Africa :: NIGER

- ## Introduction :: NIGER

- Background:
  Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution, and dissolved the Cabinet. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou emerged victorious from a crowded field in the election following the coup and was inaugurated in April 2011. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Movement for Justice, a predominantly ethnic Tuareg rebel group, emerged in February 2007, and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 ended the rebellion. Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.

- ## Geography :: NIGER

- 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
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Area - comparative:
  slightly less than twice the size of Texas
  Land boundaries:
  total: 5,834 km
  border countries (7): 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 extremes:
  lowest point: Niger River 200 m
  highest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m
  Natural resources:
  uranium, coal, iron ore, tin, phosphates, gold, molybdenum, gypsum, salt, petroleum
  Land use:
  arable land: 12.55%
  permanent crops: 0.08%
  other: 87.37% (2012 est.)
  Irrigated land:
  736.6 sq km (2005)
  Total renewable water resources:
  33.65 cu km (2011)
  Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
  total: 0.98 cu km/yr (30%/3%/67%)
  per capita: 70.53 cu m/yr (2005)
  Natural hazards:
  recurring droughts
  Environment - current issues:
  overgrazing; soil erosion; deforestation; desertification; wildlife populations (such as elephant, hippopotamus, giraffe, and lion) threatened because of poaching and habitat destruction
  Environment - international agreements:
  party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
  signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea
  Geography - note:
  landlocked; one of the hottest countries in the world; northern four-fifths is desert, southern one-fifth is savanna, suitable for livestock and limited agriculture

- ## People and Society :: NIGER

- Nationality:
  noun: Nigerien(s)
  adjective: Nigerien
  Ethnic groups:
  Haoussa 55.4%, Djerma Sonrai 21%, Tuareg 9.3%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7%, other 1.2% (2001 census)
  Languages:
  French (official), Hausa, Djerma
  Religions:
  Muslim 80%, other (includes indigenous beliefs and Christian) 20%
  Population:
  17,466,172 (July 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 63
  Age structure:
  0-14 years: 49.8% (male 4,387,785/female 4,308,312)
  15-24 years: 18.4% (male 1,586,720/female 1,626,457)
  25-54 years: 25.9% (male 2,261,287/female 2,266,576)
  55-64 years: 3.3% (male 294,446/female 274,268)
  65 years and over: 2.6% (male 234,079/female 226,242) (2014 est.)
  Dependency ratios:
  total dependency ratio: 111.6%
  youth dependency ratio: 106%
  elderly dependency ratio: 5.5%
  potential support ratio: 18% (2014 est.)
  Median age:
  total: 15.1 years
  male: 15 years
  female: 15.2 years (2014 est.)
  Population growth rate:
  3.28% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Birth rate:
  46.12 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Death rate:
  12.73 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 22
  Net migration rate:
  -0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 137
  Urbanization:
  urban population: 18.5% of total population (2014)
  rate of urbanization: 5.14% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)
  Major urban areas - population:
  NIAMEY (capital) 1.058 million (2014)
  Sex ratio:
  at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
  0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female
  15-24 years: 0.98 male(s)/female
  25-54 years: 1 male(s)/female
  55-64 years: 1.01 male(s)/female
  65 years and over: 1.03 male(s)/female
  total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2014 est.)
  Mother's mean age at first birth:
  18.1
  note: median age at first birth among women 20-24 (2012 est.)
  Maternal mortality rate:
  590 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 14
  Infant mortality rate:
  total: 86.27 deaths/1,000 live births
  male: 90.86 deaths/1,000 live births
  female: 81.53 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 7
  Life expectancy at birth:
  total population: 54.74 years
  male: 53.54 years
  female: 55.97 years (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Total fertility rate:
  6.89 children born/woman (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 1
  Contraceptive prevalence rate:
  13.9% (2012)
  Health expenditures:
  7.2% of GDP (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 74
  Physicians density:
  0.02 physicians/1,000 population (2008)
  Hospital bed density:
  0.31 beds/1,000 population (2005)
  Drinking water source:
  improved:
  urban: 98.7% of population
  rural: 42.1% of population
  total: 52.3% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 1.3% of population
  rural: 57.9% of population
  total: 47.7% of population (2012 est.)
  Sanitation facility access:
  improved:
  urban: 32.9% of population
  rural: 3.8% of population
  total: 9% of population
  unimproved:
  urban: 67.1% of population
  rural: 96.2% of population
  total: 91% of population (2012 est.)
  HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
  0.4% (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 78
  HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
  40,500 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 60
  HIV/AIDS - deaths:
  2,900 (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 47
  Major infectious diseases:
  degree of risk: very high
  food or waterborne diseases: bacterial and protozoal diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever
  vectorborne diseases: malaria and dengue fever
  water contact disease: schistosomiasis
  respiratory disease: meningococcal meningitis
  animal contact disease: rabies
  note: highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza has been identified in this country; it poses a negligible risk with extremely rare cases possible among US citizens who have close contact with birds (2013)
  Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
  2.4% (2008)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
  37.9% (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 4
  Education expenditures:
  4.2% of GDP (2011)
  country comparison to the world: 101
  Literacy:
  definition: age 15 and over can read and write
  total population: 15.5%
  male: 23.2%
  female: 8.9% (2012 est.)
  School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
  total: 5 years
  male: 6 years
  female: 5 years (2012)
  Child labor - children ages 5-14:
  total number: 1,557,913
  percentage: 43% (2006 est.)

- ## Government :: NIGER

- Country name:
  conventional long form: Republic of Niger
  conventional short form: Niger
  local long form: Republique du Niger
  local short form: Niger
  Government type:
  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)
  Administrative divisions:
  8 regions (regions, singular - region) includes 1 capital district* (communite urbaine); Agadez, Diffa, Dosso, Maradi, Niamey*, Tahoua, Tillaberi, Zinder
  Independence:
  3 August 1960 (from France)
  National holiday:
  Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960
  Constitution:
  several previous; passed by referendum 31 October 2010, entered into force 25 November 2010 (2014)
  Legal system:
  mixed legal system of civil law (based on French civil law), Islamic law, and customary law
  International law organization participation:
  has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
  Suffrage:
  18 years of age; universal
  Executive branch:
  hief of state: President ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (since 7 April 2011)
  head of government: Prime Minister Brigi RAFINI (since 7 April 2011); appointed by the president and shares some executive responsibilities with the president
  cabinet: 37-member Cabinet appointed by the president; note - in August 2013, the president authorized a cabinet reshuffle and increased its membership to 37 from 26 in order to create a government of national unity
  elections: president elected by popular vote for a five-year term (eligible for a second term); candidate must receive a majority of the votes to be elected president; a presidential election to restore civilian rule was held on 31 January 2011 with a runoff election on 12 March 2011 between ISSOUFOU Mahamadou (PNDS-Tarayya) and Seini OUMAROU (MNSD-Nassara)
  election results: ISSOUFOU Mahamadou elected president; percent of vote - ISSOUFOU Mahamadou 58%, Seini OUMAROU 42%
  Legislative branch:
  description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (113 seats; 105 members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 8 directly elected in special single-seat constituencies for minorities by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)
  elections: last held on 31 January 2011 (next to be held in 2016)
  election results: percent of vote by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 33%, MNSD-Nassara 21%, MODEN/FA-Lumana 20%, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 7.5%, RDP-Jama'a 6.5%, UDR-Tabbat 5.4%, CDS-Rahama 3.3%, UNI 1%; seats by party - PNDS-Tarrayya 37, MNSD-Nassara 26, MODEN/FA-Lumana 25, ANDP-Zaman Lahiya 8, RDP-Jama'a 7, UDR-Tabbat 6, CDS-Rahama 3, UNI 1
  Judicial branch:
  highest court(s): Constitutional Court (consists of 7 judges); High Court of Justice (consists of 7 members)
  judge selection and term of office: 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; High Judicial Court members selected from among the legislature and judiciary; members serve 5-year terms
  subordinate courts: Court of Cassation; Council of State; Court of Finances; various specialized tribunals and customary courts
  Political parties and leaders:
  Democratic and Social Convention-Rahama or CDS-Rahama [Mahamane OUSMANE]
  National Movement for a Society of Development-Nassara or MNSD-Nassara [Seini OUMAROU]
  National Union of Independents or UNI [Amadou DJIBO ALI]
  Nigerien Alliance for Democracy and Progress-Zaman Lahiya or ANDP-Zaman Lahiya [Moussa Moumouni DJERMAKOYE]
  Nigerien Democratic Movement for an African Federation or MODEN/FA Lumana [Hama AMADOU]
  Nigerien Party for Democracy and Socialism or PNDS-Tarrayya [Mohamed BAZOUM]
  Rally for Democracy and Progress-Jama'a or RDP-Jama'a [Hamid ALGABID]
  Social and Democratic Rally or RSD-Gaskiyya [Cheiffou AMADOU]
  Union for Democracy and the Republic-Tabbat or UDR-Tabbat [Amadou Boubacar CISSE]
  note: the SPLM and SPLM-DC are banned political parties
  International organization participation:
  ACP, AfDB, AU, CD, ECOWAS, 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), MIGA, MINUSMA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNMIL, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
  Diplomatic representation in the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Hassana ALIDOU (since 23 February 2015)
  chancery: 2204 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
  telephone: [1] (202) 483-4224 through 4227
  FAX: [1] (202) 483-3169
  Diplomatic representation from the US:
  chief of mission: Ambassador Eunice S. REDDICK (since 12 September 2014)
  embassy: BP 11201, Rue Des Ambassades, Niamey
  mailing address: 2420 Niamey Pl, Washington DC 20521-2420
  telephone: [227] 20-73-31-69 or [227] 20-72-39-41
  FAX: [227] 20-73-55-60
  Flag description:
  three equal horizontal bands of orange (top), white, and green with a small orange disk centered in the white band; the orange band denotes the drier northern regions of the Sahara; white stands for purity and innocence; green symbolizes hope and the fertile and productive southern and western areas, as well as the Niger River; the orange disc represents the sun and the sacrifices made by the people
  note: similar to the flag of India, which has a blue spoked wheel centered in the white band
  National symbol(s):
  zebu; national colors: orange, white, green
  National anthem:
  name: "La Nigerienne" (The Nigerien)
  lyrics/music: Maurice Albert THIRIET/Robert JACQUET and Nicolas Abel Francois FRIONNET
  note: adopted 1961

- ## Economy :: NIGER

- Economy - overview:
  Niger is a landlocked, sub-Saharan nation, whose economy centers on subsistence crops, livestock, and some of the world's largest uranium deposits. Agriculture contributes nearly 40% of GDP and provides livelihood for most of the population. The UN ranked Niger as the least developed country in the world in 2014 due to multiple factors such as food insecurity, lack of industry, high population growth, a weak educational sector, and few prospects for work outside of subsistence farming and herding.. Since 2011 public debt has increased in part from a large loan financing a new uranium mine. The government relies on foreign donor resources for a large portion of its fiscal budget. The economy in recent years has been hurt by terrorist activity and kidnappings near its uranium mines and instability in Mali, and concerns about security have boosted fiscal spending on defense. Future growth may be sustained by exploitation of oil, gold, coal, and other mineral resources. Niger has sizable reserves of oil and oil production. Food insecurity and drought remain perennial problems for Niger, and the government plans to invest more in the agriculture sector, most notably irrigation. The mining sector may be affected by the government’s attempt to renegotiate extraction rights contracts to increase royalty rates and reduce tax exemptions. Despite Niger’s three-year $121 million IMF Extended Credit Facility agreement for years 2012-2015, formal private sector investment needed for economic diversification and growth remains a challenge, given the country’s limited domestic markets, access to credit, and competitiveness.
  GDP (purchasing power parity):
  $17.67 billion (2014 est.)
  $16.61 billion (2013 est.)
  $15.96 billion (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2014 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 147
  GDP (official exchange rate):
  $8.29 billion (2014 est.)
  GDP - real growth rate:
  6.3% (2014 est.)
  4.1% (2013 est.)
  11.1% (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 28
  GDP - per capita (PPP):
  $1,000 (2014 est.)
  $1,000 (2013 est.)
  $1,000 (2012 est.)
  note: data are in 2013 US dollars
  country comparison to the world: 223
  Gross national saving:
  21.7% of GDP (2014 est.)
  16.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
  22% of GDP (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 65
  GDP - composition, by end use:
  household consumption: 71%
  government consumption: 10.9%
  investment in fixed capital: 29.7%
  investment in inventories: 6.3%
  exports of goods and services: 22.7%
  imports of goods and services: -40.6%
  (2014 est.)
  GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
  agriculture: 37.7%
  industry: 18.6%
  services: 43.7% (2014 est.)
  Agriculture - products:
  cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (manioc, tapioca), rice; cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses, poultry
  Industries:
  uranium mining, petroleum, cement, brick, soap, textiles, food processing, chemicals, slaughterhouses
  Industrial production growth rate:
  6.5% (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 34
  Labor force:
  5.8 million (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 69
  Labor force - by occupation:
  agriculture: 90%
  industry: 6%
  services: 4% (1995)
  Unemployment rate:
  NA% (2013 est.)
  5.1% (2012 est.)
  Population below poverty line:
  63% (1993 est.)
  Household income or consumption by percentage share:
  lowest 10%: 3.7%
  highest 10%: 28.5% (2007)
  Distribution of family income - Gini index:
  34 (2007)
  50.5 (1995)
  country comparison to the world: 97
  Budget:
  revenues: $1.761 billion
  expenditures: $2.807 billion (2014 est.)
  Taxes and other revenues:
  21.2% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
  -12.6% of GDP (2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 208
  Fiscal year:
  calendar year
  Inflation rate (consumer prices):
  -0.2% (2014 est.)
  2.3% (2013 est.)
  Central bank discount rate:
  4.25% (31 December 2009)
  4.75% (31 December 2008)
  country comparison to the world: 93
  Commercial bank prime lending rate:
  3.5% (31 December 2014 est.)
  3.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 166
  Stock of narrow money:
  $1.534 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.486 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Stock of broad money:
  $1.901 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $1.851 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 156
  Stock of domestic credit:
  $945.5 million (31 December 2014 est.)
  $911 million (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 158
  Market value of publicly traded shares:
  $NA
  Current account balance:
  -$1.372 billion (2014 est.)
  -$1.174 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 130
  Exports:
  $1.652 billion (2014 est.)
  $1.56 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Exports - commodities:
  uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas, onions
  Exports - partners:
  Nigeria 54.2%, South Korea 26.2%, Ghana 6.7% (2013)
  Imports:
  $2.269 billion (2014 est.)
  $2.092 billion (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 159
  Imports - commodities:
  foodstuffs, machinery, vehicles and parts, petroleum, cereals
  Imports - partners:
  France 13.6%, China 11.6%, Nigeria 9.1%, French Polynesia 8.6%, Belgium 5.6%, India 5.3%, Togo 4.8%, Cote dIvoire 4.1% (2013)
  Debt - external:
  $2.851 billion (31 December 2014 est.)
  $2.313 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 142
  Exchange rates:
  Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
  491.2 (2014 est.)
  494.04 (2013 est.)
  510.53 (2012 est.)
  471.87 (2011 est.)
  495.28 (2010)

- ## Energy :: NIGER

- Electricity - production:
  300 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 179
  Electricity - consumption:
  879 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 157
  Electricity - exports:
  0 kWh (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 177
  Electricity - imports:
  600 million kWh (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 77
  Electricity - installed generating capacity:
  134,000 kW (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 169
  Electricity - from fossil fuels:
  100% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 26
  Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 189
  Electricity - from other renewable sources:
  0% of total installed capacity (2011 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 209
  Crude oil - production:
  20,000 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 75
  Crude oil - proved reserves:
  150 million bbl (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 66
  Refined petroleum products - production:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 180
  Refined petroleum products - consumption:
  5,770 bbl/day (2013 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 164
  Refined petroleum products - exports:
  0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 203
  Refined petroleum products - imports:
  5,136 bbl/day (2010 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 150
  Natural gas - production:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 173
  Natural gas - consumption:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 178
  Natural gas - exports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 152
  Natural gas - imports:
  0 cu m (2012 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 106
  Natural gas - proved reserves:
  0 cu m (1 January 2014 est.)
  country comparison to the world: 176
  Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
  1.411 million Mt (2012 est.)

- ## Communications :: NIGER

- Telephones - main lines in use:
  100,500 (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 144
  Telephones - mobile cellular:
  5.4 million (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 107
  Telephone system:
  general assessment: inadequate; small system of wire, radio telephone communications, and microwave radio relay links concentrated in southwestern Niger
  domestic: combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity remains only about 30 per 100 persons despite a rapidly increasing cellular subscribership base; domestic satellite system with 3 earth stations and 1 planned
  international: country code - 227; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (1 Atlantic Ocean and 1 Indian Ocean) (2010)
  Broadcast media:
  state-run TV station; 3 private TV stations provide a mix of local and foreign programming; state-run radio has only radio station with national coverage; about 30 private radio stations operate locally; as many as 100 community radio stations broadcast; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)
  Radio broadcast stations:
  AM 5, FM 6, shortwave 4 (2001)
  Television broadcast stations:
  5 (2007)
  Internet country code:
  .ne
  Internet hosts:
  454 (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 185
  Internet users:
  115,900 (2009)
  country comparison to the world: 151

- ## Transportation :: NIGER

- Airports:
  30 (2013)
  country comparison to the world: 115
  Airports - with paved runways:
  total: 10
  2,438 to 3,047 m: 3
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 6
  914 to 1,523 m: 1 (2013)
  Airports - with unpaved runways:
  total: 20
  1,524 to 2,437 m: 3
  914 to 1,523 m: 15
  under 914 m:
  2 (2013)
  Heliports:
  1 (2013)
  Roadways:
  total: 18,949 km
  paved: 3,912 km
  unpaved: 15,037 km (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 114
  Waterways:
  300 km (the Niger, the only major river, is navigable to Gaya between September and March) (2012)
  country comparison to the world: 93

- ## Military :: NIGER

- Military branches:
  Nigerien Armed Forces (Forces Armees Nigeriennes, FAN): Army, Nigerien Air Force (Force Aerienne du Niger) (2012)
  Military service age and obligation:
  18 is the presumed legal minimum age for compulsory or voluntary military service; enlistees must be Nigerien citizens and unmarried; 2-year service term; women may serve in health care (2012)
  Manpower available for military service:
  males age 16-49: 3,329,184
  females age 16-49: 3,267,669 (2010 est.)
  Manpower fit for military service:
  males age 16-49: 2,194,570
  females age 16-49: 2,219,416 (2010 est.)
  Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually:
  male: 186,348
  female: 180,779 (2010 est.)
  Military expenditures:
  1.06% of GDP (2012)
  NA% (2011)
  1.06% of GDP (2010)
  country comparison to the world: 95

- ## Transnational Issues :: NIGER

- Disputes - international:
  Libya claims about 25,000 sq km in a currently dormant dispute in the Tommo region; location of Benin-Niger-Nigeria tripoint is unresolved; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty that also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries; the dispute with Burkina Faso was referred to the ICJ in 2010
  Refugees and internally displaced persons:
  refugees (country of origin): 105,000 (Nigeria) (2014); 49,488 (Mali) (2015)
  IDPs: undetermined (unknown how many of the 11,000 people displaced by clashes between government forces and the Tuareg militant group, Niger Movement for Justice, in 2007 are still displaced; inter-communal violence) (2013)