Statistical information Niger 2020

Niger in the World
Niger - Introduction 2020
top of pageBackground: In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River into British Nigeria and French Niger. In subsequent decades French administration spread until in 1922 Niger officially became a colony. Following independence from France in 1960, the country 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, and is ranked last in the world on the United Nations Development Programme’s Human Development Index. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. 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.
top of pageLocation: Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
Geographic coordinates: 16 00 N, 8 00 E
Map reference:
AfricaAreaTotal: 1.267 million km²
Land: 1,266,700 km²
Water: 300 km²
Rank: 23
Comparative: slightly less than twice the size of Texas
Land boundariesTotal: 5,834 km
Border countries: (7) Algeria 951 km;
, Benin 277 km;
, Burkina Faso 622 km;
, Chad 1196 km;
, Libya 342 km;
, Mali 838 km;
, Nigeria 1608 kmCoastline: 0 km
Note: (landlocked)
Maritime claims: none (landlocked)
Climate: desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south
Terrain: predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north
ElevationMean elevation: 474 m
Lowest point: Niger River 200 m
Highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
Natural resources: uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
Land useAgricultural land: 35.1% (2011 est.)
arable land: 12.3% (2011 est.)
permanent crops: 0.1% (2011 est.)
permanent pasture: 22.7% (2011 est.)
Forest: 1% (2011 est.)
Other: 63.9% (2011 est.)
Irrigated land: 1000 km² (2012)
Major riversMajor watersheds area km²Total water withdrawalTotal renewable water resourcesNatural hazards: recurring droughts
GeographyNote: 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
top of pagePopulationDistribution rank: population distribution map: 22,772,361 (July 2020 est.)
Rank: 58
Growth rate: 3.66% (2020 est.)
Growth rate rank: 2
Below poverty line: 45.4% (2014 est.)
NationalityNoun: Nigerien(s)
Adjective: Nigerien
Ethnic groups: Hausa 53.1%, Zarma/Songhai 21.2%, Tuareg 11%, Fulani (Peuhl) 6.5%, Kanuri 5.9%, Gurma 0.8%, Arab 0.4%, Tubu 0.4%, other/unavailable 0.9% (2006 est.)
Languages: French (official), Hausa, Djerma
Religions: Muslim 99.3%, Christian 0.3%, animist 0.2%, none 0.1% (2012 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.
Age structure0-14 years: 50.58% (male 5,805,102/female 5,713,815)
15-24 years: 19.99% (male 2,246,670/female 2,306,285)
25-54 years: 23.57% (male 2,582,123/female 2,784,464)
55-64 years: 3.17% (male 357,832/female 364,774)
65 years and over: 2.68% (male 293,430/female 317,866) (2020 est.)
Dependency ratiosTotal dependency ratio: 109.5
Youth dependency ratio: 104.1
Elderly dependency ratio: 5.4
Potential support ratio: 18.4 (2020 est.)
Median ageTotal: 14.8 years
Male: 14.5 years
Female: 15.1 years (2020 est.)
Rank: 227
Population growth rate: 3.66% (2020 est.)
Rank: 2
Birth rate: 47.5 births/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 1
Death rate: 10.2 deaths/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 35
Net migration rate: -0.7 migrant(s)/1000 population (2020 est.)
Rank: 132
Population distributionRank: population distribution map
UrbanizationUrban population: 16.6% of total population
Note: (2015-20 est.)
Rate of urbanization: 4.27% annual rate of change
Major urban areasPopulation: 1.292 million NIAMEY (capital) (2020)
EnvironmentCurrent issues: overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; contaminated water; inadequate potable water; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
International agreements party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
International agreements signed but not ratified: Law of the Sea
Air pollutantsSex ratioAt birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years: 0.97 male(s)/female
25-54 years: 0.93 male(s)/female
55-64 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
Total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2020 est.)
Mothers mean age at first birth: 18.1 years (2012 est.)
Note: median age at first birth among women 25-29
Maternal mortality ratioInfant mortality rateTotal: 67.7 deaths/1000 live births
Male: 72 deaths/1000 live births
Female: 63.3 deaths/1000 live births (2020 est.)
Rank: 6
Life expectancy at birthTotal population: 59.3 years
Male: 57.8 years
Female: 60.8 years (2020 est.)
Rank: 218
Total fertility rate: 7 children born/woman (2020 est.)
Rank: 1
Contraceptive prevalence rate: 11% (2017/18)
Drinking water sourceUrban: 4.3% of population
Rural: 40.8% of population
Total: 34.8% of population (2017 est.)
Current health expenditure: 7.7% (2017)
Physicians density: 0.04 physicians/1000 population (2016)
Hospital bed density: 0.4 beds/1000 population (2017)
Sanitation facility accessUrban: 23.4% of population
Rural: 87.1% of population
Total: 76.7% of population (2017 est.)
Hiv/AidsAdult prevalence rate: 0.3% (2019 est.)
Adult prevalence rate rank: 93
People living with hivaids: 33,000 (2019 est.)
People living with hivaids rank: 71
Deaths: 1100 (2019 est.)
Deaths rank: 58
Major infectious diseasesDegree of risk: very high (2020)
Food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
Vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
Water contact diseases: schistosomiasis
Animal contact diseases: rabies
Respiratory diseases: meningococcal meningitis
Obesity adult prevalence rate: 5.5% (2016)
Rank: 177
Alcohol consumptionTobacco useChildren under the age of 5 years underweight: 21.8% (2018)
Rank: 18
Education expenditures: 3.5% of GDP (2018)
Rank: 118
LiteracyDefinition: age 15 and over can read and write
Total population: 19.1%
Male: 27.3%
Female: 11% (2015)
School life expectancy primary to tertiary educationTotal: 6 years
Male: 7 years
Female: 6 years (2017)
Youth unemploymenttop of pageCountry nameConventional long form: Republic of Niger
Conventional short form: Niger
Local long form: Republique du Niger
Local 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
Note: pronounced nee-zher
Government type: semi-presidential republic
CapitalName: NiameyGeographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
Time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time):
etymology: according to tradition, the site was originally a fishing village named after a prominent local tree referred to as 'nia niam'
Administrative divisions: 7 regions (regions, singular - region) and 1 capital district* (communaute urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
Dependent areasIndependence: 3 August 1960 (from France)
National holiday: Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960
ConstitutionHistory: several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010
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 cannot be amended; amended 2011
Legal system: mixed legal system of civil law, based on French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
CitizenshipCitizenship 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
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal
Executive branchChief of state: President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011)
Head of government: Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011)
Cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
Electionsappointments: 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
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%
Legislative branchDescription: 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)
Elections: last held on 21 February 2016 (next to be held on 27 December 2020)
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-Jamaa 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-Jamaa 3, RDP-Jamaa 3, AMEN AMIN 3, other 8; composition - men 146, women 24 percent of women 14.6%
Judicial branchHighest courts: 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
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-AlheriPatriotic 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]
Note: the SPLM and SPLM-DC are banned political parties
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
Diplomatic representationIn the us chief of mission: Ambassador Hassana ALIDOU (since 23 February 2015)
In the us chancery: 2,204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20,008
In the us telephone: [1] (202) 483-4,224 through 4,227
In the us FAX: [1] (202) 483-3,169
From the us chief of mission: Ambassador Eric P. WHITAKER (since 26 January 2018)
From the us telephone: [227] 20-72-26-61
From the us embassy: BP 11,201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
From the us mailing address: 2,420 Niamey Place, Washington DC 20,521-2,420
From the us FAX: [227] 20-73-55-60
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
Note: similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
National symbols: zebu; national colors: orange, white, green
National anthemName: La Nigerienne (The Nigerien)
Lyricsmusic: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
Note: adopted 1961
National heritagetop of pageEconomy overviewReal gdp purchasing power parityReal:$23.632 billion (2018 est.)
$21.86 billion (2017 est.)
$22.194 billion (2017 est.)
Real note: data are in 2017 dollars
Real gdp growth rate:
4.9% (2017 est.)
4.9% (2016 est.)
4.3% (2015 est.)
Rank: 51
Real gdp per capita:
$472 (2018 est.)
$1200 (2017 est.)
$460 (2017 est.)
Note: data are in 2017 dollars
Rank: 223
Gross national saving:
22.4% of GDP (2017 est.)
20.6% of GDP (2016 est.)
21.2% of GDP (2015 est.)
Rank: 80
Gdp composition by sector of origin
Gdp composition by end useHousehold consumption: 70.2% (2017 est.)
Government consumption: 9.4% (2017 est.)
Investment in fixed capital: 38.6% (2017 est.)
Investment in inventories: 0% (2017 est.)
Exports of goods and services: 16.4% (2017 est.)
Imports of goods and services: -34.6% (2017 est.)
Gdp composition by sector of originAgriculture: 41.6% (2017 est.)
Industry: 19.5% (2017 est.)
Services: 38.7% (2017 est.)
Agriculture products: cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
Industries: uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
Industrial production growth rate: 6% (2017 est.)
Rank: 41
Labor force: 6.5 million (2017 est.)
Rank: 68
By occupation agriculture: 79.2%
By occupation industry: 3.3%
By occupation services: 17.5% (2012 est.)
Unemployment rate:
0.3% (2017 est.)
0.3% (2016 est.)
Rank: 3
Youth unemploymentPopulation below poverty line: 45.4% (2014 est.)
Gini indexHousehold income or consumption by percentage shareLowest 10: 3.2%
Highest 10: 26.8% (2014)
Distribution of family income gini indexBudgetRevenues: 1.757 billion (2017 est.)
Expenditures: 2.171 billion (2017 est.)
Surplus or deficit: -5% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Surplus or deficit rank: 169
Taxes and other revenues: 21.4% (of GDP) (2017 est.)
Rank: 140
Public debt:
45.3% of GDP (2017 est.)
45.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Rank: 115
RevenueFiscal year: calendar year
Inflation rate consumer prices:
-2.5% (2019 est.)
6.3% (2018 est.)
2.3% (2017 est.)
Rank: 2
Central bank discount rateCommercial bank prime lending rateStock of narrow moneyStock of broad moneyStock of domestic creditMarket value of publicly traded sharesCurrent account balance:
-$1.16 billion (2017 est.)
-$1.181 billion (2016 est.)
Rank: 150
Exports:
$1.525 billion (2018 est.)
$1.466 billion (2017 est.)
Rank: 149
Partners: France 30.2%, Thailand 18.3%, Malaysia 9.9%, Nigeria 8.3%, Mali 5%, Switzerland 4.9% (2017)
Commodities: uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Imports:
$2.999 billion (2018 est.)
$2.88 billion (2017 est.)
Rank: 152
Commodities: foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
Partners: France 28.8%, China 14.4%, Malaysia 5.7%, Nigeria 5.4%, Thailand 5.3%, US 5.1%, India 4.9% (2017)
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$1.186 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Rank: 126
Debt external:
$3.728 billion (31 December 2017 est.)
$2.926 billion (31 December 2016 est.)
Rank: 140
Stock of direct foreign investment at homeStock of direct foreign investment abroadExchange rates:
605.3 (2017 est.)
593.01 (2016 est.)
593.01 (2015 est.)
591.45 (2014 est.)
494.42 (2013 est.)
top of pageElectricityAccess population without electricity: 20 million (2019)
Access electrification total population: 14% (2019)
Access electrification urban areas: 71% (2019)
Access electrification rural areas: 2% (2019)
Production: 494.7 million kWh (2016 est.)
Production rank: 167
Consumption: 1.065 billion kWh (2016 est.)
Consumption rank: 153
Exports: 0 kWh (2016 est.)
Exports rank: 177
Imports: 779 million kWh (2016 est.)
Imports rank: 74
Installed generating capacity: 184,000 kW (2016 est.)
Installed generating capacity rank: 168
Generation sources fossil fuels: 95% of total installed capacity (2016 est.)
Generation sources fossil fuels rank: 44
Generation sources nuclear: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources nuclear rank: 156
Generation sources hydroelectricity: 0% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources hydroelectricity rank: 190
Generation sources other renewable sources: 5% of total installed capacity (2017 est.)
Generation sources other renewable sources rank: 108
CoalPetroleumPetroleum total petroleum production: 9,000 bbl/day (2018 est.)
Petroleum total petroleum production rank: 79
Crude oil exports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil exports rank: 176
Crude oil imports: 0 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Crude oil imports rank: 176
Crude oil proven reserves: 150 million bbl (1 January 2018 est.)
Crude oil proven reserves rank: 61
Crude oilRefined petroleumProducts production: 15,280 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products production rank: 94
Products consumption: 14,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)
Products consumption rank: 156
Products exports: 5,422 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products exports rank: 90
Products imports: 3,799 bbl/day (2015 est.)
Products imports rank: 180
Natural gasProduction: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Production rank: 180
Consumption: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Consumption rank: 184
Exports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Exports rank: 163
Imports: 0 m³ (2017 est.)
Imports rank: 168
Proven reserves: 0 m³ (1 January 2016 est.)
Proven reserves rank: 178
Carbon dioxide emissionsFrom consumption of energy: 2.534 million Mt (2017 est.)
From consumption of energy rank: 154
Energy consumption per capitaNiger - Communication 2020
top of pageTelephonesFixed lines total subscriptions: 116,352 (2019 est.)
Fixed lines rank: 138
Mobile cellular total subscriptions: 8,921,769
Mobile cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 40.64 (2019 est.)
Mobile cellular rank: 92
Telephone systemBroadcast 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
InternetCountry code: .ne
Users total: 1,110,778
Users percent of population: 5.25% (July 2018 est.)
Users rank: 137
Broadband fixed subscriptionsTotal: 8,650 (2017 est.)
Rank: 173
top of pageMilitary expenditures:
1.8% of GDP (2019)
2.5% of GDP (2018)
2.5% of GDP (2017)
2.2% of GDP (2016)
Rank: 62
Military and security forces:
Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie (GN); Ministry of Interior: Niger National Guard (GNN), National Police (includes the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance, which is charged with border management) (2020)
note: the Gendarmerie is subordinate to the Ministry of Defense and has primary responsibility for rural security; the National Guard is responsible for domestic security and the protection of high-level officials and government buildings
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)
Space programTerrorist groups: Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham - West Africa; Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin; al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun) (2020)
Note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in a title='Appendix-T' href='../appendix/appendix-t.html'>Appendix-T/a>
Niger - Transportation 2020
top of pageNational air transport systemNumber of registered air carriers: 2 (2020)
Inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers: 3
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 5U (2016)
Airports: 30 (2013)
Rank: 115
With paved runways total: 10 (2017)
With paved runways 2438 to 3047 m: 3 (2017)
With paved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 6 (2017)
With paved runways 914 to 1523 m: 1 (2017)
With unpaved runways total: 20 (2013)
With unpaved runways 15-24 to 2437 m: 3 (2013)
With unpaved runways 914 to 1523 m: 15 (2013)
With unpaved runways under 914 m: 2 (2013)
Heliports: 1 (2013)
Pipelines: 464 km oil
RailwaysRoadwaysTotal: 18,949 km (2010)
Paved: 3,912 km (2010)
Unpaved: 15,037 km (2010)
Rank: 118
Waterways: 300 km
Note: (the Niger the only major river is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2012)
Rank: 93
Merchant marineTotal: 1
By type: general cargo 1 (2019)
Rank: 178
Ports and terminalsNiger - Transnational issues 2020
top of pageDisputes international: Libya claims about 25,000 km² 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 personsRefugees: 168,081 (Nigeria), 58,702 (Mali) (2020)
IDPs: 257,095 (includes the regions of Diffa, Tillaberi, and Tahoua; 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) (2020)
Illicit drugs