Benin: health and care

What is the life expectancy in Benin?

Life expectancy at birth in Benin was 61.0 years in 2024, according to the World Bank, using UN population estimates. Infant mortality was 45.2 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, down from 46.5 in 2023, according to the same source.

Life expectancy is the average number of years a newborn would live if current death rates stayed the same throughout life. The figure is lowered by deaths in childhood, mainly from malaria, respiratory infections and diarrhoea. Benin's own surveys, including the Demographic and Health Survey, produce separate national estimates.

Official sources: World Bank: Life expectancy at birth, Benin · World Bank: Infant mortality rate, Benin

How common is malaria in Benin?

Malaria accounted for 2,556,081 outpatient consultations in Benin's health facilities in 2021, 44.6% of all cases seen, according to the Ministry of Health statistics yearbook 2021. The yearbook puts the incidence of malaria of all forms at 21.2% of the population, and the case fatality rate for severe malaria at 0.7 per 1,000 cases.

The figures count cases recorded by public and reporting private health facilities, so they miss people treated at home or in unregistered clinics. On the international measure, the World Bank puts incidence at 354 cases per 1,000 people at risk in 2024, from WHO estimates.

Official sources: Ministry of Health: Health statistics yearbook 2021 (PDF) · World Bank: Incidence of malaria, Benin

How many doctors does Benin have?

Benin had 0.7 doctors for every 10,000 people in 2021, or one doctor for 13,913 people, according to the Ministry of Health statistics yearbook 2021. There were 3.0 nurses per 10,000 people and one nurse for 46,784 people.

The yearbook counts staff in public health facilities reporting to the national health information system, so it understates the total by leaving out much of the private sector. The World Bank, using WHO data, puts the total at 0.22 doctors per 1,000 people (2.2 per 10,000) in 2023. Health was 4.01% of the general state budget in 2021, according to the yearbook.

Official sources: Ministry of Health: Health statistics yearbook 2021 (PDF) · World Bank: Physicians per 1,000 people, Benin

What is the maternal mortality rate in Benin?

Benin's maternal mortality ratio was 518 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the UN inter-agency estimate published by the World Bank, down from 547 in 2022. The Ministry of Health yearbook 2021 records an in-hospital maternal mortality ratio of 207.9 per 100,000 live births in 2021.

The two measures differ: the UN figure models all maternal deaths in the country, while the ministry counts only deaths in health facilities. The yearbook records that 98.3% of births in 2021 were attended by qualified staff on its coverage measure, which can exceed 100% for some indicators because of population estimates.

Official sources: World Bank: Maternal mortality ratio, Benin · Ministry of Health: Health statistics yearbook 2021 (PDF)

How much does Benin spend on health?

Current health spending in Benin was 3.3% of GDP in 2023, up from 3.0% in 2022, according to the World Bank, using WHO Global Health Expenditure data. The Ministry of Health yearbook 2021 puts the health budget at 4.01% of the general state budget in 2021.

Current health expenditure includes spending by government, households, insurers and donors, but not investment in buildings and equipment. In Benin a large share is paid directly by households when they use care.

Official sources: World Bank: Current health expenditure, Benin · Ministry of Health: Health statistics yearbook 2021 (PDF)

What is the average life expectancy in Benin?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2024, is 61.0 years. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 40th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3 years. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 185th highest.

What is the infant mortality rate in Benin?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Benin was 45.2 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 15th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 37.2 per 1,000. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 17th highest.

What is maternal mortality in Benin?

The WHO puts the maternal mortality ratio in Benin at 518 per 100,000 in 2023. Since 2005 it has ranged from 501 per 100,000 (2007) to 618 per 100,000 (2012). It is 7th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 8th highest.

What share of GDP does Benin spend on health care?

The WHO puts current health spending in Benin at 3.3% of GDP in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2017, at 3.7% of GDP; its low point was 2008, at 2.7% of GDP. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 4.4% of GDP, and Benin placed 39th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 170th of 191.

What is out-of-pocket health spending in Benin?

According to the WHO, out-of-pocket health spending in Benin was 42.4% in 2023. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 55.4%; its low point was 2012, at 41.5%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 32.4%; Benin is 21st highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 51st of 191.

How many doctors per person does Benin have?

0.22 per 1,000: that is the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Benin for 2023, according to the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2008. It is 7th highest of 16 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.18 per 1,000. Of 58 countries with 2023 data, 47th highest.

How many hospital beds per person does Benin have?

0.43 per 1,000: that is hospital beds per 1,000 people in Benin for 2021, according to the WHO. Since 2010 it has ranged from 0.40 per 1,000 (2019) to 0.47 per 1,000 (2011). It is 11th highest of 12 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.90 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 119th of 124.

What is the measles vaccination rate in Benin?

44.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Benin for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Benin placed 47th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 187th highest.