Benin Rate of Natural Increase

Benin’s rate of natural increase (RNI) in population growth is relatively high, reflecting its youthful population and elevated birth rates. As of recent estimates, Benin’s RNI stands at around 2.7% per year, driven by a crude birth rate of approximately 36 births per 1,000 people and a crude death rate of about 8 per 1,000. When compared to its neighbors, Benin’s RNI is similar to that of Togo and Nigeria, both of which also experience high birth rates and declining, but still significant, death rates. However, Benin’s RNI is slightly lower than Niger’s, which has one of the highest RNIs in the world (over 3%), due to even higher fertility rates. In contrast, Burkina Faso’s RNI is comparable to Benin’s, while to the south, Ghana’s RNI is somewhat lower, reflecting a gradual demographic transition with falling birth rates and improved health indicators. Overall, Benin’s RNI places it among the faster-growing populations in West Africa, though it is not the highest in the region.

Data from US Census International Database