Country
Leader
Population
9,598,787 16,323,044
Life Expectancy
60.260 years 52.310 years
Capital City
Largest city
Cotonou (population: 690,584) Lilongwe (population: 646,750)
Human Development Index
0.459 0.457 GDP per capita
Literacy Rate
34.7% 62.7%
Corruption Perception Index
3.1 2.8
Percentage of Women in Parliament
10.8% 13% Wealthiest Citizens Unemployment Rate
Death Penalty
Abolished in practice Abolished in practice
Political System
republic multiparty democracy
Independence date
Religions Christian 42.8% (Catholic 27.1%, Celestial 5%, Methodist 3.2%, other Protestant 2.2%, other 5.3%), Muslim 24.4%, Vodoun 17.3%, other 15.5% (2002 census) Christian 79.9%, Muslim 12.8%, other 3%, none 4.3% (1998 census) Languages French (official), Fon and Yoruba (most common vernaculars in south), tribal languages (at least six major ones in north) Chichewa 57.2% (official), Chinyanja 12.8%, Chiyao 10.1%, Chitumbuka 9.5%, Chisena 2.7%, Chilomwe 2.4%, Chitonga 1.7%, other 3.6% (1998 census) Exports External Debt Exchange Rate Military Budget as percentage of GDP Beijing Olympics Medal Count Location Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Nigeria and Togo Southern Africa, east of Zambia Area 112,622 km sq 118,484 km sq Coastline 121 km 0 km Climate tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north sub-tropical; rainy season (November to May); dry season (May to November)
