Contents

Country Overview

Niger, officially the Republic of Niger, is a large, landlocked state in West Africa spanning the southern Sahara and the Sahel. Its capital is Niamey. The nation became independent from France on August 3, 1960. Its diverse societies and economies encompass agriculture, pastoralism, oil production, uranium resources and regional trade, with insecurity and climate variability posing major development challenges. Niger is distinct from the neighboring state of Nigeria. [4] [15] [14]

After a July 26, 2023 military coup, Niger entered a transitional governing period. As of November 5, 2026, Abdourahamane Tiani serves as president and Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine as prime minister. The March 26, 2025 Refoundation Charter is the country's transitional fundamental law; it designates Hausa as the national language, with English and French as working languages. [9] [7] [6]

Reference status: Contemporary edition • Verified: November 5, 2026 • Statistical observation years are shown separately.

CapitalNiameyUNData [4]
Population27.92 million2025 World Bank [2]
Total area1,267,000 km²UNData [4]
Nominal GDPUS$21.65 billion2025 World Bank [3]
GDP per capitaUS$775.42025 World Bank [1]
CurrencyWest African CFA francXOF / FCFA [17]

Reference cautions: The 2012 national census and 2025 World Bank population estimate are different data types. The WTO's detailed 2023 export figures and 2024 import figures cannot be combined into one same-year trade balance; the earlier export breakdown predates the substantial crude-oil export expansion. The current five-year transition is legally adjustable, and the May 2026 proposal to expand from eight to 19 administrative regions is not automatically an enacted change. [5] [2] [13] [14] [10] [12]

Identity and State Formation

Official name
Republic of Niger (République du Niger). [7]
Short name
Niger.
Demonym
Nigerien (distinct from Nigerian, referring to Nigeria).
Capital
Niamey, on the Niger River. [4]
Continent
Africa.
UN geographic subregion
Western Africa. [4]
Broader geographic setting
Landlocked central Sahel and southern Sahara; Niger is geographically distinct from neighboring Nigeria. [4] [15]
Precolonial historical societies
Hausa states and sultanates, Songhay and Bornu influences, Tuareg communities and other regional trading and pastoral societies long predate modern Niger.
Agadez history
A major Saharan caravan and urban trading center associated with the Sultanate of Aïr and wider trans-Saharan networks. [20]
Colonial era
France consolidated control of Niger in the early twentieth century; the territory was constituted as a French colony in 1922.
Pre-independence political status
Niger became an autonomous republic within the French Community on December 18, 1958.
Independence
August 3, 1960, from France.
Independence Day holiday
August 3.
UN admission
September 20, 1960. [23]
First president
Hamani Diori (1960–1974).
1974 political rupture
A military coup brought Seyni Kountché to power.
National Conference
The 1991 Sovereign National Conference advanced a transition toward multiparty political competition.
1993 electoral transition
Multiparty democratic elections followed the National Conference process.
1996 coup
Ibrahim Baré Maïnassara seized power in a military coup.
1999 transition
Following the assassination of Maïnassara, the military organized a transition to civilian elected institutions.
2010 coup and constitutional transition
A military coup removed Mamadou Tandja; a new Constitution was approved in 2010.
2011 elected administration
Mahamadou Issoufou became president after the post-2010 transition.
2021 transfer of power
Mohamed Bazoum succeeded Issoufou after the 2020–21 election process.
July 26, 2023 coup
Presidential guards detained President Bazoum and military authorities took control; the 2010 Constitution and elected institutions were suspended. [8] [15]
2025 transition charter
The Refoundation Charter was promulgated March 26, 2025 and functions as the transitional fundamental law. [6] [7] [10]
2025 political party measure
Existing political parties were dissolved by an ordinance of March 26, 2025. [7] [24]
Historical government distinction
A prior multiparty constitutional republic and the present military-led transitional system are separate phases; the 2010 Constitution should not be described as currently operative. [8] [7]
Country flag
Three horizontal orange, white and green bands with an orange disk centered in the white band. [7]
National motto
Fraternité – Travail – Progrès (Fraternity – Work – Progress). [7]
National anthem
L’Honneur de la Patrie, as named in the 2025 Refoundation Charter. [7]
National day calendar distinction
December 18 marks the historical proclamation of the republic (1958); August 3 marks independence (1960).

Historical distinction: Republic status in 1958, full independence in 1960, the 2010 constitutional order, the 2023 coup and the 2025 transitional Charter are separate milestones. [7] [8] [6]

Geography and Population

Total surface area
1,267,000 km² (United Nations geographic reference). [4]
Approximate land area
About 1.266 million km²; published land-versus-total distinctions may vary by source. [4]
Population estimate, 2025
27,917,831 (World Bank annual estimate). [2]
2012 national census
17,138,707 persons (final results of fourth population and housing census). [5]
Census and annual estimate
The 2012 census and 2025 estimated population refer to different years and methodologies; neither is a 2026 headcount. [5] [2]
Population density, estimated
Approximately 22.0 residents per km², calculated from the 2025 population and UN total surface area. [2] [4]
Annual population growth, 2025
3.2% in the World Bank annual population series. [1]
Net migration, 2025
–7,704 persons in the World Bank annual estimate; estimates are not a border-crossing census. [1]
Largest urban center
Niamey, the national capital. [4]
Other major cities
Zinder, Maradi, Tahoua, Agadez and Dosso. [11]
Landlocked status
No maritime coastline; seaborne commerce depends on cross-border corridors and foreign ports. [4] [14]
Western neighbors
Mali and Burkina Faso.
Northern neighbors
Algeria and Libya.
Eastern neighbor
Chad.
Southern neighbors
Nigeria and Benin.
Number of land neighbors
Seven: Algeria, Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Libya, Mali and Nigeria.
Niger River
Major river in the southwest, flowing through Niamey and neighboring countries.
Lake Chad
Highly variable lake and wetland system in the southeast near the Chad–Nigeria border.
Aïr Mountains
Central-northern highland massif with extensive desert ecosystems. [20]
Ténéré Desert
Large Saharan sand and desert landscape connected to the Aïr and Ténéré reserves. [20]
Sahara
Dominates northern Niger; extremely arid conditions constrain permanent settlement.
Sahel
Semi-arid transition zone across much of the south, where most people live and cultivate crops. [15]
Northern climate
Very hot, arid desert with large seasonal and daily temperature variations.
Southern climate
Hot semiarid to seasonal savanna conditions with summer rains.
Agricultural rainfall
Rain-fed production strongly depends on a short, variable rainy season. [15] [22]
Major natural hazards
Drought, flash floods, irregular rainfall, desertification pressures and extreme heat. [22] [15]
Natural-resource zones
Uranium-bearing areas near Arlit, petroleum prospects in the east, and scattered gold and other minerals. [18] [14]
Administrative regions, established baseline
Eight top-level regions: Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey, Tahoua, Tillabéri and Zinder. [11]
Proposed administrative reorganization, May 2026
The Interior Ministry proposed replacing the eight regions with 19; the published proposal is not proof that the change had legally taken effect. [12] [11]
Traditional regional economy—Agadez
Pastoralism, transit networks, desert tourism and mining. [11]
Traditional regional economy—Diffa
Lake Chad basin agriculture, livestock and trade, disrupted by insecurity. [11] [15]
Traditional regional economy—Maradi and Zinder
Large southern agricultural and market centers with major population concentrations. [11] [5]
Tillabéri setting
Southwestern Niger River area and three-border region near Mali and Burkina Faso. [11] [15]
Forest cover, 2024
0.8% of land area according to the World Bank environment series. [1]
Electricity access, 2024
21.3% of people in World Bank annual access-to-electricity series. [1]
Agriculture and settlement
Population and farming activity are concentrated primarily in the relatively wetter south. [15]
Cross-border water resources
Niger River and Lake Chad systems require regional water, conservation and agricultural coordination.

Administrative and demographic note: Niger’s 2012 census counted 17,138,707. The World Bank estimates 27,917,831 in 2025; these should never be presented as simultaneous observations. A 2026 plan to create 19 regions is cited as a proposal, while the presidency still identifies eight established regions. [5] [2] [11] [12]

Economy, Industry and International Trade

Nominal GDP, 2025
US$21.65 billion, World Bank current-dollar series (US$21,646.19 million unrounded). [3] [1]
GDP per capita, 2025
US$775.4 in current US dollars. [1]
Real GDP growth, 2025
7.0% annual change in constant-price GDP. [1] [16]
Consumer price inflation, 2025
–4.5% annual average according to the World Bank; negative inflation means reported deflation for that measurement. [1]
Real growth outlook for 2026
6.7% in the World Bank’s 2026 projection; forecast, not a completed calendar-year result. [16]
Main economic structure
Rain-fed agriculture and herding, oil production and transport, uranium and gold, public services, domestic trade and other services. [15] [14] [18]
Currency
West African CFA franc (XOF; FCFA). [4] [17]
Central bank
Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO), shared with other West African monetary-union members. [17]
Currency bloc
West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU/UEMOA); Niger’s ECOWAS withdrawal does not by itself terminate WAEMU currency membership. [17] [19]
Euro parity
XOF 655.957 per euro under the longstanding fixed parity; not a current market USD exchange rate. [17]
Principal agricultural staples
Millet and sorghum, alongside cowpeas, rice and regionally grown produce. [15]
Key agricultural cash crop
Onions, especially regional trade into neighboring markets. [13]
Livestock economy
Cattle, sheep, goats and camels, with pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods common across the Sahel. [15]
2023 merchandise exports, WTO series
US$467.4 million; the detailed product distribution is based on UN Comtrade’s 2023 coverage, before the recent scale-up in oil exports. [13] [14]
2024 merchandise imports, WTO series
US$1,501.2 million; not paired with 2023 exports to compute a same-year trade deficit. [13]
2023 top listed export—uranium ores
US$204.4 million, 43.7% of recorded WTO/UN Comtrade merchandise exports. [13]
2023 top listed export—semi-manufactured gold
US$110.8 million, 23.7% of recorded exports. [13]
2023 medium petroleum oils / preparations
US$57.6 million, 12.3% of recorded exports. [13]
2023 light petroleum oils / preparations
US$28.4 million, 6.1% of recorded exports. [13]
2023 onions and shallots
US$11.5 million, 2.5% of recorded exports. [13]
2023 live bovine animals, selected heading
US$3.1 million, 0.7% of recorded goods exports. [13]
2023 top listed export destination
European Union collectively, US$215.4 million, 46.1% of recorded exports. [13]
2023 second destination
United Arab Emirates, US$99.7 million, 21.3% of recorded exports. [13]
2023 regional export destinations
Mali (10.9%), Burkina Faso (7.6%), Chad (3.5%) and Nigeria (3.1%) in the recorded series. [13]
2024 leading import source
China, US$310.1 million, 20.7% of recorded imports. [13]
2024 other leading import origins
European Union (13.7%), Nigeria (12.8%) and India (12.7%). [13]
2024 major import—milled rice
US$122.0 million, 8.1% of recorded merchandise imports. [13]
2024 major import—husked/brown rice
US$119.7 million, 8.0% of recorded imports. [13]
2024 major import—medicaments
US$56.5 million, 3.8% of recorded imports for the specified medicaments product heading. [13]
2024 major import—palm oil
US$56.2 million, 3.7% of recorded imports for the relevant heading. [13]
2024 major import—petroleum middle oils
US$55.9 million, 3.7% of recorded imports. [13]
Export-data comparability
The available 2023 detailed commodity export table predates the 2024–25 crude oil export expansion; it should not be labeled a 2025 sectoral ranking. [13] [14]
Petroleum production
Agadem-area fields and export infrastructure underpin growth; crude exports expanded with the Niger–Benin pipeline. [14] [16]
Oil export logistical exposure
Benin-border tensions, transport bottlenecks and pipeline attacks have constrained oil exports and public revenue. [14] [15]
2025 crude oil export outlook
IMF revised projected crude oil exports down to roughly 9.0% of GDP in 2025 because of pipeline disruptions. [14]
2025 uranium exports, IMF assessment
The IMF did not plan any uranium exports in its referenced 2025 external financing scenario; do not infer exports directly from domestic mining output. [14] [18]
2024 uranium-export warning
USGS reports no uranium exports in 2024 despite continued uranium-sector relevance. [18]
Uranium industry
Long-established mining centered around Arlit, affected by international logistics and policy disputes. [18] [14]
Gold economy
Industrial and small-scale gold activities; cross-border sales are an important but incompletely captured trade component. [18] [13]
Electricity-sector constraint
Access to electricity remains low (21.3% in 2024, World Bank), limiting productive capacity. [1]
Food-security exposure
Drought, insecurity, floods and high household dependence on rain-fed agriculture increase risks. [22] [15]
Debt vulnerability
World Bank and IMF assessments stress debt distress risks, financing pressure and domestic arrears. [16] [14]
Merchandise versus total exports
WTO tables concern recorded goods by classification; they should not be treated as GDP, total national income, or all cross-border service receipts. [13] [1]

Merchandise exports — 2023 recorded products [13]

WTO/UN Comtrade 2023 series: US$467.4 million total recorded exports. The table is not a 2025 export ranking. Values rounded to one decimal; product-level shares reflect the named HS headings. [13] [14]

Listed product2023 export valueShare of recorded exports
Uranium ores and concentratesUS$204.4m43.7%
Semi-manufactured non-monetary goldUS$110.8m23.7%
Medium petroleum oils / preparationsUS$57.6m12.3%
Light petroleum oils / preparationsUS$28.4m6.1%
Onions and shallotsUS$11.5m2.5%
Specially equipped freight containersUS$6.5m1.4%
Dried shelled kidney beansUS$3.8m0.8%
Palm oil and fractionsUS$3.2m0.7%
Live bovine animalsUS$3.1m0.7%
Boring and sinking machineryUS$2.5m0.5%
Other recorded product categoriesUS$35.6m7.6%

Merchandise imports — 2024 recorded products [13]

WTO/UN Comtrade 2024 series: US$1,501.2 million total recorded imports. Do not calculate a same-year trade balance by subtracting the 2023 export total above. [13]

Listed product2024 import valueShare of recorded imports
Milled riceUS$122.0m8.1%
Husked / brown riceUS$119.7m8.0%
Specific packaged medicaments headingUS$56.5m3.8%
Palm oil and fractionsUS$56.2m3.7%
Medium petroleum oils / preparationsUS$55.9m3.7%
Anti-malarial bed netsUS$52.4m3.5%

Trade-year comparability: WTO product-level exports are available here for 2023 and product-level imports for 2024. These are not a same-year balance. The earlier 2023 export composition is also not representative of the later crude-oil scale-up; World Bank GDP and WTO merchandise flows are different measures. [13] [14] [1]

People and Society

Population scale
Nearly 27.92 million people in the World Bank’s 2025 annual estimate. [2]
Long-term demographic change
2012 census recorded 17.14 million; 2025 population is a later estimate, not an additional census. [5] [2]
Population growth
3.2% in 2025, among the world’s faster-growing national populations. [1]
Age structure
Large youth population, with substantial demand for schools, health services and employment. [22]
Life expectancy at birth
Approximately 61 years in the World Bank 2024 series. [1]
National language, 2025 charter
Hausa (Haoussa), designated the national language by Article 12 of the Refoundation Charter. [7]
Working languages, 2025 charter
English and French are working languages in Article 12, not designated the sole constitutional official languages. [7]
Earlier language constitutional framework
French was official under the suspended 2010 Constitution; the March 2025 Charter changed the formal formulation. [7]
Languages recognized as spoken, charter
Arabic, Buduma, Fulfuldé, Gurmancema, Hausa, Kanuri, Tagdal, Tamajaq, Tassawaq, Tubu and Zarma-Sonrai. [7]
Hausa
Widely used in southern and central Niger, cross-border markets and everyday communication. [7]
Zarma-Songhay
Important western language grouping around Niamey and Niger River communities. [7]
Fulfuldé
Spoken by Fulani communities associated with diverse pastoral and settled livelihoods. [7]
Tamajaq
Tuareg language varieties, especially relevant to northern and central regions. [7]
Kanuri
Spoken in southeastern communities and cross-border Lake Chad region. [7]
Linguistic diversity
The Charter names multiple spoken languages; it does not imply equal population shares or exclusive use by particular groups. [7]
Major religious affiliation
More than 98% Muslim in the 2022 U.S. State Department report citing national authorities; not a 2025 census. [21]
Predominant Islamic tradition
Sunni Islam; Maliki jurisprudence is prominent in historic regional practice. [21]
Religious minorities
Christian denominations, Baha’i and Indigenous religious practices in comparatively small communities. [21]
Religious legal context
The 2025 Refoundation Charter acknowledges Islam as majority religion while affirming permitted worship under its stated legal conditions. [7]
Religious-statistics caveat
No religion percentages in this entry are represented as fresh 2025–26 census measurements. [21]
Education challenge
Access, retention, learning outcomes and gender differences remain major national policy priorities. [22]
Rural schooling
Long distances, inadequate facilities, insecurity and poverty can obstruct consistent school attendance. [22] [15]
Youth opportunities
Rapidly growing youth cohorts increase pressure for secondary schooling, professional training and economic opportunity. [22] [1]
Electricity access
21.3% of population in 2024 World Bank series; different from household ownership of electrical appliances. [1]
Health access
Maternal and child health, water and sanitation, malaria control and nutrition are major service priorities. [22]
Food and nutrition
Staple consumption includes millet, sorghum, rice, beans and seasonally available vegetables and animal products.
Pastoral communities
Livestock movement and negotiated pasture/water access link livelihoods with regional ecological conditions. [15]
Urban cultural centers
Niamey, Zinder, Agadez and other cities include Hausa, Tuareg, Songhay and wider Sahel cultural traditions. [11] [20]
Craft traditions
Leatherwork, metalwork, weaving, jewelry and diverse Saharan and Sahelian artisan practices.
Music and performance
Regional percussion, string instruments, festival traditions and contemporary popular music.
Popular sport
Association football, alongside wrestling and other sports.
Traditional wrestling
A prominent national spectator and cultural sporting tradition.
UNESCO World Heritage total
Three inscribed properties. [20]
UNESCO World Heritage—Agadez
Historic Centre of Agadez, cultural property inscribed 2013. [20]
UNESCO World Heritage—Aïr and Ténéré
Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves, natural property inscribed 1991. [20]
UNESCO World Heritage—W-Arly-Pendjari
Transboundary natural complex associated with Niger, Burkina Faso and Benin; initial listing 1996, extension 2017. [20]
Displacement and insecurity
World Bank reported over one million forcibly displaced people (refugees and internally displaced persons) in Niger as of August 31, 2026. [15]
Environmental pressures
Desertification, flooding, extreme heat and rainfall variability influence settlements and livelihoods. [22] [15]

Language and religious figures: The March 2025 charter specifies Hausa as the national language and English and French as working languages. The “more than 98% Muslim” estimate comes from an earlier State Department religious-freedom report, not a contemporary national religion census. [7] [21]

Government and Institutions

Official state name
Republic of Niger. [7]
Current form
Military-led transitional republic governed through the 2025 Refoundation Charter, rather than an ordinary elected presidential administration. [6] [8] [7]
Fundamental legal framework
Refoundation Charter, promulgated March 26, 2025. [7] [10]
Prior constitutional order
The Constitution of November 25, 2010 was suspended after the July 26, 2023 military coup. [7] [8]
Head of state
Army General Abdourahamane Tiani (also transliterated Tchiani in some sources). [9] [8]
President of transitional period
Abdourahamane Tiani, invested March 26, 2025 under the Refoundation Charter. [6] [8]
Prime Minister
Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine (also rendered Ali Mahamane Lamine Zeine). [9]
Head of government
Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine; transitional executive authority is concentrated in the president and institutions established by the charter. [9] [7]
Executive governing body
Council of Ministers and Refoundation government under the president and prime minister. [7] [10]
National Council for Safeguarding the Homeland
CNSP, the military council that emerged from the July 2023 coup and features in the institutional transition. [6] [7]
National transition period
The Charter sets a baseline of 60 months from March 26, 2025, with permitted adjustment based on stated conditions. [10] [8]
Transition horizon
Nominal five-year term reaches March 2030; not a guaranteed election date because the transition period is modifiable. [10] [8]
Appointed consultative institution
Advisory Council for the Refoundation (Conseil consultatif de la refondation, CCR). [8] [25]
Advisory Council membership
194 appointed members in the IPU 2025 institutional record; it is not an elected National Assembly. [8]
Chair of advisory council
Mamoudou Harouna Djingarey in the 2025 IPU account. [8]
Advisory Council session in 2026
Council was convened for a July 2026 session; consultative body active during the transitional period. [25]
Former ordinary national legislature
The National Assembly elected under the previous constitutional system was dissolved in July 2023. [8]
Political parties, 2025
Political parties were dissolved by an ordinance associated with the March 2025 Charter. [7] [24]
Ordinary national election schedule
Future national elections depend on transitional law and political developments; no firm election date is assumed. [8] [10]
Judicial institutions named by charter
The transitional framework references institutions such as the Court of State and Court of Auditors. [7]
Administrative organization
Eight regions in the presidency’s established administrative listing. [11]
2026 regional redistricting proposal
May 2026 proposal for 19 regions and further subdivisions; not presumed enacted based solely on its announcement. [12] [11]
National law on languages
Article 12 names Hausa as national language and English and French as working languages. [7]
Religion in the charter
Islam is recognized as majority religion; charter also addresses interreligious coexistence. [7]
Republican form
Charter describes Niger as a unitary, indivisible republic. [7]
Civil and political rights context
Rights are set out in the transitional legal text, while civic and political life is shaped by military leadership and restrictions on party activity. [7] [24]
Defense and security
Armed Forces of Niger and national security institutions face insurgency, border protection and pipeline security demands. [15] [14]
Security conditions
Violence involving armed groups persists around Tillabéri, Diffa and parts of Dosso; localized conditions change over time. [15]
Government verification date
November 5, 2026; national officeholders and institutional arrangements can subsequently change. [9] [6] [8]

Institutional caution: Niger’s current framework is military-led and transitional, not an ordinary elected parliamentary system. The 194-member council is appointed and consultative. The March 2025 Charter succeeded the suspended 2010 constitutional order for the transition. [7] [8] [6]

International Profile

United Nations membership
Joined the United Nations September 20, 1960. [23]
African Union
Niger is an African state engaged with African Union and regional institutions; political participation following coups may be subject to AU decisions.
Alliance / Confederation of Sahel States
Member of the AES framework with Mali and Burkina Faso, formalized as a confederation in July 2024. [7] [19]
ECOWAS membership status
Former member; withdrawal took effect January 29, 2025. [19]
WAEMU / UEMOA membership
Continues participation in West African monetary union and the common CFA franc framework. [17]
BCEAO
Shared regional monetary authority issuing West African CFA francs. [17]
World Trade Organization
WTO member; standardized trade and tariff information available in its tariff-and-trade portal. [13]
UNESCO World Heritage Convention
Niger has three inscribed UNESCO World Heritage properties. [20]
Niger–Nigeria ties
Language, trade, migration, agricultural supply chains and long land border connect communities and markets. [13] [11]
Benin transport corridor
Oil pipeline and freight routes link landlocked Niger to southern seaports; closure and interruptions have disrupted commerce. [14] [15]
Algeria relations in 2026
Renewed official cooperation agreements include work on the proposed trans-Saharan gas pipeline. [15]
Mali and Burkina Faso ties
Sahel security and confederation arrangements closely connect the three governments. [7] [19]
Lake Chad Basin
Niger shares environmental, security and humanitarian interests with countries in the Lake Chad region. [15]
Niger River basin
River flows and basin-wide agricultural water needs create ongoing regional cooperation priorities.
2023 leading recorded export destination
European Union collectively, 46.1% of the listed 2023 WTO/UN Comtrade merchandise series. [13]
2024 leading recorded import source
China, 20.7% of the listed 2024 WTO/UN Comtrade merchandise series. [13]
Regional security cooperation
Cross-border insecurity remains a significant issue in the central Sahel and Lake Chad region. [15]
Humanitarian context
Conflict displacement, food insecurity and flood response feature in Niger’s relations with international organizations. [15] [22]
Saharan heritage diplomacy
Agadez and the Aïr/Ténéré sites are tied to international cultural and natural heritage commitments. [20]
International trade accounting caveat
Membership dates, exports, imports and economic growth use different legal events and reporting series and should be interpreted on their own terms. [13] [1] [19]

Regional memberships: Niger left ECOWAS effective January 29, 2025 while remaining in the West African monetary union and the AES confederation. These are separate organizations and membership decisions. [19] [17] [7]

Sources and Methodology

MGU's Niger Quick Facts entry relies on identified records from the World Bank, WTO, United Nations, IMF, UNESCO, Nigerien state institutions and statistical reports, supplemented by diplomatic and historical background sources. Every dated statistical entry specifies the underlying observation year. The publication or verification date is not the measurement date.

Population and area: The World Bank's annual population estimate for 2025 is 27,917,831; the official fourth national population and housing census found 17,138,707 in 2012. The UNData total surface area reference is 1,267,000 km². The calculated density of approximately 22 residents per km² uses the 2025 estimate and UN surface-area convention. [2] [5] [4]

National accounts: World Bank 2025 nominal GDP is US$21.65 billion and GDP per capita US$775.4 in current dollars. Real GDP growth of 7.0% and average consumer-price inflation of –4.5% in 2025 measure other concepts. The World Bank's 2026 growth figure is a forecast and subject to revision. [3] [1] [16]

Goods trade: WTO / UN Comtrade detail reports US$467.4 million recorded exports in 2023 and US$1,501.2 million recorded imports in 2024. Because those years differ, this page deliberately does not calculate a merchandise trade balance. Product classifications and reporting coverage may omit flows, and 2023 export shares should not be used to describe the 2025 oil-export economy. IMF reports oil pipeline disruptions and disrupted uranium shipments in 2024–25. [13] [14] [18]

Legal and institutional status: The March 2025 Refoundation Charter operates as the transitional fundamental law after the suspension of the 2010 Constitution in 2023. The Charter identifies Hausa as national language and English and French as working languages. Its 60-month transition period is not an unconditional fixed election deadline. The proposed May 2026 increase to 19 regions is described as a proposal, not as the established boundary system. [7] [10] [8] [12] [11]

Religion and human development: Religion estimates are from a historically dated diplomatic report and are not misrepresented as a modern census. The World Bank's 2024 life expectancy and electricity-access indicators are separate from 2025 population/GDP estimates. UNESCO maintains the World Heritage list, which has three inscribed Niger properties. [21] [1] [20]

Reference register

  1. [1] World Bank, Niger country data dashboard. Annual population, GDP, GDP per capita, GDP growth, inflation, life expectancy, electricity access and other indicators, each tagged with a measurement year.
  2. [2] World Bank, Niger population time series. 2025 population estimate: 27,917,831; not a national census count.
  3. [3] World Bank, Niger nominal GDP time series. 2025 nominal GDP: US$21,646.19 million in current dollars.
  4. [4] United Nations Data, Niger country profile. Western Africa, Niamey, total surface area 1,267,000 km², currency and UN membership date; UN economic figures use different series and are not mixed with World Bank GDP.
  5. [5] National Institute of Statistics of Niger, population and census regional summary. 2012 fourth population and housing census final count: 17,138,707 and regional distribution; historical census, not 2025 estimate.
  6. [6] Presidency of Niger, National Refoundation. Official account of the July 2023 transition and March 26, 2025 promulgation of the Refoundation Charter.
  7. [7] Republic of Niger, Journal Officiel, Refoundation Charter (March 31, 2025). Primary legal text: transitional institutions, Article 12 language statuses, flag, new anthem, motto and dissolution of political parties.
  8. [8] Inter-Parliamentary Union, Advisory Council for the Refoundation. The 194-member appointed advisory council, its chair, dissolution of the prior elected legislature and 2025 institutional chronology.
  9. [9] Australian DFAT, Niger heads of government. President Abdourahamane Tiani and Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine, as listed in diplomatic reference records.
  10. [10] Niger official government agency, March 2026 anniversary of the Refoundation. Confirms constitutional standing of 2025 Refoundation Charter and a 60-month transitional period subject to modification.
  11. [11] Presidency of Niger, country and eight regions. Official listing of the eight established top-level administrative regions.
  12. [12] Agence Nigérienne de Presse, administrative redistricting proposal (May 12, 2026). Proposal to expand Niger from eight to 19 regions; a proposal must not be presented as a completed administrative change.
  13. [13] World Trade Organization, Niger trade and tariff profile. UN Comtrade goods exports US$467.4m for 2023 (commodity breakdown) and goods imports US$1,501.2m for 2024 (import breakdown); noncontemporaneous series.
  14. [14] IMF, Niger 2026 Article IV program review and staff report. 2025–26 oil export disruptions, financing, insecurity, Benin transit issues, and absence of planned uranium exports in 2025.
  15. [15] World Bank, Niger country overview, political and development context. Economic dependence on agriculture, transition, oil production, displacement and insecurity in Tillabéri, Dosso and Diffa.
  16. [16] World Bank, Niger 2026 macroeconomic overview. 2025 real growth and 2026 growth outlook; 2026 projections are not annual final figures.
  17. [17] IMF, Niger exchange-rate arrangement and WAEMU/BCEAO membership. West African CFA franc is common WAEMU currency, issued by BCEAO and pegged to the euro at XOF655.957 per euro.
  18. [18] U.S. Geological Survey, Niger mineral industry. Uranium, gold, coal, cement and other mineral production; the report explicitly distinguishes production from uranium exports in 2024.
  19. [19] ECOWAS / Reuters, Niger withdrawal effective January 29, 2025. Niger, Mali and Burkina Faso formally exited ECOWAS on January 29, 2025; historical membership must not be confused with current status.
  20. [20] UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Niger. Three inscriptions: Aïr and Ténéré Natural Reserves; W-Arly-Pendjari Complex; Historic Centre of Agadez.
  21. [21] U.S. State Department, 2022 International Religious Freedom Report: Niger. Historical religion estimates: more than 98% Muslim; minority Christian, Baha’i and Indigenous practices, not a 2025 religious census.
  22. [22] German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Niger profile. Education access, very young population, drought, food insecurity, child health and social-development conditions, as reported October 2025.
  23. [23] United Nations Data, Niger membership entry. Niger joined the UN on September 20, 1960.
  24. [24] International IDEA, Niger March 2025 democratic-transition tracker. Documents replacement of the suspended 2010 Constitution, dissolution of parties and five-year flexible transition.
  25. [25] Agence Nigérienne de Presse, 2026 Advisory Council session. 2026 meetings of the Council for the Refoundation; the advisory institution is operational, not an elected ordinary parliament.