Updated
Overview
Niger has about 90% more people than Benin: 27.92 million against 14.81 million (2025).
Benin's economy is 13% larger than Niger's, at $24.57B versus $21.65B.
Per person, Benin is the wealthier of the two: $1,658 against $775 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Niger | Benin | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $21.65B | Higher: $24.57B | 2025 | $19.54B / $21.48B |
| GDP per capita | $775 | Higher: $1,658 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 7.0% | Higher: 8.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -4.5% | 1.1% | 2025 | 9.1% / 1.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.4% | 1.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 36 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $120 | Higher: $136 | 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $69 | Higher: $86 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 27.92 million | 14.81 million | 2025 | 27.32 million / 15.19 million |
| Population growth | 3.2% | 2.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 15.6 yrs | 18.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 5.79 | 4.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 61.4 yrs | 61.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 18% | 53% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 16% | Higher: 34% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,267,000 km² | 112,622 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 22.0/km² | 131.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 3.17 Mt | 6.07 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.4 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $435.88M | $154.11M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.2% | 0.7% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 10,000 | 12,000 | 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 7.0%.
Benin runs the hotter price environment: 1.1% inflation versus -4.5%.
Average monthly earnings favour Benin: $136 against $120 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Niger is the younger society: median age 15.6 versus 18.0 years.
Benin is considerably more urbanized: 53% of people live in cities, against 18%.
Internet adoption is higher in Benin (34% vs 16% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Niger is 11 times the size of Benin: 1,267,000 km² versus 112,622 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Benin is far more densely settled: 132 people per km² against 22.
Military
Niger spends 2.8 times as much on defence as Benin: $435.88M versus $154.11M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Niger carries the heavier military burden: 2.2% 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 Niger bigger than Benin?
- Niger is larger by land area. Niger covers 1,267,000 km² while Benin covers 112,622 km², so Niger is 11 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Niger or Benin?
- Niger has the larger population: 27.92 million versus 14.81 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Niger richer than Benin?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Benin is richer: $1,658 against $775. Total GDP tells the same story: $21.65B for Niger versus $24.57B for Benin.
- Who spends more on their military, Niger or Benin?
- Niger spends more: $435.88M versus $154.11M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).