Niger statistics — population, economy, trade and telecom
Niger occupies a pivotal position in West African geopolitics and development debates, yet its statistical profile remains underexamined in mainstream analysis. As the Sahel region continues to face compounding pressures — climate stress, food insecurity, security fragility, and shifting alliance structures following the 2023 coup — reliable, up-to-date data on Niger becomes essential for investors, policymakers, humanitarian actors, and researchers operating across the continent in 2026.
Population and Demographics
Niger holds the distinction of having one of the fastest-growing populations on earth. UN estimates place the country’s population at approximately 27 to 28 million people as of 2024–2025, up from roughly 25 million recorded in the 2022 census cycle. The population growth rate is estimated at around 3.7 to 3.9 percent annually — among the highest globally — driven by a total fertility rate that World Bank data consistently places above 6.5 births per woman. The median age is exceptionally low, estimated at approximately 15 years, meaning the majority of Niger’s population is under the age of 18. Urbanisation remains limited relative to regional peers: roughly 17 to 20 percent of the population lives in urban areas, with Niamey, the capital, accounting for the largest urban concentration at an estimated 1.3 to 1.5 million residents. This demographic structure creates enormous pressure on education, healthcare, and labour markets, while simultaneously representing a long-term dividend if human capital investment accelerates.
Economic Indicators
Niger’s economy is small by continental standards. World Bank estimates put GDP at approximately 16 to 17 billion USD (current prices) for 2024, with GDP per capita hovering around 590 to 620 USD — positioning Niger consistently among the lowest-income economies globally. GDP growth has been volatile: the post-coup period saw contraction pressures from ECOWAS sanctions imposed in mid-2023, though those sanctions were subsequently lifted. IMF projections for 2024–2025 suggested a modest recovery trajectory, with growth estimates in the range of 6 to 7 percent, partly driven by the ramp-up of oil export infrastructure. Inflation, historically moderate by regional standards, rose to approximately 3 to 5 percent in 2024 amid supply chain disruptions and currency pressures. Niger uses the West African CFA franc (XOF), pegged to the euro, which provides monetary stability but limits independent monetary policy. Unemployment figures are difficult to verify with precision given the dominance of informal and subsistence activity; underemployment is widely considered the more structurally significant challenge. Debt-to-GDP ratios, per IMF Article IV data, were estimated at roughly 50 to 55 percent of GDP in 2024, elevated but not yet at crisis levels.
Trade and External Accounts
Niger’s export profile is narrow and commodity-dependent. Uranium has historically been the flagship export, with Niger ranking among the world’s top uranium producers; however, the renegotiation and suspension of contracts with French operator Orano following the 2023 political transition significantly disrupted this revenue stream. Crude oil exports have grown in strategic importance following the completion of the Niger–Benin pipeline, which began commercial operations in 2024, linking the Agadem oil block to the port of Sèmè-Kpodji. Gold and livestock are additional export categories of note. On the import side, Niger relies heavily on food products, machinery, petroleum products, and manufactured goods. Key trading partners have shifted in recent years: China has deepened its economic footprint, while traditional French and European commercial ties have weakened. Trade with neighbouring countries — particularly Nigeria, Burkina Faso, and Mali — remains significant for informal cross-border commerce. The current account deficit is structural and persistent, estimated at roughly 15 to 18 percent of GDP in recent years, financed primarily through external borrowing and development assistance.
Key Sectors
Agriculture remains the backbone of Niger’s economy, employing an estimated 80 percent of the active population and contributing roughly 40 to 45 percent of GDP. Millet, sorghum, cowpeas, and onions are primary crops, though the sector is acutely vulnerable to erratic rainfall and desertification. Livestock — cattle, camels, goats, and sheep — represents a critical livelihood system and an important informal export to coastal West African markets. Mining is the second most strategically significant sector: uranium extraction, despite recent disruptions, remains central to long-term revenue projections, and oil production from the Agadem basin is expected to scale through 2025–2026. Industry and manufacturing are nascent, contributing approximately 20 percent of GDP, with limited value-added processing capacity. The services sector, including trade, transport, and public administration, accounts for the remainder. Tourism is negligible as a formal revenue source given security conditions across the Sahel, and is unlikely to recover meaningfully in the near term without a substantial improvement in the security environment.
Telecommunications and Digital
Niger’s digital economy is at an early stage of development, though mobile connectivity has expanded considerably over the past decade. ITU and GSMA industry reports suggest mobile penetration rates of approximately 50 to 55 percent of the population as of 2024, with SIM connections exceeding the number of unique subscribers due to multi-SIM usage. Internet penetration remains low, estimated at roughly 20 to 25 percent of the population, with mobile internet accounting for the overwhelming majority of access. Fixed broadband infrastructure is minimal outside Niamey. The dominant mobile operators are Airtel Niger and Zamani Telecom (formerly Orange Niger, following the French group’s exit from the market in 2023 amid the post-coup political climate). Mobile money services have expanded, with platforms linked to Airtel Money gaining traction as a financial inclusion tool in a country where formal banking penetration is estimated at below 15 percent of adults. Digital infrastructure investment remains constrained by low purchasing power, limited electricity access — national electrification rates are estimated at roughly 19 to 22 percent — and ongoing security challenges in rural areas.
Sources and Methodology
The data and estimates presented in this dashboard draw on a range of authoritative sources, including the World Bank Open Data platform, IMF World Economic Outlook and Article IV consultation reports, United Nations Population Division projections, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) statistics portal, GSMA Intelligence industry reports, African Union Commission economic data, and the Institut National de la Statistique du Niger (INS). Where precise figures could not be confirmed with certainty, approximate ranges and qualified language have been used in accordance with this publication’s editorial standards. Readers should note that Niger’s statistical capacity has been affected by institutional disruptions since mid-2023, and some national-level data may carry wider uncertainty margins than comparable figures for more stable economies. Cross-referencing multiple sources is recommended for any analytical or investment-grade use of this data.
For deeper qualitative analysis of Niger’s political economy, governance landscape, and strategic outlook, visit the Niger expert briefing. To compare Niger’s indicators with those of other African nations, explore all African country statistics on this platform. For broader context on structural trends shaping the continent’s economic trajectory, see our African economy pillar coverage.
