Population of Benin

As of July 2026, the population of Benin is 15.2 million. The number of inhabitants has increased by 358 thousand in the last year, representing a growth of 2.40%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 17.1 years in 2016 to 18.2 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 61.3 years and population density is 134.5 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Benin peaked in 1993, reaching around 5.72% annually, but has since declined to approximately 2.36% in 2026. However, the annual increase in the number of people continues to rise, reaching around 358.09 thousand in 2026.

Life Expectancy

In Benin, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 58 years in 2006 to 61.3 years in 2026, representing an increase of more than 3 years over the past 2 decades.

Most populous cities in Benin

The cities of Benin are mostly small, but 6 stand out with more than 100 thousand inhabitants. The most populous city is Cotonou, Littoral, with approximately 679 thousand inhabitants. It is followed by Abomey-Calavi, Atlantique with 385.8 thousand and Porto-Novo, Ouémé with 264.3 thousand.

These are the 20 most populous cities in Benin: