Demographics of Niger

Fulani women with traditional facial tattoos.

This article is about the demographic features of the population of Niger, including population density, ethnicity, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.

The largest ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria, and the Zarma Songhay (also spelled Djerma-Songhai), who also are found in parts of Mali. Both groups are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier. The Kanouri (including Beri Beri, Manga) make up the majority of sedentary population in the far southeast of the nation. The remainder of the Nigerien people are nomadic or seminomadic livestock-raising peoples—Tuareg, Fulani,^[1] Toubou and Diffa Arabs. With rapidly growing populations and the consequent competition for meager natural resources, lifestyles of these two types of peoples have come increasingly into conflict in Niger in recent years.

Niger's high infant mortality rate is comparable to levels recorded in neighboring countries. However, the child mortality rate (deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 4) is exceptionally high (274 per 1,000) due to generally poor health conditions and inadequate nutrition for most of the country's children. Niger's very high total fertility rate (6.89 children born per woman, which is the highest in the world^[2]), nonetheless, means that nearly half (49%) of the Nigerien population is under age 15. School attendance is low (34%), including 38% of males and 27% of females. Additional education occurs through Koranic schools.

Population

Demographics of Niger, Data of FAO, year 2005 ; Number of inhabitants in thousands.

Source: Institut National de la Statistique - Niger^[3]

Census results

UN estimates

Structure of the population ^[5]

Vital statistics

Registration of vital events in Niger is incomplete. The Population Departement of the United Nations prepared the following estimates.

Fertility and births

Total fertility rate (TFR) (Wanted Fertility Rate) and crude birth rate (CBR):^[6]

Ethnic groups

Core health indicators

CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.^[9]

Sex ratio

at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
15–64 years: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.8 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

total population: 52.6 years
male: 51.39 years
female: 53.85 years (2010 est.)

Nationality

noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien

Religions

Islam 99%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians. Source: Institut National de la Statistique^[10]

Languages

French (official); Hausa, Djerma, Tamajaq, Fulfulde, Kanuri, Colloquial Arabic, Gurma, and Toubou (national).

Literacy

Definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Total population: 28.7% (2004 est.; source: UNDP 2006; NB- this figure is given without reference to which languages are considered)

Male: 42.9%

Female: 15.1%

References

1. ^ In Fula: Fulɓe; in French: Peul.
2. ^ https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/rankorder/2127rank.html
3. ^ Annuaire Statistique - Démographie
4. ^ ^{a b} Population Division of the Department of Economic and Social Affairs of the United Nations Secretariat, World Population Prospects: The 2010 Revision
5. ^ http://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic/products/dyb/dyb2.htm
6. ^ http://microdata.worldbank.org/catalog/dhs#_r=&collection=&country=&dtype=&from=1890&page=11&ps=&sk=&sort_by=nation&sort_order=&to=2014&topic=&view=s&vk=
7. ^ ^{a b} UN Demographic Yearbooks
8. ^ World Health Organisation 2007 statistics: Core Health Indicators for Niger.
9. ^ [The World Factbook - Niger]
10. ^ Le Niger en Chiffres 2011

• UNDP. 2006. Beyond scarcity: Power, poverty and the global water crisis. Human Development Report 2006. New York: United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
• UNDP The Human Development Index reports: Niger.
• Health Organisation Niger overview. Includes links to statistics, programs and news on health and demography in Niger.
• WHO "Country Logbook" for Niger. Providing Surveys, Censuses, Monitoring of vital events, Health services & surveillance, Health situation & trend analysis, and Planning & strategic documents .
• ethnologue.com: Ethnic and linguistic breakdown for Niger.
• OECD/ AEO 2007 Niger country study.
• The AGRHYMET Regional Centre (ARC), Niamey Office. Institute of the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS) composed of nine member States, including Niger.
• The World Bank, Niger overview and resources.