Benin

Form of Government:

The Benin Republican constitution defines the country as a presidential pluralistic democracy with the President serving as both head of state and head of government.

Electoral system:

The President is elected by an absolute majority of votes cast. If this is not obtained in the first round of voting, it shall be followed by a second round after a delay of fifteen days.

Term Limit and Eligibility:

The constitution gives the President a mandate of 5 years, renewable only once. Amongst others, no one may run for presidential office until s/he is at least 40 years old but not more than 70 years old on the day of filing their candidacy.

Extent of Democracy:

Afrobarometer data (2022) classifies the country as a Democracy with minor problems.

Political Power Alternation since 3rd wave of Democratization:

Power has alternated between 3 political parties and Two independent candidates.

These political parties include; the People’s Revolutionary Party of Benin (PRPB), the Benin Rebirth Party (BRP), and the Action Front Renewal and Development (AFRD), with two independent candidates including the current sitting president Mr. Patrice Talon.

Openness to Civic Space:

Benin has been downgraded from Obstructed to Repressed with severe restrictions on civic freedoms by the CIVICUS Monitor.

Corruption:

Worsening safety of journalists’ freedom of expression with severe attacks and unlawful detention of journalists. Scored 61.8% and ranked 121 out of 180 countries in 2022. (Reporters Without Borders)

Rule of Law and Human Rights:

According to Transparency International’s 2021 CPI, the country scored 42/100 and ranked 78/180.

Media Freedom:

Benin has been downgraded from Obstructed to Repressed with severe restrictions on civic freedoms by the CIVICUS Monitor.

Terrorism threats:

Targeted by Al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa since 2018.

Transnational Issues:

Benin has a border dispute with Burkina Faso near the town of Koualau.

Stateness (Capacity to sustain its territory and citizens’ welfare):

Targeted by Al-Qa’ida, Boko Haram, and the Islamic State West Africa since 2018.

Next Election:

The country is scheduled to have its presidential elections in April 2026.

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

GDP as of 2021 was at 17.79 billion USD, with a per capita income of 1,428.4.

Public debt was 48.9% of GDP as of 2022 against 47% in 2020 and is expected to decrease to 46.3% in 2023.

Major Export Commodity:

Cotton is the primary driver of economic growth, contributing 40% of GDP and 80% of exports.

Extreme Poverty Rate:

Extreme poverty rate was estimated at 38.5% (4.5M) in 2019. This is an increase from 33% in 2007 to 38.5 in 2019, growing at an annual rate of 4.07%.

Severe Lived Poverty:

One in five people have gone without either food, water, and medical treatment, according to Afrobarometer findings.

Inequality Level:

The Gini coefficient was at 34.7/100 in 2019, representing a high inequality level, particularly between the educated urban class and the majority of the rural poor. Inequality in education was 43.7%, and inequality in income was 32%.

Rate of Unemployment:

The rate of unemployment is at 2.4%, with a high level of underemployment (72%)

Youth Unemployment:

Youth unemployment (15-24 years) is at 3.9%, with males constituting 3.2% and a female unemployment rate of 4.5%.

Population:

Benin’s population of 13.3 million with a growth rate of 3.36%, high above the global average of 1.1%

Sex Distribution:

Females represent 50.1% of the entire population, with a Male population at 49.9%.

Age Distribution:

Benin has a youthful age structure - almost 65% of the population is under the age of 25 years, which is bolstered by high fertility and population growth rates.

Severe Lived Poverty:

One in five people have gone without either food, water, and medical treatment, according to Afrobarometer findings.

Ethnic Groups:

There is no ethnic homogeneity in Benin. The Fon/Dahomey is the largest (39%) ethnic group, followed by the Yoruba (18%), the Adja (15%), and Bariba (9%), amongst others like the Fulani, Ottamari Lukpa, Dedi, including a small section of foreigners.

Religion:

Christians constitute 48.5% of the population; Muslims (predominantly Sunni) 27.7% ; Voodoo practitioners 11.6%, 2.6% are members of indigenous religious groups, and 5.8% declare no religious affiliation.

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Benin

Politics and Governance

Form of Government:

Electoral system:

Term Limit and Eligibility:

Extent of Democracy:

Political Power Alternation since 3rd wave of Democratization:

Openness to Civic Space:

Corruption:

Rule of Law and Human Rights:

Media Freedom:

Terrorism threats:

Transnational Issues:

Stateness (Capacity to sustain its territory and citizens’ welfare):

Next Election:

Economy

Gross Domestic Product (GDP):

Major Export Commodity:

Extreme Poverty Rate:

Severe Lived Poverty:

Inequality Level:

Rate of Unemployment:

Youth Unemployment:

Population and Society

Population:

Sex Distribution:

Age Distribution:

Severe Lived Poverty:

Ethnic Groups:

Religion:

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