The largest ethnic groups in Niger are the Hausa, who also constitute the major ethnic group in northern Nigeria, and the Zarma Songhay (also spelled Djerma-Songhai), who also are found in parts of Mali. Both groups are sedentary farmers who live in the arable, southern tier. The remainder of the Nigerien people are nomadic or seminomadic livestock-raising peoples--Tuareg, Fulani, Kanouri, Toubou and Diffa Arabs. With rapidly growing populations and the consequent competition for meager natural resources, lifestyles of these two types of peoples have come increasingly into conflict in Niger in recent years.
Niger's high infant mortality rate is comparable to levels recorded in neighboring countries. However, the child mortality rate (deaths among children between the ages of 1 and 4) is exceptionally high (274 per 1,000) due to generally poor health conditions and inadequate nutrition for most of the country's children. Niger's very high fertility rate (7.4), nonetheless, means that nearly half (49%) of the Nigerien population is under age 15. School attendance is very low (34%), including 38% of males and only 27% of females. Additional education occurs through Koranic schools.
| World Health Organisation 2007 statistics: Core Health Indicators for Niger[1] | ||
|---|---|---|
| Indicator | Value | (year) |
| Life expectancy at birth (years) males | 42.0 | (2005) |
| Life expectancy at birth (years) females | 41.0 | (2005) |
| Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth (years) males | 36.0 | (2002) |
| Healthy life expectancy (HALE) at birth (years) females | 35.0 | (2002) |
| Probability of dying (per 1 000 population) between 15 and 60 years (adult mortality rate) males | 502 | (2005) |
| Probability of dying (per 1 000 population) between 15 and 60 years (adult mortality rate) females | 478 | (2005) |
| Total expenditure on health as percentage of gross domestic product | 4.2 | (2004) |
| Per capita total expenditure on health at international dollar rate | 25.9 | (2004) |
| Population (in thousands) total | 13957 | (2005) |
Contents |
10,075,511 (July 2000 est.) The population is projected to double by 2026.
0-19 years: 57.4% (male 3,561,300; female 3,413,841)
20-64 years: 40.3% (male 2,516,092; female 2,378,398)
65 years and over: 2% (male 121,570; female 109,725) (2000 est.)
2.898% (2007 est.)
50.16 births/1,000 population (2007 est.)
20.51 deaths/1,000 population (2007 est.)
-0.58 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2007 est.)
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years: 1.04 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 1.11 male(s)/female
total population: 1 male(s)/female (2000 est.)
124.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2000 est.)
total population: 41.27 years
male: 41.43 years
female: 41.11 years (2000 est.)
7.61 children born/woman (2000 est.)
noun: Nigerien(s)
adjective: Nigerien
Hausa 56%, Djerma 22%, Tuareg 8.5%, Fulani 8%, Beri (Kanouri) 4.3%, Arab, Toubou, and Gourmantche 1.2%, about 10,000 French expatriates
Muslim 80%, remainder indigenous beliefs and Christians (see Religion in Niger)
French (official), Hausa, Djerma, Tamajaq, Fulfulde.
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