Statistics Benin 
Benin in the World
Benin - Introduction 1992
top of pageBackground: 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.
Land use: arable land: 12%; permanent crops: 4%; meadows and pastures 4%; forest and woodland 35%; other 45%, includes irrigated NEGL%
Benin - People 1992
top of pageEthnic groups:
African 99% (42 ethnic groups, most important being
Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba); Europeans 5,500
Fon, Adja, Yoruba, Bariba); Europeans 5,500
Languages: French (official; Fon and Yoruba most common vernaculars in south; at least six major tribal languages in north
Environment
Current issues: hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north in winter; deforestation; desertification
Current issues note: recent droughts have severely affected marginal agriculture in north; no natural harbors
Benin - Government 1992
top of pageGovernment type:
republic under multiparty democratic rule; dropped Marxism-Leninism
December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
December 1989; democratic reforms adopted February 1990; transition to multiparty system completed 4 April 1991
Legal system: based on French civil law and customary law; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Suffrage: universal at age 18
National Assembly: last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - percent of vote by party NA; seats - (64 total) UDFP-MDPS-ULD 12, PNDD/PRD 9, PSD/UNSP 8, NCC 7, RND 7, MNDD/MSUP/UDRN 6, UDS 5, RDL 4, ASD/BSD 3, ADP/UDRS 2, UNDP 1
President: last held 10 and 24 March 1991; results - Nicephore SOGLO 68%, Mathieu KEREKOU 32%
Communists: Communist Party of Dahomey (PCD) remains active
International organization participation:
ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CEAO, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77,
GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
GATT, IBRD, ICAO, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, ILO, IMF, IMO, INTELSAT, INTERPOL,
IOC, ITU, LORCS, NAM, OAU, OIC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WCL,
WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation: Ambassador Candide AHOUANSOU; Chancery at 2,737 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20,008; telephone (202) 232-6,656
US:
Ambassador Harriet W. ISOM; Embassy at Rue Caporal Anani Bernard,
Cotonou (mailing address is B. P. 2012, Cotonou); telephone 229 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92; FAX 229 30-14-39 and 30-19-74
Cotonou (mailing address is B. P. 2012, Cotonou); telephone 229 30-06-50, 30-05-13, 30-17-92; FAX 229 30-14-39 and 30-19-74
Flag description: two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red with a vertical green band on the hoist side
Benin - Economy 1992
top of pageEconomy overview:
Benin is one of the least developed countries in the world because of limited natural resources and a poorly developed infrastructure.
Agriculture accounts for about 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and generates a major share of foreign exchange earnings. The industrial sector contributes only about 15% to GDP and employs 2% of the work force. Low prices in recent years have kept down hard currency earnings from Benin's major exports of agricultural products and crude oil.
Agriculture accounts for about 35% of GDP, employs about 60% of the labor force, and generates a major share of foreign exchange earnings. The industrial sector contributes only about 15% to GDP and employs 2% of the work force. Low prices in recent years have kept down hard currency earnings from Benin's major exports of agricultural products and crude oil.
GDP: exchange rate conversion - $2.0 billion, per capita $410; real growth rate 3% (1991)
Agriculture products: small farms produce 90% of agricultural output; production is dominated by food crops - corn, sorghum, cassava, beans, and rice; cash crops include cotton, palm oil, and peanuts; poultry and livestock output has not kept up with consumption
Labor force: 1,900,000 (1987); agriculture 60%, transport, commerce, and public services 38%, industry less than 2%; 49% of population of working age (1985)
Organized labor: about 75% of wage earners
Budget: revenues $194 million; expenditures $390 million, including capital expenditures of $104 million (1990 est.)
Exports: $263.3 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
Commodoties: crude oil, cotton, palm products, cocoa
Partners: FRG 36%, France 16%, Spain 14%, Italy 8%, UK 4%
Imports: $428 million (f.o.b., 1990 est.)
Commodoties: foodstuffs, beverages, tobacco, petroleum products, intermediate goods, capital goods, light consumer goods
Partners: France 34%, Netherlands 10%, Japan 7%, Italy 6%, US 4%
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 269.01 (January 1992), 282.11 (1991), 272.26 (1990), 319.01 (1989), 297.85 (1988), 300.54 (1987)
Benin - Energy 1992
top of pageBenin - Communication 1992
top of pageBenin - Military 1992
top of pageBenin - Transportation 1992
top of pageAirports:
6 total, 5 usable; 1 with permanent-surface runways; none with runways over 2,439 m; 4
with runways 1,220-2,439 m
with runways 1,220-2,439 m
Benin - Transnational issues 1992
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