Poverty and living standards in Zou, Benin: official figures
17.0% of people in Zou belonged to the poorest fifth of Benin's households by household assets in 2021-2022, and 34.1% to the poorest two fifths (each fifth holds 20% of the country); its share in the poorest fifth is 5th lowest of the 12 departments.
How common is child labour in Zou?
18.5% of children aged 5 to 17 in Zou were in child labour (economic work or household chores beyond the hours set for their age) in the week before the 2021-2022 survey, 5th lowest of the 12 departments (Benin: 19.9%).
Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP) · saved copyHow common is child marriage in Zou?
26.0% of women aged 20 to 24 in Zou had been married or in a union before age 18, 6th lowest of the 12 departments (Benin: 27.5%).
Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP) · saved copyHow common is domestic violence in Zou?
49.6% of women in Zou who had ever been married or in a union had suffered emotional, physical or sexual violence from their current or most recent partner, 6th highest of the 12 departments (Benin: 45.4%).
Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP) · saved copyDo women feel safe in Zou at night?
85.5% of women aged 15 to 49 in Zou felt safe walking alone in their neighbourhood after dark in 2021-2022, 2nd safest of the 12 departments (Benin: 63.8%).
Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP) · saved copyMore figures
- 26.7% of households in Zou lived in homes with an earth, sand or other natural floor in 2021-2022, 6th highest of the 12 departments (Benin: 25.8%). Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP) · saved copy
- 91.5% of children aged 1 to 14 in Zou had been disciplined with physical punishment or psychological aggression in the month before the survey, 5th highest of the 12 departments (Benin: 88.0%). Source: Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP) · saved copy
How Zou compares with other departments
Population in the poorest national wealth fifth (2021-22)
Zou ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Population in the poorest national wealth fifth |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Borgou | 24.3% |
| 6 | Couffo | 21.4% |
| 7 | Donga | 18.3% |
| 8 | Zou | 17.0% |
| 9 | Atlantique | 15.7% |
| 10 | Collines | 12.3% |
| 11 | Ouémé | 12.1% |
Children 5-17 in child labour (2021-22)
Zou ranks 8 of 12, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Children 5-17 in child labour |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Alibori | 29.4% |
| 6 | Borgou | 23.3% |
| 7 | Mono | 22.4% |
| 8 | Zou | 18.5% |
| 9 | Plateau | 14.1% |
| 10 | Ouémé | 8.3% |
| 11 | Littoral | 6.1% |
More on Zou: overview · economy and jobs · health · education and schools · government budget · Benin
Sources
- Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INStaD), with UNICEF (copy kept by the WHO/UNICEF JMP): Enquête par grappes à indicateurs multiples (MICS6-Bénin) 2021-2022, Rapport des résultats de l'enquête (revised December 2023): department rows of Tables SR.2.1, SR.2.3, SR.6.1W, CS.2, TM.2.1, TM.3.3, TM.4.2, TM.6.1, TM.6.2, TC.1.2, TC.6.7, TC.8.1, LN.2.3, LN.2.7, LN.4.1, PR.1.1, PR.2.1, PR.3.3, PR.4.1W, PR.7.1W, WS.1.2, WS.3.2 and DV.2.2, read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b47fa901f5ed…)
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