications

Telephones - fixed lines:143

total subscriptions:1,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:(2023 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular:144

total subscriptions:16.4 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:109 (2022 est.)

Broadcast media:145

state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Télévision du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with 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 stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2019)

Internet country code:146

.bj

Internet users:147

percent of population:32% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions:148

total:24,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants:(2023 est.) less than 1

Transportation

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix:149

TY

Airports:150

10 (2025)

Railways:151

total:438 km (2014)
narrow gauge:438 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge

Merchant marine:152

total:6 (2023)
by type:other 6

Ports:153

total ports:1 (2024)
large:0
medium:1
small:0
very small:0
ports with oil terminals:1
key ports:Cotonou

Military and Security

Military and security forces:154

Beninese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB; aka Benin Defense Forces): Army, Air Force, National Navy, National Guard (aka Republican Guard)

Ministry of Interior and Public Security: Republican Police (Police Republicaine, DGPR) (2025)

note:FAB is under the Ministry of Defense and is responsible for external security and supporting the DGPR in maintaining internal security, which has primary responsibility for enforcing law and maintaining order; the DGPR was formed in 2018 through a merger of police and gendarmes

Military expenditures:155

0.7% of GDP (2024 est.)

0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

0.7% of GDP (2022 est.)

0.7% of GDP (2021 est.)

0.5% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths:156

estimated 10,000 active-duty Armed Forces (including National Guard) (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions:157

the FAB is equipped with a small mix of mostly older or secondhand French, Soviet-era, and US equipment; in recent years, the EU, France, and the US have provided it with limited amounts of newer military hardware such as armored vehicles and helicopters (2024)

Military service age and obligation:158

18-30 years of age for voluntary and selective compulsory military service for men and women; conscript service is 18 months (2024)

Military - note:159

the Beninese Armed Forces (FAB) are responsible for defense against external aggression and may be required to assist in maintaining public order and internal security under conditions defined by the country's president; it may also participate in economic development projects

a key focus for the security forces of Benin is countering infiltrations into the country by terrorist groups tied to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) operating just over the border from northern Benin in Burkina Faso and Niger; in 2022, the Benin Government said it was "at war" after suffering a series of attacks from these groups; later that same year, President TALON pledged to increase the size of the military, modernize military equipment, and establish forward operating bases; the military since 2022 has also deployed thousands of additional troops to the north of the country to better secure the border region; in addition, the FAB participates in the Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) against Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa in the general area of the Lake Chad Basin and along Nigeria's northeastern border (2025)

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s):160

Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM); Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Boko Haram

note:details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons:161

refugees:23,225 (2024 est.)
IDPs:12,501 (2024 est.)

Additional observations

Real GDP growth162
8.07 % annual change (2025)
Consumer price inflation163
1.1 % annual change (2025)
Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate)164
1.59 % of labor force (2025)
Access to electricity165
59 % of population (2024)
Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption166
54.5 % (2021)
Individuals using the internet167
33.98 % of population (2024)

Historical observations

Notes & sources

  1. Background. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  2. Location. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  3. Geographic coordinates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  4. Map references. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  5. Area. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 114,760 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 112,622 square kilometers. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  6. Surface area. Surface area: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. The archived total area has no reference year and territorial coverage may differ from World Bank surface area. World Bank: 114,760 square kilometers (2024). Reference: 112,622 square kilometers. ↩
  7. Area - comparative. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  8. Land boundaries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  9. Coastline. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  10. Maritime claims. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  11. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  12. Terrain. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  13. Elevation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  14. Natural resources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  15. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  16. Irrigated land. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  17. Major watersheds (area sq km). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  18. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  19. Natural hazards. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  20. Geography - note. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  21. Population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 14,814,460 people (2025). Reference: 14,697,052 people (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  22. Population. Population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 14,814,460 people (2025). Reference: 14,697,052 people (2024). ↩
  23. Nationality. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  24. Ethnic groups. Reference edition; observation: 2013 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  25. Languages. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  26. Religions. Reference edition; observation: 2013 est.. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  27. Age structure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  28. Dependency ratios. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  29. Median age. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  30. Population growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  31. Population growth rate. Population growth rate: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  32. Birth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  33. Crude birth rate. Crude birth rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  34. Death rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  35. Crude death rate. Crude death rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  36. Net migration rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  37. Population distribution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  38. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  39. Urban population. Urban population: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  40. Major urban areas - population. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  41. Sex ratio. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  42. Mother's mean age at first birth. Reference edition; observation: 2017/18. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  43. Maternal mortality ratio. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  44. Maternal mortality ratio. Maternal mortality ratio: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  45. Infant mortality rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  46. Infant mortality rate. Infant mortality rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  47. Life expectancy at birth. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  48. Life expectancy at birth. Life expectancy at birth: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  49. Total fertility rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  50. Total fertility rate. Total fertility rate: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  51. Gross reproduction rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  52. Drinking water source. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  53. At least basic drinking water services. At least basic drinking water services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  54. Health expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  55. Current health expenditure. Current health expenditure: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  56. Physician density. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  57. Physicians. Physicians: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  58. Hospital bed density. Reference edition; observation: 2021. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  59. Sanitation facility access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  60. At least basic sanitation services. At least basic sanitation services: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. This separately sourced basic-service observation is shown alongside the reference edition’s improved/unimproved categories. It does not replace those category totals. ↩
  61. Obesity - adult prevalence rate. Reference edition; observation: 2016. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  62. Alcohol consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  63. Tobacco use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  64. Children under the age of 5 years underweight. Reference edition; observation: 2021. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  65. Currently married women (ages 15-49). Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  66. Child marriage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  67. Education expenditure. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  68. Government education expenditure. Government education expenditure: observation 2023; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  69. Literacy. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  70. Adult literacy rate. Adult literacy rate: observation 2022; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Latest available World Bank series in 2020–2026; reference year is not retrieval year. May be modeled or revised; differing definitions and geography require review. No independent crosscheck; do not silently replace archived Factbook. ↩
  71. School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  72. Environmental issues. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  73. International environmental agreements. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  74. Climate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  75. Land use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  76. Urbanization. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  77. Carbon dioxide emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  78. Particulate matter emissions. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  79. Methane emissions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  80. Waste and recycling. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  81. Total water withdrawal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  82. Total renewable water resources. Reference edition; observation: 2022. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  83. Country name. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  84. Government type. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  85. Capital. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  86. Administrative divisions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  87. Legal system. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  88. Constitution. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  89. International law organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  90. Citizenship. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  91. Suffrage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  92. Executive branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  93. Legislative branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  94. Judicial branch. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  95. Political parties. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  96. Diplomatic representation in the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  97. Diplomatic representation from the US. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  98. International organization participation. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  99. Independence. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  100. National holiday. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  101. Flag. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  102. National symbol(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  103. National color(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  104. National anthem(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  105. National heritage. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  106. Economic overview. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  107. Real GDP (purchasing power parity). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  108. Real GDP growth rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  109. Real GDP per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  110. GDP (official exchange rate). Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 24,566,420,903.53 current US dollars (2025). Reference: 21,483,000,000 current US dollars (2024). Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  111. GDP. GDP: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Different reference years; no numerical agreement is asserted. World Bank: 24,566,420,903.53 current US dollars (2025). Reference: 21,483,000,000 current US dollars (2024). ↩
  112. Inflation rate (consumer prices). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  113. GDP - composition, by sector of origin. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  114. GDP - composition, by end use. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  115. Agricultural products. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  116. Industries. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  117. Industrial production growth rate. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  118. Labor force. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  119. Unemployment rate. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  120. Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  121. Population below poverty line. Reference edition; observation: 2018. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  122. Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  123. Household income or consumption by percentage share. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  124. Remittances. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  125. Budget. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  126. Public debt. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  127. Current account balance. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  128. Exports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  129. Exports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  130. Exports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  131. Imports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  132. Imports - partners. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  133. Imports - commodities. Reference edition; observation: 2023. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  134. Debt - external. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  135. Exchange rates. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  136. Electricity access. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  137. Electricity. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  138. Electricity generation sources. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  139. Coal. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  140. Petroleum. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  141. Natural gas. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  142. Energy consumption per capita. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  143. Telephones - fixed lines. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  144. Telephones - mobile cellular. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  145. Broadcast media. Reference edition; observation: 2019. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  146. Internet country code. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  147. Internet users. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  148. Broadband - fixed subscriptions. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  149. Civil aircraft registration country code prefix. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  150. Airports. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  151. Railways. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  152. Merchant marine. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  153. Ports. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  154. Military and security forces. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  155. Military expenditures. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  156. Military and security service personnel strengths. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  157. Military equipment inventories and acquisitions. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  158. Military service age and obligation. Reference edition; observation: 2024. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  159. Military - note. Reference edition; observation: 2025. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  160. Terrorist group(s). Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  161. Refugees and internally displaced persons. Reference edition; observation: dates as stated in text. Field last updated: not supplied; profile fallback: 2025-12-09 09:29:23 -0500 (not a field revision date); needs review. Reference source. Edition last checked 2026-10-29 (retrieval only). ↩
  162. Real GDP growth. Real GDP growth: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Gross domestic product is the total income earned through the production of goods and services in an economic territory during an accounting period. It can be measured in three different ways: using either the expenditure approach, the income approach, or the production approach. This indicator denotes the percentage change over each previous year of the constant price (base year 2015) series in United States dollars. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.KD.ZG?format=json ↩
  163. Consumer price inflation. Consumer price inflation: observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Inflation as measured by the consumer price index reflects the annual percentage change in the cost to the average consumer of acquiring a basket of goods and services that may be fixed or changed at specified intervals, such as yearly. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/FP.CPI.TOTL.ZG?format=json ↩
  164. Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate). Unemployment (modeled ILO estimate): observation 2025; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. The ILO modeled estimate is not necessarily directly comparable with national unemployment measures. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS?format=json ↩
  165. Access to electricity. Access to electricity: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Access to electricity is the percentage of population with access to electricity. Electrification data are collected from industry, national surveys and international sources. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS?format=json ↩
  166. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption. Renewable energy share of total final energy consumption: observation 2021; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Renewable energy consumption is the share of renewable energy in total final energy consumption. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/EG.FEC.RNEW.ZS?format=json ↩
  167. Individuals using the internet. Individuals using the internet: observation 2024; checked 2026-10-29; single source. World Bank World Development Indicators. Internet users are individuals who have used the Internet (from any location) in the last 3 months. The Internet can be used via a computer, mobile phone, personal digital assistant, games machine, digital TV etc. Source metadata: https://api.worldbank.org/v2/indicator/IT.NET.USER.ZS?format=json ↩
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Countries & territories

Same-year values. Equal values share a rank.

Sources & method

Ranks cover available countries and territories, using the same indicator, source unit and reference year. Unrounded source values determine ties. Coverage is not a sovereign-country or complete global ranking; national definitions may differ. Missing values and other years are excluded. The information icon preserves the original number, unit and evidence.

RankCountry or territoryValue
Source information