Demographics of Benin

Population

According to the 2010 revision of the World Population Prospects the total population was 8 850 000 in 2010, compared to only 2 255 000 in 1950. The proportion of children below the age of 15 in 2010 was 43.7%, 53.3% were between 15 and 65 years of age, while 3% were of 65 years or older .

Vital statistics

Registration of vital events is in Benin not complete. The Population Departement of the United Nations prepared the following estimates.

Births and deaths

Data are projections presented in Annuaire Statistique 2010.

Fertility and Births

Total Fertility Rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and Crude Birth Rate (CBR):

Fertility data as of 2011-2012 (DHS Program):

Ethnic groups

There are several dozen ethnolinguistic groups in Benin, representing three of Africa's language families: Niger–Congo, Nilo-Saharan, and Afroasiatic. The latter is represented by Hausa living mostly as merchants in the north, while Nilo-Saharan is represented by the Dɛndi, descending from the Songhai Empire. The Dɛndi language predominates along the Niger River in the far north, and is used as a lingua franca in Muslim areas throughout the north, in Alibori, Borgou, and Donga provinces. Of the Niger–Congo family, five branches are represented:

Mande by the Boko or Busa, now in the far eastern corner (southern Alibori-northern Borgou), but previously more widely spread before being largely absorbed by the Bariba

Senegambian by the nomadic Fulani scattered across the northeast

Benue–Congo by the Yoruba such as those of the old kingdom of Sakete, and the capital city of Porto-Novo, having expanded west from the Yoruba cities of Oyo and Ife in the 12th to 19th centuries

Gur (Voltaic) languages predominate in the four northern provinces, with the Batɔmbu (Bariba) of the old Borgou (Bariba) Kingdom occupying most of the countryside in its successor provinces of Borgou and Alibori, as well as the provincial capital of Parakou; the Yom throughout much of Donga province and its capital Djougou; and several groups in the Atakora, including the Bɛtamaribɛ of the Otammari country around the provincial capital of Natitingou, the Biali, the Waama of Tanguiéta, and the Gulmàceba.

Kwa, especially the Gbe languages spoken by the Tado peoples in the southern and central provinces: the Aja who established themselves in Kouffo province from neighboring Togo and gave rise to the other Tado peoples of Benin, except for the Mina of Mono province, who arrived separately from Togo or Ghana: The Fɔn culture centered in Zou province around the old Fɔn capital of Abomey, but also dominant in Cotonou and southern Atlantique areas such as Ouidah; the Maxi in central Collines, especially around Savalou; the Ayizɔ of central Atlantique (Allada); the Xwla and Xueda in the lagoons of the coast; the Tɔfin of Ouémé; and the Gun. Other Kwa languages are spoken by the Anii in southern Donga in the region of Bassila, and the Fooɖo in western Donga near the town of Ouaké.

The largest ethnic group are the Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), followed by the various Yoruba groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulani (310,000), and the Gun (240,000). Near the ports in the south can be found many people who are descended from returned Brazilian slaves. There are also small numbers of Europeans, principally French, and people from the western Asia, mainly Lebanese, and East Asia, chiefly Indians.

CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.

Population

9,325,032Note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2011 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 44.7% (male 2,126,973/female 2,042,340)15-64 years: 52.6% (male 2,443,370/female 2,461,421)65 years and over: 2.7% (male 101,640/female 149,288) (2011 est.)

Median age

Total:17.2 yearsMale: 16.8 yearsFemale: 17.7 years (2009 est.)

Population growth rate

2.911% (2011 est.)

Urbanization

Urban population: 42% of total population (2010)Rate of urbanization: 4% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

Sex ratio

At birth: 1.05 male(s)/femaleUnder 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female15-64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female65 years and over: 0.70 male(s)/femaleTotal population: 1.0 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

Total population: 59 yearsMale: 57.83 yearsFemale: 60.23 years (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS

Adult prevalence rate: 1.2% (2007 est.)People living with HIV/AIDS: 64,000 (2007 est.)Deaths: 3,300 (2007 est.)

Major infectious diseases

Degree of risk: very highFood or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid feverVectorborne diseases: malaria, yellow fever, and others are high risks in some locationsRespiratory disease: meningococcal meningitisAnimal contact disease: rabies (2009)

Nationality

English :Noun: Beninese (singular and plural) English :Adjective: Beninese

However, French is widely spoken throughout Benin while English speakers are few and far between. From a practical standpoint the only terms one is likely to hear while in country are Béninois (for men) and Béninoise (for women). Pronunciation (Ben-een-w-ah) is the same for both terms.

French: Noun (Male): Béninois French: Noun (Female): Béninoise

Ethnic groups

Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Fulani and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, Other 1.6%, Unspecified 2.9% (2002 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 27.1%, Islam 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, Protestant 10.4% (Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%), other Traditional Religions 6%, other Christian 5.3%, Other 1.9%, None 6.5%, Unspecified 1.1% (2002 est.)

Languages

Over 50 languages are spoken in Benin. The official language is French. Of the many indigenous African languages, Fon and Yoruba are the most important in southern Benin, and in the north there are at least six major languages, including Baatonum and Fulani.

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and writeTotal population: 34.7%Male: 47.9%Female: 23.3% (2002 census)

Education expenditure

4.4% of total GDPcountry comparison to the world: 91