Country Profile: Togo

Togo, located in Western Africa along the Bight of Benin, is bordered by Benin to the east and Ghana to the west. With a population of approximately 9.1 million, it features a diverse mix of ethnic groups and languages, predominantly French, Ewe, and Mina. The economy is primarily agrarian, heavily reliant on agriculture and phosphate mining, while efforts toward democratic reform continue amidst political challenges.

Geography

Togo covers an area of 56,785 sq km, making it slightly smaller than West Virginia. The country's terrain varies from gently rolling savanna in the north to a low coastal plain in the south, with a tropical climate that transitions to semiarid in the north. Togo boasts a coastline of 56 km along the Atlantic Ocean and has 1,880 km of land borders with Benin, Burkina Faso, and Ghana.

Highest Point: Mont Agou at 986 m
Mean Elevation: 236 m
Natural Resources: Phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land
Agricultural Land Use: 70.2% (2023 estimate)
Urban Population: 44.5% of total population (2023)

People and Society

Togo's population is estimated at 9,143,439 in 2025, with a demographic split of 49% male and 51% female. The country has a rich ethnic diversity, with the largest groups including Adja-Ewe/Mina, Kabye/Tem, and Para-Gourma/Akan. The median age is 20.9 years, reflecting a youthful population, and approximately 72.6% of the total population is literate.

Ethnic Groups: Over 37 recognized groups
Religions: 42.3% Christian, 36.9% folk religion, 14% Muslim
Infant Mortality Rate: 34.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 estimate)
Life Expectancy: 72.1 years (2024 estimate)
Urbanization Rate: 3.6% annual growth (2020-2025)

Economy

Togo's economy is classified as low-income, heavily based on agriculture which accounts for 18% of GDP. The economy is bolstered by phosphate mining and has an improving public budgeting transparency. In 2024, the country's real GDP is projected at $27.115 billion with a growth rate of 5.3%.

Unemployment Rate: 2% (2024 estimate)
Poverty Rate: 45.5% live below the poverty line (2018 estimate)
Gini Index: 37.9 (2021 estimate)
Labor Force: 3.345 million (2024 estimate)
Top Exports: Gold and refined petroleum

Government

Togo operates as a presidential republic, with legislative authority exercised through a bicameral parliament. The constitution was last revised in 2024, transitioning towards a parliamentary system. The country has been shaping its political landscape through gradual reforms following decades of authoritarian rule.

Capital: Lomé
Independence: Achieved on April 27, 1960
National Holiday: Independence Day on April 27
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Current President: Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de TOVE (since May 2025)

Military and Security

The Togolese Armed Forces, comprising the Army, Navy, and Air Force, focus on both external defense and internal security. Military expenditures represent about 2.2% of GDP in 2024. The government has been working to reform the military in response to security challenges, especially concerning militant threats from neighboring regions.

Active Personnel: Estimated 20,000 in the Armed Forces (2025)
Military Service Age: 18-24 years with a 24-month obligation
External Military Equipment: Mostly older systems from a variety of countries
Security Focus: Addressing border security and preventing terrorist infiltration

Energy

Electricity access in Togo is currently at 57.2% of the total population, with stark contrasts between urban (96.5%) and rural areas (25%). The total installed generating capacity is 326,000 kW, with fossil fuels comprising the majority of energy sources.

Electricity Generation Sources: 79.3% from fossil fuels, 11.9% from solar
Energy Consumption per Capita: 4.538 million Btu/person (2023 estimate)
Total Electricity Consumption: 1.815 billion kWh (2023 estimate)

Environment

Togo faces several environmental challenges including deforestation, desertification, and water pollution. Agricultural practices contribute significantly to these issues, particularly through slash-and-burn methods. The country is a party to multiple international environmental agreements, demonstrating a commitment to addressing these matters.

Forest Coverage: 22.4% (2023 estimate)
Water Pollution Issues: Present mainly in urban areas
Urbanization Impact: Rapid growth has exacerbated environmental degradation

Transportation

Transport infrastructure in Togo includes 2 ports and a maritime fleet of 397 vessels, facilitating trade. The railway network totals 568 km and primarily serves freight transport.

Airports: 7 (2025)
Merchant Marine: Includes various types, such as 10 container ships
Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 5V

Communications

Togo's telecommunications have seen improvements with 7.69 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2024. The internet penetration stands at 37%, indicating ongoing developments in information technology across the nation.

Fixed-line Subscriptions: 67,000 (2023)
Broadband Internet Subscriptions: 114,000 (2023)
Television Stations: 1 state-owned and several private

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	9,143,439 (2025 est.)	Total population estimate
Area	56,785 sq km	Total land area
GDP	$27.115 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP (PPP) estimate
Energy Consumption	1.815 billion kWh (2023 est.)	Total electricity consumption
Birth Rate	30.17 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)	Annual birth rate
Unemployment Rate	2% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Life Expectancy	72.1 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy at birth
Literacy Rate	72.6% (2022 est.)	Total literacy rate
Electric Access	57.2% (2022 est.)	Percentage of population with electricity access