Niger
Africa · Western Africa
World's lowest HDI ranking, with Sahel instability and a military coup in 2023.
At a Glance
📈Niger's Human Development Index
0.394
Low human development#188 of 191 countries worldwide, #51 of 54 in Africa.
Higher than 2% of countries with data. UNDP Human Development Report.
UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita.
Closest indicators in this dataset
World Bank, own vintages. UNDP’s own component values are not carried here, so these are related measures rather than the index inputs.
Nearest countries by HDI
Full HDI ranking, all 191 countries →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.
Quick Facts
Capital
Niamey
Language
French
Currency
Fr XOF
Area
1.27M km²
Nomad Hub
GDP / Capita
$775
PPP / Capita
$2K
Inflation
-4.5%
Unemployment
0.4%
Innovation (GII)
11.9
GNI / Capita
$750
FDI Inflows
1.8%
Education Spend
4.1%
Price Level Index
68th pct
20-Year Trend + IMF Forecast
Income & inflation over time
HDI since 1990
0.212 → 0.394 (+0.182)Year by year →UNDP Human Development Report, 2023-24 edition. 33 annual values, none interpolated; hover any point for its year.
Twenty years here
Year by year →The world report →World Bank observations, first to last available year per indicator (roughly 2005–2024; each series has its own window).
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💬Quick answers
What is Niger's Human Development Index?
Niger's Human Development Index is 0.394 (UNDP Human Development Report), ranked #188 of 191 countries.
Is Niger safe?
Niger scores 2.83 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #144 of 160 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.
What is life expectancy in Niger?
Life expectancy at birth in Niger is 61.4 yrs (World Bank), ranked #185 of 195 countries.