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Africa :: Benin

- ## Introduction :: BENIN

- Background:
  Present day Benin was the site of Dahomey, a West African kingdom that rose to prominence in about 1600 and over the next two and a half centuries became a regional power, largely based on its slave trade. Coastal areas of Dahomey began to be controlled by the French in the second half of the 19th century; the entire kingdom was conquered by 1894. French Dahomey achieved independence in 1960; it changed its name to the Republic of Benin in 1975.
  A succession of military governments ended in 1972 with the rise to power of Mathieu KEREKOU and the establishment of a government based on Marxist-Leninist principles. A move to representative government began in 1989. Two years later, free elections ushered in former Prime Minister Nicephore SOGLO as president, marking the first successful transfer of power in Africa from a dictatorship to a democracy. KEREKOU was returned to power by elections held in 1996 and 2001, though some irregularities were alleged. KEREKOU stepped down at the end of his second term in 2006 and was succeeded by Thomas YAYI Boni, a political outsider and independent. YAYI, who won a second five-year term in March 2011, has attempted to stem corruption and has strongly promoted accelerating Benin's economic growth.

- ## Geography :: BENIN

- Location:
  Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo
  Geographic coordinates:
  9 30 N, 2 15 E
  Map references:
  Africa
  Area:
  total: 112,622 sq km
  land: 110,622 sq km
  water: 2,000 sq km
  country comparison to the world: 102
  Area - comparative:
  slightly smaller than Pennsylvania
  Land boundaries:
  total: 2,123 km
  border countries (4): Burkina Faso 386 km, Niger 277 km, Nigeria 809 km, Togo 651 km
  Coastline:
  121 km
  Maritime claims:
  territorial sea: 200 nm
  Climate:
  tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
  Terrain:
  mostly flat to undulating plain; some hills and low mountains
  Elevation extremes:
  lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
  highest point: Mont Sokbaro 658 m
  Natural resources:
  small offshore oil deposits, limestone, marble, timber
  Land use:
  agricultural land: 31.3%
  arable land 22.9%; permanent crops 3.5%; permanent pasture 4.9%
  forest: 40%
  other: 28.7% (2011 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  230.4 sq km (2008)
  Total renewable water resources:
  26.39 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.13 cu km/yr (32%/23%/45%)
  per capita: 18.74 cu m/yr (2001)
  Natural hazards:
  hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March
  Environment - current issues:
  inadequate supplies of potable water; poaching threatens wildlife populations; deforestation; desertification
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands, Whaling
  signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
  Geography - note:
  sandbanks create difficult access to a coast with no natural harbors, river mouths, or islands

- ## People and Society :: BENIN

- Nationality:
  noun: Beninese (singular and plural)
  adjective: Beninese
  Ethnic groups:
  Fon and related 39.2%, Adja and related 15.2%, Yoruba and related 12.3%, Bariba and related 9.2%, Peulh and related 7%, Ottamari and related 6.1%, Yoa-Lokpa and related 4%, Dendi and related 2.5%, other 1.6% (includes Europeans), unspecified 2.9% (2002 census)
  Languages:
  French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north)
  Religions:
  Catholic 27.1%, Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, Protestant 10.4% (Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%), other Christian 5.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census)
  Population:
  10,448,647
  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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 43.42% (male 2,314,981/female 2,222,185)
  15-24 years: 20.19% (male 1,073,356/female 1,036,459)
  25-54 years: 30.04% (male 1,585,098/female 1,553,965)
  55-64 years: 3.53% (male 157,171/female 211,292)
  65 years and over: 2.82% (male 116,693/female 177,447) (2015 est.)
  population pyramid:
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 82%
  youth dependency ratio: 76.7%
  elderly dependency ratio: 5.3%
  potential support ratio: 19% (2015 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 17.7 years
  male: 17.4 years
  female: 18.1 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  2.78% (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 17
  Birth rate:
  36.02 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 20
  Death rate:
  8.21 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Net migration rate:
  0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 104
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 44% of total population (2015)
  rate of urbanization: 3.67% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  PORTO-NOVO (capital) 268,000 (2014); COTONOU (seat of government) 682,000; Abomey-Calavi 757,000 (2015)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 0.74 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 0.66 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 55.68 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 58.8 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 52.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 26
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 61.47 years
  male: 60.11 years
  female: 62.9 years (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 192
  Total fertility rate:
  4.95 children born/woman (2015 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 16
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  12.9% (2011/12)
  Health expenditures:
  4.6% of GDP (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 154
  Physicians density:
  0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
  Hospital bed density:
  0.5 beds/1,000 population (2010)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 85.2% of population
  rural: 72.1% of population
  total: 77.9% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 14.8% of population
  rural: 27.9% of population
  total: 22.1% of population (2015 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 35.6% of population
  rural: 7.3% of population
  total: 19.7% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 64.4% of population
  rural: 92.7% of population
  total: 80.3% of population (2015 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  1.13% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 38
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  73,900 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 48
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  2,700 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 50
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: very high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne diseases: dengue fever, malaria, and yellow fever
  respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
  animal contact disease: rabies (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  8.1% (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 151
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  20.2% (2006)
  country comparison to the world: 30
  Education expenditures:
  5.3% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 64
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 38.4%
  male: 49.9%
  female: 27.3% (2015 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 11 years
  male: 13 years
  female: 9 years (2011)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 1,020,981
  percentage: 46% (2006 est.)

- ## Government :: BENIN

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Benin
  conventional short form: Benin
  local long form: Republique du Benin
  local short form: Benin
  former: Dahomey
  Government type:
  republic
  Capital:
  name: Porto-Novo (official capital); note - Cotonou (seat of government)
  geographic coordinates: 6 29 N, 2 37 E
  time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
  Administrative divisions:
  12 departments; Alibori, Atacora, Atlantique, Borgou, Collines, Couffo, Donga, Littoral, Mono, Oueme, Plateau, Zou
  Independence:
  1 August 1960 (from France)
  National holiday:
  National Day, 1 August (1960)
  Constitution:
  previous 1946, 1958 (preindependence); latest adopted by referendum 2 December 1990, promulgated 11 December 1990 (2012)
  Legal system:
  civil law system modeled largely on the French system and some customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  chief of state: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); note - the president is both chief of state and head of government
  head of government: President Thomas YAYI Boni (since 6 April 2006); Prime Minister Lionel ZINSOU (since 18 June 2015)
  cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
  elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); last held on 13 March 2011 (next to be held in April 2016)
  election results: Thomas YAYI Boni reelected president; percent of vote - Thomas YAYI Boni (FCBE) 53.1%, Adrien HOUNGBEDJI (PRD) 35.6%, Abdoulaye Bio TCHANE 6.1%, other 5.2%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (83 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)
  elections: last held on 26 April 2015 (next to be held in 2019)
  election results: percent of vote by party - FCBE 30.2%, UN 14.4%, PRD 10.6%, ; seats by party - FCBE 32, UN 15, PRD 10, RB-RP 7, other 19
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (consists of the court president and 3 chamber presidents organized into an administrative division, judicial chamber, and chamber of accounts); Constitutional Court or Cour Constitutionnelle (consists of 7 members including the court president); High Court of Justice (consists of the Constitutional Court members, 6 members appointed by the National Assembly, and the Supreme Court president); note - jurisdiction of the High Court of Justice is limited to cases of high treason by the national president or members of the government
  judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president and judges appointed by the national president upon the advice of the National Assembly; judges appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; Constitutional Court members - 4 appointed by the National Assembly and 3 by the national president; members appointed for single renewable 5-year terms; High Court of Justice "other" members elected by the National Assembly; member tenure NA
  subordinate courts: Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; district courts; village courts; Assize courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  African Movement for Democracy and Progress or MADEP [Sefou FAGBOHOUN]; Alliance of Progress Forces or AFP; Benin Renaissance or RB [Rosine SOGLO]; Democratic Renewal Party or PRD [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI]; Force Cowrie for an Emerging Benin or FCBE [Yayi BONI]; Impulse for Progress and Democracy or IPD [Theophile NATA]; Key Force or FC [Lazare S�HOU�TO]; Movement for the People's Alternative or MAP [Olivier CAPO-CHICHI]; Patriotic Awakening or RP [Janvier YAHOUEDEOU]; Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Dominique HOUNGNINOU]; Social Democrat Party or PSD [Emmanuel GOLOU]; Union for Democracy and National Solidarity or UDS [Sacca LAFIA]; Union for the Relief or UPR [Issa SALIFOU]; Union Makes the Nation or UN [Adrien HOUNGBEDJI] (superceded Alliance for Dynamic Democracy or ADD)
  note: approximately 20 additional minor parties
  Political pressure groups and leaders:
  other: economic groups; environmentalists; political groups; teachers' unions and other educational groups
  International organization participation:
  ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Omar AROUNA (since 21 May 2014)
  chancery: 2124 Kalorama Road NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 232-6656
  FAX: [1] (202) 265-1996
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Michael RAYNOR (since 24 May 2012)
  embassy: Caporal Bernard Anani, 01 BP 2012, Cotonou
  mailing address: 01 B. P. 2012, Cotonou
  telephone: [229] 21-30-06-50
  FAX: [229] 21-30-66-82
  Flag description:
  two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage
  note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
  National symbol(s):
  leopard; national colors: green, yellow, red
  National anthem:
  name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)
  lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON
  note: adopted 1960

- ## Economy :: BENIN

- Economy - overview:
  The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output had averaged almost 4% before the global recession and it has exceeded that level in 2013-14. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture. An insufficient electrical supply continues to hamper Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production. Private foreign direct investment is small, and foreign aid accounts for the majority of investment in infrastructure projects. Cotton, a key export, suffered from flooding in 2010-11, but high prices supported export earnings. Benin has appealed for international assistance to mitigate piracy against commercial shipping in its territory. In 2012, Benin became eligible for a second Compact under the Millennium Challenge Corporation, which is expected to be signed in 2015.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $19.8 billion (2014 est.)
  $18.78 billion (2013 est.)
  $17.77 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 142
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $8.701 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  5.5% (2014 est.)
  5.6% (2013 est.)
  5.4% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 45
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,900 (2014 est.)
  $1,800 (2013 est.)
  $1,700 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 205
  Gross national saving:
  10.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  9.7% of GDP (2013 est.)
  9.3% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 147
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 76.8%
  government consumption: 11.7%
  investment in fixed capital: 17.4%
  investment in inventories: 6.8%
  exports of goods and services: 12.5%
  imports of goods and services: -25.2%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 31.8%
  industry: 12.3%
  services: 55.9% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  cotton, corn, cassava (manioc, tapioca), yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, cashews; livestock
  Industries:
  textiles, food processing, construction materials, cement
  Industrial production growth rate:
  3.2% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 89
  Labor force:
  3.662 million (2007 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Unemployment rate:
  NA%
  Population below poverty line:
  37.4% (2007 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 3.1%
  highest 10%: 29% (2003)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  36.5 (2003)
  country comparison to the world: 84
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.885 billion
  expenditures: $2.074 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  20.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 83
  Public debt:
  30.1% of GDP (2014 est.)
  29.8% of GDP (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -1% (2014 est.)
  1% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 6
  Central bank discount rate:
  4.25% (31 December 2010)
  4.25% (31 December 2009)
  country comparison to the world: 88
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  NA%
  Stock of narrow money:
  $2.509 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.268 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 123
  Stock of broad money:
  $4.165 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $3.61 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 136
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $2.112 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.851 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 138
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$738 million (2014 est.)
  -$871.4 million (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 117
  Exports:
  $2.045 billion (2014 est.)
  $1.87 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Exports - commodities:
  cotton, cashews, shea butter, textiles, palm products, seafood
  Exports - partners:
  Lebanon 21.7%, China 21.6%, India 18.5%, Niger 4.9%, Nigeria 4.9% (2013)
  Imports:
  $2.905 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.659 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Imports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, capital goods, petroleum products
  Imports - partners:
  China 37.1%, India 10.3%, US 7.5%, Malaysia 6.7%, Thailand 6.1%, France 4.4% (2013)
  Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
  $972.6 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $694.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Debt - external:
  $2.458 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.224 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 145
  Exchange rates:
  Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
  491.2 (2014 est.)
  494.04 (2013 est.)
  510.53 (2012 est.)
  471.87 (2011 est.)
  495.28 (2010 est.)

- ## Energy :: BENIN

- Electricity - production:
  146 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 191
  Electricity - consumption:
  858 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Electricity - imports:
  925 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 67
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  171,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 162
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  99.4% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 49
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 54
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0.6% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 143
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 161
  Crude oil - production:
  0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Crude oil - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 86
  Crude oil - imports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 163
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  8 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 94
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 124
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  34,410 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 112
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  34,840 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 87
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 108
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 122
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  1.133 billion cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  4.581 million Mt (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130

- ## Communications :: BENIN

- Telephones - fixed lines:
  total subscriptions: 200,000
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 2 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 127
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  total: 10.8 million
  subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 82
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: inadequate system of open-wire, microwave radio relay, and cellular connections; fixed-line network characterized by aging, deteriorating equipment
  domestic: fixed-line teledensity only about 2 per 100 persons; spurred by the presence of multiple mobile-cellular providers, cellular telephone subscribership has been increasing rapidly
  international: country code - 229; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and Asia; long distance fiber-optic links with Togo, Burkina Faso, Niger, and Nigeria; satellite earth stations - 7 (Intelsat-Atlantic Ocean) (2008)
  Broadcast media:
  state-run Office de Radiodiffusion et de Television du Benin (ORTB) operates a TV station with multiple channels providing a wide broadcast reach; several privately owned TV stations broadcast from Cotonou; satellite TV subscription service is available; state-owned radio, under ORTB control, includes a national station supplemented by a number of regional stations; substantial number of privately owned radio broadcast stations; transmissions of a few international broadcasters are available on FM in Cotonou (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 1, FM 34, shortwave 1 (2007)
  Television broadcast stations:
  6 (2007)
  Internet country code:
  .bj
  Internet users:
  total: 441,000
  percent of population: 4.3% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 132

- ## Transportation :: BENIN

- Airports:
  6 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 171
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 1
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 5
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 2
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 1
  914 to 1,523 m: 2 (2013)
  Railways:
  total: 438 km
  narrow gauge: 438 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Roadways:
  total: 16,000 km
  paved: 1,400 km
  unpaved: 14,600 km (2006)
  country comparison to the world: 119
  Waterways:
  150 km (seasonal navigation on River Niger along northern border) (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Ports and terminals:
  major seaport(s): Cotonou
  LNG terminal(s) (import): Cotonou

- ## Military :: BENIN

- Military branches:
  Benin Armed Forces (Forces Armees Beninoises, FAB): Army (l'Arme de Terre), Benin Navy (Forces Navales Beninois, FNB), Benin Air Force (Force Aerienne du Benin, FAB) (2013)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18-35 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a higher education diploma is required; both sexes are eligible for military service; conscript tour of duty - 18 months (2013)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 2,095,373
  females age 16-49: 2,038,351 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 1,385,065
  females age 16-49: 1,400,045 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 108,496
  female: 104,526 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.03% of GDP (2012)
  NA% (2011)
  1.03% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 99

- ## Transnational Issues :: BENIN

- Disputes - international:
  talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River; Benin retains a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualou; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved
  Illicit drugs:
  transshipment point used by traffickers for cocaine destined for Western Europe; vulnerable to money laundering due to poorly enforced financial regulations (2008)

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