Macroscope
All countries

Togo

Africa

All indicators of the Macroscope base for Togo, with sources. Below: what past UN and IMF releases projected and what actually happened.

Population
9.3M
persons, 1 July, 2023
Births
290k
births per year, 2023
Total fertility rate
4.19
children per woman, 2023
Internet users
39.5
% of population, 2024
Mobile cellular subscriptions
80.8
per 100 people, 2024
GDP per capita, PPP
3,486
constant 2021 international $, 2025
Urban population
44.4
% of population, 2025

What the data shows

Computed with the same code as the observations under the main chart and in the API (get_insights). Moving together in time does not prove a cause.

How the indicators changed

  • Fertility (TFR): 6.60 in 1950 → 4.19 in 2023 (−36%). Peak: 7.09 in 1974; the latest value is 41% lower. The trend broke around 1977 and 1998: +0.02 → −0.09 → −0.04 a year.
  • Births: 67.2k in 1950 → 290k in 2023 (×4.3). The trend broke around 1999 and 2010: +2.63k → +6k → +2.89k a year.
  • Population: 1.4M in 1950 → 9.3M in 2023 (×6.6). The trend broke around 2002: change sped up (+106k → +188k a year).
  • Internet: 0% in 1990 → 39.5% in 2024 (+39 pp). Threshold: above 10% since 2016. Fastest growth in 2017–2022: 12.4% → 35.6%.
  • Urban share: 10.6% in 1960 → 44.4% in 2025 (+34 pp). The trend broke around 1969: change slowed down (+1.2 → +0.33 a year).
  • GDP per person (PPP): 2,409 PPP dollars in 1990 → 3,486 PPP dollars in 2025 (+45%). Low: 1,863 PPP dollars in 1993; +87% since then. The trend broke around 2002 and 2008: +16 → −59 → +78 a year.
  • GDP growth: on average 1.0% in the 1980s, 2.0% in the 1990s, 1.8% in the 2000s, 5.4% in the 2010s, 4.9% in the 2020s. Lowest: −16.3% in 1993; highest: 19.7% in 1995.
  • Inflation: on average 5.0% in the 1980s, 6.5% in the 1990s, 2.9% in the 2000s, 1.5% in the 2010s, 3.8% in the 2020s. Lowest: −3.5% in 1984; highest: 35.3% in 1994.

What changed at the same time

  • The fastest decline of "Fertility (TFR)" was in 1987–1997: 6.30 → 5.36. Over the same years: births 157k → 181k; population 3.66M → 4.73M; internet 0.2% (1997); urban share 27.4% → 31.8%; GDP per person (PPP) 2,519 PPP dollars (1997); GDP growth −2.5% → 3.8%; inflation 0.1% → 5.3%.
  • Over the last 10 years (2013–2023): fertility (TFR) 4.75 → 4.19; births 258k → 290k; population 7.29M → 9.3M; internet 4.5% → 37.6%; urban share 38.9% → 43.2%; GDP per person (PPP) 2,416 PPP dollars → 3,216 PPP dollars; GDP growth 5.8% → 6.2%; inflation 1.8% → 5.3%.

How the indicators relate

  • Fertility (TFR) and internet (1990–2023, 34 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.78); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.21). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and urban share (1960–2023, 64 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.93); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = 0.39). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.
  • Fertility (TFR) and GDP per person (PPP) (1990–2023, 34 years): levels are strongly related, in opposite directions (r = −0.75); year-to-year changes show no reliable link (r = −0.34). This looks like a shared trend: both change over time, but not in step from year to year.

Forecasts vs actual

  • Fertility (TFR): past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 0 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 11; median gap +15%.
  • The UN 1998 projection expected this level (4.19) already around 2015: reality is 8 years behind it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected this level (4.19) already around 2022: reality is 1 year behind it.
  • Fertility (TFR): UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 3.04 (−27% vs 2023), 2100 — 2.18 (−48% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 1.68.
  • Births: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 0 of 11 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 11; median gap +8.4%.
  • The UN 2012 projection expected today's level (290k, 2023) only around 2031: reality is 8 years ahead of it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (290k, 2023) only around 2026: reality is 3 years ahead of it.
  • Births: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 376k (+30% vs 2023), 2100 — 411k (+42% vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 207k.
  • Population: past UN projections. The outcome was below the projection in 1 of 12 revisions (1998–2022) and above in 11; median gap +4.5%.
  • The UN 1998 projection expected today's level (9.3M, 2023) only around 2030: reality is 7 years ahead of it.
  • The UN 2022 projection expected today's level (9.3M, 2023) only around 2025: reality is 2 years ahead of it.
  • Population: UN 2024 projection (medium): 2050 — 15.6M (+68% vs 2023), 2100 — 26.3M (×2.8 vs 2023); low variant for 2100: 18.3M.
  • GDP growth: IMF next-year forecasts (32 editions, 2007–2022). On average the outcome was 0.5 pp above the forecast; below it in 38% of cases; typical error ±1.2 pp. The biggest miss was for 2010: IMF, April 2009 expected 2.1%, the outcome was 5.9%.
  • GDP growth: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2024 — 6.3%, 2026 — 5%, 2031 — 5.5%.
  • Inflation: IMF next-year forecasts (36 editions, 2007–2024). On average the outcome was 0.2 pp above the forecast; below it in 58% of cases; typical error ±1.9 pp. The biggest miss was for 2008: IMF, April 2007 expected 3%, the outcome was 8.7%.
  • Inflation: latest IMF forecast (IMF, April 2026): 2026 — 2.8%, 2028 — 2%, 2031 — 2%.

UN projections vs actual

Solid line: actual data, UN WPP 2024 estimates to 2023, then national statistics where comparable with the UN. Dashed: medium variants of past UN revisions. The table shows what each revision expected for the latest year (or five-year period) with actual data.

Population

persons, 1 July
Togo: PopulationActual 2023: 9.3M2M4M6M8M10M12M19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 1998202325 years8.14M9.3M+14.4%
UN 2000202323 years7.88M9.3M+18%
UN 2002202321 years7.32M9.3M+27.1%
UN 2004202319 years9.26M9.3M+0.5%
UN 2006202317 years9.55M9.3M−2.6%
UN 2008202315 years8.95M9.3M+4%
UN 2010202313 years7.75M9.3M+20.1%
UN 2012202311 years8.64M9.3M+7.7%
UN 201520238 years8.92M9.3M+4.3%
UN 201720236 years8.99M9.3M+3.5%
UN 201920234 years8.89M9.3M+4.7%
UN 202220231 year9.05M9.3M+2.8%

Births

births per year
Togo: BirthsActual 2023: 290k150k200k250k300k350k19902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years234k274k+17.2%
UN 20002015–202018 years226k274k+21.2%
UN 20022015–202016 years203k274k+35.4%
UN 20042015–202014 years253k274k+8.4%
UN 20062015–202012 years258k274k+6.3%
UN 20082015–202010 years227k274k+21%
UN 20102015–20208 years201k274k+36.5%
UN 20122015–20206 years258k274k+6.4%
UN 20152015–20202 years264k274k+3.9%
UN 20172015–20200 years263k274k+4.3%
UN 202220231 year282k290k+2.8%

Total fertility rate

children per woman
Togo: Total fertility rateActual 2023: 4.1923456719902000201020202030
  • Actual
  • UN 1998
  • UN 2000
  • UN 2002
  • UN 2004
  • UN 2006
  • UN 2008
  • UN 2010
  • UN 2012
  • UN 2015
  • UN 2017
  • UN 2019
  • UN 2022
  • UN 2024, medium
ReleaseTarget periodHorizonExpectedActualActual vs expected
UN 19982015–202020 years3.954.54+15.1%
UN 20002015–202018 years4.064.54+11.8%
UN 20022015–202016 years3.694.54+23.1%
UN 20042015–202014 years3.694.54+23.1%
UN 20062015–202012 years3.694.54+23.1%
UN 20082015–202010 years3.454.54+31.8%
UN 20102015–20208 years3.484.54+30.3%
UN 20122015–20206 years4.334.54+4.9%
UN 20152015–20202 years4.354.54+4.5%
UN 20172015–20200 years4.354.54+4.3%
UN 202220231 year4.144.19+1.4%

IMF forecasts vs actual

Solid line: actual values from the latest IMF edition (data get revised, so we use the newest). Dashed: April editions, current year and five years ahead. The table covers next-year forecasts from all editions: mean error shows bias, mean absolute error shows accuracy.

Real GDP growth

% per year
Togo: Real GDP growthActual 2023: 6.2−505102000200520102015202020252030
  • Actual (IMF)
  • WEO, April editions
IndicatorForecastsMean errorMean absolute errorActual below forecast
Real GDP growth32+0.5 pp1.2 pp38%
Inflation36+0.2 pp1.9 pp58%
Government gross debt28−1.3 pp7.1 pp61%

All indicators

Demography

Population

9.3M persons, 1 July latest value, 2023

Togo: Population1950: 1.4M; 2023: 9.3M05M10M15M20M19501975200020252050

Population on 1 July. UN estimate to 2023, medium variant from 2024; past UN revisions for forecast checks.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Births

290k births per year latest value, 2023

Togo: Births1950: 67.2k; 2023: 290k0100k200k300k400k19501975200020252050

Live births per calendar year. UN WPP 2024 and national statistics (64 countries, 2015-2025).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Total fertility rate

4.19 children per woman latest value, 2023

Togo: Total fertility rate1950: 6.60; 2023: 4.190.002.004.006.008.0019501975200020252050

Average number of children a woman would have at the age-specific fertility rates of the year.

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, women

62.9 years latest value, 2023

Togo: Life expectancy at birth, women1950: 43.5; 2023: 62.902040608019501975200020252050

Years a newborn girl would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Life expectancy at birth, men

62.5 years latest value, 2023

Togo: Life expectancy at birth, men1950: 40.4; 2023: 62.502040608019501975200020252050

Years a newborn boy would live at the mortality rates of the year (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Median age

18.8 years latest value, 2023

Togo: Median age1950: 18.2; 2023: 18.8051015202519501975200020252050

Age that divides the population in two halves (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Mean age of mothers at childbirth

29.1 years latest value, 2023

Togo: Mean age of mothers at childbirth1950: 29.1; 2023: 29.101020304019501975200020252050

Mean age of mothers at the birth of their children of any order (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Sex ratio at birth

102.8 boys per 100 girls latest value, 2023

Togo: Sex ratio at birth1950: 102.8; 2023: 102.805010015019501975200020252050

Boys born per 100 girls born (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Net migration

−2k persons per year latest value, 2023

Togo: Net migration1950: −9.2k; 2023: −2k−300k−200k−100k0100k19501975200020252050

Immigrants minus emigrants per year (UN estimate and projection).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Old-age dependency

6.6 persons 65+ per 100 aged 20-64 latest value, 2020

Togo: Old-age dependency1950: 9.7; 2020: 6.602468101219501975200020252050

Persons aged 65+ per 100 aged 20-64, every five years (UN).

Source: UN DESA, World Population Prospects 2024

Digitalisation

Internet users

39.5 % of population latest value, 2024

Togo: Internet users1990: 0; 2024: 39.50102030401990199520002005201020152020

Share of individuals who used the Internet in the last three months from any device. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Mobile cellular subscriptions

80.8 per 100 people latest value, 2024

Togo: Mobile cellular subscriptions1960: 0; 2024: 80.80204060801001960197019801990200020102020

Active mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 people; can exceed 100 when people have several SIM cards. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Fixed broadband subscriptions

1.4 subscriptions per 100 people latest value, 2024

Togo: Fixed broadband subscriptions2007: 0; 2024: 1.400.511.5201020152020

Fixed subscriptions to high-speed Internet (256 kbit/s or more) per 100 people. ITU data.

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Economy

GDP per capita, PPP

3,486 constant 2021 international $ latest value, 2025

Togo: GDP per capita, PPP1990: 2,409; 2025: 3,48601,0002,0003,0004,00019901995200020052010201520202025

Gross domestic product per person at purchasing power parity, constant 2021 international dollars (World Bank, ICP).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Real GDP growth

6.2 % per year latest value, 2023

Togo: Real GDP growth1980: −2.3; 2023: 6.20510152019801990200020102020

Annual change of GDP at constant prices. Actual values and forecasts from IMF WEO editions.

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Inflation

0.4 % per year, average latest value, 2025

Togo: Inflation1980: 12.3; 2025: 0.401020304019801990200020102020

Change of the annual average consumer price index (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Government gross debt

63 % of GDP latest value, 2025

Togo: Government gross debt2005: 63.1; 2025: 6302040608020052010201520202025

General government gross debt, percent of GDP (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

GDP per capita, US dollars

1,043 current US dollars latest value, 2023

Togo: GDP per capita, US dollars1980: 661; 2023: 1,04305001,0001,50019801990200020102020

GDP per person in current US dollars at market exchange rates (IMF WEO).

Source: IMF World Economic Outlook, April 2026

Society

Urban population

44.4 % of population latest value, 2025

Togo: Urban population1960: 10.6; 2025: 44.4010203040501960197019801990200020102020

Share of people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices (World Bank, from UN World Urbanization Prospects).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Tertiary enrolment, women

10.8 % gross latest value, 2020

Togo: Tertiary enrolment, women1972: 0.2; 2020: 10.805101519801990200020102020

Women enrolled in tertiary education as a share of women in the five-year age group after secondary school; can exceed 100 (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Women with upper secondary education

5.5 % of women 25+ latest value, 2022

Togo: Women with upper secondary education1970: 0.1; 2022: 5.502468197019801990200020102020

Share of women aged 25+ who completed at least upper secondary education (UNESCO).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Life expectancy at birth

62.9 years latest value, 2024

Togo: Life expectancy at birth1960: 43.5; 2024: 62.90204060801960197019801990200020102020

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes (World Bank, from UN and national statistics).

Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators

Same region: Africa