Benin
West Africa · Africa
Population
14.46M
GDP (Nominal)
$21.49B
Capital City
Porto-Novo
Currency
XOF (CFA Franc)
Avg Salary
$260/mo
Region
West Africa
Livability Index 2026
30/100
Cost of Living
4/100
Avg Salary
63.3/100
Safety
51.4/100
Healthcare
45/100
Education
48/100
Overall Livability
Institutional Summary
Benin is a stable, culturally vibrant West African nation known as the birthplace of Voodoo. While it offers an incredibly low cost of living and rich historical sites, widespread poverty and a lack of modern infrastructure make it a challenging destination for long-term expats outside of major cities like Cotonou.
Cost of Living
Monthly Rent (1BR)$150
Monthly Groceries$150
Monthly Transport$20
Utilities & Internet$70
Estimated Total Monthly
$390 /person
AI Algorithm Summary
Major Strengths
- • Extremely affordable cost of living
- • Accessible immigration and visa pathways
Algorithmic Red Flags
- • High income tax burden (40%)
Economic Performance
📈 Stable GrowthGDP Per Capita
$1,486
Inflation Rate
1.2%
Unemployment
1.8%
5-Year GDP Trend
Migration & Visa
eVisa (Short-term tourism or business for 30-90 days)
Work Permit (Requires sponsorship from a registered Beninese entity)
Residence Visa (Processed in-country for long-term stays)
Visa Difficulty
3/10
PR Eligibility
Available after prolonged legal residence, but bureaucratic hurdles are high
Employment Landscape
Avg Monthly Salary
$260
Trending
Top Performing Industries
Agriculture (Cotton, Cashews, Pineapples)
Trade & Re-export (primarily to Nigeria)
Textiles
Social Indicators
Life Expectancy
61.5 Yrs
Literacy Rate
42%
Top Universities (QS Rank)
University of Abomey-Calavi (UAC)#
Compare Benin
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