Demographics of Togo
Encyclopedia
This article is about the demographic
features of the population
of Togo
, including population density
, ethnicity
, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Togo
's population of 5.86 million people (2008 est.) is composed of about 21 ethnic groups. The two major groups are the Ewe in the South and the Kabye
in the North. Other groups include the Akposso
on the Central Plateau, the Bassar
in the Center-West, the Cotocoli, the Tchamba
and the Komkombas around Sokodé
, the Lambas
in the Kante
region, the Haoussas and the Mossis farther in the North. Among the others groups can be found the Tamberma, the Guin, the Losso
, the Ouachi and the Gourma.
Population distribution is very uneven due to soil and terrain variations. The population is generally concentrated in the south and along the major north-south highway connecting the coast to the Sahel. Age distribution also is uneven; nearly one-half of the Togolese are less than 15 years of age. The ethnic groups of the coastal region, particularly the Ewes (about 21% of the population), constitute the bulk of the civil servants, professionals, and merchants, due in part to the former colonial administrations which provided greater infrastructure development in the south. The Kabye (12% of the population) live on marginal land and traditionally have emigrated south from their home area in the Kara region to seek employment. Their historical means of social advancement has been through the military and law enforcement forces, and they continue to dominate these services.
Most of the southern peoples use the Ewe or Mina languages, which are closely related and spoken in commercial sectors throughout Togo. French, the official language, is used in administration and documentation. The public primary schools combine French
with Ewe or Kabye as languages of instruction, depending on the region. English
is spoken in neighboring Ghana
and is taught in Togolese secondary schools. As a result, many Togolese, especially in the south and along the Ghana border, speak some English.
note:
Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS
; this can result in lower life expectancy
, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
0-14 years:
46% (male 1,161,610; female 1,153,877)
15-64 years:
51% (male 1,254,437; female 1,327,306)
65 years and over:
3% (male 53,101; female 68,171) (2000 est.)
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.78 male(s)/female
total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
total population:
54.69 years
male:
52.75 years
female:
56.7 years (2000 est.)
People living with HIV/Aids
110,000 (2003)
Death rate 10,000 (2003)
n (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe
, Mina/Gen, and Kabre) 99%, Europe
an and Lebanese
less than 1%
, 20% are Muslim
, and 51% have indigenous beliefs.
(official and the language of commerce), Ewe
and Gen
(the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
51.7%
male:
67%
female:
37% (1995 est.)
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
features of the population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
, including population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
, ethnicity
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
Togo
Togo
Togo, officially the Togolese Republic , is a country in West Africa bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east and Burkina Faso to the north. It extends south to the Gulf of Guinea, on which the capital Lomé is located. Togo covers an area of approximately with a population of approximately...
's population of 5.86 million people (2008 est.) is composed of about 21 ethnic groups. The two major groups are the Ewe in the South and the Kabye
Kabye
Kabye is the name for both the Kabye or Kabiyé language and peoples of the northern plains of Togo, West Africa. The Kabye are primarily known for farming and cultivation of the stony Kara Valley area of Togo...
in the North. Other groups include the Akposso
Akposso
The Kposo or Akposso people are an ethnic group living in the Plateau Region of southern Togo, west of Atakpamé, and across the border in Ghana. Their ethnic language is Kposo or Ikposo.-Economy:Akposso farmers grow cocoa and coffee as cash crops...
on the Central Plateau, the Bassar
Bassar
Bassar is a town in Bassar Prefecture, Kara Region in Togo, situated west of Kara. The town has a population of 64,888.-Culture:Bassar was originally a centre for iron making. It now is known as the yam capital of Togo...
in the Center-West, the Cotocoli, the Tchamba
Tchamba
Tchamba is a city located in Tchamba Prefecture in the Centrale Region of Togo.Tchamba is originally a tribe in the present day Ghana.They were known as the Aborigines of Northern Ghana, covering Tamale, Bim Billa, Tikokonba Nanumba and others...
and the Komkombas around Sokodé
Sokodé
Sokodé is the second largest city in Togo and seat of the Tchaoudjo and Centrale Region in the center of the country, north of Lomé. With a population of 86,500 , currently at around 113,000, the city is situated between the Mo and Mono rivers, and it is a commercial center for the surrounding...
, the Lambas
Lambas
The Lambas are an ethnic and linguistic group of people living in the Kéran and Doufelgou Districts of the Kara Region in Northern Togo and in the Atakora and Donga Departments of Bénin, West Africa...
in the Kante
Kante
Kante is a town in north-western Tajikistan . It is located in Sughd province.It is located along the M34 highway .-External links:*...
region, the Haoussas and the Mossis farther in the North. Among the others groups can be found the Tamberma, the Guin, the Losso
Losso
The Lossos are an ethnic and linguistic group of people living in the Doufelgou District of the Kara Region in Northern Togo, West Africa. The district capital is Niamtougou which is also an important regional market town...
, the Ouachi and the Gourma.
Population distribution is very uneven due to soil and terrain variations. The population is generally concentrated in the south and along the major north-south highway connecting the coast to the Sahel. Age distribution also is uneven; nearly one-half of the Togolese are less than 15 years of age. The ethnic groups of the coastal region, particularly the Ewes (about 21% of the population), constitute the bulk of the civil servants, professionals, and merchants, due in part to the former colonial administrations which provided greater infrastructure development in the south. The Kabye (12% of the population) live on marginal land and traditionally have emigrated south from their home area in the Kara region to seek employment. Their historical means of social advancement has been through the military and law enforcement forces, and they continue to dominate these services.
Most of the southern peoples use the Ewe or Mina languages, which are closely related and spoken in commercial sectors throughout Togo. French, the official language, is used in administration and documentation. The public primary schools combine French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
with Ewe or Kabye as languages of instruction, depending on the region. English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
is spoken in neighboring Ghana
Ghana
Ghana , officially the Republic of Ghana, is a country located in West Africa. It is bordered by Côte d'Ivoire to the west, Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, and the Gulf of Guinea to the south...
and is taught in Togolese secondary schools. As a result, many Togolese, especially in the south and along the Ghana border, speak some English.
CIA World Factbook demographic statistics
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.Population
5,018,502note:
Estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
; this can result in lower life expectancy
Life expectancy
Life expectancy is the expected number of years of life remaining at a given age. It is denoted by ex, which means the average number of subsequent years of life for someone now aged x, according to a particular mortality experience...
, higher infant mortality and death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected (July 2000 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years:
46% (male 1,161,610; female 1,153,877)
15-64 years:
51% (male 1,254,437; female 1,327,306)
65 years and over:
3% (male 53,101; female 68,171) (2000 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth:
1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:
0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over:
0.78 male(s)/female
total population:
0.97 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
Life expectancy at birth
total population:
54.69 years
male:
52.75 years
female:
56.7 years (2000 est.)
HIV Prevalence
Adult infection rate 4.2% (2003)People living with HIV/Aids
AIDS
Acquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
110,000 (2003)
Death rate 10,000 (2003)
Ethnic groups
native AfricaAfrica
Africa is the world's second largest and second most populous continent, after Asia. At about 30.2 million km² including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of the Earth's total surface area and 20.4% of the total land area...
n (37 tribes; largest and most important are Ewe
Ewe language
Ewe is a Niger–Congo language spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin by approximately six million people. Ewe is part of a cluster of related languages commonly called Gbe, spoken in southeastern Ghana, Togo, and parts of Benin. Other Gbe languages include Fon, Gen, Phla Phera, and Aja...
, Mina/Gen, and Kabre) 99%, Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an and Lebanese
Lebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
less than 1%
Religions
According to the CIA Factbook, approximately 29% of the population is ChristianChristianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
, 20% are Muslim
Muslim
A Muslim, also spelled Moslem, is an adherent of Islam, a monotheistic, Abrahamic religion based on the Quran, which Muslims consider the verbatim word of God as revealed to prophet Muhammad. "Muslim" is the Arabic term for "submitter" .Muslims believe that God is one and incomparable...
, and 51% have indigenous beliefs.
Languages
FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
(official and the language of commerce), Ewe
Ewe language
Ewe is a Niger–Congo language spoken in Ghana, Togo and Benin by approximately six million people. Ewe is part of a cluster of related languages commonly called Gbe, spoken in southeastern Ghana, Togo, and parts of Benin. Other Gbe languages include Fon, Gen, Phla Phera, and Aja...
and Gen
Gen language
Gen is a Gbe language spoken in the southeast of Togo in the Maritime Region. It is also spoken in the Mono Department of Benin. It is part of the Volta–Niger branch of the major African Niger–Congo language family...
(the two major African languages in the south), Kabye (sometimes spelled Kabiye) and Dagomba (the two major African languages in the north)
Literacy
definition:
age 15 and over can read and write
total population:
51.7%
male:
67%
female:
37% (1995 est.)