Photo: Shubert Ciencia derivative work: JamesA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 04 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Benin: Education & Knowledge
How far does a country's schooling carry its children?
Benin is placed 162nd of 198 countries on education & knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Out-of-School Rate, Primary 9.61 (2024); Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary 76.53 (2024).
Share
Education & Knowledge
162nd
of 198 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
- 9.61Out-of-School Rate, Primary, 2024Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
- 76.53Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, 2024Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
- 18.29Upper Secondary Completion Rate, 2025Upper secondary completion rate (%)
- 3.23Government Spending on Education, 2023Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Benin on education & knowledge — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used — or, for a survey-based key, each country’s latest reading; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Benin’s is from 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0
9.61
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%)
Lower is better
Benin: 9.61. Across the 192 countries at their latest reading, values run from 0.004 (United Arab Emirates) to 65.6 (Equatorial Guinea); the world median is 3.691.
- World median
- 3.691
- Best in Western Africa
- 0.639 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 34.29 · Niger 40.41 · Nigeria 24.32 · Togo 0.639
Key 2 of 4
Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
Latest reading per country, 2014–2024 · Benin’s is from 2018 · CC BY-SA 4.0
76.53
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)
Higher is better
Benin: 76.53. Across the 187 countries at their latest reading, values run from 3.411 (Yemen) to 100 (United Arab Emirates); the world median is 85.9.
- World median
- 85.9
- Best in Western Africa
- 90.61 Togo
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 16.03 · Niger 20.02 · Nigeria 57.25 · Togo 90.61
Key 3 of 4
Upper Secondary Completion Rate
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0
18.29
Upper secondary completion rate (%)
Higher is better
Benin: 18.29. Across the 164 countries in this edition, values run from 2.13 (South Sudan) to 99.27 (South Korea); the world median is 64.87.
- World median
- 64.87
- Best in Western Africa
- 57.75 Nigeria
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 16.04 · Niger 4.95 · Nigeria 57.75 · Togo 22.09
Key 4 of 4
Government Spending on Education
UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS)
2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY-SA 4.0
3.23
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP)
Higher is better
Benin: 3.23. Across the 123 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Somalia) to 16.39 (Kiribati); the world median is 3.709.
- World median
- 3.709
- Best in Western Africa
- 6.163 Senegal
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 5.328 · Niger 4.074 · Nigeria 0.319 · Togo 4.143
02Over time
Which way Benin is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Out-of-School Rate, Primary
Out-of-school rate, primary age (%) · lower is better
BeninWorld median
Benin fell from 20.99 in 2003 to 9.61 in 2022; the world median went from 4.412 to 3.002.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2024 — 3.691 2023 — 3.393 2022 9.6 3.002 2021 12.1 3.330 2020 15.0 2.678 2019 14.4 2.758 2018 10.0 2.439 2017 7.1 2.907 2016 3.0 2.954 2015 — 3.052 2014 3.5 3.904 2013 3.8 3.413 2012 4.1 3.408 2011 6.9 3.626 2010 7.9 3.491 2009 9.5 3.577 2008 15.2 3.878 2007 — 4.029 2006 19.2 4.338 2005 21.7 4.571 2004 18.0 3.791 2003 21.0 4.412 2002 — 4.144 2001 — 4.051 2000 — 8.642 Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary
Children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from 19.59 in 2003 to 76.53 in 2018; the world median went from 78.33 to 89.6.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2024 — 85.9 2023 — 87.6 2022 — 87.7 2021 — 87.0 2020 — 88.3 2019 — 88.8 2018 76.5 89.6 2017 — 87.4 2016 80.7 87.9 2015 — 88.2 2014 — 89.2 2013 — 88.0 2012 56.1 85.4 2011 62.8 86.2 2010 — 86.1 2009 — 84.8 2008 — 85.8 2007 — 86.7 2006 — 84.0 2005 22.3 82.2 2004 20.2 81.8 2003 19.6 78.3 2002 — 80.0 2001 — 80.8 2000 — 66.3 Upper Secondary Completion Rate
Upper secondary completion rate (%) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from 5.14 in 2000 to 18.29 in 2025; the world median went from 38 to 64.87.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2025 18.3 64.9 2024 18.0 65.0 2023 17.5 64.2 2022 16.9 63.6 2021 16.2 62.9 2020 15.5 62.2 2019 14.8 61.5 2018 14.1 60.9 2017 13.5 60.5 2016 13.0 60.1 2015 12.6 58.9 2014 12.1 57.0 2013 11.7 54.7 2012 11.3 52.4 2011 11.0 50.9 2010 10.7 49.5 2009 10.2 48.5 2008 9.5 47.4 2007 8.8 46.2 2006 8.1 45.0 2005 7.5 43.8 2004 6.9 42.9 2003 6.2 41.6 2002 5.7 40.3 2001 5.4 39.0 2000 5.1 38.0 Government Spending on Education
Government expenditure on education (% of GDP) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from 2.114 in 2000 to 3.23 in 2023; the world median went from 3.886 to 3.709.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2023 3.2297 3.7092 2022 3.0973 4.0570 2021 3.0969 4.2611 2020 2.8990 4.4056 2019 2.7320 4.1407 2018 2.9316 4.2159 2017 3.5356 4.1401 2016 2.8991 4.2342 2015 3.1730 4.2386 2014 3.1618 4.2005 2013 3.3275 4.3493 2012 3.5620 4.0348 2011 — 3.9987 2010 3.6800 4.1396 2009 3.0893 4.6638 2008 2.7773 4.4226 2007 2.3633 4.1717 2006 2.5634 4.0593 2005 2.6567 4.0557 2004 2.5669 3.9745 2003 2.2832 4.1595 2002 2.1595 4.0173 2001 2.3651 4.1002 2000 2.1137 3.8861
03In context
Benin beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 198 countries on education & knowledge, never a place within the region.
Benin and the countries it borders
Standing among all 198; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Out-of-School Rate, PrimaryOut-of-school rate, primary age (%) | Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before PrimaryChildren one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%) | Upper Secondary Completion RateUpper secondary completion rate (%) | Government Spending on EducationGovernment expenditure on education (% of GDP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Togo | 94th | 0.639 | 90.61 | 22.09 | 4.143 |
| Benin | 162nd | 9.61 | 76.53 | 18.29 | 3.23 |
 Burkina Faso | 166th | 34.29 | 16.03 | 16.04 | 5.328 |
 Nigeria | =174th | 24.32 | 57.25 | 57.75 | 0.319 |
 Niger | 182nd | 40.41 | 20.02 | 4.95 | 4.074 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 198.
Placed either side on education & knowledge
The countries immediately above and below Benin in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Benin is ahead of the world, and behind
16 more statistics filed under education & knowledge, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median1
Statistics on which Benin does better than the middle country measured.
Academic Freedom IndexV-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg · 2025 · world median 0.6190.7090.619▼ Worsened since 2015
Benin: 0.709 · world median 0.619 · Academic freedom index (0–1). V-Dem Institute, University of Gothenburg, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.019 to 0.978; higher is better.
Position 71st of 176 · derived.
Behind the world median13
Statistics on which Benin does worse than the middle country measured.
Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 60.0845.560.08No earlier reading
Benin: 45.5 · world median 60.08 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in reading (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2 to 98.78; higher is better.
Learning PovertyWorld Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics · 2023 · world median 34.0255.7834.02No earlier reading
Benin: 55.78 · world median 34.02 · 10-year-olds who cannot read and understand a simple text (%). World Bank Group and UNESCO Institute for Statistics, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 2.331 to 98.5; lower is better.
Position 46th of 125 · derived, 1st = worst.
Harmonized Test ScoresWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 414.32383.92414.32▲ Improved since 2010
Benin: 383.92 · world median 414.32 · Harmonized test score (TIMSS-equivalent points; 300 = minimum, 625 = advanced attainment). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 304.92 to 575.27; higher is better.
Position 122nd of 172 · derived.
Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of PrimaryUIS · 2023 · world median 43.819.143.8No earlier reading
Benin: 19.1 · world median 43.8 · Pupils at the end of primary reaching minimum proficiency in mathematics (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.8 to 93.42; higher is better.
Learning-Adjusted Years of SchoolWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 7.9415.6667.941▲ Improved since 2010
Benin: 5.666 · world median 7.941 · Learning-adjusted years of school (0–14). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.207 to 12.81; higher is better.
Position 133rd of 172 · derived.
Primary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 97.4370.197.43No real change since 2015
Benin: 70.1 · world median 97.43 · Primary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 7.94 to 100; higher is better.
Position 141st of 165 · derived.
Expected Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 13.3410.4513.34▼ Worsened since 2013
Benin: 10.45 · world median 13.34 · Expected years of schooling. UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 5.635 to 21.69; higher is better.
Position 170th of 195 · derived.
Lower Secondary Completion RateUIS · 2025 · world median 89.2138.3489.21No real change since 2015
Benin: 38.34 · world median 89.21 · Lower secondary completion rate (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 13.73 to 100; higher is better.
Position 146th of 164 · derived.
Wealth Parity Index, Lower Secondary CompletionUIS · 2024 · world median 0.5290.0850.529No earlier reading
Benin: 0.085 · world median 0.529 · Adjusted wealth parity index, lower secondary completion (poorest vs richest fifth; 1 = parity). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.032 to 1.022; higher is better.
Intergenerational Persistence in EducationWorld Bank Group · 2017 · world median 0.4460.5680.446No earlier reading
Benin: 0.568 · world median 0.446 · Correlation between own and parents' years of schooling, born 1980–89 (0–1). World Bank Group, 2017 edition, data for 2017.
Published values in that edition run from 0.123 to 0.66; lower is better.
Position 15th of 153 · derived, 1st = worst.
Youth Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 98.2271.2598.22No earlier reading
Benin: 71.25 · world median 98.22 · 15–24 year-olds who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 36.7 to 100; higher is better.
Adult Literacy RateUIS · 2024 · world median 93.9951.3893.99No earlier reading
Benin: 51.38 · world median 93.99 · Adults 15+ who can read and write (%). UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 26.83 to 100; higher is better.
Position 160th of 172 · derived.
Mean Years of SchoolingUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 9.9333.1949.933No real change since 2013
Benin: 3.194 · world median 9.933 · Mean years of schooling (adults 25+). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.412 to 14.3; higher is better.
Position 184th of 193 · derived.
No better end2
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Scholarly ArticlesOurResearch · 2025 · world median 2,2401,7452,240Moved since 2022
Benin: 1,745 · world median 2,240 · Articles with at least one author at an institution in the country (full counting). OpenAlex (OurResearch), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1 to 1,094,890.
Trust in ScientistsWellcome Trust · 2020 · world median 34.359.92234.35Moved since 2018
Benin: 9.922 · world median 34.35 · People aged 15+ who trust scientists in their country 'a lot' (%). Wellcome Trust, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 9.335 to 72.35.
No current reading for Benin
Bachelor's or Higher Attainment (last 2022), Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates (last 2022), Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment (last 2022), Government Funding per Primary Student (last 2015), Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary (last 2022), Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age (last 2022), Out-of-School Rate, Primary (last 2022), Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary (last 2022), Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary (last 2018), PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate (last 2018), Primary Schools with Electricity (last 2022), Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary (last 2021), Qualified Teachers in Primary Education (last 2021), Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, School Life Expectancy (last 2022), Secondary School Enrolment (last 2022), Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes (last 2022), Tertiary Enrolment Ratio (last 2022) and Upper Secondary Attainment (last 2022). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Education & Knowledge among Benin’s 16 topics
Education & Knowledge is Benin’s 13th best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Environment & Sustainability20th of 1864/4 keys
- Gender & Equality70th of 1834/4 keys
- Work & Labour70th of 1824/4 keys
- Peace & Security69th of 1774/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions89th of 1944/4 keys
- Digital & Technology96th of 1984/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties111th of 1984/4 keys
- Risk & Resiliencejoint 126th of 1934/4 keys
- Mobility & Trade123rd of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculturejoint 129th of 1844/4 keys
- Poverty & Inequality112th of 1593/3 keys
- Economy & Innovation124th of 1764/4 keys
- Education & Knowledge162nd of 1984/4 keys
- Energy147th of 1653/3 keys
- Health & Wellbeing183rd of 2004/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital186th of 1963/3 keys
06The top of the list
Who leads on education & knowledge
The three countries placed highest of 198, and the leaders Benin can most readily be measured against.
1
United Arab EmiratesWestern Asia
1st of 198 · 2 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
GreeceSouthern Europe
2nd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
PolandEastern Europe
3rd of 198 · 3 of 4 keys
Photo: Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich) · CC BY 3.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest placed on all 4 keys
Moldova7th4/4 keysHighest in Africa
Tunisia=48th3/4 keysHighest in Western Africa
Togo94th4/4 keysThis page
Benin162nd4/4 keys
Positions out of 198 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Questions
Benin on education & knowledge: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Benin rank on education & knowledge?
Benin is placed 162nd of 198 countries on Education & Knowledge in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, Upper Secondary Completion Rate and Government Spending on Education). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Out-of-School Rate, Primary figure for Benin?
9.61 in 2024 (out-of-school rate, primary age (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 3.691.
What is the latest Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary figure for Benin?
76.53 in 2024 (children one year before primary entry age in organised learning (%)), according to UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS). The world median in the same edition was 85.9.
How does Benin compare with Nigeria on education & knowledge?
Nigeria is placed joint 174th of 198, and Benin 162nd. Out-of-School Rate, Primary: Nigeria 24.32, Benin 9.61; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary: Nigeria 57.25, Benin 76.53; Upper Secondary Completion Rate: Nigeria 57.75, Benin 18.29; Government Spending on Education: Nigeria 0.319, Benin 3.23.
How have Benin’s education & knowledge figures changed?
Out-of-School Rate, Primary fell from 20.99 in 2003 to 9.61 in 2022; Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary rose from 19.59 in 2003 to 76.53 in 2018; Upper Secondary Completion Rate rose from 5.14 in 2000 to 18.29 in 2025; Government Spending on Education rose from 2.114 in 2000 to 3.23 in 2023.
Which education & knowledge statistics are missing for Benin?
No current reading is published for Benin on Bachelor's or Higher Attainment, Female Share of Researchers, Female Share of STEM Graduates, Gender Parity Index, Tertiary Enrolment, Government Funding per Primary Student, Inbound Mobility Rate, Tertiary, Minimum Proficiency in Mathematics, End of Lower Secondary, Minimum Proficiency in Reading, End of Lower Secondary, Nobel Prize Laureates by Country of Birth, Out-of-School Rate, Lower Secondary Age, Out-of-School Rate, Primary, Outbound Mobility Ratio, Tertiary, Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary, PISA Mathematics Performance, PISA Reading Performance, PISA Science Performance, Pre-Primary Net Enrolment Rate, Primary Schools with Electricity, Primary Schools with Internet for Teaching, Pupils per Qualified Teacher, Primary, Qualified Teachers in Primary Education, Research and Development Spending, Researchers per Million Inhabitants, School Life Expectancy, Secondary School Enrolment, Share of Graduates from ICT Programmes, Tertiary Enrolment Ratio and Upper Secondary Attainment. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
08Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
How much children actually learn is only partly covered. International test scores exist for a limited group of countries, and they are published here as context rather than used as a key, because a key must describe most of the world. Universities, research, and youth and adult literacy also appear as context.
How the Education & Knowledge standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The education & knowledge method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Out-of-School Rate, Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Participation in Organised Learning One Year Before Primary — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Upper Secondary Completion Rate — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
- Government Spending on Education — UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS), CC BY-SA 4.0
The other 16 statistics on this page come from 7 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Benin’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Benin (banner) — Shubert Ciencia derivative work: JamesA, CC BY 2.0
- United Arab Emirates — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Greece — User:Ggia derivative work: Jjtkk, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Poland — Ralf Lotys (Sicherlich), CC BY 3.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Benin: Education & Knowledge — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/benin/education