Cotonou Population 2026
Cotonou has a population of 679,012, making it the #1 biggest city in 🇧🇯 Benin, located in Littoral. Roughly 4.5% of Benin's population lives here.
Population (city proper)
679,012
Rank in Benin
#1
Coordinates
6.37°N, 2.42°E
~7 m elevation · Africa/Porto-Novo
Distance to capital (Porto-Novo)
25 km
16 miles, straight line
Cities near Cotonou
- Godomè253,262 people · ~8 km away
- Ganvié20,000 people · ~11 km away
- Abomey-Calavi385,755 people · ~12 km away
- Ekpé75,313 people · ~13 km away
- Semi23,636 people · ~22 km away
- Porto-Novo264,320 people · ~25 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Cotonou?
Cotonou has a population of 679,012 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #1 biggest city in Benin.
What region is Cotonou in?
Cotonou is located in Littoral, Benin.
Is Cotonou the capital of Benin?
No, the capital of Benin is Porto-Novo, about 25 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.