Demographics of Benin

Demographics of Benin
Population pyramid of Benin in 2020
Population13,754,688 (2022 est.)
Growth rate3.34% (2022 est.)
Birth rate41.15 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate8.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Life expectancy62.21 years
 • male60.39 years
 • female64.14 years
Fertility rate5.43 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Infant mortality rate55.76 deaths/1,000 live births
Net migration rate0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Age structure
0–14 years45.56%
65 and over2.39%
Sex ratio
Total0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
At birth1.05 male(s)/female
Under 151.02 male(s)/female
65 and over0.72 male(s)/female
Nationality
NationalityBeninese
Language
OfficialFrench
Demographics of Benin. Data from FAO, 2005. Number of inhabitants in thousands.

The demographics of Benin include population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

The majority of Benin's 13.3 million people live in the south.[1][2] The population is young, with a life expectancy of 62 years.[1][2]

About 42 African ethnic groups live in this country; these various groups settled in Benin at different times and have also migrated within the country.[2] Ethnic groups include:

French is the official language but is spoken more in urban than in rural areas.[2] The literacy rate is 54% among adult males and 31% among adult females as of 2018;[1] these rates are slowly growing.[citation needed] Recent migrations have brought other African nationals to Benin, including Nigerians, Togolese and Malians.[2] The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce.[2] The personnel of the many European embassies, foreign aid missions, nongovernmental organizations and missionary groups account for much of the 5,500 European population.[2]

Several religions are practiced in Benin.[2] Traditional African religions are widespread (50%), and their practices vary from one ethnic group to the other.[2] Arab merchants introduced Islam in the north and among the Yoruba.[2] European missionaries brought Christianity to the south and central areas of Benin.[2] Muslims account for 20% of the population and Christians for 30%.[2] Many nominal Muslims and Christians continue to practice traditional African religion traditions.[2] It is believed that West African Vodun originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands by slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast.[2]

  1. ^ a b c "Benin". The World Factbook. Central Intelligence Agency. September 22, 2021. Archived from the original on 2021-01-09. Retrieved September 24, 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t "Background Note: Benin". U.S. State Department. December 2001. Archived from the original on August 8, 2002.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link) Public Domain This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.