Benin · Africa
How many people die in Benin every day?
In Benin, about 260 people die every day, roughly one death every 6 minutes. That is about 95,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 84th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 62.8 years and the leading cause of death is malaria. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
260
Deaths per year
95,000
Life expectancy
62.8 years
Population
13,352,864
Death rate
7.1 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Malaria
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Benin
62.8
World avg
72.8
-10.0 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Benin
7.1
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Benin by time period
| Per hour | 11 |
| Per day | 260 |
| Per week | 1,822 |
| Per month | 7,917 |
| Per year | 95,000 |
What people die of in Benin
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Benin in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 12% of all deaths, about 33 a day. It was followed by malaria and diarrhoeal diseases.
Deaths from road injuries have more than doubled since 2000, from about 1,464 to 3,907 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 36% since 2000, from about 10,451 to 6,706 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 11,941 | 33 | 12% | +15% |
| 2 | Malaria | 8,513 | 23 | 8.6% | +23% |
| 3 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 6,706 | 18 | 6.8% | -36% |
| 4 | Stroke | 6,062 | 17 | 6.1% | +31% |
| 5 | Preterm birth complications | 5,440 | 15 | 5.5% | +21% |
| 6 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 4,095 | 11 | 4.1% | +53% |
| 7 | Road injuries | 3,907 | 11 | 3.9% | +167% |
| 8 | Cirrhosis of the liver | 3,017 | 8.3 | 3% | +82% |
| 9 | Birth asphyxia and birth trauma | 2,807 | 7.7 | 2.8% | +11% |
| 10 | Diabetes | 2,423 | 6.6 | 2.4% | +120% |
Deaths in Benin since 2000
WHO estimates that about 99,213 people died in Benin in 2023, 21% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 82,321 deaths |
| 2010 | 89,248 deaths |
| 2019 | 97,223 deaths |
| 2023 | 99,213 deaths |
Life expectancy in Benin since 1950
A baby born in Benin in 1950 could expect to live about 35.4 years. By 2023 that had risen to 60.8, a gain of 25.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 35.4 years |
| 1980 | 47.7 years |
| 2000 | 56.6 years |
| 2010 | 58.4 years |
| 2019 | 59.9 years |
| 2023 | 60.8 years |
Benin compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Benin ranks 19th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benin | 260 | 62.8 | Malaria |
| Burundi | 260 | 61.7 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Rwanda | 186 | 66.1 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Guinea | 301 | 58.9 | Malaria |
| Tunisia | 192 | 76.7 | Cardiovascular disease |
| South Sudan | 301 | 55 | Lower respiratory infections |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Benin every day?
In Benin, about 260 people die every day, or roughly one death every 6 minutes. That adds up to about 95,000 deaths a year, 0.2% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Benin?
Malaria is the leading cause of death in Benin. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 12% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Benin?
Life expectancy at birth in Benin is 62.8 years, 10.0 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 162nd of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Benin high?
Benin records about 7.1 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.