Republic of Benin
Population estimate 8.5 million
Population density (people per square mile) 205
Population doubling rate 27 years
GDP per capita US$ 805
Benchmark approximations
Population doubling time in years:
USA 79. Canada 81. Germany declining. UK 248. Russia declining. China 110. Philippines 41.
Population density (people per square mile)
USA 85. Canada 9. Germany 593. UK 660. Russia 21. China 368. Philippines 795.
GDP per capita in US$:
USA 53,000. Canada 52,000. Germany 46,200. UK 41,800. Russia 14,600. China 6,800. Philippines 2,770
RECENT HISTORY
Formerly a French colony, gaining independence in 1960.
Post-colonial Benin has been marred by six military coups, government corruption, a failed Marxist-Leninist ideology, assassination attempts and suspect voting system. Benin now has an underdeveloped agrarian economy.
EDUCATION
The public education system has followed the French pattern since colonial times. A six-year primary school cycle for children ages 6–11 (compulsory from 1978), is followed by six years of secondary education for ages 12–17.
In the mid-1970s major reforms were introduced both to conform to the then-prevalent Marxist-Leninist ideology and to shed French influence. The reforms failed as teachers, parents, and university-bound students objected to the lowering of standards, and the reforms were largely abandoned by the late 1980s.
In the year 2000, 100% of eligible children were enrolled in primary school but only 28% in secondary school.