Africa · Western Africa
Capital: Porto-Novo
Benin
Explore the facts and rankings that shape Benin in Country Blitz, from its population and economy to its military, innovation, manufacturing, and neighboring countries.
Country Blitz power profile
Overall rank #126
Benin's Country Blitz power profile compares population, GDP, military expenditure, research-and-development spending, and manufacturing output across every playable country. A lower numerical rank represents a stronger position in that category.
Population
14.8M
#75 of 196
62nd percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI / UN population sources
View data source ↗GDP (Nominal)
$24.57B
#122 of 196
38th percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Military Expenditure
$154.1M
#136 of 196
31st percentile
2024 · SIPRI via World Bank WDI
View data source ↗R&D Spending
Data unavailable
No rank or percentile is shown without published source data.
Manufacturing Output
$2.49B
#114 of 196
42nd percentile
2025 · World Bank WDI
View data source ↗Quick facts
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Region
- Africa
- Subregion
- Western Africa
- Country code
- BEN
- Neighbors
- Burkina FasoNigerNigeriaTogo
Three interesting facts
Benin shares land borders with 4 countries: Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Togo.
Benin spans roughly 112,622 square kilometers, placing it around 100th by area in this factbook.
Benin’s position in Western Africa places it within a distinctive network of regional trade routes and migration paths.
Geography
Benin on the map
Benin is located in Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo. Its terrain is mostly flat to undulating plain, some hills and low mountains. The climate is tropical, hot, humid in south, semiarid in north. In area, the country is slightly smaller than Pennsylvania.
Economy
Economic profile
Benin's economy is characterized by 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. Major industries include textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement. Important agricultural products include cassava, yams, maize, oil palm fruit, cotton, soybeans, rice, pineapples, tomatoes, chillies/peppers (2023). Notable exports include gold, cotton, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews, soybeans, wood (2023).
Demographics
People and population
Benin has an estimated population of 13,224,860. Languages spoken include 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. The population includes 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.). The urban population represents 50.1% of total population (2023).
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