Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Benin
Benin: Total population living in extreme poverty by world region was 3.72 million people in 2021. ▼ Falling
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Benin, 2003–2021
Source: World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in people.
Analysis
Benin recorded 3.72 million people for total population living in extreme poverty by world region in 2021. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
That represents a change of down 20.3% on the previous year and down 46.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Benin peaked at 7.48 million people in 2015 and was at its lowest, 3.72 million people, in 2021.
Benin ranks 28th of 120 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Benin, year by year
| Year | people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 5.58 million people | — |
| 2011 | 6.97 million people | +25.1% |
| 2015 | 7.48 million people | +7.2% |
| 2018 | 4.67 million people | -37.6% |
| 2021 | 3.72 million people | -20.3% |
Benin compared with similar countries
- Benin's 3.72 million people is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 1.70 million people, 2.2× the median. (29 countries reporting)
- Benin's 3.72 million people is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 9.40 million people, 40% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 5.58 million people | 5.58 million people | 5.58 million people | 1 |
| 2010s | 6.37 million people | 4.67 million people | 7.48 million people | 3 |
| 2020s | 3.72 million people | 3.72 million people | 3.72 million people | 1 |
Countries ranked near Benin
More poverty & inequality data for Benin
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via the World Bank 2 surveys (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per person (2025)
- Number of income/consumption surveys in the past decade available via 0 surveys per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Fertility rate vs. share living in extreme poverty 4.56 live births per woman (2023)
- Cereal yield vs. share in extreme poverty 1,356 kg per hectare (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Cereal yield vs extreme poverty, annual growth rate 20.35 % change on previous year (2024)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, gaps filled 11.63 (2013)
- Tax revenue as share of GDP vs. income inequality 11.6% (2013)
- Tax revenues vs income inequality, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2013)
Frequently asked questions
- What is total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Benin?
- Total population living in extreme poverty by world region in Benin was 3.72 million people in 2021, according to World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 7.48 million people in 2015.
- What is the lowest total population living in extreme poverty by world region recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.72 million people in 2021.
- How does Benin rank for total population living in extreme poverty by world region?
- Benin ranks 28th out of 120 countries with data for 2021.
- Is total population living in extreme poverty by world region rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is down 46.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Benin data come from?
- The figures come from World Bank Poverty and Inequality Platform (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Total population living in extreme poverty by world region. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in households with an income or consumption below $3 per day.