| Official name | Republic of Benin |
| Date established | 1 August 1960 (Independence from France) |
| Region | Africa — West Africa |
| Capital city | Porto-Novo (official), Cotonou (seat of government) |
| Population (2024 est.) | ~14.6 million |
| Area | 112,622 km² |
| Density | ~130/km² |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| Official language | French |
| Time zone | WAT (UTC+1) |
| Calling code | +229 |
| Major religions | Christianity (~53%), Islam (~27%), Vodun and traditional (~20%) |
| Emergency – Police | 166 |
| Emergency – Rescue/Ambulance | 117 |
| National symbol | Leopard |
| National flower | African tulip tree |
| National animal | Leopard |
| National sport | Football (soccer) |
| Literacy rate | ~46% |
| Human Development Index | 0.545 |
| GDP (nominal, 2024) | ~$24.6 billion |
| Major industry | Cotton, agriculture, trade |
| National festival | Independence Day — 1 August |
