CapitalYamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative and economic capital)
Population31,855,971
Area322,463 km²
GDP per capita$6,700
LanguagesFrench is the official language, alongside 60 indigenous dialects, with Dioula being the most prevalent.
CurrencyCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs
Life Expectancy63.2 yr
Governmentpresidential republic
Introduction
Background
Various small kingdoms ruled the area of Cote d'Ivoire between the 15th and 19th centuries, when European explorers arrived and then began to expand their presence. In 1844, France established a protectorate. During this period, many of these kingdoms and tribes fought to maintain their cultural identities -- some well into the 20th century. For example, the Sanwi kingdom -- originally founded in the 17th century -- tried to break away from Cote d’Ivoire and establish an independent state in 1969.
Cote d’Ivoire achieved independence from France in 1960 but has maintained close ties. Foreign investment and the export and production of cocoa drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. Then in 1999, a military coup overthrew the government, and a year later, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup in 2002 that developed into a civil war. In 2003, a cease-fire resulted in rebels holding the north, the government holding the south, and peacekeeping forces occupying a buffer zone in the middle. In 2007, President GBAGBO and former rebel leader Guillaume SORO signed an agreement in which SORO joined GBAGBO's government as prime minister. The two agreed to reunite the country by dismantling the buffer zone, integrating rebel forces into the national armed forces, and holding elections.
In 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. Armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French troops eventually forced GBAGBO to step down in 2011. OUATTARA won a second term in 2015 and a controversial third term in 2020 -- despite the two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution -- in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition participated peacefully in 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in 2021, the International Criminal Court in The Hague ruled on a final acquittal for GBAGBO, who was on trial for crimes against humanity, paving the way for GBAGBO’s return to Abidjan the same year. GBAGBO has publicly met with OUATTARA since his return as a demonstration of political reconciliation.
Geography
Area
land
318,003 sq km
water
4,460 sq km
total
322,463 sq km
Climate
coastal areas exhibit a tropical climate, while the far northern region experiences a semiarid climate; the year is divided into three distinct seasons: warm and dry from November to March, hot and dry from March to May, and hot and wet from June to October
Terrain
terrain is predominantly flat to gently rolling plains, with mountainous regions situated in the northwest
Land use
other
1.1% (2023 est.)
forest
12.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
86.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 15.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 29.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 41.5% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western Africa, it shares its borders with the North Atlantic Ocean, positioned between Ghana and Liberia
Coastline
515 km
Elevation
lowest point
Gulf of Guinea 0 m
highest point
Monts Nimba 1,752 m
mean elevation
250 m
Irrigated land
730 sq km (2012)
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
3,458 km
border countries
Borders Burkina Faso for 545 km; Ghana for 720 km; Guinea for 816 km; Liberia for 778 km; and Mali for 599 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea
12 nm
continental shelf
200 nm
exclusive economic zone
200 nm
Natural hazards
The coastline experiences strong surf and lacks natural harbors; during the rainy season, severe flooding can occur
Geography - note
A majority of the population resides in the sandy coastal area; outside of the capital, the forested regions are sparsely populated
Natural resources
Natural resources include petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, and hydropower
Area - comparative
Slightly larger in size than New Mexico
Geographic coordinates
8 00 N, 5 00 W
Population distribution
The majority of the population is found in the forested southern regions, with the highest density in and around urban centers along the Atlantic coast; the northern savanna is largely sparsely populated, though there are higher densities near transportation routes, as illustrated in the population distribution map
Major lakes (area sq km)
salt water lake(s)
Lagune Aby - 780 sq km
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger (2,261,741 sq km), Volta (410,991 sq km)
People & Society
Literacy
male
60.2% (2021 est.)
female
40.3% (2021 est.)
total population
50% (2021 est.)
Languages
Languages
French is the official language, alongside 60 indigenous dialects, with Dioula being the most prevalent.
major-language sample(s)
The World Factbook, une source indispensable d'informations de base. (French)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Religions
Muslim 42.9%, Catholic 17.2%, Evangelical 11.8%, Methodist 1.7%, other Christian 3.2%, animist 3.6%, other religion 0.5%, none 19.1% (estimates from 2014).
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years
1.02 male(s)/female
total population
1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.82 male(s)/female
Birth rate
29.87 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
6.93 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
21.2 years
total
20 years (2025 est.)
female
21.2 years
Population
male
15,992,906
total
31,855,971 (2025 est.)
female
15,863,065
Nationality
noun
Ivoirian(s)
adjective
Ivoirian
Tobacco use
male
14.9% (2025 est.)
total
7.8% (2025 est.)
female
0.6% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
36.1% (male 5,437,108/female 5,390,782)
15-64 years
60.9% (male 9,200,957/female 9,060,748)
65 years and over
3% (2024 est.) (male 401,967/female 490,196)
Ethnic groups
Akan 38%, Voltaique or Gur 22%, Northern Mande 22%, Kru 9.1%, Southern Mande 8.6%, other 0.3% (estimates from 2021).
Child marriage
men married by age 18
1.9% (2021)
women married by age 15
7.4% (2021)
women married by age 18
25.8% (2021)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
72.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
67.5 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
21.2 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
4.7 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.17 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
3.1% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
6.2% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
0.39 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate
3.85 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 58% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 72.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 86.2% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 42% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 27.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 13.8% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
3.4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
17.6% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
59.5 deaths/1,000 live births
total
52.3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
45.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2.33% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
1.9 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
The population is mainly concentrated in the wooded southern regions, with the largest number of inhabitants found in and around coastal cities along the Atlantic; the northern savanna areas are largely underpopulated, though denser populations are situated along key transportation routes, as depicted in this population distribution map.
Life expectancy at birth
male
60.9 years
female
65.4 years
total population
63.2 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
359 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 41.5% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 64.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 84.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 58.5% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 35.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 15.4% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
1.13 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
1.7 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
231,000 in YAMOUSSOUKRO (the capital) (2018), 5.686 million in ABIDJAN (the governmental seat) (2023).
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
10.3% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.6 years (2011/12 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
62.7% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
13.6% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
11 years (2023 est.)
total
11 years (2023 est.)
female
11 years (2023 est.)
Environment
Climate
coastal areas experience a tropical climate, while the far north has a semiarid climate; the year is divided into three distinct seasons - warm and dry from November to March, hot and dry from March to May, and hot and wet from June to October
Land use
other
1.1% (2023 est.)
forest
12.4% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
86.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 15.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 29.9% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 41.5% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
53.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
3.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
28.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
199.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
187.7 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
192 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
4.441 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
13.3% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; contamination of water sources due to sewage and discharges from industrial, mining, and agricultural activities
Total water withdrawal
municipal
320 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
242 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
600 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
16.28 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
4.639 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
11.641 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
36 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
84.14 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: three equal vertical stripes of orange (left), white, and green
meaning: orange symbolizes the savannah and fertility, white represents peace and unity, green signifies the forests of the southern region and the hope for a prosperous future; the design is influenced by the flag of France
Capital
name
Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative and economic capital); note - the US Embassy is located in Abidjan
etymology
formerly known as a village named N'Gokro, Yamoussoukro is named after Queen YAMOUSSOU, who reigned in the early 20th century; the name Abidjan may have originated from a misunderstanding when a French explorer inquired about the village's name -- believing it was a question about their activities, a group of women responded "t'chan m’bi djan," which translates in the Ebrie language to "I return from cutting leaves," leading the explorer to document the name as Abidjan
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
6 49 N, 5 16 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Cote d'Ivoire
dual citizenship recognized
no
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
previous constitutions were adopted in 1960 and 2000; the most recent draft was completed on 24 September 2016, approved by the National Assembly on 11 October 2016, endorsed by a referendum on 30 October 2016, and promulgated on 8 November 2016
amendment process
proposed by either the president of the republic or Parliament; deliberation of drafts or proposals necessitates an absolute majority vote from the parliamentary members; amendments impacting presidential elections, the presidential term of office, vacancies, and amendment procedures require approval by an absolute majority in a referendum; other proposals forwarded by the president require at least a four-fifths majority vote in Parliament; constitutional provisions regarding state sovereignty and the republican and secular nature of the government are immutable
Country name
former
Ivory Coast
etymology
the name, which translates to "Ivory Coast" in French, reflects the ivory trade that occurred in the area from the 15th to the 17th centuries; the French version of this name has been used internationally since 1986, following the country's request
local long form
République de Côte d'Ivoire
local short form
Cote d'Ivoire
conventional long form
Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
conventional short form
Côte d'Ivoire
Independence
7 August 1960 (from France)
Legal system
the legal system is based on civil law and follows the French civil code; the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court oversees legislative reviews
Government type
presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
the Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (divided into Judicial, Audit, Constitutional, and Administrative Chambers; composed of the court president, three vice presidents for the Judicial, Audit, and Administrative chambers, and nine associate justices or magistrates)
subordinate courts
Courts of Appeal (organized into civil, criminal, and social chambers); first instance courts; peace courts
judge selection and term of office
judges are appointed by the Superior Council of the Magistrature, which is a 7-member body comprising the national president (chairman), three "bench" judges, and three public prosecutors; judges serve for life
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the president
chief of state
President Alassane Dramane OUATTARA (since 25 October 2025)
election results
2025: Alassane OUATTARA reelected president; percentage of vote - Alassane OUATTARA (RDR) 91.2%, Jean Louis BILLON (DC) 3.1%, Simone Gbagbo (MCG) 2.4%, Ahoua Don MELLO (Ind.) 2.0%, others 1.3%
2020: Alassane OUATTARA reelected president; percentage of vote - Alassane OUATTARA (RDR) 94.3%, Kouadio Konan BERTIN (PDCI-RDA) 2.0%, others 3.7%
head of government
Prime Minister Robert BREUGRE MAMBE (since 17 October 2023)
most recent election date
October 2030
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected by an absolute-majority popular vote over two rounds, if necessary, for a single renewable term of five years; the vice president is elected on the same ballot as the president; the prime minister is appointed by the president
expected date of next election
October 2030
National holiday
Independence Day, 7 August (1960)
National color(s)
orange, white, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
5 (2 cultural, 3 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Comoé National Park (n); Historic Grand-Bassam (c); Mount Nimba Strict Nature Reserve (n); Sudanese-style Mosques (c); Taï National Park (n)
Political parties
African Peoples' Party-Cote d'Ivoire or PPA-CI
Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI
Ivorian Popular Front or FPI
Liberty and Democracy for the Republic or LIDER
Movement of the Future Forces or MFA
Pan-African Congress for People's Justice and Equality or COJEP
Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP
Rally of the Republicans or RDR
Together for Democracy and Sovereignty or EDS
Together to Build (UDPCI, FPI, and allies)
Union for Cote d'Ivoire or UPCI
Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI
Legislative branch
legislature name
Parliament (Parlement)
legislative structure
bicameral
National anthem(s)
title
"L'Abidjanaise" (Song of Abidjan)
history
adopted in 1960; named after the former capital city, Abidjan
lyrics/music
Mathieu EKRA, Joachim BONY, and Pierre Marie COTY/Pierre Marie COTY and Pierre Michel PANGO
National symbol(s)
elephant
Administrative divisions
12 districts and 2 autonomous districts*; Abidjan*, Bas-Sassandra, Comoe, Denguele, Goh-Djiboua, Lacs, Lagunes, Montagnes, Sassandra-Marahoue, Savanes, Vallée du Bandama, Woroba, Yamoussoukro*, Zanzan
Legislative branch - lower chamber
chamber name
National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
255 (all directly elected)
electoral system
plurality/majority
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
3/6/2021 to 6/12/2021
expected date of next election
December 2025
percentage of women in chamber
13.4%
parties elected and seats per party
Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace (RHDP) (139); Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA)-Together for Democracy and Sovereignty (EDS) (49); Democratic Party of Côte d'Ivoire-African Democratic Rally (PDCI-RDA) (23); Independents (26); Other (18)
Legislative branch - upper chamber
chamber name
Senate (Sénat)
term in office
5 years
number of seats
99 (66 indirectly elected; 33 appointed)
scope of elections
full renewal
most recent election date
9/16/2023
expected date of next election
September 2028
percentage of women in chamber
24.5%
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 204-3967
chancery
2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 797-0300
chief of mission
Ambassador Ibrahima TOURE (since 13 January 2022)
email address and website
[email protected]
Ambassade de Cote D’ivoire aux USA (ambaciusa.org)
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[225] 27-22-49-43-23
embassy
B.P. 730 Abidjan Cidex 03
telephone
[225] 27-22-49-40-00
mailing address
2010 Abidjan Place, Washington DC 20521-2010
chief of mission
Ambassador Jessica Davis BA (since 2 March 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ci.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNMISS, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$12.351 billion (2023 est.)
expenditures
$16.03 billion (2023 est.)
Exports
Exports 2020
$13.232 billion (2020 est.)
Exports 2021
$16.23 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$17.211 billion (2022 est.)
Imports
Imports 2020
$12.66 billion (2020 est.)
Imports 2021
$16.191 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$19.948 billion (2022 est.)
Industries
edibles, beverages; timber products, oil processing, gold extraction, truck and bus production, textiles, fertilizers, construction materials, electricity
Labor force
12.595 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
47% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
0.6% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
1.3% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$26.576 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
one of the most significant, stable, and swiftly advancing economies in West Africa; urban poverty is decreasing while rural poverty is on the rise; robust construction industry along with a diversifying economic profile; public debt is rising but remains manageable; extensive labor force engaged in agriculture
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
2.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
2.3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
2.3% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
Switzerland 17%, Netherlands 9%, Mali 7%, USA 5%, Malaysia 4% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 16%, Nigeria 12%, France 6%, India 5%, USA 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$6,300 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$6,500 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$6,700 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
6.4% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
6.5% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
6% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
yams, cassava, oil palm fruit, cocoa beans, sugarcane, plantains, rice, rubber, maize, cashews (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, cocoa beans, rubber, refined petroleum, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews (2023)
Imports - commodities
crude oil, ships, refined petroleum, fish, rice (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2020
-$1.974 billion (2020 est.)
Current account balance 2021
-$2.874 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$5.394 billion (2022 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
13.2% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$86.538 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
66% (2024 est.)
government consumption
9% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
24.5% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
27.6% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-27.1% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
37.5% (2021 est.)
Average household expenditures
on food
37.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco
3.2% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
5.3% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
4.4% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3.5% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
2.8% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$190.645 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$202.943 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$215.018 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
3.5% (2024 est.)
total
3.9% (2024 est.)
female
4.4% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
22.1% (2024 est.)
services
53.9% (2024 est.)
agriculture
17.9% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.1% (2021 est.)
highest 10%
27.8% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
35.3 (2021 est.)
Energy
Petroleum
total petroleum production
29,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
100 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
87,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
971 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
222.79 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
8.746 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
2.315 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
1.638 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
production
2.474 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
2.474 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves
28.317 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
45.3%
electrification - urban areas
95%
electrification - total population
70.4% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
8.489 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
68.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
30.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
0.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
41% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
The state-operated Radiodiffusion Télévision Ivoirienne (RTI) consists of 2 radio broadcasters (Radio Cote d'Ivoire and Fréquence2) and 2 television channels (RTI1 and RTI2) that provide nationwide service, primarily in French; it also includes 178 local radio outlets, 16 religious broadcasting stations, 5 commercial radio channels, and 5 international radio broadcasters; the government currently manages the UNOCIFM radio station, which was formerly owned by the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire; in 2016, four media organizations received licenses: Live TV, Optimum Media Cote d'Ivoire, the Audiovisual Company of Cote d'Ivoire (Sedaci), and Sorano-CI (2019)
Internet country code
.ci
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
245,000 (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2024 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
58.7 million (2024 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
184 (2024 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
425,000 (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2023 est.)
Transportation
Ports
large
1
small
0
medium
0
key ports
Abidjan, Baobab Marine Terminal, Espoir Marine Terminal, Port Bouet, San Pedro
very small
4
total ports
5 (2024)
ports with oil terminals
5
Airports
29 (2025)
Railways
total
660 km (2008)
narrow gauge
660 km (2008) 1.000-m gauge
Heliports
1 (2025)
Merchant marine
total
25 (2023)
by type
oil tanker 2, other 23
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TU
Military & Security
Military - note
The Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (FACI) are tasked primarily with external defense, while also playing a significant role in supporting the National Gendarmerie and various internal security forces. The FACI's primary concerns include the nation's vulnerable international borders and the dangers presented by Islamic militants linked to the al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorist organization operating in neighboring Burkina Faso and Mali. Notably, AQIM militants executed attacks within the country in 2016 and 2020. Since 2016, Côte d’Ivoire has intensified border security measures and, in 2020, completed the establishment of a joint counter-terrorism training center with France near Abidjan. Côte d'Ivoire has historically fostered a strong security partnership with France.
Since the late 1990s, the FACI has experienced several instances of mutiny, the latest occurring in 2017, and has played a significant role in the nation's political instability. The FACI was founded in 1960, evolving from home defense units that the French colonial administration began to establish in 1950 (2025).
Military deployments
180 Central African Republic (MINUSCA) (2025)
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.1% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
0.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
0.9% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
0.8% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
The Armed Forces of Côte d'Ivoire (Forces Armées de Côte d'Ivoire, FACI; also known as the Republican Forces of Ivory Coast, FRCI) comprise the Army, National Navy, Air Force, Special Forces, and the National Gendarmerie.
Ministry of Security and Civil Protection: National Police (2025).
Military service age and obligation
The age requirement for voluntary military service for both men and women is 18-26 years, with a possibility of extending up to 35 years for healthcare professionals. Although conscription is permitted, it is reportedly not enforced (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The FACI's inventory primarily consists of older or secondhand weaponry, generally of French or Soviet-era provenance. In recent years, it has acquired limited amounts of newer and secondhand military equipment from various suppliers, including Bulgaria, China, France, Israel, South Africa, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
There are approximately 25,000 to 30,000 active members of the FACI, which includes personnel from the Gendarmerie (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees
69,176 (2024 est.)
stateless persons
930,978 (2024 est.)
Space
Space agency/agencies
National Office for Technical Studies and Development (Bureau d'Études Techniques et de Développement or BNETD); Côte d’Ivoire Geographic and Digital Information Center (CIGN) (2025)
Space program overview
possesses a modest and emerging initiative centered on satellite technology and geospatial information systems, alongside applications for resource management, addressing environmental issues, supporting the agricultural sector, and enhancing national security; is a member of the African Space Agency and engages in bilateral cooperation with member countries such as Tanzania (2025)
Key space-program milestones
2023 - hosted a conference on the space industry that attracted participants from across Africa; revealed intentions to procure and launch its inaugural small remote sensing satellite (Yam-Sat-CI 01)
2024 - initiated a collaborative project with Tanzania to develop a technology-demonstrator cube satellite (TanSat-1)
