Country Profile: Mali

Mali, located in interior Western Africa, is a landlocked nation characterized by predominantly arid and subtropical climates, vast savannas, and rolling plains. The population, estimated at over 22 million, is diverse, featuring multiple ethnic groups, with notable influences from its historic Mali Empire. The economy is primarily low-income and dependent on agriculture and gold exports, heavily impacted by political instability and terrorism that hamper growth. Governance is marked by recent military transitions, with ongoing challenges to establishing a stable democratic process.

Geography

Mali is situated in western Africa, bordered by Algeria to the north and several West African nations including Burkina Faso and Guinea to the south. The country is predominantly flat with rolling plains, and its climate ranges from subtropical to arid, featuring a distinct dry season.

Total area: 1,240,192 sq km, slightly less than twice the size of Texas.
Land boundaries: 7,908 km shared with Algeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Guinea, Mauritania, Niger, and Senegal.
Major rivers: The Niger River at 4,200 km and the Senegal River at 1,641 km are the primary waterways.

People and Society

Mali's population is around 22.6 million (2025 est.), with a youthful demographic; nearly half are under the age of 15. The society is comprised of diverse ethnic groups, with the Bambara being the largest. Predominantly Muslim, the country also recognizes multiple languages apart from its official language, French.

Major ethnic groups: Bambara 33.3%, Fulani 13.3%, Sarakole 9.8%, among others.
Urbanization rate: 46.2% of the population lives in urban areas (2023).
Literacy rate: Approximately 35.5% of the total population is literate (2018).

Economy

Mali's economy is classified as low-income, heavily reliant on agriculture and gold mining, facing challenges including political instability and high public debt. The country is experiencing a gradual recovery from recession due to COVID-19.

GDP (PPP): Estimated at $71.253 billion for 2024.
Unemployment rate: Approximately 3.1% in 2024.
Main exports: Gold, cotton, and oil seeds amounted to $6.13 billion (2023).

Government

Mali is a semi-presidential republic, currently navigating a period of political transition following military coups. The government structure includes a president and a council of ministers, with recent constitutional changes reinforcing military oversight.

Capital: Bamako, which serves as the political and administrative center.
Latest constitution approved: June 2023, which expanded the junta's powers.
Suffrage: Universal at age 18.

Military and Security

Mali's military comprises the Army, Air Force, National Guard, and Gendarmerie, with significant involvement in domestic security due to ongoing insurgencies and terrorist threats.

Military expenditures: Projected at 4.3% of GDP in 2024.
Active personnel: Estimated between 35,000-40,000.
Main threats: Insurgent groups linked to al-Qaida and ISIS are prevalent.

Energy

Energy access is limited, with a noticeable disparity between urban and rural areas. While the country has recently expanded its electricity generation capacity, dependency on fossil fuels remains high.

Electrification rate: Approximately 53% of the total population (2022).
Installed generating capacity: 1.222 million kW (2023).
Energy consumption per capita: 4.307 million Btu/person (2023).

Environment

Mali faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, desertification, and inadequate water supplies. The climate is characterized by distinct wet and dry seasons.

Main environmental issues: Deforestation and soil erosion.
Water resources: Total renewable water resources estimated at 120 billion cubic meters (2022).
Municipal solid waste: Generated approximately 1.937 million tons annually (2024).

Transportation

Mali's transportation network is limited, with a few airports and a railway system primarily for freight.

Total airports: 30 (2025).
Railway length: Total of 593 km, all narrow gauge (2014).

Communications

Mali is gradually improving its telecommunications infrastructure, though fixed line subscriptions remain minimal compared to mobile usage.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: Approximately 25.9 million (2022).
Internet users: About 35% of the population (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	22,634,423 (2025 est.)
Area	1,240,192 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$71.253 billion (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	3.1% (2024 est.)
Energy consumption per capita	4.307 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth rate	39.44 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Life expectancy	63.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	46.2% of total population (2023)
Literacy rate	35.5% (2018 est.)
Military expenditure	4.3% of GDP (2024 est.)