Is Benin safe in 2026?
Benin scores 81.1/100 on the live safety index — generally safe. The main pressure on the score comes from political instability, crime, economy. The score has been stable for 21 days. The 24-hour AI forecast calls the trend stable (projected 81.1/100).
81.1 /100generally safe
30-day trend
Benin's score fell by −8.7 over the last 30 days (89.8 → 81.1).
Threat breakdown
| Category | Pressure | Score / cap |
|---|---|---|
| Political instability | 5.2 / 15 | |
| Crime | 4.3 / 15 | |
| Economy | 1.8 / 8 | |
| Military conflict | 5.2 / 30 | |
| Natural disasters | 0.9 / 5 | |
| Internet freedom | 1.1 / 7 | |
| Public health | 0.2 / 3 | |
| Ecology | 0.1 / 1 | |
| Sanctions | 0.1 / 4 | |
| Nuclear risk | 0.0 / 12 |
Higher category scores mean more threat pressure; each category is capped by its weight in the 0–100 index. How scores are computed.
Official travel advisory
2 Exercise Increased Caution
The U.S. State Department places Benin at Level 2 — Exercise Increased Caution citing terrorism, kidnapping, unrest and crime. Our live index reads 81.1/100. That advisory was last revised Jan 7, 2026, 237 days ago; the index above is recomputed continuously from current reporting.
Benin's coastal and southern regions are largely secure, though violent incidents including armed robbery, assault and abductions take place in isolated areas, typically after dark, and armed groups operate nationwide, sometimes staffing roadblocks. The northern and northeastern frontiers with Burkina Faso, Niger and the Nigerian states of Kebbi, Niger and Kwara face attacks by militant and criminal networks; Pendjari and W National Parks, the Alibori and Atacora departments, the Forest of the Three Rivers, the Oueme Superior Forest and everything east of Route Nationale 10 carry the highest exposure. Ransom kidnappings affect residents and visitors alike. Military operations and civil disturbances have turned violent, occasionally closing roads and land borders and disrupting Cotonou International Airport.
Source: U.S. Department of State, revised Jan 7, 2026. Levels run 1 (normal precautions) to 4 (do not travel). This page is not travel advice.
Latest recorded events
No threat events have been recorded for Benin — the index is holding on baseline factors alone.
24-hour forecast
Trend: stable · projected score 81.1/100 (generated )
No new events or momentum indicate a near-term change in safety.
Compared with nearby countries
| Country | Score | 0–100 | vs Benin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Benin | 81.1 | — | |
| Togo | 79.5 | −1.6 | |
| Ghana | 86.8 | +5.7 | |
| Burkina Faso | 43.0 | −38.1 | |
| Nigeria | 58.9 | −22.2 | |
| Ivory Coast | 83.1 | +2.0 |