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Ivory Coast
Index
Population: As of 1987, estimated at 10.6
million, with
average annual growth rate of 4.1 percent, one of highest
in world.
Roughly 50 percent of population urban and concentrated in
Abidjan
and Bouaké areas. Average population density thirty-two
persons per
square kilometer in 1987. Forty-five percent of population
under
age fifteen.
Ethnic Groups: More than sixty ethnic groups.
Major
ethnic groups included: Baoulé (15 percent), Sénoufo (10
percent),
Bété (6 percent), Lagoon peoples (5 percent), Agni
(Anyi--3
percent), and Mandé cluster of groups, including Juula,
Bambara,
and Malinké (17 percent). Non-Ivoirian Africans, Lebanese,
Asians,
and Europeans composed nearly 27 percent of population.
Languages: Number of African languages (grouped
into four
branches of Niger-Congo language family) corresponds
roughly to
number of ethnic groups. Sections of several groups speak
different
languages. Some languages used as mother tongue by more
than one
ethnic group. Official language, French; variants of
Mandé-kan
spoken throughout country as commercial language.
Religion: In 1980s one-fourth of population
Muslim, oneeighth Christian (mostly Roman Catholic), and remainder
local
religions or, in smaller numbers, syncretic religions.
Education: Six-year primary-school system
compulsory
where available. In 1987 enrolled 75 percent of boys and
50 percent
of girls under fifteen. Only 19 percent of primary-school
students
enrolled in public secondary schools. After four years,
students
sit for exams for certificate of lower cycle of secondary
study
(brevet d'étude du premier cycle--BEPC). A second
three-year
cycle led to baccalauréat, necessary for university
entrance. Public schooling through university controlled
and funded
by central government. Fourteen percent of primary schools
and 29
percent of secondary schools private, mostly Catholic.
Some Quranic
schools in north tolerated but not supported by
government. In 1988
overall literacy rate 43 percent; 53 percent for men and
31 percent
for women.
Health: In 1988 health services unable to meet
needs of
majority of population. Urban-rural and regional
imbalances, low
ratios of doctors to patients, and severe shortages of
nurses and
auxiliary health care personnel existed. Public health
programs
underfunded and personnel lacked adequate training.
Nutritional
deficiencies and impure water major sources of disease.
Malaria,
measles, and tropical ailments common; 250 cases of
acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) reported by end of 1987.
Data as of November 1988
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