2017 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 allowing him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, military officers led a coup that deposed TANDJA and suspended the constitution. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in April 2011 following the coup and reelected to a second term in early 2016. 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. A Tuareg rebellion emerged in 2007 and ended in 2009. 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

land

1,266,700 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

474 m lowest point: Niger River 200 m highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Niger River 200 m

highest point

Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

mean elevation

474 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

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

1,000 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

5,834 km Algeria 951 km, Benin 277 km, Burkina Faso 622 km, Chad 1,196 km, Libya 342 km, Mali 838 km, Nigeria 1,608 km

border countries (7)

Algeria 951 km, Benin 277 km, Burkina Faso 622 km, Chad 1,196 km, Libya 342 km, Mali 838 km, Nigeria 1,608 km

total

5,834 km

Land use

35.1% arable land 12.3%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 22.7% 1% 63.9% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

35.1%

forest

1%

other

63.9% (2011 est.)

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

Population - distribution

majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin

Terrain

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

Age structure

49.01% (male 4,757,806/female 4,674,437) 19.1% (male 1,815,689/female 1,860,230) 25.97% (male 2,495,927/female 2,501,362) 3.28% (male 328,082/female 304,030) 2.64% (male 259,046/female 248,735) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

49.01% (male 4,757,806/female 4,674,437)

15-24 years

19.1% (male 1,815,689/female 1,860,230)

25-54 years

25.97% (male 2,495,927/female 2,501,362)

55-64 years

3.28% (male 328,082/female 304,030)

65 years and over

2.64% (male 259,046/female 248,735) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

44.2 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

37.9% (2012)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

16.9% (2016)

Death rate

11.8 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Niger has the highest total fertility rate (TFR) of any country in the world, averaging close to 7 children per woman in 2016. A slight decline in fertility over the last few decades has stalled. This leveling off of the high fertility rate is in large part a product of the continued desire for large families. In Niger, the TFR is lower than the desired fertility rate, which makes it unlikely that contraceptive use will increase. The high TFR sustains rapid population growth and a large youth population – almost 70% of the populace is under the age of 25. Gender inequality, including a lack of educational opportunities for women and early marriage and childbirth, also contributes to high population growth. Because of large family sizes, children are inheriting smaller and smaller parcels of land. The dependence of most Nigeriens on subsistence farming on increasingly small landholdings, coupled with declining rainfall and the resultant shrinkage of arable land, are all preventing food production from keeping up with population growth. For more than half a century, Niger's lack of economic development has led to steady net outmigration. In the 1960s, Nigeriens mainly migrated to coastal West African countries to work on a seasonal basis. Some headed to Libya and Algeria in the 1970s to work in the booming oil industry until its decline in the 1980s. Since the 1990s, the principal destinations for Nigerien labor migrants have been West African countries, especially Burkina Faso and Cote d’Ivoire, while emigration to Europe and North America has remained modest. During the same period, Niger’s desert trade route town Agadez became a hub for West African and other sub-Saharan migrants crossing the Sahara to North Africa and sometimes onward to Europe. More than 60,000 Malian refugees have fled to Niger since violence between Malian government troops and armed rebels began in early 2012. Ongoing attacks by the Boko Haram Islamist insurgency, dating to 2013 in northern Nigeria and February 2015 in southeastern Niger, have pushed tens of thousands of Nigerian refugees and Nigerien returnees across the border to Niger and to displace thousands of locals in Niger’s already impoverished Diffa region.

Dependency ratios

111.6 106.2 5.4 18.6 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5.4

potential support ratio

18.6 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

111.6

youth dependency ratio

106.2

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 48.6% of population total: 58.2% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 51.4% of population total: 41.8% of population (2015 est.)

rural

51.4% of population

total

41.8% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

6.7% of GDP (2014)

Ethnic groups

Hausa 53.1%, Zarma/Songhai 21.2%, Tuareg 11%, Fulani (Peul) 6.5%, Kanuri 5.9%, Gurma 0.8%, Arab 0.4%, Tubu 0.4%, other/unavailable 0.9% (2006 est.)

Health expenditures

5.8% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.4% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,400 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

48,000 (2016 est.)

Infant mortality rate

81.1 deaths/1,000 live births 85.5 deaths/1,000 live births 76.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

76.6 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

85.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

81.1 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Life expectancy at birth

55.9 years 54.7 years 57.3 years (2017 est.)

female

57.3 years (2017 est.)

male

54.7 years

total population

55.9 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 19.1% 27.3% 11% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

11% (2015 est.)

male

27.3%

total population

19.1%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever schistosomiasis meningococcal meningitis rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

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) 1.09 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

553 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

15.4 years 15.3 years 15.5 years (2017 est.)

female

15.5 years (2017 est.)

male

15.3 years

total

15.4 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

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

note

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

Nationality

Nigerien(s) Nigerien

adjective

Nigerien

noun

Nigerien(s)

Net migration rate

-0.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.5% (2016)

Physicians density

0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)

Population

19,245,344 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin

Population growth rate

3.19% (2017 est.)

Religions

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

Sanitation facility access

urban: 37.9% of population rural: 4.6% of population total: 10.9% of population urban: 62.1% of population rural: 95.4% of population total: 89.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

95.4% of population

total

89.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

62.1% 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 1.08 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 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

1.08 male(s)/female

65 years and over

1.04 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

6.49 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

2.3% 4.4% 0.8% (2007 est.)

female

0.8% (2007 est.)

male

4.4%

total

2.3%

Urbanization

19.3% of total population (2017) 5.49% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

5.49% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

19.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

7 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district* (communaute 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)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger yes unknown

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

unknown

Constitution

several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010 proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; consideration of amendments requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires at least four-fifths majority vote; if disapproved, the proposed amendment is dropped or submitted to a referendum; constitutional articles on the form of government, the multiparty system, the separation of state and religion, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment procedures, and amnesty of participants in the 2010 coup d’Etat cannot be amended; amended 2011 (2017)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic or by the National Assembly; consideration of amendments requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires at least four-fifths majority vote; if disapproved, the proposed amendment is dropped or submitted to a referendum; constitutional articles on the form of government, the multiparty system, the separation of state and religion, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment procedures, and amnesty of participants in the 2010 coup d’Etat cannot be amended; amended 2011 (2017)

history

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

Country name

Republic of Niger Niger Republique du Niger Niger named for the Niger River that passes through the southwest of the country; from a native term "Ni Gir" meaning "River Gir"

conventional long form

Republic of Niger

conventional short form

Niger

etymology

named for the Niger River that passes through the southwest of the country; from a native term "Ni Gir" meaning "River Gir"

local long form

Republique du Niger

local short form

Niger

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK (since 12 September 2014) BP 11201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey 2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC 20521-2420 [227] 20-73-31-69 or [227] 20-72-39-41 [227] 20-73-55-60

chief of mission

Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK (since 12 September 2014)

embassy

BP 11201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey

FAX

[227] 20-73-55-60

mailing address

2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC 20521-2420

telephone

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

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Hassana ALIDOU (since 23 February 2015) 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 Hassana ALIDOU (since 23 February 2015)

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) Cabinet appointed by the president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 February 2016 with a runoff on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister appointed by the president, authorized by the National Assembly ISSOUFOU Mahamadou reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarrayya) 48.6%, Hama AMADOU (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17.8%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 11.3%, other 22.3%; percent of vote in second round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 92%, Hama AMADOU 8%

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the president

chief of state

President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011)

election results

ISSOUFOU Mahamadou reelected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarrayya) 48.6%, Hama AMADOU (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17.8%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 11.3%, other 22.3%; percent of vote in second round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 92%, Hama AMADOU 8%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 21 February 2016 with a runoff on 20 March 2016 (next to be held in 2021); prime minister appointed by the president, authorized by the National Assembly

head of government

Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011)

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

note

similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band

Government type

semi-presidential 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, ICCt, 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 or Assemblee Nationale (171 seats; 158 members directly elected from 8 multi-member constituencies in 7 regions and Niamey by party-list proportional representation, 8 reserved for minorities elected in special single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 5 seats reserved for Nigeriens living abroad - l seat per continent - elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the number of National Assembly seats increased from 113 to 171 in the February 2016 legislative election last held on 21 February 2016 (next to be held in 2021) percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 44.1%, MODEN/FA Lumana 14.7%, MNSD-Nassara 11.8%, MPR-Jamhuriya 7.1%, MNRD Hankuri-PSDN Alheri 3.5%, MPN-Kishin Kassa 2.9%, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 2.4%, RSD-Gaskiya 2.4%, CDS-Rahama 1.8%, CPR-Inganci 1.8%, RDP-Jama'a 1.8%, AMEN AMIN 1.8%, other 3.9%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 75, MODEN/FA Lumana 25, MNSD-Nassara 20, MPR-Jamhuriya 12, MNRD Hankuri-PSDN Alheri 6, MPN-Kishin Kassa 5, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 4, RSD-Gaskiya 4, CDS-Rahama 3, CPR-Inganci 3, RDP-Jama'a 3, RDP-Jama'a 3, AMEN AMIN 3, other 8

description

unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (171 seats; 158 members directly elected from 8 multi-member constituencies in 7 regions and Niamey by party-list proportional representation, 8 reserved for minorities elected in special single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote, 5 seats reserved for Nigeriens living abroad - l seat per continent - elected in single-seat constituencies by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms); note - the number of National Assembly seats increased from 113 to 171 in the February 2016 legislative election

election results

percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 44.1%, MODEN/FA Lumana 14.7%, MNSD-Nassara 11.8%, MPR-Jamhuriya 7.1%, MNRD Hankuri-PSDN Alheri 3.5%, MPN-Kishin Kassa 2.9%, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 2.4%, RSD-Gaskiya 2.4%, CDS-Rahama 1.8%, CPR-Inganci 1.8%, RDP-Jama'a 1.8%, AMEN AMIN 1.8%, other 3.9%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 75, MODEN/FA Lumana 25, MNSD-Nassara 20, MPR-Jamhuriya 12, MNRD Hankuri-PSDN Alheri 6, MPN-Kishin Kassa 5, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 4, RSD-Gaskiya 4, CDS-Rahama 3, CPR-Inganci 3, RDP-Jama'a 3, RDP-Jama'a 3, AMEN AMIN 3, other 8

elections

last held on 21 February 2016 (next to be held in 2021)

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)

note

adopted 1961

National holiday

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

National symbol(s)

zebu; national colors: orange, white, green

zebu; national colors

orange, white, green

Political parties and leaders

Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN [Omar Hamidou TCHIANA] Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci [Kassoum MOCTAR] Democratic Alliance for Niger or ADN-Fusaha [Habi Mahamadou SALISSOU] Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Abdou LABO] National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Seini OUMAROU] 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 Movement for Democratic Renewal or MNRD-Hankuri [Mahamane OUSMANE] Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU] Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa [Ibrahim YACOUBA] Party for Socialism and Democracy in Niger or PSDN-Alheri Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya [Albade ABOUBA] Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID] Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Amadou CHEIFFOU] Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira [Mohamed BEN OMAR] Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat or UDR-Tabbat [Amadou Boubacar CISSE] 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

$1.545 billion $2.036 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$2.036 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.545 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-6.6% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2015) 4.25% (31 December 2014)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

5.3% (31 December 2016 est.) 5.15% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.159 billion (2016 est.) $-1.486 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$2.926 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.892 billion (31 December 2015 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 approximately 25% of GDP and provides livelihood for 87% of the population. The UN ranked Niger as the second least developed country in the world in 2016 due to multiple factors such as food insecurity, lack of industry, high population growth, a weak educational sector, and few prospects for work outside of subsistence farming and herding. Since 2011 public debt has increased due to efforts to scale-up public investment, particularly that related to infrastructure, as well as due to increased security spending. The government relies on foreign donor resources for a large portion of its fiscal budget. The economy in recent years has been hurt by terrorist activity and kidnappings near its uranium mines and by instability in Mali and in the Diffa region of the country; concerns about security have resulted in increased support from regional and international partners on defense. Low uranium prices, demographics, and security expenditures may continue to put pressure on the government’s finances. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Although Niger has sizable reserves of oil, the prolonged drop in oil prices has reduced profitability. Food insecurity and drought remain perennial problems for Niger, and the government plans to invest more in irrigation. Niger’s three-year $131 million IMF Extended Credit Facility (ECF) agreement for the years 2012-15 was extended until the end of 2016. In February 2017, the IMF approved a new 3-year $134 million ECF. A $437 million Millennium Challenge Account compact for Niger, commencing in FY17, will focus on large-scale irrigation infrastructure development and community-based, climate-resilient agriculture, while promoting sustainable increases in agricultural productivity and sales. Formal private sector investment needed for economic diversification and growth remains a challenge, given the country’s limited domestic markets, access to credit, and competitiveness. Although President ISSOUFOU is courting foreign investors, including those from the US, as of April 2017, there were no US firms operating in Niger.

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 593.01 (2016 est.) 593.01 (2015 est.) 591.45 (2014 est.) 494.42 (2013 est.) 510.53 (2012 est.)

Exports

$1.101 billion (2016 est.) $1.087 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Exports - partners

France 31.3%, Thailand 11.6%, Malaysia 11.1%, Nigeria 9.5%, Mali 5.6%, China 5.3% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

65.8% 13.7% 41.7% 0% 16.4% -37.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

16.4%

government consumption

13.7%

household consumption

65.8%

imports of goods and services

-37.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

41.7%

investment in inventories

0%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

44.7% 14.9% 40.3% (2016 est.)

agriculture

44.7%

industry

14.9%

services

40.3% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2016 est.) $1,100 (2015 est.) $1,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5% (2016 est.) 4% (2015 est.) 7.5% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$7.492 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$20.39 billion (2016 est.) $19.17 billion (2015 est.) $18.24 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

24.1% of GDP (2016 est.) 24.4% of GDP (2015 est.) 23.7% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

3.7% 28.5% (2007)

highest 10%

28.5% (2007)

lowest 10%

3.7%

Imports

$2.031 billion (2016 est.) $1.976 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports - partners

France 28.3%, China 16.1%, US 7.8%, Nigeria 5.8%, Thailand 5.8% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

4.8% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.3% (2016 est.) 1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

6.614 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

87% 4% 9% (2016 est.)

agriculture

87%

industry

4%

services

9% (2016 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

45.4% (2014 est.)

Public debt

45.9% of GDP (2016 est.) 41.3% of GDP (2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$2.018 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.909 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.267 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.145 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.535 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.508 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

20.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.6% (2016 est.) 2.6% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

900,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

13,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

150 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

1.072 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

0 kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

96.1% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

782 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

179,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

499.4 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

15,200,000 15% 62% 4% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

4% (2013)

electrification - total population

15%

electrification - urban areas

62%

population without electricity

15,200,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

13,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

6,187 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

2,465 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

16,570 bbl/day (2014 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 national coverage; 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 users

805,702 4.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

4.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

805,702

Telephone system

inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in southwestern Niger combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains only about 50 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) (2016)

domestic

combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains only about 50 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 southwestern Niger

international

country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2016)

Telephones - fixed lines

113,000 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

113,000

Telephones - mobile cellular

9.791 million 53 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

53 (July 2016 est.)

total

9.791 million

Airports

30 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

6

2,438 to 3,047 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

1 (2017)

total

10

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

3

914 to 1,523 m

15

total

20

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

5U (2016)

Heliports

1 (2013)

Merchant marine

oil tanker 1, other 1 (2017)

by type

oil tanker 1, other 1 (2017)

total

2

National air transport system

15,242 0 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

0 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

15,242

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

2

number of registered air carriers

2

Roadways

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

paved

3,912 km

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)

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

4% of GDP (2016) 5.46% of GDP (2015) 3.45% of GDP (2014) 1.06% of GDP (2012) 1.31% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the 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 (2017)

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

108,470 (Nigeria); 57,286 (Mali) (2017) 129,015 (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; Boko Haram attacks in southern Niger, 2015) (2017)

IDPs

129,015 (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; Boko Haram attacks in southern Niger, 2015) (2017)

refugees (country of origin)

108,470 (Nigeria); 57,286 (Mali) (2017)