Togo

Internet country code

.tg

Internet hosts

784 (2009) country comparison to the world: 163

Internet users

350,000 (2008) country comparison to the world: 120

Radio broadcast stations

AM 2, FM 9, shortwave 4 (1998)

Telephone system

general assessment: fair system based on a network of microwave radio relay routes supplemented by open-wire lines and a mobile-cellular system domestic: microwave radio relay and open-wire lines for conventional system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity roughly 30 telephones per 100 persons international: country code - 228; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean), 1 Symphonie

Telephones - main lines in use

140,900 (2008) country comparison to the world: 136

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.547 million (2008) country comparison to the world: 131

Television broadcast stations

3 (plus 2 repeaters) (1997)

Agriculture - products

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

Budget

revenues: $438.1 million expenditures: $519.9 million (2008 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.75% (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 118 4.25% (31 December 2007)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

NA%

Current account balance

-$272 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 96 -$154 million (2007 est.)

Debt - external

$2 billion (2005) country comparison to the world: 136

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 Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF) that could eventually lead to a debt reduction plan. Economic growth remains marginal due to declining cotton production, underinvestment in phosphate mining, and strained relations with donors.

Electricity - consumption

640 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 153

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

514 million kWh; note - electricity supplied by Ghana (2007 est.)

Electricity - production

230 million kWh (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 174

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 447.81 (2008 est.), 482.71 (2007), 522.59 (2006), 527.47 (2005), 528.29 (2004) note: since 1 January 1999, the West African CFA franc (XOF) has been pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro; West African CFA franc (XOF) coins and banknotes are not accepted in countries using Central African CFA francs (XAF), and vice versa, even though the two currencies trade at par

Exports

$777 million (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 156 $702 million (2007 est.)

Exports - commodities

reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, cocoa

Exports - partners

Ghana 12.7%, Burkina Faso 11%, Germany 9.8%, South Africa 7.3%, Benin 6.9%, India 6.3%, Brazil 4.9%, Belgium 4.8%, Mali 4.4%, Netherlands 4.3% (2008)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.89 billion (2008 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$5.13 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 158 $5.074 billion (2007 est.) $4.98 billion (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - composition by sector

agriculture: 40% industry: 25% services: 35% (2008 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$900 (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 216 $900 (2007 est.) $900 (2006 est.) note: data are in 2008 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

1.1% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 172 1.9% (2007 est.) 3.9% (2006 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: NA% highest 10%: NA%

Imports

$1.541 billion (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 160 $1.264 billion (2007 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery and equipment, foodstuffs, petroleum products

Imports - partners

China 34.2%, Netherlands 7.5%, France 6.8%, India 6.5%, Thailand 4.9% (2008)

Industrial production growth rate

3% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 80

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

8.7% (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 136 1% (2007 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

20.2% of GDP (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 107

Labor force

2.595 million (2007) country comparison to the world: 108

Labor force - by occupation

agriculture: 65% industry: 5% services: 30% (1998 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 130

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2008) country comparison to the world: 103

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 126

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Oil - consumption

20,000 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Oil - exports

1,547 bbl/day (2005) country comparison to the world: 118

Oil - imports

15,270 bbl/day (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 123

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 129

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 125

Population below poverty line

32% (1989 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$580 million (31 December 2008 est.) country comparison to the world: 137 $438 million (31 December 2007 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$674,300 (31 December 2008) country comparison to the world: 129 $590.7 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of money

$NA (31 December 2008) $624.9 million (31 December 2007)

Stock of quasi money

$NA (31 December 2008) $383.9 million (31 December 2007)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Area

total: 56,785 sq km country comparison to the world: 125 land: 54,385 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

Elevation extremes

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m highest point: Mont Agou 986 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

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 0.17 cu km/yr (53%/2%/45%) per capita: 28 cu m/yr (2000)

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

Irrigated land

70 sq km (2003)

Land boundaries

total: 1,647 km border countries: Benin 644 km, Burkina Faso 126 km, Ghana 877 km

Land use

arable land: 44.2% permanent crops: 2.11% other: 53.69% (2005)

Location

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

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

territorial sea: 30 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

Natural hazards

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

Natural resources

phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land

Terrain

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

Total renewable water resources

14.7 cu km (2001)

Administrative divisions

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

Capital

name: Lome geographic coordinates: 6 08 N, 1 13 E time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

adopted by public referendum 27 September 1992

Country name

conventional long form: Togolese Republic conventional short form: Togo local long form: Republique togolaise local short form: none former: French Togoland

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Patricia McMahon HAWKINS embassy: 4332 Blvd. Gnassingbe Eyadema, Cite OUA, Lome mailing address: B. P. 852, Lome; 2300 Lome Place, Washington, DC 20512-2300 telephone: [228] 261-5470 FAX: [228] 261-5501

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Kadangha Limbiya BARIKI chancery: 2208 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 234-4212 FAX: [1] (202) 232-3190

Executive branch

chief of state: President Faure GNASSINGBE (since 4 May 2005); note - Gnassingbe EYADEMA died on 5 February 2005 and was succeeded by his son, Faure GNASSINGBE, with the support of the military; following international condemnation for the unconstitutional move he then stepped aside pending elections, and Abass BONFOH served as interim president; Faure GNASSINGBE later won popular elections in April 2005 head of government: Prime Minister Gilbert HOUNGBO (since 7 September 2008) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president and the prime minister elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (no term limits); election last held 24 April 2005 (next to be held in April 2010); prime minister appointed by the president 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%

Flag description

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; uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia

Government type

republic under transition to multiparty democratic rule

Independence

27 April 1960 (from French-administered UN trusteeship)

International organization participation

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

Judicial branch

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

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) elections: last held on 14 October 2007 (next to be held in 2012) election results: percent of vote by party - RPT 39.4%, UFC 37.0%, CAR 8.2%, independents 2.5%, other 12.9%; seats by party - RPT 50, UFC 27, CAR 4

National holiday

Independence Day, 27 April (1960)

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

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal (adult)

Background

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 multiparty elections instituted in the early 1990s, the government was largely dominated by President EYADEMA, whose Rally of the Togolese People (RPT) party has maintained power almost continually since 1967 and 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. After years of political unrest and fire from international organizations for human rights abuses, Togo is finally being re-welcomed into the international community.

Manpower available for military service

males age 16-49: 1,365,505 females age 16-49: 1,374,993 (2008 est.)

Manpower fit for military service

males age 16-49: 929,395 females age 16-49: 943,967 (2009 est.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 70,775 female: 70,051 (2009 est.)

Military branches

Togolese Armed Forces (Forces Armees Togolaise, FAT): Ground Forces, Togolese Navy (Marine du Togo), Togolese Air Force (Force Aerienne Togolaise, FAT), National Gendarmerie (2009)

Military expenditures

1.6% of GDP (2005 est.) country comparison to the world: 102

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; 2-year service obligation (2006)

Age structure

0-14 years: 41.5% (male 1,252,662/female 1,245,379) 15-64 years: 55.7% (male 1,640,982/female 1,714,278) 65 years and over: 2.8% (male 65,427/female 101,149) (2009 est.)

Birth rate

36.44 births/1,000 population (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 33

Death rate

9.33 deaths/1,000 population (July 2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 76

Education expenditures

2.6% of GDP (2002) country comparison to the world: 156

Ethnic groups

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

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.3% (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

HIV/AIDS - deaths

9,100 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 35

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

130,000 (2007 est.) country comparison to the world: 40

Infant mortality rate

total: 56.24 deaths/1,000 live births country comparison to the world: 42 male: 63.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 48.77 deaths/1,000 live births (2009 est.)

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)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 58.69 years country comparison to the world: 187 male: 56.56 years female: 60.88 years (2009 est.)

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 60.9% male: 75.4% female: 46.9% (2003 est.)

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever vectorborne diseases: malaria and yellow fever water contact disease: schistosomiasis respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis animal contact disease: rabies note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2009)

Median age

total: 18.7 years male: 18.3 years female: 19.2 years (2009 est.)

Nationality

noun: Togolese (singular and plural) adjective: Togolese

Net migration rate

NA (2009 est.)

Population

6,019,877 country comparison to the world: 107 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, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2009 est.)

Population growth rate

2.711% (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 21

Religions

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

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 9 years male: 11 years female: 7 years (2000)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.96 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.65 male(s)/female total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2009 est.)

Total fertility rate

4.79 children born/woman (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 34

Urbanization

urban population: 42% of total population (2008) rate of urbanization: 4.3% annual rate of change (2005-10 est.)

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

Illicit drugs

transit hub for Nigerian heroin and cocaine traffickers; money laundering not a significant problem

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees (country of origin): 5,000 (Ghana) IDPs: 1,500 (2007)

Airports

8 (2009) country comparison to the world: 162

Airports - with paved runways

total: 2 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 (2009)

Airports - with unpaved runways

total: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 4 under 914 m: 2 (2009)

Merchant marine

total: 10 country comparison to the world: 113 by type: cargo 9, refrigerated cargo 1 foreign-owned: 6 (Bangladesh 1, Denmark 1, Egypt 1, Lebanon 1, Syria 2) (2008)

Ports and terminals

Kpeme, Lome

Railways

total: 532 km country comparison to the world: 114 narrow gauge: 532 km 1.000-m gauge (2008)

Roadways

total: 7,520 km country comparison to the world: 145 paved: 2,376 km unpaved: 5,144 km (2000)

Waterways

50 km (seasonally on Mono River depending on rainfall) (2008) country comparison to the world: 104