Benin
Republic of Benin
People: Beninese
Benin is located in Western Africa and has a population of around 13.2 million. Its capital city is Porto-Novo, and the most widely spoken official language is French.
By the numbers, Benin is the 78th most populous of the 196 countries covered on this site, home to 0.17% of the world's population. By land area it ranks 100th out of 196, with a population density of roughly 117 people per km².
Facts last checked 31 August 2026.
Benin — key facts at a glance
| Official Name | Republic of Benin |
|---|---|
| Capital City | Porto-Novo |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| Population | 13,224,860 |
| Area | 112,622 km² |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) Fr |
| Official Language | French |
| Dialling Code | +229 |
| Internet TLD | .bj |
| Timezone | UTC+01:00 |
| Drives on the | Right side |
| Emergency Number | 112 (works on most mobile networks worldwide) |
| ISO Code | BJ / BEN |
| Borders | Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Togo |
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Getting to and around Benin
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Frequently Asked Questions about Benin
What is the capital and currency of Benin?
The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo and the currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF), symbol Fr.
What is the capital of Benin?
The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo.
What currency does Benin use?
Benin uses the West African CFA franc (XOF, symbol: Fr).
What language do they speak in Benin?
The official language of Benin is French.
What is the dialling code for Benin?
The international dialling code for Benin is +229.
What side of the road does Benin drive on?
Benin drives on the right-hand side of the road.
Countries bordering Benin
Burkina Faso
Niger
Nigeria
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