Updated
Overview
Niger has 11% more people than Mali: 27.92 million against 25.20 million (2025).
Mali's economy is about 40% larger than Niger's, at $30.07B versus $21.65B.
Per person, Mali is the wealthier of the two: $1,193 against $775 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Niger | Mali | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $21.65B | Higher: $30.07B | 2025 | $19.54B / $26.59B |
| GDP per capita | $775 | Higher: $1,193 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.0% | 5.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: -4.5% | 3.3% | 2025 | 9.1% / 3.2% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 0.4% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 36 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $120 | Higher: $176 | 2022 / 2024 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $69 | $66 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 27.92 million | 25.20 million | 2025 | 27.32 million / 22.63 million |
| Population growth | 3.2% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 15.6 yrs | 15.7 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 5.79 | 5.42 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 61.4 yrs | 60.7 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 18% | 32% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 16% | Higher: 37% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,267,000 km² | 1,240,192 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 22.0/km² | 20.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 3.17 Mt | 6.98 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 0.1 t | 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $435.88M | $929.28M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.2% | 4.2% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 10,000 | 41,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Niger is growing faster: 7.0% annual GDP growth versus 5.6%.
Mali runs the hotter price environment: 3.3% inflation versus -4.5%.
Average monthly earnings favour Mali: $176 against $120 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 15.6 (Niger) and 15.7 (Mali).
Mali is considerably more urbanized: 32% of people live in cities, against 18%.
Internet adoption is higher in Mali (37% vs 16% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Niger is almost exactly the same size as Mali: 1,267,000 km² versus 1,240,192 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Mali spends 2.1 times as much on defence as Niger: $929.28M versus $435.88M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Mali carries the heavier military burden: 4.2% of GDP versus 2.2%.
Mali fields the larger armed forces: 41,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Niger bigger than Mali?
- The two are almost exactly the same size. Niger covers 1,267,000 km² while Mali covers 1,240,192 km², a difference of under 2%.
- Which has more people, Niger or Mali?
- Niger has the larger population: 27.92 million versus 25.20 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Niger richer than Mali?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Mali is richer: $1,193 against $775. Total GDP tells the same story: $21.65B for Niger versus $30.07B for Mali.
- Who spends more on their military, Niger or Mali?
- Mali spends more: $929.28M versus $435.88M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).