Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Benin
Benin: Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished was 15 percent in 2023. ▲ Rising
Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Benin, 2015–2023
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in percent.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Benin is 15 percent, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of down 5.1% on the previous year and up 44.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Benin peaked at 15.8 percent in 2022 and was at its lowest, 10.4 percent, in 2015.
That places Benin 27th out of 125 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 13.48 percent | 10.4 percent | 14.8 percent | 5 |
| 2020s | 15.18 percent | 14.5 percent | 15.8 percent | 4 |
Countries ranked near Benin
- 25 El Salvador 15.4 percent compare
- 25 Honduras 15.4 percent compare
- 28 Uganda 14.9 percent compare
- 29 Peru 14.5 percent compare
- 30 Mauritania 13.1 percent compare
More reference data data for Benin
- Spring temperature anomalies 0.1837 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.3347 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 1.48 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.2392 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 1.5 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 123.58 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 0 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Benin?
- Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished in Benin was 15 percent in 2023, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 15.8 percent in 2022.
- What is the lowest share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 10.4 percent in 2015.
- How does Benin rank for share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished?
- Benin ranks 27th out of 125 countries with data for 2023.
- Is share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is up 44.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Benin data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population defined as severely food insecure vs. undernourished. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Both metrics indicate that someone does not get enough food (in terms of calories) to eat: these metrics should be strongly correlated. Severe food insecurity is measured based on food security questionnaires among households. Undernourishment is based on estimates of actual calorie intake across the population.