ECONOMIC GROWTH
BENIN COUNTRY PROFILE
Benin is bordered by Togo to the west, Nigeria to the east, and Burkina Faso and Niger to the north. It has an estimated population of 10.9 million inhabitants as of 2015. With the support of its partners, Benin has been able to make important economic and structural reforms and sustain its economic growth rates over the last decade.
The education and health sectors continue to represent a significant share of annual public expenditure (on average 23% of public expenditure is allocated to education and 7% to the health sector). Significant efforts are needed to ensure more equity in the geographical distribution of resources and greater effectiveness and efficiency in the management of these two sectors.
Benin continues to enjoy a stable and democratic government. Since the end of the Marxist-Leninist regime in 1989, it has organized six presidential elections, seven legislative elections and three local elections peacefully. Presidential elections held in March 2016 were won by the multi-millionaire and cotton sector tycoon, Patrice Talon. Since taking office in April 2016, the new government has resolved to promote better political and economic governance, and has plans for massive political and institutional reforms to consolidate democracy, reduce poverty, and attract investments.
(World bank)
