Demographics of Niger
Encyclopedia
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 (7.1), 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.
The following demographic statistics are from the CIA World Factbook, unless otherwise indicated.
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.)
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.)
male: 121.72 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 111.45 deaths/1,000 live births (2010 est.)
total population:
52.6 years
male:
51.39 years
female:
53.85 years (2010 est.)
56%, Djerma
22%, Tuareg 8.5%, Fulani
8%, Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab
, Toubou
, and Gourmantche
1.2%, about 10,000 French
expatriates
80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
(see Religion in Niger
)
(official), Hausa
, Djerma, Tamajaq, Fulfulde
.
Demographics
Demographics are the most recent statistical characteristics of a population. These types of data are used widely in sociology , public policy, and marketing. Commonly examined demographics include gender, race, age, disabilities, mobility, home ownership, employment status, and even location...
features of the population
Population
A population is all the organisms that both belong to the same group or species and live in the same geographical area. The area that is used to define a sexual population is such that inter-breeding is possible between any pair within the area and more probable than cross-breeding with individuals...
of Niger
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
, including population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
, ethnicity
Ethnic group
An ethnic group is a group of people whose members identify with each other, through a common heritage, often consisting of a common language, a common culture and/or an ideology that stresses common ancestry or endogamy...
, education level, health of the populace, economic status, religious affiliations and other aspects of the population.
The largest ethnic groups in Niger
Niger
Niger , officially named the Republic of Niger, is a landlocked country in Western Africa, named after the Niger River. It borders Nigeria and Benin to the south, Burkina Faso and Mali to the west, Algeria and Libya to the north and Chad to the east...
are the Hausa
Hausa people
The Hausa are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. They are a Sahelian people chiefly located in northern Nigeria and southeastern Niger, but having significant numbers living in regions of Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Sudan...
, who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria
Nigeria
Nigeria , officially the Federal Republic of Nigeria, is a federal constitutional republic comprising 36 states and its Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. The country is located in West Africa and shares land borders with the Republic of Benin in the west, Chad and Cameroon in the east, and Niger in...
, and the Zarma Songhay (also spelled Djerma-Songhai), who also are found in parts of Mali
Mali
Mali , officially the Republic of Mali , is a landlocked country in Western Africa. Mali borders Algeria on the north, Niger on the east, Burkina Faso and the Côte d'Ivoire on the south, Guinea on the south-west, and Senegal and Mauritania on the west. Its size is just over 1,240,000 km² with...
. 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
Fula people
Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa...
, Toubou
Toubou
The Tubu are an ethnic group that live mainly in northern Chad, but also in Libya, Niger and Sudan....
and Diffa Arabs
Diffa Arabs
Diffa Arabs is the Nigerien name given to Arab nomadic tribespeople living in eastern Niger, mostly in the Diffa Region...
. 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
Infant mortality
Infant mortality is defined as the number of infant deaths per 1000 live births. Traditionally, the most common cause worldwide was dehydration from diarrhea. However, the spreading information about Oral Re-hydration Solution to mothers around the world has decreased the rate of children dying...
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 (7.1), 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 | ||
|---|---|---|
| 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
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.)
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 birthsmale: 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.)
Ethnic groups
HausaHausa people
The Hausa are one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. They are a Sahelian people chiefly located in northern Nigeria and southeastern Niger, but having significant numbers living in regions of Cameroon, Ghana, Cote d'Ivoire, Chad and Sudan...
56%, Djerma
Djerma
The Zarma people , are a people of westernmost Niger and adjacent areas of Burkina Faso, Benin, Ghana and Nigeria. The Zarma language is one of the Songhai languages, a branch of the Nilo-Saharan language family...
22%, Tuareg 8.5%, Fulani
Fula people
Fula people or Fulani or Fulbe are an ethnic group spread over many countries, predominantly in West Africa, but found also in Central Africa and Sudanese North Africa...
8%, Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab
Diffa Arabs
Diffa Arabs is the Nigerien name given to Arab nomadic tribespeople living in eastern Niger, mostly in the Diffa Region...
, Toubou
Toubou
The Tubu are an ethnic group that live mainly in northern Chad, but also in Libya, Niger and Sudan....
, and Gourmantche
Gurma
Gourma redirects here. For the Burkina Faso province, see Gourma Province.Gurma is an ethnic group living mainly in Burkina Faso, around Fada N'Gourma, and also in northern areas of Togo and Benin, as well as southwestern Niger...
1.2%, about 10,000 French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
expatriates
Religions
MuslimIslam
Islam . The most common are and . : Arabic pronunciation varies regionally. The first vowel ranges from ~~. The second vowel ranges from ~~~...
80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
(see Religion in Niger
Religion in Niger
Islam is the dominant religion in Niger and is practiced by 80 to more than 98 % the population.-Islam:Approximately 95% of Muslims are Sunni; 5% are Shi'a. Islam was spread into what is now Niger beginning in the 15th century, by both the expansion of the Songhai Empire in the west, and the...
)
Languages
FrenchFrench language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
(official), Hausa
Hausa language
Hausa is the Chadic language with the largest number of speakers, spoken as a first language by about 25 million people, and as a second language by about 18 million more, an approximate total of 43 million people...
, Djerma, Tamajaq, Fulfulde
Fula language
The Fula or Fulani language is a language of West Africa. It is spoken as a first language by the and related groups from Senegambia and Guinea to Cameroon and Sudan...
.
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%