PEOPLE
Cote d'Ivoire
has more than 60 ethnic groups, usually classified into five principal
divisions: Akan (east and center, including Lagoon peoples of
the southeast), Krou (southwest), Southern Mande (west), Northern
Mande (northwest), Senoufo/Lobi (north center and northeast).
The Baoules, in the Akan division, probably comprise the single
largest subgroup with 15%-20% of the population. They are based
in the central region around Bouake and Yamoussoukro. The Betes
in the Krou division, the Senoufos in the north, and the Malinkes
in the northwest and the cities are the next largest groups, with
10%-15% each of the national population. Most of the principal
divisions have a significant presence in neighboring countries.
Of
the more than 5 million non-Ivoirian Africans living in Cote d'Ivoire,
one-third to one-half are from Burkina Faso; the rest are from
Ghana, Guinea, Mali, Nigeria, Benin, Senegal, Liberia, and Mauritania.
The non-African expatriate community includes roughly 20,000 French
and possibly 100,000 Lebanese. As of mid-November 2004, thousands
of expatriates, African and non-African, had fled from the violence
in Cote d’Ivoire. The number of elementary school-aged children
attending classes increased from 22% in 1960 to 67% in 1995.
Nationality:
Noun and adjective--Ivoirian(s).
Population (2004 est.): 18,700,000.
Annual growth rate: 3.8%, with immigration.
Ethnic groups: More than 60.
Religions: Indigenous 10%-20%, Muslim 35%-40%,
and Christian (Catholic, Protestant and other denominations) 25%-35%.
Languages: French (official); five principal
language groups.
Education: Years compulsory--school is not compulsory
at this time. Attendance--57%. Literacy--51%.
Health: Infant mortality rate--111/1,000. Life
expectancy--46 years.
