Cotonou - Post Report Question and Answers

What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?

Small. Morale is moderately good. - Feb 2020


Reasonably sized but not huge. Large French, Lebanese, Indian communities. - Aug 2018


The French-speaking expat community is larger and more active. - Jan 2017


Small and low. - Oct 2015


Small and there are certainly people there for the job only, but if you are open and adventurous and very flexible, you will have a wonderful time. - Jun 2015


Overall small, with the anglophone portion being miniscule - mostly the U.S. Embassy, Peace Corps, and a few other random folks. Morale varies greatly from person to person, depending on the social circles that are present at any particular time, as people come and go fairly regularly. - Aug 2014


Small, as it IS a small post. But if you connect with even a few people, you can be happy. You'll just see them a lot, probably at the same restaurant, at the same time every week. That's kind of how life goes here. And it can be a very good thing. - Jul 2013


Small, and the Anglophone expat community is tiny. - May 2013


There are more than 3000 French citizens in Benin, and a smattering of other nationalities. Native Anglophones are rare, but you can find some Northern Europeans that speak very fluent English. - Mar 2013


Probably about 1,000, mostly French. - Dec 2011


Subscribe to our newsletter


New book from Talesmag! Honest and courageous stories of life abroad with special needs.

Read More