history
The Kingdom of Dahomey, in what is now Benin, maintained an all-female military regiment known as the Agojie, or Dahomey Amazons, for roughly two centuries.
Benin
Republic of Benin
Population, GDP, and key facts about Benin — updated for 2026.
Capital · PORTO-NOVOContinent · AFRICAISO · BEN
Benin quick facts
- Population
- 14,462,724
- Area
- 114,760 km²
- Population density
- 125 people/km²
- GDP
- US$ 21.5 Billion
- GDP per capita
- US$ 1.5K
- Capital
- Porto-Novo
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (Fr, XOF)
- Minimum wage
- US$ 85.8/month · Fr 52,000/month (2024)
- Language
- French
Benin at human scale
Where does Benin rank in the world?
Compare Benin with other countries
Compare Benin with any country →Benin's energy mix
Fossil fuels · 96%Renewables · 4%
- Natural gas72%
- Oil24%
- Solar4%
Share of Benin's own electricity generation by source, 2024. Source: Our World in Data (Ember Yearly Electricity Data and the Energy Institute Statistical Review of World Energy).
Everything we know about Benin
culture
Benin is considered the birthplace of Vodun (Voodoo), which remains an officially recognized religion practiced by a large share of the population.
Countries near Benin
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Pour other countries into Benin's own outline, by real area, and see how many it takes to fill it up.
Fill the Country →Frequently asked questions about Benin
What is the capital of Benin?
The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.
What is Benin's population?
Benin has a population of 14,462,724.
What is Benin's GDP per capita?
Benin's GDP per capita is US$ 1.5K.
What is the currency of Benin?
The currency of Benin is the West African CFA franc (XOF).
What is the minimum wage in Benin?
Benin's statutory minimum wage is about US$ 85.8 per month (as of 2024) — Fr 52,000 per month in local currency.
Is Benin bigger than Rwanda?
Benin is about 4.4× the size of Rwanda by land area.
Data from the World Bank, updated November 2026.