(pop. approx. 1.5 million)
Tahoua, Maradi, Zinder, Diffa, Dosso, Arlit, and Agadez.
Government:
Type: formerly a semi-presidential multi-party republic, since 26 July 2023 a military junta.
Head of State: President
Independence: 3 August 1960 (from France).
Geography:
Location: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria.
Area: 1,267,000 km² (490,000 sq. mi.).
Terrain: About two-thirds desert and mountains, one-third savanna.
Climate: Hot, dry, and dusty; tropical in extreme south. Rainy season June
- September.
People:
Nationality: Nigerien(s).
Population 26 million (2024)
Ethnic groups: Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Fula 8.5%, Tuareg 8%, Beri Beri (Kanuri) 4.3%; Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%.
Religions: Islam (95%); remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians.
Languages: French
(official), Hausa, Djerma, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Tamachek, Toubou, Gourmantche, Arabic. Ten indigenous languages have the status of a national language.
Literacy: 15-30%
Real GDP per capita: $1,600 (2023 est.)
Transparency: Rank 123 (out of 180 countries); Score 32, on a scale from 100 (very clean) to 0 (highly corrupt). Niger is ranked in the Corruption Perceptions Index 2020 between
Zambia and
Bolivia.
Natural resources: Uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, petroleum.
Agriculture products: Millet, sorghum, rice, corn, fruits, vegetables,
cotton, peanuts, cassava, cowpeas.
Industries: Uranium mining, cement, brick, textiles, food processing, chemicals
Exports - commodities: uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Exports - partners: UAE 69%,
France 9%,
China 9%,
Nigeria 3%,
Mali 2% (2022)
Imports - commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Imports - partners: China 22%, France 14%, Nigeria 8%,
Germany 5%, UAE 5% (2022)
Currency: CFA Franc (XOF)
Niger in Figures
More Niger related statistical data.
Source: Embassy of Niger, Canada and others.