Page last updated on January 30, 2014
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 predominately Tuareg ethnic group, emerged in February 2007, and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 limited the rebels' operational capabilities. Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya and spillover from the rebellion in Mali.
Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
total: 1.267 million sq km
country comparison to the world: 22
land: 1,266,700 sq km
water: 300 sq km
slightly less than twice the size of Texas
total: 5,697 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
desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
arable land: 11.79%
permanent crops: 0.05%
other: 88.16% (2011)
total: 0.98 cu km/yr (30%/3%/67%)
per capita: 70.53 cu m/yr (2005)
overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
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
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
noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien
Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
16,899,327 (July 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64
0-14 years: 50% (male 4,261,662/female 4,183,112)
15-24 years: 18.2% (male 1,519,241/female 1,557,267)
25-54 years: 25.9% (male 2,188,451/female 2,194,606)
55-64 years: 3.3% (male 283,955/female 265,460)
65 years and over: 2.6% (male 226,454/female 219,119) (2013 est.)
total dependency ratio: 111.5 %
youth dependency ratio: 105.9 %
elderly dependency ratio: 5.5 %
potential support ratio: 18.1 (2013)
total: 15 years
male: 14.9 years
female: 15.1 years (2013 est.)
3.32% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
46.84 births/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
13.07 deaths/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 21
-0.6 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139
urban population: 17.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization: 4.91% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
NIAMEY (capital) 1.004 million (2009)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
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: 1.07 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2013 est.)
590 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
country comparison to the world: 14
total: 87.98 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 7
male: 92.64 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 83.17 deaths/1,000 live births (2013 est.)
total population: 54.34 years
country comparison to the world: 207
male: 53.17 years
female: 55.55 years (2013 est.)
7.03 children born/woman (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1
5.3% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 128
0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)
0.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56
61,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54
4,300 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42
degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
water contact disease: schistosomiasis
respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
animal contact disease: rabies
note: 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)
2.4% (2008)
country comparison to the world: 180
39.9% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 5
4.5% of GDP (2011)
country comparison to the world: 94
definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 28.7%
male: 42.9%
female: 15.1% (2005 est.)
total: 5 years
male: 6 years
female: 5 years (2011)
total number: 1,557,913
percentage: 43 % (2006 est.)
total: 3.2%
country comparison to the world: 142
male: 4%
female: 1.7% (2001)
conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
local short form: Niger
name: Niamey
geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)
8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
3 August 1960 (from France)
Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960
several previous; latest adopted 31 October 2010 (2010)
mixed legal system of civil law (based on French civil law), Islamic law, and customary law
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
18 years of age; universal
chief of state: President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011)
head of government: Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president
cabinet: 26-member Cabinet appointed by the president
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 31 January 2011 with a runoff election between ISSOUFOU Mahamadou and Seini OUMAROU held on 12 March 2011
election results: ISSOUFOU Mahamadou elected president in a runoff election; percent of vote - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 58%, Seini OUMAROU 42%
unicameral National Assembly (113 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve five-year terms)
elections: last held on 31 January 2011
election results: percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 39, MNSD-Nassara 26, MODEN/FA-Lumana 24, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 2, UNI 1
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 appointed by the president; judges serve 6-year nonrenewable consecutive terms; 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
Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]
The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group
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, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
chief of mission: Ambassador Maman Sambo SIDIKOU (since 2 December 2011)
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
FAX: [1] (202)483-3169
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charge d'Affaires Richard BELL (since September 2012)
embassy: Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
mailing address: B. P. 11201, Niamey; Public Affairs Section (PAS), 2420 Niamey PL, Dulles, VA 20189-2420
telephone: [227] 20-73-31-69 or [227] 20-72-39-41
FAX: [227] 20-73-55-60
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
note: similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
name: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerian)
lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
note: adopted 1961
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 40% of GDP and provides livelihood for about 90% of the population. Niger also has sizable reserves of oil, and oil production, refining, and exports are expected to grow significantly between 2011 and 2016. 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. In December 2000, Niger qualified for enhanced debt relief under the International Monetary Fund program for Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) and concluded an agreement with the Fund on a Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility (PRGF). Debt relief provided under the enhanced HIPC initiative 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. In December 2005, Niger received 100% multilateral debt relief from the IMF, which translated into the forgiveness of approximately US$86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. The economy was hurt when the international community cut off non-humanitarian aid in response to TANDJA's moves to extend his term as president. Nearly half of the government's budget is derived from foreign donor resources. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. The government, however, has made efforts to secure a new three-year extended credit facility with the IMF following the one that completed in 2011. Oil revenue to the government has fallen well short of its budgeted level. Strikes risk undermining political stability. Food security remains a problem in Niger and is exacerbated by refugees from Mali.
$12.99 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
$6.486 billion (2012 est.)
11.2% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 6
$800 (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 221
note: data are in 2012 US dollars
22% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62
household consumption: 64.9%
government consumption: 25.5%
investment in fixed capital: 45.8%
investment in inventories: 0%
exports of goods and services: 28.3%
imports of goods and services: -64.6%
agriculture: 35.8%
industry: 14.2%
services: 50% (2012 est.)
cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
12.6% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
4.688 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 84
agriculture: 90%
industry: 6%
services: 4% (1995)
lowest 10%: 3.7%
highest 10%: 28.5% (2007)
34 (2007)
country comparison to the world: 93
revenues: $1.698 billion (2012 est.)
expenditures: $1.871 billion (2012 est.)
26.2% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 119
-2.7% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 107
0.5% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 8
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 74
4% (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
$1.284 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 143
$1.201 billion (31 December 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163
$915 million (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$-1.453 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 127
$1.458 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 146
uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Nigeria 40.3%, US 17.2%, India 14.3%, Italy 8.6%, China 7.8%, Ghana 5.3% (2012)
$2.273 billion (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 158
foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
France 14.4%, China 11.3%, Nigeria 10.1%, French Polynesia 9.2%, Togo 5.1%, Cote dIvoire 4.5% (2012)
$1.551 billion (31 December 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
250 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179
832.5 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
600 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 74
134,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 26
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 187
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 209
20,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 79
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 102
NA bbl (1 January 2013 es)
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115
5,629 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 201
5,136 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 178
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 154
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 104
0 cu m (1 January 2013 es)
country comparison to the world: 176
1.272 million Mt (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
100,500 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 145
5.4 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 107
general assessment: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in the southwestern area of Niger
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
international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2010)
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)
454 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 185
115,900 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 155
30 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 115
total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
total: 20
1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
914 to 1,523 m: 15
under 914 m:
total: 18,949 km
country comparison to the world: 114
paved: 3,912 km
unpaved: 15,037 km (2010)
300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2012)
country comparison to the world: 94
Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2012)
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)
males age 16-49: 3,329,184
females age 16-49: 3,267,669 (2010 est.)
males age 16-49: 2,194,570
females age 16-49: 2,219,416 (2010 est.)
male: 186,348
female: 180,779 (2010 est.)
1.06% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 297
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
