Country Profile: Cote d'Ivoire

Cote d'Ivoire, located in Western Africa, is bordered by the North Atlantic Ocean and shares land boundaries with Ghana, Liberia, Guinea, Mali, and Burkina Faso. As a presidential republic, the country has a rich history marked by small kingdoms and colonial rule, achieving independence from France in 1960. With an estimated population of over 31 million people, the nation boasts a diverse economy primarily driven by agriculture, particularly cocoa and coffee production, along with a growing industrial sector. Governance has experienced periods of instability and civil conflict, leading to a complex political landscape.

Geography

Cote d'Ivoire features varied terrain, predominantly made up of flat to undulating plains with mountains in the northwest. The country experiences a tropical climate along the coast and semiarid conditions in the north, divided into three main seasons. The population is largely concentrated in the southern forested areas and coastal cities, with the northern regions remaining sparsely populated.

322,463 sq km - Total area
515 km - Coastline along the Atlantic Ocean
3,458 km - Total land boundaries
12.4% - Forested area as of 2023
86.5% - Agricultural land usage as of 2023

People and Society

Cote d'Ivoire has a population of approximately 31.9 million people as of 2025, characterized by a youthful demographic with a median age of 20 years. The country is home to diverse ethnic groups, including Akan, Voltaique, and Mande, with French as the official language. The society is predominantly Muslim and Christian, with notable cultural diversity reflected in various native dialects.

2.33% - Estimated annual population growth rate (2025)
53.1% - Urban population proportion (2023)
37.5% - Percentage of the population living below the poverty line (2021)
63.2 years - Life expectancy at birth (2024)
50% - Literacy rate (2021)

Economy

Cote d'Ivoire ranks among West Africa's most prosperous nations, with a rapidly developing economy heavily reliant on agriculture, particularly cocoa and coffee exports. The GDP has seen strong growth rates, supported by a robust construction sector. However, rural poverty remains a concern alongside a diverse economic portfolio with increasing public debt.

$215.018 billion - GDP (PPP) in 2024
6% - Projected GDP growth rate for 2024
17.9% - Agriculture's contribution to GDP (2024)
2.3% - Unemployment rate (2024)
37.7% - Household expenditure on food (2023)

Government

Cote d'Ivoire operates as a presidential republic, with a bicameral Parliament and a strong president who is elected for a renewable five-year term. The political landscape has been shaped by a history of civil strife and attempts at reconciliation, with the next elections scheduled for October 2030.

Alassane Dramane OUATTARA - President since 25 October 2025
255 - Total seats in the National Assembly; most recent election in 2021
12 - Total districts in the country
7 August 1960 - Independence from France
13.4% - Percentage of women in the National Assembly (2021)

Military and Security

The Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire, comprising the Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Gendarmerie, focus on both external defense and internal security. Military spending remains low due to budget constraints, yet security measures have intensified to address threats from terrorist groups in the region.

25-30,000 - Active military personnel (2025)
0.8% - Military expenditure as a percentage of GDP (2024)
180 - Ivorian troops deployed for peacekeeping in the Central African Republic (2025)
18-26 years - Age range for voluntary military service
AQIM - Al-Qaida affiliate posing security threats

Energy

Cote d'Ivoire's energy sector is diversified, primarily relying on fossil fuels and hydropower. Electricity access remains limited in rural areas, while the country is making strides towards increased electrification and energy production.

70.4% - Total population with electricity access (2022)
2.315 million kW - Installed electricity generating capacity (2023)
68.9% - Fossil fuels' share of total installed capacity (2023)
29,000 bbl/day - Total petroleum production (2023)
2.474 billion cubic meters - Natural gas production (2023)

Transportation

Transportation infrastructure in Cote d'Ivoire features several airports, railways, and ports. The country has invested in enhancing its ports and air transport capabilities to facilitate trade and travel.

29 - Total airports (2025)
660 km - Total railway length (2008)
5 - Major ports, including Abidjan and San Pedro (2024)
25 - Ships in the merchant marine fleet (2023)
1 - Heliport (2025)

Communications

Cote d'Ivoire has a growing telecommunications sector, with mobile cellular subscriptions significantly outpacing fixed-line connections. Internet penetration is expanding, reflecting the country's ongoing modernization efforts.

58.7 million - Mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
41% - Internet user percentage of the population (2023)
245,000 - Fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2024)
425,000 - Total fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
184 - Mobile subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2024)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	31,855,971 (2025 est.)	Total population
Area	322,463 sq km	Total land area
GDP (PPP)	$215.018 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP in purchasing power parity
Energy Consumption	8.746 billion kWh (2023)	Total electricity consumption
Birth Rate	29.87 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Annual birth rate
Unemployment	2.3% (2024 est.)	Unemployment rate
Life Expectancy at Birth	63.2 years (2024 est.)	Average lifespan
Literacy Rate	50% (2021 est.)	Literacy rate for total population
Total Fertility Rate	3.85 children/woman (2025 est.)	Average number of children per woman
Urban Population	53.1% (2023)	Portion of population living in urban areas