The agricultural sector accounts for over one fifth of Cote d’Ivoire’s overall output, with much of this being cocoa bean production. Agricultural products account for the majority of Ivory Coast's commodities exports, with a low added value and thus contributing little to economic growth. Unlike many former French colonies, Cote d’Ivoire also has a modest economic relationship with France, which accounts for a small portion of the country’s exports. While the country’s budget balance tends to be in deficit, overall national debt does not seem to be a major issue in the short run.
The Ivorian people suffer from relatively poor health standards, which is common amongst low income countries. Life expectancy at birth, a main indicator of living conditions, is extremely low, while the birth rate is quite high, leading to a very large share of the population being too young to work. However, the infant mortality rate has declined in the past few years, an indicator that many experts consider a proxy for the general efficacy of the health care system. A low youth unemployment rate suggests that Cote d'Ivoire's youth are either working or studying, both of which give reason for optimism about the country’s future.
