View source for Ivory Coast

{{short description|Country in West Africa}}
{{About|the West African country}}
{{pp-move}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2023}}
{{Infobox country
| conventional_long_name = Republic of Côte d'Ivoire
| common_name            = Ivory Coast
| native_name            = {{ublist|{{native name|fr|République de Côte d'Ivoire}}|{{native name|dyu|Kɔdiwari Jamana}}}}
| image_flag             = Flag of Côte d'Ivoire.svg
| image_coat             = Coat of Arms of the Ivory Coast.svg
| coa_size               = 100
| national_motto         = {{native phrase|fr|'Union – Discipline – Travail'|italics=off}}<br />'Unity – Discipline – Work'
| national_anthem        = {{lang|fr|[[L'Abidjanaise]]}}<br />({{Langx|en|"Song of Abidjan"}})<br />[[File:United States Navy Band - National Anthem of Côte D'Ivoire "L'Abidjanaise".ogg]]
{{parabr}}{{center|}}
| image_map              = {{Switcher|[[File:Côte d'Ivoire (orthographic projection).svg|frameless]]|Show globe|[[File:Location Côte d'Ivoire AU Africa.svg|upright=1.15|frameless]]|Show map of Africa|default=1}}
| map_caption            =
| image_map2             =
| capital                = [[Yamoussoukro]]
| coordinates            = {{Coord|6|51|N|5|18|W|type:city}}
| largest_city           = [[Abidjan]]
| official_languages     = {{hlist|[[African French|French]]}}
| languages_type         = [[Vernacular]]<br />languages
| languages              = {{hlist|[[English language|English]] |[[French language|French]]|[[Arabic]]|[[Bété languages|Bété]]|[[Dyula language|Dyula]]|[[Baoulé language|Baoulé]]|[[Bono dialect|Abron]]|[[Agni language|Agni]]|[[Senufo languages|Senoufo]]|[[Languages of Ivory Coast|others]]}}
| ethnic_groups          = {{tree list}}
* 78.0% Ivorian
** 38.0% [[Akan people|Akan]]
** 22.0% [[Mandé peoples|Northern Mande]]
** 22.0% Voltaiques/Gur
** 9.1% [[Kru people|Kru]]
** 8.6% [[Mandé peoples|Southern Mande]]
** 0.3% Naturalized Ivorian
* 22.0% [[Demographics of Ivory Coast|non-Ivorian]]<sup>a</sup>
{{tree list/end}}
| ethnic_groups_ref      = <ref name=":11" />
| ethnic_groups_year     = 2021 census
| religion               = {{Tree list}}
* 42.5% [[Islam in Ivory Coast|Islam]]
* 39.8% [[Christianity in Ivory Coast|Christianity]]
* 12.6% [[Irreligion|no religion]]
* 2.2% [[Traditional African religions|traditional faiths]]
* 2.2% unanswered
* 0.7% [[Religion in Ivory Coast|other religions]]
{{tree list/end}}
| religion_year          = 2021 census
| religion_ref           = <ref name=":11" />
| demonym                = {{unbulleted list|[[Ivorian people|Ivorian]]|Ivory Coasters}}
| government_type        = [[Unitary state|Unitary]] [[Presidential system|presidential]] [[republic]]
| leader_title1          = [[List of heads of state of Ivory Coast|President]]
| leader_name1           = [[Alassane Ouattara]]
| leader_title2          = [[Vice President of Ivory Coast|Vice President]]
| leader_name2           = [[Tiémoko Meyliet Koné]]
| leader_title3          = [[List of heads of government of Ivory Coast|Prime Minister]]
| leader_name3           = [[Robert Beugré Mambé]]
| legislature            = [[Parliament of Ivory Coast]]
| upper_house            = [[Senate of Ivory Coast|Senate]]
| lower_house            = [[National Assembly (Ivory Coast)|National Assembly]]
| sovereignty_type       = [[History of Ivory Coast|History]]
| established_event1     = Republic established
| established_date1      = 4 December 1958
| established_event2     = [[Independence]] from [[France]]
| established_date2      = 7 August 1960
| area_km2               = 322,462
| area_rank              = 68th <!-- Should match [[List of countries and dependencies by area]] -->
| area_sq_mi             = 124,502 <!--Do not remove per [[Wikipedia:Manual of Style/Dates and numbers]]-->
| percent_water          = 1.4<ref name="CIA">{{cite web |url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cote-divoire/ |title=Côte d'Ivoire |website=The World Factbook |publisher=[[Central Intelligence Agency|CIA]] Directorate of Intelligence |access-date=16 March 2022 |date=30 March 2022 |archive-date=9 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109221218/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/cote-divoire |url-status=live }}</ref>
| population_estimate    = 31,500,000<ref name="2024_data_sheet">{{cite web|url=https://2024-wpds.prb.org/africa/#western-africa |title=2024 World Population Data Sheet|author=[[Population Reference Bureau]]|access-date=2024-12-11}}</ref>
| population_estimate_year = July 2024
| population_estimate_rank = 49th
| population_census      = 29,389,150<ref name=census_2021>{{cite web|url=https://www.ins.ci/RGP2021/RGPH2021-RESULTATS%20GLOBAUX_VF.pdf|title=RGPH 2021 Résultats globaux|author=[[Institut National de la Statistique de Côte d'Ivoire]]|access-date=2022-08-09|archive-date=4 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230404151119/https://www.ins.ci/RGP2021/RGPH2021-RESULTATS%20GLOBAUX_VF.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>
| population_census_year = December 2021
| population_density_km2 = 97.7
| population_density_sq_mi = 236 <!--Do not remove per [[WP:MOSNUM]]-->
| population_density_rank = 139th
| GDP_PPP                = {{increase}} $202.647 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.CI">{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=662,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook Database, October 2023 Edition. (CI) |publisher=[[International Monetary Fund]] |website=IMF.org |date=10 October 2023 |access-date=14 October 2023 |archive-date=3 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231203145913/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=662,&s=NGDPD,PPPGDP,NGDPDPC,PPPPC,&sy=2020&ey=2028&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |url-status=live }}</ref>
| GDP_PPP_year           = 2023
| GDP_PPP_rank           = 78th
| GDP_PPP_per_capita     = {{increase}} $6,960<ref name="IMFWEO.CI" />
| GDP_PPP_per_capita_rank = 138th
| GDP_nominal            = {{increase}} $79.430 billion<ref name="IMFWEO.CI" />
| GDP_nominal_year       = 2023
| GDP_nominal_rank       = 84th
| GDP_nominal_per_capita = {{increase}} $2,728<ref name="IMFWEO.CI" />
| GDP_nominal_per_capita_rank = 141st
| Gini                   = 35.3 <!--number only-->
| Gini_year              = 2021
| Gini_change            = decrease <!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| Gini_ref               = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/gini-index-coefficient-distribution-of-family-income/country-comparison/ |title=Gini Index coefficient|publisher=[[The World Factbook]]|access-date=24 September 2024}}</ref>
| Gini_rank              =
| HDI                    = 0.582 <!--number only-->
| HDI_year               = 2023<!-- Please use the year to which the data refers, not the publication year-->
| HDI_change             = increase<!--increase/decrease/steady-->
| HDI_ref                = <ref name="HDI">{{Cite web |date=6 May 2025 |title=Human Development Report 2025 |url=https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf|url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250506051232/https://hdr.undp.org/system/files/documents/global-report-document/hdr2025reporten.pdf |archive-date=6 May 2025 |access-date=6 May 2025 |publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]] |language=en}}</ref>
| HDI_rank               = 157th
| currency               = [[West African CFA franc]]
| currency_code          = XOF
| utc_offset             = ±00:00
| time_zone              = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| drives_on              = right
| date_format            = dd/mm/yyyy
| calling_code           = [[Telephone numbers in Ivory Coast|+225]]
| iso3166code            = CI
| cctld                  = [[.ci]]
| footnote_a             = Including approximately 130,000 [[Lebanese people|Lebanese]] and 14,000 [[French people]].
| footnotes              = {{notelist}}
| today                  =
}}

'''Ivory Coast''', also known as '''Côte d'Ivoire'''{{efn|Pronounced {{IPAc-en|ˌ|k|oʊ|t|_|d|iː|ˈ|v|w|ɑːr}} {{respell|KOHT|_|dee|VWAR}} in English<ref>{{cite encyclopedia |title=Cambridge Dictionary: English Dictionary |entry=Côte d'Ivoire |entry-url=https://dictionary.cambridge.org/dictionary/english/cote-d-ivoire?q=C%C3%B4te+d%27Ivoire |access-date=2024-07-26 }}</ref> and {{IPA|fr|kot divwaʁ||Fr-Côte-d'Ivoire-fr-Paris.ogg}} in French.<ref>{{cite dictionary |url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cote%20d%27ivoire |title=Cote d'Ivoire definition |dictionary=Dictionary.com |access-date=23 May 2014 |archive-date=23 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150723020443/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cote%20d%27ivoire |url-status=live }}</ref>}} and officially the '''Republic of Côte d'Ivoire''', is a country on the southern coast of [[West Africa]]. Its capital city of [[Yamoussoukro]] is located in the centre of the country, while [[List of cities in Ivory Coast|its largest city]] and economic centre is the port city of [[Abidjan]]. It borders [[Guinea]] to the [[Guinea–Ivory Coast border|northwest]], [[Liberia]] to the [[Ivory Coast–Liberia border|west]], [[Mali]] to the [[Ivory Coast–Mali border|northwest]], [[Burkina Faso]] to the [[Burkina Faso–Ivory Coast border|northeast]], [[Ghana]] to the [[Ghana–Ivory Coast border|east]], and the [[Atlantic Ocean]]'s [[Gulf of Guinea]] to the south.<ref>{{Cite thesis |last=Parvatneni |first=Snigdha Rao |title=ADDING A SOURCE CODE SEARCHING CAPABILITY TO YIOOP |date=2013 |publisher=San Jose State University Library |doi=10.31979/etd.nk56-uyfc |url=https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.nk56-uyfc|url-access=subscription }}</ref> With 31.5 million inhabitants in 2024, Ivory Coast is the [[List of African countries by population|third-most populous country]] in [[West Africa]].<ref name="2024_data_sheet" /> Its official language is [[French language|French]], and indigenous languages are also widely used, including [[Bété languages|Bété]], [[Baoulé language|Baoulé]], [[Dyula language|Dyula]], [[Dan language|Dan]], [[Anyin language|Anyin]], and [[Senari languages|Cebaara Senufo]].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |title=Republic of Côte d'Ivoire |url=https://achpr.au.int/en/member-states/cote-divoire |access-date=2025-05-30 |website=African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights |language=en}}</ref> In total, there are around 78 [[Languages of Ivory Coast|languages spoken in Ivory Coast]].<ref name=":13" /> The country has [[Religion in Ivory Coast|a religiously diverse population]], including numerous followers of [[Islam]], [[Christianity]], and [[Traditional African religions|traditional faiths]] often entailing [[animism]].<ref name=":religions2021" /><ref name=":11">{{Cite web |date=October 2022 |title=RECENSEMENT GENERAL DE LA POPULATION ET DE L'HABITAT 2021 RESULTATS GLOBAUX DEFINITIFS |url=https://www.caidp.ci/uploads/7113b93cc641ba78c591e9f79a4e729c.pdf |website=Institut National de la Statistique (INS) |language=fr |access-date=5 August 2023 |archive-date=14 August 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230814112828/https://www.caidp.ci/uploads/7113b93cc641ba78c591e9f79a4e729c.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

Before its colonisation, Ivory Coast was home to several states, including [[Gyaman|Gyaaman]], the [[Kong Empire]], and [[Baoulé people|Baoulé]]. The area became a [[protectorate]] of France in 1843 and was consolidated as a [[List of French possessions and colonies|French colony]] in 1893 amid the [[Scramble for Africa]]. It achieved independence in 1960, led by [[Félix Houphouët-Boigny]], who ruled the country until 1993. Relatively stable by regional standards, Ivory Coast established close political-economic ties with its West African neighbours while maintaining close relations with [[Western Bloc|the West]], [[Françafrique|especially France]]. Its stability was diminished by a [[1999 Ivorian coup d'état|coup d'état in 1999]] and two civil wars—first [[First Ivorian Civil War|between 2002 and 2007]]<ref name="loi">{{cite journal|title=Loi n° 2000-513 du 1er août 2000 portant Constitution de la République de Côte d'Ivoire|url=http://www.jfaconseil.com/jorci/2000/RCI%20JO%202000-30.pdf|url-status=dead| journal=Journal Officiel de la République de Côte d'Ivoire| volume= 42| pages= 529–538|date=3 August 2000|issue=30|language=fr| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20090325153412/http://www.jfaconseil.com/jorci/2000/RCI%20JO%202000-30.pdf| archive-date=25 March 2009 }},</ref> and again [[Second Ivorian Civil War|during 2010–2011]]. It adopted [[Constitution of Ivory Coast|a new constitution]] in 2016.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.france24.com/en/20161102-ivory-coast-approves-new-constitution-referendum-opposition-boycott | title=Ivory Coast backs new constitution in landslide vote, opposition cries foul | date=2 November 2016 | access-date=8 March 2023 | archive-date=26 March 2023 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326030516/https://www.france24.com/en/20161102-ivory-coast-approves-new-constitution-referendum-opposition-boycott | url-status=live }}</ref>

Ivory Coast is a republic with strong executive power vested in [[List of heads of state of Ivory Coast|its president]]. Through the [[Coffee production in Ivory Coast|production of coffee]] and [[Cocoa production in Ivory Coast|cocoa]], it was an economic powerhouse in West Africa during the 1960s and 1970s, then experienced an economic crisis in the 1980s, contributing to a period of political and social turmoil that extended until 2011. Ivory Coast has again experienced high economic growth since the return of peace and political stability in 2011. From 2012 to 2023, the economy grew by an average of 7.1% per year in [[Real gross domestic product|real terms]], the second-fastest rate of economic growth in Africa and fourth-fastest rate in the world.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=NGDP_R,&sy=2011&ey=2023&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|title=World Economic Outlook database: October 2023|author=[[IMF]]|access-date=2024-02-11|archive-date=19 February 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240219102804/https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=512,914,612,171,614,311,213,911,314,193,122,912,313,419,513,316,913,124,339,638,514,218,963,616,223,516,918,748,618,624,522,622,156,626,628,228,924,233,632,636,634,238,662,960,423,935,128,611,321,243,248,469,253,642,643,939,734,644,819,172,132,646,648,915,134,652,174,328,258,656,654,336,263,268,532,944,176,534,536,429,433,178,436,136,343,158,439,916,664,826,542,967,443,917,544,941,446,666,668,672,946,137,546,674,676,548,556,678,181,867,682,684,273,868,921,948,943,686,688,518,728,836,558,138,196,278,692,694,962,142,449,564,565,283,853,288,293,566,964,182,359,453,968,922,714,862,135,716,456,722,942,718,724,576,936,961,813,726,199,733,184,524,361,362,364,732,366,144,146,463,528,923,738,578,537,742,866,369,744,186,925,869,746,926,466,112,111,298,927,846,299,582,487,474,754,698,&s=NGDP_R,&sy=2011&ey=2023&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2023, Ivory Coast had the second-highest GDP per capita in West Africa, behind [[Cape Verde]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/WEO/weo-database/2023/October/weo-report?c=614,638,616,748,618,624,622,626,628,632,636,634,662,642,643,734,644,646,648,652,656,654,664,666,668,674,676,678,684,688,728,692,694,714,716,722,718,724,199,733,738,742,746,754,698,&s=PPPPC,&sy=2023&ey=2023&ssm=0&scsm=1&scc=0&ssd=1&ssc=0&sic=0&sort=country&ds=.&br=1 |title=World Economic Outlook database: October 2023|author=[[IMF]]|access-date=2024-02-11}}</ref> Despite this, as of the most recent survey in 2016, 46.1% of the population continues to be affected by [[Multidimensional Poverty Index|multidimensional poverty]].<ref name=":12">{{Cite web |date=2023 |title=Multidimensional Poverty Index 2023 Côte d'Ivoire |url=https://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/MPI/CIV.pdf |access-date=15 April 2024 |website=United Nations Development Programme Human Development Reports |archive-date=16 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416190049/https://hdr.undp.org/sites/default/files/Country-Profiles/MPI/CIV.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref> As of 2023, Ivory Coast is the world's largest exporter of cocoa beans and has high levels of income for its region.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2024-11-07|title=Cocoa beans, whole/broken, raw/roasted – Imports and Exports – 2023|publisher=Trendeconomy|url=https://trendeconomy.com/data/commodity_h2/180100#:~:text=Top%20exporters%20of%20Cocoa%20beans,%2D%205.38%25%20($417%20million)|access-date=2024-03-20|archive-date=2024-11-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125140048/https://trendeconomy.com/data/commodity_h2/180100|url-status=live}}</ref> The economy still relies heavily on agriculture, with [[Smallholding|smallholder]] cash-crop production predominating.<ref name=CIA/>

==Etymology==
Originally, [[Portuguese maritime exploration|Portuguese merchant-explorers]] in the 15th and 16th centuries divided the west coast of Africa, very roughly, into four "coasts" reflecting resources available from each coast. The coast which they named the {{lang|pt|Costa do Marfim}}—meaning 'coast of ivory', and translated into French as {{lang|fr|Côte d'Ivoire}}—lay between what was known as the {{lang|pt|Guiné de Cabo Verde}}, so-called "Upper Guinea" at {{lang|fr|[[Cap-Vert]]|italic=no}}, and Lower Guinea.{{sfn|Thornton|1996|p=53–56}}{{sfn|Lipski|2005|p=39}} There was also a [[Pepper Coast]], also known as the "Grain Coast" (present-day [[Liberia]]), a "[[Gold Coast (region)|Gold Coast]]" ([[Ghana]]), and a "[[Slave Coast of West Africa|Slave Coast]]" ([[Togo]], [[Benin]] and [[Nigeria]]). Like those, the name ''Ivory Coast'' reflected the major trade that occurred on that particular stretch of the coast: the export of [[ivory]].{{sfn|Duckett|1853|p=594}}{{sfn|Thornton|1996|p=53–56}}{{sfn|Homans|1858|p=14}}{{sfn|Lipski|2005|p=39}}{{sfn|Plée|1868|p=146}}

Other names for the area included the {{lang|fr|Côte de Dents}},{{efn|[[Joseph Vaissète]], in his 1755 {{lang|fr|Géographie historique, ecclésiastique et civile}}, lists the name as {{lang|fr|La Côte des Dents}} ('The Coast of the Teeth'), but notes that {{lang|fr|Côte de Dents}} is the more correct form.{{sfn|Vaissète|1755|p=185–186}}|name=teeths}} literally 'Coast of Teeth', again reflecting the ivory trade;{{sfn|Blanchard|1818|p=57}}{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=100}}{{sfn|Duckett|1853|p=594}}{{sfn|Lipski|2005|p=39}}{{sfn|Plée|1868|p=146}}{{sfn|Walckenaer|1827|p=35}} the {{lang|fr|Côte de Quaqua}}, after the people whom the Dutch named the ''Quaqua'' (alternatively ''Kwa Kwa'');{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=100}}{{sfn|Thornton|1996|p=53–56}}{{sfn|Vaissète|1755|p=185–186}} the Coast of the Five and Six Stripes, after a type of cotton fabric also traded there;{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=100}} and the ''Côte du Vent'',{{efn|{{lang|fr|Côte du Vent}} sometimes denoted the combined "Ivory" and "Grain" coasts, or sometimes just the "Grain" coast.{{sfn|Duckett|1853|p=594}}{{sfn|Thornton|1996|p=53–56}}|name=vent}} the Windward Coast, after perennial local off-shore weather conditions.{{sfn|Duckett|1853|p=594}}{{sfn|Thornton|1996|p=53–56}} In the 19th century, usage switched to {{lang|fr|Côte d'Ivoire}}.{{sfn|Chisholm|1911|p=100}}

The coastline of the modern state is not quite coterminous with what the 15th- and 16th-century merchants knew as the "Teeth" or "Ivory" coast, which was considered to stretch from [[Cape Palmas]] to [[Cape Three Points]] and which is thus now divided between the modern states of Ghana and Ivory Coast (with a minute portion of Liberia).{{sfn|Blanchard|1818|p=57}}{{sfn|Homans|1858|p=14}}{{sfn|Walckenaer|1827|p=35}}{{sfn|Vaissète|1755|p=185–186}} It retained the name through French rule and independence in 1960.<ref name=WDL1>{{cite web |title=The Ivory Coast |url=http://www.wdl.org/en/item/643 |publisher=[[World Digital Library]] |access-date=16 February 2013 |archive-date=4 December 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131204073233/http://www.wdl.org/en/item/643/|url-status=live}}</ref> 

The name had long since been translated literally into other languages,{{efn|Literal translations include {{langx|de|Elfenbeinküste}}, {{langx|it|Costa d'Avorio}}, {{langx|fi|Norsunluurannikko}}, {{langx|ru|Бе́рег Слоно́вой Ко́сти}}, and {{langx|en|Ivory Coast|italic=no}}.{{sfn|David|2000|p=7}}|name=trans}} which the post-independence government considered increasingly troublesome whenever its international dealings extended beyond the Francophone sphere. Therefore, in April 1986, the government declared that '''{{lang|fr|Côte d'Ivoire}}''' (or, more fully, {{lang|fr|République de Côte d'Ivoire}}{{sfn|Auzias|Labourdette|2008|p=9}}) would be its formal name for the purposes of diplomatic protocol and has since officially refused to recognize any translations from French to other languages in its international dealings.{{sfn|David|2000|p=7}}{{sfn|Lea|Rowe|2001|p=127}}{{sfn|Jessup|1998|p=351}} Despite the Ivorian government's request, the English translation "Ivory Coast" (often "''the'' Ivory Coast") is still frequently used in English by various media outlets and publications. Many governments use "Côte d'Ivoire" for diplomatic reasons, as do their outlets, such as the Chinese [[CCTV News (Chinese)|CCTV News]]. Other organizations that use "Côte d'Ivoire" include the [[Central Intelligence Agency]] in its ''[[The World Factbook|World Factbook]]''<ref name="CIA"/> and the international sport organizations [[FIFA]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/memberassociations.aspx |title=CAF Member Associations |publisher=[[Confederation of African Football]] |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=25 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170725110443/http://www.cafonline.com/en-us/memberassociations.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref> and the [[International Olympic Committee|IOC]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.olympic.org/cote-d-ivoire |title=Côte d'Ivoire |publisher=[[International Olympic Committee]] |access-date=20 July 2017 |archive-date=18 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170718054551/https://www.olympic.org/cote-d-ivoire |url-status=live }}</ref> (referring to their [[Ivory Coast national football team|national football]] and Olympic teams in international games and in official broadcasts), the ''[[Encyclopædia Britannica]]''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/139651/Cote-dIvoire |title=Cote d'Ivoire |publisher=[[Encyclopædia Britannica]] |access-date=20 June 2010 |archive-date=18 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100618075934/http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/139651/Cote-dIvoire |url-status=live }}</ref> and the ''[[National Geographic Society]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/cote-divoire?source=A-to-Z |title=Places Directory |publisher=[[National Geographic Society]] |date=25 June 2008 |access-date=20 June 2010 |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308101113/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/destination/cote-divoire?source=A-to-Z |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[BBC]] usually uses "Ivory Coast" both in news reports and on its page about the country.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043014.stm |publisher=[[BBC News]] |title=Country profile: Ivory Coast |date=24 February 2010 |access-date=30 April 2010 |archive-date=15 April 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100415042400/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/country_profiles/1043014.stm |url-status=live }}</ref> In a similar fashion, ''[[The Economist]]'' states "...Ivory Coast, ''not'' Côte d'Ivoire..."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Wroe |first=Ann |title=The Economist Style Guide: The Bestselling Guide to English Usage |publisher=Profile Books |year=2018 |isbn=978 1 78125 831 6 |edition=12th |location=Great Britain |page=112 |language=en}}</ref>
{{citation needed span |text=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]], [[Fox News]], ''[[The Times]]'', ''[[The New York Times]]'', the [[South African Broadcasting Corporation]], and the [[CBC News|Canadian Broadcasting Corporation]] all use "Ivory Coast" either exclusively or predominantly. |date=July 2012 }}

==History==
{{Main|History of Ivory Coast}}

===Land migration===
[[File:Cistones.jpg|thumb|Prehistoric polished stone [[celt (tool)|celt]] from [[Boundiali]] in northern Ivory Coast, photo taken at the [[IFAN Museum of African Arts]] in [[Dakar]], Senegal]]

The first human presence in Ivory Coast has been difficult to determine because human remains have not been well preserved in the country's humid climate. However, newly found weapon and tool fragments (specifically, polished axes cut through [[shale]] and remnants of cooking and fishing) have been interpreted as a possible indication of a large human presence during the [[Upper Paleolithic]] period (15,000 to 10,000 BC),<ref>{{cite journal|last=Guédé|first=François Yiodé|title=Contribution à l'étude du paléolithique de la Côte d'Ivoire : État des connaissances|year=1995|journal=Journal des Africanistes|volume=65|issue=2|pages=79–91|doi=10.3406/jafr.1995.2432}}</ref> or at the minimum, the [[Neolithic]] period.<ref>{{Harvnb|Rougerie|1978|p=246}}</ref>

The earliest known inhabitants of Ivory Coast have left traces scattered throughout the territory. Historians believe that they were all either displaced or absorbed by the ancestors of the present indigenous inhabitants,<ref name=":0">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=5}}.</ref> who migrated south into the area before the 16th century. Such groups included the Ehotilé ([[Aboisso]]), Kotrowou (Fresco), Zéhiri ([[Grand-Lahou]]), Ega and Diès ([[Divo, Ivory Coast|Divo]]).<ref>{{Harvnb|Kipré|1992|pp=15–16}}</ref>

===Pre-Islamic and Islamic periods===
The first recorded history appears in the chronicles of North African ([[Berbers|Berber]]) traders, who, from early [[Ancient Rome|Roman times]], conducted a [[caravan (travellers)|caravan]] trade across the [[Sahara]] in salt, slaves, gold, and other goods.<ref name=":0" /> The southern termini of the [[trans-Saharan trade]] routes were located on the edge of the desert, and from there supplemental trade extended as far south as the edge of the rainforest.<ref name=":0" /> The most important terminals—[[Djenné]], [[Gao]], and [[Timbuktu|Timbuctu]]—grew into major commercial centres around which the great Sudanic empires developed.<ref name=":0" />

By controlling the trade routes with their powerful military forces, these empires were able to dominate neighbouring states.<ref name=":0" /> The Sudanic empires also became centres of [[Islamic studies|Islamic education]].<ref name=":0" /> Islam had been introduced in the [[Sudan (region)|western Sudan]] by Muslim Berbers; it spread rapidly after the conversion of many important rulers.<ref name=":0" /> From the 11th century, by which time the rulers of the Sudanic empires had embraced Islam, it spread south into the northern areas of contemporary Ivory Coast.<ref name=":0" />

The [[Ghana Empire]], the earliest of the Sudanic empires, flourished in the region encompassing present-day southeast [[Mauritania]] and southern [[Mali]] between the 4th and 13th centuries.<ref name=":0" /> At the peak of its power in the 11th century, its realms extended from the Atlantic Ocean to Timbuktu.<ref name=":0" /> After the decline of Ghana, the [[Mali Empire]] grew into a powerful Muslim state, which reached its apogee in the early part of the 14th century.<ref name=":0" /> The territory of the Mali Empire in Ivory Coast was limited to the northwest corner around [[Odienné]].<ref name=":0" />

Its slow decline starting at the end of the 14th century followed internal discord and revolts by vassal states, one of which, [[Songhai Empire|Songhai]], flourished as an empire between the 14th and 16th centuries.<ref name=":0" /> Songhai was also weakened by internal discord, which led to factional warfare.<ref name=":0" /> This discord spurred most of the migrations southward toward the forest belt.<ref name=":0" /> The dense rainforest covering the southern half of the country created barriers to the large-scale political organisations that had arisen in the north.<ref name=":0" /> Inhabitants lived in villages or clusters of villages; their contacts with the outside world were filtered through long-distance traders.<ref name=":1">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=6}}.</ref> Villagers [[subsistence agriculture|subsisted on agriculture]] and hunting.<ref name=":1" />

===Pre-European modern period===
[[File:Royaumes ci.jpg|thumb|upright=1.6|Pre-European kingdoms]]
Five important states flourished in Ivory Coast during the pre-European [[early modern period]].<ref name=":1" /> The Muslim [[Kong Empire]] was established by the [[Dyula people|Dyula]] in the early 18th century in the north-central region inhabited by the [[Senufo people|Sénoufo]], who had fled [[Islamization|Islamisation]] under the Mali Empire.<ref name=":1" /> Although Kong became a prosperous centre of agriculture, trade, and crafts, ethnic diversity and religious discord gradually weakened the kingdom.<ref name=":2">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=7}}.</ref> In 1895 the city of Kong was sacked and conquered by [[Samori Ture]] of the [[Wassoulou Empire]].<ref name=":2" />

The [[Abron tribe|Abron]] kingdom of [[Gyaman|Gyaaman]] was established in the 17th century by an Akan group, the Abron, who had fled the developing [[Asante people|Ashanti]] confederation of Asanteman in what is present-day Ghana.<ref name=":2" /> From their settlement south of [[Bondoukou]], the Abron gradually extended their hegemony over the [[Dyula people]] in Bondoukou, who were recent arrivals from the market city of [[Begho]].<ref name=":2" /> Bondoukou developed into a major centre of commerce and Islam.<ref name=":2" /> The kingdom's [[Quran]]ic scholars attracted students from all parts of West Africa.<ref name=":2" /> In the mid-17th century in east-central Ivory Coast, other Akan groups fleeing the Asante established a [[Baoulé people|Baoulé]] kingdom at [[Sakassou|Sakasso]] and two [[Anyi people|Agni]] kingdoms, Indénié and [[Kingdom of Sanwi|Sanwi]].<ref name=":2" />

The Baoulé, like the Ashanti, developed a highly centralised political and administrative structure under three successive rulers.<ref name=":2" /> It finally split into smaller chiefdoms.<ref name=":2" /> Despite the breakup of their kingdom, the Baoulé strongly resisted French subjugation.<ref name=":2" /> The descendants of the rulers of the Agni kingdoms tried to retain their separate identity long after Ivory Coast's independence; as late as 1969, the Sanwi attempted to break away from Ivory Coast and form an independent kingdom.<ref name=":2" />

===Establishment of French rule===
Compared to neighbouring Ghana, Ivory Coast, though practising slavery and slave raiding, suffered little from the [[Atlantic slave trade|slave trade]].<ref name=":3">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|pp=7–8}}.</ref> European slave and merchant ships preferred other areas along the coast.<ref name=":3" /> The earliest recorded European voyage to West Africa was made by the [[Portuguese Empire|Portuguese]] in 1482.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} The first West African French settlement, [[Saint-Louis, Senegal|Saint-Louis]], was founded in the mid-17th century in Senegal, while at about the same time, the Dutch ceded to the French a settlement at [[Gorée|Gorée Island]], off [[Dakar]].<ref name=":4">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=8}}.</ref> A French [[Mission (station)|mission]] was established in 1687 at [[Assinie-Mafia|Assinie]] near the border with the [[Gold Coast (British colony)|Gold Coast]] (now Ghana).<ref name=":4" /> The Europeans suppressed the local practice of slavery at this time and forbade the trade to their merchants.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Assinie's survival was precarious, however; the French were not firmly established in Ivory Coast until the mid-19th century.<ref name=":4" /> In 1843–44, French Admiral [[Édouard Bouët-Willaumez|Louis Édouard Bouët-Willaumez]] signed treaties with the kings of the [[Grand-Bassam]] and Assinie regions, making their territories a French protectorate.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web|date=October 2003|title=Background Note: Cote d'Ivoire|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2846.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040229154948/http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/2846.htm|archive-date=29 February 2004|publisher=[[U.S. Department of State]]}}{{PD-notice}}</ref> French explorers, missionaries, trading companies, and soldiers gradually extended the area under French control inland from the lagoon region.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":9" /> Pacification was not accomplished until 1915.<ref name=":9" />

Activity along the coast stimulated European interest in the interior, especially along the two great rivers, the [[Senegal River|Senegal]] and the [[Niger River|Niger]].<ref name=":4" /> Concerted French exploration of West Africa began in the mid-19th century but moved slowly, based more on individual initiative than on government policy.<ref name=":4" /> In the 1840s, the French concluded a series of treaties with local West African chiefs that enabled the French to build fortified posts along the Gulf of Guinea to serve as permanent trading centres.<ref name=":4" /> The first posts in Ivory Coast included one at Assinie and another at Grand-Bassam, which became the colony's first capital.<ref name=":4" /> The treaties provided for French sovereignty within the posts and for trading privileges in exchange for fees or ''[[coutume]]s'' paid annually to the local chiefs for the use of the land.<ref name=":4" /> The arrangement was not entirely satisfactory to the French, because trade was limited and misunderstandings over treaty obligations often arose.<ref name=":4" /> Nevertheless, the French government maintained the treaties, hoping to expand trade.<ref name=":4" /> France also wanted to maintain a presence in the region to stem the increasing influence of the British along the Gulf of Guinea coast.<ref name=":4" />
[[File:Aouabou-Traité-1892.jpg|thumb|[[Louis-Gustave Binger]] of French West Africa in 1892 treaty signing with [[Famienkro]] leaders, in present-day N'zi-Comoé Region, Ivory Coast]]
The defeat of France in the [[Franco-Prussian War]] in 1871 and the subsequent annexation by Germany of the French province of [[Alsace–Lorraine]] initially caused the French government to abandon its colonial ambitions and withdraw its military garrisons from its West African trading posts, leaving them in the care of resident merchants.<ref name=":4" /> The trading post at Grand-Bassam was left in the care of a shipper from [[Marseille]], [[Arthur Verdier]], who in 1878 was named [[Resident minister|Resident]] of the Establishment of Ivory Coast.<ref name=":4" />

In 1886, to support its claims of effective occupation, France again assumed direct control of its West African coastal trading posts and embarked on an accelerated program of exploration in the interior.<ref>{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=9}}.</ref> In 1887, Lieutenant [[Louis-Gustave Binger]] began a two-year journey that traversed parts of Ivory Coast's interior. By the end of the journey, he had concluded four treaties establishing French protectorates in Ivory Coast.<ref name=":5">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=10}}.</ref> Also in 1887, Verdier's agent, [[Marcel Treich-Laplène]], negotiated five additional agreements that extended French influence from the headwaters of the Niger River Basin through Ivory Coast.<ref name=":5" />

===French colonial era===
[[File:Arrivée à Kong-1892.jpg|thumb|Arrival in [[Kong, Côte d'Ivoire|Kong]] of [[Louis-Gustave Binger]] in 1892]]
By the end of the 1880s, France had established control over the coastal regions, and in 1889 Britain recognised French sovereignty in the area.<ref name=":5" /> That same year, France named Treich-Laplène the titular governor of the territory.<ref name=":5" /> In 1893, Ivory Coast became a French colony, with its capital in Grand-Bassam, and Captain Binger was appointed governor.<ref name=":5" /> Agreements with Liberia in 1892 and with Britain in 1893 determined the eastern and western boundaries of the colony, but the northern boundary was not fixed until 1947 because of efforts by the French government to attach parts of Upper Volta (present-day [[Burkina Faso]]) and [[French Sudan]] (present-day Mali) to Ivory Coast for economic and administrative reasons.<ref name=":5" />

France's main goal was to stimulate the production of exports. Coffee, cocoa, and palm oil crops were soon planted along the coast. Ivory Coast stood out as the only West African country with a sizeable population of European settlers; elsewhere in West and Central Africa, Europeans who emigrated to the colonies were largely bureaucrats. As a result, French citizens owned one-third of the cocoa, coffee, and banana [[plantation]]s and adopted the local forced-labour system.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

[[File:French West Africa 1913 map.png|thumb|left|Colonies of [[French West Africa]] {{Circa|1913}}]]
Throughout the early years of French rule, French military contingents were sent inland to establish new posts.<ref name=":5" /> The African population resisted French penetration and settlement, even in areas where treaties of protection had been in force.<ref name=":5" /> Among those offering the greatest resistance was [[Samori Ture]], who in the 1880s and 1890s was establishing the [[Wassoulou Empire]], which extended over large parts of present-day Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Ivory Coast.<ref name=":5" /> Ture's large, well-equipped army, which could manufacture and repair its own firearms, attracted strong support throughout the region.<ref name=":5" /> The French responded to Ture's expansion and conquest with military pressure.<ref name=":5" /> French campaigns against Ture, which were met with fierce resistance, intensified in the mid-1890s until he was captured in 1898 and his empire dissolved.<ref name=":5" />

France's imposition of a [[Poll tax|head tax]] in 1900 to support the colony's [[public works]] program provoked protests.<ref name=":6">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=11}}.</ref> Many Ivorians saw the tax as a violation of the protectorate treaties because they felt that France was demanding the equivalent of a ''coutume'' from the local kings, rather than the reverse.<ref name=":6" /> Many, especially in the interior, also considered the tax a humiliating symbol of submission.<ref name=":6" /> In 1905, the French officially abolished [[Slavery in Africa|slavery]] in most of French West Africa.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.yale.edu/agrarianstudies/colloqpapers/16peterson.pdf|title=Slave Emancipation and the Expansion of Islam, 1905–1914|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130502161407/http://www.yale.edu/agrarianstudies/colloqpapers/16peterson.pdf |archive-date=2 May 2013|date= 2 May 2013|page=11 }}</ref> From 1904 to 1958, Ivory Coast was part of the Federation of [[French West Africa]].<ref name=":9" /> It was a colony and an overseas territory under the [[French Third Republic|Third Republic]].<ref name=":9" /> In [[World War I]], France organized regiments from Ivory Coast to fight in France, and colony resources were rationed from 1917 to 1919.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Until the period following [[World War II]], governmental affairs in French West Africa were administered from Paris.<ref name=":9" /> France's policy in West Africa was reflected mainly in its philosophy of "association", meaning that all Africans in Ivory Coast were officially French "subjects" but without rights to representation in Africa or France.<ref name=":9" />
[[File:Almamy Samory Touré.jpg|thumb|[[Samori Touré]], founder and leader of the [[Wassoulou Empire]] which resisted French rule in West Africa]]

[[French colonial empires#Second French colonial empire|French colonial policy]] incorporated concepts of [[cultural assimilation|assimilation]] and association.<ref name=":7">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=12}}.</ref> Based on the assumed superiority of French culture, in practice the assimilation policy meant the extension of the French language, institutions, laws, and customs to the colonies.<ref name=":7" /> The policy of association also affirmed the superiority of the French in the colonies, but it entailed different institutions and systems of laws for the coloniser and the colonised.<ref name=":7" /> Under this policy, the Africans in Ivory Coast were allowed to preserve their own customs insofar as they were compatible with French interests.<ref name=":7" />

An indigenous elite trained in French administrative practice formed an intermediary group between French and Africans.<ref name=":7" /> After 1930, a small number of Westernized Ivorians were granted the right to apply for French citizenship.<ref name=":7" /> Most Ivorians, however, were classified as French subjects and were governed under the principle of association.<ref name=":7" /> As subjects of France, natives outside the civilised elite had no political rights.<ref name=":8">{{Harvnb|Warner|1988|p=14}}.</ref> They were drafted for work in mines, on plantations, as porters, and on public projects as part of their tax responsibility.<ref name=":8" /> They were expected to serve in the military and were subject to the ''[[indigénat]]'', a separate system of law.<ref name=":8" />

During World War II, the [[Vichy France|Vichy regime]] remained in control until 1943, when members of General [[Charles de Gaulle]]'s provisional government assumed control of all French West Africa.<ref name=":9" /> The [[Brazzaville Conference]] of 1944, the first Constituent Assembly of the [[French Fourth Republic|Fourth Republic]] in 1946, and France's gratitude for African loyalty during World War II, led to far-reaching governmental reforms in 1946.<ref name=":9" /> French citizenship was granted to all African "subjects", the right to organise politically was recognised, and various forms of forced labour were abolished.<ref name=":9" /> Between 1944 and 1946, many national conferences and constituent assemblies took place between France's government and provisional governments in Ivory Coast.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}} Governmental reforms were established by late 1946, which granted French citizenship to all African "subjects" under the colonial control of the French.{{Citation needed|date=September 2021}}

Until 1958, governors appointed in Paris administered the colony of Ivory Coast, using a system of direct, centralised administration that left little room for Ivorian participation in policy-making.<ref name=":7" /> The French colonial administration also adopted divide-and-rule policies, applying ideas of assimilation only to the educated elite.<ref name=":7" /> The French were also interested in ensuring that the small but influential Ivorian elite was sufficiently satisfied with the ''status quo'' to refrain from developing [[anti-French sentiment]]s and calls for independence.<ref name=":7" /> Although strongly opposed to the practices of association, educated Ivorians believed that they would achieve equality in the French colonial system through assimilation rather than through complete independence from France.<ref name=":7" /> After the assimilation doctrine was implemented through the postwar reforms, though, Ivorian leaders realised that even assimilation implied the superiority of the French over the Ivorians and that discrimination and inequality would end only with independence.<ref name=":7" />

===Independence===
[[File:Houphouet-Boigny Kennedy.jpg|thumb|President [[Félix Houphouët-Boigny]] and First Lady [[Marie-Thérèse Houphouët-Boigny]] in the [[White House]] [[Entrance Hall]] with President [[John F. Kennedy]] and First Lady [[Jacqueline Kennedy]] in 1962]]
[[Félix Houphouët-Boigny]], the son of a [[Baoulé people|Baoulé chief]], became Ivory Coast's father of independence. In 1944, he formed the country's first agricultural trade union for African cocoa farmers like himself. Angered that colonial policy favoured French plantation owners, the union members united to recruit migrant workers for their own farms. Houphouët-Boigny soon rose to prominence and was elected to the French Parliament in Paris within a year. A year later, the French abolished [[forced labour]]. Houphouët-Boigny established a strong relationship with the French government, expressing a belief that Ivory Coast would benefit from the relationship, which it did for many years. France appointed him as a minister, the first African to become a minister in a European government.<ref>{{harvnb|Mortimer|1969}}.</ref>

A turning point in relations with France was reached with the 1956 Overseas Reform Act (''[[Loi-cadre Defferre|Loi Cadre]]''), which transferred several powers from Paris to elected territorial governments in French West Africa and also removed the remaining voting inequities.<ref name=":9" /> On 4 December 1958, Ivory Coast became an autonomous member of the French Community, which had replaced the [[French Union]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/sub-saharan-africa-region/french-ivory-coast-1946-1960/|title=French Ivory Coast (1946-1960)|publisher=University of Central Arkansas|access-date=21 January 2021|archive-date=31 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210131133425/https://uca.edu/politicalscience/dadm-project/sub-saharan-africa-region/french-ivory-coast-1946-1960/|url-status=live}}</ref>

By 1960, the country was easily French West Africa's most prosperous, contributing over 40% of the region's total exports. When Houphouët-Boigny became the first president, his government gave farmers good prices for their products to further stimulate production, which was further boosted by a significant immigration of workers from surrounding countries. Coffee production increased significantly, catapulting Ivory Coast into third place in world output, behind Brazil and Colombia. By 1979, the country was the world's leading producer of cocoa. It also became Africa's leading exporter of pineapples and palm oil. French technicians contributed to the "Ivorian miracle". In other African nations, the people drove out the Europeans following independence, but in Ivory Coast, they poured in. The French community grew from only 30,000 before independence to 60,000 in 1980, most of them teachers, managers, and advisors.<ref name=csecon>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/41.htm|title=Ivory Coast&nbsp;– The Economy|website=countrystudies.us|publisher=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=2 September 2008|archive-date=11 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511100239/http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/41.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> For 20 years, the economy maintained an annual growth rate of nearly 10%—the highest of Africa's non-oil-exporting countries.

===Houphouët-Boigny administration===
Houphouët-Boigny's one-party rule was not amenable to political competition. [[Laurent Gbagbo]], (who eventually became the president of Ivory Coast in 2000) had to flee the country in the 1980s after he incurred the ire of Houphouët-Boigny by founding the [[Ivorian Popular Front]].<ref>{{harvnb|McGovern|2011|p=16}}.</ref> Houphouët-Boigny banked on his broad appeal to the population, who continued to elect him. He was criticised for his emphasis on developing large-scale projects.

Many felt the millions of dollars spent transforming his home village, [[Yamoussoukro]], into the new political capital were wasted; others supported his vision to develop a centre for peace, education, and religion in the heart of the country. In the early 1980s, the world recession and a local drought sent shock waves through the Ivorian economy. The overcutting of timber and collapsing sugar prices caused the country's external debt to increase three-fold. Crime rose dramatically in [[Abidjan]] as an influx of villagers exacerbated unemployment caused by the recession.<ref>{{harvnb|Appiah|Gates|2010|p=330}}.</ref> In 1990, hundreds of civil servants went on strike, joined by students protesting [[institutional corruption]]. The unrest forced the government to support multi-party democracy. Houphouët-Boigny became increasingly feeble and died in 1993. He favoured [[Henri Konan Bédié]] as his successor.

===Bédié administration===
In October 1995, Bédié overwhelmingly won re-election against a fragmented and disorganised opposition. He tightened his hold over political life, jailing several hundred opposition supporters. In contrast, the economic outlook improved, at least superficially, with decreasing inflation and an attempt to remove foreign debt. Unlike Houphouët-Boigny, who was very careful to avoid any ethnic conflict and left access to administrative positions open to immigrants from neighbouring countries, Bedié emphasised the concept of ''[[Ivoirité]]'' to exclude his rival [[Alassane Ouattara]], who had two northern Ivorian parents, from running for the future presidential election. As people originating from foreign countries are a large part of the Ivorian population, this policy excluded many people of Ivorian nationality. The relationship between various ethnic groups became strained, resulting in two civil wars in the following decades.

Similarly, Bedié excluded many potential opponents from the army. In late 1999, a group of dissatisfied officers [[1999 Ivorian coup d'état|staged a military coup]], putting General [[Robert Guéï]] in power. Bedié fled into exile in France. The new leadership reduced crime and corruption, and the generals pressed for [[austerity]] and campaigned in the streets for a less wasteful society.

===First civil war===
{{Main|First Ivorian Civil War}}
A [[2000 Ivorian presidential election|presidential election was held in October 2000]] in which Laurent Gbagbo vied with Guéï, but it was not peaceful. The lead-up to the election was marked by military and civil unrest. Following a public uprising that resulted in around 180 deaths, Guéï was swiftly replaced by Gbagbo. Ouattara was disqualified by the country's Supreme Court because of his alleged [[Burkina Faso|Burkinabé]] nationality. The constitution did not allow noncitizens to run for the presidency. This sparked violent protests in which his supporters, mainly from the country's north, battled riot police in the capital, Yamoussoukro.

In the early hours of 19 September 2002, while Gbagbo was in Italy, an armed uprising occurred. Troops who were to be demobilised mutinied, launching attacks in several cities. The battle for the main [[gendarmerie]] barracks in Abidjan lasted until mid-morning, but by lunchtime the government forces had secured Abidjan. They had lost control of the north of the country, and rebel forces made their stronghold in the northern city of [[Bouaké]]. The rebels threatened to move on to Abidjan again, and France deployed troops from its base in the country to stop their advance. The French said they were protecting their citizens from danger, but their deployment also helped government forces. That the French were helping either side was not established as a fact, but each side accused the French of supporting the opposite side. Whether French actions improved or worsened the situation in the long term is disputed. What exactly happened that night is also disputed. [[File:059 French Foreign Legion.JPG|thumb|Armed Ivorians next to a [[French Foreign Legion]] armoured car, 2004]]The government claimed that former president Robert Guéï led a coup attempt, and state TV showed pictures of his dead body in the street; counter-claims stated that he and 15 others had been murdered at his home, and his body had been moved to the streets to incriminate him. Ouattara took refuge in the German embassy; his home had been burned down. President Gbagbo cut short his trip to Italy and on his return stated, in a television address, that some of the rebels were hiding in the shanty towns where foreign migrant workers lived. Gendarmes and vigilantes bulldozed and burned homes by the thousands, attacking residents. An early ceasefire with the rebels, which had the backing of much of the northern populace, proved short-lived and fighting over the prime cocoa-growing areas resumed. France sent in troops to maintain the cease-fire boundaries, and militias, including warlords and fighters from [[Liberia]] and [[Sierra Leone]], took advantage of the crisis to seize parts of the west.

In January 2003, Gbagbo and rebel leaders signed accords creating a "government of national unity". Curfews were lifted, and French troops patrolled the country's western border. The unity government was unstable, and central problems remained with neither side achieving its goals. In March 2004, 120 people were killed at an opposition rally, and subsequent mob violence led to the evacuation of foreign nationals. A report concluded the killings were planned. Though UN peacekeepers were deployed to maintain a "Zone of Confidence", relations between Gbagbo and the opposition continued to deteriorate.

Early in November 2004, after the peace agreement had effectively collapsed because the rebels refused to disarm, Gbagbo ordered airstrikes against the rebels. During [[2004 French–Ivorian clashes|one of these airstrikes]] in Bouaké, on 6 November 2004, French soldiers were hit, and nine were killed; the Ivorian government said it was a mistake, but the French claimed it was deliberate. They responded by destroying most Ivorian military aircraft (two Su-25 planes and five helicopters), and violent retaliatory riots against the French broke out in Abidjan.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/15/opinion/fenton/main655762.shtml |title=France's 'Little Iraq' |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131008165150/http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2004/11/15/opinion/fenton/main655762.shtml |archive-date= 8 October 2013 |publisher=[[CBS News]]|last= Fenton|first=Tim|date=15 November 2004}}{{unreliable source?|date=September 2021}}</ref>

Gbagbo's original term as president expired on 30 October 2005, but a peaceful election was deemed impossible, so his term in office was extended for a maximum of one year, according to a plan worked out by the [[African Union]] and endorsed by the [[United Nations Security Council]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=56730|agency=[[Integrated Regional Information Networks|IRIN]]|title=UN endorses plan to leave president in office beyond mandate|date=14 October 2005|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070219082412/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=56730 | archive-date = 19 February 2007}}</ref> With the late-October deadline approaching in 2006, the election was regarded as very unlikely to be held by that point, and the opposition and the rebels rejected the possibility of another term extension for Gbagbo.<ref>{{cite news|last=Bavier|first=Joe|date=18 August 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070312061303/http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-18-voa13.cfm?CFID=121056525&CFTOKEN=68059362|url=http://www.voanews.com/english/archive/2006-08/2006-08-18-voa13.cfm?CFID=121056525&CFTOKEN=68059362|url-status=dead|title=Ivory Coast Opposition, Rebels Say No to Term Extension for President|archive-date=12 March 2007|publisher=[[VOA News]]}}</ref> The UN Security Council endorsed another one-year extension of Gbagbo's term on 1 November 2006; however, the resolution provided for strengthening of Prime Minister [[Charles Konan Banny]]'s powers. Gbagbo said the next day that elements of the resolution deemed to be constitutional violations would not be applied.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=61473|title=Partial rejection of UN peace plan|publisher=[[Integrated Regional Information Networks|IRIN]]|date=2 November 2006|access-date=11 April 2011|archive-date=15 May 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110515014759/http://www.irinnews.org/report.aspx?reportid=61473|url-status=live}}</ref>

A peace accord between the government and the rebels, or [[Forces Nouvelles de Côte d'Ivoire|New Forces]], was signed on 4 March 2007, and subsequently [[Guillaume Soro]], leader of the New Forces, became prime minister. These events were seen by some observers as substantially strengthening Gbagbo's position.<ref>{{cite web|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026105514/http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070412095335190C984275|url=http://www.int.iol.co.za/index.php?set_id=1&click_id=68&art_id=nw20070412095335190C984275|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 October 2007|title=New Ivory Coast govt 'a boost for Gbagbo'|publisher=[[Independent Online (South Africa)|Independent Online]]|agency=[[Agence France-Presse]]|date=12 April 2007}}</ref> According to UNICEF, at the end of the civil war, water and sanitation infrastructure had been greatly damaged. Communities across the country required repairs to their water supply.<ref name=unicef>{{cite web|title=Water And Sanitation|url=http://www.unicef.org/cotedivoire/wes.html|publisher=[[UNICEF]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160514082758/http://www.unicef.org/cotedivoire/wes.html|archive-date=14 May 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Second civil war===
{{main|Ivorian presidential election, 2010|Second Ivorian Civil War}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left; float:right; margin-right:9px; margin-left:2px;"
|-
| align="right" | [[File:Alassane Ouattara UNESCO 09-2011.jpg|150px]] || align="right" | [[File:Daniel Kablan Duncan 2014.png|180px]]
|-
| align="center" |[[Alassane Ouattara]]<br /><small>[[President of Ivory Coast|President]] since 2010</small>
| align="center" |[[Daniel Kablan Duncan]]<br /><small>[[Prime Minister of Ivory Coast|Prime Minister]] from 2012 to 2017</small>
|}

The presidential elections that should have been organised in 2005 were postponed until November 2010. The preliminary results showed a loss for Gbagbo in favour of former Prime Minister Ouattara.<ref name=Thousands26>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12079552|access-date=26 December 2010|publisher=[[BBC News]]|title=Thousands flee Ivory Coast for Liberia amid poll crisis|date=26 December 2010|archive-date=26 December 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101226044156/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-12079552|url-status=live}}</ref> The ruling FPI contested the results before the [[Constitutional Council (Ivory Coast)|Constitutional Council]], charging massive fraud in the northern departments controlled by the rebels of the New Forces. These charges were contradicted by United Nations observers (unlike African Union observers).{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}} The report of the results led to severe tension and violent incidents. The Constitutional Council, which consisted of Gbagbo supporters, declared the results of seven northern departments unlawful and that Gbagbo had won the elections with 51% of the vote – instead of Ouattara winning with 54%, as reported by the Electoral Commission.<ref name="Thousands26" /> After the inauguration of Gbagbo, Ouattara—who was recognised as the winner by most countries and the United Nations—organised an alternative inauguration. These events raised fears of a resurgence of the civil war; thousands of refugees fled the country.<ref name="Thousands26" /> The African Union sent [[Thabo Mbeki]], former president of South Africa, to mediate the conflict. The United Nations Security Council adopted a resolution recognising Ouattara as the winner of the elections, based on the position of the [[Economic Community of West African States]], which suspended Ivory Coast from all its decision-making bodies<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.ecowas.int/presseshow.php?nb=188&lang=en&annee=2010|url-status=dead|title=Final Communique on the Extraordinary Session of the Authority of Heads of State and Government on Cote D'Ivoire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110503190625/http://news.ecowas.int/presseshow.php?nb=188&lang=en&annee=2010 |archive-date=3 May 2011|publisher=[[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS)|date=7 December 2010}}</ref> while the African Union also suspended the country's membership.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Conferences/2010/december/Communiqu%C3%A9%20of%20the%20252nd.pdf|url-status=dead|title=Communique of the 252nd Meeting of the Peace and Security Council|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110206013356/http://www.africa-union.org/root/au/Conferences/2010/december/Communiqu%C3%A9%20of%20the%20252nd.pdf |archive-date= 6 February 2011|publisher=[[African Union]]|date=9 December 2010}}</ref>

In 2010, a colonel of Ivory Coast armed forces, Nguessan Yao, was arrested in New York in a year-long [[U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement]] operation charged with procuring and illegal export of weapons and munitions: 4,000 handguns, 200,000 rounds of ammunition, and 50,000 tear-gas grenades, in violation of a UN embargo.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-deports-ivory-coast-army-colonel-convicted-arms-trafficking |date=30 November 2012 |title=ICE deports Ivory Coast army colonel convicted of arms trafficking |publisher=[[Immigration and Customs Enforcement ]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227213707/https://www.ice.gov/news/releases/ice-deports-ivory-coast-army-colonel-convicted-arms-trafficking |archive-date=27 February 2018 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Several other Ivory Coast officers were released because they had diplomatic passports. His accomplice, Michael Barry Shor, an international trader, was located in Virginia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/09/21/FBI-nabbed-colonel-on-official-business/UPI-16431285082800/|title=FBI nabbed colonel on official business|work=[[United Press International]]|date=21 September 2010|access-date=22 March 2012|archive-date=25 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130825205019/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/09/21/FBI-nabbed-colonel-on-official-business/UPI-16431285082800/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>''United States v. Shor'', [https://web.archive.org/web/20180227130349/https://cases.justia.com/federal/appellate-courts/ca9/13-10642/13-10642-2015-12-18.pdf?ts=1450472514 Order on appeal from summary judgment], [[Ninth Circuit|9th Cir.]] Case No. 5:10-cr-00434-RMW-1, (18 December 2015).</ref>[[File:Internally Displaced Persons Duekoue 2011 Cote dIvoire.jpg|thumb|A shelter for internally displaced persons during the 2011 civil war]]
The 2010 presidential election led to the [[2010–2011 Ivorian crisis]] and the Second Ivorian Civil War. International organisations reported numerous human-rights violations by both sides. In [[Duékoué]], hundreds of people were killed. In nearby [[Bloléquin]], dozens were killed.<ref>{{cite web|date=27 April 2011|last=DiCampo|first=Peter|title=An Uncertain Future|url=http://pulitzercenter.org/articles/ivory-coast-gbagbo-election-violence|website=Ivory Coast: Elections Turn to War|publisher=Pulitzer Center|access-date=8 August 2011|archive-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709221150/http://pulitzercenter.org/articles/ivory-coast-gbagbo-election-violence|url-status=live}}</ref> UN and French forces took military action against Gbagbo.<ref>{{cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ivory-coast-strongman-arrested-after-french-forces-intervene/2011/04/11/AFOBaeKD_story.html |title= Ivory Coast strongman arrested after French forces intervene |first1= Colum |last1= Lynch |first2= William |last2= Branigin |newspaper= [[Washington Post]] |date= 11 April 2011 |access-date= 12 April 2011 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110413014353/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/ivory-coast-strongman-arrested-after-french-forces-intervene/2011/04/11/AFOBaeKD_story.html |archive-date= 13 April 2011 |url-status= live |df= dmy-all }}</ref> Gbagbo was taken into custody after a raid into his residence on 11 April 2011.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2011-04-11|title=Ivory Coast's Laurent Gbagbo arrested – four months on|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/apr/11/ivory-coast-former-leader-arrested|access-date=2021-06-01|website=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref> The country was severely damaged by the war, and it was observed that Ouattara had inherited a formidable challenge to rebuild the economy and [[Refugees from Ivory Coast|reunite Ivorians]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/11/ivory-coast-gbagbo-ouattara-economic-crisis|title=The war is over — but Ouattara's struggle has barely begun|work=The Guardian|date=11 April 2011|first=Thalia|last=Griffiths|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-date=11 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311211659/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2011/apr/11/ivory-coast-gbagbo-ouattara-economic-crisis|url-status=live}}</ref> Gbagbo was taken to the [[International Criminal Court]] in January 2016. He was declared acquitted by the court but given a conditional release<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20190201-icc-orders-conditional-release-ex-ivory-coast-leader-laurent-gbagbo|title=ICC orders conditional release of ex-Ivory Coast leader Gbagbo|date=1 February 2019|publisher=[[France 24]]|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=6 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306180427/https://www.france24.com/en/20190201-icc-orders-conditional-release-ex-ivory-coast-leader-laurent-gbagbo|url-status=live}}</ref> in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/15/africa/laurent-gbagbo-acquitted-by-icc/index.html |title=Former Ivory Coast President Laurent Gbagbo freed by International Criminal Court |date=15 January 2019 |access-date=15 January 2019 |publisher=[[CNN]] |archive-date=15 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190115161741/https://edition.cnn.com/2019/01/15/africa/laurent-gbagbo-acquitted-by-icc/index.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Belgium has been designated as a host country.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/ivory-coast-president-laurent-gbagbo-released-belgium-190206061604107.html|title=Ivory Coast's ex-president Laurent Gbagbo released to Belgium|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|access-date=6 March 2019|archive-date=4 March 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190304100855/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/02/ivory-coast-president-laurent-gbagbo-released-belgium-190206061604107.html|url-status=live}}</ref>

===Ouattara administration===
Ouattara has ruled the country since 2010. President Ouattara was re-elected in the [[2015 Ivorian presidential election|2015 presidential election]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ivory Coast's Ouattara re-elected by a landslide|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/28/ivory-coasts-ouattara-re-elected-by-a-landslide|access-date=2021-06-01|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|archive-date=17 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417190224/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2015/10/28/ivory-coasts-ouattara-re-elected-by-a-landslide/|url-status=live}}</ref> [[2020 Ivorian presidential election|In November 2020]], he won a third term in office in elections boycotted by the opposition. His opponents argued it was illegal for Ouattara to run for a third term.<ref>{{Cite news|date=2020-11-03|title=Ivory Coast election: Alassane Ouattara wins amid boycott|publisher=[[BBC News]]|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54778200|access-date=2021-06-01|archive-date=15 February 2024|archive-url=https://archive.today/20240215181411/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-54778200|url-status=live}}</ref> Ivory Coast's Constitutional Council formally ratified President Ouattara's re-election to a third term in November 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Ivory Coast Constitutional Council confirms Ouattara re-election|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/9/ivory-coast-president-ouattaras-disputed-third-term-confirmed|access-date=2021-06-01|publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]]|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309055341/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/11/9/ivory-coast-president-ouattaras-disputed-third-term-confirmed|url-status=live}}</ref>

In December 2022, Ivory Coast's electric production company, {{ill|Compagnie ivoirienne d'électricité|fr}} launched a commission to establish the country's first [[Boundiali Solar Power Station|solar plant]] in [[Boundiali]], with an installation of 37.5 MW, backed by a 10-MW lithium [[battery energy storage system]].

On 6 October 2023, Ouattara dissolved the government and removed Prime Minister [[Patrick Achi]] from his position.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ivory Coast president removes prime minister, dissolves government |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/ivory-coast-president-removes-prime-minister-dissolves-government/ar-AA1hN9J3?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=72b1c783c7144bb59f6ce39ae332a0b9&ei=14 |access-date=2023-10-06 |website=www.msn.com |language=en |archive-date=18 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240518175758/https://www.msn.com/en-us/feed?ocid=msedgntp |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Government and politics==
{{Main|Politics of Ivory Coast}}

The government is divided into three branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. The [[Parliament of Ivory Coast]], consists of the indirectly elected [[Senate (Ivory Coast)|Senate]] and the [[National Assembly (Ivory Coast)|National Assembly]] which has 255 members, elected for five-year terms.

Since 1983, Ivory Coast's [[capital city|capital]] has been Yamoussoukro, while Abidjan was the administrative center. Most countries maintain their embassies in Abidjan.

Although most of the fighting ended by late 2004, the country remained split in two, with the north controlled by the New Forces. A new presidential election was expected to be held in October 2005, and the rival parties agreed in March 2007 to proceed with this, but it continued to be postponed until November 2010 due to delays in its preparation.

Elections were finally [[Ivorian presidential election, 2010|held in 2010]]. The first round of elections was held peacefully and widely hailed as free and fair. Runoffs were held on 28 November 2010, after being delayed one week from the original date of 21 November. [[Laurent Gbagbo]] as president ran against former Prime Minister [[Alassane Ouattara]].<ref>{{cite news |author=Agnero, Eric |date=10 November 2010 |title=Ivory Coast postpones presidential runoff vote |publisher=CNN |url=http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/11/10/ivory.coast.runoff/ |access-date=11 November 2010 |archive-date=8 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121108222124/http://www.cnn.com/2010/WORLD/africa/11/10/ivory.coast.runoff/ |url-status=live }}</ref> On 2 December, the Electoral Commission declared that Ouattara had won the election by a margin of 54% to 46%. In response, the Gbagbo-aligned Constitutional Council rejected the declaration, and the government announced that country's borders had been sealed. An Ivorian military spokesman said, "The air, land, and sea border of the country are closed to all movement of people and goods."<ref>{{cite news |date=3 December 2010 |title=Ivory Coast election: Army says it has sealed borders |publisher=[[BBC News]] |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11905971 |access-date=3 November 2010 |archive-date=3 December 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101203045510/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-africa-11905971 |url-status=live }}</ref>

President Alassane Ouattara has led the country since 2010 and he was re-elected to a third term in November 2020 [[2020 Ivorian presidential election|elections]] boycotted by two leading opposition figures former President Henri Konan Bedie and ex-Prime Minister [[Pascal Affi N'Guessan]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=3 November 2020 |title=Ivory Coast election: Ouattara wins the third term, opposition cries foul |url=https://www.dw.com/en/ivory-coast-election-ouattara-wins-third-term-opposition-cries-foul/a-55480568 |access-date=2021-06-01 |website=[[Deutsche Welle]] |archive-date=8 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210308033827/https://www.dw.com/en/ivory-coast-election-ouattara-wins-third-term-opposition-cries-foul/a-55480568 |url-status=live }}</ref> The [[Achi II government]] has ruled the country from April 2022<ref>{{Cite web |title=Côte d'Ivoire : un nouveau gouvernement, mais peu de changements – Jeune Afrique |url=https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1340779/politique/cote-divoire-un-nouveau-gouvernement-mais-peu-de-changements/ |access-date=2022-08-10 |website=JeuneAfrique.com |language=fr-FR |archive-date=28 July 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728191410/https://www.jeuneafrique.com/1340779/politique/cote-divoire-un-nouveau-gouvernement-mais-peu-de-changements/ |url-status=live }}</ref> until 6 October 2023.{{citation needed|date=February 2025}} It was succeeded by the government of [[Robert Beugré Mambé]] on 17 October 2023.{{Citation needed|date=February 2025}}

===Foreign relations===
{{Further|Foreign relations of Ivory Coast}}
[[File:IC Gbagbo Motta eng 195.jpg|thumb|Former President [[Laurent Gbagbo]] was extradited to the [[International Criminal Court]] (ICC), becoming the first head of state to be taken into the court's custody.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 January 2016 |title=Ivory Coast's former president Laurent Gbagbo oversaw 'unspeakable crimes', says ICC |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/cotedivoire/12126876/Ivory-Coasts-former-president-Laurent-Gbagbo-oversaw-unspeakable-crimes-says-ICC.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220110/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/cotedivoire/12126876/Ivory-Coasts-former-president-Laurent-Gbagbo-oversaw-unspeakable-crimes-says-ICC.html |archive-date=10 January 2022 |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph]]}}{{cbignore}}</ref>]]

In Africa, Ivorian diplomacy favours step-by-step economic and political cooperation. In 1959, Ivory Coast formed the Council of the Entente with Dahomey (Benin), Upper Volta (Burkina Faso), [[Niger]], and [[Togo]]; in 1965, the [[African and Malagasy Common Organization]] (OCAM); in 1972, the Economic Community of West Africa (CEAO). The latter organisation changed to the [[Economic Community of West African States]] (ECOWAS) in 1975. A founding member of the Organization of African Unity (OAU) in 1963 and then of the [[African Union]] in 2000, Ivory Coast defends respect for state sovereignty and peaceful cooperation between African countries.

Worldwide, Ivorian diplomacy is committed to fair economic and trade relations, including the fair trade of agricultural products and the promotion of peaceful relations with all countries. Ivory Coast thus maintains diplomatic relations with international organisations and countries all around the world. In particular, it has signed United Nations treaties such as the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, the 1967 Protocol, and the 1969 Convention Governing Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa. Ivory Coast is a member of the [[Organisation of Islamic Cooperation]], African Union, [[La Francophonie]], [[Latin Union]], [[Economic Community of West African States]], and [[South Atlantic Peace and Cooperation Zone]].

Ivory Coast has partnered with nations of the Sub-Saharan region to strengthen water and sanitation [[infrastructure]]. This has been done mainly with the help of organisations such as UNICEF and corporations like Nestle.<ref name="unicef" />

In 2015, the United Nations engineered the [[Sustainable Development Goals]] (replacing the Millennium Development Goals). They focus on health, education, poverty, hunger, climate change, water sanitation, and hygiene. A major focus was clean water and salinisation. Experts working in these fields have designed the [[WASH]] concept. WASH focuses on safe drinkable water, hygiene, and proper sanitation. The group has had a major impact on the sub-Saharan region of Africa, particularly the Ivory Coast. By 2030, they plan to have universal and equal access to safe and affordable drinking water.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sustainable Development Goals |url=https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160506175524/https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/?menu=1300 |archive-date=6 May 2016 |access-date=20 May 2016 |website=sustainabledevelopment.un.org}}</ref>

On 1 January 2025 Ivory Coast announced that France will withdraw its troops from the country, an act that will reduce France's influence in the region.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ivory Coast says French troops to leave West African nation |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5y7zz99jlxo |access-date=2025-01-01 |website=www.bbc.com |date=January 2025 |language=en-GB}}</ref> On February 20, 2025, France officially handed over its sole military base in Ivory Coast to local authorities, marking a significant shift in their bilateral relations. This decision aligns with France's broader strategy to reduce its military footprint in West Africa, following similar withdrawals from countries like Chad, Senegal, Mali, Niger, and Burkina Faso. The base, previously home to the 43rd Marine Infantry Battalion (43rd BIMA), has been transferred to Ivorian control and renamed Camp Thomas d'Aquin Ouattara, in honor of the nation's first army chief. This move reflects Ivory Coast's growing emphasis on national sovereignty and the modernization of its armed forces.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-02-20 |title=France returns its sole Ivory coast military base to local authorities |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250220-%F0%9F%94%B4-france-returns-sole-military-base-to-ivory-coast |access-date=2025-02-20 |website=France 24 |language=en}}</ref>

===Military===
{{Further|Military of Ivory Coast}}

The military is estimated to comprise 22,000 personnel (as of 2017).<ref>{{cite news |date=15 May 2017 |title=Ivory Coast 'deal' with rebel soldiers |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-39920149 |access-date=25 May 2020 |work=BBC News}}</ref>

{{As of|2012}}, major equipment items reported by the Ivory Coast Army included 10 [[T-55]] tanks (marked as potentially unserviceable), five [[AMX-13]] light tanks, 34 reconnaissance vehicles, 10 BMP-1/2 armoured infantry fighting vehicles, 41 wheeled APCs, and 36+ artillery pieces.<ref>{{harvnb|IISS|2012|p=429}}.</ref>

In 2012, the Ivory Coast Air Force consisted of one [[Mil Mi-24]] attack helicopter and three [[Aérospatiale SA 330 Puma|SA330L Puma]] transports (marked as potentially unserviceable).<ref>{{harvnb|IISS|2012|p=430}}.</ref>

In 2017, Ivory Coast signed the UN [[treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2017 |title=Chapter XXVI: Disarmament&nbsp;– No. 9 Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons |url=https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |publisher=United Nations Treaty Collection |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=6 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190806220546/https://treaties.un.org/Pages/ViewDetails.aspx?src=TREATY&mtdsg_no=XXVI-9&chapter=26&clang=_en |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Administrative divisions==
[[File:Districts of Côte d'Ivoire (Numbered).png|thumb|Districts of Ivory Coast]]

Since 2011, Ivory Coast has been administratively organised into [[districts of Ivory Coast|12 districts]] plus two district-level autonomous cities. The [[Subdivisions of Ivory Coast|districts are sub-divided]] into [[Regions of Ivory Coast|31 regions]]; the regions are divided into [[departments of Ivory Coast|108 departments]]; and the departments are divided into [[sub-prefectures of Ivory Coast|510 sub-prefectures]].<ref>''Geopolitical Entities, Names, and Codes'' (GENC) second edition</ref> In some instances, multiple villages are organised into [[Communes of Ivory Coast|communes]]. The autonomous districts are not divided into regions, but they do contain departments, sub-prefectures, and communes. Since 2011, governors for the 12 non-autonomous districts have not been appointed. As a result, these districts have not yet begun to function as governmental entities.

The following is the list of districts, district capitals and each district's regions:

{| class="sortable wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" width="15" |Map no.
! scope="col" width="140" |District
! scope="col" width="140" |District capital
! scope="col" width="140" |Regions
! scope="col" width="140" |Region seat
! scope="col" width="140" |Population<ref>{{statoids|id=uci|title=Districts of Côte d'Ivoire}} Institut National de la Statistique, Côte d'Ivoire.</ref>
|-
! colspan="1" !scope="row" |1
| colspan="4" align="left" row |'''[[Abidjan]]''' <br />(''District Autonome d'Abidjan'')
| align="right" |4,707,404
|-
! rowspan="3" !scope="row" |2
| rowspan="3" align="row" |'''[[Bas-Sassandra District|Bas-Sassandra]]''' <br />(''District du Bas-Sassandra'')
| rowspan="3" align="left" |[[San-Pédro, Ivory Coast|San-Pédro]]
|[[Gbôklé]]
|[[Sassandra]]
| align="right" |400,798
|-
|[[Nawa Region|Nawa]]
|[[Soubré]]
| align="right" |1,053,084
|-
|[[San-Pédro Region|San-Pédro]]
|[[San-Pédro, Ivory Coast|San-Pédro]]
| align="right" |826,666
|-
! rowspan="2" !scope="row" |3
| rowspan="2" align="row" |'''[[Comoé District|Comoé]]''' <br />(''District du Comoé'')
| rowspan="2" align="left" |[[Abengourou]]
|[[Indénié-Djuablin]]
|[[Abengourou]]
| align="right" |560,432
|-
|[[Sud-Comoé]]
|[[Aboisso]]
| align="right" |642,620
|-
! rowspan="2" !scope="row" |4
| rowspan="2" align="=row" |'''[[Denguélé District|Denguélé]]''' <br />(''District du Denguélé'')
| rowspan="2" align="left" |[[Odienné]]
|[[Folon Region|Folon]]
|[[Minignan]]
| align="right" |96,415
|-
|[[Kabadougou]]
|[[Odienné]]
| align="right" |193,364
|-
! rowspan="2" !scope="row" |5
| rowspan="2" align="row" |'''[[Gôh-Djiboua District|Gôh-Djiboua]]''' <br />(''District du Gôh-Djiboua'')
| rowspan="2" align="left" |[[Gagnoa]]
|[[Gôh]]
|[[Gagnoa]]
| align="right" |876,117
|-
|[[Lôh-Djiboua]]
|[[Divo, Ivory Coast|Divo]]
| align="right" |729,169
|-
! rowspan="4" !scope="row" |6
| rowspan="4" align="row" |'''[[Lacs District|Lacs]]''' <br />(''District des Lacs'')
| rowspan="4" align="left" |[[Dimbokro]]
|[[Bélier Region]]
|[[Yamoussoukro]]<ref>While Yamoussoukro is the seat of Bélier region, the city itself is not part of the region.</ref>
| align="right" |346,768
|-
|[[Iffou]]
|[[Daoukro]]
| align="right" |311,642
|-
|[[Moronou Region|Moronou]]
|[[Bongouanou]]
| align="right" |352,616
|-
|[[N'Zi Region|N'Zi]]
|[[Dimbokro]]
| align="right" |247,578
|-
! rowspan="3" !scope="row" |7
| rowspan="3" align="row" |'''[[Lagunes District|Lagunes]]''' <br />(''District des Lagunes'')
| rowspan="3" align="left" |[[Dabou]]
|[[Agnéby-Tiassa]]
|[[Agboville]]
| align="right" |606,852
|-
|[[Grands-Ponts]]
|[[Dabou]]
| align="right" |356,495
|-
|[[La Mé]]
|[[Adzopé]]
| align="right" |514,700
|-
! rowspan="3" !scope="row" |8
| rowspan="3" align="row" |'''[[Montagnes District|Montagnes]]''' <br />(''District des Montagnes'')
| rowspan="3" align="left" |[[Man, Ivory Coast|Man]]
|[[Cavally Region|Cavally]]
|[[Guiglo]]
| align="right" |459,964
|-
|[[Guémon]]
|[[Duékoué]]
| align="right" |919,392
|-
|[[Tonkpi]]
|[[Man, Ivory Coast|Man]]
| align="right" |992,564
|-
! rowspan="2" !scope="row" |9
| rowspan="2" align="row" |'''[[Sassandra-Marahoué District|Sassandra-Marahoué]]''' <br />(''District du Sassandra-Marahoué'')
| rowspan="2" align="left" |[[Daloa]]
|[[Haut-Sassandra]]
|[[Daloa]]
| align="right" |1,430,960
|-
|[[Marahoué]]
|[[Bouaflé]]
| align="right" |862,344
|-
! rowspan="3" !scope="row" |10
| rowspan="3" align="row" |'''[[Savanes District|Savanes]]''' <br />(''District des Savanes'')
| rowspan="3" align="left" |[[Korhogo]]
|[[Bagoué]]
|[[Boundiali]]
| align="right" |375,687
|-
|[[Poro Region|Poro]]
|[[Korhogo]]
| align="right" |763,852
|-
|[[Tchologo]]
|[[Ferkessédougou]]
| align="right" |467,958
|-
! rowspan="2" !scope="row" |11
| rowspan="2" align="row" |'''[[Vallée du Bandama District|Vallée du Bandama]]''' <br />(''District de la Vallée du Bandama'')
| rowspan="2" align="left" |[[Bouaké]]
|[[Gbêkê]]
|[[Bouaké]]
| align="right" |1,010,849
|-
|[[Hambol]]
|[[Katiola, Ivory Coast|Katiola]]
| align="right" |429,977
|-
! rowspan="3" !scope="row" |12
| rowspan="3" align="row" |'''[[Woroba District|Woroba]]''' <br />(''District du Woroba'')
| rowspan="3" align="left" |[[Séguéla]]
|[[Béré Region|Béré]]
|[[Mankono]]
| align="right" |389,758
|-
|[[Bafing Region|Bafing]]
|[[Touba, Ivory Coast|Touba]]
| align="right" |183,047
|-
|[[Worodougou]]
|[[Séguéla]]
| align="right" |272,334
|-
! colspan="1" !scope="row" |13
| colspan="4" align="left" row |'''[[Yamoussoukro]]''' <br />(''District Autonome du Yamoussoukro'')
| align="right" |355,573
|-
! rowspan="2" !scope="row" |14
| rowspan="2" align="row" |'''[[Zanzan District|Zanzan]]''' <br />(''District du Zanzan'')
| rowspan="2" align="left" |[[Bondoukou]]
|[[Bounkani]]
|[[Bouna, Ivory Coast|Bouna]]
| align="right" |267,167
|-
|[[Gontougo]]
|[[Bondoukou]]
| align="right" |667,185
|-
|}

===Largest cities===
{{see also|List of cities in Ivory Coast}}
{{Largest cities of Ivory Coast|class=info}}

==Geography==
{{Main|Geography of Ivory Coast}}
[[File:Koppen-Geiger Map CIV present.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Köppen climate classification map of Ivory Coast]]
Ivory Coast is a country in western [[sub-Saharan Africa]]. It borders [[Liberia]] and [[Guinea]] in the west, [[Mali]] and [[Burkina Faso]] in the north, [[Ghana]] in the east, and the [[Gulf of Guinea]] (Atlantic Ocean) in the south. The country lies between latitudes [[4th parallel north|4°]] and [[11th parallel north|11°N]], and longitudes [[2nd meridian west|2°]] and [[9th meridian west|9°W]]. Around 64.8% of the land is agricultural land; arable land amounted to 9.1%, permanent pasture 41.5%, and permanent crops 14.2%. Water pollution is one of the biggest issues that the country is currently facing.<ref name="CIA"/>

===Biodiversity===
{{Main|Wildlife of Ivory Coast|Environment of Ivory Coast|List of national parks of Ivory Coast}}

There are over 1,200 animal species including 223 mammals, 702 birds, 161 reptiles, 85 amphibians, and 111 species of fish, alongside 4,700 plant species. It is the most biodiverse country in West Africa, with the majority of its wildlife population living in the nation's rugged interior.<ref>{{cite web |title=COTE D' IVOIRE (IVORY COAST) |url=http://rainforests.mongabay.com/20cotedivoire.htm |publisher=Monga Bay |access-date=4 May 2020 |archive-date=9 April 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230409091347/https://rainforests.mongabay.com/20cotedivoire.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> The nation has nine national parks, the largest of which is [[Assagny National Park|Assgny National Park]] which occupies an area of around 17,000 hectares or 42,000 acres.<ref name="UNEP">{{cite web |year=1983 |title=Parc national d'Azagny |url=http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/pa/0072p.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101101223439/http://sea.unep-wcmc.org/sites/pa/0072p.htm |archive-date=1 November 2010 |access-date=2 June 2019 |publisher=United Nations Environment Programme}}</ref>

The country contains six terrestrial ecoregions: [[Eastern Guinean forests]], [[Guinean montane forests]], [[Western Guinean lowland forests]], [[Guinean forest–savanna mosaic]], [[West Sudanian savanna]], and [[Guinean mangroves]].<ref name="DinersteinOlson2017">{{cite journal |last1=Dinerstein |first1=Eric |last2=Olson |first2=David |last3=Joshi |first3=Anup |last4=Vynne |first4=Carly |last5=Burgess |first5=Neil D. |last6=Wikramanayake |first6=Eric |last7=Hahn |first7=Nathan |last8=Palminteri |first8=Suzanne |last9=Hedao |first9=Prashant |last10=Noss |first10=Reed |last11=Hansen |first11=Matt |last12=Locke |first12=Harvey |last13=Ellis |first13=Erle C |last14=Jones |first14=Benjamin |last15=Barber |first15=Charles Victor |display-authors=2 |year=2017 |title=An Ecoregion-Based Approach to Protecting Half the Terrestrial Realm |journal=BioScience |volume=67 |issue=6 |pages=534–545 |doi=10.1093/biosci/bix014 |issn=0006-3568 |pmc=5451287 |pmid=28608869 |doi-access=free |last16=Hayes |first16=Randy |last17=Kormos |first17=Cyril |last18=Martin |first18=Vance |last19=Crist |first19=Eileen |last20=Sechrest |first20=Wes |last21=Price |first21=Lori |last22=Baillie |first22=Jonathan E. M. |last23=Weeden |first23=Don |last24=Suckling |first24=Kierán |last25=Davis |first25=Crystal |last26=Sizer |first26=Nigel |last27=Moore |first27=Rebecca |last28=Thau |first28=David |last29=Birch |first29=Tanya |last30=Potapov |first30=Peter |last31=Turubanova |first31=Svetlana |last32=Tyukavina |first32=Alexandra |last33=de Souza |first33=Nadia |last34=Pintea |first34=Lilian |last35=Brito |first35=José C. |last36=Llewellyn |first36=Othman A. |last37=Miller |first37=Anthony G. |last38=Patzelt |first38=Annette |last39=Ghazanfar |first39=Shahina A. |last40=Timberlake |first40=Jonathan |last41=Klöser |first41=Heinz |last42=Shennan-Farpón |first42=Yara |last43=Kindt |first43=Roeland |last44=Lillesø |first44=Jens-Peter Barnekow |last45=van Breugel |first45=Paulo |last46=Graudal |first46=Lars |last47=Voge |first47=Maianna |last48=Al-Shammari |first48=Khalaf F. |last49=Saleem |first49=Muhammad}}</ref> It had a 2018 [[Forest Landscape Integrity Index]] mean score of 3.64/10, ranking it 143rd globally out of 172 countries.<ref name="FLII-Supplementary">{{cite journal |last1=Grantham |first1=H. S. |last2=Duncan |first2=A. |last3=Evans |first3=T. D. |last4=Jones |first4=K. R. |last5=Beyer |first5=H. L. |last6=Schuster |first6=R. |last7=Walston |first7=J. |last8=Ray |first8=J. C. |last9=Robinson |first9=J. G. |last10=Callow |first10=M. |last11=Clements |first11=T. |last12=Costa |first12=H. M. |last13=DeGemmis |first13=A. |last14=Elsen |first14=P. R. |last15=Ervin |first15=J. |display-authors=2 |year=2020 |title=Anthropogenic modification of forests means only 40% of remaining forests have high ecosystem integrity - Supplementary Material |journal=Nature Communications |volume=11 |issue=1 |page=5978 |doi=10.1038/s41467-020-19493-3 |issn=2041-1723 |pmc=7723057 |pmid=33293507 |doi-access=free |last16=Franco |first16=P. |last17=Goldman |first17=E. |last18=Goetz |first18=S. |last19=Hansen |first19=A. |last20=Hofsvang |first20=E. |last21=Jantz |first21=P. |last22=Jupiter |first22=S. |last23=Kang |first23=A. |last24=Langhammer |first24=P. |last25=Laurance |first25=W. F. |last26=Lieberman |first26=S. |last27=Linkie |first27=M. |last28=Malhi |first28=Y. |last29=Maxwell |first29=S. |last30=Mendez |first30=M. |last31=Mittermeier |first31=R. |last32=Murray |first32=N. J. |last33=Possingham |first33=H. |last34=Radachowsky |first34=J. |last35=Saatchi |first35=S. |last36=Samper |first36=C. |last37=Silverman |first37=J. |last38=Shapiro |first38=A. |last39=Strassburg |first39=B. |last40=Stevens |first40=T. |last41=Stokes |first41=E. |last42=Taylor |first42=R. |last43=Tear |first43=T. |last44=Tizard |first44=R. |last45=Venter |first45=O. |last46=Visconti |first46=P. |last47=Wang |first47=S. |last48=Watson |first48=J. E. M.|bibcode=2020NatCo..11.5978G }}</ref>

==Economy==
{{Main|Economy of Ivory Coast}}
[[File:Cote D'ivoire Product Exports (2019).svg|upright=1.3|thumb|right|A proportional representation of Ivory Coast exports, 2019]]
[[File:GDP_per_capita_development_of_Ivory_Coast.svg|thumb|GDP per capita development]]
Ivory Coast has, for the region, a relatively high [[per capita income|income per capita]] (US$1,662 in 2017) and plays a key role in transit trade for neighbouring [[landlocked country|landlocked countries]]. As of the most recent survey in 2016, 46.1% of the population continues to be affected by [[Multidimensional Poverty Index|multidimensional poverty]].<ref name=":12" /> The country is the largest economy in the [[Economic Community of West African States|West African Economic and Monetary Union]], constituting 40% of the monetary union's total GDP. Ivory Coast is the fourth-largest exporter of general goods in sub-Saharan Africa (following South Africa, Nigeria, and Angola).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mfw4a.org/cote-d-ivoire/cote-d-ivoire-financial-sector-profile.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101022073819/http://www.mfw4a.org/cote-d-ivoire/cote-d-ivoire-financial-sector-profile.html |archive-date=22 October 2010 |title=Côte d'Ivoire: Financial Sector Profile |publisher=MFW4A.org |access-date=6 December 2010}}</ref>

The country is the world's largest exporter of [[cocoa bean]]s. In 2009, cocoa-bean farmers earned $2.53 billion for cocoa exports and were projected to produce 630,000 metric tons in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=132047606 |title=Ivory Coast Makes 1st Cocoa Export Since January |publisher=Associated Press via NPR |date=9 May 2011 |access-date=21 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203101224/http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=132047606 |archive-date=3 December 2013 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Monnier |first=Olivier |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-27/ivory-coast-san-pedro-port-sees-cocoa-exports-stagnating.html |title=Ivory Coast San Pedro Port Sees Cocoa Exports Stagnating |publisher=Bloomberg |date=27 March 2013 |access-date=21 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202231854/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-03-27/ivory-coast-san-pedro-port-sees-cocoa-exports-stagnating.html |archive-date=2 December 2013 |url-status=live}}</ref> Ivory Coast also has 100,000 [[rubber]] farmers who earned a total of $105 million in 2012.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/rubber-ivorycoast-output-idUSL5N0BDB9S20130213 |title=Ivory Coast reaps more rubber as farmers shift from cocoa |work=[[Reuters]] |access-date=21 January 2014 |date=13 February 2013 |archive-date=9 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709175238/https://www.reuters.com/article/rubber-ivorycoast-output-idUSL5N0BDB9S20130213 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/west-africa/cote-divoire |title=Cote d'Ivoire &#124; Office of the United States Trade Representative |publisher=Ustr.gov |date=29 March 2009 |access-date=21 January 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203111023/http://www.ustr.gov/countries-regions/africa/west-africa/cote-divoire |archive-date=3 December 2013 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Close ties to France since independence in 1960, diversification of agricultural exports, and encouragement of foreign investment have been factors in economic growth. In recent years, Ivory Coast has been subject to greater competition and falling prices in the global marketplace for its primary crops of coffee and cocoa. That, compounded with high internal corruption, makes life difficult for the grower, those exporting into foreign markets, and the labour force; instances of [[Indentured servitude|indentured labour]] have been reported in the country's cocoa and coffee production in every edition of the [[United States Department of Labor|U.S. Department of Labor]]'s ''List of Goods Produced by Child Labor or Forced Labor'' since 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/cote_divoire.htm|url-status=dead|title=2013 Findings on the Worst Forms of Child Labor in Côte d'Ivoire|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150227021922/http://www.dol.gov/ilab/reports/child-labor/cote_divoire.htm |archive-date=27 February 2015 |publisher=[[United States Department of Labor]]}}</ref>

Ivory Coast's economy has grown faster than that of most other African countries since independence. One possible reason for this might be taxes on exported agriculture. Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Kenya were exceptions as their rulers were themselves large cash-crop producers, and the newly independent countries desisted from imposing penal rates of taxation on exported agriculture. As such, their economies did well.<ref>{{harvnb|Baten|2016|p=335}}.</ref>

Around 7.5 million people made up the workforce in 2009. The workforce took a hit, especially in the private sector, during the early 2000s with numerous economic crises since 1999. Furthermore, these crises caused companies to close and move locations, especially in the tourism industry, and transit and banking companies. Decreasing job markets posed a huge issue as unemployment rates grew. Unemployment rates rose to 9.4% in 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ivory Coast Unemployment Rate {{!}} 1998–2017 {{!}} Data {{!}} Chart {{!}} Calendar |url=http://cotedivoire.opendataforafrica.org/blizore/unemployment-rate?Region=Cote%20D%20Ivoire |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218064852/http://cotedivoire.opendataforafrica.org/blizore/unemployment-rate?Region=Cote%20D%20Ivoire |archive-date=18 February 2017 |access-date=17 February 2017 |website=www.tradingeconomics.com}}</ref> Solutions proposed to decrease unemployment included diversifying jobs in small trade. This division of work encouraged farmers and the agricultural sector. Self-employment policy, established by the Ivorian government, allowed for very strong growth in the field with an increase of 142% in seven years from 1995.<ref>{{harvnb|Ministry of Economy|2007|pp=176–180}}.</ref>

==Demographics==
{{Main|Demographics of Ivory Coast}}

{{Historical populations
|title       = Historical population
|align       = right
|width       =
|state       =
|shading     = off
|pop_name    =
|percentages = pagr
|source      =1960 UN estimate,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/|title=World Population Prospects 2022|author=[[United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs]], Population Division|access-date=2022-08-09|archive-date=11 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711213112/https://population.un.org/wpp/Download/Standard/MostUsed/|url-status=live}}</ref> 1975–1998 censuses,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ins.ci/documents/RGPH2014_expo_dg.pdf|title=Recensement Général de la Population et de l'Habitat 2014 - Rapport d'exécution et Présentation des principaux résultats|author=[[Institut National de la Statistique de Côte d'Ivoire]]|page=3|access-date=2022-08-09|archive-date=7 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230407062923/https://www.ins.ci/documents/RGPH2014_expo_dg.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 2014 census,<ref name=census_2014>{{cite web|url=https://www.ins.ci/documents/rgph/ivoirien18plus.pdf|title=RGPH 2014 Résultats globaux|author=[[Institut National de la Statistique de Côte d'Ivoire]]|access-date=2022-08-09|archive-date=26 March 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031255/https://www.ins.ci/documents/rgph/ivoirien18plus.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> 2021 census,<ref name=census_2021/> 2024 estimate.<ref name="2024_data_sheet" />
|1960.5|3709000
|1975.331507|6709600
|1988.204918 |10815694
|1998.969863 |15366672
|2014.369863 |22671331
|2021.953425 |29389150
|2024.5 |31500000
}}
[[File:Adjamemarche2.jpg|thumb|upright=1.15|right|Congestion at a market in Abidjan]]

According to the 14 December 2021 census, the population was 29,389,150,<ref name=census_2021 /> up from 22,671,331 at the 2014 census.<ref name=census_2014 /> The first national census in 1975 counted 6.7 million inhabitants.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/19.htm|title=Ivory Coast&nbsp;– Population|website=countrystudies.us|publisher=[[Library of Congress]]|access-date=3 July 2011|archive-date=23 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623134439/http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/19.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> According to a [[Demographic and Health Surveys]] nationwide survey, the [[total fertility rate]] stood at 4.3 children per woman in 2021 (with 3.6 in urban areas and 5.3 in rural areas), down from 5.0 children per woman in 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/PR140/PR140.pdf |title=Enquête Démographique et de Santé - Côte d'Ivoire - 2021 |author=[[Institut National de la Statistique de Côte d'Ivoire]] and [[ICF International]] |page=10 (21) |access-date=2022-08-10 |archive-date=9 October 2022 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://dhsprogram.com/pubs/pdf/PR140/PR140.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Languages===
{{Further|Languages of Ivory Coast}}
It is estimated that 78 languages are spoken in Ivory Coast.<ref>[http://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=CI Lewis, M. Paul (ed.), 2009. Ethnologue: Languages of the World, Sixteenth edition. Dallas, Tex.: SIL International.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023124439/https://www.ethnologue.com/show_country.asp?name=CI |date=23 October 2012 }} (Page on "Languages of Côte d'Ivoire." This page indicates that one of the 79 no longer has any speakers.)</ref> French, the official language, is taught in schools and serves as a [[lingua franca]]. A semi-creolised form of French, known as [[Nouchi]], has emerged in Abidjan in recent years{{when?|date=July 2025}} and spread among the younger generation.<ref>{{Citation |last=Boutin |first=Akissi Béatrice |title=Exploring Hybridity in Ivorian French and Nouchi |date=2021 |url=https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/youth-language-practices-and-urban-language-contact-in-africa/exploring-hybridity-in-ivorian-french-and-nouchi/71CBA38840CFCC2BDE8712FDF5755877 |work=Youth Language Practices and Urban Language Contact in Africa |pages=159–181 |editor-last=Hurst-Harosh |editor-first=Ellen |series=Cambridge Approaches to Language Contact |place=Cambridge |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-1-107-17120-6 |access-date=2022-10-09 |editor2-last=Brookes |editor2-first=Heather |editor3-last=Mesthrie |editor3-first=Rajend |archive-date=31 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210831094141/https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/youth-language-practices-and-urban-language-contact-in-africa/exploring-hybridity-in-ivorian-french-and-nouchi/71CBA38840CFCC2BDE8712FDF5755877 |url-status=live }}</ref> One of the most common indigenous languages is [[Dyula language|Dyula]], which acts as a trade language in much of the country, particularly in the north, and is mutually intelligible with other [[Manding languages]] widely spoken in neighboring countries.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-06-19 |title=Manding (Dioula) |url=https://minorityrights.org/minorities/manding-dioula/ |access-date=2022-10-09 |website=Minority Rights Group |language=en-GB |archive-date=26 March 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230326031400/https://minorityrights.org/minorities/manding-dioula/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Ethnic groups===
{{Main|Demographics of Ivory Coast#Ethnic groups}}
Macroethnic groupings in the country include [[Akan people|Akan]] (42.1%), Voltaiques or [[Gur languages|Gur]] (17.6%), [[Mandé peoples|Northern Mandés]] (16.5%), [[Kru people|Kru-speaking peoples]] (11%), [[Mandé peoples|Southern Mandés]] (10%), and others (2.8%, including 100,000 [[Lebanese people in Ivory Coast|Lebanese]]<ref>{{cite news |title=Des investisseurs libanais à Abidjan pour investir en Afrique |url=https://www.voaafrique.com/a/cinq-cents-libanais-a-abidjan-pour-investir-en-afrique/4234683.html |work=VOA Afrique |date=1 February 2018 |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=27 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180627010105/https://www.voaafrique.com/a/cinq-cents-libanais-a-abidjan-pour-investir-en-afrique/4234683.html |url-status=live }}</ref> and 45,000 French; 2004). Most of these categories are subdivided into different ethnicities. For example, the Akan grouping includes the [[Baoulé people|Baoulé]], the Voltaique category includes the [[Senufo people|Senufo]], the Northern Mande category includes the [[Dyula people|Dyula]] and the [[Mandinka people|Maninka]], the Kru category includes the [[Bété people|Bété]] and the [[Kru people|Kru]], and the Southern Mande category includes the [[Dan people|Yacouba]].

About 77% of the population is considered Ivorian. Since Ivory Coast has established itself as one of the most successful West African nations, about 20% of the population (about 3.4&nbsp;million) consists of workers from neighbouring Liberia, Burkina Faso, and Guinea. About 4% of the population is of non-African ancestry. Many are French,<ref name="csecon" /> Lebanese,<ref>{{cite news |title=From Lebanon to Africa |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2015/10/lebanon-africa-151027114653139.html |publisher=[[Al Jazeera Arabic|Al Jazeera]] |date=28 October 2015 |access-date=28 August 2019 |archive-date=4 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804203648/https://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/aljazeeraworld/2015/10/lebanon-africa-151027114653139.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/72.htm |title=Ivory Coast&nbsp;– The Levantine Community |website=Countrystudies.us |access-date=20 June 2010 |publisher=[[Library of Congress]] |archive-date=29 June 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629081653/http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/72.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> Vietnamese and Spanish citizens, as well as [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] missionaries from the United States and Canada. In November 2004, around 10,000 French and other foreign nationals evacuated Ivory Coast due to attacks from pro-government youth militias.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/1986.cfm|title=Rwanda Syndrome on the Ivory Coast|newspaper=[[World Press Review]]|last=Gregson|first=Brent|date=30 November 2004|access-date=26 October 2009|archive-date=4 September 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090904082431/http://www.worldpress.org/Africa/1986.cfm|url-status=live}}</ref> Aside from French nationals, native-born descendants of French settlers who arrived during the country's colonial period are present.

===Religion===
{{Further|Religion in Ivory Coast|Islam in Ivory Coast|Christianity in Ivory Coast}}
{{CSS image crop|Image = Notre-Dame-de-la-Paix de Yamoussoukro 2.jpg|bSize = 1500|cWidth = 275|cHeight = 180|oTop = 500|oLeft = 640|Description=[[Basilica of Our Lady of Peace]] in the capital city [[Yamoussoukro]], one of the [[List of largest church buildings|largest church]] in the world}}
[[File:IslamcultCI.jpg|thumb|Central [[mosque]] in [[Marcory]]]]
Ivory Coast has a religiously diverse population. According to the latest 2021 census data, adherents of [[Islam]] (mainly [[Sunni]]) represented 42.5% of the total population, while followers of [[Christianity]] (mainly [[Catholic Church in Ivory Coast|Catholic]] and [[Evangelical]]) comprised 39.8% of the population. An additional 12.6% of the population identified as [[irreligious]], while 2.2% reported following [[animism]] ([[traditional African religions]]), 0.7% another religion, and 2.2% did not state their religion in the census. Excluding those who did not state their religion, the population was 43.5% Muslim, 40.7% Christian, 12.9% not religious, 2.2% animist, and 0.7% adherent of another religion.<ref name=":religions2021">{{Cite web |date=October 2022 |title=Recensement général de la population et de l'habitat 2021 - Résultats globaux définitifs  |url=https://www.ins.ci/RGPH2021/RESULTATS%20DEFINITIFSRP21.pdf |author=[[Institut National de la Statistique de Côte d'Ivoire]] |page=41 |language=fr |access-date=2025-02-01 }}</ref>

Between the 1998 and 2021 censuses, the Muslim population of Côte d'Ivoire grew by 110% (i.e. the Muslim population was 2.1 times larger in 2021 than it was in 1998), whereas the Christian population grew by 150% (i.e. Christian population 2.5 times larger in 2021 compared to 1998); meanwhile, the animist population experienced a decline of 65.5%.<ref name=Religion1975-98>{{cite web |url=https://ireda.ceped.org/inventaire/ressources/civ-1998-rec-o1_t1_%20etat_structure_population.pdf |title=Recensement général de la population et de l'habitation 1998 - Volume IV : Tome 1 : Etat et structures de la population |page=61 |author=[[Institut National de la Statistique de Côte d'Ivoire]]|language=fr |access-date=2025-02-01 }}</ref><ref name=":religions2021" />

A 2020 estimate by the Pew Research Center projected that Christians would represent 44% of the total population, while Muslims would represent 37.2% of the population. In addition, it estimated that 8.1% would be religiously unaffiliated, and 10.5% as followers of traditional African religions (animism).<ref name="globalrf">{{cite web |url=http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/ivory-coast/religious_demography#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020 |title=Ivory Coast |work=Global Religious Futures |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=1 July 2021 |archive-date=29 January 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129140956/http://www.globalreligiousfutures.org/countries/ivory-coast/religious_demography#/?affiliations_religion_id=0&affiliations_year=2020 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="CIA" /> In 2009, according to [[United States Department of State|U.S. Department of State]] estimates, Christians and Muslims each made up 35% to 40% of the population, while an estimated 25% of the population practised traditional (animist) religions.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20091130032000/http://www.state.gov/g/drl/rls/irf/2009/127228.htm Côte d'Ivoire] . State.gov. Retrieved on 17 August 2012.</ref>

Yamoussoukro is home to the largest church building in the world, the [[Basilica of Our Lady of Peace]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mark |first=Monica |date=2015-05-15 |title=Yamoussoukro's Notre-Dame de la Paix, the world's largest basilica - a history of cities in 50 buildings, day 37 |url=http://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/15/yamoussoukro-notre-dame-de-la-paix-ivory-coast-worlds-largest-basilica-history-of-cities-in-50-buildings-day-37 |access-date=2022-10-01 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=10 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231010003242/https://www.theguardian.com/cities/2015/may/15/yamoussoukro-notre-dame-de-la-paix-ivory-coast-worlds-largest-basilica-history-of-cities-in-50-buildings-day-37 |url-status=live }}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align: center;"
|+ Religions at censuses<br>
(excluding the 'Not stated' category)
! RELIGION
! colspan=2 | 1975
! colspan=2 | 1998
! colspan=2 | 2021
|-
! [[Animists]]
| colspan=2 | 30.2%
| colspan=2 | 12.0%
| colspan=2 | 2.2%
|-
! rowspan=2 | [[Christians]]
| colspan=2 | 29.0%
| colspan=2 | 30.6%
| colspan=2 | 40.7%
|-
| <small>[[Catholics]]:<br>22.2%</small>
| <small>Other Christians:<br>6.8%</small>
| <small>[[Catholics]]:<br>19.5%</small>
| <small>Other Christians:<br>11.1%</small>
| <small>[[Catholics]]:<br>17.4%</small>
| <small>Other Christians:<br>23.3%</small>
|-
! [[Muslims]]
| colspan=2 | 33.5%
| colspan=2 | 38.9%
| colspan=2 | 43.5%
|-
! [[irreligious|Not religious]]
| colspan=2 | 6.2%
| colspan=2 | 16.8%
| colspan=2 | 12.9%
|-
! Other religions
| colspan=2 | 1.1%
| colspan=2 | 1.7%
| colspan=2 | 0.7%
|-
| Colspan=7 | <small>Sources: 1975 and 1998 censuses,<ref name=Religion1975-98 /> 2021 census.<ref name=":religions2021" /></small>
|}

===Health===
{{Main|Health in Ivory Coast}}

[[Life expectancy]] at birth was 42 for males in 2004; for females it was 47.<ref name="afro.who.int">{{cite web|url=http://www.afro.who.int/en/countries.html|title=WHO Country Offices in the WHO African Region|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=20 June 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100617075754/http://www.afro.who.int/en/countries.html|archive-date=17 June 2010}}</ref> [[Infant mortality]] was 118 of 1000 live births.<ref name="afro.who.int"/> Twelve physicians are available per 100,000 people.<ref name="afro.who.int"/> About a quarter of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$1.25 a day.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDI_2008_EN_Tables.pdf|title=Human Development Indices|date=January 2008|quote=Table 3: Human and income poverty|page=35|access-date=1 June 2009|publisher=[[United Nations Development Programme]]|archive-date=12 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112083827/http://hdr.undp.org/en/media/HDI_2008_EN_Tables.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> About 36% of women have undergone [[female genital mutilation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|title=Female genital mutilation and other harmful practices|publisher=World Health Organization|access-date=28 August 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141012192739/http://www.who.int/reproductivehealth/topics/fgm/prevalence/en/|archive-date=12 October 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to 2010 estimates, Ivory Coast has the 27th-highest [[Maternal death|maternal mortality]] rate in the world.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2223rank.html | website= The World Factbook | title= Country Comparison :: Maternal Mortality Rate | publisher= CIA.gov | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150418113820/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2223rank.html | archive-date= 18 April 2015 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }}</ref> The HIV/AIDS rate was 19th-highest in the world, estimated in 2012 at 3.20% among adults aged 15–49 years.<ref>{{cite web | url= https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html | website= The World Factbook | title= Country Comparison :: HIV/AIDS – Adult Prevalence Rate | publisher= CIA.gov | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20141221190412/https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2155rank.html | archive-date= 21 December 2014 | url-status= dead | df= dmy-all }}</ref>

===Education===
{{Main|Education in Ivory Coast}}
[[File:Université Abidjan 1.JPG|thumb|The [[university campus|campus]] of the [[Université de Cocody]]]]

Among sub-Saharan African countries, Ivory Coast has one of the highest literacy rates.<ref name="CIA"/> According to [[The World Factbook]], in 2019, 89.9% of the population aged 15 and over could read and write.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/literacy/|title=Literacy - The World Factbook|website=www.cia.gov|access-date=30 March 2022|archive-date=1 April 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230401014237/https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/field/literacy/|url-status=live}}</ref> A large part of the adult population, in particular women, is illiterate. Many children between 6 and 10 years old are not enrolled in school.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/pop_cou_384.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110511094511/http://earthtrends.wri.org/pdf_library/country_profiles/pop_cou_384.pdf |archive-date=11 May 2011 |title=Population, Health, and Human Well-Being-- Côte d'Ivoire|website=EarthTrends|year=2003 |access-date=6 December 2010}}</ref> The majority of students in secondary education are male. At the end of secondary education, students can sit for the'' baccalauréat'' examination. Universities include [[Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny]] in Abidjan and the [[Université Alassane Ouattara]] in Bouaké.

===Science and technology===
{{Main|Science and technology in Ivory Coast}}
According to the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Ivory Coast devotes about 0.13% of GDP to GERD. Apart from low investment, other challenges include inadequate scientific equipment, the fragmentation of research organizations and a failure to exploit and protect research results.<ref name="UNESCO science report">{{harvnb|Essegbey|Diaby|Konté|2015|pp=498–533}}, "West Africa".</ref> Ivory Coast was ranked 110th in the [[Global Innovation Index]] in 2025, down from 103rd in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |title=GII Innovation Ecosystems & Data Explorer 2025 |url=https://www.wipo.int/gii-ranking/en/cote-d-ivoire |access-date=2025-10-16 |website=WIPO}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book |last1=Dutta |first1=Soumitra |url=https://www.wipo.int/web-publications/global-innovation-index-2025/en/index.html |title=Global Innovation Index 2025: Innovation at a Crossroads |last2=Lanvin |first2=Bruno |publisher=[[World Intellectual Property Organization]] |year=2025 |isbn=978-92-805-3797-0 |page=19 |language=en |doi=10.34667/tind.58864 |access-date=2025-10-17}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Global Innovation Index 2019|url=https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|access-date=2021-09-02|publisher=[[WIPO]]|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101818/https://www.wipo.int/global_innovation_index/en/2019/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2013-10-28|title=Global Innovation Index|url=https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|access-date=2021-09-02|website=INSEAD Knowledge|archive-date=2 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210902101622/https://knowledge.insead.edu/entrepreneurship-innovation/global-innovation-index-2930|url-status=dead}}</ref> The share of the ''National Development Plan'' for 2012–2015 that is devoted to scientific research remains modest. Within the section on greater wealth creation and social equity (63.8% of the total budget for the ''Plan''), just 1.2% is allocated to scientific research. Twenty-four national research programmes group public and private research and training institutions around a common research theme. These programmes correspond to eight priority sectors for 2012–2015, namely: health, raw materials, agriculture, culture, environment, governance, mining and energy; and technology.<ref name="UNESCO science report" />

==Culture==
{{Main|Culture of Ivory Coast|Media of Ivory Coast}}

===Media===
{{Main|Media of Ivory Coast}}

===Music===
{{See also|Music of Ivory Coast}}
Each of the ethnic groups in the Ivory Coast has its own music genres, most showing strong vocal [[polyphony]]. [[Talking drum]]s are common, especially among the [[Nzema people|Appolo]], and [[polyrhythm]]s, another African characteristic, are found throughout Ivory Coast being especially common in the southwest. Popular music genres from Ivory Coast include [[zoblazo]], [[zouglou]], and [[Coupé-Décalé]]. A few Ivorian artists who have known international success are [[Magic System|Magic Système]], [[Alpha Blondy]], [[Meiway]], [[Dobet Gnahoré]], [[Tiken Jah Fakoly]], [[DJ Arafat]], AfroB, [[Serge Beynaud]] and [[Christina Goh]], of Ivorian descent.

===Sport===
{{See also|Ivory Coast at the Olympics}}
[[File:Cote d'Iviore NT 2010.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Ivory Coast national football team]]]]

The most popular sport is [[association football]]. The men's [[Ivory Coast national football team|national football team]] has played in the World Cup three times, [[Ivory Coast at the FIFA World Cup|in Germany 2006, in South Africa 2010, and Brazil in 2014]], and has won three times in the [[Africa Cup of Nations]], most recently in the [[2023 Africa Cup of Nations|2023 edition]], when they were the host nation. Côte d'Ivoire has produced many well-known footballers like [[Didier Drogba]] and [[Yaya Touré]]. The women's football team played in the [[2015 FIFA Women's World Cup|2015 Women's World Cup]] in Canada. The country has been the host of several major African sporting events, with the most recent being the [[AfroBasket 2013|2013 African Basketball Championship]]. In the past, the country hosted the [[1984 African Cup of Nations]], in which the Ivory Coast finished fifth, and the [[FIBA Africa Championship 1985|1985 African Basketball Championship]], where the [[Ivory Coast men's national basketball team|national basketball team]] won the gold medal.

400m metre runner [[Gabriel Tiacoh]] won the silver medal in the [[Athletics at the 1984 Summer Olympics – Men's 400 metres|men's 400 metres]] at the 1984 Olympics. The country hosted the [[2017 Jeux de la Francophonie|8th edition]] of [[Jeux de la Francophonie]] in 2017. In the [[sport of athletics]], well known participants include [[Marie-Josée Ta Lou]] and [[Murielle Ahouré]].

[[Rugby union]] is popular, and the [[Ivory Coast national rugby union team|national rugby union team]] qualified to play at the [[1995 Rugby World Cup|Rugby World Cup]] in South Africa in 1995. Ivory Coast has won three African Cup of Nation titles: one in 1992, another one in 2015, and the third one in 2024. Ivory Coast is known for [[Taekwondo]] with well-known competitors such as [[Cheick Sallah Cissé|Cheick Cissé]], [[Ruth Gbagbi]], and [[Firmin Zokou]].

===Cuisine===
{{Main|Ivorian cuisine}}
[[File:Yassapoulet.JPG|thumb|[[Yassa (food)|''Yassa'']] is a popular dish throughout West Africa prepared with chicken or fish. Chicken yassa is pictured.]]

Traditional cuisine is very similar to that of neighbouring countries in West Africa in its reliance on grains and tubers. [[Cassava]] and [[Cooking banana|plantains]] are significant parts of Ivorian cuisine. A type of corn paste called ''aitiu'' is used to prepare corn balls, and peanuts are widely used in many dishes. ''[[Acheke|Attiéké]]'' is a popular side dish made with grated cassava, a vegetable-based [[couscous]]. Common street food is ''[[alloco]]'', plantain fried in [[palm oil]], spiced with steamed onions and chili, and eaten along with grilled fish or boiled eggs. Chicken is commonly consumed and has a unique flavor because of its lean, low-fat mass in this region. Seafood includes tuna, sardines, shrimp, and [[bonito]], which is similar to tuna. ''[[Peanut stew|Mafé]]'' is a common dish consisting of meat in peanut sauce.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web|date=3 April 2008|title=Ivory Coast, Côte d'Ivoire: Recipes and Cuisine|url=https://www.whats4eats.com/africa/ivory-coast-cuisine|access-date=22 May 2011|website=Whats4eats.com|archive-date=9 July 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230709172720/https://www.whats4eats.com/africa/ivory-coast-cuisine|url-status=live}}{{unreliable source?|date=September 2021}}</ref>

Slow-simmered stews with various ingredients are another common food staple.<ref name=":10" /> ''[[Kedjenou]]'' is a dish consisting of chicken and vegetables slow-cooked in a sealed pot with little or no added liquid, which concentrates the flavors of the chicken and vegetables and tenderises the chicken.<ref name=":10" /> It is usually cooked in a pottery jar called a canary, over a slow fire, or cooked in an oven.<ref name=":10" /> ''Bangui'' is a local [[palm wine]].{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

Ivorians have a particular kind of small, open-air restaurant called a ''maquis'', which is unique to the region. A ''maquis'' normally features braised chicken, and fish covered in onions and tomatoes served with [[acheke]] or [[kedjenou]].{{citation needed|date=June 2024}}

==See also==
{{portal|Africa}}
* [[Outline of Ivory Coast]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

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{{Refbegin|30em}}
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{{Refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links|auto=1}}
* {{official website|http://www.gouv.ci/}}, Government of Ivory Coast {{in lang|fr}}
* {{wikiatlas|Côte d'Ivoire}}
* {{osmrelation-inline|192779}}
* [https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-13287216 Country Profile] from [[BBC News]]
* [https://ecowap.ecowas.int/country/Côte-d'Ivoire Côte-d'Ivoire] profile from [[ECOWAS]]
* [https://www.aljazeera.com/where/ivory-coast/ News headline links] from [[Al Jazeera]].

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