Africa
Benin: flag, map, capital and facts
Everything about Benin: its flag, its map and its facts.
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Population
- 14.8 million
- Area
- 112,622 km²
- Currency
- West African CFA Franc
#76 by population · #100 by area · #122 economy in the world · #71 by population density
Population and society
Population of bj, 1960–2025. From 2.5 million in 1960 to 14.8 million in 2025.
- Population density
- 128 per km² (rank 71 of 194)
- Urban population
- 53.4% (2025)
- Under 15
- 41.3% (2025)
- Over 65
- 3.2% (2025)
- Children per woman
- 4.48 (2024)
- Internet users
- 34% (2024)
Economy and nature
- GDP
- $24.6B (rank 122 of 194)
- Unemployment
- 1.6% (2025)
- Inflation
- 1.1% (2025)
- Forests
- 28.1% (of its land · 2024)
- CO₂ per person
- 0.5 t (a year · 2024)
- Lowest point
- 0 m (sea level)
Figures: World Bank, latest year with data. Lowest point: reviewed by hand.
Symbols
- Anthem
- L'Aube Nouvelle (L’Aube Nouvelle)
- Official name
- République du Bénin
- Motto
- Fraternité, Justice, Travail (French)
Coat of arms and anthem: Wikimedia Commons. Authors, where the licence asks for it: Coat of arms (CC BY-SA 3.0, Tinynanorobots, Fenn-O-maniC).
Practical facts
- Official language
- French
- Calling code
- +229
- Internet domain
- .bj
- Driving side
- On the right
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Demonym
- Beninese
Geography
- Continent
- Africa
- Neighbouring countries
- Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Togo
- Highest point
- Mont Sokbaro (658 m)
- Largest city
- Cotonou
- Access to the sea
- Yes
History and politics
- Form of government
- Presidential republic
- Independence from
- France (1960)
Economy and life
- GDP per person
- $1,658 (2025)
- Life expectancy
- 61 years (2024)
- Human Development Index
- 0.515 (rank 173 of 193)
Departments in figures
| Name | Capital | Population | Area (km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alibori | Kandi | 867,463 (2013) | 26,242 |
| Atakora | Natitingou | — | 20,499 |
| Atlantique | Ouidah | — | 3,233 |
| Borgou | Parakou | — | 25,856 |
| Collines | Dassa-Zoumé | — | 13,931 |
| Donga | Djougou | — | 11,126 |
| Kouffo | — | 741,895 (2013) | 2,404 |
| Littoral | Cotonou | 678,874 (2013) | 79 |
| Mono | Lokossa | — | 1,605 |
| Ouémé | Porto-Novo | 1,096,850 (2013) | 1,281 |
| Plateau | Pobè | — | 3,264 |
| Zou | Abomey | — | 5,243 |
Capitals, population and area: Wikidata. The year of each population is in brackets.
Its flags over time
Benin · 1975–1990- Benin · 1990–today
Flags: Wikimedia Commons.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Benin?
Porto-Novo
How many people live in Benin?
14.8 million inhabitants (2025)
What currency is used in Benin?
West African CFA Franc
What is the official language of Benin?
French
What is the calling code of Benin?
+229
Which countries border Benin?
Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo
What is the highest point of Benin?
Mont Sokbaro (658 m)
Play Benin · Flag of Benin · Country fact sheets · Maps: Africa · Geotaria
Data: World Bank (population, economy), UNDP (human development), Wikidata, GeoNames and mledoze/countries.