Country Summary: Niger (Republic of the Niger)

Dec 11

Written By SportsLifeMoney.com™ Staff

Country Name: Niger (Republic of the Niger)

Capital: Niamey

Government Type: presidential republic

Background: Present-day Niger originated from the nomadic peoples of the Saharan north and the agriculturalists of the south. 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.

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.

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.

Continent: Africa

Population: 25,396,840 (2023 est.)

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.)

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

Religions: Muslim 99.3%, Christian 0.3%, animist 0.2%, none 0.1% (2012 est.)

Economic Overview: low-income Sahel economy

Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $1.314 billion (31 December 2017 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $33.406 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: 11.49% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $1,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports:

$1.487 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 170

Export Commodities: gold, sesame seeds, uranium, refined petroleum, onions (2021)

Export Partners: United Arab Emirates 54%, China 25%, France 7%, Pakistan 5% (2019)

Imports:

$4.027 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Comparison Ranking: 156

Import Commodities: rice, packaged medicines, palm oil, cars, cement (2019)

Import Partners: China 19%, France 9%, United Arab Emirates 7%, Cote d'Ivoire 6%, India 6%, Nigeria 5%, Togo 5%, Turkey 5% (2019)

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

Agricultural Products: millet, cow peas, sorghum, onions, milk, groundnuts, cassava, cabbages, goat milk, fruit

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

Industrial Production Growth Rate:

-0.89% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Comparison Ranking: 179

Labor Force: 9.833 million (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 0.57% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: recurring droughts

Geography:

Total: 1.267 million sq km
Land: 1,266,700 sq km
Water: 300 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

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