2007 Edition

Administrative divisions

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

Age structure

0-14 years: 42.3% (male 1,177,141/female 1,169,321) 15-64 years: 55.1% (male 1,485,621/female 1,570,117) 65 years and over: 2.6% (male 59,870/female 86,632) (2006 est.)

Agriculture - products

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

Airports

9 (2006)

Airports - with paved runways

total

2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2006)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total

7 914 to 1,523 m: 5

under 914 m

2 (2006)

Area

land

54,385 sq km

total

56,785 sq km

water

2,400 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Background

French Togoland became Togo in 1960. Gen. Gnassingbe EYADEMA, installed as military ruler in 1967, continued to rule well into the 21st century. Despite the facade of multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government continued to be dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967. Togo has come under fire from international organizations for human rights abuses and is plagued by political unrest. While most bilateral and multilateral aid to Togo remains frozen, the EU initiated a partial resumption of cooperation and development aid to Togo in late 2004 based upon commitments by Togo to expand opportunities for political opposition and liberalize portions of the economy. Upon his death in February 2005, President EYADEMA was succeeded by his son Faure GNASSINGBE. The succession, supported by the military and in contravention of the nation's constitution, was challenged by popular protest and a threat of sanctions from regional leaders. GNASSINGBE succumbed to pressure and in April 2005 held elections that legitimized his succession. Legislative elections are scheduled for June 2007. Geography Togo

Birth rate

37.01 births/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Budget

expenditures

$311 million; including capital expenditures of $NA (2006 est.)

revenues

$260.2 million

Capital

geographic coordinates

6 08 N, 1 13 E

name

Lome

time difference

UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Coastline

56 km

Constitution

multiparty draft constitution approved by High Council of the Republic 1 July 1992, adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Country name

conventional long form

Togolese Republic

conventional short form

Togo

former

French Togoland

local long form

Republique togolaise

local short form

none

Currency (code)

Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (XOF); note - responsible authority is the Central Bank of the West African States

Currency code

XOF

Current account balance

$-261.9 million (2006 est.)

Death rate

9.83 deaths/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Debt - external

$2 billion (2005)

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador David B. DUNN

embassy

Angle Rue Kouenou and Rue 15 Beniglato, Lome

mailing address

B. P. 852, Lome

telephone

[228] 221 29 91 through 221 29 94

Diplomatic representation in the US

chancery

2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

[vacant]

telephone

[1] (202) 234-4212

Disputes - international

in 2001 Benin claimed Togo moved boundary monuments - joint commission continues to resurvey the boundary; in 2006 14,000 Togolese refugees remain in Benin and Ghana out of the 40,000 who fled there in 2005

Economic aid - recipient

ODA, $80 million (2000 est.)

Economy - overview

This small, sub-Saharan economy is heavily dependent on both commercial and subsistence agriculture, which provides employment for 65% of the labor force. Some basic foodstuffs must still be imported. Cocoa, coffee, and cotton generate about 40% of export earnings, with cotton being the most important cash crop. Togo is the world's fourth-largest producer of phosphate. 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. Progress depends on follow-through on privatization, increased openness in government financial operations, progress toward legislative elections, and continued support from foreign donors. Togo is working with donors to write a PRGF that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan.

Electricity - consumption

929.2 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2004)

Electricity - imports

663 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2004)

Electricity - production

286.2 million kWh (2004)

Electricity - production by source

fossil fuel

98.7%

hydro

1.3%

nuclear

0%

other

0% (2001)

Elevation extremes

highest point

Mont Agou 986 m

lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Environment - current issues

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

Environment - international agreements

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Ethnic groups

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

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 525.817 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004), 581.2 (2003), 696.99 (2002)

Executive branch

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister

chief of state

President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 6 February 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE; popular elections in April 2005 validated the succession

election results

Faure GNASSINGBE elected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE 60.2%, Emmanuel Akitani BOB 38.3%, Nicolas LAWSON 1%, Harry OLYMPIO 0.5%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held NA); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Yawovi AGBOYIBO (since 16 September 2006)

Exports

$868.4 million f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Exports - commodities

reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Exports - partners

Ghana 21.1%, Burkina Faso 18.2%, Benin 11.5%, Mali 7.3%, India 5.8%, Nigeria 4% (2005)

FAX

[1] (202) 232-3190

[228] 221 79 52

Fiscal year

calendar year Communications Togo

Flag description

five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; there is a white five-pointed star on a red square in the upper hoist-side corner; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia Economy Togo

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture

39.5%

industry

20.4%

services

40.1% (2003 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,700 (2006 est.)

GDP - real growth rate

3% (2006 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.109 billion (2006 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$9.248 billion (2006 est.)

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 1 10 E

Geography - note

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

Government type

republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

4.1% (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

10,000 (2003 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

110,000 (2003 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

highest 10%

NA%

lowest 10%

NA%

IDPs

1,500 (2006)

Illicit drugs

transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem This page was last updated on 8 February, 2007

Imports

$1.208 billion f.o.b. (2006 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products

Imports - partners

France 17.8%, China 13.3%, Cote d'Ivoire 6.5%, Italy 4.5%, Spain 4.3% (2005)

Independence

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

Industrial production growth rate

NA%

Industries

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

Infant mortality rate

female

52.87 deaths/1,000 live births (2006 est.)

male

68.17 deaths/1,000 live births

total

60.63 deaths/1,000 live births

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.8% (2006 est.)

International organization participation

ABEDA, ACCT, ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITU, ITUC, MIGA, MONUC, NAM, OIC, OIF, ONUB, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Internet country code

.tg

Internet hosts

520 (2006)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

3 (2001)

Internet users

300,000 (2005) Transportation Togo

Investment (gross fixed)

22.4% of GDP (2006 est.)

Irrigated land

70 sq km (2003)

Judicial branch

Court of Appeal or Cour d'Appel; Supreme Court or Cour Supreme

Labor force

1.302 million (1998)

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

65%

industry

5%

services

30% (1998 est.)

Land boundaries

border countries

Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

total

1,647 km

Land use

arable land

44.2%

other

53.69% (2005)

permanent crops

2.11%

Languages

French (official and 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)

Legal system

French-based court system; accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction, with reservations

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (81 seats; members are elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - NA%; seats by party - RPT 72, RSDD 3, UDPS 2, Juvento 2, MOCEP 1, independents 1

elections

last held 27 October 2002 (next to be held 24 June 2007)

note

two opposition parties boycotted the election, the Union of the Forces for Change and the Action Committee for Renewal

Life expectancy at birth

female

59.49 years (2006 est.)

male

55.41 years

total population

57.42 years

Literacy

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

46.9% (2003 est.) Government Togo

male

75.4%

total population

60.9%

Location

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

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis (2007)

vectorborne diseases

malaria and yellow fever are high risks in some locations

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Manpower available for military service

females age 18-49

1,124,463 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

1,102,661

Manpower fit for military service

females age 18-49

707,821 (2005 est.)

males age 18-49

696,933

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

exclusive economic zone

200 nm

territorial sea

30 nm

Median age

female

18.7 years (2006 est.)

male

17.8 years

total

18.3 years

Merchant marine

by type

cargo 1, refrigerated cargo 1 (2006)

total

2 ships (1000 GRT or over) 3,918 GRT/3,852 DWT

Military expenditures - dollar figure

$29.98 million (2005 est.)

Military expenditures - percent of GDP

1.6% (2005 est.) Transnational Issues Togo

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary and compulsory military service (2001)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

Nationality

adjective

Togolese

noun

Togolese (singular and plural)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2004 est.)

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2006 est.)

Oil - consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Oil - exports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - imports

NA bbl/day (2001)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2004 est.)

Political parties and leaders

Action Committee for Renewal or CAR [Yawovi AGBOYIBO]; Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA; Democratic Party for Renewal or PDR; Juvento [Monsilia DJATO]; Movement of the Believers of Peace and Equality or MOCEP; Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP; Rally for the Support for Development and Democracy or RSDD [Harry OLYMPIO]; Rally of the Togolese People or RPT [Faure GNASSINGBE]; Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR; Union for Democracy and Social Progress or UDPS [Gagou KOKOU]; Union of Forces for a Change or UFC [Gilchrist OLYMPIO]

Political pressure groups and leaders

NA

Population

5,548,702

note

estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2006 est.)

Population below poverty line

32% (1989 est.)

Population growth rate

2.72% (2006 est.)

Ports and terminals

Kpeme, Lome Military Togo

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)

Radios

940,000 (1997)

Railways

narrow gauge

568 km 1.000-m gauge (2005)

total

568 km

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin)

8,000 (Ghana)

Religions

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

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$333.9 million (2006 est.)

Roadways

paved

2,376 km

total

7,520 km

unpaved

5,144 km (1999)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.96 male(s)/female (2006 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.69 male(s)/female

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal adult

Telephone system

domestic

microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system

general assessment

fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile cellular system

international

country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) and 1 Symphonie

Telephones - main lines in use

58,600 (2005)

Telephones - mobile cellular

443,600 (2005)

Television broadcast stations

3 (plus two repeaters) (1997)

Televisions

73,000 (1997)

Terrain

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

Togolese Armed Forces (FAT)

Army, Navy, Air Force, Gendarmerie (2005)

Total fertility rate

4.96 children born/woman (2006 est.)

Trafficking in persons

current situation

Togo is a source, transit, and destination country for children, women, and men trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation; the majority of victims are children, and trafficking within the country is more prevalent than international trafficking; children are trafficked to work as domestic servants, produce porters, roadside sellers, agricultural laborers, and for sexual exploitation; Togolese women may be trafficked to Europe for forced labor and sexual exploitation

tier rating

Tier 2 Watch List - Togo is placed on the Tier 2 Watch List for failure to show evidence of increased efforts to combat trafficking over the past year, particularly in the areas of prosecution and protection

Unemployment rate

NA%

Waterways

50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2005)