Benin: housing

What are mortgage interest rates in Benin?

Banks in Benin charged an average of 7.59% on new property loans in August 2026, up from 6.80% in July, according to the BCEAO Monthly Statistical Bulletin, August 2026. Average lending rates for all purposes were 7.40%, and consumer loans 8.59%.

The BCEAO publishes average rates on new bank loans each month by purpose of credit, so the property figure covers loans for buying or building homes and commercial property. Monthly averages can move sharply because the number of property loans is small. Benin has no official house price index; the national statistics institute does not publish one.

Official sources: BCEAO: Monthly Statistical Bulletin, August 2026 (PDF)

How many people in Benin have clean water and sanitation?

69.6% of people in Benin used at least a basic drinking water service in 2024, and 22.2% used at least basic sanitation, according to the World Bank, from the WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme. Both shares rose slightly from 2023.

A basic water service means an improved source, such as a piped supply, borehole or protected well, within a 30-minute round trip. Basic sanitation means an improved toilet not shared with other households. Benin's statistics institute measures housing conditions in its household surveys and census.

Official sources: World Bank: Basic drinking water services, Benin · World Bank: Basic sanitation services, Benin

How many people in Benin live in slums?

64.0% of Benin's urban population lived in slum conditions in 2022, down from 67.9% in 2020, according to UN-Habitat data published by the World Bank.

UN-Habitat counts a household as living in a slum if it lacks one or more of: improved water, improved sanitation, enough living space, durable housing or secure tenure. The figure covers towns and cities only. The government's social housing programme, run by the Ministry of Living Environment and Transport, builds homes for sale to households on lower and middle incomes.

Official sources: World Bank: Population living in slums, Benin

What share of Benin is urban?

In 2025, the share of people living in urban areas in Benin was 53.4%, according to the UN Population Division. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 44.9%; Benin is 18th highest of 48. Worldwide: 127th of 193.

What share of Benin's city dwellers live in slums?

According to UN-Habitat, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Benin was 64.0% in 2022. That is the lowest since at least 2006. It is 15th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 48.7%. World rank, highest first: 16th of 170.

How many people in Benin have electricity?

The World Bank puts the share of people with access to electricity in Benin at 59.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.8%; Benin is 24th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 167th of 193.

What is access to safe water in Benin?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed drinking water in Benin at 17.7% in 2024. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 27.2%; Benin is 20th highest of 25. World rank, highest first: 126th of 134.

What share of people in Benin have safe sanitation?

WHO and UNICEF puts the share of people using safely managed sanitation in Benin at 16.4% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 22nd highest of 29 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 23.6%. Of 134 countries with 2024 data, 124th highest.

How many people in Benin cook with wood or charcoal?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2024, is 8.0%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 13.0%, and Benin placed 30th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 173rd highest.