Language
French is the official language; Bambara is spoken by 80 percent of the population. Arabic and Tuareg are also spoken in the north.
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population

2009	13.0 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007	11.9 million	U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006	11.8 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2005	11.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2004	11.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2003	10.9 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2002	10.6 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2001	10.3 million	U.N. DESA (2006)
2000	10.0 million	U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
28.3 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
The Mande are the largest ethnic group. There are also Tuareg, Fulani Songhai, Dogon, Voltaic and other ethnicities.
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
Most practice Islam (90 percent), but 9 percent follow traditional African religions. There is a small Christian minority.
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population

2007	31.6 percent	U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006	31.0 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2005	30.5 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2004	29.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2003	29.4 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2002	28.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2001	28.4 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)
2000	27.9 percent	U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1956
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
56 (2007)
Source: UNESCO

Percentage of population under 15

2005	47.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	48.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	48.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	49.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	49.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	46.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Time zone
GMT

Climate description
Rainfall decreases northwards where it reaches the Sahara and is virtually non-existent. The rainy season runs in the south between May and September, and the dry season between November and March.

Currency
CFA Franc

Telephone dialling code
(+) 223

Driving (left/right)
Right

Average life expectancy

2005	53.1 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	48.1 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	47.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	48.6 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	48.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	51.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male

2005	50.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	47.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	47.2 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	47.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	47.8 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	50.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female

2005	55.3 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	48.7 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	48.5 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	49.0 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	48.9 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	52.4 years	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality

2007	117 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	119 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	120 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	121 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003	122 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	122 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	141 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	142 per 1,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five

2007	196 per 1,000 live births	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006	217 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005	218 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004	219 per 1,000 live births	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006

Births attended by skilled personnel

1997-2005	41 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004	41 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003	41 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	41 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001	24 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000	24 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality

2005	970 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000	1200 per 100,000 live births	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)

2005	173	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	175	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	174	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	174	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001	172	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	164	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)

2000-2007	32 percent	U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006	33 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005	33 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004	33 percent	UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003	33 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002	33 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2000	43 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population

2003-2005	11 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average	29 percent	U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average	28 percent	FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water

2006	60 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	50 percent	UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002	48 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000	65 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation

2006	45 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004	46 percent	UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002	45 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Literacy - average

2004	No data available percent
2003	19 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	No data available percent
2001	26.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	41.5 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male

2004	No data available percent
2003	26.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	No data available percent
2001	36.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	48.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female

2004	No data available percent
2003	11.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002	No data available percent
2001	16.6 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000	34.4 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones

2008	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	7 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	5 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers

2008	257 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	204 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	125 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	64 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	35 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	22 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	1 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Internet users

2008	10 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2007	8 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2006	6 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2005	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2004	4 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2003	3 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2002	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2001	2 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009
2000	1 per 1,000 people	ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)

2008	96 (joint)	Transparency International 2008
2007	118 (joint)	Transparency International 2007
2006	99 (joint)	Transparency International
2005	88 (joint)	Transparency International
2004	77 (joint)	Transparency International
2003	78 (joint)	Transparency International
2002	Not ranked
2001	Not ranked
2000	Not ranked

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
Yes (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day

1990-2005	36.1 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	72.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	72.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002	72.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001	72.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

GNI per capita, Atlas method

2007	500 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	460 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	450 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	390 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	320 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	250 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	250 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	260 current US$	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP

2007	6.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	5.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	5.3 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	4.9 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	4.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	3.3 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	2.6 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	2.4 current US$ billions	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth

2006	5.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005	6.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004	2.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003	7.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002	4.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001	12.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000	3.2 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation

2007	4.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006	4.1 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005	2.4 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004	-0.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003	1.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002	16.0 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001	-0.3 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000	5.6 percent	World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
2.4 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
30.2 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Physicians

2000-2004	8 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004	8 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003	4 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002	5 per 100,000 people	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)

2007	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003	1.5 percent	U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases

2007	319 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2006	316 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2005	313 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2004	311 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2003	308 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2002	305 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2001	303 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009
2000	300 per 100,000 people	WHO 2009

Number of refugees originating here

2008	1758	UNHCR
2007	994	UNHCR
2006	594	Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005	520	UNHCR
2004	483	UNHCR
2003	461	UNHCR
2002	531	UNHCR
2001	311	UNHCR
2000	364	UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here

2008	9578	UNHCR
2007	9203	UNHCR
2006	10585	UNHCR
2005	11233	UNHCR
2004	11256	UNHCR
2003	10009	UNHCR
2002	9095	UNHCR
2001	8439	UNHCR
2000	8412	UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate

No data available

Landmine casualties per year

2004	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003	0	Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997)
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military

2005	2.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004	1.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003	1.9 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Percentage of GDP spent on education

2002-2005	4.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004	No data available percent
1999-2001	2.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000	2.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health

2004	3.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004	2.8 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002	2.3 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001	1.7 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000	2.2 percent	UNDP - Human Development Report 2003