Benin is a small country located in West Africa, bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south. The capital and largest city is Porto-Novo, but the economic and cultural hub is Cotonou, the largest city and main port. The official language is French, although many other languages are spoken, including Fon, Yoruba, and Mina. With a population of approximately 12 million people, Benin is one of the most populous countries in West Africa.

Benin's economy is largely based on agriculture, with the majority of the population engaged in subsistence farming. Major crops include cotton, corn, cassava, and yams. The country also has a growing industry in textiles, food processing, and construction materials. In recent years, Benin has also been developing its tourism industry, highlighting its cultural and historical heritage.

Benin is a presidential republic, with a President serving as the head of state and a Prime Minister serving as the head of government. The country is divided into 12 departments, each headed by a prefect. Benin is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), among other international organizations.

Benin has a rich cultural heritage, influenced by its history as a major center of the West African slave trade and as the center of the powerful Dahomey Kingdom. The country has a variety of festivals and celebrations throughout the year, including the Voodoo Festival in Ouidah, which attracts visitors from around the world.

Despite its many strengths, Benin faces challenges such as poverty, limited infrastructure, and political instability. The country has taken steps to address these issues, including implementing economic reforms, investing in infrastructure and education, and promoting tourism as a means of generating economic growth.

National holiday
Independence Day, 1 August (1960)

Telephone Code
229

Local Emergency Phone
Local numbers only

Vaccinations
An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Africa; Benin is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

Climate
Tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Currency (Code)
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (Western African CFA francs, XOF)

Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s)
220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, E

Major Languages
French, Fon, Yoruba

Major Religions
Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5%, Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8

Potable Water
Opt for bottled water

International Driving Permit
Suggested

Road Driving Side
Right

Tourist Destinations
Cotonou; Ouidah; Porto Novo; Royal Palaces at Abomey

Major Sports
Soccer, tennis, track and field

Cultural Practices
Many people in Benin eat using the fingers of the right hand; eating or offering food to others with the left hand is considered rude.

Tipping Guidelines
Tipping in restaurants is appreciated; round up the bill in smaller establishments or tip up to 10%. Tipping at bars is unexpected. When taking a taxi, round up the fare. Tipping in hotels is not required, but if you enjoyed your stay you could tip the bellboy 200 francs per bag and the maid 200 francs per night.

Souvenirs
Tribal masks, basketware, pottery, handwoven textiles, brassware

Traditional Cuisine
Kuli-kuli — ground, smashed peanuts mixed with salt, pepper, and other spices shaped into balls or biscuits and deep-fried

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

Climate
tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Natural resources
small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

People and Society
Population
14,219,908 (2023 est.)

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

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

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

Population growth rate
3.31% (2023 est.)

Government
Government type
presidential republic

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

Economy
Economic overview
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)
$43.17 billion (2021 est.)

Real GDP per capita
$3,300 (2021 est.)

Agricultural products
cassava, yams, maize, cotton, oil palm fruit, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, vegetables, soybeans

Industries
textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Exports
$3.506 billion (2020 est.)

Exports - partners
Nigeria 25%, Bangladesh 14%, United Arab Emirates 14%, India 13%, China 8%, Vietnam 5% (2019)

Exports - commodities
cotton, refined petroleum, gold, cashews, copper (2019)

Imports
$3.942 billion (2020 est.)

Imports - partners
China 28%, Thailand 9%, India 8%, Togo 6%, United States 5% (2019)

Imports - commodities
rice, cars, palm oil, electricity, cotton (2019)