-
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.
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Geography :: NIGER
-
Western Africa, southeast of Algeria
16 00 N, 8 00 E
Africa
total: 1.267 million sq km
land: 1,266,700 sq km
water: 300 sq km
country comparison to the world:
22slightly less than twice the size of Texas
total: 5,834 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
0 km (landlocked)
none (landlocked)
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
agricultural land: 35.1%
arable land 12.3%; permanent crops 0.1%; permanent pasture 22.7%
forest: 1%
other: 63.9% (2011 est.)
736.6 sq km (2005)
33.65 cu km (2011)
total: 0.98 cu km/yr (30%/3%/67%)
per capita: 70.53 cu m/yr (2005)
recurring droughts
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
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People and Society :: NIGER
-
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%
18,045,729 (July 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
620-14 years: 49.57% (male 4,512,526/female 4,431,944)
15-24 years: 18.61% (male 1,658,537/female 1,699,924)
25-54 years: 25.92% (male 2,336,655/female 2,341,599)
55-64 years: 3.26% (male 305,363/female 283,647)
65 years and over: 2.64% (male 242,025/female 233,509) (2015 est.)
population pyramid:
total dependency ratio: 113%
youth dependency ratio: 107.5%
elderly dependency ratio: 5.5%
potential support ratio: 18.2% (2015 est.)
total: 15.2 years
male: 15.1 years
female: 15.3 years (2015 est.)
3.25% (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
445.45 births/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
112.42 deaths/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
23-0.56 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
138urban population: 18.7% of total population (2015)
rate of urbanization: 5.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
NIAMEY (capital) 1.09 million (2015)
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: 1.08 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.04 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2015 est.)
total: 84.59 deaths/1,000 live births
male: 89.12 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 79.92 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
7total population: 55.13 years
male: 53.9 years
female: 56.39 years (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2096.76 children born/woman (2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
113.9% (2012)
6.5% of GDP (2013)
country comparison to the world:
740.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)
improved:
urban: 100% of population
rural: 48.6% of population
total: 58.2% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0% of population
rural: 51.4% of population
total: 41.8% of population (2015 est.)
improved:
urban: 37.9% of population
rural: 4.6% of population
total: 10.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 62.1% of population
rural: 95.4% of population
total: 89.1% of population (2015 est.)
0.49% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
6840,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
603,400 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
42degree 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)
3.7% (2014)
country comparison to the world:
18037.9% (2012)
country comparison to the world:
44.4% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world:
101definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population: 19.1%
male: 27.3%
female: 11% (2015 est.)
total: 5 years
male: 6 years
female: 5 years (2012)
total number: 1,557,913
percentage: 43% (2006 est.)
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Government :: NIGER
-
conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: Republique du Niger
local short form: Niger
republic
name: Niamey
geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
7 regions (regions, singular - region) and 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; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010 (2014)
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)
cabinet: Cabinet appointed by the president
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); prime minister appointed by the president, authorized by the National Assembly
election results: ISSOUFOU Mahamadou elected president; percent of vote in second round - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarrayya) 58%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 42%
odescription: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (113 seats; 105 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 8 directly elected in special single-seat constituencies for minorities by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
elections: last held on 31 January 2011 (next to be held on 21 February 2016)
election results: percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 33.0%, MNSD-Nassara 20.6%, MODEN/FA-Lumana 19.7%, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 7.5%, RDP-Jama'a 6.5%, UDR-Tabbat 5.4%, CDS-Rahama 3.3%, UNI 1.0%, other 3.0%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 39, MNSD-Nassara 23, MODEN/FA-Lumana 25, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 3, 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 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
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
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
chief of mission: Ambassador Hassana ALIDOU (since 23 February 2015)
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
FAX: [1] (202) 483-3169
chief of mission: Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK (since 12 September 2014)
embassy: BP 11201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
mailing address: 2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC 20521-2420
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
zebu; national colors: orange, white, green
name: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien)
lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
note: adopted 1961
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Economy :: NIGER
-
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 nearly 40% of GDP and provides livelihood for most of the population. The UN ranked Niger as the least developed country in the world in 2014 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 in part from a large loan financing a new uranium mine. 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 instability in Mali, and concerns about security have boosted fiscal spending on defense. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Niger has sizable reserves of oil and oil production. Food insecurity and drought remain perennial problems for Niger, and the government plans to invest more in the agriculture sector, most notably irrigation. The mining sector may be affected by the government’s attempt to renegotiate extraction rights contracts to increase royalty rates and reduce tax exemptions. Despite Niger’s three-year $121 million IMF Extended Credit Facility agreement for years 2012-15, 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.
$17.94 billion (2014 est.)
$16.78 billion (2013 est.)
$16.04 billion (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
147$8.025 billion (2014 est.)
6.9% (2014 est.)
4.6% (2013 est.)
11.8% (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
28$1,000 (2014 est.)
$1,000 (2013 est.)
$900 (2012 est.)
note: data are in 2014 US dollars
country comparison to the world:
22320.4% of GDP (2014 est.)
22.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
21.9% of GDP (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
65household consumption: 71%
government consumption: 10.9%
investment in fixed capital: 29.7%
investment in inventories: 6.3%
exports of goods and services: 22.7%
imports of goods and services: -40.6%
(2014 est.)
agriculture: 37.7%
industry: 18.6%
services: 43.7% (2014 est.)
cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
6.5% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
345.8 million (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
69agriculture: 90%
industry: 6%
services: 4% (1995)
5.1% (2012 est.)
63% (1993 est.)
lowest 10%: 3.7%
highest 10%: 28.5% (2007)
34 (2007)
50.5 (1995)
country comparison to the world:
97revenues: $1.761 billion
expenditures: $2.807 billion (2014 est.)
21.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
152-12.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
208calendar year
-0.9% (2014 est.)
2.3% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
104.25% (31 December 2009)
4.75% (31 December 2008)
country comparison to the world:
933.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
3.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
166$1.534 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.486 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
142$1.901 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$1.851 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
156$945.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)
$911 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
158$NA
-$1.448 billion (2014 est.)
-$1.174 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
130$1.652 billion (2014 est.)
$1.56 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
150uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
Nigeria 41.4%, France 30.3%, China 15.7%, Ghana 5.6% (2014)
$2.269 billion (2014 est.)
$2.092 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
159foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
China 13.5%, France 12.3%, Nigeria 8.3%, French Polynesia 8.1%, Togo 5.5%, Belgium 5.3%, India 4.7% (2014)
$2.851 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
$2.313 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
142Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
491.2 (2014 est.)
494.04 (2013 est.)
510.53 (2012 est.)
471.87 (2011 est.)
495.28 (2010)
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Energy :: NIGER
-
355 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
179930.2 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1570 kWh (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
177600 million kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
77134,000 kW (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
168100% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
260% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1500% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1890% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
20920,000 bbl/day (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
7520,000 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1620 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
103150 million bbl (1 January 2015 est.)
country comparison to the world:
660 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1805,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1640 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
2035,136 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1500 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1730 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1780 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1520 cu m (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1060 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
1761.411 million Mt (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world:
160
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Communications :: NIGER
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total subscriptions: 110,000
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
142total: 8.2 million
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 47 (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
95general assessment: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in southwestern 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 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)
AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)
5 (2007)
.ne
total: 281,200
percent of population: 1.6% (2014 est.)
country comparison to the world:
145
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Transportation :: NIGER
-
30 (2013)
country comparison to the world:
115total: 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:
2 (2013)
1 (2013)
total: 18,949 km
paved: 3,912 km
unpaved: 15,037 km (2010)
country comparison to the world:
114300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2012)
country comparison to the world:
93
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Military :: NIGER
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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)
NA% (2011)
1.06% of GDP (2010)
country comparison to the world:
95
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Transnational Issues :: NIGER
-
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 (country of origin): 105,583 (Nigeria); 52,332 (Mali) (2015)
IDPs: 66,400 (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) (2015)