Côte d'Ivoire (also known as Ivory Coast) is one of the largest producer and exporters of cocoa beans. Cocoa beans, coffee and palm oil are major products of the country. The country also has large reserves of petroleum, natural gas, iron ore, manganese, gold, bauxite, diamond, nickel and copper.

(Source: economy watch)

Gross domestic product (GDP)

The Ivory Coast’s GDP for the year 2009 was CFA 11,284.93 billion as compared to CFA 10,771.98 billion in 2009. The country’s GDP for the year 2010 is estimated at CFA 11,366.04 billion.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page: 162, IMF)

GDP Growth

GDP growth rate of Côte d’Ivoire reflects fluctuations, varying from a high of 3.5% in 2009, to a low of -1.7% in 2002.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page: 162)

GNI per capita at PPP

The GNI per capita at PPP in the year 2010 was USD 1,625 as compared to USD 1,615 in 2005.

(Source: UNDP)

Income tax rate

The tax rate on individual income in Côte d’Ivoire is 36%.

(Source: taxrates.cc)

Corporate tax

In Côte d’Ivoire, the standard corporate tax is 25% and the Value Added Tax (VAT) is 18%.

(Source: taxrates.cc)

Inflation rate

The inflation rate in the year 2009 was 1.4%, as compared to 6.3% in 2008. The IMF estimates the inflation rate in 2010 to be 1.42%.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page: 162, heritage)

Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)

The FDI inflow in 2009 amounted to USD 409 million, as compared to USD 482 million in 2008.

(Source: UNCTAD)

Banking sector assets

The net foreign assets in the year 2007 amounted to CFA 1,036.6 billion, as compared to CFA 821.8 billion in 2006. Of the total assets in 2007, the Central Bank assets were CFA 994.2 billion, and the assets of other banks were CFA 42.4 billion.

(Source: bceao.int)

Consumer price index (CPI)

The consumer price index (CPI) of the Ivory Coast was on a steady rise from 2001 to 2009.

Base 2000 = 100

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 52)

Interest rate on saving and time Deposit

The interest rate on deposits in the year 2008 was 3.5%, and has remained unchanged since 1993.

(Source: econstats)

Money supply

Money Supply (CFA million)
	2009	2008
Money Supply (M1)	1,794,000	1,999,470
Quasi Money	1,030,560	997,883
Broad Money (M2)	2,824,600	2,997,400

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164, 60)

Government expenditure

The government expenditure in 2009 was CFA 2,116,396 million, compared to CFA 2,067,200 million in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Public debt

Côte d’Ivoire's public debt in 2009 amounted to CFA 12,353 million, compared to CFA 13,264 million in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Private debt

The private debt has been steadily decreasing between 2005 and 2008. In 2009, the private debt was USD 6,454 million.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Official exchange rate

CFA per USD exchange rate in 2009 was 472.19 compared to 447.81 in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Government finances

Fiscal balance

Côte d’Ivoire has recorded a fiscal surplus in the last two years after three consecutive years of deficit. The fiscal surplus in 2009 amounted to CFA 116,003 million, compared to CFA 59,100 million in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Total revenue

The total revenue in 2009 was CFA 1,906,452 million, compared to CFA 1,943,000 million in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Tax revenue

The tax revenue amounted to CFA 1,563,141 million in 2009, compared to CFA 1,592,600 million in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Total grants

The total grants received in 2009 amounted to CFA 325,947 million, compared to CFA 183,300 million in 2008.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Current account balance

The current account balance of Côte d’Ivoire registered a surplus of CFAF 385,195 million in 2009.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Balance of payments

Balance of Payments (CFA million)
	2009	2008	2007
Trade balance	1,446,449	1,491,352	1,229,011
Services Balance	- 650,495	- 718,041	- 743,176
Net Income	- 445,108	- 400,156	- 387,928
Current transfers, net total	34,349	- 154,441	- 164,545
Current account balance	385,195	218,713	- 66,638

 

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa page 164)

Labour force

The labour force of Côte in 2008 was 8.12 million.

(Source: worldbank)

Labour force participation rate

The labour force participation rate in 2008 for males and females was recorded at 82.4% and 51.3% respectively.

(Source: UNDP)

Unemployment rate

The unemployment rate in 2008 was estimated at 15.7%. The unemployment rate for population in for 15 to 24 year olds was 24.2% for males and 19.8% for females.

(Source: estandardsforum.org)

Minimum wage

The minimum wage of Côte d’Ivoire is CFAF 36,607 per month.

(Source: SSA)

Level of unionisation

The major trade unions in the country include –

•         Confédération des syndicats libres de Côte d'Ivoire (DIGNITE)
•         Union Générale des Travailleurs de Côte d'Ivoire (UGTCI)

(Source: icftu.org)

Government stability

Côte d’Ivoire has a republican system of government. It has three branches, namely, the executive, the judiciary and the legislature. The country is headed by the president, elected for a 5-year term, who in turns appoints the Prime Minister. The Prime Minister is the head of government.

The country’s parliament, known as the National Assembly, is unicameral and is comprised of 225 members. The members are directly elected for a term of five years.

The major political parties include AIRD - Ivorian Alliance for the Republic and Democracy, FPI - Ivorian Popular Front, MFA - Movement of Forces of the Future.

In 2011, a civil war erupted after Laurent Gbagbo refused to concede defeat in the recent election. The standoff continues between the forces supporting Laurent Gbagbo and those supporting Alassane Ouattara. The dispute begna after the presidential elections in November 2010. Ouattara is recognized as the winner by France and NATO forces.

(Source: nyulawglobal.org, africanelections)

Regulatory environment

Côte d’Ivoire is ranked 122^nd in the 2011 Index of Economic Freedom, with a score of 55.4. The country’s overall score is higher than the regional average, but lower than the global average. It is ranked 23^rd out of 46 countries in the Sub-Saharan Africa region.

(Source: heritage.org)

Corruption perception

The Corruption Perceptions Index (CPI) is a survey to measure the perceived level of corruption across countries worldwide. Côte d’Ivoire is ranked 146^th on the index, indicating low level of corruption in public departments.

The CPI ranking of the country improved from 154^th in 2009 to 146^th in 2010, with a score of 2.2 and confidence range of 1.8 to 2.4.

(Source: transparency.org, transparency.org)

Freedom of information

The World Press Freedom Index of 2010 ranks Côte d’Ivoire at 118^th with a score of 36.00. The country has been described as one of the most dangerous countries in Africa for local and foreign media.

The major newspapers in Côte d’Ivoire are:

•          Fraternité Matin
•          Notre Voie
•          Le Patriote
•          Soir Info
•          Le Nouveau Reveil
•          Le Jour
•          24 Heures
•          Le Front
•          L'Inter

(Source: BBC, rsf.org)

Judicial system

The Judiciary of Côte d’Ivoire is an independent body. The judiciary system includes:

•          Supreme Court
•          High Court of Justice
•          State Security Court
•          Courts of Appeal
•          Courts of First Instance
•          Courts of Assize
•          Justice of the Peace Courts

The Justice of the Peace Courts are at the lowest level of the judicial system and adjudicates in minor civil and criminal cases. The Courts of First Instance has jurisdiction in minor criminal cases along with juvenile and civil cases. The Courts of Assize hear appeals in major criminal cases. Finally, the Courts of Appeal hear appeals from Courts of First Instance and Courts of Assize.

(Source: reunite.org)

The total population of Côte d’Ivoire in 2010 was recorded at 21.6 million, with an increase of 2.52% from 2009.

(Source: UNDP, World Bank)

In 2009, males accounted for 49.1% of total population and females accounted for the remaining 50.9%.

In 2010, the gender ratio was recorded at 101.0 male births per 100 female births.

(Source: United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, UNDP)

In 2009, individuals below 14 accounted for 41% of the population, whereas people aged 65 and above constituted 4%.

(Source: World Bank)

The median age of the population in 2010 was registered at 19.5 years. The average life expectancy at birth in Côte d’Ivoire is 58.4 years. 

(Source: UNDP,UN) 

In the period from 2005 to 2010, the infant mortality rate was registered at 86.8 (per 1000 live births).

(Source: UNDP, UN)

The crude birth rate and crude death rate in 2009 is 34%.

(Source: UNICEF)

The international migrant stock in mid-2010 was recorded at 2,406,700 individuals, or 11.2% of the country’s population.

(Source: UN)

The country has more than 60 ethnic groups, including Akan, Akye, Anyi, Aowin, Baule, Dan and Senufo. The major religions followed are Islam and Christianity.

(Source: usembassy.gov, state.gov)

The HDI provides a composite measure of three dimensions of human development: living a long and healthy life (measured by life expectancy), being educated (measured by adult literacy and gross enrolment in education). The country ranks 149^th out of 169 countries on the Human Development Index from 2010 as conducted by the United Nations.

(Source: UNDP page 138)

Education/literacy rate

The country’s adult literacy rate is estimated at 48.7 % in the year 2010. (Source: UNDP)

Education System

The education system in Côte d’Ivoire is not well developed due to the civil wars which caused closure of schools. Primary education is not compulsory. Education is free up to 13 years of age.

The pupil to teacher ratio in the country is 42:1. The net enrollment rate in primary school is 49% and in secondary school is 14%. The transition ratio of primary to secondary school is 48%. The expenditure on education in 2008 was recorded at 4.6% of the country’s GDP.

(Source: UNDP, estandardsforum.org)

Healthcare resources

Côte d’Ivoire has a population which is mainly affected by HIV/AIDS. The country’s population is also suffering from tuberculosis (651 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and malaria. The country has its Ministry of health which works with Health Systems 20/20 in order to tackle against rapid expansion of HIV/AIDS.

In recent years, there has been a shortage of human resources for health in Côte d’Ivoire. There are about 60 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people, 40 hospital beds per 100,000 and 10 physicians per 100,000 people around country. According to World Health Organization (WHO) data there are 1,165 laboratory health workers, 1,015 pharmacists, 339 dentists and 155 environmental and health care workers.

The expenditure on health in 2007 was recorded at 1% of the country’s GDP.

(Source: healthsystems2020.org, African Development Bank page 20, undp, UNICEF, estandardsforum)

The mass public transport in the country is provided by roads, railways and airways.

The roadway length in Côte d’Ivoire is 80,000 km.

(Source:bymap)

Ports

The major ports in the country include Espoir Terminal, Port Bouet Tanker Terminal, Port of Abidjan and Port of San Pedro.

(Source:world port source)

Airports

There are about 25 airports in the country. Some of the major airports are:

(Source:aircraft-charter-world)

Telecommunications networks

In 2010, the total number of internet users was 968,000.

Mobile cellular subscriptions and fixed telephone lines

(Source:internetworldstats, ITU, ITU)