GeoRealityMatch

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country, and all but essential travel to other areas. FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

A scenic view of coconut palm trees lining a road by the sea in Lome, Togo under a clear blue sky.Captivating scene of fishermen and children with boats on a Togolese beach.

Togo

Africa · Western Africa

Medium safetyMedium development

Incomes are low.

Safety

118th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.251lower is more peacefulMedium safety
#118 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Money

Incomes below the median country

GNI per person
$1,350national income per person, US dollarsVery low
World Bank · 2025

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 132% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 61% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$2.5K$5.0K$4,079 PPP$1,384Inflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $596 a person, $1,518 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2007, $654 a person, $1,493 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2008, $771 a person, $1,533 at PPP, inflation 8.7%2009, $770 a person, $1,575 at PPP, inflation 3.7%2010, $750 a person, $1,636 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2011, $834 a person, $1,719 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2012, $814 a person, $1,756 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2013, $886 a person, $1,838 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2014, $922 a person, $1,942 at PPP, inflation 0.2%2015, $814 a person, $2,037 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2016, $843 a person, $2,109 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2017, $872 a person, $2,184 at PPP, inflation -1%2018, $942 a person, $2,289 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2019, $918 a person, $2,460 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2020, $961 a person, $2,654 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2021, $1,076 a person, $2,952 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2022, $1,072 a person, $3,306 at PPP, inflation 8%2023, $1,182 a person, $3,572 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2024, $1,266 a person, $3,815 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2025, $1,384 a person, $4,079 at PPP, inflation 0.4%$0$2.5K$5.0KInflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $596 a person, $1,518 at PPP, inflation 2.2%2007, $654 a person, $1,493 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2008, $771 a person, $1,533 at PPP, inflation 8.7%2009, $770 a person, $1,575 at PPP, inflation 3.7%2010, $750 a person, $1,636 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2011, $834 a person, $1,719 at PPP, inflation 3.6%2012, $814 a person, $1,756 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2013, $886 a person, $1,838 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2014, $922 a person, $1,942 at PPP, inflation 0.2%2015, $814 a person, $2,037 at PPP, inflation 2.6%2016, $843 a person, $2,109 at PPP, inflation 1.3%2017, $872 a person, $2,184 at PPP, inflation -1%2018, $942 a person, $2,289 at PPP, inflation 0.9%2019, $918 a person, $2,460 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2020, $961 a person, $2,654 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2021, $1,076 a person, $2,952 at PPP, inflation 4.2%2022, $1,072 a person, $3,306 at PPP, inflation 8%2023, $1,182 a person, $3,572 at PPP, inflation 5.5%2024, $1,266 a person, $3,815 at PPP, inflation 2.9%2025, $1,384 a person, $4,079 at PPP, inflation 0.4%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the shortest life expectancies

Life expectancy
62.9years, at birthVery low
#179 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
42WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very lowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
32.7PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery highWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Moderate home internet speeds

Unemployment rate
2%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
35 Mbpsmedian download speedModerateOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
397EF English Proficiency Index scoreVery lowEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet35 MbpsModerate

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Captivating scene of fishermen and children with boats on a Togolese beach.
How it changed

Togo's Human Development Index

0.571Medium human development

161st of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 27th of 54 in Africa.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #159Rwanda0.578
  2. #160Papua New Guinea0.576
  3. #161Togo0.571
  4. #162Syria0.564
  5. #163Mauritania0.563
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.412 in 1990 to 0.571 in 2023.

0.350.470.600.57119902000201020231990: 0.4121991: 0.4151992: 0.4061993: 0.4041994: 0.4131995: 0.4251996: 0.4331997: 0.4411998: 0.4421999: 0.4462000: 0.4482001: 0.4522002: 0.4552003: 0.4602004: 0.4612005: 0.4602006: 0.4652007: 0.4582008: 0.4652009: 0.4732010: 0.4832011: 0.4952012: 0.5002013: 0.5072014: 0.5142015: 0.5232016: 0.5282017: 0.5342018: 0.5422019: 0.5492020: 0.5542021: 0.5602022: 0.5672023: 0.5710.350.470.6019902000201020231990: 0.4121991: 0.4151992: 0.4061993: 0.4041994: 0.4131995: 0.4251996: 0.4331997: 0.4411998: 0.4421999: 0.4462000: 0.4482001: 0.4522002: 0.4552003: 0.4602004: 0.4612005: 0.4602006: 0.4652007: 0.4582008: 0.4652009: 0.4732010: 0.4832011: 0.4952012: 0.5002013: 0.5072014: 0.5142015: 0.5232016: 0.5282017: 0.5342018: 0.5422019: 0.5492020: 0.5542021: 0.5602022: 0.5672023: 0.571

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
62.9 years2024at birthUp 7 years from 55.9 years in 2005
Internet users
39%2024of people onlineUp 37 points from 2% in 2006
Urban population
44%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 9 points from 36% in 2006
Births per woman
4.122024births per womanDown 0.92 from 5.04 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
75%2021of energy usedDown 1 point from 76% in 2004
Access to electricity
61%2024of people with electricityUp 35 points from 27% in 2005
Infant mortality
352024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 26 from 61 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
0.3 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 0.1 t from 0.2 t in 2005
Forest area
22%2023of land under forestDown 1 point from 23% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Small West African state: phosphate exports, stable but authoritarian rule. The case against is low incomes, short lives and patchy access to essential health services.

About Togo

Togo is a thin strip of West Africa running from a narrow Atlantic coast north through palm forests, hills, and savanna to the Sahelian plains. The culture is a blend of Ewe, Kabye, and many other traditions, with a tradition of voodoo markets, vibrant textile crafts, and a warmth of welcome that surprises most who visit. It suits travellers looking for a compact West African journey that includes both coast and interior.

Practical facts

  • CapitalLomé
  • LanguagesFrench
  • CurrencyWest African CFA franc (XOF)
  • Area54,390 km²
  • Plug typeType C/E
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Togo's Human Development Index?

Togo's Human Development Index is 0.571 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #161 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Togo safe?

Togo scores 2.25 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #118 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

What is life expectancy in Togo?

Life expectancy at birth in Togo is 62.9 yrs (World Bank), ranked #179 of 195 countries.