Country Profile: Mali

Mali is a landlocked country located in interior Western Africa, characterized by a diverse geography that includes the arid Saharan north and the more fertile southern regions. With a population of approximately 21.99 million as of 2024, Mali is home to various ethnic groups, predominantly the Bambara. The economy is primarily based on agriculture and gold mining, facing challenges such as political instability and high poverty rates. Mali operates as a semi-presidential republic, with ongoing issues related to governance, security, and insurgency.

Geography

Mali has a total area of 1,240,192 sq km, making it slightly less than twice the size of Texas. It is landlocked and shares borders with seven countries, including Algeria and Niger. The climate ranges from subtropical to arid, with three natural zones: the cultivated Sudanese in the south, the semiarid Sahelian in the center, and the arid Saharan in the north.

Elevation: Highest point at 1,155 m (Hombori Tondo).
Natural resources: Includes gold, phosphates, and uranium.
Natural hazards: Subject to droughts and flooding from the Niger River.

People and Society

The estimated population of Mali is 21,990,607 in 2024, with a median age of 16.4 years. Mali is characterized by a young demographic, with 46.8% of the population under the age of 15. The predominant religion is Islam, with 93.9% of the population identified as Muslim. The country features diverse ethnic groups, with the largest being the Bambara, comprising 33.3% of the population.

Urbanization: 46.2% live in urban areas (2023).
Literacy rate: Approximately 35% (2018).
Life expectancy: 63.2 years at birth (2024).

Economy

Mali's economy is classified as low-income, heavily reliant on agriculture (33.4%) and gold mining (22.7%). In 2024, the real GDP (PPP) is estimated at $71.253 billion, with a growth rate of 5%. However, the country faces economic challenges including high public debt and extreme poverty, with around 44.6% of the population living below the poverty line.

GDP per capita: $2,900 (2024).
Inflation rate: 3.2% (2024).
Unemployment rate: 3.1% (2024).

Government

Mali operates as a semi-presidential republic, currently led by Transition President Assimi GOITA since June 2021. The country has experienced significant political turmoil, including a military coup in 2020 and subsequent governance by a transitional government. The revised constitution was approved in June 2023, further extending the military junta's powers.

Capital: Bamako, coordinates 12 39 N, 8 00 W.
Administrative divisions: Comprises 19 regions and 1 district.
Suffrage: Universal at 18 years of age.

Military and Security

Mali's security situation is precarious, with the armed forces engaged in ongoing conflicts against various insurgent groups linked to terrorist organizations. The military expenditure represents 4.3% of GDP as of 2024, and the armed forces are estimated to have between 35,000-40,000 personnel.

Active military branches: Army, Air Force, National Guard.
Military service obligation: 24-month compulsory service for ages 18 and above.
Major threats: Insurgents affiliated with al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State.

Energy

Electricity access in Mali is limited, with only 53% of the population having access as of 2022. The installed electricity generation capacity is estimated at 1.222 million kW, with a significant portion derived from fossil fuels (57.3%).

Electricity consumption: 4.261 billion kWh (2023).
Rural electrification: Only 18.3% of rural areas have access to electricity.
Energy consumption per capita: 4.307 million Btu/person (2023).

Environment

Mali faces numerous environmental challenges, including deforestation and soil erosion. The country is vulnerable to climate change, impacting its agricultural land and water supplies.

Land use: 35.5% of land used for agriculture (2022).
Total renewable water resources: 120 billion cubic meters (2020).
Major environmental issues: Desertification and loss of pasture land.

Transportation

Mali has a modest transportation infrastructure, with 30 airports and extensive road networks. Railways total 593 km, primarily narrow gauge.

Airports: 30 projected by 2025.
Civil aircraft registration prefix: TZ, TT.
Heliports: 4 by 2025.

Communications

In 2022, Mali had 25.9 million mobile cellular subscriptions, indicating a mobile penetration rate of 114 per 100 inhabitants. The country also has a growing internet user base, with 35% of the population online as of 2023.

Fixed-line subscriptions: 307,000 (2022).
Broadband subscriptions: 179,000 (2022).
Internet country code: .ml.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	21,990,607 (2024 est.)
Area	1,240,192 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$71.253 billion (2024 est.)
GDP per capita	$2,900 (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	3.1% (2024 est.)
Birth rate	40 births/1,000 population	(2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	63.2 years (2024 est.)
Urban population	46.2% (2023)
Electricity access	53% (2022 est.)
Natural resources	Gold, phosphates, uranium