2014 Edition

Background

Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution, and dissolved the Cabinet. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou emerged victorious from a crowded field in the election following the coup and was inaugurated in April 2011. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Movement for Justice, a predominantly ethnic Tuareg rebel group, emerged in February 2007, and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 ended the rebellion. Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.

Area

1.267 million sq km 1,266,700 sq km 300 sq km

total

1.267 million sq km

water

300 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Climate

desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Niger River 200 m Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

highest point

Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

lowest point

Niger River 200 m

Environment - current issues

overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.98 cu km/yr (30%/3%/67%) 70.53 cu m/yr (2005)

per capita

70.53 cu m/yr (2005)

total

0.98 cu km/yr (30%/3%/67%)

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 8 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

Irrigated land

736.6 sq km (2005)

Land boundaries

5,697 km Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

border countries

Algeria 956 km, Benin 266 km, Burkina Faso 628 km, Chad 1,175 km, Libya 354 km, Mali 821 km, Nigeria 1,497 km

total

5,697 km

Land use

11.79% 0.05% 88.16% (2011)

arable land

11.79%

other

88.16% (2011)

permanent crops

0.05%

Location

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

recurring droughts

Natural resources

uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

Terrain

predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north

Total renewable water resources

33.65 cu km (2011)

Age structure

49.8% (male 4,387,785/female 4,308,312) 18.4% (male 1,586,720/female 1,626,457) 25.9% (male 2,261,287/female 2,266,576) 3.3% (male 294,446/female 274,268) 2.6% (male 234,079/female 226,242) (2014 est.)

0-14 years

49.8% (male 4,387,785/female 4,308,312)

15-24 years

18.4% (male 1,586,720/female 1,626,457)

25-54 years

25.9% (male 2,261,287/female 2,266,576)

55-64 years

3.3% (male 294,446/female 274,268)

65 years and over

2.6% (male 234,079/female 226,242) (2014 est.)

Birth rate

46.12 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

1,557,913 43 % (2006 est.)

percentage

43 % (2006 est.)

total number

1,557,913

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

39.9% (2006)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

13.9% (2012)

Death rate

12.73 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Dependency ratios

111.6 % 1.6 % 5.5 % 18 (2014 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.5 %

potential support ratio

18 (2014 est.)

total dependency ratio

111.6 %

youth dependency ratio

1.6 %

Drinking water source

urban: 98.7% of population rural: 42.1% of population total: 52.3% of population urban: 1.3% of population rural: 57.9% of population total: 47.7% of population (2012 est.)

rural

57.9% of population

total

47.7% of population (2012 est.)

urban

1.3% of population

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2011)

Ethnic groups

Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)

Health expenditures

5.3% of GDP (2011)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.5% (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,400 (2012 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

46,300 (2012 est.)

Hospital bed density

0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)

Infant mortality rate

86.27 deaths/1,000 live births 90.86 deaths/1,000 live births 81.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

female

81.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)

total

86.27 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Life expectancy at birth

54.74 years 53.54 years 55.97 years (2014 est.)

female

55.97 years (2014 est.)

total population

54.74 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 28.7% 42.9% 15.1% (2005 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

15.1% (2005 est.)

male

42.9%

total population

28.7%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)

animal contact disease

rabies

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

respiratory disease

meningococcal meningitis

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

water contact disease

schistosomiasis

Major urban areas - population

NIAMEY (capital) 1.297 million (2011)

Maternal mortality rate

590 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)

Median age

15.1 years 15 years 15.2 years (2014 est.)

female

15.2 years (2014 est.)

male

15 years

total

15.1 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.1 median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2012 est.)

Nationality

Nigerien(s) Nigerien

adjective

Nigerien

noun

Nigerien(s)

Net migration rate

-0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

2.4% (2008)

Physicians density

0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

17,466,172 (July 2014 est.)

Population growth rate

3.28% (2014 est.)

Religions

Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 32.9% of population rural: 3.8% of population total: 9% of population urban: 67.1% of population rural: 96.2% of population total: 91% of population (2012 est.)

rural

96.2% of population

total

91% of population (2012 est.)

urban

67.1% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

5 years 6 years 5 years (2012)

female

5 years (2012)

male

6 years

total

5 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

0.98 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

1.01 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.03 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.89 children born/woman (2014 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

3.2% 4% 1.7% (2001)

female

1.7% (2001)

total

3.2%

Urbanization

17.8% of total population (2011) 4.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

17.8% of total population (2011)

Administrative divisions

8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

Capital

Niamey 13 31 N, 2 07 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

13 31 N, 2 07 E

name

Niamey

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Constitution

several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010 (2014)

Country name

Republic of Niger Niger Republique du Niger Niger

conventional long form

Republic of Niger

conventional short form

Niger

local long form

Republique du Niger

local short form

Niger

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard BELL (since September 2012) BP 11201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey 2420 Niamey Pl, Washington DC 20521-2420 [227] 20-73-31-69 or [227] 20-72-39-41 [227] 20-73-55-60

chief of mission

Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard BELL (since September 2012)

embassy

BP 11201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey

FAX

[227] 20-73-55-60

mailing address

2420 Niamey Pl, Washington DC 20521-2420

telephone

[227] 20-73-31-69 or [227] 20-72-39-41

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Maman Sambo SIDIKOU (since 2 December 2011) 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 [1] (202)483-3169

chancery

2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Maman Sambo SIDIKOU (since 2 December 2011)

FAX

[1] (202)483-3169

telephone

[1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227

Executive branch

President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011) Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president 37-member Cabinet appointed by the president; note - in August 2013, the president authorized a cabinet reshuffle and increased its membership to 37 from 26 in order to create a government of national unity president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes to be elected president; a presidential election to restore civilian rule was held on 31 January 2011 with a runoff election on 12 March 2011 between ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarayya) and Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) ISSOUFOU Mahamadou elected president; percent of vote - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 58%, Seini OUMAROU 42%

cabinet

37-member Cabinet appointed by the president; note - in August 2013, the president authorized a cabinet reshuffle and increased its membership to 37 from 26 in order to create a government of national unity

chief of state

President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011)

election results

ISSOUFOU Mahamadou elected president; percent of vote - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 58%, Seini OUMAROU 42%

elections

president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes to be elected president; a presidential election to restore civilian rule was held on 31 January 2011 with a runoff election on 12 March 2011 between ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarayya) and Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara)

head of government

Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president

Flag description

three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band

Government type

republic

Independence

3 August 1960 (from France)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges); High Court of Justice (consists of 7 members) Constitutional Court judges nominated/elected - 1 by the president of the Republic, 1 by the president of the National Assembly, 2 by peer judges, 2 by peer lawyers, 1 law professor by peers, and 1 from within Nigerien society; all appointed by the president; judges serve 6-year nonrenewable terms with one-third of membership renewed every 2 years; High Judicial Court members selected from among the legislature and judiciary; members serve 5-year terms Court of Cassation; Council of State; Court of Finances; various specialized tribunals and customary courts

highest court(s)

Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges); High Court of Justice (consists of 7 members)

judge selection and term of office

Constitutional Court judges nominated/elected - 1 by the president of the Republic, 1 by the president of the National Assembly, 2 by peer judges, 2 by peer lawyers, 1 law professor by peers, and 1 from within Nigerien society; all appointed by the president; judges serve 6-year nonrenewable terms with one-third of membership renewed every 2 years; High Judicial Court members selected from among the legislature and judiciary; members serve 5-year terms

subordinate courts

Court of Cassation; Council of State; Court of Finances; various specialized tribunals and customary courts

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law (based on French civil law), Islamic law, and customary law

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms) last held on 31 January 2011 percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 33%, MNSD-Nassara 21%, MODEN/FA-Lumana 20%, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 7.5%, RDP-Jama'a 6.5%, UDR-Tabbat 5.4%, CDS-Rahama 3.3%, UNI 1%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 37, MNSD-Nassara 26, MODEN/FA-Lumana 25, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 3, UNI 1

election results

percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 33%, MNSD-Nassara 21%, MODEN/FA-Lumana 20%, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 7.5%, RDP-Jama'a 6.5%, UDR-Tabbat 5.4%, CDS-Rahama 3.3%, UNI 1%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 37, MNSD-Nassara 26, MODEN/FA-Lumana 25, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 3, UNI 1

elections

last held on 31 January 2011

National anthem

"La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien) Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET adopted 1961

lyrics/music

Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET

name

"La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien)

National holiday

Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960

Political parties and leaders

Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE] National Movement for a Society of Development-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Seini OUMAROU] National Union of Independents or UNI [Amadou DJIBO ALI] Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moussa Moumouni DJERMAKOYE] Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana [Hama AMADOU] Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Mohamed BAZOUM] Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID] Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU] Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat or UDR-Tabbat [Amadou Boubacar CISSE] note: the SPLM and SPLM-DC are banned political parties

note

the SPLM and SPLM-DC are banned political parties

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry

Budget

$1.911 billion $2.086 billion (2013 est.)

expenditures

$2.086 billion (2013 est.)

revenues

$1.911 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.4% of GDP (2013 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009) 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4% (31 December 2013 est.) 4% (31 December 2012 est.)

Current account balance

-$1.45 billion (2013 est.) -$1.453 billion (2012 est.)

Debt - external

$1.556 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.551 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

34 (2007) 50.5 (1995)

Economy - overview

Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Agriculture contributes about one-third of GDP and provides livelihood for about nine-tenths of the population. Drought, desertification, and strong population growth have undercut the economy. Niger shares a common currency, the CFA franc, and a common central bank, the Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), with seven other members of the West African Monetary Union. Debt relief has significantly reduced Niger's annual debt service obligations, freeing funds for expenditures on basic health care, primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention, rural infrastructure, and other programs geared at poverty reduction. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. The economy in recent years has been hurt by terrorist activity and kidnappings near its uranium mines and instability in Mali. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Niger has sizable reserves of oil and oil production, which began in 2012, along with refining, and exports are expected to grow through 2016. However, oil revenues have fallen well short of predictions, mainly because of logistical challenges. Food insecurity and drought remain perennial problems for Niger. The mining sector may be affected by the government’s attempt to renegotiate extraction rights contracts.

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 500.7 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.) 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008)

Exports

$1.539 billion (2013 est.) $1.458 billion (2012 est.)

Exports - commodities

uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Exports - partners

Nigeria 40.3%, US 17.2%, India 14.3%, Italy 8.6%, China 7.8%, Ghana 5.3% (2012)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

61% 25.1% 44.7% 0% 26.3% -57.1% (2013 est.)

exports of goods and services

26.3%

government consumption

25.1%

household consumption

61%

imports of goods and services

-57.1%

investment in fixed capital

44.7%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

35.2% 14.2% 50.6% (2013 est.)

agriculture

35.2%

industry

14.2%

services

50.6% (2013 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$800 (2013 est.) $800 (2012 est.) $800 (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.2% (2013 est.) 11.2% (2012 est.) 2.2% (2011 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.304 billion (2013 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$13.98 billion (2013 est.) $13.17 billion (2012 est.) $11.84 billion (2011 est.) data are in 2013 US dollars

Gross national saving

23.7% of GDP (2013 est.) 22% of GDP (2012 est.) 25.3% of GDP (2011 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.7% 28.5% (2007)

highest 10%

28.5% (2007)

lowest 10%

3.7%

Imports

$2.314 billion (2013 est.) $2.273 billion (2012 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports - partners

France 14.4%, China 11.3%, Nigeria 10.1%, French Polynesia 9.2%, Togo 5.1%, Cote dIvoire 4.5% (2012)

Industrial production growth rate

5.7% (2013 est.)

Industries

uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

1.9% (2013 est.) 0.5% (2012 est.)

Labor force

4.688 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

90% 6% 4% (1995)

agriculture

90%

industry

6%

services

4% (1995)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

63% (1993 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.74 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.61 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$992.7 million (31 December 2013 est.) $915 million (31 December 2012 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.388 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $1.284 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

26.2% of GDP (2013 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

1.272 million Mt (2011 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Crude oil - production

20,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

NA bbl (1 January 2013 est.)

Electricity - consumption

832.5 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2012 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)

Electricity - imports

600 million kWh (2010 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

134,000 kW (2010 est.)

Electricity - production

250 million kWh (2010 est.)

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2010 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2011 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2013 est.)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

5,629 bbl/day (2011 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,136 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has only radio station with a national reach; about 30 private radio stations operate locally; as many as 100 community radio stations broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.ne

Internet hosts

454 (2012)

Internet users

115,900 (2009)

Telephone system

inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains only about 30 per 100 persons despite a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2010)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains only about 30 per 100 persons despite a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned

general assessment

inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger

international

country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2010)

Telephones - main lines in use

100,500 (2012)

Telephones - mobile cellular

5.4 million (2012)

Airports

30 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2013)

total

10

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

15

total

20

Heliports

1 (2013)

Roadways

18,949 km 3,912 km 15,037 km (2010)

total

18,949 km

unpaved

15,037 km (2010)

Waterways

300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2012)

Manpower available for military service

3,329,184 3,267,669 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

3,267,669 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

3,329,184

Manpower fit for military service

2,194,570 2,219,416 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,219,416 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,194,570

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

186,348 180,779 (2010 est.)

female

180,779 (2010 est.)

male

186,348

Military branches

Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2012)

Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN)

Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2012)

Military expenditures

1.06% of GDP (2012) NA% (2011) 1.06% of GDP (2010)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the presumed legal minimum age for compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2012)

Disputes - international

Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty that also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries; the dispute with Burkina Faso was referred to the ICJ in 2010

Refugees and internally displaced persons

49,770 (Mali) (2013); 10,044 (Nigeria) (2014) undetermined (unknown how many of the 11,000 people displaced by clashes between government forces and the Tuareg militant group, Niger Movement for Justice, in 2007 are still displaced; inter-communal violence) (2012)

IDPs

undetermined (unknown how many of the 11,000 people displaced by clashes between government forces and the Tuareg militant group, Niger Movement for Justice, in 2007 are still displaced; inter-communal violence) (2012)

refugees (country of origin)

49,770 (Mali) (2013); 10,044 (Nigeria) (2014)