Benin is a stable and peaceful country that has maintained more than two decades of democratic governance. The country’s refurbished port, increased investments in infrastructure, and sustained economic growth rate of around 5.5% underscore its potential to move in the right direction.  However, the country continues to face many of the same challenges related to endemic poverty that affects countries in the region.  Benin ranks 166 out of 187 countries on the Human Development Index, and more than a third of the population lives in poverty. Nearly half of all Beninese children under five years old are stunted due to malnutrition. Regional disparities also remain a challenge, as does worrying levels of corruption that impede the flow of services to citizens.