[2] Ethnic groups include: French is the official language but is spoken more in urban than in rural areas.

[citation needed] Recent migrations have brought other African nationals to Benin, including Nigerians, Togolese and Malians.

[2] The foreign community also includes many Lebanese and Indians involved in trade and commerce.

[2] European missionaries brought Christianity to the south and central areas of Benin.

Of the Niger–Congo family, five branches are represented: The largest ethnic group are the Fon, with 1.7 million speakers of the Fon language (2001), followed by the various Yoruba groups (1.2 million), the Aja (600,000), the Bariba (460,000), the Ayizo (330,000), the Fulani (310,000), and the Gun (240,000).

Near the ports in the south can be found many people who are descended from returned Brazilian slaves.

This article incorporates public domain material from The World Factbook (2025 ed.).