CapitalNiamey
Population27,322,555
GDP per capita$1,800
LanguagesHausa, Zarma, French , Fufulde, Tamashek, Kanuri, Gurmancema, Tagdal
CurrencyCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs
Life Expectancy60.9 yr
Governmentpreviously, a semi-presidential republic
Introduction
Background
Inhabiting present-day Niger are nomadic groups from the northern Sahara alongside agricultural communities from the southern regions. The prominent Taureg kingdom of Takedda emerged as one of the largest northern kingdoms and significantly influenced trade in the 14th century. The principal ethnic groups in the southern part of the country include the Songhai-Zarma to the west, the Hausa in the central areas, and the Kanuri to the east. By the 19th century, when European colonizers arrived, the area was characterized by a collection of various local kingdoms.
During the late 19th century, an agreement between the British and French led to the division of the central regions surrounding the Niger River, prompting France to initiate its conquest of what would later be known as the colony of Niger. France faced strong local opposition, notably during the Tuareg uprising from 1916 to 1917, yet managed to establish a colonial administration by 1922.
Niger gained independence from France in 1960, subsequently enduring a period of single-party or military governance until 1991, when political pressures compelled General Ali SAIBOU to permit multiparty elections. Internal political conflicts and a decline in democratic practices resulted in coups in 1996 and 1999. In the latter year, military leaders reinstated democratic governance and conducted elections that resulted in Mamadou TANDJA assuming the presidency. TANDJA won reelection in 2004 and facilitated a constitutional amendment in 2009 that allowed him to prolong his presidential term. A military coup in 2010 led to TANDJA's removal from power. In 2011, ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected and subsequently reelected in 2016. The presidential election in 2021 was won by BAZOUM Mohamed, signifying Niger's first peaceful transition between democratically elected presidents. However, in July 2023, a military junta led by General Abdourahamane TIANI took control, detaining President BAZOUM and declaring the establishment of a National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP).
Niger ranks among the world's poorest nations, grappling with limited governmental services and inadequate resources for development. According to the UN Development Program's Human Development Index for 2023/2024, it ranks fourth from the bottom. The economy, which is primarily agrarian and reliant on subsistence farming, often suffers disruptions due to prolonged droughts typical of the Sahel region. The Nigerien Government is actively seeking to diversify the economy through enhanced oil production and mining initiatives. Moreover, Niger is contending with heightened security issues along its borders, facing various external threats including instability in Libya, the ramifications of conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.
Geography
Area
land
1,266,700 sq km
water
300 sq km
total
1.267 million sq km
Climate
arid region; primarily hot, parched, and dusty; tropical in the far southern part
Terrain
mainly desert landscapes and sandy dunes; flat to gently rolling terrains in the south; elevated areas in the north
Land use
other
62.4% (2023 est.)
forest
0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
36.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 14% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 22.7% (2023 est.)
Location
Located in Western Africa, to the southeast of Algeria
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Niger River 200 m
highest point
Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
mean elevation
474 m
Irrigated land
2,881 sq km (2022)
Major aquifers
Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
5,834 km
border countries
Algeria 951 km; Benin 277 km; Burkina Faso 622 km; Chad 1,196 km; Libya 342 km; Mali 838 km; Nigeria 1,608 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
frequent drought conditions
Geography - note
landlocked; among the hottest nations globally; the northern four-fifths consists of desert, while the southern one-fifth comprises savanna suitable for livestock and limited agricultural activities
Natural resources
uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
Area - comparative
slightly less than double the area of Texas
Geographic coordinates
16 00 N, 8 00 E
Population distribution
the majority of the population resides in the southernmost region of the country along the borders with Nigeria and Benin, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lake Chad (an endorheic lake shared with Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area fluctuates seasonally and annually
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage
Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)
Major rivers (by length in km)
Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km
note: [s] indicates river source; [m] indicates river mouth after country name
People & Society
Literacy
male
47.9% (2022 est.)
female
25.7% (2022 est.)
total population
35.6% (2022 est.)
Languages
Hausa, Zarma, French (official), Fufulde, Tamashek, Kanuri, Gurmancema, Tagdal
Religions
Muslim 95.5%, practitioners of traditional religions 4.1%, Christian 0.3%, agnostics and others 0.1% (2020 est.)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.95 male(s)/female
total population
0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.92 male(s)/female
Birth rate
46.29 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
9.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
14.9 years
total
15.3 years (2025 est.)
female
15.6 years
Population
male
13,542,629
total
27,322,555 (2025 est.)
female
13,779,926
Nationality
noun
Nigerien(s)
adjective
Nigerien
Tobacco use
male
13.7% (2025 est.)
total
7.5% (2025 est.)
female
1.2% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
17.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
49.5% (male 6,567,460/female 6,463,877)
15-64 years
47.8% (male 6,146,355/female 6,451,574)
65 years and over
2.7% (2024 est.) (male 342,388/female 371,130)
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.)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
108.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
102.6 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
17.7 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
5.7 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
5.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
7.1% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Total fertility rate
6.55 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 40.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 48.9% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 88.3% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 59.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 51.1% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 11.7% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
12.8% national budget (2023 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
69.2 deaths/1,000 live births
total
63 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
59.2 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
3.65% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
3.23 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
the majority of the population resides in the southernmost region of the nation, adjacent to Nigeria and Benin, as illustrated in this population distribution chart
Life expectancy at birth
male
59.3 years
female
62.5 years
total population
60.9 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
350 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 15.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 26.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 81.9% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 84.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 73.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 18.1% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
1.437 million NIAMEY (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
5.5% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
18.5 years (2012 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
81.3% (2021 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
34.6% (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
7 years (2017 est.)
total
6 years (2017 est.)
female
6 years (2017 est.)
Environment
Climate
arid region; predominantly warm, parched, and dusty; tropical in the far southern area
Land use
other
62.4% (2023 est.)
forest
0.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
36.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 14% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 22.7% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
17.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Methane emissions
other
11.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
waste
128.2 kt (2019-2021 est.)
energy
137.8 kt (2022-2024 est.)
agriculture
713.8 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
1.866 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
20.3% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
overgrazing; soil degradation; deforestation; desert expansion; water contamination; insufficient drinking water; wildlife species (including elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) endangered by poaching and loss of habitat
Total water withdrawal
municipal
193.247 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
38.654 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
2.351 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
3.132 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas
52,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
622,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
2.457 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
59.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
34,050,000,000 cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified
none of the selected agreements
Government
Flag
description: comprises three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green, with an orange disc at the center of the white band
meaning: orange symbolizes the northern Sahara regions, white represents purity and innocence, and green signifies hope along with the fertile and productive southern and western territories, including the Niger River; the orange disc denotes the sun and the sacrifices of the people
Capital
name
Niamey
etymology
the etymology of the name remains uncertain; one of the many accounts suggests that an African chief addressed his seven slaves with "Wa niammane," translating to "stay here," which was later abbreviated to its current form
time difference
UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
13 31 N, 2 07 E
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship 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
Constitution
history
multiple prior constitutions; approved by referendum on 31 October 2010, effective from 25 November 2010
amendment process
previously suggested by the president of the republic or the National Assembly; the process for considering amendments necessitates a minimum three-fourths majority vote in the Assembly; passage requires a minimum four-fifths majority vote; if rejected, the amendment is either discarded or placed before a referendum; constitutional provisions concerning the government structure, the multiparty system, state-religion separation, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment protocols, and amnesty for participants in the 2010 coup are immutable
Country name
etymology
the country derives its name from the Niger River flowing through its southwestern region; the river's name likely originates from the local Tuareg term, egereou n-igereouen (big rivers)
local long form
République du Niger
local short form
Niger
conventional long form
Republic of Niger
conventional short form
Niger
Independence
3 August 1960 (from France)
Legal system
note: following the military coup on 26 July 2023, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland gained control of all governmental institutions and governs through decrees; previously, a hybrid legal system was in place, influenced by French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law
Government type
previously, a semi-presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
High Court of Justice (comprises 7 members); Supreme Court (membership not available); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
subordinate courts
Court of Cassation; Council of State; Court of Finances; various specialized courts and customary tribunals
judge selection and term of office
Members of the High Judicial Court are selected from the legislature and judiciary for five-year terms; judges of the Constitutional Court are 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 Nigerien society; all appointments are made by the president; judges serve nonrenewable six-year terms, with one-third of the court’s composition renewed biennially
Executive branch
cabinet
Cabinet appointed by the CNSP
chief of state
President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) General Abdourahame TIANI (since 28 July 2023)
election results
2020/2021: Mohamed BAZOUM was elected president in the second round; percentage of the vote in the first round - Mohamed BAZOUM (PNDS-Tarrayya) 39.3%, Mahamane OUSMANE (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 9%, Albade ABOUDA (MPR-Jamhuriya) 7.1%, others 27.6%; percentage of the vote in the second round - Mohamed BAZOUM 55.7%, Mahamane OUSMANE 44.3%
head of government
CNSP Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine ZEINE (since 9 August 2023)
most recent election date
27 December 2020, with a runoff conducted on 21 February 2021
election/appointment process
the CNSP rules by decree; previously, the president was elected directly via absolute-majority popular vote in up to two rounds, if necessary, for a five-year term (eligible for re-election); the prime minister was appointed by the president and approved by the National Assembly
expected date of next election
2030
National holiday
Republic Day, 18 December (1958)
National color(s)
orange, white, green
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (n); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Historic Agadez (c)
Political parties
Alliance for Democracy and the Republic
Alliance for Democratic Renewal or ARD-Adaltchi-Mutuntchi
Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN
Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci
Democratic Alternation for Equity in Niger
Democratic and Republican Renewal-RDR-Tchanji
Democratic Movement for the Emergence of Niger Falala
Democratic Patriots' Rally or RPD Bazara
National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya
Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya
Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa
Nigerien Rally for Democracy and Peace
Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya
Peace, Justice, Progress–Generation Doubara
Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a
Rally for Peace and Progress or RPP Farilla
Social Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya
Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira
Legislative branch
number of seats
194 (all appointed)
electoral system
mixed system
legislature name
Advisory Council for the Refoundation (Conseil consultatif de la refondation)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
5/1/2025
expected date of next election
April 2030
percentage of women in chamber
19.6%
National anthem(s)
title
"L'Honneur de la Patrie" (The Honor of the Fatherland)
history
adopted in 2023; superseded the previous national anthem, "La Nigérienne" (The Nigerien), which was established in 1961.
lyrics/music
a government-appointed committee wrote both the lyrics and the music
National symbol(s)
zebu
Administrative divisions
7 regions (régions, singular - région) along with 1 capital district* (communauté urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder.
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 483-3169
chancery
2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 483-4224
chief of mission
Ambassador (position currently vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Hassane IDI (in office since 3 August 2023).
email address and website
[email protected]
http://www.embassyofniger.org/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[227] 20-73-55-60
embassy
BP 11201, Niamey
telephone
[227] 20-72-26-61
mailing address
2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC 20521-2420
chief of mission
Ambassador Kathleen FITZGIBBON (since 2 December 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ne.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
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
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration regarding ICJ jurisdiction; recognizes ICCt jurisdiction.
Economy
Budget
revenues
$2.325 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures
$2.785 billion (2019 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$1.487 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$1.376 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$1.223 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$4.027 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$4.194 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$3.808 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
uranium extraction, oil, cement, bricks, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, meat processing facilities
Labor force
10.486 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
45.2% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
3.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$3.793 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
economy of the low-income Sahel region; significant instability and humanitarian crises hinder economic operations; the COVID-19 pandemic reversed recent poverty alleviation progress; economic recovery has been observed since the reopening of the Nigerian border in December 2020 and the influx of new investments; rich in uranium resources
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
0.5% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
0.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
0.4% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 31%, France 23%, China 18%, India 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)
Imports - partners
China 26%, France 15%, India 12%, Nigeria 7%, UAE 6% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$1,700 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$1,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$1,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
11.9% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
1.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
8.4% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
millet, cowpeas, sorghum, onions, milk, sugarcane, cabbages, cassava, groundnuts, tomatoes (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, oil seeds, uranium and thorium ore, radioactive chemicals, refined petroleum (2023)
Imports - commodities
rice, aircraft components, iron structures, refined petroleum, centrifuges (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$2.099 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$2.5 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$2.333 billion (2023 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$19.538 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
59.2% (2024 est.)
government consumption
11.8% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
0% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
18.7% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
31.2% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-20.8% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
45.5% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
4.2% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
3.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
9.1% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
12.1% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$43.474 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$44.199 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$47.921 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
0.4% (2024 est.)
total
0.3% (2024 est.)
female
0.2% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
17.8% (2024 est.)
services
45.4% (2024 est.)
agriculture
33.8% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.8% (2021 est.)
highest 10%
27.8% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
32.9 (2021 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
400 metric tons (2023 est.)
production
427,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption
426,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves
90 million metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production
13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves
150 million barrels (2021 est.)
refined petroleum consumption
18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
imports
1.213 billion kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
1.645 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
377,000 kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
372.245 million kWh (2023 est.)
Natural gas
production
26.805 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption
26.872 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
7.7%
electrification - urban areas
66.1%
electrification - total population
19.5% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
1.772 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
97% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
23% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
A government-operated television network exists alongside three privately owned television channels that offer a combination of domestic and international content; the state-operated radio service maintains the sole radio station with nationwide reach; there are approximately 30 privately owned local radio stations; up to 100 community radio stations also operate; broadcasts from various international media outlets can be accessed.
Internet country code
.ne
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
58,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
17.2 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
66 (2023 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
14,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
(2022 est.) less than 1
Transportation
Airports
26 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
5U
Military & Security
Military - note
The Nigerien military is tasked with the defense of the nation’s territory, primarily concentrating on internal security and border operations. Active terrorist factions such as the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and the al-Qaida-linked Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) operate in western Niger and neighboring regions of Burkina Faso and Mali. Additionally, the southeastern part of Niger faces threats from Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa, which are based in Nigeria. Furthermore, certain areas of Niger are impacted by communal, criminal, and vigilante violence spilling over from Nigeria. Following the coup in 2023, several former ethnic separatist rebels have resumed armed actions in support of the ousted President BAZOUM.
The military has been influential in Niger's internal politics since its formation in 1960-61. Before taking control in 2023, it had made attempts to seize power in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and governed the nation for a significant portion of the time prior to 1999 (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
2% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Comprises the Army, Nigerien Air Force, and Niger Gendarmerie.
Ministry of Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization: Includes the Niger National Guard and National Police (2025).
Military service age and obligation
The legal minimum age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service for unmarried individuals is 18 years; the duration of service is 24 months (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the FAN consists mainly of older, predominantly Soviet-era weaponry and equipment, alongside a limited number of more contemporary arms, including drones, air defense systems, and armored vehicles. Suppliers over the last decade have included China, France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the United States (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
The estimated strength of the active Armed Forces, including the Gendarmerie, is around 50,000, with an estimated 15,000 to 20,000 in the National Guard (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
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)
Transnational Issues
Trafficking in persons
tier rating
Tier 2 Watch List — the authorities did not show significant improvements in their efforts to combat trafficking in comparison to the prior reporting cycle, resulting in Niger staying on the Tier 2 Watch List for the second year in a row; for further information, visit: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/niger/
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
891,565 (2024 est.)
refugees
421,795 (2024 est.)
