Benin: capital, population, area and flag
Benin is a country in Western Africa (Africa). It has more than one capital: Porto-Novo, Cotonou. The population is about 14.8M (#75 of 193) and the area is about 114,760 km² (#100 of 193).
Key facts
- Capitals
- Porto-Novo, Cotonou
- Region
- Africa / Western Africa
- Population
- 14,814,460 (2025) #75 of 193
- Total area
- 114,760 km² (2024) #100 of 193
- Population density
- 128.3 people/km² (2024) #70 of 193
- GDP (total)
- $24.6B (2025) #122 of 189
- GDP per capita
- $1,658 (2025) #158 of 189
- Life expectancy
- 61.0 years (2024) #185 of 193
- Distance from Japan
- 13,529 km #38 of 192
- Area compared with Japan
- about 1/3 that of Japan
- Population compared with Japan
- about 1/8 that of Japan
- Main languages
- French
- Currency
- West African CFA Franc (XOF)
- Calling code
- +229
- Time zone (capital)
- UTC+1
- Time difference from Japan (standard time)
- 8 h behind Japan
- Driving side
- Right
- Capital location
- 6.48°N 2.62°E
Population of Benin, 1950–2100 (Japanese)
See past estimates, future projections and the population pyramid in the World Population Time Machine.
Map of Benin
Capital: Porto-Novo, Cotonou
Benin: in the world’s top 10 for food & farming
Benin ranks among the world’s top 10 for these crops, animals, seafood and farm products (latest FAO data).
Neighbors by land
Top rankings
Benin is in the top 10 for:
Benin in world rankings
How Benin compares with other countries, indicator by indicator. Click an indicator to see the full ranking.
Questions about Benin
What is the capital of Benin?
Benin has more than one capital: Porto-Novo, Cotonou. The first one listed is the main capital.
What is the population of Benin?
Benin has a population of about 14.8M (2025), #75 of 193 among countries.
How big is Benin?
Benin covers about 114,760 km², #100 of 193 among countries.
Which continent is Benin in?
Benin is in Africa, in the region of Western Africa.
What currency and languages are used in Benin?
The currency is the West African CFA Franc. Main languages: French.
How does Benin compare with Japan in size and population?
The area of Benin is about 1/3 that of Japan, and its population is about 1/8 that of Japan.
How far is Benin from Japan?
The capital, Porto-Novo, is about 13,529 km from Tokyo, the capital of Japan, in a straight line.
What is the time difference between Benin and Japan?
The capital, Porto-Novo, is on UTC+1 in standard time: 8 h behind Japan.
More countries in Western Africa
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