Benin
Africa · Western Africa
Birthplace of Vodoun; relatively stable, developing tourism, low income.
At a Glance
📈Benin's Human Development Index
0.504
Low human development#171 of 191 countries worldwide, #36 of 54 in Africa.
Higher than 11% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →Benin
Benin is a small West African country with a rich cultural heritage as the cradle of the Vodoun religion, which originated here and spread to the Americas. The landscape transitions from palm-fringed Atlantic beaches in the south to the dry savanna of the north, with the remarkable lake village of Ganvié built entirely on water. Curious travellers who engage respectfully with local traditions will find it a genuinely fascinating and deeply hospitable place.
- Birthplace of Voodoo religion — the word itself is Beninese, not Haitian.
- Was the centre of the Kingdom of Dahomey, one of Africa's most powerful pre-colonial states.
- All-female military regiment of the Dahomey ('Agojie') inspired the Amazon warriors in Black Panther.
Quick Facts
Capital
Porto-Novo
Language
French
Currency
Fr XOF
Area
112,760 km²
Nomad Hub
Fixed Broadband
31Mbps
GDP / Capita
$2K
PPP / Capita
$5K
Inflation
1.1%
Unemployment
1.6%
Innovation (GII)
17.8
GNI / Capita
$2K
FDI Inflows
2.5%
Education Spend
3.2%
Price Level Index
72nd pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.350 → 0.504 (+0.154)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
Thinking about Benin for real?
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💬Quick answers
What is Benin's Human Development Index?
Benin's Human Development Index is 0.504 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #171 of 191 countries.
Is Benin safe?
Benin scores 2.29 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #121 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in Benin?
Life expectancy at birth in Benin is 61.0 yrs (World Bank), ranked #187 of 195 countries.