Niger Population: 16,899,327
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| Background | |
| Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution, and dissolved the Cabinet. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou emerged victorious from a crowded field in the election following the coup and was inaugurated in April 2011. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Movement for Justice, a 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. |
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| Geography | |
| 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 | |
| Location: | Western Africa, southeast of Algeria |
| Geographic coordinates: | 16 00 N, 8 00 E |
| Area: | total: 1.267 million sq km land: 1,266,700 sq km water: 300 sq km Size comparison: slightly less than twice the size of Texas |
| Land Boundaries: | 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 |
| Coastline: | 0 km (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 |
| Elevation extremes: | 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 use: | arable land: 11.43% permanent crops: 0.01% other: 88.56% (2005) |
| Irrigated land: | 740 sq km (2003) |
| Natural hazards: | recurring droughts |
| Current Environment Issues: | overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction |
| International Environment Agreements: | 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 |
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| People | |
| Population: | 16,899,327 (July 2013 est.) |
| Age structure: | 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.) population pyramid: |
| Median age: | total: 15.2 years male: 15 years female: 15.4 years (2012 est.) |
| Population growth rate: | 3.36% (2012 est.) |
| Birth rate: | 47.6 births/1,000 population (2012 est.) |
| Death rate: | 13.4 deaths/1,000 population (July 2012 est.) |
| Net migration rate: | 0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2012 est.) |
| Sex ratio: | at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 1 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 1 male(s)/female (2011 est.) |
| Infant mortality rate: | total: 89.7 deaths/1,000 live births male: 94.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 84.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.) |
| Life expectancy at birth: | total population: 53.8 years male: 52.51 years female: 55.13 years (2012 est.) |
| Total fertility rate: | 7.03 children born/woman (2013 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate: | 0.8% (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS: | 61,000 (2009 est.) |
| HIV/AIDS - deaths: | 4,300 (2009 est.) |
| Nationality: | noun: Nigerien(s) adjective: Nigerien |
| Ethnic groups: | Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census) |
| Religions: | Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20% |
| Languages: | French (official), Hausa, Djerma |
| Literacy: | definition: age 15 and over can read and write total population: 28.7% male: 42.9% female: 15.1% (2005 est.) |
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| Government | |
| Country name: | conventional long form: Republic of Niger conventional short form: Niger local long form: Republique du Niger local short form: Niger |
| Government type: | republic |
| Capital: | name: Niamey geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time) |
| Administrative divisions: | 8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder |
| Independence: | 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 |
| Constitution: | adopted 31 October 2010 |
| Legal system: | mixed legal system of civil law (based on French civil law), Islamic law, and customary law |
| Suffrage: | 18 years of age; universal |
| Executive branch: | 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 (For more information visit the World Leaders website ) 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% |
| Legislative branch: | 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 |
| Judicial branch: | Constitutional Court (7 judges with 6-year terms, nominated by the President); Court of Cassation (highest court dealing with judicial matters); Council of State (highest court dealing with administrative matters); Court of Finances (highest court dealing with public finances) |
| Political parties and leaders: | Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]; National Movement for a Developing Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara; Niger Social Democratic Party or PSDN; Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Social Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]; Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana; Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Mahamadou ISSOUFOU]; 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; Union of Independent Nigeriens or UNI; note: the SPLM and SPLM-DC are banned political parties |
| Political pressure groups and leaders: | The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group |
| International organization participation: | ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO |
| Diplomatic representation in the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Mamon Sambo SIDIKOU chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227 FAX: [1] (202)483-3169 |
| Diplomatic representation from the US: | chief of mission: Ambassador Bisa WILLIAMS 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 |
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| Economy | |
| 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. | |
| GDP (purchasing power parity): | GDP (purchasing power parity): $13.53 billion (2012 est.) $11.82 billion (2011 est.) $11.56 billion (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars |
| GDP (official exchange rate): | GDP (official exchange rate): $6.556 billion (2012 est.) |
| GDP - real growth rate: | 14.5% (2012 est.) 2.3% (2011 est.) 8% (2010 est.) |
| GDP - per capita (PPP): | GDP - per capita (PPP): $900 (2012 est.) $800 (2011 est.) $800 (2010 est.) note: data are in 2012 US dollars |
| GDP - composition by sector: | agriculture: 39.6% industry: 17.1% services: 43.2% (2012 est.) |
| Labor force: | 4.688 million (2007) |
| Labor force - by occupation: | agriculture: 90% industry: 6% services: 4% (1995) |
| Unemployment rate: | NA% |
| Population below poverty line: | 63% (1993 est.) |
| Household income or consumption by percentage share: | lowest 10%: 3.7% highest 10%: 28.5% (2007) |
| Distribution of family income - Gini index: | 34 (2007) 50.5 (1995) |
| Inflation rate (consumer prices): | Inflation rate (consumer prices): 3.9% (2012 est.) 2.9% (2011 est.) |
| Budget: | revenues: $1.655 billion (2012 est.) expenditures: $1.927 billion (2012 est.) |
| Agriculture - products: | cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry |
| Industries: | uranium mining, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses |
| Industrial production growth rate: | 5.1% (2003 est.) |
| Electricity - production: | 210 million kWh (2009 est.) country comparison to the world: 179 |
| Electricity - consumption: | 695.3 million kWh (2009 est.) |
| Electricity - exports: | 0 kWh (2010 est.) |
| Electricity - imports: | 500 million kWh (2009 est.) |
| Natural gas - production: | 0 cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - consumption: | 0 cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - exports: | 0 cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - imports: | 0 cu m (2010 est.) |
| Natural gas - proved reserves: | 0 cu m (1 January 2012 est.) |
| Current account balance: | -$1.628 billion (2012 est.) -$1.697 billion (2011 est.) |
| Exports: | $1.654 billion (2012 est.) $1.249 billion (2011 est.) |
| Exports - commodities: | uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions |
| Exports - partners: | US 49.2%, Nigeria 29.4%, Russia 10.3%, Ghana 4.1% (2011) |
| Imports: | $2.491 billion (2012 est.) $2.217 billion (2011 est.) |
| Imports - commodities: | foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals |
| Imports - partners: | France 15.6%, China 9.7%, Nigeria 8.9%, French Polynesia 8.5%, Belgium 6.9%, India 6.1%, Togo 4.7% (2011) |
| Debt - external: | $1.451 billion (31 December 2012 est.) $1.342 billion (31 December 2011 est.) |
| Market value of publicly traded shares: | $NA |
| Exchange rates: | Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar - 514.1 (2012 est.) 471.87 (2011 est.) 495.28 (2010) 472.19 (2009) 447.81 (2008) |
| Fiscal year: | calendar year |
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| Communications | |
| Telephones in use: | 85,900 (2011) country comparison to the world: 148 |
| Cellular Phones in use: | 4.743 million (2011) |
| Telephone system: | 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) |
| Radio broadcast stations: | |
| Television broadcast stations: | |
| Internet country code: | .ne |
| Internet hosts: | 454 (2012) |
| Internet users: | 115,900 (2009) |
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| Transportation | |
| Airports: | 30 (2012) country comparison to the world: 116 |
| Airports (paved runways): | total: 10 2,438 to 3,047 m: 3 1,524 to 2,437 m: 6 914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2012) |
| Airports (unpaved runways): | total: 20 1,524 to 2,437 m: 3 914 to 1,523 m: 15 under 914 m: 2 (2012) |
| Roadways: | total: 18,949 km paved: 3,912 km unpaved: 15,037 km (2008) |
| Waterways: | 300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2012) |
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| Military | |
| Military branches: | Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2010) |
| Military service age and obligation: | 17-21 years of age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2009) |
| Manpower available for military service: | males age 16-49: 3,329,184 females age 16-49: 3,267,669 (2010 est.) |
| Manpower fit for military service: | males age 16-49: 2,194,570 females age 16-49: 2,219,416 (2010 est.) |
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