2025 Edition Primary

Background

<p>From the 11th to the 16th centuries, various ethnic groups settled the Togo region. From the 16th to the 18th centuries, the coastal region became a major trading center for enslaved people, and the surrounding region took on the name of "The Slave Coast." In 1884, Germany declared the area a protectorate called Togoland, which included present-day Togo. After World War I, colonial rule over Togo was transferred to France. French Togoland became Togo upon independence in 1960. <br><br>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, EYADEMA largely dominated the government. His Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has been in power almost continually since 1967, with its successor, the Union for the Republic, maintaining a majority of seats in today's legislature. Upon EYADEMA's death in 2005, the military installed his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, as president and then engineered his formal election two months later. Togo held its first relatively free and fair legislative elections in 2007. Since then, GNASSINGBE has started the country along a gradual path to democratic reform. Togo has held multiple presidential and legislative elections, and in 2019, the country held its first local elections in 32 years. <br><br>Despite those positive moves, political reconciliation has moved slowly, and the country experiences periodic outbursts of protests from frustrated citizens, leading to violence between security forces and protesters. Constitutional changes in 2019 to institute a runoff system in presidential elections and to establish term limits have done little to reduce the resentment many Togolese feel after more than 50 years of one-family rule. GNASSINGBE became eligible for his current fourth term and one additional fifth term under the new rules. The next presidential election is set for 2025. </p>

Area

Land

54,385 sq km

Total

56,785 sq km

Water

2,400 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than West Virginia

Climate

tropical; hot, humid in south; semiarid in north

Coastline

56 km

Continent

Africa

Elevation

Highest point

Mont Agou 986 m

Lowest point

Atlantic Ocean 0 m

Mean elevation

236 m

Geographic coordinates

8 00 N, 1 10 E

Geography - note

stretches through six distinct geographic regions; climate varies from tropical to savanna

Irrigated land

70 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

Border countries

Benin 651 km; Burkina Faso 131 km; Ghana 1,098 km

number of neighbors

3

Total

1,880 km

Land use

Agricultural land

70.2% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 48.7% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 3.1% (2023 est.)

Agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 18.4% (2023 est.)

arable land

48.72%

Forest

22.4% (2023 est.)

Other

7.4% (2023 est.)

permanent crops

3.13%

Landlocked

No

Location

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

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage

Volta (410,991 sq km)

Map links

Google Maps

https://goo.gl/maps/jzAa9feXuXPrKVb89

OpenStreetMap

https://www.openstreetmap.org/relation/192782

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

Exclusive economic zone

200 nm

Note

<strong>note:</strong> the US does not recognize the territorial sea claim

Territorial sea

30 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Population distribution

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, as shown in this population distribution map

Subregion

Western Africa

Terrain

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

Time zone

UTC

number of time zones

1

Age structure

0-14 years

38.7% (male 1,749,533/female 1,699,084)

15-64 years

57% (male 2,486,142/female 2,597,914)

65 years and over

4.3% (2024 est.) (male 159,596/female 225,725)

Alcohol consumption per capita

Beer

0.78 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Other alcohols

0.33 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Spirits

0.2 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Total

1.4 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Wine

0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Birth rate

30.17 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Child marriage

Men married by age 18

2.6% (2017)

Women married by age 15

6.4% (2017)

Women married by age 18

24.8% (2017)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

15.2% (2017 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

63.7% (2017 est.)

Death rate

4.64 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

adult female

240 per 1,000

adult male

252 per 1,000

Dependency ratios

Elderly dependency ratio

8 (2025 est.)

Potential support ratio

12.6 (2025 est.)

Total dependency ratio

74.7 (2025 est.)

Youth dependency ratio

66.7 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved total

20.52%

Improved: rural

rural: 58.5% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 71% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 87% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 41.5% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 29% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 13% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

4.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

11.6% national budget (2024 est.)

Education expenditures

4 % of GDP

Ethnic groups

Adja-Ewe/Mina 42.4%, Kabye/Tem 25.9%, Para-Gourma/Akan 17.1%, Akposso/Akebu 4.1%, Ana-Ife 3.2%, other Togolese 1.7%, foreigners 5.2%, no response 0.4% (2013-14 est.)

note

<strong>note:</strong> Togo has an estimated 37 ethnic groups

Gross reproduction rate

1.99 (2025 est.)

Health expenditure

6 % of GDP

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

5.6% of GDP (2021)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

2.6% of national budget (2022 est.)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.58%

Hospital bed density

0.6 beds/1,000 population (2019 est.)

Infant mortality rate

Female

33.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Male

43 deaths/1,000 live births

neonatal

23 deaths/1,000 live births

Total

34.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

Languages

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

languages

French

number of languages

1

Life expectancy at birth

Female

74.7 years

Male

69.5 years

Total population

72.1 years (2024 est.)

Literacy

Female

63.7% (2022 est.)

Male

82.8% (2022 est.)

Total population

72.6% (2022 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.982 million LOME (capital) (2023)

Maternal mortality ratio

349 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Median age

Female

21.4 years

Male

19.9 years

Total

20.9 years (2025 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

25 years (2017 est.)

note

<strong>note:</strong> data represents median age at first birth among women 25-29

Nationality

Adjective

Togolese

Noun

Togolese (singular and plural)

Net migration rate

-1.85 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

8.4% (2016)

Physician density

0.08 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Population

Female

4,654,614

Male

4,488,825

Total

9,143,439 (2025 est.)

Population growth rate

2.37% (2025 est.)

Religions

Christian 42.3%, folk religion 36.9%, Muslim 14%, Hindu &lt;1%, Buddhist &lt;1%, Jewish &lt;1%, other &lt;1%, none 6.2% (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved total

13.02%

Improved: rural

rural: 19.2% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: total

total: 46.7% of population (2022 est.)

Improved: urban

urban: 82% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: rural

rural: 80.8% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: total

total: 53.3% of population (2022 est.)

Unimproved: urban

urban: 18% of population (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

Female

11 years (2017 est.)

Male

13 years (2017 est.)

Total

12 years (2017 est.)

Sex ratio

0-14 years

1.03 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.96 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.71 male(s)/female

At birth

1.03 male(s)/female

Total population

0.97 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Tobacco use

Female

0.7% (2025 est.)

Male

9.3% (2025 est.)

Total

5% (2025 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.03 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Urbanization

Rate of urbanization

3.6% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Urban population

44.5% of total population (2023)

Vaccination rate

measles

81%

Administrative divisions

5 regions (<em>régions</em>, singular - <em>région</em>); Centrale, Kara, Maritime, Plateaux, Savanes

Capital

Etymology

the name comes from a local word meaning "little market"

Geographic coordinates

6 07 N, 1 13 E

Name

Lome

Time difference

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

Citizenship

Citizenship by birth

no

Citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Togo

Dual citizenship recognized

yes

Residency requirement for naturalization

5 years

Coat of arms

svg

https://mainfacts.com/media/images/coats_of_arms/tg.svg

Constitution

Amendment process

proposed by the president of the republic or supported by at least one fifth of the National Assembly membership; passage requires four-fifths majority vote by the Assembly; a referendum is required if approved by only two-thirds majority of the Assembly or if requested by the president; constitutional articles on the republican and secular form of government cannot be amended

History

several previous; latest adopted 27 September 1992, effective 14 October 1992; revised 6 May 2024

Country name

alternative spellings

TG, Togolese, Togolese Republic, République Togolaise

Conventional long form

Togolese Republic

Conventional short form

Togo

Etymology

the name derives from the town of Togodo (now Togoville) on the northern shore of Lake Togo; the town's name probably comes from the lake's name, which is composed of the Ewe words <em>to </em>("water") and <em>go </em>("shore")

FIFA code

TOG

Former

French Togoland

Local long form

R&eacute;publique Togolaise

local long form (fra)

République togolaise

Local short form

none

Diplomatic representation from the US

Chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charg&eacute; d&rsquo;Affaires Richard C. MICHAELS (since June 2025)

Email address and website

<br>consularLome@state.gov<br><br>https://tg.usembassy.gov/

Embassy

Boulevard Eyadema<br>B.P. 852, Lomé

FAX

[228] 2261-5501

Mailing address

2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20521-2300

Telephone

[228] 2261-5470

Diplomatic representation in the US

Chancery

2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

Chief of mission

Ambassador Fr&eacute;d&eacute;ric Edem HEGBE (since 24 April 2017)

Email address and website

<br>embassyoftogo@hotmail.com<br><br>https://embassyoftogousa.com/

FAX

[1] (202) 232-3190

Telephone

[1] (202) 234-4212

Executive branch

Cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the advice of the president of the council of ministers

Chief of state

President Jean-Lucien Kwassi Savi de TOVE (since 3 May 2025)

Election results

<br><em>2020:</em> Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 70.8%, Agbeyome KODJO (MPDD) 19.5%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 4.7%, other 5%<br><br><em>2015:</em> Faure GNASSINGBE reelected president; percent of vote - Faure GNASSINGBE (UNIR) 58.8%, Jean-Pierre FABRE (ANC) 35.2%, Tchaboure GOGUE (ADDI) 4%, other 2%

Election/appointment process

president is appointed by the national assembly for one six-year term; the president of the council of ministers is the leader of the majority party in the national assembly and is confirmed by the Constitutional Court with no term limits

Head of government

President of Council of Ministers Faure GNASSINGBE (since 3 May 2025)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> in May 2024, the President signed into law changes to the constitution that converted the presidential system to a parliamentary republic and created the President of Council of Ministers position

Flag

<strong>description:</strong> five equal horizontal bands of green (top and bottom) alternating with yellow; a five-pointed white star on a red square is in the upper-left corner<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> the five horizontal stripes stand for the country's regions; red stands for the people's loyalty and patriotism; green for hope, fertility, and agriculture; yellow for mineral wealth and faith that hard work and strength will bring prosperity; the star symbolizes life, purity, peace, dignity, and national independence<br><br><strong>history:</strong> uses the colors of the Pan-African movement

Flag description

The flag of Togo is composed of five equal horizontal bands of green alternating with yellow. A red square bearing a five-pointed white star is superimposed in the canton.

Flag image

svg

https://flagcdn.com/tg.svg

Government type

presidential republic

Independence

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

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

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AIIB, 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, 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

Judicial branch

Highest court(s)

Supreme Court or Cour Supr&ecirc;me (organized into criminal and administrative chambers, each with a chamber president and advisors); Constitutional Court (consists of 9 judges, including the court president)

Judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court president appointed by decree of the president of the republic on the proposal of the Supreme Council of the Magistracy, a 9-member judicial, advisory, and disciplinary body; other judicial appointments and judge tenure NA; Constitutional Court judges appointed by the National Assembly; judge tenure NA

Subordinate courts

Court of Assizes (sessions court); Appeal Court; tribunals of first instance (divided into civil, commercial, and correctional chambers; Court of State Security; military tribunal

Legal system

customary law system

Legislative branch

Legislative structure

bicameral

Legislature name

Parliament

Note

<strong>note:</strong> party lists are required to contain equal numbers of men and women

Legislative branch - lower chamber

Chamber name

National Assembly (Assemblée nationale)

Electoral system

proportional representation

Expected date of next election

April 2030

Most recent election date

4/29/2024

Number of seats

113 (all directly elected)

Parties elected and seats per party

Union for the Republic (UNIR) (108); Other (5)

Percentage of women in chamber

15%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

6 years

Legislative branch - upper chamber

Chamber name

Senate (Sénat)

Expected date of next election

February 2031

Most recent election date

2/15/2025

Number of seats

61 (41 directly elected; 20 appointed)

Parties elected and seats per party

Union for the Republic (UNIR) (34); Independents (3); Other (4)

Percentage of women in chamber

24.6%

Scope of elections

full renewal

Term in office

6 years

National color(s)

green, yellow, red, white

National heritage

Selected World Heritage Site locales

Koutammakou; the Land of the Batammariba

Total World Heritage Sites

1 (cultural)

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

National symbol(s)

lion

Political parties

Action Committee for Renewal or CAR <br>Alliance of Democrats for Integral Development or ADDI <br>Democratic Convention of African Peoples or CDPA <br>Democratic Forces for the Republic or FDR <br>National Alliance for Change or ANC <br>New Togolese Commitment <br>Pan-African National Party or PNP <br>Pan-African Patriotic Convergence or CPP <br>Patriotic Movement for Democracy and Development or MPDD <br>Socialist Pact for Renewal or PSR <br>The Togolese Party <br>Union of Forces for Change or UFC <br>Union for the Republic or UNIR 

Start of week

Monday

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

UN Member

Yes

Agricultural products

cassava, maize, yams, sorghum, soybeans, beans, rice, vegetables, oil palm fruit, cotton (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

Budget

Expenditures

$2.407 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated

Revenues

$1.801 billion (2023 est.)

Currency

code

XOF

name

West African CFA franc (XOF) [Fr]

Current account balance

Current account balance 2018

-$184.852 million (2018 est.)

Current account balance 2019

-$55.444 million (2019 est.)

Current account balance 2020

-$20.738 million (2020 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

Debt - external

$4.29 billion

Debt - external 2023

$1.923 billion (2023 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

Economic overview

low-income West African economy; primarily agrarian economy; has a deep-water port; growing international shipping locale; improving privatization and public budgeting transparency; key phosphate mining industry; extremely high rural poverty

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.)

Exports

$2.16 billion

Exports 2018

$1.703 billion (2018 est.)

Exports 2019

$1.665 billion (2019 est.)

Exports 2020

$1.722 billion (2020 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

Exports - commodities

gold, refined petroleum, soybeans, phosphates, coconuts/brazil nuts/cashews (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

Exports - partners

UAE 40%, India 13%, Angola 13%, Burkina Faso 4%, Cote d'Ivoire 3% (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

Foreign direct investment

net inflows

$83.75 million

GDP - composition, by end use

Exports of goods and services

24.4% (2024 est.)

Government consumption

13.1% (2024 est.)

Household consumption

78.3% (2024 est.)

Imports of goods and services

-38.1% (2024 est.)

Investment in fixed capital

22.3% (2024 est.)

Investment in inventories

0% (2024 est.)

Note

<strong>note:</strong> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

Agriculture

18% (2024 est.)

Industry

20% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

Services

52% (2024 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$9.926 billion (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

GDP per capita (nominal)

$1,119

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

43.1 (2015)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021

37.9 (2021 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

GNI (gross national income)

$10.68 billion

GNI per capita

$1,080

Gross domestic investment

24 % of GDP

Household income or consumption by percentage share

Highest 10%

29.6% (2021 est.)

Lowest 10%

2.8% (2021 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

Imports

$3.16 billion

Imports 2018

$2.329 billion (2018 est.)

Imports 2019

$2.261 billion (2019 est.)

Imports 2020

$2.389 billion (2020 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

Imports - commodities

refined petroleum, garments, rice, palm oil, motorcycles and cycles (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

Imports - partners

China 26%, India 26%, Belgium 6%, Netherlands 6%, USA 3% (2023)

note

<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

Industrial production growth rate

4.2% (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.86%

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

7.6% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

5.3% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

2.9% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

Labor force

3.345 million (2024 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

total

3.42 million persons

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture

37.59%

industry

18.16%

services

44.25%

Population below poverty line

45.5% (2018 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

Public debt

Public debt 2016

81.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

$32.02 billion

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$24.199 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$25.75 billion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$27.115 billion (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

6.53%

Note

<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP growth rate 2022

5.8% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

6.4% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

5.3% (2024 est.)

Real GDP per capita

$3,365

Note

<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

Real GDP per capita 2022

$2,700 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$2,800 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$2,800 (2024 est.)

Remittances

Note

<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

Remittances 2021

7.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Remittances 2022

8% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

7.1% of GDP (2023 est.)

Revenue (excl grants)

16 % of GDP

Tax revenue

14 % of GDP

Taxes and other revenues

14.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

note

<b>note:</b> central government tax revenue as a % of GDP

Unemployment rate

2%

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

Unemployment rate 2022

2% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

2% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

2% (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

Female

3.5% (2024 est.)

Male

3.3% (2024 est.)

Note

<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

Total

3.4% (2024 est.)

Coal

Consumption

163,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Exports

10 metric tons (2023 est.)

Imports

163,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

Electricity

Consumption

1.815 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption per capita

192 kWh

Imports

1.1 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Installed generating capacity

326,000 kW (2023 est.)

Transmission/distribution losses

206.938 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity access

Electrification - rural areas

25%

Electrification - total population

57.2% (2022 est.)

Electrification - urban areas

96.5%

Electricity generation sources

Biomass and waste

0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Fossil fuels

79.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectric

9.51%

Hydroelectricity

8.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

nuclear

0%

renewable

25.59%

Solar

11.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

425 kg of oil equivalent

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

4.538 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Natural gas

Consumption

176.16 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Imports

176.16 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Petroleum

Refined petroleum consumption

14,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

Renewable energy consumption

75.1%

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

per 100 inhabitants

1 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (2023 est.)

Total

114,000 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

1 state-owned TV station with multiple transmission sites; five private local TV stations; cable TV available; state-owned radio network with two stations; several dozen private radio stations and a few community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters available (2019)

Internet country code

.tg

Internet users

Percent of population

37% (2023 est.)

Telephone calling code

+228

Telephones - fixed lines

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (2023 est.) less than 1

Total subscriptions

67,000 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

subscriptions per 100

76 per 100

Subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

81 (2024 est.)

Total subscriptions

7.69 million (2024 est.)

Air transport

passengers carried

2.18 million passengers

registered carrier departures

15,447 departures

Airports

7 (2025)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5V

Driving side

Right

Merchant marine

By type

bulk carrier 1, container ship 10, general cargo 250, oil tanker 56, other 80

Total

397 (2023)

Ports

Key ports

Kpeme, Lome

Large

0

Medium

1

Ports with oil terminals

2

Small

0

Total ports

2 (2024)

Very small

1

Railways

Narrow gauge

568 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge

Total

568 km (2014)

Vehicle registration code

TG

Military - note

the Togolese Armed Forces (FAT) are responsible for both external defense and internal security; the FAT’s primary concerns are border security, terrorism, and maritime security; in recent years, it has boosted operations in the northern border region of the country to secure the frontier and prevent banditry, illicit smuggling, and infiltrations from Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida-affiliated militant groups based in Mali that also operates in neighboring Burkina Faso; in 2022, the Togolese Government declared a state of emergency in the north following an attack by JNIM fighters on a Togolese military post that killed several soldiers; the Navy and Air Force have increased focus on combating piracy and smuggling in the Gulf of Guinea<br><br>since its creation in 1963, the Togolese military has had a history of involvement in the country’s politics, including assassinations, coups, and a crackdown in 2005 that killed hundreds of civilians; over the past decade, it has made efforts to reform and professionalize, which have included increasing its role in UN peacekeeping activities, participating in multinational exercises, and receiving training from foreign partners, particularly France and the US; in addition, Togo has established a regional peacekeeping training center for military and police in Lome (2025)

Military and security forces

Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Togolese Army, Togolese Navy, Togolese Air Force, National Gendarmerie (Gendarmerie Nationale Togolaise or GNT)<br><br>Ministry of Security and Civil Protection: Togolese Police (2025)

active duty personnel

10,000

note

<strong>note:</strong> the Police and GNT are responsible for law enforcement and maintenance of order within the country; the GNT is also responsible for migration and border enforcement; the GNT falls under the Ministry of the Armed Forces but also reports to the Ministry of Security and Civil Protection on many matters involving law enforcement and internal security; in 2022, the Ministry of the Armed Forces was made part of the Office of the Presidency

percent of total labor force

0.34 %

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 20,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the FAT has a small inventory of mostly obsolescent or older armaments originating from several countries, including Brazil, France, Russia/former Soviet Union, T&uuml;rkiye, the UK, and the US (2025)

Military expenditures

2 % of GDP

current USD

$195,347,349

Military Expenditures 2020

2.8% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military Expenditures 2021

2.8% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

4% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

3% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)

percent of central government expenditure

8.38 %

percent of GDP

2.00 % of GDP

Military service age and obligation

18-24 years of age for military service for men and women; initial 24-month service obligation; no conscription (2025)

Refugees and internally displaced persons

IDPs

18,429 (2024 est.)

Refugees

48,756 (2024 est.)

Terrorist group(s)

Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)

note

<strong>note:</strong> details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide

Carbon dioxide emissions

From coal and metallurgical coke

372,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From consumed natural gas

343,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

From petroleum and other liquids

1.941 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Total emissions

2.656 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Environmental issues

deforestation from slash-and-burn agriculture and the use of wood for fuel; very little rainforest still present and what remains is highly degraded; desertification; water pollution; air pollution in urban areas

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, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

Signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Methane emissions

Agriculture

51.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Energy

43.3 kt (2022-2024 est.)

Other

10.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste

31.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

33.9 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Protected areas

22 % of total land area

Renewable electricity output

12 % of total

Total renewable water resources

14.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Total water withdrawal

2 % of internal resources

Agricultural

76 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Industrial

6.3 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Municipal

140.7 million cubic meters (2022 est.)

Waste and recycling

Municipal solid waste generated annually

1.109 million tons (2024 est.)

Percent of municipal solid waste recycled

3.5% (2022 est.)