Country Profile: Mali

Mali is a landlocked country in West Africa, characterized by a predominantly flat terrain that transitions from the savanna in the south to arid desert regions in the north. With a population of approximately 22.6 million people, the nation grapples with issues such as poverty and governance challenges stemming from military rule and ethnic conflicts. Economically, Mali relies heavily on agriculture and is one of the largest gold producers in Africa, though it also faces significant security threats from terrorism and political instability.

Geography

Mali is located in interior Western Africa, bordered by Algeria to the north and Guinea, Côte d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso to the south. The country's total area covers approximately 1,240,192 sq km, making it slightly less than twice the size of Texas. Its diverse terrain includes the arid Sahara in the north, semiarid Sahel in the center, and more fertile areas in the southern region, which supports the bulk of the population.

7,908 km of land boundaries shared with 7 countries.
20,002 sq km of water area.
3 natural zones: cultivated Sudanese, semiarid Sahelian, and arid Saharan.
Hombori Tondo, the highest point, rises to 1,155 m.
Recurring droughts and occasional Niger River flooding are common natural hazards.

People and Society

The population of Mali is estimated to be around 22 million people, with a significant youth demographic, where approximately 46.8% are under 15 years old. Ethnically, Mali is diverse, with the Bambara people making up over a third of the population. The official language is Bambara, while French is widely spoken, reflecting the country’s colonial past. Islam is the predominant religion, practiced by about 93.9% of the population.

Median age: 16.5 years (2025 est.).
Population growth rate: 2.88% (2025 est.).
46.2% of the population is urban (2023).
Life expectancy: 63.2 years (2024).
Literacy rate: 35.5% (2018).

Economy

Mali's economy is classified as low-income and is highly dependent on agriculture and mining, particularly gold. The country experienced a recession due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing political instability, which has severely affected economic conditions. Despite these challenges, Mali’s real GDP growth rate has been projected at 5% for 2024.

GDP (PPP): $71.253 billion (2024 est.).
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (2024 est.).
Exports: $6.13 billion (2023 est.).
Imports: $8.066 billion (2023 est.).
44.6% of the population lives below the poverty line (2021 est.).

Government

Mali is a semi-presidential republic, experiencing significant political turmoil in recent years, including multiple military coups. The current transition government was established following the coup in 2020, with Assimi GOITA serving as transition president. Mali's legal system is based on civil law influenced by customary law, with the latest constitution approved in 2023.

Capital: Bamako.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.
Transitional National Council: 147 members, all appointed.
Dual citizenship is recognized.
Independence: Gained from France on 22 September 1960.

Military and Security

Mali's military, known as the Malian Armed Forces, faces the ongoing challenge of internal security threats from various insurgent and terrorist groups. Military expenditures are significant, amounting to 4.3% of GDP in 2024, as the country continues to face substantial security issues related to terrorism and insurgency.

Estimated 35-40,000 active personnel (2025).
Military service age: 18 years for both men and women.
FAMa is engaged in operations against groups affiliated with al-Qa'ida and ISIS.
Military coups have dramatically influenced Mali's governance since 1960.
Significant reliance on external military support due to domestic security challenges.

Energy

Mali's electrification rate is notably low, with 53% of the total population having access to electricity. The economy has a growing interest in renewable energy, especially hydropower.

Installed electricity generating capacity: 1.222 million kW (2023 est.).
Electricity consumption: 4.261 billion kWh (2023 est.).
Electricity access: 18.3% in rural areas vs. 99.7% in urban areas.
Fossil fuels constitute 57.3% of total installed capacity.
Solar energy accounts for 3.5%.

Environment

Mali faces significant environmental challenges, including deforestation, soil erosion, and inadequate water supply. The country is a party to various international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

35.5% of land is used for agriculture (2023).
Urban population as a percentage of total population: 46.2% (2023).
Total water withdrawal for agricultural use: 5.075 billion cubic meters (2022).
Particulate matter emissions: 48.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019).
Annual waste generation: 1.937 million tons (2024 est.).

Transportation

Mali's transportation infrastructure is limited, with a few key airports and railways. The country has a total of 30 airports and 593 km of railways.

Airports: Total of 30 as of 2025.
Heliports: 4 as of 2025.
Railways: 593 km of narrow gauge.

Communications

Communications infrastructure is developing, with a notable increase in mobile cellular subscriptions. About 35% of the population uses the Internet, reflecting a growing digital landscape.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 25.9 million (2022).
Fixed telephone lines: 307,000 (2022).
Internet users: 35% of the population (2023).
Broadband subscriptions: 179,000 (2022).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	22,634,423 (2025 est.)	Total estimated population
Area	1,240,192 sq km	Total area
GDP (PPP)	$71.253 billion (2024 est.)	Real GDP at purchasing power parity
Unemployment Rate	3.1% (2024 est.)	Percentage of labor force seeking employment
Birth Rate	39.44 births/1,000 people (2025 est.)	Birth rate per 1,000 population
Life Expectancy	63.2 years (2024 est.)	Average life expectancy at birth
Energy Consumption	4.307 million Btu/person (2023 est.)	Total energy consumption per capita
Literacy Rate	35.5% (2018 est.)	Total population literacy rate
Urbanization Rate	46.2% (2023)	Percentage of population living in urban areas
Total Fertility Rate	5.26 children born/woman (2025 est.)	Average number of children per woman