Countries, Compared

Togo

Togo is a West African nation, formally the Togolese Republic, bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north.

Countries, Compared: country research and comparison
Togo

Togo is a West African nation, formally the Togolese Republic, bordered by Ghana to the west, Benin to the east, and Burkina Faso to the north. It has a narrow coastline on the Gulf of Guinea in the south. This profile gives you the stable identifiers you need to research it, then shows you how to verify the numbers that change over time.

Classification facts

These are the fixed reference identifiers used in international databases and statistical systems. They describe how Togo is classified, not a political or territorial claim.

Field Value
UN M49 code 768
ISO alpha-2 TG
ISO alpha-3 TGO
UN region Africa
UN subregion Sub-Saharan Africa
UN member state Yes
World Bank capital field Lomé

The M49 classification is maintained by the United Nations Statistics Division. It is a statistical geography, not a political or legal statement about borders or sovereignty. For the official overview of the M49 standard, see the UN Statistics Division methodology page.

The World Bank country API returns the nation code, region, income level, and capital city used in World Bank data products. Note that the World Bank capital entry is a data field, not a constitutional or administrative determination.

How to verify the stable identifiers

The fixed identifiers for Togo are stable and can be checked in UN and IANA listings. These classifications come from the UN Statistics Division M49 overview and the World Bank country API. The M49 document defines statistical groupings, not political or territorial claims. The World Bank API lists Lomé as the capital in its country metadata; the spelling may appear as “Lome” or “Lomé” depending on the source.

How to verify changing figures

Inhabitant counts, monetary values, government structure, and economic indicators change more often than most people expect. Do not treat any number in this profile as frozen. Use the following sources and always record the reference year.

Inhabitant estimates

Figures for how many people live in a place change every year, and each publisher defines the term differently. The World Bank estimate is a mid-year projection, not a census count. The UN Population Division publishes its own estimates, often with different reference dates. National statistical offices are the original source for census data, but censuses are typically conducted every 5 to 10 years and can miss rural or mobile communities.

For Togo, the most recent census data and annual estimates are published by the Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques et Démographiques (INSEED). Use the UN World Population Prospects (2024 revision) for estimates; the most recent census data comes from Togo’s national statistical institute. The World Bank country API returns the reference year for inhabitant figures in the dataset metadata. Check the UN M49 overview for the standard region and subregion codes.

Languages

The official language is French, per the 1992 constitution as amended. National languages include Ewe and Kabiyè, among others. The number of living languages is tracked by Ethnologue and national census reports; figures change as surveys are updated. For current language policy, consult UNESCO or the Togolese government. Language figures often reflect self-reported data from censuses and can lag real-world shifts.

Monetary unit

The West African CFA franc (XOF) is the monetary unit in use. It is issued by the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) and is shared by eight UEMOA member states. Exchange rates fluctuate; check the issuing institution or a current monetary data source for today’s value. For the XOF, use the IMF’s Special Data Dissemination Standard or the national central bank (Banque Centrale des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest, BCEAO).

Government

Togo is a presidential republic. The most recent presidential election was in 2020, per the African Elections Database. For the most recent election results, cabinet composition, or constitutional changes, consult the official government portal or a current year’s CIA World Factbook entry. The World Bank and IMF country pages provide economic governance indicators.

Economy

The World Bank classifies Togo as a low-income nation, per the FY2024 classification. GDP, GDP per capita, and growth rates are updated annually by the World Bank and IMF; always note the reference year and whether figures are nominal or PPP-adjusted. For economic data, the World Bank country API returns the official nation code and basic metadata. For indicators, use the World Bank data portal and note the reference year for each indicator.

Capital city

The capital is Lomé. The World Bank API lists ISO alpha-3 code TGO, region Sub-Saharan Africa, and capital Lome. Verify the spelling and any administrative changes through the official government portal or a current World Factbook entry.

Travel and entry rules

For visa and entry rules, consult your own government’s foreign ministry travel advisory and the IATA Travel Centre. Do not rely on secondary summaries.

Primary sources

  • UN Statistics Division M49 methodology
  • World Bank country API
  • UN World Population Prospects (2024 revision)
  • Institut National de la Statistique et des Études Économiques et Démographiques (INSEED)
  • Ethnologue
  • CIA World Factbook
  • IMF Special Data Dissemination Standard
  • Banque Centrale des États de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (BCEAO)
  • African Elections Database (2020 presidential election)
  • Togolese Presidency
  • Togolese government portal
  • UNESCO
  • IATA Travel Centre