Читать книгу The 2010 CIA World Factbook - United States. Central Intelligence Agency - Страница 195

Flag description:

two equal horizontal bands of yellow (top) and red (bottom) with a vertical green band on the hoist side; green symbolizes hope and revival, yellow wealth, and red courage

note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia

National anthem:

name: "L'Aube Nouvelle" (The Dawn of a New Day)

lyrics/music: Gilbert Jean DAGNON

note: adopted 1960

Economy ::Benin

Economy - overview:

The economy of Benin remains underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, cotton production, and regional trade. Growth in real output had averaged about 4% before the global recession, but fell to 2.5% in 2009 and 3% in 2010. Inflation has subsided over the past several years. In order to raise growth, Benin plans to attract more foreign investment, place more emphasis on tourism, facilitate the development of new food processing systems and agricultural products, and encourage new information and communication technology. Specific projects to improve the business climate by reforms to the land tenure system, the commercial justice system, and the financial sector were included in Benin's $307 million Millennium Challenge Account grant signed in February 2006. The 2001 privatization policy continues in telecommunications, water, electricity, and agriculture. As result of these reforms, Benin has become the most competitive country in the West African Economic and Monetary Union, according to the World Economic Forum. The Paris Club and bilateral creditors have eased the external debt situation, with Benin benefiting from a G-8 debt reduction announced in July 2005, while pressing for more rapid structural reforms. An insufficient electrical supply continues to adversely affect Benin's economic growth though the government recently has taken steps to increase domestic power production.

GDP (purchasing power parity):

$14.2 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 139 $13.79 billion (2009 est.)

$13.42 billion (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate):

$6.494 billion (2010 est.)

GDP - real growth rate:

3% (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 127 2.7% (2009 est.)

5.1% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP):

$1,600 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 198 $1,600 (2009 est.)

$1,600 (2008 est.)

note: data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector:

agriculture: 33.2%

industry: 14.5%

services: 52.3% (2007 est.)

Labor force:

3.662 million (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 93

Unemployment rate: