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Benin

BJ · currency XOF (West African CFA franc)

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Overview

  • Population

    14.8M

    people · 2025

    World Bank

  • GDP

    $24.6B

    current US$ · 2025

    World Bank

  • Inflation

    0.00%

    headline, % y/y · Jul 2026

    National statistics office

  • Policy rate

    3.00%

    % · effective 16 Mar 2026

    BCEAO

  • Official exchange rate

    588.88

    XOF per US$1 · 7 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC

    BCEAO

  • USDT peer-to-peer rate parallel market

    606.99

    XOF per US$1 · 8 Oct 2026, 06:25 UTC

    Bybit P2P

Coverage: 39 of 40 annual indicators reported, latest years 2019–2026. Gaps read “not available” (source has no figure) or “not yet covered” (not yet collected), never zero.

Currencies & Rates

Official and market exchange rates, policy rates, government yields, bank rates, reserves and stock indices.

Exchange rates

XOF per US$1. Official and market rates are separate series and are never blended.
SeriesRateAs ofSource
Official rate 588.88 7 Oct 2026, 00:00 UTC BCEAO
Parallel-market rate (USDT peer-to-peer median) parallel 606.99 8 Oct 2026, 06:25 UTC Bybit P2P
Market premium% by which the market rate exceeds the official rate +3.08% — How we measure

Market premium history · since Aug 2026 · collected by The African Exponent

0.6%2.1%3.7%Aug 2026Sep 2026Oct 2026

Official rate, 10-year annual average (XOF per US$1, World Bank)

49055562020142017202020232025

Policy rate

InstrumentRateEffectiveSource
Taux directeur (principal)% per year · BCEAO 3.00% 16 Mar 2026 BCEAO

Checked 12 Sep 2026, 01:10 UTC

Government securities yields

% yield at the latest auction for each tenor. Tenors up to 364 days are Treasury bills; longer tenors are bonds. weighted avg Source: UMOA-Titres

91-day 3.06%13 Aug 2026

as of 13 Aug 2026

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for Benin · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Lending rate % per year, average bank lending rate 6.2% 2021 ↑ 0.9 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Deposit rate % per year, average bank deposit rate 5.3% 2021 ↓ 2 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare

Not available for Benin: FX reserves.

Show trend charts (2)

Lending rate

6.2% · 2021

5.1%6%6.9%201420182021

↑ 0.9 pts since 2014

Deposit rate

5.3% · 2021

5%6.2%7.3%201420182021

↓ 2 pts since 2014

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Economy & Prices

Output, growth, inflation, jobs, investment, the structure of the economy and minimum wages.

Inflation % change from a year earlier

SeriesYear on yearPeriodSource
Headline consumer prices 0.00% Jul 2026 National statistics office

Checked 12 Sep 2026, 19:49 UTC

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for Benin · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
GDP Current US$ $24.6B 2025 ↑ $11.3B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
GDP growth % change, real (inflation-adjusted) 8.1% 2025 ↑ 1.7 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
GDP per capita (PPP) Current international $ per person, PPP $4,817 2025 ↑ $2,146 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
GDP per capita growth % change per person, real 5.5% 2025 ↑ 2.2 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Unemployment % of labour force ILO modeled estimate — national definitions differ 1.6% 2025 ↓ 0.4 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Investment rate Gross fixed capital formation, % of GDP 35.4% 2025 ↑ 13.8 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Agriculture share of GDP Agriculture value added, % of GDP 22.9% 2025 ↓ 2.7 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Manufacturing share of GDP Manufacturing value added, % of GDP 10.2% 2025 ↓ 0.2 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Services share of GDP Services value added, % of GDP 50.1% 2025 ↑ 0.5 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (9)

GDP

$24.6B · 2025

$11B$18B$25B201520172019202120232025

↑ $11.3B since 2014

GDP growth

8.1% · 2025

1.7%4.9%8.1%201520172019202120232025

↑ 1.7 pts since 2014

GDP per capita (PPP)

$4,817 · 2025

$2,700$3,750$4,800201520172019202120232025

↑ $2,146 since 2014

GDP per capita growth

5.5% · 2025

-2%0%6%201520172019202120232025

↑ 2.2 pts since 2014

Unemployment

1.6% · 2025

1.2%1.6%1.9%201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.4 pts since 2014

Investment rate

35.4% · 2025

19%27%35%201520172019202120232025

↑ 13.8 pts since 2014

Agriculture share of GDP

22.9% · 2025

22%25.5%29%201520172019202120232025

↓ 2.7 pts since 2014

Manufacturing share of GDP

10.2% · 2025

9.1%9.6%10%201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.2 pts since 2014

Services share of GDP

50.1% · 2025

45%47.5%50%201520172019202120232025

↑ 0.5 pts since 2014

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Public Finance & Debt

Government revenue, budget balance, public and external debt, debt service and sovereign credit ratings.

Sovereign credit ratings

No published sovereign rating recorded

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for Benin · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Government revenue / GDP General government revenue, % of GDP 2026 is an IMF projection (forecast) for the year in progress when fetched, not a reported outturn. 15.9% 2026 ↑ 3.3 pts since 2014 IMF DataMapper CSV Rank Compare
Budget balance / GDP General government net lending/borrowing, % of GDP Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates -2.9% 2026 ↓ 1.2 pts since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV Rank Compare
Debt to GDP General government gross debt, % of GDP Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates 57.2% 2026 ↑ 34.9 pts since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV Rank Compare
Gross debt (national currency) General government gross debt, local currency Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates CFA8.8T 2026 ↑ CFA7.4T since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV
External debt Total external debt stocks, current US$ $14.2B 2024 ↑ $10.5B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Debt service / exports Total debt service, % of exports and primary income 26.8% 2024 ↑ 23.7 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (6)

Government revenue / GDP

15.9% · 2026

11%14%17%201620182020202220242026

↑ 3.3 pts since 2014

Budget balance / GDP

-2.9% · 2026

-5.6%-3.1%-0.5%20142017202020232026

↓ 1.2 pts since 2014

Debt to GDP

57.2% · 2026

22%41.5%61%20142017202020232026

↑ 34.9 pts since 2014

Gross debt (national currency)

CFA8.8T · 2026

CFA1.4TCFA5.1TCFA8.8T20142017202020232026

↑ CFA7.4T since 2014

External debt

$14.2B · 2024

$3.6B$8.8B$14B201420162018202020222024

↑ $10.5B since 2014

Debt service / exports

26.8% · 2024

3.1%15.1%27%201420162018202020222024

↑ 23.7 pts since 2014

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Trade & Resources

Exports, imports, trade partners and products, investment and remittance flows, oil and commodities.

Trade profile

Goods and services, current US$
FlowLatestChange
Exports $4.5B · 2023 ↑ $1.5B since 2014
Imports $6.2B · 2023 ↑ $2B since 2014
Balance derived −$1.7B · 2023 ↓ $559.4M since 2014
Show trade trend charts (3)

Exports

$4.5B · 2023

$2.7B$3.6B$4.5B2014201820202023

↑ $1.5B since 2014

Imports

$6.2B · 2023

$3.4B$4.8B$6.2B2014201820202023

↑ $2B since 2014

Balance

−$1.7B · 2023

$-1.7B$-1.1B$-440M2014201820202023

↓ $559.4M since 2014

Top exports · 2024

Products

  1. Cotton$525.7M · 47.2%
  2. Oil seeds and oleaginous fruits$173M · 15.5%
  3. Food industry residues and fodder$96.3M · 8.7%
  4. Edible fruit and nuts$50.7M · 4.6%
  5. Animal or vegetable fats and oils$44.5M · 4.0%
Show all 10 products
  1. Iron and steel$39.1M · 3.5%
  2. Mineral fuels$38.9M · 3.5%
  3. Preparations of vegetables and fruit$24.4M · 2.2%
  4. Aircraft and spacecraft$20.1M · 1.8%
  5. Wood and wood articles$15.1M · 1.4%

Partners

  1. Bangladesh$480.8M · 43.2%
  2. India$86.8M · 7.8%
  3. Pakistan$76.2M · 6.8%
  4. Denmark$68.6M · 6.2%
  5. United States$59.9M · 5.4%
Show all 10 partners
  1. China$46.4M · 4.2%
  2. Chad$35.4M · 3.2%
  3. Nigeria$30.9M · 2.8%
  4. United Arab Emirates$29.9M · 2.7%
  5. Togo$25.8M · 2.3%

Top imports · 2024

Products

  1. Cereals$756.6M · 22.5%
  2. Mineral fuels$461.2M · 13.7%
  3. Machinery and mechanical appliances$277.3M · 8.2%
  4. Electrical machinery and equipment$198.6M · 5.9%
  5. Pharmaceutical products$155.4M · 4.6%
Show all 10 products
  1. Vehicles other than railway$137.5M · 4.1%
  2. Iron and steel$118.4M · 3.5%
  3. Fertilisers$113.7M · 3.4%
  4. Plastics$108.6M · 3.2%
  5. Fish and crustaceans$95.2M · 2.8%

Partners

  1. India$604.4M · 18.0%
  2. China$429.3M · 12.8%
  3. France$335.1M · 10.0%
  4. Togo$178.5M · 5.3%
  5. United States$177.2M · 5.3%
Show all 10 partners
  1. Russia$158.3M · 4.7%
  2. Côte d'Ivoire$130.1M · 3.9%
  3. Belgium$114.3M · 3.4%
  4. Nigeria$98.4M · 2.9%
  5. United Arab Emirates$89.7M · 2.7%

2025 filings are still arriving — this page updates as each country reports

Commodity exposure for Benin →

Annual indicators

Annual indicators · latest year reported for Benin · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Exports of goods and services Goods and services, current US$ $4.5B 2023 ↑ $1.5B since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Exports per capita derived Current US$ per person (derived) $319.7 2023 ↑ $43.55 since 2014 Derived from World Bank series on this page CSV Rank Compare
Current account / GDP Current-account balance, % of GDP Latest 1–2 years are IMF estimates -5% 2026 ↑ 1.7 pts since 2014 IMF World Economic Outlook Oct 2025 CSV Rank Compare
FDI inflows Foreign direct investment, net inflows, current US$ $543M 2024 ↑ $137.3M since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Remittances Personal remittances received, current US$ $338.5M 2023 ↑ $33.9M since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Terms of trade Net barter terms of trade, index (2015 = 100) 103.00 2024 ↓ 9.30 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Tourist arrivals International tourist arrivals per year 337,000 2019 ↑ 72,000 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (7)

Exports of goods and services

$4.5B · 2023

$2.7B$3.6B$4.5B2014201820202023

↑ $1.5B since 2014

Exports per capita

$319.7 · 2023

$240$280$3202014201820202023

↑ $43.55 since 2014

Current account / GDP

-5% · 2026

-8.2%-5%-1.7%20142017202020232026

↑ 1.7 pts since 2014

FDI inflows

$543M · 2024

$130M$335M$540M201420162018202020222024

↑ $137.3M since 2014

Remittances

$338.5M · 2023

$190M$265M$340M2014201820202023

↑ $33.9M since 2014

Terms of trade

103.00 · 2024

100.00105.00110.00201420162018202020222024

↓ 9.30 since 2014

Tourist arrivals

337,000 · 2019

260,000300,000340,000201420152016201720182019

↑ 72,000 since 2014

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People & Society

Population, health, education, poverty and inequality, access to services and democracy.

Annual indicators · latest year reported for Benin · change over the period shown
Indicator Latest Year Change Source Data
Population People, total 14.8M 2025 ↑ 3.8M since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Median age Years 17.8 years 2023 ↑ 0.8 years since 2014 UN WPP 2024, via Our World in Data CSV
Life expectancy Years at birth 61 years 2024 ↑ 2 years since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Child mortality Under-5 deaths per 1,000 live births 74.7 per 1,000 2024 ↓ 23.7 since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Health expenditure Current health spending, % of GDP 3.3% 2023 ↑ 0.6 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Physicians Per 1,000 people 0.2 per 1,000 2023 ↑ 0.2 since 2016 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Adult literacy % of people aged 15 and over 51.4% 2022 ↑ 12.5 pts since 2017 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Tertiary enrollment Gross enrolment ratio, % 10.2% 2022 ↓ 4.5 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Poverty ($3/day) % of people below $3.00 a day (2021 PPP) 27.2% 2021 ↓ 38.6 pts since 2015 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
National poverty line % of people below the national poverty line 36.2% 2021 ↓ 2.3 pts since 2018 World Bank CSV
Gini index Income inequality, 0 (equal) to 100 34.40 2021 ↓ 13.20 since 2015 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Electricity access % of population 59% 2024 ↑ 24.9 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Internet users % of population using the internet 34% 2024 ↑ 28 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Account ownership % of people aged 15+ with an account Findex · every 3–4 years 51.8% 2024 ↑ 35.2 pts since 2014 World Bank CSV Rank Compare
Electoral democracy V-Dem electoral democracy index, 0 to 1 0.49 2025 ↓ 0.11 since 2014 V-Dem Institute CSV Rank Compare
Show trend charts (15)

Population

14.8M · 2025

11M13M15M201520172019202120232025

↑ 3.8M since 2014

Median age

17.8 years · 2023

1617182014201820202023

↑ 0.8 years since 2014

Life expectancy

61 years · 2024

596061201420162018202020222024

↑ 2 years since 2014

Child mortality

74.7 per 1,000 · 2024

748698201420162018202020222024

↓ 23.7 since 2014

Health expenditure

3.3% · 2023

2.6%3.1%3.7%2014201820202023

↑ 0.6 pts since 2014

Physicians

0.2 per 1,000 · 2023

00.10.2201620202023

↑ 0.2 since 2016

Adult literacy

51.4% · 2022

38%44.5%51%201720182019202020212022

↑ 12.5 pts since 2017

Tertiary enrollment

10.2% · 2022

9.8%12.4%15%20142016201820202022

↓ 4.5 pts since 2014

Poverty ($3/day)

27.2% · 2021

27%46.5%66%2015201720192021

↓ 38.6 pts since 2015

National poverty line

36.2% · 2021

36%37%38%2018201920202021

↓ 2.3 pts since 2018

Gini index

34.40 · 2021

34.0041.0048.002015201720192021

↓ 13.20 since 2015

Electricity access

59% · 2024

29%44%59%201420162018202020222024

↑ 24.9 pts since 2014

Internet users

34% · 2024

6%20%34%201420162018202020222024

↑ 28 pts since 2014

Account ownership

51.8% · 2024

16%34%52%201420162018202020222024

↑ 35.2 pts since 2014

Electoral democracy

0.49 · 2025

0.390.550.71201520172019202120232025

↓ 0.11 since 2014

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Downloads

Each indicator row above has its own CSV link. Every file starts with its source, source URL and page link. All downloads

All 43 CSV files for Benin

Currencies & Rates

Economy & Prices

Public Finance & Debt

Trade & Resources

People & Society

From the magazine