Benin

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

1 (2000)

Internet country code

.bj

Internet users

10,000 (2000)

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios

620,000 (1997)

Telephone system

general assessment: NA domestic: fair system of open wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections international: satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean); submarine cable

Telephones - main lines in use

36,000 (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

4,295 (1997)

Television broadcast stations

2 (one privately-owned) (1997)

Televisions

60,000 (1997)

Agriculture - products

corn, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), yams, beans, rice, cotton, palm oil, peanuts; poultry, livestock

Budget

revenues: $299 million expenditures: $445 million, including capital expenditures of $14 million (1995 est.)

Currency

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code

XOF

Debt - external

$1.6 billion (1998 est.)

Economic aid - recipient

$274.6 million (1997)

Economy - overview

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output averaged a sound 5% in 1996-99, but a rapid population rise offset much of this growth. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. Commercial and transport activities, which make up a large part of GDP, are vulnerable to developments in Nigeria, particularly fuel shortages. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation in recent years. While high fuel prices constrained growth in 2000, increased cotton production - enabled by a major restructuring program - and an expansion of the Cotonou port, may lead to increased growth in 2001.

Electricity - consumption

510.2 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (1999)

Electricity - imports

300 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production

226 million kWh (1999)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel: 24.78% hydro: 75.22% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1999)

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 699.21 (January 2001), 711.98 (2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996); note - from 1 January 1999, the XOF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 XOF per euro

Exports

$396 million (f.o.b., 1999)

Exports - commodities

cotton, crude oil, palm products, cocoa

Exports - partners

Brazil 14%, Libya 5%, Indonesia 4%, Italy 4% (1999)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP

purchasing power parity - $6.6 billion (2000 est.)

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 37.9% industry: 13.5% services: 48.6% (1999)

GDP - per capita

purchasing power parity - $1,030 (2000 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2000 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$566 million (c.i.f., 1999)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, tobacco, petroleum products, capital goods

Imports - partners

France 38%, China 16%, UK 9%, Cote d'Ivoire 5% (1999)

Industrial production growth rate

6.9% (2000 est.)

Industries

textiles, cigarettes; beverages, food; construction materials, petroleum

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

3% (2000 est.)

Labor force

NA

Population below poverty line

37.2% (1999 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Area

total: 112,620 sq km land: 110,620 sq km water: 2,000 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Pennsylvania

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Coastline

121 km

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m

Environment - current issues

inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification

Environment - international agreements

party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

9 30 N, 2 15 E

Geography - note

no natural harbors

Irrigated land

100 sq km (1993 est.)

Land boundaries

total: 1,989 km border countries: Burkina Faso 306 km, Niger 266 km, Nigeria 773 km, Togo 644 km

Land use

arable land: 13% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 4% forests and woodland: 31% other: 48% (1993 est.)

Location

Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Nigeria and Togo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 200 NM

Natural hazards

hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter

Natural resources

small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber

Terrain

mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains

Administrative divisions

6 provinces; Atakora, Atlantique, Borgou, Mono, Oueme, Zou; note - six additional provinces have been reported but not confirmed; they are Alibori, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, and Plateau; moreover, the term "province" may have been changed to "department"

Capital

Porto-Novo is the official capital; Cotonou is the seat of government

Constitution

December 1990

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Benin conventional short form: Benin local long form: Republique du Benin local short form: Benin former: Dahomey

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Pamela E. BRIDGEWATER embassy: Rue Caporal Bernard Anani, Cotonou mailing address: B. P. 2012, Cotonou telephone: [229] 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Lucien Edgar TONOUKOUIN chancery: 2737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656

Executive branch

chief of state: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government head of government: President Mathieu KEREKOU (since 4 April 1996); note - the president is both the chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: president reelected by popular vote for a five-year term; runoff election held 22 March 2001 (next to be held NA March 2006) election results: Mathieu KEREKOU reelected president; percent of vote - Mathieu KEREKOU 84.1%, Bruno AMOUSSOU 15.9% note: the four top-ranking contenders following the first round presidential elections were: Mathieu KEREKOU (incumbent) 45.4%, Nicephore SOGOLO (former president) 27.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (National Assembly Speaker) 12.6%, and Bruno AMOUSSOU (Minister of State) 8.6%; the second round balloting, originally scheduled for 18 March, was postponed four days because both SOGOLO and HOUNGBEDJI withdrew alleging electoral fraud; this left KEREKOU to run against his own Minister of State, AMOUSSOU, in what was termed a "friendly match"

FAX

[1] (202) 265-1996

FAX

[229] 30-14-39, 30-19-74

Flag description

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side

Government type

republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991

Independence

1 August 1960 (from France)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ISO (subscriber), ITU, MIPONUH, MONUC, NAM, OAU, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMEE, UNTAET, UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme; High Court of Justice

Legal system

based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve four-year terms) elections: last held 30 March 1999 (next to be held NA March 2003) election results: percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RB 27, PRD 11, FARD-ALAFIA 10, PSD 9, MADEP 6, E'toile 4, Alliance IPD 4, Car-DUNYA 3, MERCI 2, other 7

National holiday

National Day, 1 August (1960)

Political parties and leaders

African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP [Sylvain Adekpedjou AKINDES]; Alliance of the Social Democratic Party or PSD and the National Union for Solidarity and Progress or UNSP [Bruno AMOUSSOU]; Cameleon Alliance or AC [leader NA]; Car-DUNYA [Saka SALEY]; Communist Party of Benin or PCB [Pascal FANTONDJI, first secretary]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Front for Renewal and Development or FARD-ALAFIA [Jerome Sakia KINA]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Bertin BORNA]; Liberal Democrats' Rally for National Reconstruction-Vivoten or RDL-Vivoten [Severin ADJOVI]; Movement for Citizens' Commitment and Awakening or MERCI [Severin ADJOVI]; New Generation for the Republic or NGR [Paul DOSSOU]; Our Common Cause or NCC [Francois Odjo TANKPINON]; Party Democratique du Benin or PDB [Col. Soule DANKORO]; Rally for Democracy and Pan-Africanism or RDP [Dominique HOYMINOU, Dr. Giles Auguste MINONTIN]; Renaissance Party du Benin or RB [Nicephore SOGLO]; The Star Alliance (Alliance E'toile) [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for National Democracy and Solidarity or UDS [Adamou N'Diaye MAMA] note: the Coalition of Democratic Forces is an alliance of parties and organizations supporting President KEREKOU [Gatien HOUNGBEDJI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Background

Dahomey gained its independence from France in 1960; the name was changed to Benin in 1975. From 1974 to 1989 the country was a socialist state; free elections were reestablished in 1991.

Military branches

Armed Forces (includes Army, Navy, Air Force), National Gendarmerie

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$27 million (FY96)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.2% (FY96)

Military manpower - availability

males age 15-49: 1,455,433 females age 15-49: 1,489,947 note: both sexes are liable for military service (2001 est.)

Military manpower - fit for military service

males age 15-49: 743,980 females age 15-49: 755,149 (2001 est.)

Military manpower - military age

18 years of age

Military manpower - reaching military age annually

males: 70,088 females: 73,618 (2001 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 47.32% (male 1,574,124; female 1,544,741) 15-64 years: 50.38% (male 1,607,900; female 1,712,360) 65 years and over: 2.3% (male 64,756; female 86,901) (2001 est.)

Birth rate

44.23 births/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Death rate

14.51 deaths/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Ethnic groups

African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba), Europeans 5,500

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.45% (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

5,600 (1999 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

70,000 (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

89.68 deaths/1,000 live births (2001 est.)

Languages

French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 49.94 years male: 49.02 years female: 50.88 years (2001 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 37.5% male: 52.2% female: 23.6% (2000)

Nationality

noun: Beninese (singular and plural) adjective: Beninese

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2001 est.)

Population

6,590,782 note: 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 2001 est.)

Population growth rate

2.97% (2001 est.)

Religions

indigenous beliefs 50%, Christian 30%, Muslim 20%

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.94 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.75 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2001 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.23 children born/woman (2001 est.)

Disputes - international

none

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for narcotics associated with Nigerian trafficking organizations and most commonly destined for Western Europe and the US

Airports

5 (2000 est.)

Airports - with paved runways

total: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2000 est.)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 4 2,438 to 3,047 m: 1 1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2000 est.)

Highways

total: 6,787 km paved: 1,357 km (including 10 km of expressways) unpaved: 5,430 km (1997 est.)

Merchant marine

none (2000 est.)

Ports and harbors

Cotonou, Porto-Novo

Railways

total: 578 km (single track) narrow gauge: 578 km 1.000-m gauge (2000)

Waterways

streams navigable along small sections, important only locally