Country Profile: Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire, located in Western Africa along the North Atlantic Ocean, is renowned for its rich cultural history and diverse geography featuring mostly flat terrain and tropical coastal climate. The nation, with an estimated population of over 31 million, has seen economic growth driven largely by cocoa production, making it a significant player in West Africa. Following its independence from France in 1960, Cote d'Ivoire has navigated political turmoil, yet it has established a presidential republic that supports a burgeoning economy and robust governance structures.

Geography

Cote d'Ivoire is bordered by Ghana to the east, Liberia to the west, and Guinea to the northwest, featuring a coastline of 515 km along the Atlantic Ocean. The country's terrain is predominantly flat to undulating plains, with notable mountains in the northwest, including its highest point, Monts Nimba, at 1,752 m. The climate ranges from tropical along the coast to semiarid in the north, with three distinct seasons.

322,463 sq km: Total area
3,458 km: Total land boundaries
86.5%: Agricultural land (2023)
515 km: Length of coastline
12.4%: Forest cover (2023)

People and Society

Cote d'Ivoire has a population of approximately 31,855,971 as of 2025, with a youthful median age of 20 years. The nation comprises diverse ethnic groups, predominantly Akan and Voltaique, communicating mainly in French and native dialects. The society is religiously diverse, with significant proportions practicing Islam and Christianity.

2.33%: Estimated population growth rate (2025)
53.1%: Urban population (2023)
63.2 years: Life expectancy at birth (2024)
29.87 births/1,000: Birth rate (2025)
37.5%: Population below the poverty line (2021)

Economy

Cote d'Ivoire boasts one of West Africa's most stable and rapidly developing economies, with a GDP of $215.018 billion (PPP) estimated for 2024. Agriculture is a key pillar, notably in cocoa and coffee production, while the service sector is growing. Despite urban poverty declines, rural poverty remains a challenge.

6%: Projected GDP growth rate (2024)
2.3%: Unemployment rate (2024)
$6,700: GDP per capita (PPP) estimated for 2024
17.9%: Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2024)
66%: Household consumption of GDP (2024)

Government

Cote d'Ivoire is a presidential republic, with a system that includes a bicameral legislature and a legal system based on French civil law. The current president, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA, has been in office since October 2025, following a controversial electoral process. Political stability has been bolstered by a series of agreements and reconciliations among various factions within the government.

255: Seats in the National Assembly
99: Seats in the Senate
18 years: Minimum voting age
$12.351 billion: Estimated government revenues (2023)
$16.03 billion: Estimated government expenditures (2023)

Military and Security

Cote d'Ivoire's military, known as the Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (FACI), includes the army, navy, air force, and national gendarmerie, totaling approximately 25,000-30,000 active personnel. The military's primary focus includes securing borders and combatting threats from regional terrorist groups.

0.8%: Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024)
180: Troops deployed in Central African Republic (2025)
29,000 bbl/day: Total petroleum production (2023)
1.638 billion kWh: Electricity transmission/distribution losses (2023)
1.1 million: Estimated military personnel engaged in various operations and training

Energy

The energy sector in Cote d'Ivoire is composed mainly of fossil fuel and hydroelectric power, with 70.4% of the population having access to electricity. The country also plans to expand its renewable energy capacity, especially in solar energy.

2.315 million kW: Installed electricity generating capacity (2023)
8.746 billion kWh: Total electricity consumption (2023)
87,000 bbl/day: Refined petroleum consumption (2023)
45.3%: Electrification rate in rural areas (2022)
68.9%: Share of fossil fuels in total installed electricity capacity (2023)

Environment

Cote d'Ivoire faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation and water pollution from agricultural and industrial activities. The government is a party to several international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

12.4%: Forest area as of 2023
16.28 million metric tonnes: Total CO2 emissions (2023)
86.5%: Agricultural land utilization (2023)
4.441 million tons: Municipal solid waste generated annually (2024)
320 million cubic meters: Municipal water withdrawal (2022)

Transportation

Cote d'Ivoire has a mix of transport infrastructure, including a developing air transport sector with 29 airports, and a railway network primarily serving cargo needs. The major ports support economic activities linked to its agricultural exports.

25: Total vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
5: Total ports (2024)
660 km: Total railway length (2008)
1: Number of heliports (2025)
29: Airports (2025)

Communications

The telecommunications sector in Cote d'Ivoire is expanding rapidly, with high mobile phone penetration and increasing internet adoption rates. The country has a state-controlled media landscape with various radio and television stations providing diverse content.

58.7 million: Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
41%: Percentage of the population using the internet (2023)
245,000: Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024)
425,000: Fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
1: Fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,855,971	Estimated for 2025
Area	322,463 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$215.018 billion	Estimated for 2024
Energy Consumption	8.746 billion kWh	Total electricity consumption (2023)
Birth Rate	29.87 births/1,000	Estimated for 2025
Unemployment Rate	2.3%	Estimated for 2024
Literacy Rate	50%	Estimated for 2021

This profile provides a concise overview of Cote d'Ivoire, encapsulating its diverse aspects from geography and population to its economy and government structure.