People

In 1988 the population was 10,815,694. The largest cities are Abidjan (1,929,079) and Bouaké (329,850). Although Yamoussoukro (106,786) is the official capital, Abidjan is the actual seat of government.

Cōte d'Ivoire has more than 60 ethnic groups. The largest are the Bauolé (15 per cent of the population), Sénoufo (10 per cent), Bete (6 per cent), Agni (3 per cent), and various Mandé peoples (17 per cent). Cōte d'Ivoire has a large nonindigenous population, about 27 per cent, which includes Lebanese, French, and Mossi people (from Burkina Faso). French is the official language, but indigenous tongues predominate. Variants of Mandé are spoken throughout the country as commercial tongues. About 60 per cent of the people are animists; 25 per cent, Muslims; and 13 per cent, Christians (most of whom are Roman Catholics).

Primary schooling begins at age seven and lasts six years. It is followed by seven years of secondary school. There is an extensive system of private Roman Catholic schools. The leading institution of higher learning is the National University of Ivory Coast at Abidjan. The literacy rate is about 55 per cent.