Côte d'Ivoire has a population of almost 29 million people,[1] which is split almost evenly between rural and urban areas.[2] As of 2022, 46% of the population is officially employed in the agricultural sector,[3] a sector that accounts for 14.4% of the nation’s GDP.[4] Of the population employed in agriculture nearly 39% are women.[5] In addition, around 85% of the labour force is employed in the informal sector in Côte d'Ivoire.[6]
The agricultural sector of Côte d'Ivoire faces several major challenges, such as deforestation, rural to urban migration, land tenure insecurity, post-harvest losses, and climate change. The rate of deforestation is so high that the country is expected to lose all its national forest cover by 2034.[7]
The top produced crops in Côte d'Ivoire are yams, cassava, palm oil fruit, cocoa beans, and sugar cane.[8] Côte d'Ivoire’s top export commodities in terms of quantity are cocoa beans, natural dry rubber, shelled cashew nuts, palm oil and bananas.[9]
- ^ World Bank. (2023). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.TOTL?locations=CI
- ^ World Bank. (2023). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS?locations=CI
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS?locations=CI
- ^ World Bank. (2023).https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/NV.AGR.TOTL.ZS?locations=CI
- ^ World Bank. (2022). https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SL.AGR.EMPL.FE.ZS?locations=CI
- ^ U.S. Department of State. (2023). https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cote-divoire/
- ^ Climate-Smart Agriculture in Côte d’Ivoire. http://www.fao.org/3/ca1322en/CA1322EN.pdf
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country
- ^ FAOSTAT (2022). http://www.fao.org/faostat/en/#rankings/commodities_by_country_exports
Minimum wage
The government-mandated minimum wage for all professions except for in the agricultural sector in Côte d'Ivoire is 75,000 West African CFA franc (114 EUR) per month. The minimum wage in the agricultural sector is 39,960 West African CFA franc (61 EUR) per month [1]. A legal workweek is 40 hours and requires overtime payment. Labour unions in Côte d'Ivoire have been effective in enforcing that formal sector jobs comply with the minimum wage stated by the government. However, infractions regarding minimum wage payments are still reported. In addition, labour laws do not apply to millions of migrant workers nor to workers in the informal sector in Côte d'Ivoire.[2]
Living wage
The Global Living Wage Coalition has developed a living wage reference value for rural Côte d'Ivoire, based on the Anker Methodology.
The estimated living wage is 181,306 West African CFA francs (276 EUR) per month. This is the wage required for workers in a typical rural area of Côte d'Ivoire to afford a basic but decent standard of living. [3]
Living income
The Living Income Community of Practice has developed a living income benchmark for cocoa growing regions inrural Côte d'Ivoire. The estimated living income is 323,941 West African CFA francs (494 EUR) per month. This number is based on a family of 6 with 2 full time workers.[4] For families in Côte d'Ivoire food procurement accounts for nearly half of monthly household spending. Rural poverty is common in Côte d'Ivoire, however it is typically lower in cocoa growing regions than elsewhere. [5]
The production and sale of cocoa makes up a significant portion of the incomes of between 800,000 and 1.3 million farming households in Côte d'Ivoire. These households typically farm between 1.5 and 5 hectares of land. In addition, it is estimated that more than 8 million people live off the crop.[6]
- ^ Wage Indicator. (2024). https://wageindicator.org/salary/minimum-wage/ivory-coast
- ^ U.S. Department of State. (2023). https://www.state.gov/reports/2023-country-reports-on-human-rights-practices/cote-divoire/
- ^ Global Living Wage Coalition. (2022). Anker Living Wage Reference Value: Rural Côte d'Ivoire. https://www.globallivingwage.org/living-wage-benchmarks/living-wage-report-for-rural-lagunes-vallee-du-bandama-and-lacs-districts-of-cote-divoire/
- ^ LICoP (2024). Living Income Update-Rural Côte d’Ivoire: Cocoa Growing Areas. https://www.living-income.com/fileadmin/living_income/Publications/Actual_Income_and_Gap_Measurement/2024_Update_Report_Cote_dIvoire_Living_Income_2024.pdf
- ^ CIRES. (2018). https://c69aa8ac-6965-42b2-abb7-0f0b86c23d2e.filesusr.com/ugd/0c5ab3_a437a776dc7747c2999d3b0c60a46a97.pdf
- ^ Hütz-Adams, F., Huber, C., Knoke, I., Morazán, P., Mürlebach, M. (2016). Strengthening the competitiveness of cocoa production and improving the income of cocoa producers in West and Central Africa. https://suedwind-institut.de/files/Suedwind/Publikationen/2017/2017-06%20Strengthening%20the%20competitiveness%20of%20cocoa%20production%20and%20improving%20the%20income%20of%20cocoa%20producers%20in%20West%20and%20Central%20Africa.pdf
Analysis of the income gap of cocoa producing households in Côte d’Ivoire 
Comparison of actual incomes with the Living Income Benchmark. Prepared by KIT for the Living Income Community of Practice.
Fairtrade Living Income Reference Price for Cocoa
Fairtrade Living Income Reference Prices (LIRP) for cocoa from Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire were first established in 2018, and is revised since then following the living income benchmarks by the Living Income Community of Practice (LICOP).
Cocoa Farmer Income
This comparative study shows that the average income of Fairtrade cocoa farmers in Côte d'Ivoire has risen and highlight ways in which brands and retailers can contribute.
Living Wage Reference Value, Rural Côte d’Ivoire
Living wage estimate for workers in a typical rural area of Côte d’Ivoire to afford a basic but decent living standard. Global Living Wage Coalition, 2022.
Living Income Benchmark, Rural Côte d’Ivoire
Living income estimate for rural Côte d’Ivoire, focussing on cocoa-growing areas. Living Income Community of Practice, 2020.
PRO-PLANTEURS
Project from the German Initiative on Sustainable Cacao aimed at improving the livelihoods of cocoa farmers and their families in Côte d'Ivoire.
Living Income Reference Prices for Cacao
Fairtrade International has set Fairtrade Living Income Reference Prices for cocoa in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire.
Farm Gate Prices for a Living Income
Consultation paper for minimum farm gate prices necessary to earn a living income in the cocoa sector in Côte d'Ivoire and Ghana. Voice Network, 2020.
Demystifying the Cacao Sector
Major study on the cocoa sector investigating more than a thousand socio-economic, agricultural and cocoa specific variables in Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. KIT, 2018.
Tracking living and minimum wages in the banana sector
A report commissioned by the World Banana Forum in May 2015 with information for 9 banana producing countries.
Craving a change in chocolate
An agenda for action enabling living incomes in cocoa supply chains. Fairtrade Foundation, 2018.