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Sheet 19 of 195 · AfricaBEN · 10.4°N 2.4°E

Benin

Republic of Benin · République du Bénin

Capital
Porto-Novo
Population
14.8 million 2025
Area
112,622 km²
Neighbours
4
Locator map of BeninBENINPorto-NovoNIGERIABURKINA FASOTOGONIGERGHANA0200 km
Benin hatched, Porto-Novo marked with a triangle, land neighbours shaded. Orthographic projection centred on 9.3°N 2.3°E; the scale bar is true at the centre.

Benin lies in Western Africa and shares land borders with Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria and Togo. Its area of 112,622 km² puts it 100th in the world and 38th of 54 in Africa.

The World Bank counts 14.8 million people in 2025: 75th of 194 worldwide and 28th of 54 in Africa. That works out at 132 people per km². The urban share of the population was 53.4% in 2025.

In 2025, GDP per capita stood at US$1,658 in current US dollars: 159th of 191 worldwide, 28th of 52 in Africa. Newborns in 2024 had a life expectancy of 61.0 years; only eight countries are lower. The fertility rate was 4.48 births per woman in 2024.

Its main landmass lies entirely in the Northern and Eastern hemispheres. From 6.2°N to 12.4°N, it spans about 686 km north to south. The point on the opposite side of the Earth from Porto-Novo lies in the South Pacific Ocean, about 370 km from the nearest land, Kiribati.

How it compares Africa: 54 countries

MeasureFigureWorldAfrica
Population14,814,4602025, World Bank75th of 19428th of 54
Area112,622 km²world-countries100th of 19538th of 54
GDPUS$24.6 billion2025, World Bank, current US$122nd of 19124th of 52
GDP per capitaUS$1,6582025, World Bank, current US$159th of 19128th of 52
Population density132 per km²population 2025, World Bank; area, world-countries69th of 19413th of 54
Life expectancy61.0 years2024, World Bank186th of 19446th of 54
Urban population53.4%2025, World Bank128th of 19423rd of 54
Forest area28.1% of land2024, World Bank105th of 19419th of 54
Population growth+2.40% a year2025, World Bank27th of 19418th of 54
Internet users34.0%2024, World Bank161st of 18831st of 53
Fertility rate4.48 births per woman2024, World Bank14th of 19412th of 54
Land neighbours4world-countries; among the 19559th of 19523rd of 54
 Ranks run from the largest value (1st) among the countries with data; equal values share a rank.

Closest in areaHonduras, Liberia and Bulgaria

Closest in populationRwanda, Guinea and Burundi

Neighbours 4 countries by land, nearest capital first

  • Togo159 km
    Porto-Novo to Lomé, capital to capital
  • Nigeria614 km
    Porto-Novo to Abuja, capital to capital
  • Niger784 km
    Porto-Novo to Niamey, capital to capital
  • Burkina Faso797 km
    Porto-Novo to Ouagadougou, capital to capital

Where on Earth main landmass

Hemispheres
Northern and Eastern
Capital
Porto-Novo
6.48°N 2.62°E
Northernmost latitude
12.38°N
Southernmost latitude
6.22°N
Westernmost longitude
0.77°E
Easternmost longitude
3.84°E
North to south
about 686 km
Antipode of Porto-Novo
6.48°S 177.38°W
in the South Pacific Ocean, about 370 km from the nearest land (Kiribati)