Benin Population
Benin has an estimated population of about 14.5 million, which makes it the 75th most populous of the 115 countries tracked here.
Its population is growing rapidly, at 2.46% a year.
The capital is Porto-Novo.
The counter below is a live estimate interpolated from the World Bank's latest annual figures — not a real-time measurement. It links to its source, base year and method via the ⓘ next to it.
Statistics
Population trend
Population 2015–2024 (World Bank)
How Benin's population is changing
Benin records about 1,323 births and 345 deaths a day. That is a natural increase of roughly 978 people per day, or about 357,215 a year before migration is counted.
Net migration runs at about 7,725 over the reported period, with more people leaving than arriving. That is equivalent to about 2% of its natural change.
If the current rate held indefinitely, Benin would take roughly 29 years to double in size — a projection of today's rate, not a forecast.
Over the 9 years from 2015 to 2024, the population rose from 11.4 million to 14.5 million — a gain of 3.10 million, or 27.3%.
Where people live in Benin
With about 125 people per square kilometre, Benin is moderately populated, roughly 2.0× the world average of 62. That ranks 42nd of the 115 countries here. Its closest comparisons on density are France and Azerbaijan.
Benin covers about 112,760 km² of land, which is what turns a population of 14.5 million into that density figure.
About 52.5% of people live in urban areas, making Benin majority urban, below the world average of 57.6%. That works out to roughly 7.60 million town and city dwellers and 6.86 million living rurally.
Age, fertility and life expectancy in Benin
Benin has a very young population: about 41.6% are under 15 and 3.1% are 65 or older. Children outnumber over-65s by roughly 13.3 to one.
The total fertility rate is about 4.48 births per woman, above the ~2.1 replacement level, which is what sustains growth from births alone. The world figure is about 2.19.
Life expectancy at birth is about 61.0 years, roughly 12.5 years below the global average of 73.5.
Benin at a glance
| Indicator | Value | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 14.5 million | 2024 |
| World rank by population | #75 | 2024 |
| Annual growth rate | 2.46% | 2024 |
| Population density | 125 /km² | 2023 |
| Land area | 112,760 km² | 2023 |
| Urban population | 52.5% | 2024 |
| Life expectancy at birth | 61.0 years | 2024 |
| Fertility rate | 4.48 births per woman | 2024 |
| Population under 15 | 41.6% | 2024 |
| Population 65 and over | 3.1% | 2024 |
| Net migration | -7,725 | 2024 |
| Births per day | 1,323 | 2024 |
| Deaths per day | 345 | 2024 |
Frequently asked questions
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Current local time in Benin
Methodology & sources
Data: World Bank (CC BY 4.0), base year 2024. The live counter animates the latest annual growth rate per second; it is an estimate, not a real-time measurement. No figures are invented — every number traces back to the World Bank indicators listed above.
Source: World Bank