Cotonou: population and official figures
What is the population of Cotonou?
Cotonou had 679,012 inhabitants (city proper) on 11 May 2013, according to a complete census (people present) reported to the United Nations.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow does Cotonou rank among cities in Benin?
Of the 3 cities the UN table lists for Benin (capitals and places of 100,000 or more), it is the largest.
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyHow many women and men live in Cotonou?
Women and girls made up 52.0% of residents (353,140 female, 325,872 male).
Source: United Nations Statistics Division · saved copyWho runs Cotonou?
In Benin, cities and towns are run by communes: Communal council elected by voters; the council elects the mayor. The only elected local government since 2003. Since the 2021 Code, communes are graded (special status: Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Parakou, Abomey-Calavi; intermediate; ordinary).
How local power works in Benin
Cities of a similar size in Benin
- Porto-Novo 264,320
Up a level: all cities in Benin · Benin · government and power
Sources
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, Table 8: Population of capital cities and cities of 100 000 or more inhabitants, latest available year, 2005-2024, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0c6784df022e…)
- United Nations Statistics Division: Demographic Yearbook 2024, technical notes to Table 8, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b0d2d6d8ccd6…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.