Benin (Republic of Benin)

Benin Republic of Benin
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	159th best
Capital	Porto-Novo
Land Area	112 760km21
Location	Africa
Population	11.5m2
Life Expectancy	59.82yrs (2017)3
GNI	$3 409 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	BJ, BEN, 2045
Internet Domain	.bj6
Currency	Franc (XOF)7
Telephone	+2298

1. Overview
2. Benin National and Social Development
3. Benin's Demographics and Migration
4. Benin's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Benin's Health
6. Benin's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Benin's Modernity and Learning
8. National Culture
9. Peace Versus Instability
10. Economic Inequality and Poverty
11. Religion and Beliefs
12. Links

---

1. Overview

#brazil #france

“Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a West African kingdom that rose to prominence in about 1600 and over the next two and half centuries became a regional power, largely based on its slave trade. Coastal areas of Dahomey began to be controlled by the French in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975. 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, who won a second five-year term in March 2011, has attempted to stem corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“For all its tumultuous past, Benin is an African success story, a beacon of stability in a tough neighbourhood and its people amongst Africa´s friendliest. The birthplace of voodoo and a pivotal platform of the slave trade for nearly three centuries, Benin is steeped in a rich and complex history still very much in evidence across the country. A visit to this small, club-shaped nation could therefore not be complete without exploring the Afro-Brazilian heritage of Ouidah, Abomey and Porto Novo, learning about spirits and fetishes. But Benin will also wow visitors with its natural beauty, from the palm-fringed beach idyll of the Atlantic coast to the rugged scenery of the north. The Parc National de la Pendjari is one of the best wildlife parks in West Africa. Lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants and hundreds of other species thrive here.

... Benin is wonderfully tourist- friendly. There are good roads, a wide range of accommodation options and ecotourism initiatives that offer travellers the chance to delve deeper into Beninese life. Now is an ideal time to go because the country sits on the cusp of discovery.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Benin National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
163=	Nigeria	0.535
163=	Haiti	0.535
165	Rwanda	0.534
166=	Benin	0.525
166=	Uganda	0.525
168	Lesotho	0.514
169	Malawi	0.512
170	Senegal	0.511
	Africa Avg	0.56
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
157	Micronesia	$3 696
158	Cameroon	$3 621
159	Sudan	$3 575
160	Benin	$3 409
161	Senegal	$3 344
162	Zambia	$3 218
163	Comoros	$3 142
164	Vanuatu	$3 085
	Africa Avg	$5 339
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	27.4
2	Norway	27.6
3	Sweden	30.4
	...
156	Pakistan	118.4
157	Nigeria	118.6
158	Rwanda	119.0
159	Benin	119.1
160	Malawi	119.4
161	Sierra Leone	119.5
162	Laos	119.8
163	Togo	120.2
	Africa Avg	119.0
	World Avg	89.7
q=198.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Benin's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population:

Benin's population is predicted to rise to 14.63 million by 2030. These millions of extra people will all need space to live, food to eat, energy to consume, and will increase the burden on the planet's resources. This country has a fertility rate of 4.90. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₃

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
74	Guinea	12.4m
75	Rwanda	12.3m
76	Tunisia	11.6m
77	Benin	11.5m
78	Belgium	11.5m
79	Bolivia	11.4m
80	Cuba	11.3m
81	Burundi	11.2m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
176	Equatorial Guinea	60.6
177	Cameroon	60.3
178	Sierra Leone	60.1
179	Benin	59.8
180	Guinea-Bissau	59.7
181	Mozambique	59.3
182	Burkina Faso	59.3
183	Namibia	59.3
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
196	Gambia	4.59
197	Tanzania	4.66
198	Burkina Faso	4.67
199	Benin	4.90
200	Burundi	4.98
201	Nigeria	5.14
202	Angola	5.21
203	Mali	5.87
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better15
Pos.		2016 Per 10015
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
20	Cameroon	05.8
21=	Niger	05.8
21=	Congo, DR	05.8
21=	Benin	05.8
24	Burundi	05.9
25=	Liberia	05.9
26	Iraq	06.0
27=	Guinea	06.1
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration:

Immigrants16
Pos.		2017 %16
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
118	Paraguay	2.4%
119	Uruguay	2.3%
120	Mauritius	2.3%
121	Benin	2.3%
122	S. Korea	2.3%
123	Cameroon	2.2%
124	Bulgaria	2.2%
125	Kenya	2.2%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants17
Pos.		2010 %17
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
97	Brunei	6.0%
98	Netherlands	6.0%
99	Italy	5.8%
100	Benin	5.8%
101	Laos	5.7%
102	Turkey	5.6%
103	Comoros	5.6%
104	Congo, (Brazzaville)	5.6%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Benin's Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#benin #equality #freedom #freethought #gender #gender_equality #homosexuality #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #misogyny #morals #politics #prejudice #religious_tolerance #slavery #tolerance #women

Compared to Africa (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	S. Africa	55.8
2	Seychelles	64.8
3	Cape Verde	66.8
	...
11	Lesotho	92.9
12	Kenya	93.8
13	Tunisia	94.8
14	Benin	96.1
15	Mozambique	97.5
16	Uganda	97.8
17	Tanzania	99.3
18	Sierra Leone	100.2
19	Niger	100.6
	Africa Avg	110.0
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)18
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank18
1	Sweden	8.5
2	Denmark	13.5
3	Norway	13.5
	...
104	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	95.8
105=	India	96.0
105=	Antigua & Barbuda	96.0
107	Benin	96.1
108	Tajikistan	96.5
109	Thailand	96.8
110	Bahamas	97.1
111	Mozambique	97.5
	World Avg	87.8
q=200.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, Denmark and Norway₁₉. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, The Vatican City and Sudan₁₉.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are statistics on supporting press freedom, eliminating modern slavery, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms, its average Freedom in the World rating, commentary in Human Rights Watch reports, its nominal commitment to Human Rights, speed of uptake of HR treaties, opposing gender inequality, the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators), the year from which women could participate in democracy, its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice, LGBT equality and freethought. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₁₉, whereas the worst are Melanesia, The Middle East and Micronesia₁₉.

For more, see:

• " Which are the Best Countries for Human Rights, Equality and Tolerance?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Human Rights & Tolerance:

Press Freedom Lower is better20
Pos.		201320
1	Finland	638
2	Netherlands	648
3	Norway	652
	...
75	Congo, (Brazzaville)	2820
76	Kuwait	2828
77	Nicaragua	2831
78	Benin	2833
79	Dominican Rep.	2834
80	Lesotho	2836
81	Bhutan	2842
82	Togo	2845
	Africa Avg	3511
	World Avg	3249
q=178.

Slavery Lower is better21
Pos.		2018 % Victims21
1	Japan	0.03
2=	Canada	0.05
2=	Taiwan	0.05
	...
102	Russia	0.55
103=	Moldova	0.55
103=	Egypt	0.55
103=	Benin	0.55
106	Venezuela	0.56
107=	Haiti	0.56
108	Zambia	0.57
109=	Gambia	0.58
	Africa Avg	0.96
	World Avg	0.65
q=167.

Personal, Civil & Economic Freedom Lower is better22
Pos.		2014 Rank22
1	Hong Kong	1
2	Switzerland	2
3	New Zealand	3
	...
78=	Mexico	77
79	Trinidad & Tobago	79
80=	Bhutan	79
80=	Benin	79
82	Brazil	82
83	Tajikistan	83
84	Nepal	84
85=	Barbados	85
	Africa Avg	114.2
	World Avg	79.7
q=159.

Freedom in the World Lower is better
Pos.		2024 Score
1=	Norway	1.0
1=	Canada	1.0
1=	Cape Verde	1.0
	...
104	Philippines	3.5
105=	Serbia	3.5
105=	Kosovo	5.5
105=	Benin	3.5
105=	Sri Lanka	3.5
105=	Sierra Leone	3.5
110	Gambia	4.0
111=	Georgia	4.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
94	Congo, DR	16
95=	Burundi	16
95=	Nigeria	16
95=	Benin	16
95=	Gabon	16
95=	San Marino	16
95=	Cambodia	16
101	Sierra Leone	15
	Africa Avg	14.8
	World Avg	15.1
q=194.

HR Treaties Lag Lower is better24
Pos.		2019 Avg Yrs/Treaty24
1	Ecuador	2.15
2	Uruguay	2.25
3	Tunisia	3.65
	...
112	Ethiopia	11.13
113	Slovenia	11.13
114	Dominica	11.14
115	Benin	11.15
116	Chad	11.23
117	Slovakia	11.24
118	Burundi	11.27
119	Qatar	11.34
	Africa Avg	9.88
	World Avg	10.02
q=195.

Amnesty International's 2023-23 summary on human rights in Benin stated:

“Freedom of expression and peaceful assembly were still restricted by repressive laws regulating online communications and the right to strike. Cases of arbitrary arrests, and torture and other ill-treatment were documented. Alleged unlawful killings committed by the defence and security forces during the 2021 presidential election had still not been investigated. People with albinism continued to face discrimination and violence”

"The State of the World's Human Rights 2022/23" by Amnesty International (2023)₂₅

Gender Equality:

The 1950s saw a late rush of 43 countries, including Benin and many developing nations, move to cease preventing women from voting. Benin is an unequal country, with male rights dominating those of women.

See:

• "Religion Versus Womankind" by Vexen Crabtree
• "Christianity and Women: Biblical Misogyny and Male Dominance" by Vexen Crabtree

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		201526
1	Switzerland	0.04
2	Denmark	0.04
3	Netherlands	0.04
	...
141	Congo, (Brazzaville)	0.59
142	Haiti	0.59
143	Papua New Guinea	0.59
144	Benin	0.61
145	Malawi	0.61
146	Burkina Faso	0.62
147	Mauritania	0.63
148	Gambia	0.64
	Africa Avg	0.54
	World Avg	0.36
q=159.

Year Women Can Vote Lower is better
Pos.		Total Year
1	New Zealand	1893
2	Australia	1902
3	Finland	1906
	...
106=	Honduras	1955
106=	Cambodia	1955
108	Mali	1956
109=	Benin	1956
109=	Mauritius	1956
109=	Somalia	1956
109=	Gabon	1956
109=	Egypt	1956
	Africa Avg	1961
	World Avg	1930
q=189.

Prejudice:

LGBT Equality Higher is better27
Pos.		2017 Score27
1	Netherlands	103
2	Belgium	90
3	Sweden	86
	...
118=	Indonesia	1
118=	Ivory Coast	1
118=	Russia	1
118=	Benin	1
118=	Niger	1
123	Bahrain	-2
124	Sierra Leone	-3
125=	Grenada	-5
	Africa Avg	-10.4
	World Avg	12.6
q=196.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better28
Pos.		202128
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
	...
30	Gabon	2.0
31=	S. Sudan	2.0
31=	Barbados	2.0
33	Benin	2.3
34=	Greece	2.3
34=	Antigua & Barbuda	2.3
34=	Japan	2.3
34=	Kiribati	2.3
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Benin's Health

#alcohol #benin #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Africa (2020)29
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank29
1	Morocco	67.9
2	Tunisia	74.4
3	Mauritius	74.6
	...
29=	Sierra Leone	113.0
30	Zimbabwe	114.0
31	Madagascar	114.1
32	Benin	115.5
33=	Liberia	115.8
33=	Uganda	115.8
35	Niger	116.6
36	Somalia	117.0
37	Congo, DR	117.5
	Africa Avg	111.1
q=54.

Health (2020)29
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank29
1	Monaco	13.0
2	Maldives	41.7
3	Sri Lanka	43.1
	...
164	Philippines	113.4
165	Zimbabwe	114.0
166	Madagascar	114.1
167	Benin	115.5
168=	Belarus	115.8
168=	Liberia	115.8
168=	Uganda	115.8
171	Niger	116.6
	World Avg	95.1
q=198.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, The Maldives and Sri Lanka₃₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are S. Sudan, The Marshall Islands and Nigeria₃₀.

The data sets used to calculate points for each country are its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, its adolescent birth rate and its immunizations take-up. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Asia and The Mediterranean₃₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Australasia₃₀.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2020).

Health:

Benin is a pretty unhealthy country. Benin does better than average when it comes to its smoking rate₃₁ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₂. But unfortunately Benin gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average for its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₃, its adolescent birth rate₂₆ and in its immunizations take-up₃₄. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in terms of its average life expectancy₁₁ and in its fertility rate₁₄. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Benin in 1990 was 53.3yrs, lower than the global average of 64.6. It improved by +7.2yrs in the 30 years from then, on par with the global average improvement of +7.9yrs. Benin's peak fertility rate was 7.05 in 1981.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
176	Equatorial Guinea	60.6
177	Cameroon	60.3
178	Sierra Leone	60.1
179	Benin	59.8
180	Guinea-Bissau	59.7
181	Mozambique	59.3
182	Burkina Faso	59.3
183	Namibia	59.3
	Africa Avg	62.79
	World Avg	71.28
q=195.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better32
Pos.		2016 Per Capita32
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
54=	Maldives	2.7
55	Ethiopia	2.9
56=	Fiji	3.0
56=	Benin	3.0
58	Togo	3.1
59=	Central African Rep.	3.3
59=	Tajikistan	3.3
61	Kenya	3.4
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best14
Pos.		202214
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
196	Gambia	4.59
197	Tanzania	4.66
198	Burkina Faso	4.67
199	Benin	4.90
200	Burundi	4.98
201	Nigeria	5.14
202	Angola	5.21
203	Mali	5.87
	Africa Avg	3.97
	World Avg	2.47
q=208.

Smoking Rates Lower is better31
Pos.		201431
1	Guinea	15
2	Solomon Islands	26
3	Kiribati	28
	...
27	Peru	116
28	Somalia	117
29	Ghana	121
30	Benin	122
31	Zimbabwe	134
32	Mauritania	135
33	Bhutan	155
34	Chad	156
	Africa Avg	340
	World Avg	819
q=182.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
106	Serbia	106
107	Zimbabwe	107
108	Central African Rep.	108
109	Benin	109
110	Costa Rica	110
111	Dominica	111
112	Romania	112
113	Peru	113
	Africa Avg	117.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better35
Pos.		2016 %35
1	Vietnam	18.3
2	India	19.7
3	Bangladesh	20.0
	...
40=	Pakistan	28.4
41	Sudan	28.9
42=	Nigeria	28.9
43	Benin	29.5
44	Guinea-Bissau	29.9
45	S. Korea	30.3
46	Maldives	30.6
47=	Congo, (Brazzaville)	30.9
	Africa Avg	33.3
	World Avg	49.0
q=191.

Children's Health:

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better26
Pos.		2015 Per 100026
1	N. Korea	0.5
2	S. Korea	1.6
3	Switzerland	2.9
	...
148	Venezuela	79.4
149	Guatemala	80.7
150	Bangladesh	83.0
151	Benin	83.2
152	Iraq	84.0
153	Sao Tome & Principe	84.3
154	Guyana	88.0
155	Nicaragua	88.8
	Africa Avg	87.5
	World Avg	47.9
q=185.

Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 Higher is better34
Pos.		2015 Avg %34
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
153	Mozambique	81.4
154	Venezuela	80.6
155	Myanmar (Burma)	80.3
156=	Benin	80.1
156=	Guinea-Bissau	80.1
158	Tonga	80.0
159	Mauritania	79.9
160	Lebanon	79.4
	Africa Avg	81.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

6. Benin's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#benin #biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #food #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Africa (2023)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Seychelles	55.3
2	Kenya	57.4
3=	Zambia	57.6
	...
20	Djibouti	82.3
21=	Sudan	83.5
21=	Tanzania	83.5
23	Benin	85.8
24	Madagascar	86.0
25=	Sierra Leone	87.0
25=	Malawi	87.0
27	Algeria	87.8
28	Equatorial Guinea	88.0
	Africa Avg	90.1
q=53.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2023)36
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank36
1	Japan	33.2
2	Philippines	45.0
3	Uruguay	48.0
	...
98	China	85.2
99	Panama	85.3
100	Slovenia	85.5
101	Benin	85.8
102	Madagascar	86.0
103	St Lucia	86.3
104	St Kitts & Nevis	86.5
105=	Sierra Leone	87.0
	World Avg	85.7
q=188.

Benin is positioned 101st in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is derived from 6 data sets. Benin does better than average for reducing annual meat consumption per person₃₇ and in how quickly it ratified the 1993 Convention on Biological Diversity. When it comes to most other metrics, Benin does not do well. It does worse than average in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₃₈. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to energy to GDP efficiency₃₉, its environmental performance₄₀ and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₁.

Environmental Performance Higher is better40
Pos.		201840
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
164	Papua New Guinea	39.4
165	Eritrea	39.3
166	Mauritania	39.2
167	Benin	38.2
168	Afghanistan	37.7
169	Pakistan	37.5
170	Angola	37.4
171	Central African Rep.	36.4
	Africa Avg	46.4
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Higher is better39
Pos.		201439
1	Hong Kong	26.32
2	Sri Lanka	20.00
3	Panama	17.86
	...
104	Ivory Coast	04.85
105	Tanzania	04.81
106	Kyrgyzstan	04.78
107	Benin	04.69
108=	Bosnia & Herzegovina	04.52
108=	Russia	04.52
110	S. Africa	04.48
111	Bahrain	04.10
	Africa Avg	07.42
	World Avg	09.29
q=119.

Convention on Biological Diversity Earlier is better
Pos.		Total Signed
1=	China	1993 Dec 29
1=	Guinea	1993 Dec 29
1=	Cook Islands	1993 Dec 29
	...
63	Gambia	1994 Sep 08
64	Micronesia	1994 Sep 18
65	Malaysia	1994 Sep 22
66	Benin	1994 Sep 28
67	France	1994 Sep 29
68	Netherlands	1994 Oct 10
69=	Pakistan	1994 Oct 24
69=	Kenya	1994 Oct 24
	Africa Avg	1899 Dec 30
	World Avg	1899 Dec 30
q=197.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better38
Pos.		2011 %38
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
82	Romania	33.4%
83	Luxembourg	33.3%
84	Togo	33.3%
85	Benin	32.6%
86	Bulgaria	32.5%
87	Kyrgyzstan	32.0%
88	Georgia	31.9%
89	Australia	31.8%
	Africa Avg	38.3%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better37
Pos.		2021 kg37
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
23	Cameroon	14.6
24	Guinea-Bissau	14.7
25	Djibouti	14.8
26	Benin	15.6
27	Guinea	16.7
28	Gambia	16.7
29	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	17.2
30	Nepal	17.3
	Africa Avg	24.9
	World Avg	52.5
q=185.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Benin was reducing.₃₇

7. Benin's Modernity and Learning

#benin #education #intelligence #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2020)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	S. Africa	54.1
2	Egypt	71.3
3	Tunisia	74.3
	...
35	Liberia	130.8
36	Mozambique	131.7
37	Congo, DR	132.6
38	Benin	134.4
39	Mauritania	134.7
40	Lesotho	137.2
41	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137.4
42	Burundi	139.0
43	Madagascar	142.5
	Africa Avg	120.2
q=53.

Modernity & Learning (2020)42
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank42
1	Finland	7.7
2	Taiwan	10.0
3	Switzerland	14.7
	...
180	Mozambique	131.7
181	Yemen	132.2
182	Congo, DR	132.6
183	Benin	134.4
184	Mauritania	134.7
185	Afghanistan	136.7
186	Lesotho	137.2
187	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137.4
	World Avg	82.7
q=205.

Modernity and Education:

In the 2000s, Benin increased its expected duration of education by almost 4 years, the fifth-highest rise of any country in that decade. ₄₃

Secondary Education Higher is better44
Pos.		201844
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
144	Cape Verde	29.9%
145	Liberia	29.0%
146	Yemen	28.0%
147	Benin	26.5%
148	Sierra Leone	26.3%
149	Ivory Coast	26.1%
150	Afghanistan	26.1%
151	Myanmar (Burma)	25.8%
	Africa Avg	34.4%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better45
Pos.		2021 Years45
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
150	Zambia	10.9
151	Myanmar (Burma)	10.9
152	N. Korea	10.8
153	Benin	10.8
154	Burundi	10.7
155	Kenya	10.7
156	Ivory Coast	10.7
157	Jordan	10.6
	Africa Avg	11.0
	World Avg	13.5
q=193.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
84	UAE	84
85	Tonga	85
86	Georgia	86
87	Benin	87
88	Pakistan	88
89	Seychelles	89
90	Iran	90
91	Antigua & Barbuda	91
	Africa Avg	106.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

IQ Higher is better46
Pos.		200646
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
113=	Togo	70
113=	Botswana	70
113=	Rwanda	70
113=	Benin	70
117	Ivory Coast	69
118=	Malawi	69
118=	Niger	69
118=	Mali	69
	Africa Avg	70.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

Technology and Information:

Internet Users Higher is better47
Pos.		201647
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
183	Afghanistan	7%
184	Malawi	7%
185	Mozambique	6%
186	Benin	6%
187	Tanzania	5%
188	Central African Rep.	5%
189	Madagascar	4%
190	Ethiopia	4%
	Africa Avg	18.4%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better48
Pos.		202448
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
96	Algeria	33.2%
97	Bolivia	33.1%
98	Botswana	33.1%
99	Benin	32.8%
100	Nigeria	32.7%
101	Iran	32.5%
102	Namibia	32.1%
103	Laos	31.5%
	Africa Avg	32.3%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. National Culture

#charity #corruption #happiness #morals #politics

On the Corruption Index, Benin scored on average 36.8 over the 2012-2016 period. Over the 10 years since then, it improved by 6.2 points.

World Giving Index Higher is better49
Pos.		2022 %49
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
100=	Bangladesh	33.0
100=	Tanzania	33.0
102	Spain	32.0
103=	Benin	32.0
103=	Jordan	32.0
103=	France	32.0
103=	Greece	32.0
107	Georgia	31.0
	Africa Avg	38.2
	World Avg	39.6
q=125.

Corruption Higher is better50
Pos.		2022 Points50
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
72	Senegal	43.0
73=	S. Africa	43.0
73=	Bulgaria	43.0
73=	Benin	43.0
73=	Ghana	43.0
77	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	42.0
78=	Vietnam	42.0
78=	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
	Africa Avg	32.31
	World Avg	42.98
q=180.

Happiness Higher is better51
Pos.		2018 Score51
1	Finland	7.6
2	Norway	7.6
3	Denmark	7.6
	...
133	India	4.2
134	Niger	4.2
135	Uganda	4.2
136	Benin	4.1
137	Sudan	4.1
138	Ukraine	4.1
139	Togo	4.0
140	Guinea	4.0
	Africa Avg	4.29
	World Avg	5.38
q=156.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
140	Paraguay	140
141	Sri Lanka	141
142	Malawi	142
143	Benin	143
144	Cameroon	144
145	Laos	145
146	Nigeria	146
147	Equatorial Guinea	147
	Africa Avg	117.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
63	Congo, DR	63
64	Honduras	64
65	S. Korea	65
66	Benin	66
67	Lesotho	67
68	Panama	68
69	New Zealand	69
70	Tunisia	70
	Africa Avg	96.7
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

9. Peace Versus Instability

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better52
Pos.		2023 Score52
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
107	Sri Lanka	2.14
108	Bahrain	2.15
109	Swaziland	2.17
110	Benin	2.18
111	Lesotho	2.19
112	Djibouti	2.20
113	Congo, (Brazzaville)	2.21
114	Mauritania	2.23
	Africa Avg	2.29
	World Avg	2.07
q=163.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
114	Suriname	114
115	Greece	115
116	Trinidad & Tobago	116
117	Benin	117
118	Venezuela	118
119	Angola	119
120	Ivory Coast	120
121	Kyrgyzstan	121
	Africa Avg	83.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better33
Pos.		2017 Rank33
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
124	Congo, (Brazzaville)	124
125	Swaziland	125
126	Madagascar	126
127	Benin	127
128	Yemen	128
129	Pakistan	129
130	Samoa	130
131	Antigua & Barbuda	131
	Africa Avg	104.5
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better53
Pos.		2019 Score53
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
4	Equatorial Guinea	0.00
5	Cambodia	0.00
6	Portugal	0.00
7	Croatia	0.00
8	Benin	0.00
9	Mauritania	0.00
10	Slovenia	0.00
11	Costa Rica	0.00
12	Romania	0.00
	Africa Avg	3.41
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

10. Economic Inequality and Poverty

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better54
Pos.		201954
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
173	Ivory Coast	33.30
174	Cameroon	33.50
175	Equatorial Guinea	34.60
176	Benin	34.90
177	Congo, DR	36.10
178	S. Sudan	36.20
179	Mali	36.70
180	Nigeria	37.10
	Africa Avg	26.10
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better55
Pos.		2023 %55
1	Slovakia	24.1%56
2	Slovenia	24.3%56
3	Belarus	24.4%57
	...
75=	Montenegro	34.3%56
75=	Latvia	34.3%56
75=	Australia	34.3%58
78	Benin	34.4%56
79	Portugal	34.6%56
80=	Iran	34.8%59
80=	Italy	34.8%56
82	Thailand	34.9%56
	Africa Avg	40.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Benin - only for 4 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better60
Pos.		2018 Severity60
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
86	Sierra Leone	.297
87	Liberia	.320
88	Guinea	.336
89	Benin	.368
90	Guinea-Bissau	.372
91	Congo, DR	.389
92	Burundi	.403
93	Mozambique	.411
	Africa Avg	.264
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

11. Religion and Beliefs

#belief #buddhism #christianity #god #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion

Disbelief In God (2007)61
Pos.		Higher is better %61
1	Vietnam	81
2	Japan	65
3	Sweden	64
	...
94=	Sierra Leone	0
94=	Thailand	0
94=	Togo	0
94=	Benin	0
94=	Tunisia	0
94=	Uganda	0
94=	Bangladesh	0
94=	UAE	0
94=	Azerbaijan	0
94=	Algeria	0
94=	Yemen	0
94=	Zambia	0
94=	Tanzania	0
94=	Malaysia	0
94=	Haiti	0
94=	Iraq	0
	World Avg	9.9
q=137.

Data from the Pew Forum, a professional polling outfit, states that in 2010 the religious makeup of this country was as follows in the table below₆₂:

Christian	53%
Muslim	23.8%
Hindu	0.1%
Buddhist	0.1%
Folk Religion	18.1%
Jewish	0.1%
Unaffiliated	5%

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: 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)₆₃.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?