French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, ruled Togo with a heavy hand for almost four decades. Despite the facade of multi-party elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967 and its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintains a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in February 2005, the military installed the president's son, Faure GNASSINGBE, and then engineered his formal election two months later. Democratic gains since then allowed Togo to hold its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in October 2007. Since 2007, President GNASSINGBE has started the country along a gradual path to political reconciliation and democratic reform, and Togo has held multiple presidential and legislative elections that were deemed generally free and fair by international observers. Despite those positive moves, political reconciliation has moved slowly and many Togolese complain that important political measures such as presidential term limits and electoral reforms remain undone, leaving the country’s politics in a lethargic state. Internationally, Togo is still known as a country where the same family has been in power for five decades.

Western Africa, bordering the Bight of Benin, between Benin and Ghana

8 00 N, 1 10 E

Africa

slightly smaller than West Virginia

56 km

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

gently rolling savanna in north; central hills; southern plateau; low coastal plain with extensive lagoons and marshes

highest point: Mont Agou 986 m

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

arable land 45.2%; permanent crops 3.8%; permanent pasture 18.4%

70 sq km (2012)

one of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast

hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts

deforestation attributable to slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; water pollution presents health hazards and hinders the fishing industry; air pollution increasing in urban areas

the country's length allows it to stretch through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna

7,965,055

African (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe, Mina, and Kabre) 99%, European and Syrian-Lebanese less than 1%

French (official, the language of commerce), Ewe and Mina (the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)

Christian 29%, Muslim 20%, indigenous beliefs 51%

Togo’s population is estimated to have grown to four times its size between 1960 and 2010. With nearly 60% of its populace under the age of 25 and a high annual growth rate attributed largely to high fertility, Togo’s population is likely to continue to expand for the foreseeable future. Reducing fertility, boosting job creation, and improving education will be essential to reducing the country’s high poverty rate. In 2008, Togo eliminated primary school enrollment fees, leading to higher enrollment but increased pressure on limited classroom space, teachers, and materials. Togo has a good chance of achieving universal primary education, but educational quality, the underrepresentation of girls, and the low rate of enrollment in secondary and tertiary schools remain concerns.

Togo is both a country of emigration and asylum. In the early 1990s, southern Togo suffered from the economic decline of the phosphate sector and ethnic and political repression at the hands of dictator Gnassingbe EYADEMA and his northern, Kabye-dominated administration. The turmoil led 300,000 to 350,000 predominantly southern Togolese to flee to Benin and Ghana, with most not returning home until relative stability was restored in 1997. In 2005, another outflow of 40,000 Togolese to Benin and Ghana occurred when violence broke out between the opposition and security forces over the disputed election of EYADEMA’s son Faure GNASSINGBE to the presidency. About half of the refugees reluctantly returned home in 2006, many still fearing for their safety. Despite ethnic tensions and periods of political unrest, Togo in September 2017 was home to more than 9,600 refugees from Ghana.

2.64% (2017 est.)

33.3 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

6.9 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

one of the more densely populated African nations with most of the population residing in rural communities, density is highest in the south on or near the Atlantic coast

LOME (capital) 956,000 (2015)

21 years

368 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

4.38 children born/woman (2017 est.)

19.9% (2013/14)

5.2% of GDP (2014)

0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

0.7 beds/1,000 population (2011)

urban: 91.4% of population

rural: 44.2% of population

total: 63.1% of population

urban: 8.6% of population

rural: 55.8% of population

total: 36.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban: 24.7% of population

rural: 2.9% of population

total: 11.6% of population

urban: 75.3% of population

rural: 97.1% of population

total: 88.4% of population (2015 est.)

2.1% (2016 est.)

100,000 (2016 est.)

5,100 (2016 est.)

8.4% (2016)

16.2% (2014)

5.3% of GDP (2015)

presidential republic

5 regions (regions, singular - region); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

customary law system

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; non-party state to the ICCt

18 years of age; universal

Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yaovi AGBOYIBO]

Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development or ADDI [Tchaboure GOGUE]

Combat for Political Change in 2015 or CAP 2015 [Jean-Pierre FABRE]

Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]

Democrastic Forces for the Republic or FDR [Dodji APEVON]

National Alliance for Change or ANC [Jean-Pierre FABRE]

New Togolese Commitment [Gerry TAAMA]

Pan-African National Party or PNP [Tikpi ATDCHADAM]

Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP [Edem KODJO]

Rainbow Alliance (a coalition including CAR and CDPA) [Brigitte ADJAMAGBO-JOHNSON]

Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR [Abi TCHESSA]

The Togolese Party [Nathaniel OLYMPIO]

Union of Forces for Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO]

Union for the Republic or UNIR [Faure GNASSINGBE]

NA

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a white five-pointed star on a red square is in the upper hoist-side corner; the five horizontal stripes stand for the five different regions of the country; the red square is meant to express the loyalty and patriotism of the people; green symbolizes hope, fertility, and agriculture; yellow represents mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring prosperity; the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and Togo's independence

lion; national colors: green, yellow, red, white

Togo is enjoying a period of steady economic growth fueled by political stability and a concerted effort by the government to modernize the country’s commercial infrastructure. The country has recently completed an ambitious large-scale infrastructure improvement program, including new principal roads, a new airport terminal, and a new sea-port. The economy depends heavily on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for around 60% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton and other agricultural products generate about 20% of export earnings with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is among the world's largest producers of phosphate and seeks to develop its carbonate phosphate reserves, which provide more than 20% of export earnings.

The government's decade-long effort, supported by the World Bank and the IMF, to implement economic reform measures, encourage foreign investment, and bring revenues in line with expenditures has moved slowly. Togo completed its IMF Extended Credit Facility in 2011 and reached a Heavily Indebted Poor Country debt relief completion point in 2010 at which 95% of the country's debt was forgiven. Togo continues to work with the IMF on structural reforms, and is currently finalizing IMF approval for an agreement on an Extended Credit Facility arrangement consisting of a three-year $238 million loan package. Progress depends on follow through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors.

Togo’s 2016 economic growth remained steady at 5.3%, largely driven by infusions of foreign aid, infrastructure investment in the port and mineral sectors, and improvements in the business climate. Foreign direct investment inflows have slowed in recent years.

$11.64 billion (2016 est.)

$10.95 billion (2015 est.)

$10.28 billion (2014 est.)

$4.434 billion (2016 est.)

5% (2016 est.)

5.3% (2015 est.)

5.4% (2014 est.)

$1,500 (2016 est.)

$1,500 (2015 est.)

$1,500 (2014 est.)

17.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

15.9% of GDP (2015 est.)

15.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

coffee, cocoa, cotton, yams, cassava (manioc, tapioca), corn, beans, rice, millet, sorghum; livestock; fish

phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, beverages

7.1% (2016 est.)

2.595 million (2007 est.)

6.9% (2016 est.)

55.1% (2015 est.)

46 (2011)

27.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

-5.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

71.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

74% of GDP (2015 est.)

calendar year

0.9% (2016 est.)

1.8% (2015 est.)

2.5% (31 December 2010)

4.25% (31 December 2009)

NA%

$1.118 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.14 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$2.239 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$2.184 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.62 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.65 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

$NA

$-431 million (2016 est.)

$-460.8 million (2015 est.)

$967.4 million (2016 est.)

$1.011 billion (2015 est.)

reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Benin 17.5%, Burkina Faso 15.9%, India 7.6%, Mali 7.2%, Niger 7%, Cote dIvoire 6.1%, Ghana 4.8%, Nigeria 4.3% (2016)

$1.981 billion (2016 est.)

$2.043 billion (2015 est.)

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products

China 28.7%, France 8.9%, Netherlands 4.3%, Japan 4.2% (2016)

$42.6 million (31 December 2016 est.)

$73.9 million (31 December 2015 est.)

$1.22 billion (31 December 2016 est.)

$1.056 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)

510.53 (2012 est.)

78.8 million kWh (2015 est.)

1.213 billion kWh (2015 est.)

0 kWh (2016 est.)

1.242 billion kWh (2015 est.)

229,000 kW (2015 est.)

69.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

29.3% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0.9% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

14,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

12,700 bbl/day (2014 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (2013 est.)

0 cu m (1 January 2014 es)

1.8 million Mt (2013 est.)

1 state-owned TV station with multiple transmission sites; 5 private TV stations broadcast locally; cable TV service is available; state-owned radio network with multiple stations; several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2017)

.tg

5V (2016)

8 (2013)

50 km (seasonally navigable by small craft on the Mono River depending on rainfall) (2011)

1.86% of GDP (2016)

1.71% of GDP (2015)

1.85% of GDP (2014)

1.77% of GDP (2013)

1.63% of GDP (2012)

Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army (l'Armee de Terre); update State, April 2017, Togolese Navy (Forces Naval Togolaises), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, TAF), National Gendarmerie (2017)

18 years of age for military service; 2-year service obligation; currently the military is only an all-volunteer force (2017)