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Cotonou: population

Cotonou, Benin: 2.51 million people in 2025, by the UN estimate.

Rank among the cities of the country: 1 of 29.

In 1975 it had 364,000 people.

In 2000 it had 1.03 million people, so it has grown by 143% since then.

For 2050 the UN projects 3.44 million people.

A city here is a dense area of at least 1,500 people per km² with at least 50,000 people, drawn on a population grid by the UN degree of urbanisation. It can differ from the city’s administrative borders and from national statistics. Years from 2026 on are projections.

Population, 1975 to 2050Projected from 202601M2M3M4M19801990200020102020203020402050
2025 Cotonou: 2.5M

Largest cities: Benin

City20252050, projected
Cotonou2,506,4893,444,190
Porto-Novo818,6171,201,491
Parakou395,528728,028
Bohicon293,833462,020
Djougou159,643228,258
Whydah134,144215,176
Pobè123,350192,211
Kandi121,259228,608
Aplahoué118,390191,335
Malanville114,386200,208

Benin: population and ages

Sources: World Urbanization Prospects 2025, UN DESA Population Division (CC BY 3.0 IGO).

All cities