Capture of Sudano-Sahelian architectural style in Niamey, showcasing traditional mud-brick design.Camels and people in traditional attire at a desert festival in Ingall, Niger.A traditional horseman with colorful attire riding through a desert landscape, embodying cultural heritage.Men in traditional attire outside a decorated African building featuring geometric designs.Aerial view of wooden boats along the Niger River in Bamako, Mali. Busy riverbank activity.

Niger

Africa · Western Africa

Low PeaceLow Development
Authoritarian
Population27.9M54th
GDP / Capita$775Low income
PPP / Capita$2KVery Low
Gender Inequality0.609Very High
Life Expectancy61 yrsVery Low

World's lowest HDI ranking — Sahel instability, military coup in 2023.

At a Glance

34
CriticalChild Survival
73
AffordablePrice Level Index
53
LowWater Access
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Niger

Niger is a vast Sahelian country in West Africa whose northern two-thirds are pure Sahara, with the Air Mountains rising dramatically from the desert and ancient Tuareg cities like Agadez, once a great caravan crossroads. The culture is predominantly Hausa and Tuareg, with a long tradition of trans-Saharan trade and desert navigation. It suits serious desert travellers and those with a specific interest in the Saharan world.

  • Largest country in West Africa — mostly Sahara.
  • Consistently ranks last or near-last on the Human Development Index.
  • One of the world's top uranium exporters, yet its people lack reliable electricity.
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Quick Facts

Capital

Niamey

Language

French

Currency

Fr XOF

Area

1.27M km²

💻

Nomad Hub

PlugType C/E

GDP / Capita

i

$775

Low

PPP / Capita

i

$2K

Lower Mid

Inflation

i

-4.5%

Deflation

Unemployment

i

0.4%

Very Low

Innovation (GII)

i

11.9

Low

GNI / Capita

i

$750

Low

FDI Inflows

i

1.8%

Education Spend

i

4.1%

Price Level Index

i

68th pct

Very Affordable

20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast

Income & inflation over time

i
+133% nominal+47% real
$825$2K$3K5%10%200620102015202020252028
GDPPPPInflationIMF forecast