🇨🇮Côte d'Ivoire Political Stability: 25.4/100

Ivory Coast is located in western sub-Saharan Africa, bordered by Liberia, Guinea, Mali, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and the Gulf of Guinea. The country has a diverse landscape with 64.8% of its land used for agriculture and is home to nine national parks, including the large Assgny National Park. It boasts a rich biodiversity with over 1,200 animal species and 4,700 plant species, primarily found in its rugged interior.

As of December 2021, Ivory Coast has a population of approximately 29.4 million, with a fertility rate of 4.3 children per woman. French is the official language, and around 78 languages are spoken throughout the country. The population is religiously diverse, with 42.5% identifying as Muslim and 39.8% as Christian.

World Bank governance: rule of law 25th percentile, corruption control 32nd percentile.

Côte d'Ivoire's strongest governance dimension is Regulatory Quality at 37/100, placing it in the lower half globally. This suggests the government can formulate and implement sound regulations that support private sector development.

The weakest dimension is Political Stability at 0/100. Political instability concerns may affect the overall security environment and long-term predictability.

A notable 37-point gap between Regulatory Quality and Political Stability reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Weak governance indicators for Côte d'Ivoire mean travelers should exercise heightened caution. Government services may be limited or unreliable, corruption can affect interactions with officials, and legal protections may not function as expected. Thorough preparation and situational awareness are essential.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Côte d'Ivoire as Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.