Languages of Benin

Benin is a diverse country linguistically. Of those, French is the official language, and most of the indigenous languages are considered national languages.

Benin is a Francophone country, and in 2023, French was spoken by 4.6 million people out of 13.7 million (33.68%).

Of the Beninese languages, Fon (a Gbe language) and Yoruba are the most important in the south of the country. In the north there are half a dozen regionally important languages, including Bariba (a Gur language) and Fulfulde.

Education for the deaf in Benin uses American Sign Language, introduced by the deaf American missionary Andrew Foster.

The multilingual character of Beninese society is characterized by the number of languages spoken, ethno-linguistic diversity, stratification of language use (whereby French is used officially and other languages used in other spheres of activity), and by the fact that many Beninese are polyglots.

The sole official language of Benin is French, according to title I, article I of the Constitution of Benin. French was introduced during the colonial period and retained as the official language upon independence. Today it is an important lingua franca between diverse ethnic groups. According to Ethnologue, it is spoken by 3.8 million people (2016) out of the total population of more than 10 million. For the majority of French speakers in Benin it is the second language.

It is important to know French to get an administrative position or work in the cities in general, and speaking it is a mark of prestige. According to a study by Amadou Sanni and Mahouton Atodjinou in 2012, it is estimated that Benin will be completely Francophone by 2060. The authors note that, in 2002, 43 percent of men spoke the language compared to 25.8 percent of women. In 2002, more than half of the residents of Cotonou spoke French.

Most printed media outlets are in French. The Constitution grants freedom of expression. Benin is a member of the Organisation internationale de la francophonie. The region of Benin Gi-Mono is a member of the International Association of Francophone regions.