Country Profile: Côte d'Ivoire

Côte d'Ivoire, located in Western Africa, boasts a rich cultural heritage shaped by various kingdoms before becoming a French protectorate in the 19th century. It gained independence in 1960 and has since developed into one of West Africa's most influential and stable economies, driven primarily by agriculture, particularly cocoa and coffee production. The nation has a diverse population of approximately 30 million people, with major urban areas centered along the Atlantic coast, while governance is characterized by a presidential republic structure. Despite facing historical political turmoil, the country continues to see urbanization and economic growth.

Geography

Côte d'Ivoire is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean, situated between Ghana and Liberia. The landscape features mostly flat plains with mountainous regions in the northwest and a tropical climate along the coast. The majority of the population resides in the coastal regions and urban areas, while the northern savanna remains sparsely populated.

322,463 sq km total area
515 km of coastline
3,458 km of land borders with Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Guinea, and Liberia
70.4% of the population has access to electricity (2022 est.)
86.5% of land is agricultural (2023 est.)
12.4% forest coverage (2023 est.)
1,752 m highest point at Monts Nimba

People and Society

Côte d'Ivoire has a population of approximately 29.98 million (2024 est.), with a youthful demographic and diverse ethnic composition. The majority of the population identifies as Muslim or Christian, and French is the official language alongside many native dialects. Urbanization is significant, with over half the population living in urban areas.

41% of the population are internet users (2023 est.)
63.2 years life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
27.5 births per 1,000 population (2024 est.)
36.1% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2024 est.)
2.13% population growth rate (2024 est.)
50% literacy rate (2021 est.)
37.5% of the population lives below the poverty line (2021 est.)

Economy

Côte d'Ivoire is regarded as one of the most rapidly developing economies in West Africa, with a focus on agriculture, services, and industry. The nation has a large labor force in farming but faces challenges such as rural poverty and growing public debt. The GDP per capita continues to rise, and the country benefits from a diversified economic portfolio.

$215.018 billion Real GDP (PPP) (2024 est.)
2.3% unemployment rate (2024 est.)
17.9% of GDP from agriculture (2024 est.)
66% of household consumption (2024 est.)
$12.351 billion in government revenues (2023 est.)
3.5% inflation rate (2024 est.)
$86.538 billion GDP at official exchange rate (2024 est.)

Government

Côte d'Ivoire is a presidential republic with a mixed legal system based on the French civil code. The political landscape has been shaped by periods of conflict; however, recent elections reflect a move towards stability. The capital is Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan serves as the administrative and economic hub.

President: Alassane Dramane Ouattara (since 2025)
Legislative structure: Bicameral Parliament
Elections: Universal suffrage at age 18
National holiday: Independence Day on August 7 (1960)
Constitution: Promulgated on November 8, 2016
Next expected elections: October 2030

Military and Security

The Ivorian military consists of various branches, including the army, navy, air force, and gendarmerie, with a focus on both external defense and domestic security. The country faces security challenges, particularly from militant groups in neighboring regions, prompting increased border security measures and international collaboration for counter-terrorism.

0.8% of GDP allocated to military spending (2024 est.)
Approximately 25-30,000 active military personnel (2025)
Recent deployments include 180 troops in the Central African Republic (2024)
Compulsory military service age is 18-26 years
Historical mutinies have occurred within the military since the late 1990s

Energy

Côte d'Ivoire's energy sector is marked by its reliance on fossil fuels, with significant contributions from hydroelectric power. The country is making strides in increasing its electricity access, particularly in urban areas, while also investing in renewable sources.

70.4% total electricity access (2022 est.)
2.315 million kW installed generating capacity (2023 est.)
68.9% of energy generation from fossil fuels (2023 est.)
8.746 billion kWh electricity consumption (2023 est.)
2.474 billion cubic meters of natural gas produced (2023 est.)
45.3% electricity access in rural areas (2022 est.)

Environment

Côte d'Ivoire faces environmental challenges such as deforestation and water pollution. It is a signatory to several international environmental agreements, illustrating its commitment to protecting biodiversity and addressing climate change.

84.14 billion cubic meters of renewable water resources (2022 est.)
16.28 million metric tonnes of CO2 emissions (2023 est.)
4.441 million tons of municipal solid waste generated annually (2024 est.)
13.3% of municipal waste is recycled (2022 est.)
12.4% of land is forested (2023 est.)

Transportation

Côte d'Ivoire has a developing transportation infrastructure, with a number of airports, railways, and ports facilitating domestic and international trade. The country plans to enhance its connections to promote economic growth.

29 airports by 2025
660 km of railway (2008)
5 major ports, including Abidjan and San Pedro (2024)
25 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
Heliports: 1 (2025)

Communications

The communication sector in Côte d'Ivoire is growing, with substantial increases in mobile and internet subscribers. However, fixed-line subscriptions are relatively low, reflecting a global trend towards mobile communication.

53.6 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2023 est.)
41% of the population has internet access (2023 est.)
244,000 fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023 est.)
425,000 fixed broadband subscriptions (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	29,981,758	2024 estimate
Area	322,463 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$215.018 billion	2024 estimate
Energy Consumption Per Capita	8.489 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	27.5 births/1,000	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	2.3%	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	50%	2021 estimate
Life Expectancy	63.2 years	2024 estimate
Military Expenditures	0.8% of GDP	2024 estimate
Urban Population	53.1% of total	2023 estimate