Togo
Togo is a West African nation recognized for its strategic maritime position and diverse ethnic landscape. Recent estimates place the population at approximately 9.9 million people, while the GDP per capita is currently 1,270 USD.
Where is Togo?
Togo
- Continent
- Africa
- Country
- Togo
- Coordinates
- 8.00°, 1.17°
Population Details
- Population
- 9.9M
- Area
- 56,785 km²
- Density per km²
- 175 / km²
- Growth rate
- +2.24%
- Annual growth
- +222.9K people
- Daily growth
- +610.79 people
- World population share
- 0.12%
Population & Social Snapshot
Age structure, urbanization, and benchmark indicators for Togo
Age Distribution
Urbanization
Health & Education Benchmarks
Quick Facts
- Capital
- Lomé
- Region
- Africa
- Area
- 56,785 km²
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- West African CFA franc (Fr)
- Timezones
- UTC
- UN Member
- Yes
Neighboring Countries
Economy
The economy is characterized by strong expansion, with recent data showing an annual GDP growth of 6.5%. While the unemployment rate is recorded at approximately 2%, Togo's GDP per capita currently ranks 187th globally, 32nd within Africa, and 8th in Western Africa. Development is driven by the export of phosphates and agricultural products like cotton and cocoa, alongside the strategic role of the Port of Lomé as a major regional transit hub.
Society
Health and education indicators reflect ongoing regional challenges, as life expectancy at birth is currently 62.9 years, ranking 199th globally. The adult literacy rate stands at 72.6%, which places the country 133rd out of 170 nations in global literacy rankings. Digital connectivity is expanding, with 39.5% of the population identified as internet users, currently ranking 175th in the world.
Climate & Environment
Togo experiences a tropical climate with two distinct rainy seasons in the south and one in the north. Temperatures are consistently warm throughout the year, with coastal regions benefiting from maritime breezes while the northern interior experiences higher heat and drier conditions from the Sahara.
Government & Politics
- Government Type
- Parliamentary republic
- Independence
- 1960-04-27 (France (under UN trusteeship))
Togo is organized as a parliamentary republic, a political system that emphasizes a legislative-led executive structure. The national government is headed by the President, currently Faure Gnassingbé, and includes a President of the Council of Ministers who holds significant executive responsibilities. Legislative power is vested in the National Assembly, whose members are elected to represent the country's diverse regions. The political system has undergone significant constitutional evolution recently to transition toward this parliamentary model, aiming to enhance institutional stability and governance. Administratively, the country is divided into five regions, with the capital city of Lomé serving as the central hub for political and financial activity. The legal system is largely based on the French civil law tradition, complemented by customary laws that remain influential in local rural communities.
History
The history of Togo is characterized by its transition from a pre-colonial mosaic of ethnic groups to a modern independent state. Originally inhabited by various peoples such as the Adja-Ewe, Mina, and Kabye, the region became a German protectorate known as Togoland in 1884. Following the events of World War I, the territory was divided between the United Kingdom and France under League of Nations mandates. The French-administered portion, which constitutes modern Togo, eventually transitioned into a United Nations trusteeship. The country achieved full independence on 27 April 1960, with Sylvanus Olympio serving as its first president. Political stability was interrupted in 1967 by a military coup led by Gnassingbé Eyadéma, who subsequently ruled the country for 38 years. Following his death in 2005, his son, Faure Gnassingbé, assumed leadership through a contested transition and has remained in office through multiple subsequent elections. In recent decades, Togo has focused on modernizing its infrastructure and expanding its role as a regional trade gateway. The nation has also navigated various constitutional reforms intended to reshape its executive and legislative functions to meet modern governance standards while maintaining its status as a stable member of the West African community.
Notable Facts
- The Port of Lomé is the only natural deep-water port in Western Africa, capable of accommodating third-generation vessels and serving as a vital transit point for landlocked nations.
- Mont Agou is the highest point in the country, reaching an elevation of 986 m (3235 ft) near the border with Ghana.
- Togo possesses a compact geography of 56785 km² (21925 sq mi) with a narrow but strategically important coastline of 56 km (35 mi) along the Atlantic Ocean.
- The nation is ethnically diverse, with the Adja-Ewe and Mina groups representing 42.4% of the population, followed by the Kabye and Tem at 25.9%.
- Estimated 2026 population projections suggest the country will reach approximately 9.9 million people, reflecting a steady annual growth rate of 2.24%.
Geography
- Highest Point
- Mont Agou (986 m)
- Lowest Point
- Atlantic Ocean (0 m)
- Coastline
- 56 km
Major Cities
Largest Cities in TogoExplore weather and climate data for cities in Togo
Climate & Weather
View full climate guideMonthly averages for Lomé
| Month | Temp | Feels Like | Rain | Sun | Humidity | Status | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C / 26°C | 37°C / 31°C | 4days (12 mm) Good | 11.3h Excellent | 79% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| February | 32°C / 27°C | 38°C / 32°C | 6days (19 mm) Good | 11.2h Excellent | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| March | 32°C / 27°C | 38°C / 32°C | 9days (42 mm) Wet | 11.2h Excellent | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| April | 31°C / 27°C | 38°C / 32°C | 12days (64 mm) Wet | 11.1h Excellent | 81% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| May | 31°C / 26°C | 37°C / 31°C | 20days (118 mm) Wet | 10.8h Excellent | 82% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| June | 29°C / 25°C | 35°C / 29°C | 26days (210 mm) Wet | 9.1h Good | 85% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| July best | 28°C / 24°C | 32°C / 28°C | 16days (96 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 86% Very Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| August best | 28°C / 24°C | 32°C / 27°C | 15days (85 mm) Wet | 10.1h Excellent | 86% Very Muggy | Fair | View Details |
| September best | 29°C / 25°C | 34°C / 28°C | 22days (133 mm) Wet | 9.8h Good | 85% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| October | 30°C / 25°C | 36°C / 30°C | 24days (158 mm) Wet | 10.1h Excellent | 85% Humid | Wet | View Details |
| November | 31°C / 26°C | 38°C / 31°C | 14days (52 mm) Wet | 10.9h Excellent | 83% Humid | Poor | View Details |
| December | 31°C / 26°C | 38°C / 30°C | 7days (20 mm) Good | 11.2h Excellent | 80% Humid | Poor | View Details |
Temperature
Line chart showing monthly temperatures. Jan: 32°C / 26°C . Feb: 32°C / 27°C . Mar: 32°C / 27°C . Apr: 31°C / 27°C . May: 31°C / 26°C . Jun: 29°C / 25°C . Jul: 28°C / 24°C . Aug: 28°C / 24°C . Sep: 29°C / 25°C . Oct: 30°C / 25°C . Nov: 31°C / 26°C . Dec: 31°C / 26°C .
Rainfall
Bar chart showing monthly rainfall. Jan: 12 mm. Feb: 19 mm. Mar: 42 mm. Apr: 64 mm. May: 118 mm. Jun: 210 mm. Jul: 96 mm. Aug: 85 mm. Sep: 133 mm. Oct: 158 mm. Nov: 52 mm. Dec: 20 mm.
Frequently Asked Questions
The population of Togo is approximately 9.9M (2024).
The capital of Togo is Lomé.
Togo's GDP per capita is $1.3K (2024).
Life expectancy in Togo is 62.94 years (2024).
Togo covers 56,785 km² (21,925 sq mi).
Togo is densely populated, with 175 people per km² — above the global average of 60.
Togo's population is growing rapidly at 2.2% per year — among the fastest in the world.
Based on GDP per capita, Togo falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.3K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.
The official language of Togo is French.
Togo uses the West African CFA franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.
The best months to visit Togo are July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.
Latest estimates show that the population of Togo is approximately 9.9 million people. The country maintains a relatively high annual growth rate of 2.2%, contributing to its current global population rank of 97th out of 215 nations. This growth is driven by a crude birth rate of 32 births per 1,000 people.
The economy is currently experiencing robust expansion, with the latest data indicating an annual GDP growth rate of 6.5%. This strong performance supports a GDP per capita of approximately 1,270 USD. Nationally, Togo ranks 155th globally in total GDP and 40th among African nations based on its total economic output.
The adult literacy rate in Togo is approximately 72.6%, which places the country 133rd out of 170 nations in global literacy rankings. Educational development remains a key priority for the government to improve workforce skills and reduce poverty. This rate reflects significant progress in expanding primary school enrollment across the nation.
No, Togo is not a landlocked country; it features a coastline of 56 km (35 mi) along the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital, Lomé, serves as a vital deep-water port and a major trade gateway for Western Africa. This coastal access is a significant economic asset, facilitating international trade and transit.
According to recent data, 39.5% of the population in Togo are internet users. This level of digital penetration ranks the country 175th globally. While connectivity is increasing, particularly in the urban population which accounts for 43.8% of the total, a majority of citizens still lack regular access to digital infrastructure.
The estimated 2026 population of Togo is 9,946,559 people. This figure is projected from the latest official 2024 data of 9,515,236 using a steady annual growth rate of 2.24%. The population continues to increase due to high birth rates and improving survival rates across the country.
Togo currently holds a global population rank of 97th out of 215 countries. In Africa, it is the 33rd most populous nation, and it ranks 10th within the Western Africa subregion. This positioning reflects its status as a medium-sized West African state experiencing rapid demographic expansion.
The estimated 2026 population density of Togo is 182.8 people per km² (473.5 per sq mi). This ranks Togo 69th in the world and 11th in Africa for density. Most people are concentrated in the southern coastal areas and along the central transport corridor connecting the coast to the interior.
Yes, Togo's population is increasing at an annual rate of 2.24%. Daily vitals show that approximately 836 births occur each day, which far exceeds the 221 daily deaths. This results in a net daily population increase of roughly 584 people, including the effects of migration.
The fertility rate in Togo is 4.1 births per woman, according to the latest official 2024 data. This rate ranks 21st globally for fertility, indicating a high number of children born per family. While the rate has declined from historical highs, it remains well above the replacement level.
Approximately 43.8% of Togo's population lives in urban areas, with the urbanization rank placing the country 162nd globally. The capital city, Lomé, is the primary destination for internal migration, as people move from rural regions in search of better economic opportunities, healthcare, and education.
All Indicators
Explore Togo's data across 50+ indicators
Demographics
Economy
Health
Education
Environment
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Infrastructure
Geography
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