Benin - Professional Employer Organization (PEO)

Population: 12,451,031

Gross Domestic Product (GDP): $17.79 B

GDP Growth: 6.6%

Inflation: 1.7%

Foreign Direct Investment (% of GDP): 1.1%

Unemployment Rate: 1.6 %

Capital

Porto-Novo is the official capital of Benin and founded by the Portuguese in the 16^th century. It is the second largest city of the country and located on the coastal lagoon. It is the administrative town of the country where the government resides. Home to the cultural heritages, traditional homes, hotels, cinemas and markets, visitors as well as expatriates shall be enchanted by the mixtures of cultures which lies in the town.

Currency

West African CFA franc

Languages

The official language of Benin is French. Widely used for education, administrative and media purposes, it is spoken across the country. However, there are some of the indigenous languages which are as well-spoken such as: Fon, Bariba, Gun, Pulaar/Fulfulde, Aizo, Yoruba, Tori, Sahou, Dendi/Songhay, Warna, and Sorn’ba.

Ethnicities

There are more than 40 ethnic groups in Benin, indigenous beliefs, Christians and Muslims.

Economy

The economy of Benin relies without any doubt on the agro industry. Agriculture is one of the best sectors of the country as it engages the most workers. The master crops are cotton, corn, cassava, yams, beans, palm oil, peanuts, and cashews. The fishing industry and subsistence farming is also one of the common activities, raising: goats, sheep, pigs and ocean fish which are also caught. Most of Benin’s rare manufactures are handled agricultural goods, basic consumer items, textiles, and building materials. Petroleum, limestone, iron-ore and other mineral resources contribute as well to the economy of the country.

Interesting fact about Benin

In the country’s culture, it is considered bad to eat with the left hand or offer another person something with it.