The demographics of
Benin
Benin ( , ; french: Bénin , ff, Benen), officially the Republic of Benin (french: République du Bénin), and formerly Dahomey, is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, Burkina Faso to the north ...
include
population density
Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopul ...
,
ethnicity
An ethnic group or an ethnicity is a grouping of people who identify with each other on the basis of shared attributes that distinguish them from other groups. Those attributes can include common sets of traditions, ancestry, language, history, ...
, 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.
[ ] The population is young, with a life expectancy of 62 years.
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.
Ethnic groups include:
*the
Yoruba
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
in the southeast (migrated from what is now
Nigeria
Nigeria ( ), , ig, Naìjíríyà, yo, Nàìjíríà, pcm, Naijá , ff, Naajeeriya, kcg, Naijeriya officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a country in West Africa. It is situated between the Sahel to the north and the Gulf o ...
in the 12th century);
*the
Dendi in the north-central area (they came from what is now
Mali
Mali (; ), officially the Republic of Mali,, , ff, 𞤈𞤫𞤲𞥆𞤣𞤢𞥄𞤲𞤣𞤭 𞤃𞤢𞥄𞤤𞤭, Renndaandi Maali, italics=no, ar, جمهورية مالي, Jumhūriyyāt Mālī is a landlocked country in West Africa. Mali ...
in the 16th century);
*the
Bariba and the
Fula (or Fulani) ( ff, Fulɓe; french: Peul) in the northeast;
*the
Betammaribe
The Tammari people, or Batammariba, also known as Otamari or Ottamari, are an Oti–Volta languages, Oti–Volta-speaking people of the Atakora Department of Benin where they are also known as Somba people, Somba and neighboring areas of Togo, w ...
and the
Somba in the
Atacora Range;
*the
Fon in the area around
Abomey
Abomey is the capital of the Zou Department of Benin. The commune of Abomey covers an area of 142 square kilometres and, as of 2012, had a population of 90,195 people.
Abomey houses the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a collection of small traditional ...
in the South Central;
and
*the
Mina,
Xweda, and
Aja (who came from what is now
Togo
Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...
in the 12th century) on the coast.
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
is the official language but is spoken more in urban than in rural areas.
The literacy rate is 54% among adult males and 31% among adult females as of 2018;
these rates are slowly growing. Recent migrations have brought other African nationals to Benin, including Nigerians, Togolese and Malians.
The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce.
The personnel of the many European embassies, foreign aid missions, nongovernmental organizations and missionary groups account for much of the 5,500 European population.
Several religions are practiced in Benin.
Traditional African religions
The traditional beliefs and practices of African people are highly diverse beliefs that include various ethnic religions.Encyclopedia of African Religion (Sage, 2009) Molefi Kete Asante Generally, these traditions are oral rather than scriptura ...
are widespread (50%), and their practices vary from one ethnic group to the other.
Arab merchants introduced Islam in the north and among the Yoruba.
European missionaries brought
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth. It is the world's largest and most widespread religion with roughly 2.38 billion followers representing one-third of the global pop ...
to the south and central areas of Benin.
Muslim
Muslims ( ar, المسلمون, , ) are people who adhere to Islam, a monotheistic religion belonging to the Abrahamic tradition. They consider the Quran, the foundational religious text of Islam, to be the verbatim word of the God of Abrah ...
s account for 20% of the population and Christians for 30%.
Many nominal Muslims and Christians continue to practice traditional African religion traditions.
It is believed that
West African Vodun
Vodun (meaning ''spirit'' in the Fon, Gun and Ewe languages, with a nasal high-tone ''u''; also spelled Vodon, Vodoun, Vodou, Vudu, Voudou, Voodoo, etc.) is a religion practiced by the Aja, Ewe, and Fon peoples of Benin, Togo, Ghana, and ...
originated in Benin and was introduced to Brazil and the Caribbean Islands by slaves taken from this particular area of the Slave Coast.
Population
According to the total population of Benin was in , compared to only 2,255,000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 43.7%; 53.3% were between 15 and 65 years of age, while 3% were of 65 years or older.
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2011):
Population Estimates by Sex and Age Group (01.VII.2019):
Vital statistics
Benin's registration of vital events is incomplete. The Population Department of the United Nations has prepared the following estimates. Population estimates account for under numeration in population censuses.
Source:
UN DESA
The United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) is part of the United Nations Secretariat and is responsible for the follow-up to major United Nations Summits and Conferences, as well as services to the United Nations Econ ...
, World Population Prospects, 2022
Fertility and births
Total Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR):
Fertility data as of 2011-2012 (DHS Program):
Life expectancy
Ethnic groups
There are several dozen ethnolinguistic groups in Benin, representing three of Africa's language families:
Niger–Congo,
Nilo-Saharan
The Nilo-Saharan languages are a proposed family of African languages spoken by some 50–60 million people, mainly in the upper parts of the Chari and Nile rivers, including historic Nubia, north of where the two tributaries of the Nile meet. T ...
, and
Afroasiatic
The Afroasiatic languages (or Afro-Asiatic), also known as Hamito-Semitic, or Semito-Hamitic, and sometimes also as Afrasian, Erythraean or Lisramic, are a language family of about 300 languages that are spoken predominantly in the geographic su ...
. The latter is represented by
Hausa
Hausa may refer to:
* Hausa people, an ethnic group of West Africa
* Hausa language, spoken in West Africa
* Hausa Kingdoms, a historical collection of Hausa city-states
* Hausa (horse) or Dongola horse, an African breed of riding horse
See also
* ...
living mostly as merchants in the north, while Nilo-Saharan is represented by the Dɛndi, descending from the
Songhai Empire
The Songhai Empire (also transliterated as Songhay) was a state that dominated the western Sahel/Sudan in the 15th and 16th century. At its peak, it was one of the largest states in African history. The state is known by its historiographical ...
. The
Dɛndi language predominates along the
Niger River
The Niger River ( ; ) is the main river of West Africa, extending about . Its drainage basin is in area. Its source is in the Guinea Highlands in south-eastern Guinea near the Sierra Leone border. It runs in a crescent shape through ...
in the far north, and is used as a
lingua franca
A lingua franca (; ; for plurals see ), also known as a bridge language, common language, trade language, auxiliary language, vehicular language, or link language, is a language systematically used to make communication possible between groups ...
in Muslim areas throughout the north, in Alibori, Borgou, and Donga provinces. Of the Niger–Congo family, five branches are represented:
*
Mande Mande may refer to:
* Mandé peoples of western Africa
* Mande languages
* Manding, a term covering a subgroup of Mande peoples, and sometimes used for one of them, Mandinka
* Garo people of northeastern India and northern Bangladesh
* Mande River ...
by the
Boko or Busa, now in the far eastern corner (southern Alibori-northern Borgou), but previously more widely spread before being largely absorbed by the Bariba
*
Senegambian
The Senegambia (other names: Senegambia region or Senegambian zone,Barry, Boubacar, ''Senegambia and the Atlantic Slave Trade'', (Editors: David Anderson, Carolyn Brown; trans. Ayi Kwei Armah; contributors: David Anderson, American Council of Le ...
by the nomadic
Fulani
The Fula, Fulani, or Fulɓe people ( ff, Fulɓe, ; french: Peul, links=no; ha, Fulani or Hilani; pt, Fula, links=no; wo, Pël; bm, Fulaw) are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region. ...
scattered across the northeast
*
Benue–Congo by the
Yoruba
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
such as those of the old kingdom of
Sakete, and the capital city of
Porto-Novo
Porto-Novo (Portuguese: "New Port", , ; yo, Àjàṣẹ́, ), also known as Hogbonu and Ajashe, is the capital of Benin. The commune covers an area of and as of 2002 had a population of 223,552 people.
Situated on an inlet of the Gulf of Gu ...
, having expanded west from the Yoruba cities of
Oyo and
Ife in the 12th to 19th centuries
*
Gur (Voltaic) languages predominate in the four northern provinces, with the
Batɔmbu (Bariba) of the old
Borgou (Bariba) Kingdom occupying most of the countryside in its successor provinces of Borgou and Alibori, as well as the provincial capital of
Parakou
Parakou is the largest city in northern Benin, with an estimated population of around 206,667 people, and capital of the Borgou Department. Administratively the commune of Parakou makes up one of Benin's 77 communes. Since 2015, its mayor is Sour ...
; the
Yom
Yom ( he, יום) is a Biblical Hebrew word which occurs in the Hebrew Bible. The word means day in both Modern and Biblical Hebrew.
Overview
Although ''yom'' is commonly rendered as day in English translations, the word yom can be used in diffe ...
throughout much of Donga province and its capital
Djougou
Djougou is the largest city in northwestern Benin. It is an important market town. The commune covers an area of 3,966 square kilometres and as of 2002 had a population of 181,895 people.
Djougou is home to a constituent monarchy.
General infor ...
; and several groups in the Atakora, including the
Bɛtamaribɛ of the Otammari country around the provincial capital of
Natitingou
Natitingou, informally referred to as Nati, is a city and commune in north western Benin and the capital of Atakora Department. The commune covers an area of 3045 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 104,010 people.
History
The to ...
, the Biali, the
Waama of
Tanguiéta
Tanguiéta is a town, Arrondissements of Benin, arrondissement and Communes of Benin, commune located in the Atakora Department of Benin.The commune covers an area of 5465 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 74,675 people. As of 2 ...
, and the
Gulmàceba.
*
Kwa, especially the
Gbe languages
The Gbe languages (pronounced ) form a cluster of about twenty related languages stretching across the area between eastern Ghana and western Nigeria. The total number of speakers of Gbe languages is between four and eight million. The most widel ...
spoken by the
Tado peoples in the southern and central provinces: the
Aja who established themselves in Kouffo province from neighboring
Togo
Togo (), officially the Togolese Republic (french: République togolaise), is a country in West Africa. It is bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, where its c ...
and gave rise to the other Tado peoples of Benin, except for the
Mina of Mono province, who arrived separately from Togo or
Ghana
Ghana (; tw, Gaana, ee, Gana), officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country in West Africa. It abuts the Gulf of Guinea and the Atlantic Ocean to the south, sharing borders with Ivory Coast in the west, Burkina Faso in the north, and To ...
: The
Fɔn culture centered in Zou province around the old Fɔn capital of
Abomey
Abomey is the capital of the Zou Department of Benin. The commune of Abomey covers an area of 142 square kilometres and, as of 2012, had a population of 90,195 people.
Abomey houses the Royal Palaces of Abomey, a collection of small traditional ...
, but also dominant in
Cotonou
Cotonou (; fon, Kútɔ̀nú) is a city in Benin. Its official population count was 679,012 inhabitants in 2012; however, over two million people live in the larger urban area.
The urban area continues to expand, notably toward the west. The ci ...
and southern Atlantique areas such as
Ouidah
Ouidah () or Whydah (; ''Ouidah'', ''Juida'', and ''Juda'' by the French; ''Ajudá'' by the Portuguese; and ''Fida'' by the Dutch) and known locally as Glexwe, formerly the chief port of the Kingdom of Whydah, is a city on the coast of the Repub ...
; the
Maxi in central Collines, especially around
Savalou
Savalou is a little kingdom located in the Collines Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 2,674 square kilometres and as of 2012 had a population of 35,433 people. It is the birthplace of Olympic Beninese hurdler Odile Ahouanwanou
...
; the
Ayizɔ of central Atlantique (
Allada
Allada is a town, arrondissement, and commune, located in the Atlantique Department of Benin.
The current town of Allada corresponds to Great Ardra (also called Grand Ardra, or Arda), which was the capital of a Fon kingdom also called Allada (t ...
); the
Xwla and
Xueda in the lagoons of the coast; the
Tɔfin of Ouémé; and the
Gun
A gun is a ranged weapon designed to use a shooting tube (gun barrel) to launch projectiles. The projectiles are typically solid, but can also be pressurized liquid (e.g. in water guns/cannons, spray guns for painting or pressure washing, pr ...
. Other Kwa languages are spoken by the
Anii in southern Donga in the region of
Bassila
Bassila is a town, arrondissement, and commune located in the Donga Department of Benin. The commune covers an area of 120 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 130,770 people.
The RNIE 3 highway of Benin passes through the town o ...
, and the
Fooɖo in western Donga near the town of
Ouaké
Ouaké is a town, arrondissement, and commune in the Donga Department of western Benin. The commune covers an area of 663 square kilometres and as of 2013 had a population of 74,289 people.
Ethnic Groups
The Lokpa (or Lukpa) are the predomina ...
.
The largest ethnic group are the
Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), followed by the various Yoruba groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulani (310,000), and the Gun (240,000). Near the ports in the south can be found many people who are descended from returned
Brazil
Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area ...
ian slaves. There are also small numbers of
Europeans
Europeans are the focus of European ethnology, the field of anthropology related to the various ethnic groups that reside in the states of Europe. Groups may be defined by common genetic ancestry, common language, or both. Pan and Pfeil (2004) ...
, principally
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
, and people from the
western Asia
Western Asia, West Asia, or Southwest Asia, is the westernmost subregion of the larger geographical region of Asia, as defined by some academics, UN bodies and other institutions. It is almost entirely a part of the Middle East, and includes Ana ...
, mainly
Lebanese, and
East Asia
East Asia is the eastern region of Asia, which is defined in both geographical and ethno-cultural terms. The modern states of East Asia include China, Japan, Mongolia, North Korea, South Korea, and Taiwan. China, North Korea, South Korea and ...
, chiefly
Indians.
White Beninese
White Beninese people are people who are of French, Portuguese, Dutch, British, Italian, German, Latin American, Russian, and Scandinavian descent.
Notable Europeans include:
*
Fabienne Feraez
Fabienne Feraez (born 6 August 1976 in Mont-de-Marsan) is a Beninese sprinter who specializes in the 200 metres. She switched nationality from her native France on August 12, 2003.
Competition record
Personal bests
*100 metres - 11.55 s (2006)
* ...
, athlete.
*
Francisco Félix de Sousa
Francisco Félix de Souza (4 October 1754 – 8 May 1849) was a Brazilian slave trader who was deeply influential in the regional politics of pre-colonial West Africa (namely, current-day Nigeria, Benin, Ghana and Togo). He founded Afro-Braz ...
, slave trader.
*
Daria Strokous, actress.
Other demographic statistics
Demographic statistics according to the World Population Review in 2021.
*One birth every 1 minutes
*One death every 5 minutes
*One net migrant every 288 minutes
*Net gain of one person every 2 minutes
The following demographic statistics are from the
CIA World Factbook
''The World Factbook'', also known as the ''CIA World Factbook'', is a reference resource produced by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) with almanac-style information about the countries of the world. The official print version is available ...
, unless otherwise indicated.
[ ]
Population
:13,754,688 (2022 est.)
:11,340,504 (July 2018 est.)
:''Note'': estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to
AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual m ...
; 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 2017 est.)
Religions
Muslim 27.7%, Roman Catholic 25.5%, Protestant 13.5% (Celestial 6.7%, Methodist 3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%), Vodoun 11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other traditional religions 2.6%, other 2.6%, none 5.8% (2013 est.)
Age structure
:''0-14 years:'' 45.56% (male 2,955,396/female 2,906,079)
:''15-24 years:'' 20.36% (male 1,300,453/female 1,318,880)
:''25-54 years:'' 28.54% (male 1,735,229/female 1,935,839)
:''55-64 years:'' 3.15% (male 193,548/female 211,427)
:''65 years and over:'' 2.39% (male 140,513/female 167,270) (2020 est.)
:0-14 years: 42.26% (male 2,445,265 / female 2,347,091)
:15-24 years: 20.53% (male 1,184,977 / female 1,143,605)
:25-54 years: 30.66% (male 1,759,834 / female 1,717,467)
:55-64 years: 3.65% (male 184,453 / female 229,945)
:65 years and over: 2.89% (male 128,920 / female 198,947) (2018 est.)
: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.)
Total fertility rate
The total fertility rate (TFR) of a population is the average number of children that would be born to a woman over her lifetime if:
# she were to experience the exact current age-specific fertility rates (ASFRs) through her lifetime
# she were t ...
:5.43 children born/woman (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 6th
:4.67 children born/woman (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 22nd
Median age
:Total: 17 years. Country comparison to the world: 218th
:Male: 16.4 years
:Female: 17.6 years (2020 est.)
:Total: 18.4 years. Country comparison to the world: 209th
:Male: 18.1 years
:Female: 18.7 years (2018 est.)
:Total: 18.2 years
:Male: 17.9 years
:Female: 18.6 years (2017 est.)
Population growth rate
:3.34% (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 7th
:2.68% (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 16th
:2.71% (2017 est.)
Birth rate
:41.15 births/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 3rd
:34.5 births/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 22nd
:35 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Death rate
:8.01 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 89th
:7.7 deaths/1,000 population (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 99th
:7.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
Net migration rate
:0.24 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.) Country comparison to the world: 76th
:0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.) Country comparison to the world: 74th
Mother's mean age at first birth
:20.5 years (2017/18 est.)
:note: median age at first birth among women 25-49
:20.3 years (2011/12 est.)
:Note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Contraceptive prevalence rate
:17.9% (2014)
Urbanization
:urban population: 49.5% of total population (2022)
:rate of urbanization: 3.74% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
:Urban population: 47.3% of total population (2018)
:Rate of urbanization: 3.89% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)
Sex ratio
: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: 0.70 male(s)/female
:Total population: 1.0 male(s)/female (2009 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
:total population: 62.21 years. Country comparison to the world: 213rd
:male: 60.39 years
:female: 64.14 years (2022 est.)
:Total population: 62.7 years (2018 est.) Country comparison to the world: 198th
:Male: 61.2 years (2018 est.)
:Female: 64.2 years (2018 est.)
:Total population: 62.3 years
:Male: 60.9 years
:Female: 63.8 years (2017 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
:15.5% (2017/18)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
:18% (2014)
HIV/AIDS
:Adult prevalence rate: 1% (2017 est.)
:People living with
HIV/AIDS
Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) is a spectrum of conditions caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), a retrovirus. Following initial infection an individual ...
: 70,000 (2017 est.)
:Deaths: 2,500 (2017 est.)
Major infectious diseases
:Degree of risk: very high
:Food or waterborne diseases:
bacterial
Bacteria (; singular: bacterium) are ubiquitous, mostly free-living organisms often consisting of one biological cell. They constitute a large domain of prokaryotic microorganisms. Typically a few micrometres in length, bacteria were among ...
and
protozoal
Protozoa (singular: protozoan or protozoon; alternative plural: protozoans) are a group of single-celled eukaryotes, either free-living or parasitic, that feed on organic matter such as other microorganisms or organic tissues and debris. Histo ...
diarrhea
Diarrhea, also spelled diarrhoea, is the condition of having at least three loose, liquid, or watery bowel movements each day. It often lasts for a few days and can result in dehydration due to fluid loss. Signs of dehydration often begin wi ...
,
hepatitis A
Hepatitis A is an infectious disease of the liver caused by ''Hepatovirus A'' (HAV); it is a type of viral hepatitis. Many cases have few or no symptoms, especially in the young. The time between infection and symptoms, in those who develop them ...
, and
typhoid fever
Typhoid fever, also known as typhoid, is a disease caused by '' Salmonella'' serotype Typhi bacteria. Symptoms vary from mild to severe, and usually begin six to 30 days after exposure. Often there is a gradual onset of a high fever over several ...
:
Vectorborne diseases:
malaria
Malaria is a mosquito-borne infectious disease that affects humans and other animals. Malaria causes symptoms that typically include fever, tiredness, vomiting, and headaches. In severe cases, it can cause jaundice, seizures, coma, or death. S ...
,
yellow fever
Yellow fever is a viral disease of typically short duration. In most cases, symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains – particularly in the back – and headaches. Symptoms typically improve within five days. In ...
, and others are high risks in some locations
:Respiratory disease:
meningococcal meningitis
Meningococcal disease describes infections caused by the bacterium ''Neisseria meningitidis'' (also termed meningococcus). It has a high mortality rate if untreated but is vaccine-preventable. While best known as a cause of meningitis, it can a ...
:Animal contact disease:
rabies
Rabies is a viral disease that causes encephalitis in humans and other mammals. Early symptoms can include fever and tingling at the site of exposure. These symptoms are followed by one or more of the following symptoms: nausea, vomiting, vi ...
(2009)
Nationality
English
demonym
A demonym (; ) or gentilic () is a word that identifies a group of people (inhabitants, residents, natives) in relation to a particular place. Demonyms are usually derived from the name of the place (hamlet, village, town, city, region, province, ...
and adjective:
*Beninese (singular and plural)
French demonym and adjective:
*Béninois (masculine, singular and plural)
*Béninoise (feminine, singular)
*Béninoises (feminine, plural)
Ethnic groups
:
Fon and related 39.2%,
Adja and related 15.2%,
Yoruba
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
and related 12.3%,
Bariba and related 9.2%,
Fulani
The Fula, Fulani, or Fulɓe people ( ff, Fulɓe, ; french: Peul, links=no; ha, Fulani or Hilani; pt, Fula, links=no; wo, Pël; bm, Fulaw) are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region. ...
and related 7%,
Ottamari and related 6.1%,
Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%,
Dendi and related 2.5%, Other 1.6%, Unspecified 2.9% (2002 est.)
Religions
:
Islam
Islam (; ar, ۘالِإسلَام, , ) is an Abrahamic religions, Abrahamic Monotheism#Islam, monotheistic religion centred primarily around the Quran, a religious text considered by Muslims to be the direct word of God in Islam, God (or ...
27.7%,
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
25.5%,
Protestant
Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
13.5% (
Celestial
Celestial may refer to:
Science
* Objects or events seen in the sky and the following astronomical terms:
** Astronomical object, a naturally occurring physical entity, association, or structure that exists in the observable universe
** Celest ...
6.7%,
Methodist
Methodism, also called the Methodist movement, is a group of historically related denominations of Protestant Christianity whose origins, doctrine and practice derive from the life and teachings of John Wesley. George Whitefield and John's b ...
3.4%, other Protestant 3.4%),
Vodoun
Vodun (meaning ''spirit'' in the Fon, Gun and Ewe languages, with a nasal high-tone ''u''; also spelled Vodon, Vodoun, Vodou, Vudu, Voudou, Voodoo, etc.) is a religion practiced by the Aja, Ewe, and Fon peoples of Benin, Togo, Ghana, and ...
11.6%, other Christian 9.5%, other
traditional religions 2.6%, Other 2.6%, None 5.8%, (2013 est.)
:Pew Forum estimated that, in 2010, that
Roman Catholic
Roman or Romans most often refers to:
*Rome, the capital city of Italy
*Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD
*Roman people, the people of ancient Rome
*'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a lette ...
s constituted 30% of the country,
Protestant
Protestantism is a Christian denomination, branch of Christianity that follows the theological tenets of the Reformation, Protestant Reformation, a movement that began seeking to reform the Catholic Church from within in the 16th century agai ...
s 23.2%, and other Christians 0.3%, with all Christians making up 53.4% of the population.
Languages
Over 50 languages are spoken in Benin. The official language is
French
French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to:
* Something of, from, or related to France
** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents
** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
. Of the many indigenous
African languages
The languages of Africa are divided into several major language families:
* Niger–Congo or perhaps Atlantic–Congo languages (includes Bantu and non-Bantu, and possibly Mande and others) are spoken in West, Central, Southeast and Southern A ...
,
Fon and
Yoruba
The Yoruba people (, , ) are a West African ethnic group that mainly inhabit parts of Nigeria, Benin, and Togo. The areas of these countries primarily inhabited by Yoruba are often collectively referred to as Yorubaland. The Yoruba constitute ...
are the most important in southern Benin. In the north there are at least six major languages, including
Baatonum
Bariba, also known as Baatonum (also Baatombu, Baatonu, Barba, Baruba, Berba and a number of various other names and spellings), is the language of the Bariba people of Benin and Nigeria and was the language of the state of Borgu.
It is primari ...
and
Fulani
The Fula, Fulani, or Fulɓe people ( ff, Fulɓe, ; french: Peul, links=no; ha, Fulani or Hilani; pt, Fula, links=no; wo, Pël; bm, Fulaw) are one of the largest ethnic groups in the Sahel and West Africa, widely dispersed across the region. ...
.
Literacy
:Definition: age 15 and over can read and write
:Total population: 38.4%
:Male: 49.9%
:Female: 27.3% (2015 est.)
Education expenditure
:4.4% of total GDP
:Country comparison to the world: 91
References
and the 2003 U.S. Department of State website.
{{DEFAULTSORT:Demographics Of Benin
Society of Benin