Demographics of Niger

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, 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 fertility rate (7.4), nonetheless, means that nearly half (49%) of the Nigerien population is under age 15. School attendance is very low (34%), including 38% of males and only 27% of females. Additional education occurs through Koranic schools.

Core health indicators

World Health Organisation 2007 statistics: Core Health Indicators for Niger[1]
Indicator	Value	(year)
Life expectancy at birth (years) males	42.0	(2005)
Life expectancy at birth (years) females	41.0	(2005)
Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth (years) males	36.0	(2002)
Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth (years) females	35.0	(2002)
Probability of dying (per 1 000 population) between 15 and 60 years (adult mortality rate) males	502	(2005)
Probability of dying (per 1 000 population) between 15 and 60 years (adult mortality rate) females	478	(2005)
Total expenditure on health as percentage of gross domestic product	4.2	(2004)
Per capita total expenditure on health at international dollar rate	25.9	(2004)
Population (in thousands) total	13957	(2005)

CIA World Factbook demographic statistics

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

The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.^[2]

Population

15,306,252 (July 2010 est.)

Age structure

0–14 years: 49.6% (male 3,840,379; female 3,758,674)
15–64 years: 48.1% (male 3,658,361; female 3,690,373)
65 years and over: 2.3% (male 159,984; female 198,481) (2010 est.)

Population growth rate

3.643% (2011 est.)

Birth rate

51.6 births/1,000 population (2010 est.) Highest birth rate in the world.

Death rate

14.83 deaths/1,000 population (2010 est.)

Net migration rate

0 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2010 est.)

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.)

Infant mortality rate

total: 116.66 deaths/1,000 live births male: 121.72 deaths/1,000 live births female: 111.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)

Life expectancy at birth

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

Total fertility rate

7.6 children born/woman (2011 est.) Highest fertility rate in the world.

Nationality

noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien

Ethnic groups

Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Tuareg 8.5%, Fulani 8%, Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 10,000 French expatriates

Religions

Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians (see Religion in Niger)

Languages

French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Tamajaq, Fulfulde.

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%

See also

• Languages of Niger

References

1. ^ World Health Organisation 2007 statistics: Core Health Indicators for Niger.
2. ^ [The World Factbook - Niger]

• 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.