Benin’s population rose to 14.8 m people in 2025.

Neither way is good in itself. A larger population means more workers and more customers, and it also means more demand for schools, health care and land. A smaller one would ease that demand and shrink the base for output and taxes, so the direction carries no verdict by itself. The latest figure is 14.8 million, up from 14.5 million a year earlier, a rise of 0.35 million or 2.4%. Since 2016 the population has been climbing, from 11.7 million in 2016 to 14.8 million now, and the latest figure is the highest in that span.

Why it matters. A population growing at 2.4% a year needs more school places and clinics each year, and its young people need jobs. For firms the same growth adds customers and potential staff. For the state, the 0.35 million added in the latest year means public services and infrastructure have to be extended every year to keep up.