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Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026

Benin: Environment & Sustainability

How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?

Benin is placed 20th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 0.419 (2024); Water Stress 0.98 (2023).

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Environment & Sustainability

20th

of 186 countries placed

Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics

Country Index 2026, all topics126th of 183 →

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Benin on environment & sustainability — 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.

Why these keys

  1. Key 1 of 4

    CO₂ Emissions per Capita

    Global Carbon Project

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.419

    Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)

    Lower is better

    Benin: 0.419. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.

    World median
    3.21
    Best in Western Africa
    0.117 Niger
    Land neighbours
    Burkina Faso 0.276 · Niger 0.117 · Nigeria 0.584 · Togo 0.289

  2. Key 2 of 4

    Water Stress

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0

    0.98

    Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)

    Lower is better

    Benin: 0.98. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.

    World median
    10
    Best in Western Africa
    0.26 Liberia
    Land neighbours
    Burkina Faso 1.28 · Niger 11.02 · Nigeria 29.71 · Togo 3.39

  3. Key 3 of 4

    Organic Agricultural Area

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.89

    Organic share of agricultural land (%)

    Higher is better

    Benin: 0.89. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.

    World median
    0.725
    Best in Western Africa
    6.01 Togo
    Land neighbours
    Burkina Faso 1.47 · Niger 0 · Nigeria 0.06 · Togo 6.01

  4. Key 4 of 4

    Ecological Footprint

    Global Footprint Network

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    1.042

    Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)

    Lower is better

    Benin: 1.042. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.

    World median
    2.296
    Best in Western Africa
    0.739 Nigeria
    Land neighbours
    Burkina Faso 1.135 · Niger 1.175 · Nigeria 0.739 · Togo 1.066

03In context

Benin beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.

Western Africa
1st186thNot placed · 38 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on environment & sustainability

Benin and the countries it borders

Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingCO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%)Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person)
Togo10th0.2893.396.011.066
Burkina Faso17th0.2761.281.471.135
Benin20th0.4190.980.891.042
Nigeria=73rd0.58429.710.060.739
Niger83rd0.11711.0201.175

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Placed either side on environment & sustainability

The countries immediately above and below Benin in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Benin is ahead of the world, and behind

44 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median7

Statistics on which Benin does better than the middle country measured.

  • Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6630.003No earlier reading

    Benin: 0.003 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.171.62No real change since 2015

    Benin: 1.62 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.

    Position 162nd of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1836.01▼ Worsened since 2015

    Benin: 36.01 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7382.045▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.149.74▲ Improved since 2013

    Benin: 49.74 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.143.43▲ Improved since 2015

    Benin: 3.43 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.

    Position 66th of 186 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5651.38▼ Worsened since 2013

    Benin: 1.38 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.

    Position 107th of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Behind the world median12

Statistics on which Benin does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2793.96▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75579.21▼ Worsened since 2014

    Benin: 579.21 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.

    Position 47th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4439.42▲ Improved since 2014

    Benin: 39.42 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.

    Ranked 145th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528748.57▼ Worsened since 2012

    Benin: 748.57 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.

    Position 144th of 181 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.063.96▲ Improved since 2014

    Benin: 3.96 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 142nd of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.323.96▲ 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.504No real change since 2013

    Benin: 0.504 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.

    Position 136th of 156 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4533.1▼ Worsened since 2013

    Benin: 33.1 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.

    Position 27th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 57.6No earlier reading

    Benin: 7.6 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.

    Ranked 15th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.584No real change since 2014

    Benin: 0.584 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.

    Ranked 172nd of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 0-1.12▲ Improved since 2015

    Benin: -1.12 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • World Energy Trilemma IndexWorld Energy Council · 2023 · world median 63.835.4No earlier reading

    Benin: 35.4 · world median 63.8 · Trilemma score (0–100). World Energy Council, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 27.7 to 83.2; higher is better.

    Ranked 97th of 99 by World Energy Council.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

Level with the median, or no median to compare1

  • Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 00No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

No better end24

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.251Moved since 2013

    Benin: 0.251 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.

    Position 37th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,8241,146,277No real change since 2015

    Benin: 1,146,277 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9547.254Moved since 1990

    Benin: 7.254 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,2782,429,628Moved since 2013

    Benin: 2,429,628 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.

    Position 49th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9641.83Moved since 2013

    Benin: 41.83 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.

    Position 92nd of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7082.304No real change since 2011

    Benin: 2.304 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.

    Position 87th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0493.96Moved 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37564,021Moved since 2014

    Benin: 64,021 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.732.06Moved since 2014

    Benin: 2.06 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.

    Position 85th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0826.47Moved since 2013

    Benin: 26.47 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.

    Position 114th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.48Moved since 2013

    Benin: 0.48 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.

    Position 102nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69276.64Moved since 2015

    Benin: 276.64 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,6356,836Moved since 2013

    Benin: 6,836 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.

    Position 111th of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7751,939Moved since 2015

    Benin: 1,939 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Mangrove AreaGlobal Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy) · 2025 · world median 8,9271,916No real change since 2015

    Benin: 1,916 · world median 8,927 · Mangrove forest area (hectares). Global Mangrove Watch (Aberystwyth University, JAXA, soloEO, Wetlands International, The Nature Conservancy), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.524 to 3,146,544.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Temperature Change on LandFAO · 2025 · world median 1.4741.287Moved since 2015

    Benin: 1.287 · world median 1.474 · Change in mean land-surface temperature against the country's own 1951–1980 average, °C. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.34 to 3.294.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.035Moved 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.0010Moved since 2015

    Benin: 0 · world median 0.001 · Tropical moist forest deforested in the year (million hectares). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.708.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3633.17Moved since 2013

    Benin: 33.17 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.

    Position 132nd of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.661.144No earlier reading

    Benin: 1.144 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.

    Position 86th of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1425.21No real change since 2012

    Benin: 25.21 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.

    Position 128th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6310.44Moved since 2013

    Benin: 10.44 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Operating Wind Power CapacityGlobal Energy Monitor · 2026 · world median 1000No 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.

    Chart and every countryThe 2026 dataset

  • Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.792.302Moved since 2013

    Benin: 2.302 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

No current reading for Benin

Adjusted Net Savings (last 2020), Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Meat Supply per Person, Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Operating Coal Power Capacity. 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

Environment & Sustainability among Benin’s 16 topics

Environment & Sustainability is Benin’s best-placed topic of 16. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile
  1. Environment & Sustainability20th of 186
  2. Gender & Equality70th of 183
  3. Work & Labour70th of 182
  4. Peace & Security69th of 177
  5. Governance & Institutions89th of 194
  6. Digital & Technology96th of 198
  7. Democracy & Civil Liberties111th of 198
  8. Risk & Resiliencejoint 126th of 193
  9. Mobility & Trade123rd of 177
  10. Food & Agriculturejoint 129th of 184
  11. Poverty & Inequality112th of 159
  12. Economy & Innovation124th of 176
  13. Education & Knowledge162nd of 198
  14. Energy147th of 165
  15. Health & Wellbeing183rd of 200
  16. Development & Human Capital186th of 196

06The top of the list

Who leads on environment & sustainability

The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Benin can most readily be measured against.

All 186 countries
  1. 1

    Angola

    Middle Africa

    1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale

  2. 2

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Middle Africa

    2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

  3. 3

    Sierra Leone

    Western Africa

    3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Africa

    Angola1st3/4 keys

  2. Highest in Western Africa

    Sierra Leone3rd4/4 keys

  3. This page

    Benin20th4/4 keys

Positions out of 186 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 environment & sustainability: 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 environment & sustainability?

Benin is placed 20th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Benin?

0.419 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.

What is the latest Water Stress figure for Benin?

0.98 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.

How does Benin compare with Nigeria on environment & sustainability?

Nigeria is placed joint 73rd of 186, and Benin 20th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: Nigeria 0.584, Benin 0.419; Water Stress: Nigeria 29.71, Benin 0.98; Organic Agricultural Area: Nigeria 0.06, Benin 0.89; Ecological Footprint: Nigeria 0.739, Benin 1.042.

How have Benin’s environment & sustainability figures changed?

CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 0.204 in 2000 to 0.419 in 2024; Water Stress fell from 1 in 2000 to 0.98 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.01 in 2005 to 0.89 in 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 0.99 in 2000 to 1.042 in 2025.

Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Benin?

No current reading is published for Benin on Adjusted Net Savings, Environmentally Related Tax Revenue, Meat Supply per Person, Municipal Solid Waste Generation and Operating Coal Power Capacity. 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

Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.

About environment & sustainability, in full

How the Environment & Sustainability 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 environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 44 statistics on this page come from 19 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.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Benin: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/benin/environment

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