Niger

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<p>Nomadic peoples from the Saharan north and agriculturalists from the south settled present-day Niger. The Taureg kingdom of Takedda was one of the largest kingdoms in the north and played a prominent role in regional trade in the 14th century. In the south, the primary ethnic groups were the Songhai-Zarma in the west, the Hausa in the center, and the Kanuri in the east. When European colonizers arrived in the 19th century, the region was an assemblage of disparate local kingdoms.</p> <p>In the late 19th century, the British and French agreed to partition the middle regions of the Niger River, and France began its conquest of what would become the colony of Niger.  France experienced determined local resistance -- particularly during the Tuareg uprising (1916-1917) -- but established a colonial administration in 1922.</p> <p>After achieving independence from France in 1960, Niger experienced single-party or military rule until 1991, when political pressure forced General Ali SAIBOU to allow multiparty elections. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In 1999, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in 2011 and reelected in 2016. In 2021, BAZOUM Mohamed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another. Nonetheless, a military junta led by General Abdourahamane TIANI once again seized power in July 2023, detaining President BAZOUM and announcing the creation of a National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP).<br><br>Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked fourth to last in the world on the UN Development Program's Human Development Index of 2023/2024. 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. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.</p>

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Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

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16 00 N, 8 00 E

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Africa

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slightly less than twice the size of Texas

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0 km (landlocked)

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none (landlocked)

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desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

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

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uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum

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2,881 sq km (2022)

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Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km<br><br><strong>note:</strong> [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

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Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin

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majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin, as shown in this population distribution map

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recurring droughts

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landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna that is suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

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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.)

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Hausa, Zarma, French (official), Fufulde, Tamashek, Kanuri, Gurmancema, Tagdal

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<strong>note:</strong> represents the most-spoken languages; Niger has 10 national languages: Arabic, Buduma, Fulfuldé, Guimancema, Hausa, Kanuri, Sonay-Zarma, Tamajaq, Tassawaq, and Tubu

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Muslim 95.5%, ethnic religionist 4.1%, Christian 0.3%, agnostics and other 0.1% (2020 est.)

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3.65% (2025 est.)

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46.29 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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9.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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-0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

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majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin, as shown in this population distribution map

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1.437 million NIAMEY (capital) (2023)

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18.5 years (2012 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> data represents median age at first birth among women 20-49

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350 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

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6.55 children born/woman (2025 est.)

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3.23 (2025 est.)

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0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

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0.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

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5.5% (2016)

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34.6% (2022 est.)

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81.3% (2021 est.)

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overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; contaminated water; inadequate potable water; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened by poaching and habitat destruction

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desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

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59.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

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34,050,000,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)

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<strong>note:</strong> pronounced nee-ZHAIR

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formerly, semi-presidential republic

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<strong>Note:</strong> on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved all government institutions, and rules by decree

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7 regions (<em>régions</em>, singular - <em>région</em>) and 1 capital district* (<em>communauté urbaine</em>); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

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<strong>note:</strong> following the 26 July 2023 military coup, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland assumed control of all government institutions and rules by decree; formerly, mixed system of civil law, based on French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law

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<strong>note: </strong>on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved the country's constitution

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has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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18 years of age; universal

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<strong>note 1:</strong> deposed president Mohamed BAZOUM has been under house arrest since a military coup on 26 July 2023<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> on 26 March 2025, the CNSP leader TIANI issued a decree promulgating the Charter of the Refoundation and was sworn in as the country’s president for a transition period of five years

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<strong>note 1:</strong> on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland, a military junta which took control of Niger's government, dissolved the National Assembly; a commission recommended to the junta in February 2025 a minimum of a five-year transition to democratic rule<br><br><strong>note 2:</strong> In May 2025, Transitional President Tiani signed decrees nominating 194 members of the Advisory Council for the Refoundation (Conseil consultatif de la refondation or CCR), CCR Bureau members, and the Speaker, Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey; the first session of the CCR convened on 28 June 2025

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Alliance for Democracy and the Republic<br>Alliance for Democratic Renewal or ARD-Adaltchi-Mutuntchi <br>Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN<br>Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci<br>Democratic Alternation for Equity in Niger<br>Democratic and Republican Renewal-RDR-Tchanji<br>Democratic Movement for the Emergence of Niger Falala<br>Democratic Patriots' Rally or RPD Bazara<br>National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara<br>Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya<br>Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana<br>Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya<br>Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa<br>Nigerien Rally for Democracy and Peace<br>Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya<br>Peace, Justice, Progress–Generation Doubara<br>Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a<br>Rally for Peace and Progress or RPP Farilla<br>Social Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya<br>Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira

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<strong>note:</strong> after the 26 July 2023 military coup, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland dissolved the National Assembly and prohibited all political party activity

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ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, 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), LCBC, MIGA, MINUSCA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

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3 August 1960 (from France)

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Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

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<strong>note:</strong> commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger, which predated independence from France in 1960

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<strong>description:</strong> three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green, with an orange disk centered on the white band<br><br><strong>meaning:</strong> orange stands for the northern Sahara regions, white for purity and innocence, and green for hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the people's sacrifices

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<strong>note:</strong> similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered on the white band

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zebu

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orange, white, green

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low-income Sahel economy; major instability and humanitarian crises limit economic activity; COVID-19 eliminated recent antipoverty gains; economy rebounding since December 2020 Nigerian border reopening and new investments; uranium resource rich

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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<b>note:</b> annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

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<b>note:</b> data in 2021 dollars

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$19.538 billion (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> data in current dollars at official exchange rate

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<b>note:</b> annual % change based on consumer prices

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<b>note:</b> figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data

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<strong>note:</strong> figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection

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millet, cowpeas, sorghum, onions, milk, sugarcane, cabbages, cassava, groundnuts, tomatoes (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top ten agricultural products based on tonnage

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

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12.1% (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

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10.486 million (2024 est.)

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<b>note:</b> number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force seeking employment

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<b>note:</b> % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment

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45.5% (2021 est.)

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<b>note:</b> % of population with income below national poverty line

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<b>note:</b> index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality

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<b>note:</b> % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population

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<b>note:</b> personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

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UAE 31%, France 23%, China 18%, India 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export partners based on percentage share of exports

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gold, oil seeds, uranium and thorium ore, radioactive chemicals, refined petroleum (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five export commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

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China 26%, France 15%, India 12%, Nigeria 7%, UAE 6% (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import partners based on percentage share of imports

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rice, aircraft parts, iron structures, refined petroleum, centrifuges (2023)

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<b>note:</b> top five import commodities based on value in dollars

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<b>note:</b> present value of external debt in current US dollars

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state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has the only radio station with national coverage; about 30 private local radio stations; as many as 100 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available

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.ne

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5U

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26 (2025)

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Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie<br><br>Ministry of Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization: Niger National Guard, National Police (2025)

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<strong>note 1:</strong> the Niger Gendarmerie (GN) and the Niger National Guard (GNN) are paramilitary forces; the GN has primary responsibility for rural security while the GNN is responsible for domestic security and the protection of high-level officials and government buildings<br><br><strong>note 2: </strong>the Directorate of Territorial Surveillance under the National Police is charged with border management

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estimated 50,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie; estimated 15-20,000 National Guard (2025)

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<strong>note: </strong>in 2020, the Nigerien Government announced it intended to increase the size of the FAN to 50,000 by 2025 and 100,000 by 2030

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the FAN's inventory is comprised of older, typically Soviet-era weapons and equipment, along with smaller quantities of more modern armaments such as unmanned aerial vehicles/drones, air defense systems, and armored vehicles; suppliers over the past decade include China, France, Russia, South Africa, T&uuml;rkiye, and the US (2025)

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18 is the legal minimum age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service for unmarried men and women; 24-month service term (2025)

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the military of Niger is responsible for territorial defense, but most of its focus is on internal and border security operations; the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and the al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) terrorist groups are active in western Niger and in adjacent strongholds in Burkina Faso and Mali, while the Nigeria-based Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa groups threaten southeast Niger; parts of Niger also face spillover from communal, criminal, and vigilante violence in neighboring Nigeria; since the 2023 coup, some former ethnic separatist rebels have taken up arms in support of deposed President BAZOUM<br><br>the military has played a role in Niger's domestic politics since its establishment in 1960-61; prior to seizing control of the government in 2023, it attempted coups in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and ruled the country for much of the period before 1999 (2025)

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Boko Haram; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham – West Africa (ISIS-WA); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun)

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<strong>note:</strong> 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 the Terrorism reference guide