Benin Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Benin's poverty rate was 27.20% in 2021, ranked 70th globally. This represents a 26.9% decrease from 2020. Data from World Bank, covering 2003–2021.
Overview
Benin's poverty rate stood at 27.20% in 2021, a decline of +10.00pp from 2018. Benin ranked 70th globally.
Benin’s poverty rate fell dramatically from 70.50 % in 2003, the highest level recorded in the series, to 27.20 % in 2021, placing the country at rank 70 globally. This decline represents a reduction of more than 43 percentage points over 18 years, a pace that outstripped many regional peers; for example, Cameroon reported a slightly lower rate of 26.70 % in the same year while Togo remained higher at 34.40 %. The sharp downward trajectory coincides with sustained macro‑economic reforms, increased agricultural productivity, and expanded social protection programmes that began in the mid‑2000s. Nevertheless, the 2021 figure still indicates that more than one quarter of the population lives below the national poverty line, underscoring the need for continued investment in education, health and rural infrastructure. If these policy priorities are maintained and complemented by inclusive growth strategies, the downward trend is likely to persist, further narrowing the gap with the region’s lowest‑poverty economies.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 27.20% | −10.00pp | #70 |
| 2018 | 37.20% | −28.60pp | #87 |
| 2015 | 65.80% | −2.60pp | #84 |
| 2011 | 68.40% | −2.10pp | #81 |
| 2003 | 70.50% | – | #67 |
Analysis
Benin's poverty rate was 27.20% in 2021, a decline of −10.00pp from 2020.
Frequently Asked Questions
Benin's poverty rate was 27.20% in 2021. Ranked 70th globally. This represents a 26.9% decrease from the previous year.
Benin's poverty rate peaked at 70.50% in 2003.
The lowest poverty rate in Benin was 27.20% in 2021.
Benin ranks 70th globally in poverty rate as of 2021.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
The poverty rate of Benin in 2021 was 27.20%. This ranks 70th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_benin_poverty-rate,
title = {Benin Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/benin/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}