Updated
Overview
Benin has about 70% more people than Togo: 14.81 million against 8.59 million (2025).
Benin's economy is 2.1 times the size of Togo's, at $24.57B versus $11.89B.
Per person, Benin is the wealthier of the two: $1,658 against $1,384 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Benin | Togo | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $24.57B | $11.89B | 2025 | $21.48B / $9.93B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $1,658 | $1,384 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.1% | 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 1.1% | Lower: 0.4% | 2025 | 1.2% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.6% | 2.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 34 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $136 | Higher: $138 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $86 | Higher: $87 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 14.81 million | 8.59 million | 2025 | 15.19 million / 9.14 million |
| Population growth | 2.4% | 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 18.0 yrs | 19.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 4.42 | 4.07 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 61.0 yrs | Higher: 62.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 53% | 44% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 34% | Higher: 39% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 112,622 km² | 56,785 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 131.5/km² | 151.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 6.07 Mt | Lower: 2.75 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.4 t | Lower: 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $154.11M | $195.35M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.7% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 12,000 | 10,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Benin is growing faster: 8.1% annual GDP growth versus 6.3%.
Inflation is comparable in both: 1.1% in Benin and 0.4% in Togo.
Average monthly earnings favour Togo: $138 against $136 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 18.0 (Benin) and 19.1 (Togo).
Life expectancy is 2.0 years longer in Togo (62.9 vs 61.0).
Geography
By land area, Benin is 2.0 times the size of Togo: 112,622 km² versus 56,785 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Togo spends 27% more on defence than Benin: $195.35M versus $154.11M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Togo carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.7%.
Benin fields the larger armed forces: 12,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Benin bigger than Togo?
- Benin is larger by land area. Benin covers 112,622 km² while Togo covers 56,785 km², so Benin is 2.0 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Benin or Togo?
- Benin has the larger population: 14.81 million versus 8.59 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Benin richer than Togo?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Benin is richer: $1,658 against $1,384. Total GDP tells the same story: $24.57B for Benin versus $11.89B for Togo.
- Who spends more on their military, Benin or Togo?
- Togo spends more: $195.35M versus $154.11M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).