Niger

At a glance Land People Economy Achievements and challenges Links with Australia   Country at a glance Did you know? Slavery did not become illegal in Niger until May 2004 and, despite this, many slaves are still owned by nomadic groups in the north. Region West Africa Population 15,878,271 (July 2010 estimate) Land Geography: Desert plains with hills in the north Climate: Hot, dry and dusty desert conditions, tropical climate in the far south People Religion: Muslim, 80%; other (indigenous beliefs and Christian), 20% Language: French (official), Hausa, Djerma Economy GDP per person: (PPP): US$700 GDP by sector: Agriculture 39% Industry 17% Services 44% (2001) : Government Republic Land Physical geography Niger is a land-locked country which has borders with seven other countries. With an area of 1,267,000 square kilometres, it is larger than South Australia (983,482 square kilometres) and smaller than Queensland (1,730,648 square kilometres). The Hamada Manguene Highlands dominate the country in the north-east and the Massif de l'Air rises in the centre. To the east and west of the central massif are Saharan desert plains. Sand or thin, sandy soil covers much of west, north and central Niger, but around the Niger River basin in the west, and in the south-east corner near Lake Chad, soils are rich and fertile. Niger 's highest peak is Mt Bagzane (2,022 metres) in the centre of the country. Climate The dry and dusty Harmattan wind from the Sahara blows in the north, where desert conditions prevail and where temperatures can rise to more than 45°C during May. Annual rainfall there can be as little as 2 millimetres per year, with rain often evaporating before it hits the ground. Although the central area of the country is still dry it can receive up to 25 millimetres. The annual rainy season occurs between May and September, but rainfall patterns and amounts differ from year to year, causing problems for agriculture. In the capital, Niamey, in the Niger River basin, the daily temperature fluctuates between 31°C (August) and 41°C (April). Environment Much of Niger is already desert but deforestation, overgrazing and recurring drought are leading to the southwards creep of the desert, and threatening to cover what small amounts of productive land exist. Wildlife populations are threatened by both poaching for ‘bush food' and destruction of their habitats. Threatened species include the addax, cheetah and dama gazelle. The Sahara oryx has become extinct in the wild. People Approximately 75% of the population lives near the southern border. About 16% of the population lives in cities, the capital Niamey (707,951), Zinder (170,575), Maradi (148,017) which are concentrated in the south of the country. About 25% of the total population live traditional nomadic lives in the dry north. People Culture and identity The culture of Niger is made up of regional groups each with their own culture and distinctive traditional architecture, handicrafts, dances, and music. These ethnic groups are the Hausa 56%, Djerma 21%, Tuareg 9%, Peuhl 8.5%, Kanouri Manga 4.7% and other 1.2% (2001 census). The harsh desert, French colonialism and Islamic religion have influenced language, practices and values. The Hausa live in the central and southern areas of Niger where they are known for their skills in farming (growing millet and peanuts) and working with leather and textiles. The Tuareg come from a warrior background and now herd camels, goats, sheep and cattle. Their nomadic lifestyle is under threat from persistent drought and the loss of grazing land. The Fula, who are spread throughout west Africa, are also herders who have a rich musical culture of song with drums, hoddu (a plucked skin-covered lute similar to a banjo) and riiti (a one-string bowed instrument similar to a violin). Health Life expectancy in Niger is 53 years and the infant mortality rate is 114.5 deaths for every 1,000 live births. Only 32% of the population lives within one hour's travel of medical care, although there are mobile medical units serving remote areas. Less than half the people have access to clean drinking water and only 13% have access to sanitation which contributes to the spread of diseases, diarrhoea, hepatitis A, typhoid, cholera and meningitis. Malaria is also a leading cause of death, with 850,000 new cases a year and only 15% of those affected seek care. Food shortages mean that many people (especially young children) suffer from hunger and malnutrition. Around 0.8% of the population or 60,000 people are living with HIV. Religion and beliefs Over 80% of the population are Muslim, most of them Sunnis. Islamic celebrations take place at the end of Ramadan, the Feast of the Sacrifice, the Birthday of the Prophet, the Muslim New Year and Independence Day. Christians account for less than 5% of the population, and the remaining percentage is made up of people who practise traditional, indigenous religions. The Niger government is committed to allowing religious freedom. Food and shelter Rice is a staple food and is served with fish, chicken and other meats. Manioc (cassava) and beans also feature in the diet of the people of Niger. Among the northern nomadic groups, millet porridge is a staple food. There is a major shortage of arable land in Niger and less than 1000 square kilometres are irrigated. Recurring droughts lead to food insecurity even in years of average rainfall. Economy Wealth and poverty Niger is among the poorest of the world's countries, ranking lowest on the UN's human poverty index for developing countries. The GDP per capita is US$700 but there are differences between the richest 10% who share 35.4% of wealth while the poorest 10% share on 2.3%. Around two-thirds of the population lives below the poverty line. Nearly half of Niger 's annual budget comes from aid and donations. In December 2005 the International Monetary Fund (IMF) granted 100% multilateral debt relief to Niger, amounting to US$86 million. This means that Niger has reduced obligations to pay interest on debts and foreign loans. Education and work Schooling in Niger is free and compulsory between the ages of 7 and 12, but children spend an average of only 4 years at school, with only 38% of children completing primary school. Teacher shortages and the widely-spread population create accessibility problems for many children. Abdou Moumouni Dioffo University in Niamey is Niger’s only university. Only 28.7% of the total population is literate and there is a wide disparity between the literacy rates of males, 43%, and females, 15% (2005). The labour force is made up of 90% agriculture, 6% industry and 4% services. A quarter of the population aged between 10 and 14 and half of the population aged over 64 are active in the workforce. Industries and products Agricultural products include cowpeas, cotton, peanuts, millet, sorghum, cassava (tapioca) and rice; as well as cattle, sheep, goats, camels, donkeys, horses and poultry. Niger is the third-highest uranium producer in the world behind Canada and Australia. Other natural resources found in Niger include coal, iron ore, tin and gold, while exploration for oil in the Lake Chad area is ongoing. Niger 's industries include mining (uranium and coal), production of bricks, cement and chemicals, textile manufacture and food processing. Trade In 2006 Niger exported uranium ore, livestock, cowpeas and onions worth US$428 million. Its major trading partners were Japan (81%), Nigeria (8.5%), and France (3%). It imported foodstuffs, machinery, petroleum, cereals, vehicles and vehicle parts worth $800 million from France 17%, China 11%, Algeria 10%, Nigeria 7.5%, French Polynesia 7% and Belgium 4%. Niger has a growing trade relationship with China: China has strong uranium interests in the country and exports rice, textiles and telecommunication materials to Niger, and provides employment through development projects such as dam construction, telecommunication establishment and well drilling. Achievements and challenges Niger experiences many natural disasters. Frequent droughts have led to long-term food-supply crises. Large population growth and desertification have also placed pressure on the country’s food supply and economy. The IMF’s debt relief freed up funds for improved healthcare and primary education, HIV/AIDS prevention programs, rural infrastructure projects and other poverty reduction strategies. After ten years of political stability President Mamadou Tandjaa was ousted in military coup in February 2010 when he sought changes to the country’s constitution to extend his presidential term. While fresh elections have been promised a time frame for this has not been established by the interim government. Links with Australia In 2009 Australia established diplomatic relations with Niger. In recent years Australia has provided aid for Niger through international agencies to respond to the global food crisis in 2008, achieve universal primary education, assist climate change adaptation and to support mining capacity development. Main sources: https://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/index.html http://hdr.undp.org/ http://www.ausaid.gov.au

The family arrives for a baptism celebration at this small settlement in the north of Niger . © World Vision