Benin: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Benin?

Unemployment in Benin was 1.6% of the labour force in 2025, according to the International Labour Organization's modelled estimate published by the World Bank. Labour force participation was 76.4% of people aged 15 and over, according to the same source.

The low unemployment rate reflects the ILO definition: anyone who worked at least one hour in the reference week counts as employed, and most work in Benin is informal, in farming, trade and self-employment. Underemployment and informal work are better guides to the labour market than the headline rate. National labour surveys are run by the statistics institute, INStaD.

Official sources: World Bank: Unemployment (ILO modelled estimate), Benin · World Bank: Labour force participation, Benin

What happens if employers in Benin pay social security contributions late?

Employers in Benin that do not pay social security contributions on time are charged a surcharge of 1.50% per month or part-month of delay, according to the National Social Security Fund (CNSS).

The CNSS runs the social insurance scheme for private-sector workers. It covers three branches: pensions (old-age, invalidity and survivors' pensions), family benefits and work injuries. Employers must register with the CNSS and declare and pay contributions for each employee, including domestic workers, through the procedures on its website. Civil servants are covered by a separate state pension fund.

Official sources: CNSS: Declaration and payment · CNSS: Pension branch

How much is the minimum wage in Benin?

52,000 XOF a month (about $86): that is the statutory minimum wage in Benin for 2024, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

How much do workers in Benin earn on average?

In 2022, average monthly earnings of employees in Benin was $136 a month, according to the ILO. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $205 a month, and Benin placed 15th highest of 18. Worldwide: 95th of 98.

How high is unemployment in Benin?

According to the ILO, the unemployment rate in Benin was 1.6% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 2.6%; its low point was 2005, at 0.9%. It is 41st highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. Worldwide: 162nd of 174.

What is youth unemployment in Benin?

2.9%: that is unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Benin for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2011, at 5.4%; its low point was 2005, at 1.3%. It is 39th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. Worldwide: 164th of 174.

What share of people in Benin are in the labour force?

76.4%: that is the labour force participation rate in Benin for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 10th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. Worldwide: 16th of 174.

How many women in Benin are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 75.2%. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 57.3%, and Benin placed 7th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 10th highest.

How many people in Benin are employed?

According to the ILO, the employment to population ratio in Benin was 75.1% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Benin is 7th highest of 45. Worldwide: 13th of 174.

How many workers in Benin are self-employed or family workers?

In 2025, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Benin was 78.5%, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 13th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 67.6%. World rank, highest first: 14th of 174.

What share of jobs in Benin are salaried?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 20.2%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 29.0%; Benin is 31st highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 159th highest.