Niger

Republic of Niger

Africa Niamey

Population

27.32M

Area

1.267 km²

GDP

$19.54B

GDP Per Capita

$1,800

Pop. Density

21,564,763/km²

Quick Facts

Currency

FrWest African CFA franc(XOF)

Calling Code

+227

Timezone

UTC+01:00

Languages

French

Driving Side

right

Demonym

Nigerien

Background

Nomadic peoples from the Saharan north and agriculturalists from the south settled present-day Niger. 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. Political infighting and democratic backsliding led to coups in 1996 and 1999. In 1999, military officers restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and spearheaded a 2009 constitutional amendment allowing him to extend his presidential term. In 2010, military officers led another coup that deposed TANDJA. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou was elected in 2011 and reelected in 2016. In 2021, BAZOUM Mohamed won the presidential election, marking Niger’s first transition from one democratically elected president to another. Nonetheless, a military junta led by General Abdourahamane TIANI once again seized power in July 2023, detaining President BAZOUM and announcing the creation of a National Council for the Safeguarding of the Homeland (CNSP).

Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. It is ranked fourth to last in the world on the UN Development Program's Human Development Index of 2023/2024. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Government continues its attempts to diversify the economy through increased oil production and mining projects. In addition, Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict and terrorism in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.

Historical Trends

GDP (USD)

↑317.9% since 2006

$5B (2006)$20B (2024)

Population

↑89.5% since 2006

14.3M (2006)27.0M (2024)

Life Expectancy at Birth

Latest: 61.2 years

2006: 54.2 years2023: 61.2 years

Data source: World Bank Open Data

Geography21

Location

Western Africa, southeast of Algeria

Geographic coordinates

16 00 N, 8 00 E

Map references

Africa

Area

total : 1.267 million sq km
land: 1,266,700 sq km
water: 300 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly less than twice the size of Texas

Land boundaries

total: 5,834 km
border countries: Algeria 951 km; Benin 277 km; Burkina Faso 622 km; Chad 1,196 km; Libya 342 km; Mali 838 km; Nigeria 1,608 km

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Climate

desert; mostly hot, dry, dusty; tropical in extreme south

Terrain

predominately desert plains and sand dunes; flat to rolling plains in south; hills in north

Elevation

highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
lowest point: Niger River 200 m
mean elevation: 474 m

Natural resources

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

Land use

agricultural land

36.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 14% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 0.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 22.7% (2023 est.)

forest

0.8% (2023 est.)

other

62.4% (2023 est.)

Irrigated land

2,881 sq km (2022)

Major lakes (area sq km)

fresh water lake(s): Lake Chad (endorheic lake shared with Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon) - 10,360-25,900 sq km
note - area varies by season and year to year

Major rivers (by length in km)

Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Mali, Benin, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km

note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage: Niger (2,261,741 sq km)
Internal (endorheic basin) drainage: Lake Chad (2,497,738 sq km)

Major aquifers

Lake Chad Basin, Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Murzuk-Djado Basin

Population distribution

majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin, as shown in this population distribution map

Natural hazards

recurring droughts

Geography - note

landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna that is suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

People & Society35

Population

total: 27,322,555 (2025 est.)
male: 13,542,629
female: 13,779,926

Nationality

noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien

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 95.5%, ethnic religionist 4.1%, Christian 0.3%, agnostics and other 0.1% (2020 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years: 49.5% (male 6,567,460/female 6,463,877)
15-64 years: 47.8% (male 6,146,355/female 6,451,574)
65 years and over: 2.7% (2024 est.) (male 342,388/female 371,130)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio: 108.2 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 102.6 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 5.7 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio: 17.7 (2025 est.)

Median age

total: 15.3 years (2025 est.)
male: 14.9 years
female: 15.6 years

Population growth rate

3.65% (2025 est.)

Birth rate

46.29 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

9.24 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Net migration rate

-0.57 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Population distribution

majority of the populace is located in the southernmost extreme of the country along the border with Nigeria and Benin, as shown in this population distribution map

Urbanization

urban population: 17.1% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 4.72% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Major urban areas - population

1.437 million NIAMEY (capital) (2023)

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.92 male(s)/female
total population: 0.98 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

Mother's mean age at first birth

18.5 years (2012 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

350 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 63 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
male: 69.2 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 59.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 60.9 years (2024 est.)
male: 59.3 years
female: 62.5 years

Total fertility rate

6.55 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

3.23 (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: urban

urban: 88.3% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 40.9% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 48.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 11.7% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 59.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 51.1% of population (2022 est.)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP): 5.8% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget): 7.1% of national budget (2022 est.)

Physician density

0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2023)

Hospital bed density

0.3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: urban

urban: 81.9% of population (2022 est.)

improved: rural

rural: 15.2% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 26.4% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 18.1% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 84.8% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 73.6% of population (2022 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.5% (2016)

Alcohol consumption per capita

total: 0.11 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.04 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.01 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.06 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Tobacco use

total: 7.5% (2025 est.)
male: 13.7% (2025 est.)
female: 1.2% (2025 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

34.6% (2022 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

81.3% (2021 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP): 4.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget): 12.8% national budget (2023 est.)

Literacy

total population: 35.6% (2022 est.)
male: 47.9% (2022 est.)
female: 25.7% (2022 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

total: 6 years (2017 est.)
male: 7 years (2017 est.)
female: 6 years (2017 est.)

Government23

Country name

conventional long form: Republic of Niger
conventional short form: Niger
local long form: République du Niger
local short form: Niger
etymology: named for the Niger River that passes through the southwest of the country; the name of the river probably comes from the local Tuareg name, egereou n-igereouen (big rivers)

Government type

formerly, semi-presidential republic

Capital

name: Niamey
geographic coordinates: 13 31 N, 2 07 E
time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the origin of the name is unclear; one of many stories says that an African chief told his seven slaves "Wa niammane," meaning "stay here," and the name was later shortened to its present form

Administrative divisions

7 regions (régions, singular - région) and 1 capital district* (communauté urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder

Legal system

note: following the 26 July 2023 military coup, the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland assumed control of all government institutions and rules by decree; formerly, mixed system of civil law, based on French civil law, Islamic law, and customary law

Constitution

history: several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010
amendment process: formerly proposed by the president of the republic or the National Assembly; consideration of amendments requires at least three-fourths majority vote by the Assembly; passage requires at least four-fifths majority vote; if disapproved, the proposed amendment is dropped or submitted to a referendum; constitutional articles on the form of government, the multiparty system, the separation of state and religion, disqualification of Assembly members, amendment procedures, and amnesty of participants in the 2010 coup cannot be amended

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Citizenship

citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Niger
dual citizenship recognized: yes
residency requirement for naturalization: unknown

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state

President of the National Council for the Safeguard of the Homeland (CNSP) General Abdourahame TIANI (since 28 July 2023)

head of government

CNSP Prime Minister Ali Mahaman Lamine ZEINE (since 9 August 2023)

cabinet

Cabinet appointed by the CNSP

election/appointment process

the CNSP rules by decree; previously, the president was directly elected by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister was appointed by the president, authorized by the National Assembly

most recent election date

27 December 2020, with a runoff held on 21 February 2021

election results

2020/2021: Mohamed BAZOUM elected president in second round; percent of vote in first round - Mohamed BAZOUM (PNDS-Tarrayya) 39.3%, Mahamane OUSMANE (MODEN/FA Lumana Africa) 17%, Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara) 9%, Albade ABOUDA (MPR-Jamhuriya) 7.1%, other 27.6%; percent of vote in second round - Mohamed BAZOUM 55.7%, Mahamane OUSMANE 44.3%

expected date of next election

2030

Legislative branch

legislature name

Advisory Council for the Refoundation (Conseil consultatif de la refondation)

legislative structure

unicameral

number of seats

194 (all appointed)

electoral system

mixed system

scope of elections

full renewal

most recent election date

5/1/2025

percentage of women in chamber

19.6%

expected date of next election

April 2030

Judicial branch

highest court(s): High Court of Justice (consists of 7 members); Supreme Court (membership NA); Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges)
judge selection and term of office: High Judicial Court members selected from among the legislature and judiciary to 5-year terms; Constitutional Court judges nominated/elected - 1 by the president of the Republic, 1 by the president of the National Assembly, 2 by peer judges, 2 by peer lawyers, 1 law professor by peers, and 1 from within Nigerien society; all appointed by the president; judges serve 6-year nonrenewable terms with one-third of membership renewed every 2 years
subordinate courts: Court of Cassation; Council of State; Court of Finances; various specialized tribunals and customary courts

Political parties

Alliance for Democracy and the Republic
Alliance for Democratic Renewal or ARD-Adaltchi-Mutuntchi
Alliance of Movements for the Emergence of Niger or AMEN AMIN
Congress for the Republic or CPR-Inganci
Democratic Alternation for Equity in Niger
Democratic and Republican Renewal-RDR-Tchanji
Democratic Movement for the Emergence of Niger Falala
Democratic Patriots' Rally or RPD Bazara
National Movement for the Development of Society-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara
Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya
Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana
Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya
Nigerien Patriotic Movement or MPN-Kishin Kassa
Nigerien Rally for Democracy and Peace
Patriotic Movement for the Republic or MPR-Jamhuriya
Peace, Justice, Progress–Generation Doubara
Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a
Rally for Peace and Progress or RPP Farilla
Social Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya
Social Democratic Party or PSD-Bassira

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Chargé d'Affaires Hassane IDI (since 3 August 2023)
chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224
FAX: [1] (202) 483-3169
email address and website:
[email protected]

http://www.embassyofniger.org/

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission

Ambassador Kathleen FITZGIBBON (since 2 December 2023)

embassy

BP 11201, Niamey

mailing address

2420 Niamey Place, Washington DC  20521-2420

telephone

[227] 20-72-26-61

FAX

[227] 20-73-55-60

email address and website

[email protected]

https://ne.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, EITI (compliant country), Entente, FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LCBC, MIGA, MINUSCA, MNJTF, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Independence

3 August 1960 (from France)

National holiday

Republic Day, 18 December (1958)

Flag

description: three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green, with an orange disk centered on the white band

meaning: orange stands for the northern Sahara regions, white for purity and innocence, and green for hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the people's sacrifices

National symbol(s)

zebu

National color(s)

orange, white, green

National anthem(s)

title: "L'Honneur de la Patrie" (The Honor of the Fatherland)
lyrics/music: a government-appointed committee wrote both the lyrics and the music
history: adopted 2023; replaced previous national anthem, "La Nigérienne" (The Nigerien), that was adopted in 1961

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites: 3 (1 cultural, 2 natural)
selected World Heritage Site locales: Air and Ténéré Natural Reserves (n); W-Arly-Pendjari Complex (n); Historic Agadez (c)

Economy29

Economic overview

low-income Sahel economy; major instability and humanitarian crises limit economic activity; COVID-19 eliminated recent antipoverty gains; economy rebounding since December 2020 Nigerian border reopening and new investments; uranium resource rich

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024: $47.921 billion (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023: $44.199 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022: $43.474 billion (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2024: 8.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023: 1.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2022: 11.9% (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2024: $1,800 (2024 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023: $1,700 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2022: $1,700 (2022 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$19.538 billion (2024 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024: 9.1% (2024 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023: 3.7% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022: 4.2% (2022 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

agriculture: 33.8% (2024 est.)
industry: 17.8% (2024 est.)
services: 45.4% (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

59.2% (2024 est.)

government consumption

11.8% (2024 est.)

investment in fixed capital

18.7% (2024 est.)

investment in inventories

0% (2024 est.)

exports of goods and services

31.2% (2024 est.)

imports of goods and services

-20.8% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

millet, cowpeas, sorghum, onions, milk, sugarcane, cabbages, cassava, groundnuts, tomatoes (2023)

Industries

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

Industrial production growth rate

12.1% (2024 est.)

Labor force

10.486 million (2024 est.)

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2024: 0.4% (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023: 0.5% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2022: 0.5% (2022 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

total: 0.3% (2024 est.)
male: 0.4% (2024 est.)
female: 0.2% (2024 est.)

Population below poverty line

45.5% (2021 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021: 32.9 (2021 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%: 3.8% (2021 est.)
highest 10%: 27.8% (2021 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2023: 3.7% of GDP (2023 est.)
Remittances 2022: 4.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2021: 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.)

Budget

revenues: $2.325 billion (2019 est.)
expenditures: $2.785 billion (2019 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2016: 45.2% of GDP (2016 est.)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2023: -$2.333 billion (2023 est.)
Current account balance 2022: -$2.5 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2021: -$2.099 billion (2021 est.)

Exports

Exports 2023: $1.223 billion (2023 est.)
Exports 2022: $1.376 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2021: $1.487 billion (2021 est.)

Exports - partners

UAE 31%, France 23%, China 18%, India 6%, Sweden 5% (2023)

Exports - commodities

gold, oil seeds, uranium and thorium ore, radioactive chemicals, refined petroleum (2023)

Imports

Imports 2023: $3.808 billion (2023 est.)
Imports 2022: $4.194 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2021: $4.027 billion (2021 est.)

Imports - partners

China 26%, France 15%, India 12%, Nigeria 7%, UAE 6% (2023)

Imports - commodities

rice, aircraft parts, iron structures, refined petroleum, centrifuges (2023)

Debt - external

Debt - external 2023: $3.793 billion (2023 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2024

606.345 (2024 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

606.57 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

623.76 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

554.531 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2020

575.586 (2020 est.)

Energy7

Electricity access

electrification - total population: 19.5% (2022 est.)
electrification - urban areas: 66.1%
electrification - rural areas: 7.7%

Electricity

installed generating capacity: 377,000 kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 1.645 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 1.213 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 372.245 million kWh (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

fossil fuels: 97% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Coal

production: 427,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 426,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 400 metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 90 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production: 13,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 18,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 150 million barrels (2021 est.)

Natural gas

production: 26.805 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 26.872 million cubic meters (2023 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023: 1.772 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Communications6

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions: 58,000 (2021 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions: 17.2 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 66 (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has the only radio station with national coverage; about 30 private local radio stations; as many as 100 community radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available

Internet country code

.ne

Internet users

percent of population: 23% (2023 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total: 14,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2022 est.) less than 1

Transportation2

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Airports

26 (2025)

Military & Security6

Military and security forces

Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force, Niger Gendarmerie

Ministry of Interior, Public Safety and Decentralization: Niger National Guard, National Police (2025)

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2024: 2.2% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023: 2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022: 1.7% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021: 1.8% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2020: 2% of GDP (2020 est.)

Military and security service personnel strengths

estimated 50,000 active Armed Forces, including Gendarmerie; estimated 15-20,000 National Guard (2025)

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

the FAN's inventory is comprised of older, typically Soviet-era weapons and equipment, along with smaller quantities of more modern armaments such as unmanned aerial vehicles/drones, air defense systems, and armored vehicles; suppliers over the past decade include China, France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the US (2025)

Military service age and obligation

18 is the legal minimum age for selective compulsory or voluntary military service for unmarried men and women; 24-month service term (2025)

Military - note

the military of Niger is responsible for territorial defense, but most of its focus is on internal and border security operations; the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS) and the al-Qaida affiliate Jama’at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM) terrorist groups are active in western Niger and in adjacent strongholds in Burkina Faso and Mali, while the Nigeria-based Boko Haram and ISIS-West Africa groups threaten southeast Niger; parts of Niger also face spillover from communal, criminal, and vigilante violence in neighboring Nigeria; since the 2023 coup, some former ethnic separatist rebels have taken up arms in support of deposed President BAZOUM

the military has played a role in Niger's domestic politics since its establishment in 1960-61; prior to seizing control of the government in 2023, it attempted coups in 1974, 1996, 1999, 2010, and 2021, and ruled the country for much of the period before 1999 (2025)

Transnational Issues2

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees: 421,795 (2024 est.)
IDPs: 891,565 (2024 est.)

Trafficking in persons

tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Niger remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/niger/

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