# Benin

> sovereign state in West Africa

**Wikidata**: [Q962](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q962)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benin)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/benin

## Summary

Benin is a country in Africa.[1]Its population is 14.1M (2023).[2] Its area is 115k.Its time zone is UTC+01:00 and Africa/Porto-Novo.[3]

## Summary
Benin is a sovereign state located in West Africa, officially known as the Republic of Benin, with its capital in Porto-Novo and its seat of government in Cotonou. Formerly known as Dahomey, the nation gained independence on August 1, 1960, and is named after the Bight of Benin. It operates as a republic with French as its official language and uses the West African CFA franc as its currency.

## Key Facts
*   **Official Name:** Republic of Benin (République du Bénin); formerly known as Dahomey.
*   **Independence Date:** August 1, 1960 (replacing French West Africa).
*   **Capital City:** Porto-Novo (official capital); Cotonou serves as the seat of government.
*   **Head of State:** Patrice Talon (serving since April 6, 2016).
*   **Area:** 114,763 square kilometers.
*   **Population:** 14,111,034 (estimated as of 2023).
*   **Currency:** West African CFA franc.
*   **Official Language:** French; numerous local languages are spoken including Fon, Yoruba, Bariba, and Adja.
*   **Motto:** "Fraternité, Justice, Travail" (Fraternity, Justice, Labour).
*   **National Anthem:** "L'Aube Nouvelle".
*   **ISO Codes:** BJ (Alpha-2), BEN (Alpha-3), 204 (Numeric).
*   **Time Zone:** UTC+01:00 (Africa/Porto-Novo).
*   **Driving Side:** Right.
*   **Emergency Numbers:** 112 (General/Medical), 117 (Police), 118 (Fire).
*   **Electrical Standards:** 220V at 50Hz; Plug types Europlug and Type E.
*   **Topography:** Highest point is Mont Sokbaro (658 meters); lowest point is the Bight of Benin (0 meters).
*   **Borders:** Shares borders with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo.
*   **GDP (Nominal):** $19,676,049,075 (2023 estimate).
*   **Human Development Index (HDI):** 0.525 (2021).
*   **Literacy Rate:** 38.4% (2015 estimate).
*   **Life Expectancy:** 60.907 years (2016 estimate).
*   **Internet Domain:** .bj
*   **Telephone Code:** +229

## FAQs

**What is the political structure and leadership of Benin?**
Benin is a republic where the head of state is the President, currently Patrice Talon, who has held office since April 6, 2016. The legislative body is the National Assembly, and the country previously utilized a Prime Minister system until April 2016, when the role was consolidated under the presidency.

**How is Benin geographically situated and what are its physical boundaries?**
Located in West Africa, Benin spans 114,763 square kilometers and is bordered by Burkina Faso to the north, Niger to the northeast, Nigeria to the east, and Togo to the west. Its southern boundary is the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Bight of Benin, and its terrain ranges from the coastal lowlands to the highest point at Mont Sokbaro.

**What are the demographic and economic indicators for the country?**
As of 2023, Benin has a population of approximately 14.1 million people with a birth rate of 36.071 per 1,000 inhabitants in 2022. The economy, with a nominal GDP of nearly $19.7 billion in 2023, relies on the West African CFA franc and has a Gini coefficient of 37.8 as of 2018, indicating moderate income inequality.

**Which international organizations is Benin a member of?**
Benin is a member of the United Nations, the African Union, the World Trade Organization, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It also participates in regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank, and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie.

**What languages are spoken and what is the cultural identity of the nation?**
While French is the sole official language used in government and education, the population speaks a diverse array of indigenous languages including Fon, Yoruba, Bariba, Adja, and Mina. The national culture is reflected in the anthem "L'Aube Nouvelle" and the motto "Fraternity, Justice, Labour," with a demonym of "Beninese."

## Why It Matters
Benin serves as a critical example of political stability and democratic transition in West Africa, having successfully moved from a Marxist-Leninist state (the People's Republic of Benin) to a multi-party democracy in 1990. Its strategic location on the Atlantic coast and its borders with major regional powers like Nigeria and Togo make it a vital hub for trade and logistics in the Gulf of Guinea. The nation plays a significant role in regional security and economic integration through its active membership in ECOWAS and the African Union, contributing to the stability of the Sahel and coastal regions. Furthermore, Benin's rich cultural heritage, including the historical Kingdom of Dahomey and the origins of Voodoo, offers unique insights into West African history and spirituality that influence global cultural understanding.

## Notable For
*   **Historical Transition:** Successfully transitioning from the "People's Republic of Benin" to a democratic republic in 1990, ending a period of Marxist-Leninist rule.
*   **Cultural Heritage:** Being the historical home of the Kingdom of Dahomey and a major center for the Voodoo religion, which is recognized as a national heritage.
*   **Geographical Distinction:** Named after the Bight of Benin, a significant body of water in the Gulf of Guinea.
*   **Demographic Growth:** Exhibiting a high population growth rate, with the population more than doubling from roughly 5 million in 1990 to over 14 million in 2023.
*   **Political Stability:** Maintaining a "free country" status according to Freedom House reports, distinguishing it from some neighbors with more volatile political climates.
*   **Administrative Uniqueness:** Operating with a dual-capital system where Porto-Novo is the official capital, but Cotonou functions as the de facto seat of government and economic hub.
*   **Diplomatic Relations:** Maintaining diplomatic ties with a wide range of nations, including the United States, China, Russia, and North Korea (since 1973).

## Body

### Geography and Location
Benin is a sovereign state situated in West Africa, covering an area of 114,763 square kilometers. The country is located between latitudes 6° and 13°N and longitudes 0° and 4°E. Its northernmost point is at latitude 12.42, while the southernmost point lies at 6.23408. The easternmost point is at longitude 3.84321, and the westernmost at 0.777777. The nation shares its borders with Burkina Faso to the north, Niger to the northeast, Nigeria to the east, and Togo to the west. To the south, it faces the Atlantic Ocean, specifically the Bight of Benin. The terrain features a highest point at Mont Sokbaro, reaching 658 meters, and a lowest point at the Bight of Benin at sea level. The country is divided into twelve administrative departments: Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Donga, Kouffo, Littoral, Mono, Ouémé, Plateau, and Zou.

### History and Political Evolution
Originally known as Dahomey, the territory was a French colony until it gained independence on August 1, 1960. Following independence, the country underwent several political shifts, including a period as the People's Republic of Benin, a Marxist-Leninist state, which ended in 1990. The transition to a democratic republic was marked by the adoption of a new constitution and the establishment of multi-party elections. The country replaced French West Africa as a sovereign entity. The current political system is a republic with the President serving as both head of state and head of government. Patrice Talon has held the office of President since April 6, 2016. Prior to this, Lionel Zinsou served as head of government from June 18, 2015, to April 6, 2016, and Pascal Koupaki held the position from May 28, 2011, to August 8, 2013. The legislative power is vested in the National Assembly.

### Demographics and Society
The population of Benin has seen significant growth over the decades. In 1990, the population was recorded at 5,001,271, rising to 14,111,034 by 2023. The population is distributed between urban and rural areas, with the urban population reaching 6,614,208 in 2022 and the rural population at 6,738,656 in the same year. The country has a high birth rate, estimated at 36.071 per 1,000 in 2022, and a death rate of 9.323 per 1,000 in 2022. The total fertility rate has declined from 6.051 in 1999 to 4.766 in 2014. Life expectancy has improved, reaching 60.907 years in 2016. The literacy rate was estimated at 38.4% in 2015. The population is composed of various ethnic groups, and the official language is French, though numerous local languages such as Fon, Yoruba, Bariba, Adja, and Mina are widely spoken. The marriageable age is 18 for all genders.

### Economy and Infrastructure
Benin's economy is measured by a nominal GDP of $19,676,049,075 in 2023. The currency used is the West African CFA franc, managed by the Central Bank of West African States. The country has a VAT rate of 18%. The unemployment rate was recorded at 1% in 2014. The economy is supported by various sectors, and the country is a member of the World Trade Organization and the African Continental Free Trade Area. Infrastructure includes a mains voltage of 220V at 50Hz, with electrical plug types Europlug and Type E. The driving side is right. The country's top-level internet domain is .bj, and the telephone country code is +229. The mobile country code is 616.

### International Relations and Memberships
Benin is an active member of the international community, joining the United Nations in 1990 (after the end of the People's Republic era) and the African Union. It is a member of the World Trade Organization, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1983), and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (since 1963). The country is also part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the African Development Bank, and the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (since 1970). Benin maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries, including Brazil, Germany, Denmark, Taiwan, the United States, Russia, India, China, and North Korea (since February 5, 1973). It is a signatory to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons and a member of the Multinational Joint Task Force.

### Culture and Identity
The national anthem of Benin is "L'Aube Nouvelle," and the national motto is "Fraternité, Justice, Travail" (Fraternity, Justice, Labour). The flag of Benin is a symbol of national identity, and the coat of arms features specific heraldic elements. The country is known for its diverse cultural heritage, including the practice of Voodoo, which is deeply rooted in the region. The demonym for citizens is "Beninese" (or variations like "Béninois" in French). The country is named after the Bight of Benin. The national colors and symbols are reflected in the flag and coat of arms. The country has a rich history of art and culture, with the Kingdom of Dahomey being a significant historical entity.

### Health and Environment
Benin faces various health challenges, with a suicide rate estimated at 9.9 per 100,000 in 2016. The country is a member of the World Health Organization and the World Meteorological Organization. The human development index (HDI) was 0.525 in 2021, indicating a medium level of human development. The inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.334 in 2021. The country has a high number of out-of-school children, estimated at 827,619 in 2015. The environment is characterized by a tropical climate, and the country is part of the African Continental Free Trade Area. The country is also a member of the African Development Bank and the African Union.

### Administrative and Legal Structure
The country is divided into twelve departments: Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Donga, Kouffo, Littoral, Mono, Ouémé, Plateau, and Zou. The legal system is based on French civil law. The country has a Gini coefficient of 37.8 as of 2018, indicating moderate income inequality. The country is a member of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency. The country has a democracy index of 4.58 as of 2020. The country is a member of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the International Telecommunication Union. The country has a national library and various educational institutions. The country is a member of the Universal Postal Union and the International Civil Defence Organisation.

### Data and Identification
Benin is identified by various codes and identifiers across international databases. The ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 code is BJ, and the alpha-3 code is BEN. The numeric code is 204. The country has a UN M49 code of 204. The FIPS 10-4 code is BN. The country is listed in the World Factbook as "benin". The country has a Wikidata ID and is associated with various Wikimedia projects. The country is also identified in the Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names and the Library of Congress Authority File. The country has a specific entry in the Encyclopædia Britannica and the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. The country is also listed in the Brockhaus and Efron Encyclopedic Dictionary. The country has a specific entry in the TASS Encyclopedia and the Pax Leksikon. The country is also identified in the European Union Knowledge Graph and the WorldCat Entities database.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.workwithdata.com/place/benin)
2. [The World Factbook](https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/benin/)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Faceted Application of Subject Terminology
5. BnF authorities
6. [Source](https://data.iana.org/time-zones/tzdb-2021e/africa)
7. Lingua Libre
8. [Source](https://www.oic-oci.org/states/?lan=en)
9. [Interpol](https://www.interpol.int/Member-countries/World)
10. [Source](https://www.interpol.int/Who-we-are/Member-countries/Africa/BENIN)
11. [Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons](https://www.opcw.org/about-opcw/member-states/)
12. [Source](https://www.opcw.org/about-us/member-states/benin)
13. [Source](http://www.unesco.org/eri/cp/ListeMS_Indicators.asp)
14. [Source](http://www.upu.int/en/the-upu/member-countries.html)
15. [Source](https://www.upu.int/en/Universal-Postal-Union/About-UPU/Member-Countries?csid=-1&cid=45)
16. [Source](https://www.itu.int/online/mm/scripts/gensel8)
17. [Source](https://public.wmo.int/en/members/benin)
18. [Source](https://www.who.int/choice/demography/by_country/en/)
19. [Source](https://www.wcoomd.org/-/media/wco/public/global/pdf/about-us/wco-members/list-of-members-with-membership-date.pdf)
20. [Source](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Continental_Free_Trade_Area#List_of_signatories_and_parties_to_the_agreement)
21. [Source](https://www.ncnk.org/sites/default/files/content/resources/publications/NCNK_Issue_Brief_DPRK_Diplomatic_Relations.pdf)
22. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
23. [Source](https://unstats.un.org/unsd/methodology/m49/)
24. MusicBrainz
25. [Human Development Report. 2022](https://hdr.undp.org/data-center/human-development-index#/indicies/HDI)
26. World Bank Open Data
27. census
28. [Source](https://instad.bj/images/docs/insae-statistiques/demographiques/population/Effectifs%20de%20la%20population%20des%20villages%20et%20quartiers%20de%20ville%20du%20benin/Cahier%20Village%20RGPH4%202013.pdf)
29. [World Bank Open Data](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL)
30. [Source](https://data.who.int/countries/204)
31. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SI.POV.GINI?locations=BJ)
32. [Source](http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS)
33. [Source](http://cnig.gouv.fr/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/CNT-PVM_r%C3%A9vis%C3%A9_2020-01-27-1.pdf)
34. Official Names of the United Nations Membership
35. The National Terminology Database for Irish
36. [Source](https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/freedom-world-2017)
37. [Source](http://chartsbin.com/view/edr)
38. [World Bank](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
39. [Source](https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NY.GDP.MKTP.CD)
40. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=DEMO_DS)
41. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=3372)
42. BabelNet
43. [International Numbering Resources Database](http://www.itu.int/net/itu-t/inrdb/e129_important_numbers.aspx)
44. [World Plugs](http://www.iec.ch/worldplugs/list_bylocation.htm)
45. UMLS 2023
46. [Source](https://countrycodebase.com/undp/)
47. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
48. [Source](https://apps.who.int/gho/athena/data/xmart.csv?target=GHO/SDGSUICIDE,SDG_SH_STA_SCIDEN&profile=crosstable&filter=COUNTRY:*;REGION:*;AGEGROUP:-&x-sideaxis=COUNTRY;SEX&x-topaxis=GHO;YEAR)
49. [UNESCO Institute for Statistics](http://data.uis.unesco.org/index.aspx?queryid=239)
50. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)