After more than 40 years of dictatorship, Togo can take a step in the democratic direction.
Key figures and facts
- Capital: Lome
- Ethnic groups: African tribes (ewe, mina, cabré, and 34 others) 99%, other 1%
- Language: French (officially) Ewe and Mina (two largest African languages in the south), Kabye and Dagomba (two largest African languages in the north)
- Religion: Christians 29%, Muslims 20%, tribal religions 51%
- Population: 7 798 000
- Control Form: Republic
- Area: 56 790 km²
- Currency: CFA Franc
- GNP per capita: 1 491 PPP $
- National Day: April 27th
Togo Population
The population of Togo in 2013 was estimated at 6,817,000 (World Bank) and annual population growth to 2.6. The birth and death rates are high but declining, and in 2012 were calculated at 36.8 ‰ and 10.9 ‰ respectively. About 42% of the population is under 15 and only 2.8% are 65 or older. Life expectancy is estimated by the World Health Organization to be 57.0 years for women and 55.3 years for men.
The population is divided into over 30 ethnic groups; the largest groups of people are ewe, mina, kabre and gurma.
The largest population concentrations are found in the coastal region, but the degree of urbanization is relatively low; only 39% live in cities (2013). The largest cities are the capital Lomé (729,300 inbound, 2004) and Sokodé (51,000 inbound, 1999).
Religion
Over half the population belongs to local, traditional religions. The Christians make up approximately 35%, most of them are Catholics. About 15% are Muslims.
Language
The official language is French. The African languages to a large extent belong to the Niger-Congo family, the most important of which are ewe, kabre and gur. Widespread as a trade language are also mines and headlines.