Photo: Shubert Ciencia derivative work: JamesA · CC BY 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 16 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Benin: Energy
Where does a country’s electricity come from, and who can get it?
Benin is placed 147th of 165 countries on energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics. Readings behind it: Carbon Intensity of Electricity 579.21 (2024); Renewable Share of Electricity Generation 3.96 (2024).
Share
Energy
147th
of 165 countries placed
Placed from 3 of 3 key statistics
01The evidence
The 3 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Benin on energy — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
579.21
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)
Lower is better
Benin: 579.21. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 23.73 (Bhutan) to 1,306 (Turkmenistan); the world median is 433.75.
- World median
- 433.75
- Best in Western Africa
- 57.14 Sierra Leone
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 560.95 · Niger 670.53 · Nigeria 495.63 · Togo 421.13
3.96
Renewables (% of electricity generated)
Higher is better
Benin: 3.96. Across the 165 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Gambia) to 100 (Paraguay); the world median is 32.06.
- World median
- 32.06
- Best in Western Africa
- 95.24 Sierra Leone
- Land neighbours
- Burkina Faso 17.16 · Niger 3.158 · Nigeria 25 · Togo 29.58
Key 3 of 3
World Energy Trilemma Index
World Energy Council
2023 edition · data for 2023 · Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
35.4
Trilemma score (0–100)
Higher is better
Ranked 97th of 99 by World Energy Council
Benin: 35.4. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 27.7 (Niger) to 83.2 (Denmark); the world median is 63.8.
- World median
- 63.8
- Best in Western Africa
- 47.6 Ghana
- Land neighbours
- Niger 27.7 · Nigeria 39.2
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.
Carbon Intensity of Electricity
Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) · lower is better
BeninWorld median
Benin fell from 662.5 in 2000 to 579.21 in 2024; the world median went from 540.34 to 433.75.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2024 579 433.7 2023 584 452.7 2022 590 476.3 2021 588 469.0 2020 595 482.0 2019 602 488.2 2018 632 500.4 2017 625 506.3 2016 656 521.9 2015 631 524.8 2014 635 522.3 2013 638 508.8 2012 660 525.4 2011 660 521.4 2010 655 515.5 2009 662 533.6 2008 657 517.2 2007 659 535.3 2006 660 537.5 2005 655 521.4 2004 663 523.1 2003 663 543.1 2002 650 551.3 2001 650 559.3 2000 663 540.3 Renewable Share of Electricity Generation
Renewables (% of electricity generated) · higher is better
BeninWorld median
Benin rose from 0 in 2000 to 3.96 in 2024; the world median went from 15.61 to 32.06.
Every year’s figures
Year Benin World median 2024 4.0 32.062 2023 3.0 28.000 2022 2.0 28.881 2021 1.8 28.286 2020 1.0 27.125 2019 1.9 26.296 2018 0.0 25.505 2017 0.0 24.023 2016 0.0 22.218 2015 0.0 21.915 2014 0.0 21.151 2013 0.0 21.593 2012 0.0 19.869 2011 0.0 18.584 2010 0.0 18.572 2009 0.0 17.886 2008 0.0 15.923 2007 0.0 15.586 2006 0.0 15.392 2005 0.0 16.438 2004 0.0 16.445 2003 0.0 16.339 2002 0.0 13.826 2001 0.0 14.023 2000 0.0 15.612
03In context
Benin beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 165 countries on energy, never a place within the region.
Benin and the countries it borders
Standing among all 165; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Carbon Intensity of ElectricityCarbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated) | Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationRenewables (% of electricity generated) | World Energy Trilemma IndexTrilemma score (0–100) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 Togo | 79th | 421.13 | 29.58 | — |
 Burkina Faso | 114th | 560.95 | 17.16 | — |
 Nigeria | 117th | 495.63 | 25 | 39.2 |
| Benin | 147th | 579.21 | 3.96 | 35.4 |
 Niger | 159th | 670.53 | 3.158 | 27.7 |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Western Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 165.
Placed either side on energy
The countries immediately above and below Benin in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Benin is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under energy, 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 median2
Statistics on which Benin does better than the middle country measured.
CO₂ Emissions per CapitaGlobal Carbon Project · 2024 · world median 3.210.4193.21▲ Improved since 2014
Benin: 0.419 · world median 3.21 · Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person). Global Carbon Project, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.054 to 41.27; lower is better.
Position 180th of 210 · derived, 1st = worst.
Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.0452.738▲ Improved since 2014
Benin: 2.045 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.
Behind the world median10
Statistics on which Benin does worse than the middle country measured.
RISE Electricity Access Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 65.6765.565.67▼ Worsened since 2013
Benin: 65.5 · world median 65.67 · Electricity access policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 9.471 to 90.47; higher is better.
Position 29th of 56 · derived.
Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2793.965.279▲ Improved since 2014
Benin: 3.96 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.
RISE Clean Cooking Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 29.7223.8929.72▲ Improved since 2013
Benin: 23.89 · world median 29.72 · Clean cooking policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 80.69; higher is better.
RISE Renewable Energy Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 33.2615.3233.26▼ Worsened since 2013
Benin: 15.32 · world median 33.26 · Renewable energy policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 3.056 to 89.52; higher is better.
RISE Energy Efficiency Policy ScoreESMAP · 2023 · world median 48.2318.348.23▼ Worsened since 2013
Benin: 18.3 · world median 48.23 · Energy efficiency policy score (0–100). World Bank Group (ESMAP), 2023 edition, data for 2023.
Published values in that edition run from 1.975 to 95.93; higher is better.
Access to Electricity, RuralWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10045100▲ Improved since 2014
Benin: 45 · world median 100 · Rural population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.7 to 100; higher is better.
Firms Identifying Electricity as a Major ConstraintWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 25.7749.1525.77No earlier reading
Benin: 49.15 · world median 25.77 · Firms rating electricity a major or very severe constraint (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 84.77; lower is better.
Position 27th of 179 · derived, 1st = worst.
Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.323.9637.32▲ Improved since 2014
Benin: 3.96 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Position 143rd of 162 · derived.
Firms Owning or Sharing a GeneratorWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 24.8558.7224.85No earlier reading
Benin: 58.72 · world median 24.85 · Firms owning or sharing a generator (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0.158 to 90.51; lower is better.
Access to ElectricityWorld Bank Group · 2024 · world median 10059100No real change since 2014
Benin: 59 · world median 100 · Population with electricity access (%). World Bank Group, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 5.4 to 100; higher is better.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Benin: 0 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.
No better end12
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Net Electricity Imports (share of generation)Ember · 2024 · world median 0128.710No real change since 2014
Benin: 128.71 · world median 0 · Net electricity imports (% of domestic generation). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from -70.16 to 707.07.
Gas Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 2.58572.282.585Moved since 2014
Benin: 72.28 · world median 2.585 · Natural gas (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.97.
Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0493.963.049Moved since 2014
Benin: 3.96 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.
Photovoltaic Power Potential (PVOUT)World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis · 2020 · world median 4.2734.1984.273No earlier reading
Benin: 4.198 · world median 4.273 · Practical solar power potential (kWh per kWp per day, long-term average). World Bank Group (ESMAP), data by Solargis, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 2.513 to 5.379.
Nuclear Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Benin: 0 · world median 0 · Nuclear (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 67.4.
Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.0350.144Moved since 2014
Benin: 0.035 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.
Natural Gas ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 000No real change since 2014
Benin: 0 · world median 0 · Dry natural gas produced (billion cubic metres). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,069.
Crude Oil ProductionEIA · 2025 · world median 000No real change since 2015
Benin: 0 · world median 0 · Crude oil produced (thousand barrels per day). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 13,586.
Primary Energy Consumption per CapitaEIA · 2024 · world median 49.57.41149.5No real change since 2014
Benin: 7.411 · world median 49.5 · Energy use per person (million Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0.95 to 766.07.
Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000100No earlier reading
Benin: 0 · world median 100 · Wind farm capacity in operation (megawatts). Global Energy Monitor, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 542,758.
Hydro Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 12.85012.85No real change since 2014
Benin: 0 · world median 12.85 · Hydropower (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100.
Primary Energy ProductionEIA · 2024 · world median 0.07700.077Moved since 2014
Benin: 0 · world median 0.077 · Primary energy produced (quadrillion Btu). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 130.76.
No current reading for Benin
Operating Coal Power Capacity and Primary Schools with Electricity (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
Energy among Benin’s 16 topics
Energy is Benin’s 14th 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 energy
The three countries placed highest of 165, and the leaders Benin can most readily be measured against.
1
BhutanSouthern Asia
1st of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
NorwayNorthern Europe
2nd of 165 · 3 of 3 keys
Photo: Ximonic , Simo Räsänen · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
UgandaEastern Africa
3rd of 165 · 2 of 3 keys
Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Uganda3rd2/3 keysHighest in Western Africa
Sierra Leone4th2/3 keysThis page
Benin147th3/3 keys
Positions out of 165 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 energy: 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 energy?
Benin is placed 147th of 165 countries on Energy in the Country Index 2026, from 3 of its 3 key statistics (Carbon Intensity of Electricity, Renewable Share of Electricity Generation and World Energy Trilemma Index). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Carbon Intensity of Electricity figure for Benin?
579.21 in 2024 (carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 433.75.
What is the latest Renewable Share of Electricity Generation figure for Benin?
3.96 in 2024 (renewables (% of electricity generated)), according to Ember. The world median in the same edition was 32.06.
How does Benin compare with Nigeria on energy?
Nigeria is placed 117th of 165, and Benin 147th. Carbon Intensity of Electricity: Nigeria 495.63, Benin 579.21; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation: Nigeria 25, Benin 3.96; World Energy Trilemma Index: Nigeria 39.2, Benin 35.4.
How have Benin’s energy figures changed?
Carbon Intensity of Electricity fell from 662.5 in 2000 to 579.21 in 2024; Renewable Share of Electricity Generation rose from 0 in 2000 to 3.96 in 2024.
Which energy statistics are missing for Benin?
No current reading is published for Benin on Operating Coal Power Capacity and Primary Schools with Electricity. 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
This is deliberately the electricity and energy-system subject, not an infrastructure one: roads, railways, ports, water and telecommunications would each need a global series this site does not hold. Emissions are under Environment & Sustainability. Access to electricity is published here in full but takes no part in any ranking — more than half the world’s countries now report 100%, and a position derived from that would read “1, 1, 1 … 123”, which is noise rather than information.
How the Energy standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 3 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 3 keys to be placed.
The energy method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Carbon Intensity of Electricity — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- Renewable Share of Electricity Generation — Ember, CC BY 4.0
- World Energy Trilemma Index — World Energy Council, Express reuse grant (no Creative Commons licence named)
The other 25 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
- Bhutan — VIkramjit Kakati derivative work: ויקיג'אנקי, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Norway — Ximonic , Simo Räsänen, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Uganda — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Benin: Energy — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/benin/energy