Communications
Internet users (Internet Service Providers (ISPs)) [time series]
NA
Broadcast media (Radio broadcast stations) [time series]
AM 2, FM 8, shortwave 3 (1998)
Radios [time series]
2.26 million (1997)
Telecommunication systems (Telephone system) [time series]
well-developed by African standards but operating well below capacity domestic: open-wire lines and microwave radio relay; 90% digitalized international: satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean); 2 coaxial submarine cables (June 1999)
Telephones - fixed lines (Telephones - main lines in use) [time series]
182,000 (1998)
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
more than 60,000 (December 1998)
Broadcast media (Television broadcast stations) [time series]
14 (1999)
Televisions [time series]
900,000 (1997)
Economy
Agricultural products (Agriculture - products) [time series]
coffee, cocoa beans, bananas, palm kernels, corn, rice, manioc (tapioca), sweet potatoes, sugar, cotton, rubber; timber
Budget [time series]
revenues: $2.3 billion expenditures: $2.6 billion, including capital expenditures of $640 million (1997 est.)
Exchange rates (Currency) [time series]
1 Communaute Financiere Africaine franc (CFAF) = 100 centimes
Debt - external [time series]
$16.8 billion (1998 est.)
Economic aid (Economic aid - recipient) [time series]
ODA, $1 billion (1996 est.)
Economic overview (Economy - overview) [time series]
Cote d'Ivoire is among the world's largest producers and exporters of coffee, cocoa beans, and palm oil. Consequently, the economy is highly sensitive to fluctuations in international prices for these products and to weather conditions. Despite attempts by the government to diversify the economy, it is still largely dependent on agriculture and related activities, which engage roughly 68% of the population. After several years of lagging performance, the Ivorian economy began a comeback in 1994, due to the devaluation of the CFA franc and improved prices for cocoa and coffee, growth in nontraditional primary exports such as pineapples and rubber, limited trade and banking liberalization, offshore oil and gas discoveries, and generous external financing and debt rescheduling by multilateral lenders and France. The 50% devaluation of Franc Zone currencies on 12 January 1994 caused a one-time jump in the inflation rate to 26% in 1994, but the rate fell sharply in 1996-99. Moreover, government adherence to donor-mandated reforms led to a jump in growth to 5% annually in 1996-99. Growth may slow in 2000 because of the difficulty of meeting the conditions of international donors, continued low prices of key exports, and post-coup instability.
Electricity - consumption [time series]
3.165 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - exports [time series]
0 kWh (1998)
Electricity - imports [time series]
40 million kWh (1998)
Electricity - production [time series]
3.36 billion kWh (1998)
Electricity - production by source [time series]
fossil fuel: 35.71% hydro: 64.29% nuclear: 0% other: 0% (1998)
Exchange rates [time series]
CFA francs (CFAF) per US$1 - 647.25 (January 2000), 615.70 (1999), 589.95 (1998), 583.67 (1997), 511.55 (1996), 499.15 (1995) note: since 1 January 1999, the CFAF is pegged to the euro at a rate of 655.957 CFA francs per euro
Exports [time series]
$3.9 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Exports - commodities [time series]
cocoa 37%, coffee, tropical woods, petroleum, cotton, bananas, pineapples, palm oil, cotton, fish (1998)
Exports - partners [time series]
France 17%, Netherlands 12%, US 9%, Italy 6% (1998)
Fiscal year [time series]
calendar year
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) (GDP) [time series]
purchasing power parity - $25.7 billion (1999 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin (GDP - composition by sector) [time series]
agriculture: 32% industry: 18% services: 50% (1998)
Real GDP per capita (GDP - per capita) [time series]
purchasing power parity - $1,600 (1999 est.)
Real GDP growth rate (GDP - real growth rate) [time series]
5% (1999 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 2.8% highest 10%: 28.5% (1988)
Imports [time series]
$2.6 billion (f.o.b., 1999 est.)
Imports - commodities [time series]
food, consumer goods; capital goods, fuel, transport equipment
Imports - partners [time series]
France 29%, US 5%, Italy 5%, Germany 5% (1998)
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
15% (1998 est.)
Industries [time series]
foodstuffs, beverages; wood products, oil refining, automobile assembly, textiles, fertilizer, construction materials, electricity
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
2.5% (1999 est.)
Labor force [time series]
NA
Population below poverty line [time series]
NA%
Unemployment rate [time series]
NA%
Geography
total: 322,460 sq km land: 318,000 sq km water: 4,460 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly larger than New Mexico
Climate [time series]
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)
Coastline [time series]
515 km
Elevation (Elevation extremes) [time series]
lowest point: Gulf of Guinea 0 m highest point: Mont Nimba 1,752 m
Environment - current issues [time series]
deforestation (most of the country's forests - once the largest in West Africa - have been cleared by the timber industry); water pollution from sewage and industrial and agricultural effluents
International environmental agreements (Environment - international agreements) [time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: none of the selected agreements
Geographic coordinates [time series]
8 00 N, 5 00 W
Irrigated land [time series]
680 sq km (1993 est.)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 3,110 km border countries: Burkina Faso 584 km, Ghana 668 km, Guinea 610 km, Liberia 716 km, Mali 532 km
Land use [time series]
arable land: 8% permanent crops: 4% permanent pastures: 41% forests and woodland: 22% other: 25% (1993 est.)
Location [time series]
Western Africa, bordering the North Atlantic Ocean, between Ghana and Liberia
Map references [time series]
Africa
Maritime claims [time series]
continental shelf: 200 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm territorial sea: 12 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
Natural resources [time series]
petroleum, diamonds, manganese, iron ore, cobalt, bauxite, copper, hydropower
Terrain [time series]
mostly flat to undulating plains; mountains in northwest
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
50 departments (departements, singular - departement); Abengourou, Abidjan, Aboisso, Adzope, Agboville, Agnibilekrou, Bangolo, Beoumi, Biankouma, Bondoukou, Bongouanou, Bouafle, Bouake, Bouna, Boundiali, Dabakala, Daloa, Danane, Daoukro, Dimbokro, Divo, Duekoue, Ferkessedougou, Gagnoa, Grand-Lahou, Guiglo, Issia, Katiola, Korhogo, Lakota, Man, Mankono, Mbahiakro, Odienne, Oume, Sakassou, San-Pedro, Sassandra, Seguela, Sinfra, Soubre, Tabou, Tanda, Tingrela, Tiassale, Touba, Toumodi, Vavoua, Yamoussoukro, Zuenoula note: Cote d'Ivoire may have a new administrative structure consisting of 58 departments; the following additional departments have been reported but not yet confirmed by the US Board on Geographic Names (BGN); Adiake', Ale'pe', Dabon, Grand Bassam, Jacqueville, Tiebissou, Toulepleu, Bocanda
Capital [time series]
Yamoussoukro note: although Yamoussoukro has been the capital since 1983, Abidjan remains the administrative center; the US, like other countries, maintains its Embassy in Abidjan
Constitution [time series]
3 November 1960; has been amended numerous times, last time July 1998
Country name [time series]
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
Data code [time series]
IV
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador George MU embassy: 5 Rue Jesse Owens, Abidjan mailing address: 01 B. P. 1712, Abidjan telephone: [225] 21 09 79, 21 46 72 FAX: [225] 22 32 59
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Koffi Moise KOUMOUE-KOFFI chancery: 3421 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20007 telephone: [1] (202) 797-0300
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: Gen. Robert GUEI (since 25 December 1999); note - took power following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan BEDIE; president is both chief of state and head of government head of government: Gen. Robert GUEI (since 25 December 1999); note - took power following a military coup against the government of former President Henri Konan BEDIE; president is both chief of state and head of government cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president elections: prior to the coup, president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; election last held 22 October 1995 (next was scheduled to be held by October 2000); prime minister appointed by the president election results: results of the last election prior to the coup were: Henri Konan BEDIE elected president; percent of vote - Henri Konan BEDIE 95.25%
Flag (Flag description) [time series]
three equal vertical bands of orange (hoist side), white, and green; 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
Government type [time series]
republic; multiparty presidential regime established 1960
Independence [time series]
7 August (1960) (from France)
International organization participation [time series]
ACP, AfDB, CCC, ECA, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, ISO (correspondent), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WADB, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCL, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO
Judicial branch [time series]
Supreme Court (Cour Supreme)
Legal system [time series]
based on French civil law system and customary law; judicial review in the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court; has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction
Legislative branch [time series]
unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (175 seats; members are elected by direct popular vote to serve five-year terms) elections: elections last held 27 November 1995 (next to be held NA) election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PDCI 150, RDR 13, FPI 12 note: a Senate will be created in the next election
National holiday [time series]
National Day, 7 August
Political parties (Political parties and leaders) [time series]
Democratic Party of Cote d'Ivoire or PDCI [Jean Konan BANNY, acting head]; Ivorian Popular Front or FPI [Laurent GBAGBO]; Ivorian Worker's Party or PIT [Francis WODIE]; Rally of the Republicans or RDR [Henriette DAGRI-DIABATE]; over 20 smaller parties
Suffrage [time series]
21 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
Close ties to France since independence in 1960, diversification of agriculture for export, and encouragement of foreign investment have made Cote d'Ivoire the most prosperous of the tropical African states. About 20% of the population are workers from neighboring countries. On 25 December 1999, a military coup - the first ever in Cote d'Ivoire's history - overthrew the government. The new regime has promised to return the country to democratic rule in 2000.
Military
Military and security forces (Military branches) [time series]
Army, Navy, Air Force, paramilitary Gendarmerie, Republican Guard (includes Presidential Guard), Sapeur-Pompier (Military Fire Group)
Military expenditures - dollar figure [time series]
$94 million (FY96)
Military expenditures (Military expenditures - percent of GDP) [time series]
1% (FY96)
Military manpower - availability [time series]
males age 15-49: 3,743,353 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - fit for military service [time series]
males age 15-49: 1,952,882 (2000 est.)
Military manpower - military age [time series]
18 years of age
Military manpower - reaching military age annually [time series]
males: 182,936 (2000 est.)
People
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 46.45% (male 3,726,388; female 3,696,462) 15-64 years: 51.36% (male 4,222,333; female 3,985,249) 65 years and over: 2.19% (male 175,606; female 174,912) (2000 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
40.78 births/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Death rate [time series]
16.57 deaths/1,000 population (2000 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
Baoule 23%, Bete 18%, Senoufou 15%, Malinke 11%, Agni, Africans from other countries (mostly Burkinabe and Malians, about 3 million), non-Africans 130,000 to 330,000 (French 30,000 and Lebanese 100,000 to 300,000)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
95.06 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
Languages [time series]
French (official), 60 native dialects with Dioula the most widely spoken
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 45.15 years male: 43.72 years female: 46.63 years (2000 est.)
Literacy [time series]
definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 48.5% male: 57% female: 40%
Nationality [time series]
noun: Ivorian(s) adjective: Ivorian
Net migration rate [time series]
1.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2000 est.) note: after Liberia's civil war started in 1990, more than 350,000 refugees fled to Cote d'Ivoire; by the end of 1999 all Liberian refugees were assumed to have returned; the 2000 rate reflects labor in migration
Population [time series]
15,980,950 note: estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population and growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
Population growth rate [time series]
2.58% (2000 est.)
Religions [time series]
Muslim 60%, Christian 22%, indigenous 18% (some of these are also numbered among the Christians and Muslims)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.01 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1.06 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 1 male(s)/female total population: 1.03 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
5.8 children born/woman (2000 est.)
Transnational Issues
Disputes - international [time series]
none
Illicit drugs [time series]
illicit producer of cannabis, mostly for local consumption; minor transshipment point for Southwest and Southeast Asian heroin to Europe and occasionally to the US, and for Latin American cocaine destined for Europe [Country Listing] [ The World Factbook Home]
Transportation
Airports [time series]
36 (1999 est.)
Airports - with paved runways [time series]
total: 7 over 3,047 m: 1 2,438 to 3,047 m: 2 1,524 to 2,437 m: 4 (1999 est.)
Airports - with unpaved runways [time series]
total: 29 1,524 to 2,437 m: 8 914 to 1,523 m: 12 under 914 m: 9 (1999 est.)
Roadways (Highways) [time series]
total: 50,400 km paved: 4,889 km unpaved: 45,511 km (1996 est.)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 1 ship (1,000 GRT or over) totaling 1,200 GRT/1,500 DWT ships by type: petroleum tanker 1 (1999 est.)
Ports (Ports and harbors) [time series]
Abidjan, Aboisso, Dabou, San-Pedro
Railways [time series]
total: 660 km narrow gauge: 660 km 1.000-meter gauge; 25 km double track (1995 est.)
Waterways [time series]
980 km navigable rivers, canals, and numerous coastal lagoons