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Communications

Broadcast media [time series]

state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with multiple channels giving it a wide broadcast reach; several privately-owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately-owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2007)

Internet country code [time series]

.bj

Internet users (Internet hosts) [time series]

1,286 (2010) country comparison to the world: 165

Internet users [time series]

200,100 (2009) country comparison to the world: 139

Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]

general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment domestic: fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; long distance fiber-optic links with Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008)

Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]

133,400 (2010) country comparison to the world: 141

Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]

7.075 million (2010) country comparison to the world: 89

Economy

Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]

cotton, corn, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock

Budget [time series]

revenues: $1.218 billion expenditures: $1.418 billion (2010 est.)

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-) [time series]

-3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 97

Central bank discount rate [time series]

4.25% (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 85 4.25% (31 December 2009 est.)

Commercial bank prime lending rate [time series]

NA% NA%

Current account balance [time series]

-$485.1 million (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 111 -$523.4 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external [time series]

$2.894 billion (31 December 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 132

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income (Distribution of family income - Gini index) [time series]

36.5 (2003) country comparison to the world: 86

Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output had averaged about 4% before the global recession, but fell to 2.7% in 2009 and 3% in 2010. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture. As result of these reforms, Benin has become the most competitive country in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, according to the World Economic Forum. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G-8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.

Electricity - consumption [time series]

653 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156

Electricity - exports [time series]

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity - imports [time series]

651 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production [time series]

128 million kWh (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 190

Exchange rates [time series]

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) 493.51 (2007) 522.59 (2006)

Exports [time series]

$1.254 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 149 $1.13 billion (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities [time series]

cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood

Exports - partners [time series]

India 26.4%, China 21.4%, Niger 6.5%, Nigeria 5.6%, Indonesia 4.4% (2010)

GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]

$6.649 billion (2010 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP (purchasing power parity)) [time series]

$13.99 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $13.66 billion (2009 est.) $13.3 billion (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]

agriculture: 35.8% industry: 6.1% services: 58.1% (2010 est.)

Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita (PPP)) [time series]

$1,500 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 200 $1,600 (2009 est.) $1,600 (2008 est.) note: data are in 2010 US dollars

Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]

2.5% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 2.7% (2009 est.) 5% (2008 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]

lowest 10%: 3.1% highest 10%: 29% (2003)

Imports [time series]

$1.781 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $1.646 billion (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities [time series]

foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products

Imports - partners [time series]

China 35.2%, France 8%, US 7.2%, Malaysia 5.9%, UK 4.8%, Netherlands 4.3%, India 4.1%, Thailand 4% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate [time series]

3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 119

Industries [time series]

textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement

Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]

2.3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 76 2.2% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed) [time series]

22% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 90

Labor force [time series]

3.662 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 94

Market value of publicly traded shares [time series]

$NA

Natural gas - consumption [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 152

Natural gas - exports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 63

Natural gas - imports [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 91

Natural gas - production [time series]

0 cu m (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 158

Natural gas - proved reserves [time series]

1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 98

Oil - consumption [time series]

25,000 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 121

Oil - exports [time series]

10,840 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Oil - imports [time series]

33,410 bbl/day (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 100

Oil - production [time series]

0 bbl/day (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Oil - proved reserves [time series]

8 million bbl (1 January 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 92

Population below poverty line [time series]

37.4% (2007 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]

$953 million (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 $1.23 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money [time series]

$2.389 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 142 $2.61 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit [time series]

$1.204 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 148 $1.316 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money [time series]

$1.619 billion (31 December 2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 125 $1.679 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues [time series]

18.3% of GDP (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 169

Unemployment rate [time series]

NA%

Geography

Area [time series]

total: 112,622 sq km country comparison to the world: 102 land: 110,622 sq km water: 2,000 sq km

Area - comparative [time series]

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate [time series]

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Coastline [time series]

121 km

Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Environment - current issues [time series]

inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Total water withdrawal (Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)) [time series]

total: 0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%) per capita: 15 cu m/yr (2001)

Geographic coordinates [time series]

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Geography - note [time series]

sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands

Irrigated land [time series]

120 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries [time series]

total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

Land use [time series]

arable land: 23.53% permanent crops: 2.37% other: 74.1% (2005)

Location [time series]

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo

Map references [time series]

Africa

Maritime claims [time series]

territorial sea: 200 nm

Natural hazards [time series]

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March

Natural resources [time series]

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Terrain [time series]

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Total renewable water resources [time series]

25.8 cu km (2001)

Government

Administrative divisions [time series]

12 departments; Alibori, Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Kouffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou

Capital [time series]

name: Porto-Novo (official capital) geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) note: Cotonou (seat of government)

Constitution [time series]

adopted by referendum 2 December 1990

Country name [time series]

conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey

Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador James A. KNIGHT embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50 FAX: [229] 21-30-03-84

Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]

chief of mission: Ambassador Cyrille Segbe OGUIN chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656 FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996

Executive branch [time series]

chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); Prime Minister Pascal KOUPAKI (since 28 May 2011) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president (For more information visit theWorld Leaders website) elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 13 March 2011 (next to be held in March 2016) election results: Thomas YAYI Boni re-elected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni 53.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI 35.6%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE 6.1%, other 5.2%

Flag (Flag description) [time series]

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type [time series]

republic

Independence [time series]

1 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation [time series]

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation [time series]

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch [time series]

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (7 members; 4 appointed by the National Assembly, 3 appointed by the President; appointed for a 5-year term for one term); Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (President of the Supreme Court appointed by the President for a 5-year term); High Court of Justice (composed of members of the Constitutional Court and 6 members appointed by the National Assembly)

Legal system [time series]

civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law

Legislative branch [time series]

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held on 30 April 2011 (next to be held in 2015) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - FCBE 41, UN 30, other 12

National anthem(s) (National anthem) [time series]

name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day) lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON note: adopted 1960

National holiday [time series]

National Day, 1 August (1960)

National symbol(s) [time series]

leopard

Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]

African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare S?HOU?TO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU] note: approximately 20 additional minor parties

Political parties (Political pressure groups and leaders) [time series]

other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups

Suffrage [time series]

18 years of age; universal

Introduction

Background [time series]

Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a prominent West African kingdom that rose in the 15th century. The territory became a French Colony in 1872 and achieved independence on 1 August 1960, as the Republic of Benin. A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI has attempted to stem corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.

Military

Manpower available for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 2,095,373 females age 16-49: 2,038,351 (2010 est.)

Manpower fit for military service [time series]

males age 16-49: 1,385,065 females age 16-49: 1,400,045 (2010 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually [time series]

male: 108,496 female: 104,526 (2010 est.)

Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]

Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin Air Force (Force Aerienne du Benin, FAB) (2011)

Military expenditures [time series]

1% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 127

Military service age and obligation [time series]

18-35 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a higher education diploma is required; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2011)

People and Society

Age structure [time series]

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 2,126,973/female 2,042,340) 15-64 years: 52.6% (male 2,443,370/female 2,461,421) 65 years and over: 2.7% (male 101,640/female 149,288) (2011 est.)

Birth rate [time series]

38.11 births/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 15

Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]

20.2% (2006) country comparison to the world: 37

Death rate [time series]

9 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 70

Drinking water source [time series]

improved: urban: 84% of population rural: 69% of population total: 75% of population unimproved: urban: 16% of population rural: 31% of population total: 25% of population (2008)

Education expenditure (Education expenditures) [time series]

3.5% of GDP (2007) country comparison to the world: 116

Ethnic groups [time series]

Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate [time series]

1.2% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 41

HIV/AIDS - deaths [time series]

2,700 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 48

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS [time series]

60,000 (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 55

Health expenditure (Health expenditures) [time series]

4.2% of GDP (2009) country comparison to the world: 157

Hospital bed density [time series]

0.5 beds/1,000 population (2005) country comparison to the world: 170

Infant mortality rate [time series]

total: 61.56 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 31 male: 64.89 deaths/1,000 live births female: 58.07 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Languages [time series]

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Life expectancy at birth [time series]

total population: 59.84 years country comparison to the world: 186 male: 58.61 years female: 61.14 years (2011 est.)

Literacy [time series]

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 34.7% male: 47.9% female: 23.3% (2002 census)

Major urban areas - population (Major cities - population) [time series]

COTONOU (seat of government) 815,000; PORTO-NOVO (capital) 276,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases [time series]

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Maternal mortality ratio (Maternal mortality rate) [time series]

410 deaths/100,000 live births (2008) country comparison to the world: 36

Median age [time series]

total: 17.4 years male: 17 years female: 17.9 years (2011 est.)

Nationality [time series]

noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese

Net migration rate [time series]

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Physician density (Physicians density) [time series]

0.059 physicians/1,000 population (2008) country comparison to the world: 171

Population [time series]

9,325,032 (July 2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 89 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate [time series]

2.911% (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 13

Religions [time series]

Catholic 27.1%, Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, Protestant 10.4% (Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%), other Christian 5.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)

Sanitation facility access [time series]

improved: urban: 24% of population rural: 4% of population total: 12% of population unimproved: urban: 76% of population rural: 96% of population total: 88% of population (2008)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]

total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 8 years (2005)

Sex ratio [time series]

at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate [time series]

5.31 children born/woman (2011 est.) country comparison to the world: 14

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) (Unemployment, youth ages 15-24) [time series]

total: 0.8% country comparison to the world: 130 male: 1.1% female: 0.6% (2002)

Urbanization [time series]

urban population: 42% of total population (2010) rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international [time series]

talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso around the town of Koualou; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved

Illicit drugs [time series]

transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008)

Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]

refugees (country of origin): 9,444 (Togo) (2007)

Transportation

Airports [time series]

5 (2010) country comparison to the world: 179

Airports - with paved runways [time series]

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]

total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2010)

Ports (Ports and terminals) [time series]

Cotonou

Railways [time series]

total: 438 km country comparison to the world: 113 narrow gauge: 438 km 1.000-m gauge (2010)

Roadways [time series]

total: 16,000 km country comparison to the world: 119 paved: 1,400 km unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)

Waterways [time series]

150 km (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border) (2010) country comparison to the world: 102