Discover Fascinating Togo Facts
Dive into the history, culture, and unique insights about Togo.
Togo
Background
๐๏ธ Togo has a vibrant history! From the 11th to the 16th centuries, many ethnic groups set their roots in the Togo region. ๐ Notably, after World War I, control over Togo shifted from Germany to France. This marked a significant change, leading to the formation of French Togoland. Togo officially gained its independence in 1960, stepping into a new era as a free nation! ๐
Independence Year
1960
Colonial Transition Year
1919
Exports - commodities
Togo is a country that exports a variety of key commodities! ๐โจ Here are some of the main items that Togo exports:
- Gold: A shining treasure that glistens in every market! ๐ฐ
- Refined Petroleum: Fueling both local and international transport! โฝ
- Phosphates: Essential for fertilizers and important for agriculture! ๐ฑ
- Soybeans: A critical plant source that supports food industries! ๐พ
- Plastic Products: From bottles to containers, these are everywhere! ๐๏ธ
These exports showcase Togo's role in global trade, providing essential goods to different parts of the world! ๐ฆ
Exports - partners
๐ Togo has some interesting trade partners! In 2022, the country exported a variety of goods to several nations. Hereโs a fun breakdown of Togo's top export partners:
- ๐ฆ๐ช United Arab Emirates: 26% of exports
- ๐ฎ๐ณ India: 11% of exports
- ๐จ๐ฎ Cote d'Ivoire: 11% of exports
- ๐ฟ๐ฆ South Africa: 6% of exports
- ๐ง๐ซ Burkina Faso: 6% of exports
These percentages add up to a total of 100%! ๐ It's exciting to see how Togo connects with these countries through trade!
Total Percentage of Top Export Partners
100%
Togo's Export Partners in 2022
Capital
๐๏ธ The capital of Togo is Lomรฉ! Located along the coast, it's not just the political heart of the country, but also a bustling hub of culture, trade, and beautiful beaches! โ๏ธ๐๏ธ
Imports - commodities
Togo's imports are a mix of various commodities that help fuel its economy and meet the needs of its people. ๐ Here's a snapshot of what Togo brought into the country:
- Refined Petroleum: a crucial energy source for the nation!
- Crude Petroleum: the raw material that fuels many industries.
- Motorcycles and Cycles: a popular mode of transportation.
- Garments: helping to keep Togolese stylish! ๐๐
- Rice: a staple food that is essential for many households. ๐
These imports represent a diverse market and are vital for everyday life in Togo. ๐
Key Imports in Togo
Refined Petroleum, Crude Petroleum, Motorcycles and Cycles, Garments, Rice
Climate
Togo has a vibrant ๐ tropical climate! In the southern part of the country, it is hot and humid, creating a warm and lush environment. Meanwhile, as you move north, you will find a semiarid climate, which means it's generally drier and gets less rain. ๐๐ง๏ธ This contrast in climate offers diverse ecosystems and beautiful landscapes throughout Togo!
Executive branch
In Togo, the Executive Branch has two key figures who lead the nation and shape its future! ๐
- Chief of State: The President of Togo is Faure GNASSINGBE. He has been in office since May 4, 2005. Thatโs over 18 years of leadership! ๐น๐ฌ
- Head of Government: The Prime Minister is Victoire TOMEGAH Dogbรฉ, who took on this important role on September 25, 2020. She is at the helm of governmental affairs, steering the country's policies and initiatives! ๐
Together, they play a crucial role in guiding Togo's destiny! ๐
Years of President Faure GNASSINGBE in Office
18 years
Years since Prime Minister Victoire TOMEGAH Dogbé took office
3 years
Legislative branch
๐น๐ฌ Togo's Legislative Branch ๐น๐ฌ
Togo has a unicameral National Assembly with a total of 113 seats! This means that all the members of the legislature work together in one big room to make important decisions for the country. ๐๏ธ Letโs learn more about how this structure helps shape Togo's laws and governance!
Total seats in the National Assembly
113
Natural resources
๐๏ธ Natural Resources of Togo ๐๏ธ
Togo is enriched with various natural resources that play a crucial role in its economy and development. Here are some of the key resources found in this beautiful West African nation:
- Phosphates - Essential for fertilizers, aiding in boosting agricultural productivity. ๐ฑ
- Limestone - Important for construction and manufacturing processes. ๐๏ธ
- Marble - A beautiful stone used in building and decoration. ๐๏ธ
- Arable Land - Fertile land that is perfect for farming and agriculture. ๐พ
These resources are vital for Togo's industries and support the livelihoods of many people in the country!
Key Natural Resources
phosphates, limestone, marble, arable land
Economic overview
Togo's Economy ๐<br> Togo is a low-income country in West Africa. Its economy is mainly based on agriculture, which means lots of farming activities! ๐พ Togo also has a special deep-water port, making it a growing spot for international shipping. ๐ข With improvements in privatization and public budgeting transparency, Togo is looking to be more efficient in its economic activities. The country also has a significant phosphate mining industry, which plays an essential role in its economy. However, it's important to remember that there is an extremely high level of rural poverty affecting many people in Togo. ๐
Economic classification
Low-income
Economic base
Agrarian
Key industry
Phosphate mining
Rural poverty level
Extremely high
Government type
๐ณ๏ธ Togo is a presidential republic! This means that the President of Togo is both the head of state and the head of government. In a presidential republic, the president has significant powers and responsibilities, and they are elected by the people. Isn't that interesting? ๐น๐ฌ
Ethnic groups
Togo is a vibrant mix of cultures, and its ethnic groups are an essential part of its identity! ๐โจ Hereโs how the ethnic landscape looks according to the latest estimates:
- Adja-Ewe/Mina: 42.4% - The largest group, known for their rich history and traditions.
- Kabye/Tem: 25.9% - Famous for their crafts and storytelling.
- Para-Gourma/Akan: 17.1% - They bring lively music and dance to Togo's culture.
- Akposso/Akebu: 4.1% - A smaller group but with unique customs.
- Ana-Ife: 3.2% - They add to the diversity of Togo.
- Other Togolese: 1.7% - All the diverse backgrounds that make Togo great!
- Foreigners: 5.2% - People from around the world who call Togo home.
- No response: 0.4% - Just a few people who chose not to answer!
Letโs celebrate these different backgrounds and the role they play in the beautiful tapestry of Togo! ๐
Total percentage of the largest ethnic group
42.4%
Total percentage of foreigners
5.2%
Percentage of no response
0.4%
Ethnic Composition of Togo
Religions
In Togo, the religious landscape is quite diverse! ๐ Let's take a look at the different beliefs that shape the lives of its people:
- Christianity: 42.3% โ The largest group of believers in Togo!
- Folk Religion: 36.9% โ A significant portion of the population holds traditional beliefs.
- Islam: 14% โ A notable community of Muslims enriches the cultural tapestry.
- Hindu: <1% โ A small presence but an important aspect of global diversity.
- Buddhist: <1% โ Representing peace and mindfulness.
- Jewish: <1% โ An ancient faith, though very few in number.
- Other: <1% โ This includes various religions not specified elsewhere.
- None: 6.2% โ Some people identify as having no religious affiliation. ๐
Overall, the rich tapestry of beliefs in Togo reflects the country's history and cultural exchanges!
Percentage of Christians in Togo
42.3%
Percentage of Folk Religion followers
36.9%
Percentage of Muslims in Togo
14%
Percentage of Non-religious people
6.2%
Religious Distribution in Togo (2020)
Languages
๐น๐ฌ Togo is a beautiful country with a rich tapestry of languages! The official language is French, which is also widely used in business. ๐ฆ In the southern regions, you can find people speaking Ewe and Mina, while in the northern areas, Kabye and Dagomba are more common. ๐ This diversity makes Togo a culturally vibrant place!
Official Language
French
Languages in the South
Ewe, Mina
Languages in the North
Kabye, Dagomba
Imports - partners
๐ Togo has a diverse range of import partners contributing to its economy! Here's a quick breakdown of where Togo sources its imports from based on 2022 data:
- India: 30% ๐ฅ
- China: 16% ๐ฅ
- South Korea: 13% ๐ฅ
- Nigeria: 4% ๐ณ๐ฌ
- Taiwan: 4% ๐น๐ผ
This shows that a significant portion of Togo's imports come from India, leading the way with 30%. Let's take a closer look at how these partners stack up against one another! ๐
Total Percentage of Imports Listed
67%
Togo's Import Partners (2022)
Population
๐ Togo is home to a total population of 8,917,994 people! This number reflects the vibrant communities and diverse cultures that come together in this beautiful West African nation. ๐ Understanding Togo's population helps us appreciate its growth and development over time.
Total Population
8,917,994
Area
๐ Togo is a small but mighty country with a total area of 56,785 sq km! Out of this, most of the land is dry, covering 54,385 sq km. You can also find some lovely water bodies that take up 2,400 sq km. That's a neat little mix of land and water!
Here's a quick breakdown of Togo's area:
- Total Area: 56,785 sq km
- Land Area: 54,385 sq km
- Water Area: 2,400 sq km
Pretty cool, right? Let's see how these parts fit together! ๐
Total Area of Togo
56,785 sq km
Land Area
54,385 sq km
Water Area
2,400 sq km
Togo's Area Composition
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
๐ Let's take a closer look at Togo's Real GDP, which tells us a lot about how the country's economy is doing! Hereโs what we found for the last few years:
- In 2021, Togo's Real GDP was $22.881 billion.
- It rose to $24.199 billion in 2022! That's a nice jump! ๐
- And the estimate for 2023 is $25.75 billion, showing that Togo's economy is on the uptrend! ๐
This growth is exciting for Togo and indicates a positive future for its economy!
Real GDP in 2021
$22.881 billion
Real GDP in 2022
$24.199 billion
Estimated Real GDP in 2023
$25.75 billion
Real GDP Growth in Togo (PPP)
Real GDP per capita
๐ฐ Let's take a look at the Real GDP per capita for Togo! This figure tells us how much money each person would have if the country's income was shared equally among its population. Here are the estimated values for the past few years:
- 2021: $2,600
- 2022: $2,700
- 2023: $2,800
๐ As we can see, Togo's economy is showing growth! The GDP per capita has been steadily increasing by $100 each year from 2021 to 2023. This small but positive trend indicates improvement in the living standards and economic conditions in Togo! ๐๐
Increase in GDP per capita from 2021 to 2023
$200
Estimated GDP per capita in 2023
$2,800
Real GDP per Capita in Togo (2021-2023)
Imports
๐ Togo's imports are an essential part of its economy! In recent years, we can see some interesting trends:
- In 2020, Togo imported $2.389 billion worth of goods.
- In 2019, the imports were slightly lower at $2.261 billion.
- Back in 2018, they were at $2.329 billion.
Let's visualize this data with a line chart so we can see how Togo's imports have changed over these years! ๐
2020 Imports
$2.389 billion
2019 Imports
$2.261 billion
2018 Imports
$2.329 billion
Togo's Imports Over Time
Exports
๐ The exports of Togo have seen some interesting changes over the years! Let's take a look at the export values for a few recent years:
- In 2020, Togo exported a total of $1.722 billion.
- In 2019, the exports were slightly lower at $1.665 billion.
- Going back to 2018, the exports were $1.703 billion.
This data paints a picture of Togoโs trade and how it's evolving ๐.
Total Export in 2020
$1.722 billion
Total Export in 2019
$1.665 billion
Total Export in 2018
$1.703 billion
Togo's Export Values Over Time
Population growth rate
๐ Did you know that Togo's population is growing at an estimated rate of 2.41% in 2024? That means more and more people are calling this vibrant West African nation their home! ๐ This growth rate is crucial for understanding how the country is evolving and what it means for families, cities, and the economy!
Population Growth Rate (2024 est.)
2.41%