Niger

Niger

Introduction

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, and promised that elections would be held following a transitional period of unspecified duration. 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. A predominately Tuareg ethnic group emerged in February 2007, the Nigerien Movement for Justice, and attacked several military targets in Niger’s northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 limited the rebels’ operational capabilities.

Geography

Location

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total: 1.267 million sq km
country comparison to the world: 22 land:1,266,700 sq km
water:300 sq km

Area – comparative

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 (2008)

Total renewable water resources

33.7 cu km (2003)

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

total: 2.18cu km/yr (4%/0%/95%)
per capita:156cu m/yr (2000)

Natural hazards

recurring droughts

Environment – current issues

overgrazing

soil erosion

deforestation

desertification

wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction

Environment – international 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

Geography – note

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

People and Society

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)

Languages

French (official), Hausa, Djerma

Religions

Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%

Population

16,468,886 (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 62

Age structure

0-14 years: 49.6% (male 4,129,164/female 4,045,412)
15-64 years:48% (male 3,944,586/female 3,964,249)
65 years and over:2.3% (male 170,741/female 214,734) (2011 est.)

Median age

total: 15.2 years
male:15 years
female:15.4 years (2011 est.)

Population growth rate

3.643% (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 2

Birth rate

50.54 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Death rate

14.11 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 100

Urbanization

urban population: 17% of total population (2010)
rate of urbanization:4.7% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

Major cities – population

NIAMEY (capital) 1.004 million (2009)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.8 male(s)/female
total population:1 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

Maternal mortality rate

820 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)
country comparison to the world: 11

Infant mortality rate

total: 112.22 deaths/1,000 live births
country comparison to the world: 3 male:117.19 deaths/1,000 live births
female:107.1 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 53.4 years
country comparison to the world: 202 male:52.13 years
female:54.7 years (2011 est.)

Total fertility rate

7.6 children born/woman (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 1

Health expenditures

6.1% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 101

Physicians density

0.019 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
country comparison to the world: 188

Hospital bed density

0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)
country comparison to the world: 179

Drinking water source

improved:
urban: 96% of population
rural: 39% of population
total: 48% of population
unimproved:
urban: 4% of population
rural: 61% of population
total: 52% of population (2008)

Sanitation facility access

improved:
urban: 34% of population
rural: 4% of population
total: 9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 66% of population
rural: 96% of population
total: 91% of population (2008)

HIV/AIDS – adult prevalence rate

0.8% (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 56

HIV/AIDS – people living with HIV/AIDS

61,000 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 54

HIV/AIDS – deaths

4,300 (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 42

Major infectious diseases

degree of risk: very high
food or waterborne diseases:bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
vectorborne disease:malaria
water contact disease:schistosomiasis
animal contact disease:rabies
respiratory disease:meningococcal meningitis
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 (2009)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

39.9% (2006)
country comparison to the world: 5

Education expenditures

4.5% of GDP (2009)
country comparison to the world: 84

Literacy

definition: age 15 and over can read and write
total population:28.7%
male:42.9%
female:15.1% (2005 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 5 years
male:6 years
female:5 years (2010)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

total: 3.2%
country comparison to the world: 126 male:4%
female:1.7% (2001)

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 onFrench civil law), Islamic law, and customary law

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration

accepts ICCt jurisdiction

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

State Court or Cour d’Etat

Court of Appeals or Cour d’Appel

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

Political pressure groups and leaders

The Nigerien Movement for Justice or MNJ, a predominantly Tuareg rebel group

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, ECOWAS, Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador Aminata Djibrilla Maiga TOURE
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
telephone:[227] 20-72-26-61 thru 64
FAX:[227] 20-73-31-67

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 anthem

name: “La Nigerienne” (The Nigerian)
lyrics/music:Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
note:adopted 1961

Economy

Economy – overview

Niger is a landlocked, Sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world’s largest uranium deposits. 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 reduces 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 translates into the forgiveness of approximately US $86 million in debts to the IMF, excluding the remaining assistance under HIPC. In 2010, the Niger economy was recovering from the effects of a 2009 drought that reduced grain and cowpea production and decimated livestock herds. The economy was also 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.

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$11.05 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 147 $10.28 billion (2009 est.)
$10.37 billion (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.577 billion (2010 est.)

GDP – real growth rate

7.5% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27 -0.9% (2009 est.)
9.3% (2008 est.)

GDP – per capita (PPP)

$700 (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 220 $700 (2009 est.)
$700 (2008 est.)
note:data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP – composition by sector

agriculture: 37%
industry:15.5%
services:47.4% (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.688 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 77

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)
country comparison to the world: 94 50.5 (1995)

Investment (gross fixed)

34% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 19

Budget

revenues: $800.4 million (includes $134 million from foreign sources)
expenditures:$1.297 billion (2010 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

14.4% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-8.9% of GDP (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 191

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

0.8% (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 18 4.3% (2009 est.)

Central bank discount rate

4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 79 4.75% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

4.3% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171 4.3% (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$917.7 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142 $782.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.171 billion (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 163 $1.038 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$715.4 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159 $683.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Agriculture – products

cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca), 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.)
country comparison to the world: 79

Electricity – production

200 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 179

Electricity – consumption

626 million kWh (2008 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Electricity – exports

0 kWh (2009 est.)

Electricity – imports

440 million kWh (2008 est.)

Oil – production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206

Oil – consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164

Oil – exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 197

Oil – imports

5,443 bbl/day (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153

Oil – proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 172

Natural gas – production

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 106

Natural gas – consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 210

Natural gas – exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 151

Natural gas – imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 159

Natural gas – proved reserves

0 cu m (1 January 2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173

Current account balance

-$1.388 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150 -$1.402 billion (2009 est.)

Exports

$1.04 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152

Exports – commodities

uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions

Exports – partners

Nigeria 68.3%, US 12.2%, Ghana 9.8% (2010)

Imports

$1.821 billion (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 157 $1.794 billion (2009 est.)

Imports – commodities

foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals

Imports – partners

China 17.8%, France 16.5%, French Polynesia 7.2%, Nigeria 6.7%, Algeria 5.3%, Cote dIvoire 4.9% (2010)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$760.3 million (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 141 $655.5 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Debt – external

$990.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152 $2.1 billion (2003 est.)

Exchange rates

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
495.28 (2010)
472.19 (2009)
493.51 (2007)
522.59 (2006)

Transportation

Airports

27 (2010)
country comparison to the world:122

Airports – with paved runways

total: 10
2,438 to 3,047 m:3
1,524 to 2,437 m:6
914 to 1,523 m:1 (2010)

Airports – with unpaved runways

total: 17
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
914 to 1,523 m:14
under 914 m:1 (2010)

Roadways

total: 18,949 km
country comparison to the world: 113 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) (2010)
country comparison to the world: 93

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.)

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

male: 186,348
female:180,779 (2010 est.)

Military expenditures

1.3% of GDP (2006)
country comparison to the world: 113

Transnational Issues

Disputes – international

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

Trafficking in persons

current situation: Niger is a source, transit, and destination country for children and women trafficked for forced labor and sexual exploitation

caste-based slavery practices, rooted in ancestral master-slave relationships, continue in isolated areas of the country – an estimated 8,800 to 43,000 Nigeriens live under conditions of traditional slavery

children are trafficked within Niger for forced begging, forced labor in gold mines, domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, and possibly for forced labor in agriculture and stone quarries

women and children from neighboring states are trafficked to and through Niger for domestic servitude, sexual exploitation, forced labor in mines and on farms, and as mechanics and welders

to a lesser extent, Nigerien women and children are recruited from Niger and transported to Nigeria, North Africa, the Middle East, and Europe for domestic servitude and sex trafficking
tier rating:Tier 2 Watch List – the Government of Niger does not fully comply with the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking

however, it is making significant efforts to do so

the government demonstrated marginal efforts to combat human trafficking, including traditional slavery

the transitional government enacted the country’s first specific law to address trafficking

however, the government’s few efforts to investigate and prosecute trafficking offenses during the year came only after receiving complaints from NGOs, and efforts to prosecute cases of traditional slavery and to provide assistance to victims remained weak (2011)