Prehistoric polished stone celt from Côte d'Ivoire (west Africa…
FAFN rebels are marching through an occupied village where a Fr…
White House reception on May 22 1962. Front row, left to right:…
Marché traditionnel d'Adjamé à Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire
The countries' national dish, the yassa poulet.
Ivory Coast-Mali border map

Ivory Coast

Atlantic Ocean
Climate
XOF
Currency
Caution
Safety
Moderate
Cost of Living
French
Language
Country Information Ivory Coast

Ivory Coast, officially known as the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a vibrant West African nation located along the Gulf of Guinea. The country boasts a diverse landscape that ranges from coastal tropical forests in the south to savanna regions in the...

Cost of Living
vs EU AverageSimilar cost of living
Rent
XOF413,000Apartment (1 bedroom) in City…
Meal
XOF2,000Meal, Inexpensive Restaurant
Groceries
XOF1,150Milk (regular), (1 liter)
Transport
XOF500One-way Ticket (Local Transpo…
Read the full cost-of-living guide

Your Ivory Coast Roadmap

40+ page relocation analysis tailored to your profile.

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With a safety index of 44/100, Ivory Coast offers moderate safety conditions for expats and their families.

Entry Requirements & Visa Options

Citizens of most countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, require an eVisa prior to arrival in Ivory Coast (Côte d'Ivoire) for tourism, business, or short visits. The eVisa is obtained through the official Ivorian government portal by submitting a passport scan (valid for 6+ months from arrival with at least one blank page), flight itinerary, proof of accommodation matching travel dates, and a passport photo. Upon approval (typically within 48 hours to 5 business days), travelers...

Visa-free entry: 90 days
Work permits available
Read full guide

Discover Cities in Ivory Coast

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Location Intelligence for Ivory Coast
Cost of Living44.4

5% below EU avg

Safety44.3

32% below EU avg

Quality of Life43.1

72% below EU avg

Purchasing Power13.1

81% below EU avg

Baselines based on EU averages. Source: Numbeo indices.

Capital

Yamoussoukro

Timezone

UTC

Area

322,463 km²

Population

26,378,275

Ivory Coast shows a purchasing power index of 13/100, indicating below average economic conditions for expats.

Economic Overview in Ivory Coast

GDP

$71.81B

HDI

0.6

Quality of Life

19/100

-24 vs NYC

Purchasing Power

5/100

-37 vs NYC

Understanding the economic landscape is essential for evaluating living costs and opportunities in Ivory Coast. This comprehensive overview covers key financial indicators including cost of living, housing markets, income levels, and fiscal policies that shape daily life and long-term financial planning.

Comparison data legendCompare:
Ivory Coast
Continent Avg

Cost of Living Index

High

Affordable costs (CPI: 44.5). Groceries (40.9), restaurants (39.1), and rent (21.4) are low compared to NYC=100 baseline.

Housing Market

Very Poor

Property prices average 33.4 years of household income. Rent index (21.4) offers more affordability with regional variations.

Average Income Levels

Very Poor

Low purchasing power index of 13.3. GDP per capita around $2,710 USD in 2024 with high informal sector employment.

Tax System

Moderate

Progressive income tax up to 60% for high earners, corporate tax 25%. VAT at 18%, ongoing reforms to broaden base and reduce exemptions.

Business Environment

Good

Strong growth at 6%+ in 2024-2026, robust exports and investments. Large informal sector (38% GDP), improving regulations and infrastructure.

Social Security

Poor

Limited social safety nets with low government revenues (16% GDP). Informal sector covers 40% workforce; basic programs for pensions and health exist.

Work & Business in Ivory Coast
Business ClimateSee full guide for details
Work PermitsRequirements vary by nationality
Key IndustriesExplore opportunities
Read full guide
Education SystemInternational schools, universities & curricula
Explore Guide
Climate

Ivory Coast features a tropical climate divided between humid equatorial conditions in the south and tropical savanna in the north. The coastal region experiences high rainfall and consistent temperatures around 30°C, while the northern savanna is drier with temperatures ranging from 28°C to 37°C.

Climate
Tropical Monsoon, Tropical Savanna
Summer
28–37°C
Winter
23–30°C
Sunshine
2500+ hrs/yr

4 distinct climate regions — see full guide for details

Read full guide
Demographics in Ivory Coast

Life Expectancy

53.6

Population

26,378,275

Religions

Islam
42.9%
Non-religious
19.1%
Christianity (Catholic)
17.2%
Christianity (Evangelical)
11.8%
Animism
3.6%

Ethnic Composition

{{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}}
N/A
What Expats Say About Ivory CoastBETA

Research in Progress

We're currently analyzing expat perspectives for Ivory Coast. Check back soon for insights from real experiences!

We're gradually rolling out this feature and continuously improving the insights. The data is based on real expat discussions and will become more comprehensive over time.

Transportation & Infrastructure in Ivory Coast
Public TransitAvailable in major cities
AirportsInternational connectivity
InfrastructureRoad & rail networks
Read full guide
Social Integration in Ivory Coast
Expat CommunityActive communities available
Cultural IntegrationTips & resources
Language BarrierSee guide for details
Read full guide
Retirement & Benefits in Ivory Coast
Retirement VisaCheck eligibility
Healthcare AccessPublic & private options
Pension RecognitionSee guide for details
Read full guide
Political Landscape & Stability

Ivory Coast is a presidential republic led by President Alassane Ouattara since 2010, with a bicameral legislature consisting of a 255-seat National Assembly and 99-seat Senate. The country operates under a 2016 constitution and has maintained relative political stability under the dominant Rally of the Republicans party, though it experienced post-election tensions in 2020 that have since been addressed through opposition dialogue.

System
Presidential Republic
Legal System
Civil law system based on French legal traditions
Read full guide
Environment & Sustainability in Ivory Coast
Air QualitySee detailed assessment
Green SpacesParks & nature areas
SustainabilityEnvironmental policies
Read full guide
Ivory Coast flag
Ivory Coast at a Glance

Languages

French

UN Member

Yes

Quick Facts for Ivory Coast

Population

26,378,275

Currency

XOF

Timezone

UTC

Calling Code

+225

Week starts on

Monday

Gini Coefficient

41.5 (2015)

Traffic side

right side

Location

Data Source: Safety, crime, and quality metrics are sourced from Numbeo, a crowd-sourced global database of reported data.

All scores are relative comparisons on a 0-100 scale, where 50 = global average. Higher scores mean better than average, lower scores mean worse than average.