Topic: Photos of Portugal

Topic: Introduction
Background: Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.Following its heyday as a global maritime power during the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal lost much of its wealth and status with the destruction of Lisbon in a 1755 earthquake, occupation during the Napoleonic Wars, and the independence of Brazil, its wealthiest colony, in 1822. A 1910 revolution deposed the monarchy, and for most of the next six decades, repressive governments ran the country. In 1974, a left-wing military coup installed broad democratic reforms. The following year, Portugal granted independence to all of its African colonies. Portugal is a founding member of NATO and entered the EC (now the EU) in 1986.Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Southwestern Europe, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, west of Spain
Geographic coordinates: 39 30 N, 8 00 W
Map references: Europe
Area: total: 92,090 sq km

land: 91,470 sq km

water: 620 sq km

note: includes Azores and Madeira Islands
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Virginia
Land boundaries: total: 1,224 km

border countries (1): Spain 1,224 km
Coastline: 1,793 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

contiguous zone: 24 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Terrain: the west-flowing Tagus River divides the country: the north is mountainous toward the interior, while the south is characterized by rolling plains
Elevation: highest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico in the Azores 2,351 m

lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m

mean elevation: 372 m
Natural resources: fish, forests (cork), iron ore, copper, zinc, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, uranium, marble, clay, gypsum, salt, arable land, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 39.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 20% (2018 est.)

forest: 37.8% (2018 est.)

other: 22.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 5,400 sq km (2012)
Population distribution: concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities
Natural hazards: Azores subject to severe earthquakesvolcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and TerceiraAzores subject to severe earthquakesvolcanism: limited volcanic activity in the Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (1,043 m) last erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries; historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico, Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira
Geography - note: Azores and Madeira Islands occupy strategic locations along western sea approaches to Strait of Gibraltar; they are two of the four North Atlantic archipelagos that make up Macaronesia; the others are the Canary Islands (Spain) and Cabo Verde
Map description: Portugal map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding Spain and the North Atlantic Ocean.Portugal map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding Spain and the North Atlantic Ocean.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 10,242,081 (2022 est.)
Nationality: noun: Portuguese (singular and plural)

adjective: Portuguese
Ethnic groups: Portuguese 95%; citizens from Portugal’s former colonies in Africa, Asia (Han Chinese), and South America (Brazilian) and other foreign born 5%
Languages: Portuguese (official), Mirandese (official, but locally used)
Religions: Roman Catholic 81%, other Christian 3.3%, other (includes Jewish, Muslim) 0.6%, none 6.8%, unspecified 8.3% (2011 est.)

note: data represent population 15 years of age and older
Age structure: 0-14 years: 13.58% (male 716,102/female 682,582)

15-24 years: 10.94% (male 580,074/female 547,122)

25-54 years: 41.49% (male 2,109,693/female 2,164,745)

55-64 years: 13.08% (male 615,925/female 731,334)

65 years and over: 20.92% (2020 est.) (male 860,198/female 1,294,899)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.8

youth dependency ratio: 20.3

elderly dependency ratio: 35.5

potential support ratio: 2.8 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 44.6 years

male: 42.7 years

female: 46.5 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: -0.2% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 8 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 10.9 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 0.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: concentrations are primarily along or near the Atlantic coast; both Lisbon and the second largest city, Porto, are coastal cities
Urbanization: urban population: 67.4% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 2.986 million LISBON (capital), 1.320 million Porto (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.85 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.55 male(s)/female

total population: 0.9 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 29.9 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio: 8 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 2.5 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 2.86 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 2.12 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 81.5 years

male: 78.37 years

female: 84.79 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 1.43 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 73.9% (2014)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 100% of population

rural: 99.7% of population

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0% of population

rural: 0.3% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 9.5% (2019)
Physicians density: 5.48 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Hospital bed density: 3.5 beds/1,000 population (2018)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 99.9% of population

rural: 100% of population

total: 99.9% of population

unimproved: urban: 0.1% of population

rural: 0% of population

total: 0.1% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 0.5% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 42,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: (2020 est.) <500
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 20.8% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 25.4% (2020 est.)

male: 30.5% (2020 est.)

female: 20.2% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 0.4% (2015/16)
Education expenditures: 4.7% of GDP (2018)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 96.1%

male: 97.4%

female: 95.1% (2018)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years

male: 17 years

female: 17 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 22.6%

male: 21%

female: 24.4% (2020 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: soil erosion; air pollution caused by industrial and vehicle emissions; water pollution, especially in urban centers and coastal areas
Environment - international agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, 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, Marine Life Conservation, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Environmental Modification, Nuclear Test Ban
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 7.87 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 48.74 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 10.93 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: maritime temperate; cool and rainy in north, warmer and drier in south
Land use: agricultural land: 39.7% (2018 est.)

arable land: 11.9% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 7.8% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 20% (2018 est.)

forest: 37.8% (2018 est.)

other: 22.5% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 67.4% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 0.44% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 0.13% of GDP (2018 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.71 million tons (2014 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 764,433 tons (2014 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 16.2% (2014 est.)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 914.1 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 1.497 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 8.767 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 77.4 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Portuguese Republic

conventional short form: Portugal

local long form: Republica Portuguesa

local short form: Portugal

etymology: name derives from the Roman designation "Portus Cale" meaning "Port of Cale"; Cale was an ancient Celtic town and port in present-day northern Portugal
Government type: semi-presidential republic
Capital: name: Lisbon

geographic coordinates: 38 43 N, 9 08 W

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

daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

time zone note: Portugal has two time zones, including the Azores (UTC-1)

etymology: Lisbon is one of Europe's oldest cities (the second oldest capital city after Athens) and the origin of the name is lost in time; it may have been founded as an ancient Celtic settlement that subsequently maintained close commercial relations with the Phoenicians (beginning about 1200 B.C.); the name of the settlement may have been derived from the pre-Roman appellation for the Tagus River that runs through the city, Lisso or Lucio; the Romans named the city "Olisippo" when they took it from the Carthaginians in 205 B.C.; under the Visigoths the city name became "Ulixbona," under the Arabs it was "al-Ushbuna"; the medieval version of "Lissabona" became today's Lisboa
Administrative divisions: 18 districts (distritos, singular - distrito) and 2 autonomous regions* (regioes autonomas, singular - regiao autonoma); Aveiro, Acores (Azores)*, Beja, Braga, Braganca, Castelo Branco, Coimbra, Evora, Faro, Guarda, Leiria, Lisboa (Lisbon), Madeira*, Portalegre, Porto, Santarem, Setubal, Viana do Castelo, Vila Real, Viseu
Independence: 1143 (Kingdom of Portugal recognized); 1 December 1640 (independence reestablished following 60 years of Spanish rule); 5 October 1910 (republic proclaimed)
National holiday: Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis DE CAMOES (1524-80) died
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted 2 April 1976, effective 25 April 1976

amendments: proposed by the Assembly of the Republic; adoption requires two-thirds majority vote of Assembly members; amended several times, last in 2005 (2021)
Legal system: civil law system; Constitutional Court review of legislative acts
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no

citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Portugal

dual citizenship recognized: yes

residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; 6 years if from a Portuguese-speaking country
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (since 9 March 2016)

head of government: Prime Minister Antonio Luis Santos da COSTA (since 24 November 2015)

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 24 January 2021 (next to be held in January 2026); following legislative elections the leader of the majority party or majority coalition is usually appointed prime minister by the president

election results: Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Marcelo REBELO DE SOUSA (PSD) 60.7%, Ana GOMES (ran as an independent but is a member of PS) 12.97%, Andre VENTURA (CH) 11.9%, João FERREIRA (PCP-PEV) 4.32%, Marisa MATIAS (BE) 3.95%, other 6.16%

note: there is also a Council of State that acts as a consultative body to the president
Legislative branch: description: unicameral Assembly of the Republic or Assembleia da Republica (230 seats; 226 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by closed-list proportional representation vote and 4 members - 2 each in 2 constituencies representing Portuguese living abroad - directly elected by proportional representation vote; members serve 4-year terms)

elections: last held on 30 January 2022 (next to be held in January 2026); note - early elections were called after parliament was dissolved on 3 November 2021 because of the 27 October 2021 rejection of the government's budget

election results: percent of vote by party - PS 42.5%, PSD 28.4%, Enough 7.4%, IL 5%, BE 4.5%, CDU 4.4%, other 7.8%; seats by party - PS 120, PSD 72, Enough 12, IL 8, CDU 6, BE 5, other 3; composition - men NA, women NA, percent of women NA%
Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Supremo Tribunal de Justica (consists of 12 justices); Constitutional Court or Tribunal Constitucional (consists of 13 judges)

judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court justices nominated by the president and appointed by the Assembly of the Republic; judges can serve for life; Constitutional Court judges - 10 elected by the Assembly and 3 elected by the other Constitutional Court judges; judges elected for 6-year nonrenewable terms

subordinate courts: Supreme Administrative Court (Supremo Tribunal Administrativo); Audit Court (Tribunal de Contas); appellate, district, and municipal courts
Political parties and leaders: Democratic Alliance (2022 electoral alliance in the Azores, includes PSD, CDS-PP, PPM)
Democratic and Social Center/Popular Party (Partido do Centro Democratico Social-Partido Popular) or CDS-PP [Assuncao CRISTAS]
Ecologist Party "The Greens" or "Os Verdes" (Partido Ecologista-Os Verdes) or PEV [Heloisa APOLONIA]
Enough (Chega) [Andre VENTURA]
Liberal Initiative (Iniciativa Liberal) or IL [Joao COTRIM DE FIGUEIREDO]
Madeira First (2022 electoral alliance in Madeira, includes PSD, CDS-PP)
People-Animals-Nature Party (Pessoas-Animais-Natureza) or PAN [Andre SILVA]
People's Monarchist Party or PPM [Gonçalo DA CAMARA PEREIRA]
Portuguese Communist Party (Partido Comunista Portugues) or PCP [Jeronimo DE SOUSA]
Social Democratic Party (Partido Social Democrata) or PSD (original name Partido Popular Democratico or PPD) [Rui RIO]
Socialist Party (Partido Socialista) or PS [Antonio COSTA]
The Left Bloc (Bloco de Esquerda) or BE or O Bloco [Catarina MARTINS]
Unitary Democratic Coalition (Coligacao Democratica Unitaria) or CDU [Jeronimo DE SOUSA] (includes PCP and PEV)
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, CD, CE, CERN, CPLP, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Francisco Antonio Duarte LOPES (since 7 June 2022)

chancery: 2012 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20036

telephone: [1] (202) 350-5400; [1] (202) 332-3007

FAX: [1] (202) 462-3726; [1] (202) 387-2768

email address and website:
info.washington@mne.pt; sconsular.washington@mne.pt

https://washingtondc.embaixadaportugal.mne.gov.pt/en/

consulate(s) general: Boston, Newark (NJ), New York, San Francisco

consulate(s): New Bedford (MA), Providence (RI)
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Randi Charno LEVINE (since 22 April 2022)

embassy: Avenida das Forcas Armadas, 1600-081 Lisboa

mailing address: 5320 Lisbon Place, Washington DC  20521-5320

telephone: [351] (21) 727-3300

FAX: [351] (21) 726-9109

email address and website:
conslisbon@state.gov

https://pt.usembassy.gov/

consulate(s): Ponta Delgada (Azores)
Flag description: two vertical bands of green (hoist side, two-fifths) and red (three-fifths) with the national coat of arms (armillary sphere and Portuguese shield) centered on the dividing line; explanations for the color meanings are ambiguous, but a popular interpretation has green symbolizing hope and red the blood of those defending the nation
National symbol(s): armillary sphere (a spherical astrolabe modeling objects in the sky and representing the Republic); national colors: red, green
National anthem: name: "A Portugesa" (The Song of the Portuguese)

lyrics/music: Henrique LOPES DE MENDOCA/Alfredo KEIL

note: adopted 1910; "A Portuguesa" was originally written to protest the Portuguese monarchy's acquiescence to the 1890 British ultimatum forcing Portugal to give up areas of Africa; the lyrics refer to the "insult" that resulted from the event
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 17 (16 cultural, 1 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Évora (c); Central Zone of the Town of Angra do Heroismo in the Azores (c); Cultural Landscape of Sintra (c); Laurisilva of Madeira (n); Historic Guimarães (c); Monastery of the Hieronymites and Tower of Belém in Lisbon (c); Convent of Christ in Tomar (c); Prehistoric Rock Art Sites in the Côa Valley and Siega Verde (c); University of Coimbra – Alta and Sofia (c); Sanctuary of Bom Jesus do Monte in Braga (c)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community - the EU's predecessor - in 1986. Over the following two decades, successive governments privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country joined the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU members.   The economy grew by more than the EU average for much of the 1990s, but the rate of growth slowed in 2001-08. After the global financial crisis in 2008, Portugal’s economy contracted in 2009 and fell into recession from 2011 to 2013, as the government implemented spending cuts and tax increases to comply with conditions of an EU-IMF financial rescue package, signed in May 2011. Portugal successfully exited its EU-IMF program in May 2014, and its economic recovery gained traction in 2015 because of strong exports and a rebound in private consumption. GDP growth accelerated in 2016, and probably reached 2.5 % in 2017. Unemployment remained high, at 9.7% in 2017, but has improved steadily since peaking at 18% in 2013.   The center-left minority Socialist government has unwound some unpopular austerity measures while managing to remain within most EU fiscal targets. The budget deficit fell from 11.2% of GDP in 2010 to 1.8% in 2017, the country’s lowest since democracy was restored in 1974, and surpassing the EU and IMF projections of 3%. Portugal exited the EU’s excessive deficit procedure in mid-2017.Portugal has become a diversified and increasingly service-based economy since joining the European Community - the EU's predecessor - in 1986. Over the following two decades, successive governments privatized many state-controlled firms and liberalized key areas of the economy, including the financial and telecommunications sectors. The country joined the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999 and began circulating the euro on 1 January 2002 along with 11 other EU members. The economy grew by more than the EU average for much of the 1990s, but the rate of growth slowed in 2001-08. After the global financial crisis in 2008, Portugal’s economy contracted in 2009 and fell into recession from 2011 to 2013, as the government implemented spending cuts and tax increases to comply with conditions of an EU-IMF financial rescue package, signed in May 2011. Portugal successfully exited its EU-IMF program in May 2014, and its economic recovery gained traction in 2015 because of strong exports and a rebound in private consumption. GDP growth accelerated in 2016, and probably reached 2.5 % in 2017. Unemployment remained high, at 9.7% in 2017, but has improved steadily since peaking at 18% in 2013. The center-left minority Socialist government has unwound some unpopular austerity measures while managing to remain within most EU fiscal targets. The budget deficit fell from 11.2% of GDP in 2010 to 1.8% in 2017, the country’s lowest since democracy was restored in 1974, and surpassing the EU and IMF projections of 3%. Portugal exited the EU’s excessive deficit procedure in mid-2017.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $331.64 billion (2020 est.)

$358.78 billion (2019 est.)

$350.07 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 2.24% (2019 est.)

2.85% (2018 est.)

3.51% (2017 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $32,200 (2020 est.)

$34,900 (2019 est.)

$34,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $237.698 billion (2019 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 0.3% (2019 est.)

0.9% (2018 est.)

1.3% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: BBB (2007)

Moody's rating: Baa3 (2018)

Standard & Poors rating: BBB (2019)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2.2% (2017 est.)

industry: 22.1% (2017 est.)

services: 75.7% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 65.1% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 17.6% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 16.2% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.1% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 43.1% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -42.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: milk, tomatoes, olives, grapes, maize, potatoes, pork, apples, oranges, poultry
Industries: textiles, clothing, footwear, wood and cork, paper and pulp, chemicals, fuels and lubricants, automobiles and auto parts, base metals, minerals, porcelain and ceramics, glassware, technology, telecommunications; dairy products, wine, other foodstuffs; ship construction and refurbishment; tourism, plastics, financial services, optics
Industrial production growth rate: 3.5% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 4.717 million (2020 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 8.6%

industry: 23.9%

services: 67.5% (2014 est.)
Unemployment rate: 6.55% (2019 est.)

7.05% (2018 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 22.6%

male: 21%

female: 24.4% (2020 est.)
Population below poverty line: 17.2% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.8 (2017 est.)

34 (2014 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.6%

highest 10%: 25.9% (2015 est.)
Budget: revenues: 93.55 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 100 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -3% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 125.7% of GDP (2017 est.)

129.9% of GDP (2016 est.)

note: data cover general government debt and include debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data include debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intragovernmental debt; intragovernmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are not sold at public auctions
Taxes and other revenues: 42.9% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$203 million (2019 est.)

$988 million (2018 est.)
Exports: $85.28 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$104.77 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$105.76 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Spain 23%, France 13%, Germany 12%, United Kingdom 6%, United States 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, refined petroleum, leather footwear, paper products, tires (2019)
Imports: $89.31 billion (2020 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$103.05 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$103.59 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: Spain 29%, Germany 13%, France 9%, Italy 5%, Netherlands 5% (2019)
Imports - commodities: cars and vehicle parts, crude petroleum, aircraft, packaged medicines, refined petroleum, natural gas (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $26.11 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$19.4 billion (31 December 2015 est.)
Debt - external: $462.431 billion (2019 est.)

$483.206 billion (2018 est.)
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar -

0.82771 (2020 est.)

0.90338 (2019 est.)

0.87789 (2018 est.)

0.7525 (2014 est.)

0.7634 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2020)
Electricity - production: 56.9 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 46.94 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 9.701 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - imports: 4.616 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 20.56 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 41% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 25% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 35% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 0 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 0 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 285,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 0 bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 323,000 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 247,200 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 143,500 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 78,700 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Natural gas - production: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 6.258 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 6.541 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 5,212,507 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 51 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 11,854,999 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 116 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: Portugal has a medium-sized telecom market with a strong mobile sector and a growing broadband customer base; mobile market dominated by one operator with room for competition; 3G infrastructure is universal, with investment directed toward expanding provision of 90% LTE coverage in rural areas and 5G technologies; cable sector shifting to wireless, with access to 66% of population; developments in m-commerce; operator assessing installation of submarine cable between islands and mainland; importer of broadcasting equipment from EU (2020)

domestic: integrated network of coaxial cables, open-wire, microwave radio relay, and domestic satellite earth stations; fixed-line roughly 51 per 100 persons and mobile-cellular 116 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 351; landing points for the Ella Link, BUGIO, EIG, SAT-3/WASC, SeaMeWe-3, Equino, MainOne, Tat TGN-Western Europe, WACS, ACE, Atlantis2 and Columbus-III submarine cables provide connectivity to Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, Southeast Asia, Australia, South America and the US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (2 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean), NA Eutelsat; tropospheric scatter to Azores (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: Radio e Televisao de Portugal (RTP), the publicly owned TV broadcaster, operates 4 domestic channels and external service channels to Africa; overall, roughly 40 domestic TV stations; viewers have widespread access to international broadcasters with more than half of all households connected to multi-channel cable or satellite TV systems; publicly owned radio operates 3 national networks and provides regional and external services; several privately owned national radio stations and some 300 regional and local commercial radio stations
Internet country code: .pt
Internet users: total: 8,031,723 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 78% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 4,160,795 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 41 (2020 est.)

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 10 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 168

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 17,367,956 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 454.21 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: CR, CS
Airports: total: 64 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 43

over 3,047 m: 5

2,438 to 3,047 m: 7

1,524 to 2,437 m: 8

914 to 1,523 m: 15

under 914 m: 8 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 21

914 to 1,523 m: 1

under 914 m: 20 (2021)
Pipelines: 1,344 km gas, 11 km oil, 188 km refined products (2013)
Railways: total: 3,075 km (2014)

narrow gauge: 108.1 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge

broad gauge: 2,439 km (2014) 1.668-m gauge (1,633.4 km electrified)

other: 528 km (2014) (gauge unspecified)
Roadways: total: 82,900 km (2008)

paved: 71,294 km (2008) (includes 2,613 km of expressways)

unpaved: 11,606 km (2008)
Waterways: 210 km (2011) (on Douro River from Porto)
Merchant marine: total: 726

by type: bulk carrier 86, container ship 267, general cargo 137, oil tanker 27, other 209 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Leixoes, Lisbon, Setubal, Sines

container port(s) (TEUs): Sines (1,420,000) (2019)

LNG terminal(s) (import): Sines

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Portuguese Armed Forces: Portuguese Army (Exercito Portuguesa), Portuguese Navy (Marinha Portuguesa; includes Marine Corps), Portuguese Air Force (Forca Aerea Portuguesa, FAP); Portuguese National Republican Guard (Guarda Nacional Republicana, GNR) (2022)

note - the GNR is a national gendarmerie force comprised of military personnel with law enforcement, internal security, civil defense, disaster response, and coast guard duties; it is responsible to the Ministry of Internal Administration and to the Ministry of National Defense; in the event of war or crisis, it may be placed under the Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces; the GNR has law enforcement jurisdiction in rural areas, while Public Security Police (also under the Ministry of Internal Administration) has jurisdiction in cities
Military expenditures: 1.6% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.4% of GDP (2020)

1.4% of GDP (2019) (approximately $4.31 billion)

1.3% of GDP (2018) (approximately $4.06 billion)

1.2% of GDP (2017) (approximately $3.62 billion)
Military and security service personnel strengths: the Portuguese Armed Forces have approximately 27,000 active duty personnel (14,000 Army; 7,000 Navy, inc about 1,000 marines; 6,000 Air Force); 24,500 National Republican Guard (military personnel) (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the Portuguese Armed Forces inventory includes mostly European and US-origin weapons systems along with a smaller mix of domestically-produced equipment; since 2010, Germany and the US are the leading suppliers of armaments to Portugal; Portugal's defense industry is primarily focused on shipbuilding (2021)
Military service age and obligation: 18-30 years of age for voluntary or contract military service; no compulsory military service (abolished 2004), but conscription possible if insufficient volunteers available; women serve in the armed forces, on naval ships since 1992, but are prohibited from serving in some combatant specialties; contract service lasts for an initial period from two to six years, and can be extended to a maximum of 20 years of service; voluntary military service lasts 12 months; reserve obligation to age 35 (2021)

note - as of 2019, women made up about 12% of the military's full-time personnel
Military deployments: 200 Central African Republic (MINUSCA/EUTM); up to 120 Lithuania (2022)

note(s) - in 2021, Portugal deployed about 80 troops to Mozambique to assist with the EU training mission; NATO troop deployment numbers in eastern Europe are as of February 2022; in response to Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, some NATO countries,  including Portugal, have sent additional troops to the battlegroups deployed in NATO territory in eastern Europe
Military - note: Portugal is a member of NATO and was one of the original 12 countries to sign the North Atlantic Treaty (also known as the Washington Treaty) in 1949

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: Portugal-Spain: Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of BadajozPortugal-Spain: Portugal does not recognize Spanish sovereignty over the territory of Olivenza based on a difference of interpretation of the 1815 Congress of Vienna and the 1801 Treaty of Badajoz
Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees (country of origin): 46,579 (Ukraine) (as of 5 July 2022)

stateless persons: 45 (mid-year 2021)
Illicit drugs: a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin  a European gateway for Southwest Asian heroin; transshipment point for hashish from North Africa to Europe; consumer of Southwest Asian heroin


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens DO NOT TRAVEL to Eritrea due to COVID-19, travel restrictions, limited consular assistance, and landmines. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 2 blank pages in their passport for any entry stamp and or visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.
US Embassy/Consulate: [291] (1) 120004; US Embassy Asmara, 179 Alaa Street, Asmara, Eritrea; https://er.usembassy.gov/; consularasmara@state.gov
Telephone Code: 291
Local Emergency Phone: Local numbers only
Vaccinations: An International Certificate of Vaccination for yellow fever is required for travelers arriving from countries with a risk of yellow fever transmission and for travelers having transited through the airport of a country with risk of yellow fever transmission. See WHO recommendations.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Hot, dry desert strip along Red Sea coast; cooler and wetter in the central highlands (up to 61 cm of rainfall annually, heaviest June to September); semiarid in western hills and lowlands
Currency (Code): Nakfa (ERN)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 230 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, L

Major Languages: Trigrinya, Arabic, English, Tigre, Kunama, Afar, other Cushitic languages
Major Religions: Sunni Muslim, Coptic Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Time Difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Asmara (includes St. Mariam Cathedral, Our Lady of the Rosary Church, Kulafah Al Rashidin Mosque); Dahlak Marine National Park
Major Sports: Soccer, cycling, volleyball
Cultural Practices: Unlike in western countries where raised eyebrows indicate puzzlement, in Eretria they signal affirmation or approval.
Tipping Guidelines: Tipping up to 10% of the bill in restaurants is appreciated, but not always expected; this amount may sometimes be included as a service charge. Tipping taxi drivers is uncommon.Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Tuesday, March 22, 2022


Topic: Photos of Cote d'Ivoire

Topic: 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 with France. The export and production of cocoa and foreign investment drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. In December 1999, a military coup overthrew the government. In late 2000, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. In September 2002, Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup 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 March 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 November 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. In April 2011, after widespread fighting, GBAGBO was formally forced from office by armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French forces. In 2015, OUATTARA won a second term. In October 2020, OUATTARA won a controversial third presidential term, despite a two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution, in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition did participate peacefully in March 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in March 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 June 2021 return to Abidjan. GBAGBO has publicly met with President OUATTARA since his return in June 2021 as a demonstration of political reconciliation. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2025.
  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 with France. The export and production of cocoa and foreign investment drove economic growth that led Cote d’Ivoire to become one of the most prosperous states in West Africa. In December 1999, a military coup overthrew the government. In late 2000, junta leader Robert GUEI held rigged elections and declared himself the winner. Popular protests forced him to step aside, and Laurent GBAGBO was elected. In September 2002, Ivoirian dissidents and members of the military launched a failed coup 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 March 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 November 2010, Alassane Dramane OUATTARA won the presidential election, but GBAGBO refused to hand over power, resulting in five months of violent conflict. In April 2011, after widespread fighting, GBAGBO was formally forced from office by armed OUATTARA supporters and UN and French forces. In 2015, OUATTARA won a second term. In October 2020, OUATTARA won a controversial third presidential term, despite a two-term limit in the Ivoirian constitution, in an election boycotted by the opposition. Through political compromise with OUATTARA, the opposition did participate peacefully in March 2021 legislative elections and won a substantial minority of seats. Also in March 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 June 2021 return to Abidjan. GBAGBO has publicly met with President OUATTARA since his return in June 2021 as a demonstration of political reconciliation. The next presidential election is scheduled for 2025. Visit the Definitions and Notes page to view a description of each topic.

Topic: Geography
Location: Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Geographic coordinates: 8 00 N, 5 00 W
Map references: Africa
Area: total: 322,463 sq km

land: 318,003 sq km

water: 4,460 sq km
Area - comparative: slightly larger than New Mexico
Land boundaries: total: 3,458 km

border countries (5): Burkina Faso 545 km; Ghana 720 km; Guinea 816 km; Liberia 778 km; Mali 599 km
Coastline: 515 km
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm

exclusive economic zone: 200 nm

continental shelf: 200 nm
Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
Terrain: mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Elevation: highest point: Monts Nimba 1,752 m

lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m

mean elevation: 250 m
Natural resources: petroleum, natural gas, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, gold, nickel, tantalum, silica sand, clay, cocoa beans, coffee, palm oil, hydropower
Land use: agricultural land: 64.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 14.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 41.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 32.7% (2018 est.)

other: 2.5% (2018 est.)
Irrigated land: 730 sq km (2012)
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)
Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the forested south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the northern savanna remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations located along transportation corridors as shown in this population distribution map
Natural hazards: coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
Geography - note: most of the inhabitants live along the sandy coastal region; apart from the capital area, the forested interior is sparsely populated
Map description: Cote d’Ivoire map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.Cote d’Ivoire map showing major cities as well as parts of surrounding countries and the Gulf of Guinea.

Topic: People and Society
Population: 28,713,423 (2022 est.)

note: estimates for this country explicitly taken into account the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic
Nationality: noun: Ivoirian(s)

adjective: Ivoirian
Ethnic groups: Akan 28.9%, Voltaique or Gur 16.1%, Northern Mande 14.5%, Kru 8.5%, Southern Mande 6.9%, unspecified 0.9%, non-Ivoirian 24.2% (2014 est.)
Languages: French (official), 60 native dialects of which Dioula is the most widely spoken

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% (2014 est.)

note: the majority of foreign migrant workers are Muslim (72.7%) and Christian (17.7%)
Demographic profile: Cote d’Ivoire’s population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future because almost 60% of the populace is younger than 25, the total fertility rate is holding steady at about 3.5 children per woman, and contraceptive use is under 20%. The country will need to improve education, health care, and gender equality in order to turn its large and growing youth cohort into human capital. Even prior to 2010 unrest that shuttered schools for months, access to education was poor, especially for women. As of 2015, only 53% of men and 33% of women were literate. The lack of educational attainment contributes to Cote d’Ivoire’s high rates of unskilled labor, adolescent pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS prevalence.Following its independence in 1960, Cote d’Ivoire’s stability and the blossoming of its labor-intensive cocoa and coffee industries in the southwest made it an attractive destination for migrants from other parts of the country and its neighbors, particularly Burkina Faso. The HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY administration continued the French colonial policy of encouraging labor immigration by offering liberal land ownership laws. Foreigners from West Africa, Europe (mainly France), and Lebanon composed about 25% of the population by 1998.Ongoing economic decline since the 1980s and the power struggle after HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY’s death in 1993 ushered in the politics of "Ivoirite," institutionalizing an Ivoirian identity that further marginalized northern Ivoirians and scapegoated immigrants. The hostile Muslim north-Christian south divide snowballed into a 2002 civil war, pushing tens of thousands of foreign migrants, Liberian refugees, and Ivoirians to flee to war-torn Liberia or other regional countries and more than a million people to be internally displaced. Subsequently, violence following the contested 2010 presidential election prompted some 250,000 people to seek refuge in Liberia and other neighboring countries and again internally displaced as many as a million people. By July 2012, the majority had returned home, but ongoing inter-communal tension and armed conflict continue to force people from their homes.Cote d’Ivoire’s population is likely to continue growing for the foreseeable future because almost 60% of the populace is younger than 25, the total fertility rate is holding steady at about 3.5 children per woman, and contraceptive use is under 20%. The country will need to improve education, health care, and gender equality in order to turn its large and growing youth cohort into human capital. Even prior to 2010 unrest that shuttered schools for months, access to education was poor, especially for women. As of 2015, only 53% of men and 33% of women were literate. The lack of educational attainment contributes to Cote d’Ivoire’s high rates of unskilled labor, adolescent pregnancy, and HIV/AIDS prevalence.Following its independence in 1960, Cote d’Ivoire’s stability and the blossoming of its labor-intensive cocoa and coffee industries in the southwest made it an attractive destination for migrants from other parts of the country and its neighbors, particularly Burkina Faso. The HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY administration continued the French colonial policy of encouraging labor immigration by offering liberal land ownership laws. Foreigners from West Africa, Europe (mainly France), and Lebanon composed about 25% of the population by 1998.Ongoing economic decline since the 1980s and the power struggle after HOUPHOUET-BOIGNY’s death in 1993 ushered in the politics of "Ivoirite," institutionalizing an Ivoirian identity that further marginalized northern Ivoirians and scapegoated immigrants. The hostile Muslim north-Christian south divide snowballed into a 2002 civil war, pushing tens of thousands of foreign migrants, Liberian refugees, and Ivoirians to flee to war-torn Liberia or other regional countries and more than a million people to be internally displaced. Subsequently, violence following the contested 2010 presidential election prompted some 250,000 people to seek refuge in Liberia and other neighboring countries and again internally displaced as many as a million people. By July 2012, the majority had returned home, but ongoing inter-communal tension and armed conflict continue to force people from their homes.
Age structure: 0-14 years: 38.53% (male 5,311,971/female 5,276,219)

15-24 years: 20.21% (male 2,774,374/female 2,779,012)

25-54 years: 34.88% (male 4,866,957/female 4,719,286)

55-64 years: 3.53% (male 494,000/female 476,060)

65 years and over: 2.85% (2020 est.) (male 349,822/female 433,385)
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 79.8

youth dependency ratio: 74.6

elderly dependency ratio: 5.2

potential support ratio: 19.3 (2020 est.)
Median age: total: 20.3 years

male: 20.3 years

female: 20.3 years (2020 est.)
Population growth rate: 2.19% (2022 est.)
Birth rate: 28.3 births/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Death rate: 7.6 deaths/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Net migration rate: 1.18 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2022 est.)
Population distribution: the population is primarily located in the forested south, with the highest concentration of people residing in and around the cities on the Atlantic coast; most of the northern savanna remains sparsely populated with higher concentrations located along transportation corridors as shown in this population distribution map
Urbanization: urban population: 52.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas - population: 231,000 YAMOUSSOUKRO (capital) (2018), 5.516 million ABIDJAN (seat of government) (2022)
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female

0-14 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

15-24 years: 1.07 male(s)/female

25-54 years: 1.06 male(s)/female

55-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female

65 years and over: 0.58 male(s)/female

total population: 0.97 male(s)/female (2022 est.)
Mother's mean age at first birth: 19.6 years (2011/12 est.)

note: median age at first birth among women 20-49
Maternal mortality ratio: 617 deaths/100,000 live births (2017 est.)
Infant mortality rate: total: 55.67 deaths/1,000 live births

male: 62.99 deaths/1,000 live births

female: 48.13 deaths/1,000 live births (2022 est.)
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 62.26 years

male: 60.07 years

female: 64.52 years (2022 est.)
Total fertility rate: 3.53 children born/woman (2022 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 23.3% (2018)
Drinking water source: improved: urban: 89.9% of population

rural: 69.1% of population

total: 79.8% of population

unimproved: urban: 10.1% of population

rural: 30.9% of population

total: 20.2% of population (2020 est.)
Current Health Expenditure: 3.3% (2019)
Physicians density: 0.16 physicians/1,000 population (2019)
Sanitation facility access: improved: urban: 77.8% of population

rural: 35% of population

total: 57.1% of population

unimproved: urban: 22.2% of population

rural: 65% of population

total: 42.9% of population (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: 2.1% (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: 380,000 (2020 est.)
HIV/AIDS - deaths: 13,000 (2020 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies

respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 10.3% (2016)
Tobacco use: total: 9.4% (2020 est.)

male: 17.9% (2020 est.)

female: 0.9% (2020 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 12.8% (2016)
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 7%

women married by age 18: 27%

men married by age 18: 3.5% (2016 est.)
Education expenditures: 3.7% of GDP (2019)
Literacy: definition: age 15 and over can read and write

total population: 89.9%

male: 93.1%

female: 86.7% (2019)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 10 years

male: 11 years

female: 10 years (2019)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 5.5%

male: 4.7%

female: 6.5% (2017 est.)

Topic: Environment
Environment - current issues: deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been heavily logged); water pollution from sewage, and from industrial, mining, and agricultural effluents
Environment - international 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
Air pollutants: particulate matter emissions: 23.72 micrograms per cubic meter (2016 est.)

carbon dioxide emissions: 9.67 megatons (2016 est.)

methane emissions: 10.3 megatons (2020 est.)
Climate: tropical along coast, semiarid in far north; three seasons - warm and dry (November to March), hot and dry (March to May), hot and wet (June to October)
Land use: agricultural land: 64.8% (2018 est.)

arable land: 9.1% (2018 est.)

permanent crops: 14.2% (2018 est.)

permanent pasture: 41.5% (2018 est.)

forest: 32.7% (2018 est.)

other: 2.5% (2018 est.)
Urbanization: urban population: 52.7% of total population (2022)

rate of urbanization: 3.38% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Revenue from forest resources: forest revenues: 2.04% of GDP (2016 est.)
Revenue from coal: coal revenues: 0% of GDP (2018 est.)
Major infectious diseases: degree of risk: very high (2020)

food or waterborne diseases: bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases: malaria, dengue fever, and yellow fever

water contact diseases: schistosomiasis

animal contact diseases: rabies

respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4,440,814 tons (2010 est.)

municipal solid waste recycled annually: 133,224 tons (2005 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 3% (2005 est.)
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)
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 320 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

industrial: 242 million cubic meters (2017 est.)

agricultural: 600 million cubic meters (2017 est.)
Total renewable water resources: 84.14 billion cubic meters (2017 est.)

Topic: Government
Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Cote d'Ivoire

conventional short form: Cote d'Ivoire

local long form: Republique de Cote d'Ivoire

local short form: Cote d'Ivoire

former: Ivory Coast

etymology: name reflects the intense ivory trade that took place in the region from the 15th to 17th centuries

note: pronounced coat-div-whar
Government type: presidential republic
Capital: name: Yamoussoukro (legislative capital), Abidjan (administrative capital); note - although Yamoussoukro has been the official capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative capital as well as the officially designated economic capital; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan

geographic coordinates: 6 49 N, 5 16 W

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

etymology: Yamoussoukro is named after Queen YAMOUSSOU, who ruled in the village of N'Gokro in 1929 at the time of French colonization; the village was renamed Yamoussoukro, the suffix "-kro" meaning "town" in the native Baoule language; Abidjan's name supposedly comes from a misunderstanding; tradition states that an old man carrying branches met a European explorer who asked for the name of the nearest village; the man, not understanding and terrified by this unexpected encounter, fled shouting "min-chan m’bidjan," which in the Ebrie language means: "I return from cutting leaves"; the explorer, thinking that his question had been answered, recorded the name of the locale as Abidjan; a different version has the first colonists asking native women the name of the place and getting a similar response
Administrative divisions: 12 districts and 2 autonomous districts*; Abidjan*, Bas-Sassandra, Comoe, Denguele, Goh-Djiboua, Lacs, Lagunes, Montagnes, Sassandra-Marahoue, Savanes, Vallee du Bandama, Woroba, Yamoussoukro*, Zanzan
Independence: 7 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Independence Day, 7 August (1960)
Constitution: history: previous 1960, 2000; latest draft completed 24 September 2016, approved by the National Assembly 11 October 2016, approved by referendum 30 October 2016, promulgated 8 November 2016

amendments: proposed by the president of the republic or by Parliament; consideration of drafts or proposals requires an absolute majority vote by the parliamentary membership; passage of amendments affecting presidential elections, presidential term of office and vacancies, and amendment procedures requires approval by absolute majority in a referendum; passage of other proposals by the president requires at least four-fifths majority vote by Parliament; constitutional articles on the sovereignty of the state and its republican and secular form of government cannot be amended; amended 2020
Legal system: civil law system based on the French civil code; judicial review of legislation held in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branch: chief of state: President Alassane Dramane OUATTARA (since 4 December 2010); Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet KONE (since 19 April 2022); note - Vice President Tiémoko Meyliet KONE was appointed by President Alassane Dramane OUATTARA before a Congressional meeting on 19 April 2022

head of government: Prime Minister Patrick ACHI (since 19 April 2022); note - Prime Minister ACHI resigned on 13 April 2022 and was reappointed by President Alassane Dramane OUATTARA before a Congressional meeting on 19 April 2022

cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president

elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a single renewable 5-year term ; election last held on 31 October 2020 (next to be held in October 2025); vice president elected on same ballot as president; prime minister appointed by the president; note – because President OUATTARA promulgated the new constitution during his second term, he has claimed that the clock is reset on term limits, allowing him to run for up to two additional terms

election results: Alassane OUATTARA reelected president; percent of vote - Alassane OUATTARA (RDR) 94.3%, Kouadio Konan BERTIN (PDCI-RDA) 2.0%, other 3.7%
Legislative branch: description: bicameral Parliament consists of:
Senate or Senat (99 seats; 66 members indirectly elected by the National Assembly and members of municipal, autonomous districts, and regional councils, and 33 members appointed by the president; members serve 5-year terms)
National Assembly (255 seats - 254 for 2021-2026 term; members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by simple majority vote to serve 5-year terms)

elections:
Senate - first ever held on 25 March 2018 (next to be held on 31 March 2023)
National Assembly - last held on 6 March 2021 (next to be held on 31 March 2026)

election results:
Senate - percent by party NA; seats by party - RHDP 50, independent 16; composition - men 80, women 19, percent of women 19.2%
National Assembly - percent of vote by party - RHDP 49.2%, PDCI-RRA-EDS 16.5%, DPIC 6%, TTB 2.1%  IPF 2%  seats by party - RHDP, 137, PDCI-RRA-EDS 50, DPIC 23, EDS 8, TTB 8, IPF 2, independent 26; composition - men 218, women 36, percent of women 14.2%; note - total Parliament percent of women 15.6%

Judicial branch: highest courts: Supreme Court or Cour Supreme (organized into Judicial, Audit, Constitutional, and Administrative Chambers; consists of the court president, 3 vice presidents for the Judicial, Audit, and Administrative chambers, and 9 associate justices or magistrates)

judge selection and term of office: judges nominated by the Superior Council of the Magistrature, a 7-member body consisting of the national president (chairman), 3 "bench" judges, and 3 public prosecutors; judges appointed for life

subordinate courts: Courts of Appeal (organized into civil, criminal, and social chambers); first instance courts; peace courts
Political parties and leaders: African Peoples' Party-Cote d'Ivoire or PPA-CI[Laurent GBAGBO]
Pan-African Congress for People's Justice and Equalityor COJEP [Charles BLE GOUDE]
Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Henri Konan BEDIE]
Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [former pres. [Pascal Affi N'GUESSAN]
Liberty and Democracy for the Republic or LIDER [Mamadou KOULIBALY]
Movement of the Future Forces or MFA [Innocent Augustin ANAKY KOBENA]
Rally of Houphouetists for Democracy and Peace or RHDP [Alassane OUATTARA]
Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Henriette DIABATE]
Together for Democrary and Sovereignty [Georges Armand OUEGNIN]
Together to Build (UDPCI, FPI,and allies) [Toikeuse MABRI]
Together to Build (UDPCI, FPI,and allies) [Toikeuse MABRI]
Union for Cote d'Ivoire or UPCI [Gnamien KONAN]
Union for Democracy and Peace in Cote d'Ivoire or UDPCI [Albert Toikeusse MABRI]
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, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, Union Latina, UN Security Council (temporary), UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Ibrahima TOURE (since 13 January 2022)

chancery: 2424 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300

FAX: [1] (202) 462-9444

email address and website:
info@ambacidc.org

https://ambaciusa.org/#
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Richard K. BELL (since 10 October 2019)

embassy: B.P. 730 Abidjan Cidex 03

mailing address: 2010 Abidjan Place, Washington DC  20521-2010

telephone: [225] 27-22-49-40-00

FAX: [225] 27-22-49-43-23

email address and website:
AbjAmCit@state.gov

https://ci.usembassy.gov/
Flag description: three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; orange symbolizes the land (savannah) of the north and fertility, white stands for peace and unity, green represents the forests of the south and the hope for a bright future

note: similar to the flag of Ireland, which is longer and has the colors reversed - green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of Italy, which is green (hoist side), white, and red; design was based on the flag of France
National symbol(s): elephant; national colors: orange, white, green
National anthem: name: "L'Abidjanaise" (Song of Abidjan)

lyrics/music: Mathieu EKRA, Joachim BONY, and Pierre Marie COTY/Pierre Marie COTY and Pierre Michel PANGO

note: adopted 1960; although the nation's capital city moved from Abidjan to Yamoussoukro in 1983, the anthem still owes its name to the former capital
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)

Topic: Economy
Economic overview: For the last 5 years Cote d'Ivoire's growth rate has been among the highest in the world. Cote d'Ivoire is heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly two-thirds of the population. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to climatic conditions. Cocoa, oil, and coffee are the country's top export revenue earners, but the country has targeted agricultural processing of cocoa, cashews, mangoes, and other commodities as a high priority. Mining gold and exporting electricity are growing industries outside agriculture.   Following the end of more than a decade of civil conflict in 2011, Cote d’Ivoire has experienced a boom in foreign investment and economic growth. In June 2012, the IMF and the World Bank announced $4.4 billion in debt relief for Cote d'Ivoire under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.For the last 5 years Cote d'Ivoire's growth rate has been among the highest in the world. Cote d'Ivoire is heavily dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly two-thirds of the population. Cote d'Ivoire is the world's largest producer and exporter of cocoa beans and a significant producer and exporter of coffee and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to climatic conditions. Cocoa, oil, and coffee are the country's top export revenue earners, but the country has targeted agricultural processing of cocoa, cashews, mangoes, and other commodities as a high priority. Mining gold and exporting electricity are growing industries outside agriculture. Following the end of more than a decade of civil conflict in 2011, Cote d’Ivoire has experienced a boom in foreign investment and economic growth. In June 2012, the IMF and the World Bank announced $4.4 billion in debt relief for Cote d'Ivoire under the Highly Indebted Poor Countries Initiative.
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $136.48 billion (2020 est.)

$134.05 billion (2019 est.)

$126.19 billion (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real GDP growth rate: 7.8% (2017 est.)

8.3% (2016 est.)

8.8% (2015 est.)
Real GDP per capita: $5,200 (2020 est.)

$5,200 (2019 est.)

$5,000 (2018 est.)

note: data are in 2017 dollars
GDP (official exchange rate): $42.498 billion (2018 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices): -1.1% (2019 est.)

0.3% (2018 est.)

0.6% (2017 est.)
Credit ratings: Fitch rating: B+ (2015)

Moody's rating: Ba3 (2015)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 20.1% (2017 est.)

industry: 26.6% (2017 est.)

services: 53.3% (2017 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 61.7% (2017 est.)

government consumption: 14.9% (2017 est.)

investment in fixed capital: 22.4% (2017 est.)

investment in inventories: 0.3% (2017 est.)

exports of goods and services: 30.8% (2017 est.)

imports of goods and services: -30.1% (2017 est.)
Agricultural products: yams, cassava, cocoa, oil palm fruit, sugar cane, rice, plantains, maize, cashew nuts, rubber
Industries: foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, gold mining, truck and bus assembly, textiles, fertilizer, building materials, electricity
Industrial production growth rate: 4.2% (2017 est.)
Labor force: 8.747 million (2017 est.)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 68% (2007 est.)
Unemployment rate: 9.4% (2013 est.)
Unemployment, youth ages 15-24: total: 5.5%

male: 4.7%

female: 6.5% (2017 est.)
Population below poverty line: 39.5% (2018 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 41.5 (2015 est.)

36.7 (1995)
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.2%

highest 10%: 31.8% (2008)
Budget: revenues: 7.749 billion (2017 est.)

expenditures: 9.464 billion (2017 est.)
Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-): -4.2% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Public debt: 47% of GDP (2017 est.)

47% of GDP (2016 est.)
Taxes and other revenues: 19.1% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Fiscal year: calendar year
Current account balance: -$1.86 billion (2017 est.)

-$414 million (2016 est.)
Exports: $13.79 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$13.08 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Exports - partners: Netherlands 10%, United States 6%, France 6%, Spain 5%, Malaysia 5%, Switzerland 5%, Germany 5%, Vietnam 5% (2019)
Exports - commodities: cocoa beans, gold, rubber, refined petroleum, crude petroleum (2019)
Imports: $12.88 billion (2019 est.) note: data are in current year dollars

$13.18 billion (2018 est.) note: data are in current year dollars
Imports - partners: China 18%, Nigeria 13%, France 11% (2019)
Imports - commodities: crude petroleum, rice, frozen fish, refined petroleum, packaged medicines (2019)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $6.257 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$4.935 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Debt - external: $13.07 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

$11.02 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Exchange rates: Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

594.3 (2017 est.)

593.01 (2016 est.)

593.01 (2015 est.)

591.45 (2014 est.)

494.42 (2013 est.)

Topic: Energy
Electricity access: electrification - total population: 76% (2019)

electrification - urban areas: 99% (2019)

electrification - rural areas: 51% (2019)
Electricity - production: 9.73 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - consumption: 6.245 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - exports: 872 million kWh (2015 est.)
Electricity - imports: 19 million kWh (2016 est.)
Electricity - installed generating capacity: 1.914 million kW (2016 est.)
Electricity - from fossil fuels: 60% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Electricity - from nuclear fuels: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from hydroelectric plants: 40% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Electricity - from other renewable sources: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Crude oil - production: 52,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Crude oil - exports: 26,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - imports: 62,350 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil - proved reserves: 100 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Refined petroleum products - production: 69,360 bbl/day (2017 est.)
Refined petroleum products - consumption: 51,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Refined petroleum products - exports: 31,450 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Refined petroleum products - imports: 7,405 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Natural gas - production: 2.322 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - consumption: 2.322 billion cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - exports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - imports: 0 cu m (2017 est.)
Natural gas - proved reserves: 28.32 billion cu m (1 January 2018 est.)

Topic: Communications
Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 264,073 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2020 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 40,095,246 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 152 (2020 est.)
Telecommunication systems: general assessment: in recent years the government of Ivory Coast has helped develop a competitive telecom sector focused on the provision of converged services, thus allowing operators to offer fixed-line and mobile services under a universal services license regime; there are two fixed network operators, the market is dominated by Orange Group’s local unit, Orange Côte d’Ivoire; the mobile market is more competitive, with Orange Côte d’Ivoire operating alongside MTN Côte d’Ivoire and Moov; over the years a number of alternative operators have either folded, had their licenses evoked, or failed to launch services; the fixed internet and broadband sectors remain underdeveloped; this is a legacy of poor international connectivity, which resulted in high wholesale prices, limited bandwidth, and a lack of access for alternative operators to international infrastructure; these limitations were addressed following the landing of a second cable in November 2011, and the end to the access monopoly held by Orange Côte d’Ivoire; Orange Group has also launched its 20,000km Djoliba cable system, reaching across eight countries in the region, while the 2Africa submarine cable is being developed by a consortium of companies; with a landing station providing connectivity to Côte d'Ivoire, the system is expected to be completed in late 2023.  (2022)

domestic: 1 per 100 fixed-line teledensity; with multiple mobile-cellular service providers competing in the market, mobile subscriptions have increased to 152 per 100 persons (2020)

international: country code - 225; landing point for the SAT-3/WASC, ACE, MainOne, and WACS fiber-optic submarine cable that provides connectivity to Europe and South and West Africa; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2019)

note: the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have a significant impact on production and supply chains globally; since 2020, some aspects of the telecom sector have experienced downturn, particularly in mobile device production; many network operators delayed upgrades to infrastructure; progress towards 5G implementation was postponed or slowed in some countries; consumer spending on telecom services and devices was affected by large-scale job losses and the consequent restriction on disposable incomes; the crucial nature of telecom services as a tool for work and school from home became evident, and received some support from governments
Broadcast media: state-controlled Radiodiffusion Television Ivoirieinne (RTI) is made up of 2 radios stations (Radio Cote d'Ivoire and Frequence2) and 2 television stations (RTI1 and RTI2), with nationwide coverage, broadcasts mainly in French; after 2011 post-electoral crisis, President OUATTARA's administration reopened RTI Bouake', the broadcaster's office in Cote d'Ivoire's 2nd largest city, where facilities were destroyed during the 2002 rebellion; Cote d'Ivoire is also home to 178 proximity radios stations, 16 religious radios stations, 5 commercial radios stations, and 5 international radios stations, according to the Haute Autorite' de la Communication Audiovisuelle (HACA); govt now runs radio UNOCIFM, a radio station previously owned by the UN Operation in Cote d'Ivoire; in Dec 2016, the govt announced 4 companies had been granted licenses to operate -Live TV, Optimum Media Cote d'Ivoire, the Audiovisual Company of Cote d'Ivoire (Sedaci), and Sorano-CI, out of the 4 companies only one has started operating (2019)
Internet country code: .ci
Internet users: total: 9,496,179 (2020 est.)

percent of population: 36% (2020 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 260,097 (2020 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 0.99 (2020 est.) less than 1

Topic: Transportation
National air transport system: number of registered air carriers: 1 (2020)

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 10

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers: 779,482 (2018)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers: 5.8 million (2018) mt-km
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: TU
Airports: total: 27 (2021)
Airports - with paved runways: total: 7

over 3,047 m: 1

2,438 to 3,047 m: 2

1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (2021)
Airports - with unpaved runways: total: 20

1,524 to 2,437 m: 6

914 to 1,523 m: 11

under 914 m: 3 (2021)
Heliports: 1 (2021)
Pipelines: 101 km condensate, 256 km gas, 118 km oil, 5 km oil/gas/water, 7 km water (2013)
Railways: total: 660 km (2008)

narrow gauge: 660 km (2008) 1.000-m gauge

note: an additional 622 km of this railroad extends into Burkina Faso
Roadways: total: 81,996 km (2007)

paved: 6,502 km (2007)

unpaved: 75,494 km (2007)

note: includes intercity and urban roads; another 20,000 km of dirt roads are in poor condition and 150,000 km of dirt roads are impassable
Waterways: 980 km (2011) (navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons)
Merchant marine: total: 25

by type: oil tanker 2, other 23 (2021)
Ports and terminals: major seaport(s): Abidjan, San-Pedro

oil terminal(s): Espoir Offshore Terminal

Topic: Military and Security
Military and security forces: Armed Forces of Cote d'Ivoire (Forces Armees de Cote d'Ivoire, FACI; aka Republican Forces of Ivory Coast, FRCI): Army (Armee de Terre), Navy (Marine Nationale), Cote Air Force (Force Aerienne Cote), Special Forces (Forces Speciale); National Gendarmerie (under the Ministry of Defense); Ministry of Security and Civil Protection: National Police; Coordination Center for Operational Decisions (a mix of police, gendarmerie, and FACI personnel for assisting police in providing security in some large cities) (2022)
Military expenditures: 1.1% of GDP (2021 est.)

1.1% of GDP (2020 est.)

1.1% of GDP (2019 est.) (approximately $710 million)

1.2% of GDP (2018 est.) (approximately $780 million)

1.1% of GDP (2017 est.) (approximately $720 million)
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 25,000 active troops (23,000 Army, including about 2,000 Special Forces; 1,000 Navy; 1,000 Air Force); est. 5-10,000 Gendarmerie (2022)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the inventory of the FACI consists mostly of older or second-hand equipment, typically of French or Soviet-era origin; Cote d'Ivoire was under a partial UN arms embargo from 2004 to 2016; since 2016, it has received limited amounts of mostly second-hand equipment from a variety of countries (2022)
Military service age and obligation: 18-25 years of age for compulsory and voluntary male and female military service; conscription is not enforced; voluntary recruitment of former rebels into the new national army is restricted to ages 22-29 (2022)
Military deployments: 860 Mali (MINUSMA) (2022)
Military - note: the military has mutinied several times since the late 1990s, most recently in 2017, and has had a large role in the country’s political turmoil; as of 2022, the FACI was focused on internal security and the growing threat posed by Islamic militants associated with the al-Qa’ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) terrorist group operating across the border in Burkina Faso; AQIM militants conducted significant attacks in the country in 2016 and 2020; Côte d’Ivoire since 2016 has stepped up border security and completed building a joint counter-terrorism training center with France near Abidjan in 2020

the UN maintained a 9,000-strong peacekeeping force in Cote d’Ivoire (UNOCI) from 2004 until 2017 (2022)
Maritime threats: the International Maritime Bureau reports the territorial and offshore waters in the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea remain a very high risk for piracy and armed robbery of ships; in 2021, there were 34 reported incidents of piracy and armed robbery at sea in the Gulf of Guinea region; although a significant decrease from the total number of 81 incidents in 2020, it included the one hijacking and three of five ships fired upon worldwide; while boarding and attempted boarding to steal valuables from ships and crews are the most common types of incidents, almost a third of all incidents involve a hijacking and/or kidnapping; in 2021, 57 crew members were kidnapped in seven separate incidents in the Gulf of Guinea, representing 100% of kidnappings worldwide; Nigerian pirates in particular are well armed and very aggressive, operating as far as 200 nm offshore; the Maritime Administration of the US Department of Transportation has issued a Maritime Advisory (2022-001 - Gulf of Guinea-Piracy/Armed Robbery/Kidnapping for Ransom) effective 4 January 2022, which states in part, "Piracy, armed robbery, and kidnapping for ransom continue to serve as significant threats to US-flagged vessels transiting or operating in the Gulf of Guinea"

Topic: Terrorism
Terrorist group(s): al-Qa'ida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM); Jama’at Nusrat al Islam wal Muslimeen (JNIM)

note: 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 Appendix-T

Topic: Transnational Issues
Disputes - international: disputed maritime border between Cote d'Ivoire and Ghanadisputed maritime border between Cote d'Ivoire and Ghana
Refugees and internally displaced persons: IDPs: 302,000 (post-election conflict in 2010-11, as well as civil war from 2002-04; land disputes; most pronounced in western and southwestern regions) (2021)

stateless persons: 952,969 (mid-year 2021); note - many Ivoirians lack documentation proving their nationality, which prevent them from accessing education and healthcare; birth on Ivorian soil does not automatically result in citizenship; disputes over citizenship and the associated rights of the large population descended from migrants from neighboring countries is an ongoing source of tension and contributed to the country's 2002 civil war; some observers believe the government's mass naturalizations of thousands of people over the last couple of years is intended to boost its electoral support base; the government in October 2013 acceded to international conventions on statelessness and in August 2013 reformed its nationality law, key steps to clarify the nationality of thousands of residents; since the adoption of the Abidjan Declaration to eradicate statelessness in West Africa in February 2015, 6,400 people have received nationality papers; in September 2020, Cote d'Ivoire adopted Africa's first statelessness determination procedure to regularize the status of stateless people
Illicit drugs: illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; utility as a narcotic transshipment point to Europe reduced by ongoing political instability; while rampant corruption and inadequate supervision leave the banking system vulnerable to money laundering, the lack of a developed financial system limits the country's utility as a major money-laundering center


US State Dept Travel Advisory: The US Department of State currently recommends US citizens exercise increased caution in Tajikistan due to terrorism. Consult its website via the link below for updates to travel advisories and statements on safety, security, local laws and special circumstances in this country.

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/traveladvisories.html
Passport/Visa Requirements: US citizens should make sure their passport will not expire for at least 6 months after they enter the country even if they do not intend to stay that long. They should also make sure they have at least 1 blank page in their passport for each entry stamp/visa that will be required. A visa is required. US citizens will need to get in touch with the country’s embassy or nearest consulate to obtain a visa prior to visiting the country.

If travel originates from a country without an Embassy of Tajikistan, it is possible for a traveler to purchase a visa upon arrival at the airport; however, the traveler will need to first apply for a visa online with the Tajikistani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), receive a pre-approval confirmation, and a Letter of Invitation from the US Embassy Dushanbe prior to arrival.
US Embassy/Consulate: 992-37-229-2000, 992-37-229-2300, (consular direct line); EMER: 992-98-580-1032; US Embassy Dushanbe, 109A, Ismoili Somoni Avenue, Dushanbe, Tajikistan 734019; DushanbeConsular@state.gov;

https://tj.usembassy.gov/
Telephone Code: 992
Local Emergency Phone: 3
Vaccinations: See WHO recommendations. On 21 March 2022, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a Travel Alert for polio in Asia; Tajikistan is currently considered a high risk to travelers for polio; the CDC recommends that before any international travel, anyone unvaccinated, incompletely vaccinated, or with an unknown polio vaccination status should complete the routine polio vaccine series; before travel to any high-risk destination, CDC recommends that adults who previously completed the full, routine polio vaccine series receive a single, lifetime booster dose of polio vaccine.

http://www.who.int/
Climate: Mid-latitude continental, hot summers, mild winters; semiarid to polar in Pamir Mountains
Currency (Code): Tajikistani somoni (TJS)
Electricity/Voltage/Plug Type(s): 220 V / 50 Hz / plug types(s): C, F

Major Languages: Tajik, Uzbek, Kyrgyz, Russian
Major Religions: Muslim 98% (Sunni 95%, Shia 3%), other 2%
Time Difference: UTC+5 (10 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
Potable Water: Opt for bottled water
International Driving Permit: Suggested
Road Driving Side: Right
Tourist Destinations: Dushanbe; Pamir Highway; Jisev Valley Hiking; Iskanderkul Lake; Murghab; Bulunkul & Yashilkul Lakes Trekking
Major Sports: Baseball, soccer, basketball, golf, softball
Cultural Practices: Best not to use your left hand for exchanges of money, gifts, shaking hands, or passing food. The use of ones left hand is considered unclean.
Tipping Guidelines: It is standard to tip a bellhop $1 (USD) per bag; although not expected, tipping the hotel cleaning staff is appropriate. Taxi drivers do not expect tips.
Souvenirs: Arabic words worked into jewelry, musical instruments, utensils, and small sculptures; carved furniture; hand-woven carpets; brocade fabric items; gold-embroidered rumol belts, toki kallapush scullcaps, and other items; dried apricots; Soviet-era memorabilia
Traditional Cuisine: Qurutob — dried balls of cheese are soaked in water and the resulting salty liquid is used as the base of the dish; strips of flatbread are placed on top and the mixture is usually topped with a variety of vegetables, meat, or garnished with chili peppers Please visit the following links to find further information about your desired destination.

World Health Organization (WHO) - To learn what vaccines and health precautions to take while visiting your destination.

US State Dept Travel Information - Overall information about foreign travel for US citizens.

To obtain an international driving permit (IDP). Only two organizations in the US issue IDPs:
American Automobile Association (AAA) and American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA)

How to get help in an emergency?
Contact the nearest US embassy or consulate, or call one of these numbers:
from the US or Canada - 1-888-407-4747 or from Overseas - +1 202-501-4444

Page last updated: Monday, June 20, 2022


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Topic: British Virgin Islands1 April - 31 March

Topic: Brunei1 April - 31 March

Topic: Bulgariacalendar year

Topic: Burkina Fasocalendar year

Topic: Burma1 April - 31 March

Topic: Burundicalendar year

Topic: Cabo Verdecalendar year

Topic: Cambodiacalendar year

Topic: Cameroon1 July - 30 June

Topic: Canada1 April - 31 March

Topic: Cayman Islands1 April - 31 March

Topic: Central African Republiccalendar year

Topic: Chadcalendar year

Topic: Chilecalendar year

Topic: Chinacalendar year

Topic: Christmas Island1 July - 30 June

Topic: Cocos (Keeling) Islands1 July - 30 June

Topic: Colombiacalendar year

Topic: Comoroscalendar year

Topic: Congo, Democratic Republic of thecalendar year

Topic: Congo, Republic of thecalendar year

Topic: Cook Islands1 April - 31 March

Topic: Costa Ricacalendar year

Topic: Cote d'Ivoirecalendar year

Topic: Croatiacalendar year

Topic: Cubacalendar year

Topic: Cypruscalendar year

Topic: Czechiacalendar year

Topic: Denmarkcalendar year

Topic: Djibouticalendar year

Topic: Dominica1 July - 30 June

Topic: Dominican Republiccalendar year

Topic: Ecuadorcalendar year

Topic: Egypt1 July - 30 June

Topic: El Salvadorcalendar year

Topic: Equatorial Guineacalendar year

Topic: Eritreacalendar year

Topic: Estoniacalendar year

Topic: Eswatini1 April - 31 March

Topic: Ethiopia8 July - 7 July

Topic: European UnionNA

Topic: Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)1 April - 31 March

Topic: Faroe Islandscalendar year

Topic: Fijicalendar year

Topic: Finlandcalendar year

Topic: Francecalendar year

Topic: French Polynesiacalendar year

Topic: Gaboncalendar year

Topic: Gambia, Thecalendar year

Topic: Gaza Stripcalendar year

Topic: Georgiacalendar year

Topic: Germanycalendar year

Topic: Ghanacalendar year

Topic: Gibraltar1 July - 30 June

Topic: Greececalendar year

Topic: Greenlandcalendar year

Topic: Grenadacalendar year

Topic: Guam1 October - 30 September

Topic: Guatemalacalendar year

Topic: Guernseycalendar year

Topic: Guineacalendar year

Topic: Guinea-Bissaucalendar year

Topic: Guyanacalendar year

Topic: Haiti1 October - 30 September

Topic: Holy See (Vatican City)calendar year

Topic: Hondurascalendar year

Topic: Hong Kong1 April - 31 March

Topic: Hungarycalendar year

Topic: Icelandcalendar year

Topic: India1 April - 31 March

Topic: Indonesiacalendar year

Topic: Iran21 March - 20 March

Topic: Iraqcalendar year

Topic: Irelandcalendar year

Topic: Isle of Man1 April - 31 March

Topic: Israelcalendar year

Topic: Italycalendar year

Topic: Jamaica1 April - 31 March

Topic: Japan1 April - 31 March

Topic: Jersey1 April - 31 March

Topic: Jordancalendar year

Topic: Kazakhstancalendar year

Topic: Kenya1 July - 30 June

Topic: KiribatiNA

Topic: Korea, Northcalendar year

Topic: Korea, Southcalendar year

Topic: Kuwait1 April - 31 March

Topic: Kyrgyzstancalendar year

Topic: Laos1 October - 30 September

Topic: Latviacalendar year

Topic: Lebanoncalendar year

Topic: Lesotho1 April - 31 March

Topic: Liberiacalendar year

Topic: Libyacalendar year

Topic: Liechtensteincalendar year

Topic: Lithuaniacalendar year

Topic: Luxembourgcalendar year

Topic: Macaucalendar year

Topic: Madagascarcalendar year

Topic: Malawi1 July - 30 June

Topic: Malaysiacalendar year

Topic: Maldivescalendar year

Topic: Malicalendar year

Topic: Maltacalendar year

Topic: Marshall Islands1 October - 30 September

Topic: Mauritaniacalendar year

Topic: Mauritius1 July - 30 June

Topic: Mexicocalendar year

Topic: Micronesia, Federated States of1 October - 30 September

Topic: Moldovacalendar year

Topic: Monacocalendar year

Topic: Mongoliacalendar year

Topic: Montenegrocalendar year

Topic: Montserrat1 April - 31 March

Topic: Moroccocalendar year

Topic: Mozambiquecalendar year

Topic: Namibia1 April - 31 March

Topic: Nauru1 July - 30 June

Topic: Nepal16 July - 15 July

Topic: Netherlandscalendar year

Topic: New Caledoniacalendar year

Topic: New Zealand1 April - 31 March

note: this is the fiscal year for tax purposes

Topic: Nicaraguacalendar year

Topic: Nigercalendar year

Topic: Nigeriacalendar year

Topic: Niue1 April - 31 March

Topic: Norfolk Island1 July - 30 June

Topic: North Macedoniacalendar year

Topic: Northern Mariana Islands1 October - 30 September

Topic: Norwaycalendar year

Topic: Omancalendar year

Topic: Pakistan1 July - 30 June

Topic: Palau1 October - 30 September

Topic: Panamacalendar year

Topic: Papua New Guineacalendar year

Topic: Paraguaycalendar year

Topic: Perucalendar year

Topic: Philippinescalendar year

Topic: Pitcairn Islands1 April - 31 March

Topic: Polandcalendar year

Topic: Portugalcalendar year

Topic: Puerto Rico1 July - 30 June

Topic: Qatar1 April - 31 March

Topic: Romaniacalendar year

Topic: Russiacalendar year

Topic: Rwandacalendar year

Topic: Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha1 April - 31 March

Topic: Saint Kitts and Neviscalendar year

Topic: Saint Lucia1 April - 31 March

Topic: Saint Pierre and Miqueloncalendar year

Topic: Saint Vincent and the Grenadinescalendar year

Topic: SamoaJune 1 - May 31

Topic: San Marinocalendar year

Topic: Sao Tome and Principecalendar year

Topic: Saudi Arabiacalendar year

Topic: Senegalcalendar year

Topic: Seychellescalendar year

Topic: Sierra Leonecalendar year

Topic: Singapore1 April - 31 March

Topic: Slovakiacalendar year

Topic: Sloveniacalendar year

Topic: Solomon Islandscalendar year

Topic: SomaliaNA

Topic: South Africa1 April - 31 March

Topic: Spaincalendar year

Topic: Sri Lankacalendar year

Topic: Sudancalendar year

Topic: Surinamecalendar year

Topic: Swedencalendar year

Topic: Switzerlandcalendar year

Topic: Syriacalendar year

Topic: Taiwancalendar year

Topic: Tajikistancalendar year

Topic: Tanzania1 July - 30 June

Topic: Thailand1 October - 30 September

Topic: Timor-Lestecalendar year

Topic: Togocalendar year

Topic: Tokelau1 April - 31 March

Topic: Tonga1 July - 30 June

Topic: Trinidad and Tobago1 October - 30 September

Topic: Tunisiacalendar year

Topic: Turkeycalendar year

Topic: Turkmenistancalendar year

Topic: Turks and Caicos Islandscalendar year

Topic: Tuvalucalendar year

Topic: Uganda1 July - 30 June

Topic: Ukrainecalendar year

Topic: United Arab Emiratescalendar year

Topic: United Kingdom6 April - 5 April

Topic: United States1 October - 30 September

Topic: Uruguaycalendar year

Topic: Uzbekistancalendar year

Topic: Vanuatucalendar year

Topic: Venezuelacalendar year

Topic: Vietnamcalendar year

Topic: Virgin Islands1 October - 30 September

Topic: Wallis and Futunacalendar year

Topic: West Bankcalendar year

Topic: Yemencalendar year

Topic: Zambiacalendar year

Topic: Zimbabwecalendar year