Cote d’Ivoire’s population of around 17.33 million is made up of the following ethnic groups: Akan 42.1%, Voltaiques or Gur 17.6%, Northern Mandes 16.5%, Krous 11%, Southern Mandes 10%, other 2.8% (includes 130,000 Lebanese and 14,000 French) (1998).

Religious groups include: Christian 20-30%, Muslim 35-40%, indigenous 25-40% (2001) - note: the majority of foreigners (migratory workers) are Muslim (70%) and Christian (20%).⁹