People & economy

Niger: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

The numbers behind a trip to Niger: who lives there, how the economy and prices compare, how many tourists visit, and what healthcare and internet access are like.

Jacques Taberlet derivative work: Lkcl it CC BY-SA 4.0 Wikimedia Commons

Population & Geography

Population
22,442,948
#57 of 197 countries
Area
1 km²
#248 of 248 countries
Density
22442948.0 / km²
#1 of 245 countries

Niger has a population of 22,442,948 spread across 1 km², giving it an average density of 22442948.0 people per km². This is a densely populated country where urban areas dominate the landscape.

Demographics

Median Age
15.3
Life Expectancy
60.9 yrs
Literacy Rate
35.6%
Government
formerly, semi-presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Niger is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 34% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here: accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$638
Cost of Living
34% of US
Inflation
3.7%
Inequality
32.9
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$1,800
Unemployment
0.4%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 9.4% of Niger's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$130,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
9.4%
Air Passengers
5,775
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available In Niger there are 0.04 doctors per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.04/1k
Hospital Beds
0.28/1k
Health Spend
$26/person
Infant Mortality
67.4/1k
Immunization
81%
Safe Drinking Water
53.4%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
16.3%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Niger, 23% of the population uses the internet, so connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 66 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
23.2%
Mobile Subs
66/100
Broadband
0.1/100
Electricity Access
20.1%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data