Quick facts
Cotonou overview
Cotonou (orange) and the other large cities of Benin
Cotonou lies in Littoral in Benin at 6.37°N, 2.42°E, about 7 m above sea level. The local time zone is Africa/Porto-Novo (UTC+1); GeoNames classifies it as a seat of government.
It is the biggest urban centre of Benin: the next largest cities are Abomey-Calavi (385,755), Porto-Novo (264,320), Parakou (255,478). Together, the three largest cities hold 8.7% of the national population.
The national capital, Porto-Novo, is about 25 km away; the nearest large city is Godomè, 8 km from Cotonou.
Benin as a whole has a live population of 15,275,391 (+2.4% a year) and ranks #76 of 238 countries — see the Benin population page for the full statistics and the Benin atlas for provinces, terrain and society maps.
Cities near Cotonou
| City | Distance | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Godomè Atlantique | 8 km | 253,262 |
| Abomey-Calavi Atlantique | 12 km | 385,755 |
| Ekpé Ouémé | 13 km | 75,313 |
| Porto-NovoCapital Ouémé | 25 km | 264,320 |
| Missérété Ouémé | 29 km | 41,657 |
| Ouidah Atlantique | 37 km | 47,616 |
| Sakété Plateau | 49 km | 43,541 |
| Comé Collines | 59 km | 42,586 |
Largest cities in Benin
| # | City | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cotonou | Littoral | 679,012 |
| 2 | Abomey-Calavi | Atlantique | 385,755 |
| 3 | Porto-NovoCapital | Ouémé | 264,320 |
| 4 | Parakou | Borgou | 255,478 |
| 5 | Godomè | Atlantique | 253,262 |
| 6 | Abomey | Zou | 117,824 |
| 7 | Djougou | Donga | 94,773 |
| 8 | Bohicon | Zou | 93,744 |
| 9 | Ekpé | Ouémé | 75,313 |
| 10 | Nikki | Borgou | 66,109 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Cotonou?
Cotonou has about 679,012 inhabitants according to the latest official census or estimate compiled by GeoNames. This is the city proper; the metropolitan area is larger.
Is Cotonou the capital of Benin?
No. The capital of Benin is Porto-Novo (264,320 people), about 25 km away. Cotonou is the largest city of the country and a seat of government.
How big is Cotonou compared with the rest of Benin?
Its 679,012 residents are 4.4% of the 15,275,391 people living in Benin today. It is the largest city in the country.
Where is Cotonou?
In Littoral, Benin, at latitude 6.37 and longitude 2.42, 7 m above sea level. Nearby large cities include Godomè (8 km), Abomey-Calavi (12 km), Ekpé (13 km).
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Cite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Cotonou Population 2026 — Benin. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/cities/benin/cotonou/<a href="https://glostats.com/cities/benin/cotonou/">Cotonou Population 2026 — Benin</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
City populations are GeoNames figures (CC BY 4.0): the latest official census or estimate for the city proper — the municipality, not the wider metropolitan area — so they can differ from "metro area" numbers you see elsewhere. Country populations are live Glostats estimates from the UN World Population Prospects. Distances are great-circle distances between city centres. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.