Introduction :: TOGO
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French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967 and its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. Since 2007, President GNASSINGBE has started the country along a gradual path to political reconciliation and democratic reform, and Togo has held multiple presidential and legislative elections that were deemed generally free and fair by international observers. Despite those positive moves, political reconciliation has moved slowly and many Togolese complain that important political measures such as presidential term limits and electoral reforms remain undone, leaving the country’s politics in a lethargic state. Internationally, Togo is still known as a country where the same family has been in power for five decades.
Geography :: TOGO
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Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana
8 00 N, 1 10 E
Africa
total: 56,785 sq km
land: 54,385 sq km
water: 2,400 sq km
country comparison to the world: 127
slightly smaller than West Virginia
total: 1,880 km
border countries (3): Benin 651 km, Burkina Faso 131 km, Ghana 1,098 km
56 km
territorial sea: 30 nm
exclusive economic zone: 200 nm
tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north
gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes
mean elevation: 236 m
elevation extremes: lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
highest point: Mont Agou 986 m
phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land
agricultural land: 67.4%
arable land 45.2%; permanent crops 3.8%; permanent pasture 18.4%
forest: 4.9%
other: 27.7% (2011 est.)
70 sq km (2012)
one of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast
hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts
deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna
People and Society :: TOGO
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7,965,055
note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 99
noun: Togolese (singular and plural)
adjective: Togolese
African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%
French (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%
Togo’s population is estimated to have grown to four times its size between 1960 and 2010. With nearly 60% of its populace under the age of 25 and a high annual growth rate attributed largely to high fertility, Togo’s population is likely to continue to expand for the foreseeable future. Reducing fertility, boosting job creation, and improving education will be essential to reducing the country’s high poverty rate. In 2008, Togo eliminated primary school enrollment fees, leading to higher enrollment but increased pressure on limited classroom space, teachers, and materials. Togo has a good chance of achieving universal primary education, but educational quality, the underrepresentation of girls, and the low rate of enrollment in secondary and tertiary schools remain concerns.
Togo is both a country of emigration and asylum. In the early 1990s, southern Togo suffered from the economic decline of the phosphate sector and ethnic and political repression at the hands of dictator Gnassingbe EYADEMA and his northern, Kabye-dominated administration. The turmoil led 300,000 to 350,000 predominantly southern Togolese to flee to Benin and Ghana, with most not returning home until relative stability was restored in 1997. In 2005, another outflow of 40,000 Togolese to Benin and Ghana occurred when violence broke out between the opposition and security forces over the disputed election of EYADEMA’s son Faure GNASSINGBE to the presidency. About half of the refugees reluctantly returned home in 2006, many still fearing for their safety. Despite ethnic tensions and periods of political unrest, Togo in 2016 was home to more than 18,000 refugees from Ghana.
0-14 years: 40.29% (male 1,610,020/female 1,599,105)
15-24 years: 19.2% (male 763,507/female 765,884)
25-54 years: 32.79% (male 1,297,489/female 1,314,130)
55-64 years: 4.31% (male 161,809/female 181,180)
65 years and over: 3.41% (male 117,409/female 154,522) (2017 est.)
population pyramid:
Africa
::TOGO
Population Pyramid
A population pyramid illustrates the age and sex structure of a country's population and may provide insights about political and social stability, as well as economic development. The population is distributed along the horizontal axis, with males shown on the left and females on the right. The male and female populations are broken down into 5-year age groups represented as horizontal bars along the vertical axis, with the youngest age groups at the bottom and the oldest at the top. The shape of the population pyramid gradually evolves over time based on fertility, mortality, and international migration trends.
For additional information, please see the entry for Population pyramid on the Definitions and Notes page under the References tab.
total dependency ratio: 81.2
youth dependency ratio: 76.2
elderly dependency ratio: 5.1
potential support ratio: 19.8 (2015 est.)
total: 19.7 years
male: 19.4 years
female: 20 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
2.6% (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 16
33.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 29
6.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 134
0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 97
one of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast
urban population: 40% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 3.83% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
LOME (capital) 956,000 (2015)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 1 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.89 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.76 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2016 est.)
21 years
note: median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2013/14 est.)
368 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 40
total: 43.7 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 50.1 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 37 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 45
total population: 65 years
male: 62.3 years
female: 67.7 years (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177
4.38 children born/woman (2017 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
19.9% (2013/14)
5.2% of GDP (2014)
country comparison to the world: 136
0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)
improved:
urban: 91.4% of population
rural: 44.2% of population
total: 63.1% of population
unimproved:
urban: 8.6% of population
rural: 55.8% of population
total: 36.9% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 24.7% of population
rural: 2.9% of population
total: 11.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 75.3% of population
rural: 97.1% of population
total: 88.4% of population (2015 est.)
2.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
100,000 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
5,100 (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 30
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
animal contact disease: rabies (2016)
6.4% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 169
16.2% (2014)
country comparison to the world: 41
5.3% of GDP (2015)
country comparison to the world: 91
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 63.7%
male: 77.3%
female: 51.2% (2015 est.)
total: 12 years
male: NA
female: NA (2011)
total number: 774,801
percentage: 47% (2010 est.)
Government :: TOGO
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conventional long form: Togolese Republic
conventional short form: Togo
local long form: Republique Togolaise
local short form: none
former: French Togoland
etymology: derived from the Ewe words "to" (water) and "go" (shore) to give the sense of "by the water"; originally, this designation applied to the town of Togo (now Togoville) on the northern shore of Lake Togo, but the name was eventually extended to the entire nation
presidential republic
name: Lome
geographic coordinates: 6 07 N, 1 13 E
time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes
27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)
Independence Day, 27 April (1960)
history: several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1992, effective 14 October 1992
amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one-fifth of the National Assembly membership; passage requires four-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; a referendum is required if approved by only two-thirds majority of the Assembly or if requested by the president; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government cannot be amended; amended 2002, 2007 (2017)
customary law system
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005)
head of government: Prime Minister Komi KLASSOU (since 5 June 2015)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the prime minister
elections/appointments: president directly elected by simple majority popular vote for a 5-year term (no term limits); election last held on 25 April 2015 (next to be held in 2020); prime minister appointed by the president
election results: Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 58.8%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 35.2%, Tchaboure GOGUE (ADDI) 4%, other 2%
description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (91 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 25 July 2013 (next to be held in 2018)
election results: percent of vote by coalition/party - UNIR 46.7%, CST 28.9%, Rainbow Alliance 10.8%, UFC 7.7%, independent 0.8%, other 5.1%; seats by coalition/party - UNIR 62, CST 19, Rainbow Alliance 6, UFC 3, independent 1
highest court(s): Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into criminal and administrative chambers, each with a chamber president and advisors); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges including the court president)
judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court president appointed by decree of the president of the republic upon the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, a 9-member judicial, advisory, and disciplinary body; other judge appointments and judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA
subordinate courts: Court of Assizes (sessions court); Appeal Court; tribunals of first instance (divided into civil, commercial, and correctional chambers; Court of State Security; military tribunal
Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yaovi AGBOYIBO]
Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development or ADDI [Tchaboure GOUGE]
Combat for Political Change in 2015 or CAP 2015 [Jean-Pierre FABRE]
Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]
Democrastic Forces for the Republic or FDR [Dodji APEVON]
National Alliance for Change or ANC [Jean-Pierre FABRE]
Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP [Edem KODJO]
Rainbow Alliance (a coalition including CAR and CDPA) [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]
Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR [Abi TCHESSA]
The Togolese Party [Nathaniel OLYMPIO]
Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO]
Union for the Republic or UNIR [Faure GNASSINGBE]
NA
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Frederic Edem HEGBE (since 24 April 2017)
chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212
FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190
chief of mission: Ambassador David R. GILMORE (since December 2015)
embassy: 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome
mailing address: B.P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20521-2300
telephone: [228] 2261-5470
FAX: [228] 2261-5501
five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; the five horizontal stripes stand for the five different regions of the country; the red square is meant to express the loyalty and patriotism of the people; green symbolizes hope, fertility, and agriculture; yellow represents mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring prosperity; the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and Togo's independence
note: uses the popular Pan-African colors of Ethiopia
lion; national colors: green, yellow, red, white
name: "Salut a toi, pays de nos aieux" (Hail to Thee, Land of Our Forefathers)
lyrics/music: Alex CASIMIR-DOSSEH
note: adopted 1960, restored 1992; this anthem was replaced by another during one-party rule between 1979 and 1992
Economy :: TOGO
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Togo is enjoying a period of steady economic growth fueled by political stability and a concerted effort by the government to modernize the country’s commercial infrastructure. The country has recently completed an ambitious large-scale infrastructure improvement program, including new principal roads, a new airport terminal, and a new sea-port. The economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for around 60% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton and other agricultural products generate about 20% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is among the world's largest producers of phosphate and seeks to develop its carbonate phosphate reserves, which provide more than 20% of export earnings.
The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Togo completed its IMF Extended Credit Facility in 2011 and reached a Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief completion point in 2010 at which 95% of the country's debt was forgiven. Togo continues to work with the IMF on structural reforms, and is currently finalizing IMF approval for an agreement on an Extended Credit Facility arrangement consisting of a three-year $238 million loan package. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors.
Togo’s 2016 economic growth remained steady at 5.3%, largely driven by infusions of foreign aid, infrastructure investment in the port and mineral sectors, and improvements in the business climate. Foreign direct investment inflows have slowed in recent years.
$11.64 billion (2016 est.)
$11.09 billion (2015 est.)
$10.53 billion (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 154
$4.434 billion (2016 est.)
5% (2016 est.)
5.3% (2015 est.)
5.4% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27
$1,600 (2016 est.)
$1,500 (2015 est.)
$1,500 (2014 est.)
note: data are in 2016 dollars
country comparison to the world: 217
17.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
15.9% of GDP (2015 est.)
15.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
household consumption: 107%
government consumption: 16.2%
investment in fixed capital: 21%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 49.3%
imports of goods and services: -93.5% (2016 est.)
agriculture: 27.5%
industry: 21.3%
services: 51.2% (2016 est.)
coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (manioc, tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish
phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages
7.1% (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14
2.595 million (2007 est.)
country comparison to the world: 114
agriculture: 65%
industry: 5%
services: 30% (1998 est.)
NA%
55.1% (2015 est.)
lowest 10%: 3.3%
highest 10%: 27.1% (2006)
46 (2011)
country comparison to the world: 37
revenues: $1.14 billion
expenditures: $1.377 billion (2016 est.)
25.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
-5.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
63.3% of GDP (2016 est.)
67.3% of GDP (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 59
calendar year
0.9% (2016 est.)
1.8% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
2.5% (31 December 2010)
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 110
NA%
$1.315 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.14 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
$2.599 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$2.184 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$1.977 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.65 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
$NA
$-433 million (2016 est.)
$-461 million (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98
$1.2 billion (2016 est.)
$1.246 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa
India 13.7%, Burkina Faso 11.5%, China 11.4%, Benin 9.7%, Ghana 9.1%, Lebanon 8.4%, Nigeria 6.2%, Niger 6% (2015)
$1.852 billion (2016 est.)
$1.881 billion (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164
machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products
China 22.8%, Belgium 20.2%, Netherlands 11.9%, France 6.6%, India 4.8%, Singapore 4.4% (2015)
$647.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)
$574 million (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 135
$1.173 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
$1.034 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
628.16 (2016 est.)
591.45 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
510.53 (2012 est.)
Energy :: TOGO
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population without electricity: 5,000,000
electrification - total population: 27%
electrification - urban areas: 35%
electrification - rural areas: 21% (2013)
100 million kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
1.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
0 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 205
1.1 billion kWh (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
86,000 kW (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180
21.7% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 192
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191
78.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 17
0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
0 bbl (1 January 2016 es)
country comparison to the world: 201
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
13,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
0 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 144
12,280 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 140
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 136
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 200
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 193
0 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 137
0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)
country comparison to the world: 200
1.8 million Mt (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
Communications :: TOGO
-
total subscriptions: 33,817
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
total: 5,505,424
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 71 (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system
domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 70 telephones per 100 persons with mobile-cellular use predominating
international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie (2016)
1 state-owned TV station with multiple transmission sites; 5 private TV stations broadcast locally; cable TV service is available; state-owned radio network with multiple stations; several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2017)
.tg
total: 877,310
percent of population: 11.3% (July 2016 est.)
country comparison to the world: 138
Transportation :: TOGO
-
number of registered air carriers: 1
inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 8
annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 769,904
annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 0 mt-km (2015)
5V (2016)
8 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 163
total: 2
2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2013)
total: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 4
under 914 m: 2 (2013)
total: 568 km
narrow gauge: 568 km 1.000-m gauge (2014)
country comparison to the world: 112
total: 11,652 km
paved: 2,447 km
unpaved: 9,205 km (2007)
country comparison to the world: 130
50 km (seasonally navigable by small craft on the Mono River depending on rainfall) (2011)
country comparison to the world: 102
total: 61
by type: bulk carrier 6, cargo 38, carrier 3, chemical tanker 5, container 3, passenger/cargo 1, petroleum tanker 3, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 1
foreign-owned: 21 (China 1, Lebanon 6, Romania 1, Syria 6, Turkey 4, UAE 1, US 1, Yemen 1) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 66
major seaport(s): Kpeme, Lome
Military and Security :: TOGO
-
1.86% of GDP (2016)
1.71% of GDP (2015)
1.85% of GDP (2014)
1.77% of GDP (2013)
1.63% of GDP (2012)
Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre); update State, April 2017, Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, TAF), National Gendarmerie (2017)
18 years of age for military service; 2-year service obligation; currently the military is only an all-volunteer force (2017)
Transnational Issues :: TOGO
-
in 2001, Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; talks continue between Benin and Togo on funding the Adjrala hydroelectric dam on the Mona River
refugees (country of origin): 9,648 (Ghana) (2016)
transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem
