Persistent economic hardship continues to weigh heavily on citizens in Benin, even as public perception of government anti-corruption efforts and basic administrative service delivery has shown marked improvement over the past decade, according to a comprehensive new study released by Afrobarometer.
The research dispatch tracking public sentiment between 2014 and 2024 reveals a complex and divided social landscape. While 61% of surveyed Beninese report that the country’s economic situation is bad and a similar proportion describe their personal living conditions as poor, the data highlights significant gains in administrative efficiency and public trust in targeted state institutions.
According to the findings, public approval for government performance in combating corruption has risen dramatically, with 60% of citizens noting a decline in corrupt practices, a massive shift from historical baselines. Furthermore, solid majorities expressed satisfaction with state efforts in crime reduction at 70% and basic healthcare improvements at 64%.
However, the survey underscores deep-seated public frustration regarding job creation and poverty alleviation, where government approval ratings languish below 30%, alongside ongoing vulnerabilities involving household income shortages and localized security concerns.
–ChannelAfrica/Afrobarometer
