Learn about Niger

Nigerien Facts

• Niger is immediately to the north of Nigeria with four-fifths of the terrain being consumed by the Sahara Desert.
• Being a land-locked country, the only water source is the Niger River, which flows through the South Western corner of the country.
• Niger is one of the least developed countries in the world, according to the United Nations Human Index (current rank is #167 http://hdr.undp.org/en/statistics/).
• The medium income is less than $200 per year, which is less than a dollar a day.
• The life expectancy is roughly 52 years.
• One in four children die before the age of 5.
• Nearly 65% of the people living in Niger have never been enrolled in school.
• The literacy rate is 28%.
• 80% of Nigeriens are Muslim, with less than half of 1% being Christian.

Famine in Niger

• A UN World Food Program (WFP) spokesman said villagers in Niger described the situation as worse than 2005, when thousands died of hunger.
• Half the population (about 7 million people) faces food insecurity.
• The WFP says 17% of children are acutely malnourished.
• 378,000 children face starvation over the next few months.
• Not only are many villagers going short of food, but their livestock - their only asset - have died off.
• Food prices rose by about 300% since the crisis began, making it difficult for Nigeriens to afford to buy the remaining food.