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Benin

BJ

West Africa

Benin is home to 6 documented ethnic groups in West Africa — led by Fon (~39%), Benin Other (~18%), Adja (~15%), Yoruba Benin (~12%). This page blends their phenotype and demographic data into one weighted reference: skin tone, facial features, hair texture and build, drawn from published census and ancestry sources.

Demographic Composition

Composition weights are derived from self-identification in published census and demographic surveys. Each row links to the source ethnic-group atlas page.

Ethnic groupWeightSource
FonFon38.5%INSAE Benin 2013 Census; Fon (~38.5%, ~5.0M+); the largest ethnic group, concentrated in southern Benin (Cotonou, Porto-Novo, Abomey). Niger-Congo / Gbe language family. Founders of the Kingdom of Dahomey (1600-1904)
Benin OtherBenin Other17.6%Benin 2013 Census residual; includes Otamari (Somba), Yoa-Lokpa, Dendi, Bétamaribé, Hausa, plus other smaller ethnic groups across Benin's approximately 50+ ethnic groups
AdjaAdja15.2%Benin 2013 Census; Adja (~15.2%, ~2M+); concentrated in southwestern Benin
Yoruba BeninYoruba Benin12.1%Benin 2013 Census; Yoruba (~12.1%, ~1.6M+); concentrated in eastern Benin along the Nigerian border. Cross-border with the much larger Yoruba population of Nigeria (~40M+)
BaribaBariba9.7%Benin 2013 Census; Bariba (~9.7%, ~1.3M+); concentrated in northern Benin (Borgou region)
Fulani BeninFulani Benin6.9%Benin 2013 Census; Fulani / Peulh (~6.9%, ~900,000+); pastoral nomadic Niger-Congo population

Benin Phenotype Profile

Benin has a multi-ethnic structure dominated by Fon (~38.5%) plus substantial Adja (~15.2%), Yoruba (~12.1%), Bariba (~9.7%), Fulani (~6.9%), and other (~17.6%) communities. Skin tone Fitzpatrick V-VI. Hair texture predominantly Andre Walker 4A-4C.

A descriptive view, not a claim about individuals

This page shows a weighted aggregate of phenotype observations across the Benin population, based on demographic composition from published census and ancestry sources. Phenotypes within any country are far more varied than the aggregate suggests; this is a descriptive reference, not a deterministic claim about any individual. For source-level detail on individual ethnic groups, see the constituent atlas pages linked below.

Methodology Notes

Composition weights derived from INSAE Benin 2013 Census.

See full project methodology →

Primary Sources

  1. 1.Institut National de la Statistique et de l'Analyse Économique Bénin (INSAE). RGPH4 2013. Cotonou: INSAE; 2015.
  2. 2.Bay EG. Wives of the Leopard: Gender, Politics, and Culture in the Kingdom of Dahomey. University of Virginia Press; 1998.
  3. 3.Manning P. Slavery, Colonialism and Economic Growth in Dahomey 1640-1960. Cambridge University Press; 1982.
  4. 4.Soumonni E. Dahomé et le Monde Atlantique. Karthala; 2014.
  5. 5.Decalo S. Historical Dictionary of Benin (3rd ed). Scarecrow; 1995.

Other countries in West Africa

Aggregate phenotype references for neighbouring West Africa nations, weighted by demographic composition.

Browse all West Africaethnic groups & countries →