Urban area over the long-term in Benin
Benin: Urban area over the long-term was 1,225 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,225 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 3.4%
World rank
86th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,225 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0008 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Benin, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Benin stood at 1,225 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.4% on the previous year and up 50.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Benin peaked at 1,225 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0008 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Benin 86th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Benin, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0026 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1200 | 0.0088 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1300 | 0.0303 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1400 | 0.1022 km² per grid cell | +237.5% |
| 1500 | 0.3405 km² per grid cell | +233.3% |
| 1600 | 1.06 km² per grid cell | +210.0% |
| 1700 | 3.3 km² per grid cell | +212.4% |
| 1710 | 2.96 km² per grid cell | -10.4% |
| 1720 | 3.31 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1730 | 3.71 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1740 | 4.16 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1750 | 4.66 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1760 | 5.22 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1770 | 5.85 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1780 | 6.55 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1790 | 7.34 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1800 | 8.23 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1810 | 9.22 km² per grid cell | +12.0% |
| 1820 | 9.87 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1830 | 10.58 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1840 | 11.34 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1850 | 12.14 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1860 | 13.01 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1870 | 15.17 km² per grid cell | +16.6% |
| 1880 | 17.7 km² per grid cell | +16.6% |
| 1890 | 20.64 km² per grid cell | +16.6% |
| 1900 | 24.06 km² per grid cell | +16.6% |
| 1910 | 27.99 km² per grid cell | +16.3% |
| 1920 | 32.18 km² per grid cell | +15.0% |
| 1930 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +9.8% |
| 1940 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1951 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1952 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1953 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1954 | 35.32 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1955 | 35.59 km² per grid cell | +0.8% |
| 1956 | 37 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1957 | 38.51 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1958 | 40.14 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 1959 | 41.9 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 1960 | 43.81 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1961 | 45.88 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1962 | 48.13 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1963 | 50.57 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1964 | 53.24 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1965 | 56.14 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1966 | 59.3 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1967 | 62.76 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1968 | 66.55 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1969 | 70.68 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1970 | 75.2 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1971 | 80.42 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1972 | 86.24 km² per grid cell | +7.2% |
| 1973 | 92.7 km² per grid cell | +7.5% |
| 1974 | 99.94 km² per grid cell | +7.8% |
| 1975 | 108.06 km² per grid cell | +8.1% |
| 1976 | 116.05 km² per grid cell | +7.4% |
| 1977 | 125 km² per grid cell | +7.7% |
| 1978 | 135.06 km² per grid cell | +8.0% |
| 1979 | 145.26 km² per grid cell | +7.5% |
| 1980 | 153.66 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1981 | 161.92 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1982 | 170.96 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1983 | 180.81 km² per grid cell | +5.8% |
| 1984 | 191.45 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1985 | 202.93 km² per grid cell | +6.0% |
| 1986 | 214.19 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1987 | 226.3 km² per grid cell | +5.7% |
| 1988 | 239.62 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1989 | 254.57 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1990 | 271.56 km² per grid cell | +6.7% |
| 1991 | 288.02 km² per grid cell | +6.1% |
| 1992 | 305.03 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1993 | 321.2 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1994 | 338.07 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1995 | 355.1 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 410.56 km² per grid cell | +15.6% |
| 1997 | 389.52 km² per grid cell | -5.1% |
| 1998 | 407.47 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1999 | 426.87 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 2000 | 448.31 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 468.69 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2002 | 490.13 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2003 | 512.57 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2004 | 535.89 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2005 | 559.99 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2006 | 581.22 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 601.95 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2008 | 623.41 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 645.72 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2010 | 668.95 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2011 | 696.15 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2012 | 724.13 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2013 | 752.9 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 2014 | 782.46 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 812.81 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2016 | 843.94 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2017 | 875.84 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2018 | 908.52 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2019 | 998.83 km² per grid cell | +9.9% |
| 2020 | 1,033 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2021 | 1,070 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2022 | 1,107 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2023 | 1,146 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2024 | 1,185 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2025 | 1,225 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
Benin compared with similar countries
- Benin's 1,225 km² per grid cell is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 1.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Benin's 1,225 km² per grid cell is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 733.88 km² per grid cell, 1.7× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Benin changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +242.9% | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 0.0026 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +242.9% | 0.0026 km² per grid cell | 0.0088 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +242.9% | 0.0088 km² per grid cell | 0.0303 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +237.5% | 0.0303 km² per grid cell | 0.1022 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +233.3% | 0.1022 km² per grid cell | 0.3405 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +212.4% | 1.06 km² per grid cell | 3.3 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 0.0008 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0026 km² per grid cell | 0.0026 km² per grid cell | 0.0026 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0088 km² per grid cell | 0.0088 km² per grid cell | 0.0088 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0303 km² per grid cell | 0.0303 km² per grid cell | 0.0303 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.1022 km² per grid cell | 0.1022 km² per grid cell | 0.1022 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.3405 km² per grid cell | 0.3405 km² per grid cell | 0.3405 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 1.06 km² per grid cell | 1.06 km² per grid cell | 1.06 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 3.3 km² per grid cell | 3.3 km² per grid cell | 3.3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 2.96 km² per grid cell | 2.96 km² per grid cell | 2.96 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 3.31 km² per grid cell | 3.31 km² per grid cell | 3.31 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 3.71 km² per grid cell | 3.71 km² per grid cell | 3.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 4.16 km² per grid cell | 4.16 km² per grid cell | 4.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 4.66 km² per grid cell | 4.66 km² per grid cell | 4.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 5.22 km² per grid cell | 5.22 km² per grid cell | 5.22 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 5.85 km² per grid cell | 5.85 km² per grid cell | 5.85 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 6.55 km² per grid cell | 6.55 km² per grid cell | 6.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 7.34 km² per grid cell | 7.34 km² per grid cell | 7.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 8.23 km² per grid cell | 8.23 km² per grid cell | 8.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 9.22 km² per grid cell | 9.22 km² per grid cell | 9.22 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 9.87 km² per grid cell | 9.87 km² per grid cell | 9.87 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 10.58 km² per grid cell | 10.58 km² per grid cell | 10.58 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 11.34 km² per grid cell | 11.34 km² per grid cell | 11.34 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 12.14 km² per grid cell | 12.14 km² per grid cell | 12.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 13.01 km² per grid cell | 13.01 km² per grid cell | 13.01 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 15.17 km² per grid cell | 15.17 km² per grid cell | 15.17 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 17.7 km² per grid cell | 17.7 km² per grid cell | 17.7 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 20.64 km² per grid cell | 20.64 km² per grid cell | 20.64 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 24.06 km² per grid cell | 24.06 km² per grid cell | 24.06 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 27.99 km² per grid cell | 27.99 km² per grid cell | 27.99 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 32.18 km² per grid cell | 32.18 km² per grid cell | 32.18 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 36.97 km² per grid cell | 35.32 km² per grid cell | 41.9 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 55.71 km² per grid cell | 43.81 km² per grid cell | 70.68 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 106.39 km² per grid cell | 75.2 km² per grid cell | 145.26 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 199.64 km² per grid cell | 153.66 km² per grid cell | 254.57 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 351.34 km² per grid cell | 271.56 km² per grid cell | 426.87 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 546.79 km² per grid cell | 448.31 km² per grid cell | 645.72 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 806.45 km² per grid cell | 668.95 km² per grid cell | 998.83 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,128 km² per grid cell | 1,033 km² per grid cell | 1,225 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Benin
More reference data data for Benin
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.1979 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.67 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1562 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.03 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.6635 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.5244 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.56 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 10.71 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.8505 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is urban area over the long-term in Benin?
- Urban area over the long-term in Benin was 1,225 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Benin?
- The highest recorded value was 1,225 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Benin?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0008 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Benin rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Benin ranks 86th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Benin?
- Over the last ten years it is up 50.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Benin data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.