Benin

The infant mortality rate stands at 46.400 per 1,000 live births, which is a high figure globally. This metric, combined with the low life expectancy, points to serious ongoing challenges in maternal and child health care provision and sanitation.

Despite development pressures and a growing population, Benin maintains a substantial forest area, covering 26.473% of its total land area. This indicates a relatively successful effort in preserving natural capital compared to many rapidly developing nations.

Benin reports an exceptionally low unemployment rate of 1.657%. While this suggests high labor force participation, in a low-income context, it often masks widespread underemployment and informal sector dominance rather than indicating full, high-quality employment.

Over half of Benin's population (51.746%) now resides in urban areas, indicating rapid urbanization. Yet, access to electricity lags significantly at only 57%, suggesting a critical infrastructure gap that needs urgent attention to support the growing urban population and economic activity.