Ganvié

Benin

Name: World Residence Index 2026 scores for Benin
Published: 2026

Region: West Africa
Capital: Porto-Novo
Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)
Density: 109 / km²

WRI Score 2026

49.58

scale 1–100 · higher is better

Global rank: 174th
In Africa: 28th
Ranked: 211

Parameter Breakdown · 2026

The nine components behind the score.

Every parameter is scored 1–100, higher is better, equally weighted; their sum normalises to the 0–100 WRI Score.

Personal Income Tax · 100 = no income tax Top rate 35%· KPMG / EY
30.7
Above-average top marginal rate.
Population Density · 100 = uncrowded 109 / km²· UN WPP
54.9
Densely populated relative to land area.
GDP per Capita · 100 = highest output per resident $1,788· IMF WEO 2026
1.0
Among the lowest per-capita output levels on this list.
Life Expectancy · 100 = longest life expectancy 63 years· WHO / UN
12.9
Among the shortest average lifespans on this list.
Tourism & Lifestyle · 100 = strongest lifestyle appeal 0.02 arrivals per capita· UNWTO
9.0
Minimal recorded inbound tourism.
Unemployment · 100 = lowest unemployment 2.5%· ILO / SECO
97.8
Among the lowest unemployment rates globally.
Warmongering · 100 = least militarised 0.6% of GDP· SIPRI
99.0
Minimal defence spending relative to output.
Safety & Rule of Law · 100 = safest Composite· UNODC · WJP · TI
49.4
Below-average safety and judicial quality.
Ideological Neutrality · 100 = most ideologically neutral WRI rubric composite· WRI rubric
96.0
Among the highest ideological-neutrality scores on this list.

Where it sits

Among the world's elite tier.

Benin holds 174th of 211 with a WRI Score of 49.58 — ranks well down the field. The score is driven by near-perfect military posture (99) and unemployment (97.8), with GDP per capita standing out as its clearest structural constraint.