Benin (Republic of Benin)

Benin Republic of Benin
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	160th 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
   1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets
   2. Gender Equality Datasets
   3. Prejudice Datasets
5. Benin's Health
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Benin's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Benin's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Benin's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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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=	Haiti	0.535
163=	Nigeria	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	27.2
2	Norway	29.2
3	Sweden	30.2
	...
157	Libya	114.4
158	Kiribati	115.1
159	Zambia	115.5
160	Benin	115.6
161	Ivory Coast	115.7
162	Mali	115.9
163	Swaziland	116.4
164	Nigeria	117.8
	Africa Avg	115.2
	World Avg	89.2
q=200.

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 Datasets:

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, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better16
Pos.		2016 Per 10016
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
20=	Cameroon	05.8
20=	Niger	05.8
20=	Congo, DR	05.8
20=	Benin	05.8
24=	Burundi	05.9
24=	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 Datasets:

Immigrants17
Pos.		2017 %17
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.

Emigrants18
Pos.		2010 %18
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

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Compared to Africa (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Cape Verde	65.1
2	S. Africa	70.5
3	Mauritius	76.4
	...
16	Tunisia	104.9
17	Sierra Leone	105.2
18	Central African Rep.	107.0
19	Benin	109.8
20	Ivory Coast	110.4
21	Sao Tome & Principe	111.8
22	Tanzania	112.9
23	Congo, (Brazzaville)	113.3
24	Morocco	113.9
	Africa Avg	116.60
q=54.

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Sweden	7.5
2	Netherlands	8.6
3	Denmark	9.0
	...
129	Kazakhstan	108.6
130	Kuwait	109.5
131	Lebanon	109.7
132	Benin	109.8
133	Papua New Guinea	110.2
134	Ivory Coast	110.4
135	Cambodia	110.8
136	Tajikistan	111.0
	World Avg	90.04
q=198.

The best countries in the world at ensuring human rights, fostering equality and promoting tolerance, are Sweden, The Netherlands and Denmark₂₀. These countries are displaying the best traits that humanity has to offer. The worst countries are Somalia, Eritrea and Saudi Arabia₂₀.

30 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on supporting press freedom, combatting modern slavery, 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 Europe₂₀, whereas the worst are The Middle East, Africa and Asia₂₀.

For more, see:

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

4.1. Human Rights & Tolerance Datasets

#benin #freedom #human_rights #international_law #mass_media #politics #slavery

Press Freedom Higher is better21
Pos.		202521
1	Norway	92.31
2	Estonia	89.46
3	Netherlands	88.64
	...
88	Greece	55.37
89	Nepal	55.20
90	Northern Cyprus	54.84
91	Benin	54.60
92	Bolivia	54.09
93	Ecuador	53.76
94	Tanzania	53.68
95	Serbia	53.55
	Africa Avg	52.30
	World Avg	54.65
q=179. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Slavery in the 2020s Lower is better22
Pos.		Slavery in the 2020s Per 100022
1=	Switzerland	0.50
1=	Norway	0.50
3=	Germany	0.60
	...
30=	Tanzania	2.90
30=	Senegal	2.90
30=	Ghana	2.90
33=	Benin	3.00
33=	Mozambique	3.00
35	Liberia	3.10
36=	Chile	3.20
36=	Costa Rica	3.20
	Africa Avg	6.90
	World Avg	7.15
q=160. Also scored for 2010s-2020s.

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
104=	Serbia	3.5
104=	Kosovo	5.5
104=	Benin	3.5
104=	Sri Lanka	3.5
104=	Sierra Leone	3.5
110=	Gambia	4.0
110=	Georgia	4.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	3.7
q=205. Also scored for 1970s-2010s.

Nominal Commitment to HR Higher is better23
Pos.		2009 Treaties23
1	Argentina	24
2=	Chile	23
2=	Costa Rica	23
	...
94=	Congo, DR	16
94=	Burundi	16
94=	Nigeria	16
94=	Benin	16
94=	Gabon	16
94=	San Marino	16
94=	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

4.2. Gender Equality Datasets

#gender #gender_equality #human_rights #misogyny #politics #women

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 (2007)
• "Christianity and Women: Biblical Misogyny and Male Dominance" by Vexen Crabtree (2019)

Gender Inequality Lower is better26
Pos.		202226
1	Denmark	0.01
2	Norway	0.01
3	Switzerland	0.02
	...
156	Haiti	0.62
157	Guinea	0.63
158	Guinea-Bissau	0.63
159	Benin	0.65
160	Liberia	0.66
161	Afghanistan	0.66
162	Somalia	0.67
163	Chad	0.68
	Africa Avg	0.53
	World Avg	0.34
q=166. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

From the 2000s to the 2010s, Benin was one of only 12 countries where Gender Inequality got worse, and in the 2010s it became one of the 10 countries with greatest Gender Inequality overall.

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

4.3. Prejudice Datasets

#2020s #freethought #homosexuality #religious_tolerance

LGBT Equality in the 2020s Higher is better27
Pos.		LGBT Equality in the 2020s Score27
1=	Germany	4.88
1=	Spain	4.88
3	Portugal	4.81
	...
158	Tuvalu	-3.53
159	Mauritius	-3.94
160	Ivory Coast	-3.95
161=	Benin	-4.09
161=	Equatorial Guinea	-4.09
163	Niger	-4.12
164	Bahrain	-4.13
165=	Congo, DR	-4.13
	Africa Avg	-3.78
	World Avg	-1.21
q=215. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Penal Code criminalizes same-sex acts; imprisonment terms

ILGA researchers in 2017 found that Benin had no legal protections against anti-LGBT discrimination.

Actions taken at the United Nations:

•  ⇣  Opposed a 2003 resolution at the UN Commission tabled by Brazil, on prohibiting discrimination based on sexual orientation and opposed it again in 2004 (it was defeated both times by the Vatican and a collection of Islamic countries).
•  ⇣  Opposed the 2006 Norway Joint Statement on sexual orientation and gender identity at the UN.

Freedom of Thought Lower is better28
Pos.		202128
1=	Belgium	1.0
1=	Taiwan	1.0
1=	Netherlands	1.0
	...
35=	Marshall Islands	2.3
35=	Japan	2.3
35=	Botswana	2.3
35=	Benin	2.3
35=	Cape Verde	2.3
35=	Kiribati	2.3
35=	Antigua & Barbuda	2.3
35=	Uruguay	2.3
	Africa Avg	3.1
	World Avg	3.0
q=196.

5. Benin's Health

#health

Compared to Africa (2025)29
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank29
1	Mauritius	72.2
2	Tunisia	73.9
3	Seychelles	78.0
	...
30	Comoros	133.2
31	Ethiopia	134.9
32	Guinea-Bissau	135.0
33	Benin	135.3
34	Uganda	135.9
35	Sudan	136.1
36	Gabon	136.6
37	Cameroon	137.0
38	Burkina Faso	138.2
	Africa Avg	127.77
q=54.

Health (2025)29
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank29
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	40.8
	...
178	Papua New Guinea	133.7
179	Ethiopia	134.9
180	Guinea-Bissau	135.0
181	Benin	135.3
182	Uganda	135.9
183	Nauru	136.0
184	Sudan	136.1
185	Gabon	136.6
	World Avg	97.39
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₀. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₀.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on 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, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₀, whereas the worst are Micronesia, Africa and Melanesia₃₀.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#2010s #alcohol #benin #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mental_health #obesity #overpopulation #smoking #suicide

Benin is a pretty unhealthy country. Benin comes in the best 20 in its smoking rate₃₁. It does better than average in terms of the prevalence of overweight adults₃₂ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₃. But unfortunately Benin gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in its suicide rate₃₄, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₅, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₆, its adolescent birth rate₃₇ and in delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₈. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its average life expectancy₁₁, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₉ and in its fertility rate₁₅. The number of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. 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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better33
Pos.		2016 Per Capita33
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 best15
Pos.		202215
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. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better31
Pos.		Smoking in the 2020s %31
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
4	Ethiopia	5.2%
5	Turkmenistan	5.6%
6	Benin	6.3%
7	Togo	6.4%
8=	Cameroon	6.5%
8=	Senegal	6.5%
10	Barbados	7.0%
11	Peru	7.2%
12	Chad	7.4%
	Africa Avg	12.4%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Suicide Rate in the 2010s Lower is better34
Pos.		Suicide Rate in the 2010s Per 100k34
1=	Jordan	1.00
1=	Sao Tome & Principe	1.00
1=	Antigua & Barbuda	1.00
	...
91	Italy	7.17
92	Congo, (Brazzaville)	7.23
93	Turkmenistan	7.27
94	Benin	7.32
95=	Vietnam	7.38
95=	St Lucia	7.38
97	Djibouti	7.39
98	Seychelles	7.63
	Africa Avg	7.70
	World Avg	9.24
q=185. Also scored for 2000s-2010s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better32
Pos.		1976 %32
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
35=	Nigeria	9.2
36	Gambia	9.3
37	Mauritania	9.7
38	Benin	9.8
39	Togo	10.0
40	Cape Verde	10.1
41	China	10.2
42	Central African Rep.	10.3
	Africa Avg	13.4
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better40
Pos.		2022 %40
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
29	Philippines	8.7%
30	Mozambique	8.8%
31	Zambia	9.4%
32	Benin	9.9%
33	Mali	10.0%
34	Guinea-Bissau	10.1%
35	Haiti	10.2%
36	Togo	10.4%
	Africa Avg	13.7%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better37
Pos.		2022 Per 100037
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
168	Guinea-Bissau	85.8
169	Lesotho	89.1
170	Gabon	89.8
171	Benin	90.8
172	Zimbabwe	92.6
173	S. Sudan	97.4
174	Sierra Leone	97.9
175	Nigeria	99.6
	Africa Avg	84.6
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better38
Pos.		Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Avg %38
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
181	Mozambique	74.2
182	Lebanon	74.1
183	Sudan	73.7
184	Benin	73.5
185	Congo, DR	73.2
186	S. Sudan	72.7
187=	Ecuador	72.6
187=	Equatorial Guinea	72.6
	Africa Avg	82.9
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better36
Pos.		2015 Avg %36
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
153	Mozambique	81.4
154	Venezuela	80.6
155	Myanmar	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.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better39
Pos.		Infant Mortality (2020s) Per 100039
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
182	Guinea-Bissau	94.79
183	Equatorial Guinea	95.42
184	Congo, DR	97.76
185	Benin	98.27
186	Burkina Faso	103.67
187	Guinea	114.22
188	Mali	117.79
189	Nigeria	126.78
	Africa Avg	71.63
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Benin was amongst 49 countries in the 1990s who had an adolescent birth rate of over 100 (per 1000 girls aged 15-19); in the 2000s it was still amongst only 37 countries that fell into the same grouping.

6. Benin's Responsibility Towards The Environment

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

Compared to Africa (2025)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Morocco	46.5
2	Burundi	47.8
3	Mali	51.0
	...
25	Chad	74.4
26	Cape Verde	75.6
27	Malawi	76.0
28	Benin	76.5
29	Botswana	76.8
30	Congo, (Brazzaville)	77.6
31	Egypt	78.0
32	Algeria	79.7
33	Sierra Leone	83.6
	Africa Avg	78.58
q=53.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
77	New Zealand	75.8
78	Bulgaria	75.8
79	Malawi	76.0
80	Benin	76.5
81	Australia	76.6
82	Botswana	76.8
83	Syria	77.4
84	Congo, (Brazzaville)	77.6
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₂. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Regarding its responsibility towards the environment, Benin is 80th in the world. This is computed using 21 data sets. Benin does better than average for reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₃ and in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment. But unfortunately Benin gets most other things wrong. It does worse than average in energy to GDP efficiency₄₄ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to its environmental performance₄₆ and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₇.

Environmental Performance Higher is better46
Pos.		201846
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 Lower is better44
Pos.		2022 Avg44
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
81	Macedonia	1.04
82	Austria	1.04
83	Japan	1.05
84	Benin	1.06
85	Namibia	1.07
86	Cambodia	1.07
87	Albania	1.08
88	Jordan	1.10
	Africa Avg	0.83
	World Avg	1.23
q=165. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		International Accords on the Environment Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
90	Malawi	60%
91	Monaco	60%
92	Burkina Faso	59%
93	Benin	59%
94	Ireland	59%
95	Colombia	58%
96	Turkmenistan	58%
97	Czechia	58%
	Africa Avg	56.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better45
Pos.		2011 %45
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 better43
Pos.		2021 kg43
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. Also scored for 2010s.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Benin was reducing.₄₃

7. Benin's Modernity and Learning

#education #modernity #technology #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2025)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	S. Africa	63.3
2	Seychelles	63.4
3	Tunisia	68.7
	...
21	Senegal	121.8
22	Zambia	123.9
23	Ivory Coast	124.9
24	Benin	126.2
25	Comoros	126.9
26	Congo, (Brazzaville)	127.3
27	Namibia	129.0
28	Sao Tome & Principe	129.2
29	Equatorial Guinea	130.2
	Africa Avg	124.71
q=54.

Modernity & Learning (2025)48
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank48
1	Finland	6.1
2	Iceland	8.1
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
150	Micronesia	124.5
151	Nepal	124.7
152	Ivory Coast	124.9
153	Benin	126.2
154	Haiti	126.3
155	Comoros	126.9
156	Congo, (Brazzaville)	127.3
157	Bangladesh	127.5
	World Avg	84.96
q=197.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are Finland, Iceland and Denmark₄₉. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₉. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₀.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₁

27 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₉, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₉.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better52
Pos.		2025 %52
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
155=	Trinidad & Tobago	90
155=	Burkina Faso	90
155=	Burundi	90
155=	Benin	90
155=	Cambodia	90
155=	Mauritania	90
155=	Bangladesh	90
155=	Brunei	90
	Africa Avg	90
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Benin officially adopted metric in 1960₅₃. Progression:

• 1960 (60%): French colonial metric foundation; mixed everyday use.
• 1970 (75%): Standardization in schools/commerce.
• 1980 (85%): Metric dominant; informal legacy persists.
• 2000 (90%).
• 2025 (90%).

IQ Higher is better54
Pos.		200654
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
117=	Malawi	69
117=	Niger	69
117=	Mali	69
	Africa Avg	70.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#benin #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. ₅₅

Secondary Education Higher is better56
Pos.		201856
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	25.8%
	Africa Avg	34.4%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better57
Pos.		2021 Years57
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
150	Zambia	10.9
151	Myanmar	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. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users (2020s) Higher is better
Pos.		Internet Users (2020s)
1=	Iceland	99%
1=	Kuwait	99%
1=	UAE	99%
	...
161	Mauritania	32%
162	Comoros	30%
163	Rwanda	28%
164	Benin	28%
165	Congo, DR	28%
166	Sudan	26%
167	Zambia	26%
168	Guinea-Bissau	26%
	Africa Avg	41.0%
	World Avg	67.8%
q=188. Also scored for 1990s-2020s.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better58
Pos.		202458
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. Benin's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#charitability #culture #equality #human_development #inequality #peace

Compared to Africa (2025)59
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank59
1	Mauritius	48.7
2=	Seychelles	67.2
3	Tunisia	77.0
	...
27	Togo	109.4
28	Gabon	111.0
29	Madagascar	111.3
30	Benin	111.5
31	Nigeria	113.0
32	Swaziland	113.4
33	Liberia	114.3
34	Niger	114.5
35	Ethiopia	114.6
	Africa Avg	109.31
q=53.

Culture, Peace & Inequality (2025)59
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank59
1	Denmark	10.4
2	Netherlands	11.8
3	Finland	12.2
	...
148	Gabon	111.0
149	Madagascar	111.3
150	Laos	111.4
151	Benin	111.5
152	Turkmenistan	111.5
153	Pakistan	112.2
154	Nigeria	113.0
155	Swaziland	113.4
	World Avg	80.47
q=183.

This is the final pillar of the Social and Moral Development Index; it has 39 datasets, including multiple decades of data on resisting corruption, Creativity and Culture, overall happiness, Open Trading, Aid and Development, passport utility (so far), personal financial stability, World Giving Index, its Global Peace Index rating, Peacekeeping and Security, Refugees and UN Treaties, the impact of terrorism, poverty (so far), life expectancy inequality, Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) and Multidimensional Poverty.

For more, see:

• "Which are the Countries for International Contributions, Creativity, Peace and Inequality?" by Vexen Crabtree (2026).

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #freedom #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics #togo

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.

Corruption Higher is better60
Pos.		2022 Points60
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
72=	Senegal	43.0
72=	S. Africa	43.0
72=	Bulgaria	43.0
72=	Benin	43.0
72=	Ghana	43.0
77=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	42.0
77=	Vietnam	42.0
77=	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
	Africa Avg	32.31
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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.

Happiness Higher is better61
Pos.		2024 Score61
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
118	India	4.4
119	Chad	4.4
120	Burkina Faso	4.4
121	Benin	4.4
122	Somalia	4.3
123	Mali	4.3
124	Cambodia	4.3
125	Ghana	4.3
	Africa Avg	4.42
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Benin was the 2^nd unhappiest country in the world in 2011 and 2012 (after Togo). Noticeable improvements occurred from 2016 onwards.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better62
Pos.		Passport Reach (2020s) Q62
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
134	Sierra Leone	64.2
135=	Kyrgyzstan	63.3
135=	Cuba	63.3
137=	Benin	62.5
137=	Mongolia	62.5
139	Mozambique	62.3
140	Rwanda	62.2
141	Sao Tome & Principe	60.5
	Africa Avg	62.9
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Higher is better63
Pos.		Personal Financial Stability in the 2020s Score63
1	Denmark	9.06
2	Switzerland	9.00
3	Finland	8.96
	...
114	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	5.73
115	Togo	5.64
116	Mauritania	5.60
117	Benin	5.60
118	Papua New Guinea	5.57
119	Mozambique	5.53
120	Senegal	5.48
121	Somalia	5.47
	Africa Avg	5.48
	World Avg	6.46
q=165.

World Giving Index Higher is better64
Pos.		2022 %64
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
100=	Bangladesh	33.0
100=	Tanzania	33.0
102=	Spain	32.0
102=	Benin	32.0
102=	Jordan	32.0
102=	France	32.0
102=	Greece	32.0
107=	Georgia	31.0
	Africa Avg	38.2
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

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

Global Peace Index Lower is better65
Pos.		2023 Score65
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. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better35
Pos.		2017 Rank35
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 better66
Pos.		2019 Score66
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.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

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

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better67
Pos.		Poverty (2020s) %67
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
87	Ivory Coast	20.90%
88	Gambia	22.00%
89	Cameroon	26.69%
90	Benin	27.22%
91	Togo	34.42%
92	Mali	36.10%
93	Rwanda	38.55%
94	Ethiopia	38.64%
	Africa Avg	41.51%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

From the 2010s to the 2020s (so far), Benin raised 3 in 10 of its population out of poverty, creating hope for the future.

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better68
Pos.		201968
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 better69
Pos.		2023 %69
1	Slovakia	24.1%70
2	Slovenia	24.3%70
3	Belarus	24.4%71
	...
75=	Australia	34.3%72
75=	Montenegro	34.3%70
75=	Latvia	34.3%70
78	Benin	34.4%70
79	Portugal	34.6%70
80=	Iran	34.8%73
80=	Italy	34.8%70
82	Thailand	34.9%70
	Africa Avg	40.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

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

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better74
Pos.		2018 Severity74
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.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism #kazakhstan

Between 2010 and 2020, Benin saw the world's 2^nd-biggest increase in the percentage of Muslims (+7.9%, to 31.4%), after Kazakhstan. The number of Christians fell by 8% to 53.2%.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₇₅:

	2010	2020
Christian	58.3%	53.2%
Muslim	23.5%	31.4%
Other	13.8%	10.5%
Unaffiliated	4.4%	4.89%
Hindu	<0.1%	<0.1%
Buddhist	<0.1%	<0.1%
Jewish	<0.1%	<0.1%

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)₇₆.

Links:

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