The Togolese Republic is among the poorest countries in the world, with this situation being exacerbated by a period of political isolation, owing to a weak human rights record and poor political governance. Tensions spilled over into deadly violence when its strong-arm, veteran leader died in 2005 and a succession crisis followed. Political reconciliation remains elusive. The country's official language is French.

Leader: President Faure Gnassingbe
Capital city: Lome

Economic profile

Monetary unit: CFA franc (Communaute Financiere Africaine)
GDP per capita: $350,06 (2008) (IMF)
GDP composition by sector:
Agriculture: 40% (2008) (World Bank)
Industry: 25% (2008) (World Bank)
Services: 35% (2008) (World Bank)
GDP growth rate: 0,8% (2008) (IMF)
Budget:
Government revenue, excluding grants: 17,0% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Government expenditure: 20,6% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Consumer price inflation: 9,8% (2008) (IMF)
Industries: Phosphate mining, agricultural processing, cement, handicrafts, textiles, and beverages
Exports of goods and services: 42,7% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Imports of goods and services: 63,5% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Export commodities: Reexports, cotton, phosphates, coffee, and cocoa
Import commodities: Not stated
Trade balance: -20,3% of GDP (2007) (IMF)
Reserves: 3,4 months of imports (2007) (IMF)
Total investment: 18,4% of GDP (2008) (IMF)
Market capitalisation of listed companies: Figures not available

Social profile

Population: 6,01-million (2008) (World Bank)
Population growth: 2,7% (2009) (CIA)
Life expectancy at birth: 59 years (2009) (CIA)
Adult literacy: 61% (2003) (World Bank)
School enrolment primary: 100,2% (2005) (World Bank)
School enrolment secondary: 40,4% (2005) (World Bank)
School enrolment tertiary: 3,1% (2000) (World Bank)
Number of people living with HIV/Aids: 130 000 (2007) (UNAids estimate)

Election profile

Pre-election report.