Demographics of Benin

The majority of Benin’s 6.59 million people live in the south. The population is young, with a life expectancy of 50 years.

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

• the Yoruba in the southeast (migrated from Nigeria in the 12th century);
• the Dendi in the north-central area (they came from Mali in the 16th century);
• the Bariba and the Fulbe (Peul) in the northeast;
• the Betammaribe and the Somba in the Atacora Range;
• the Fon in the area around Abomey in the South Central; and
• the Mina, Xueda, and Aja (who came from Togo) on the coast.

French is the official language but is spoken more in urban than in rural areas. The literacy rate is 52.2% adult males and 23.6% adult females, and slowly growing. Recent migrations have brought other African Nationals to Benin: Nigerians, Togolese, Malians, etc. The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce. The personnel of the many European Embassies and Foreign Aid Missions and of nongovernmental organizations and various missionary groups account for a large number of the 5,500 European population.

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

Demographic data from the CIA World Factbook

Population

7,460,025

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 and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2005 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 46.5% (male 1,752,243/female 1,719,458)

15-64 years: 51.2% (male 1,868,630/female 1,948,610)

65 years and over: 2.3% (male 70,367/female 100,717) (2005 est.)

Median age

Total: 16.56 years

Male: 16.12 years

Female: 17.01 years (2005 est.)

Population growth rate

2.82% (2005 est.)

Birth rate

41.99 births/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Death rate

13.76 deaths/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2005 est.)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

Under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female

15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.7 male(s)/female

Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2005 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Total: 85 deaths/1,000 live births

Male: 90 deaths/1,000 live births

Female: 79.86 deaths/1,000 live births (2005 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 50.51 years

Male: 50.14 years

Female: 50.89 years (2005 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.86 children born/woman (2005 est.)

HIV/AIDS

Adult prevalence rate: 1.9% (2003 est.)

People living with HIV/AIDS: 68,000 (2003 est.)

Deaths: 5,800 (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

Degree of risk: very high

Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

Vectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high risks in some locations

Respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis (2004)

Nationality

Noun: Beninese (singular and plural)

Adjective: Beninese

Ethnic groups

African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

Religions

Indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Languages

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

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 40.9%

Male: 56.2%

Female: 26.5% (2000)