CapitalBamako
Population22,634,423
Area1,240,192 km²
GDP per capita$2,900
LanguagesBambara , French, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe/Fulani, Dogon, Maraka/Soninke, Malinke, Sonrhai/Djerma, Minianka, Tamacheq, Senoufo, Bobo, other, unspecified
CurrencyCommunaute Financiere Africaine francs
Life Expectancy63.2 yr
Governmentsemi-presidential republic
Introduction
Background
The contemporary nation of Mali derives its name from the Mali Empire, which governed the region from the 13th to the 16th centuries. At its zenith in the 14th century, it represented the most extensive and affluent empire in West Africa, encompassing an area approximately twice as large as that of present-day France. The empire primarily thrived on trade, amassing wealth through gold and overseeing numerous goldfields and trading routes across the Sahel. Additionally, Mali played a significant role in shaping West African culture by disseminating its language, laws, and customs; however, by the 16th century, it had fragmented into several smaller chiefdoms. The Songhai Empire, which was once a dependency of Mali centered in Timbuktu, rose to prominence during the 15th and 16th centuries. Under Songhai's governance, Timbuktu evolved into a major commercial hub, renowned for its scholarship and religious instruction. Today, Timbuktu continues to be a cultural center in West Africa. In the late 16th century, the Songhai Empire succumbed to Moroccan invaders and disintegrated into independent kingdoms and sultanates.
In the 1890s, France expanded from Senegal and took control of the region, incorporating it into French West Africa as French Sudan. The territory achieved independence from France in 1960, becoming the Mali Federation. Following Senegal's withdrawal after a brief period, the remaining territory was renamed the Republic of Mali. Mali experienced 31 years of dictatorship until 1991, when a military coup led by Amadou Toumani TOURE deposed the government, established a new constitution, and implemented a multi-party democracy. Alpha Oumar KONARE secured victory in Mali's first two democratic presidential elections in 1992 and 1997. In accordance with Mali's constitutional two-term limit, he stepped down in 2002, paving the way for Amadou Toumani TOURE, who won reelection in 2007.
In 2012, escalating ethnic tensions and an influx of fighters—some associated with Al-Qa’ida—from Libya triggered a rebellion and military coup. Following this coup, rebels ousted the military from the country's three northern regions, which enabled terrorist organizations to establish strongholds in the area. A French-led military intervention in 2013 allowed the Malian government to regain control of most of the north. Nevertheless, the government’s authority in the region remains tenuous, with local militias, insurgents, and terrorist groups vying for dominance. In 2015, a peace agreement was signed between the Malian Government and northern rebels, mediated internationally. Despite a target for implementation set for 2017, progress on the agreement has been minimal. Terrorist groups were excluded from the peace negotiations, and attacks by terrorists continue to be prevalent.
Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA emerged victorious in the Malian presidential elections of 2013 and 2018. Despite security and logistical deficiencies, international observers regarded these elections as credible. During KEITA’s second term, the country faced challenges from terrorism, banditry, ethnic violence, and extrajudicial military killings. In 2020, the military detained KEITA, his prime minister, and other high-ranking officials, establishing a military junta known as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP). The junta went on to create a transitional government, appointing Bah N’DAW, a retired army officer and former defense minister, as interim president and Colonel Assimi GOITA, the coup leader and chairman of the CNSP, as interim vice president. The charter of the transition government permitted it to govern for up to 18 months prior to convening a general election.
In 2021, GOITA orchestrated another military coup, detaining the interim president after a Cabinet reshuffle displaced GOITA’s key associates. GOITA was inaugurated as transition president, while Choguel Kokalla MAIGA became prime minister. In 2022, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) enforced sanctions against the transition government, and member states closed their borders with Mali after the transitional administration proposed a five-year extension for the electoral timetable. Eventually, the transition government and ECOWAS agreed on a revised two-year schedule, which would have included presidential elections in February 2024. However, in September 2023, the transition government indefinitely postponed the elections and withdrew from ECOWAS in January 2024.
Geography
Area
land
1,220,190 sq km
water
20,002 sq km
total
1,240,192 sq km
Climate
the climate ranges from subtropical to arid; characterized by hot and dry conditions from February to June; rainy, humid, and mild weather from June to November; followed by cool and dry periods from November to February
Terrain
the landscape consists primarily of flat to gently rolling northern plains covered with sand; the southern region features savanna, while the northeast is marked by rugged hills
Land use
other
55.8% (2023 est.)
forest
8.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
35.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 6.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 28.4% (2023 est.)
Location
located in the interior of Western Africa, situated southwest of Algeria, north of Guinea, Cote d'Ivoire, and Burkina Faso, and west of Niger
Coastline
0 km (landlocked)
Elevation
lowest point
Senegal River 23 m
highest point
Hombori Tondo 1,155 m
mean elevation
343 m
Irrigated land
3,780 sq km (2012)
Major aquifers
Lullemeden-Irhazer Basin, Taodeni-Tanezrouft Basin
Map references
Africa
Land boundaries
total
7,908 km
border countries
Algeria shares a border of 1,359 km; Burkina Faso 1,325 km; Cote d'Ivoire 599 km; Guinea 1,062 km; Mauritania 2,236 km; Niger 838 km; and Senegal 489 km
Maritime claims
none (landlocked)
Natural hazards
during the dry seasons, a hot, dust-filled harmattan haze is prevalent; the region experiences recurring droughts and occasional flooding of the Niger River
Geography - note
the country is landlocked and comprises three primary natural zones: the southern, cultivated Sudanese region; the central, semiarid Sahelian area; and the northern, arid Saharan zone
Natural resources
the country is rich in gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, and has hydropower potential
Area - comparative
the total area is slightly less than double that of Texas
Geographic coordinates
17 00 N, 4 00 W
Population distribution
the vast majority of the population resides in the southern half of the nation, with higher density concentrations along the border with Burkina Faso, as illustrated in this population distribution map
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s)
Lac Faguibine - 590 sq km
note - the lake relies solely on the Niger River for its water supply; it has been dry in recent years
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Atlantic Ocean drainage
Niger covers an area of 2,261,741 sq km, Senegal 456,397 sq km, and Volta 410,991 sq km
Major rivers (by length in km)
Niger (shared with Guinea [s], Niger, and Nigeria [m]) - 4,200 km; Senegal (shared with Guinea [s], Senegal, and Mauritania [m]) - 1,641 km
note: [s] denotes the river source after the country name; [m] indicates the river mouth after the country name
People & Society
Literacy
male
46.2% (2018 est.)
female
25.7% (2018 est.)
total population
35.5% (2018 est.)
Languages
Bambara (official), French 17.2%, Peuhl/Foulfoulbe/Fulani 9.4%, Dogon 7.2%, Maraka/Soninke 6.4%, Malinke 5.6%, Sonrhai/Djerma 5.6%, Minianka 4.3%, Tamacheq 3.5%, Senoufo 2.6%, Bobo 2.1%, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.7% (2009 est.)
Religions
Muslim 93.9%, Christian 2.8%, animist 0.7%, none 2.5% (estimate from 2018)
Sex ratio
at birth
1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years
1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years
0.89 male(s)/female
total population
0.95 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
65 years and over
0.97 male(s)/female
Birth rate
39.44 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Death rate
7.87 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Median age
male
15.7 years
total
16.5 years (2025 est.)
female
17.1 years
Population
male
10,999,331
total
22,634,423 (2025 est.)
female
11,635,092
Nationality
noun
Malian(s)
adjective
Malian
Tobacco use
male
13.1% (2025 est.)
total
6.9% (2025 est.)
female
0.6% (2025 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
46.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Age structure
0-14 years
46.8% (male 5,175,714/female 5,114,128)
15-64 years
50.1% (male 5,178,742/female 5,842,456)
65 years and over
3.1% (2024 est.) (male 334,299/female 345,268)
Ethnic groups
Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.)
Child marriage
men married by age 18
2.1% (2018)
women married by age 15
15.9% (2018)
women married by age 18
53.7% (2018)
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio
98.5 (2025 est.)
youth dependency ratio
92.3 (2025 est.)
potential support ratio
16.2 (2025 est.)
elderly dependency ratio
6.2 (2025 est.)
Physician density
0.19 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Health expenditure
Health expenditure (as % of GDP)
4.5% of GDP (2021)
Health expenditure (as % of national budget)
5.7% of national budget (2022 est.)
Net migration rate
-2.82 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Hospital bed density
0.2 beds/1,000 population (2018 est.)
Total fertility rate
5.26 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Drinking water source
improved: rural
rural: 74.4% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 83.6% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 94.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 25.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 16.4% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 5.3% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure
Education expenditure (% GDP)
4.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Education expenditure (% national budget)
17.8% national budget (2024 est.)
Infant mortality rate
male
62.6 deaths/1,000 live births
total
55.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)
female
52 deaths/1,000 live births
Population growth rate
2.88% (2025 est.)
Gross reproduction rate
2.59 (2025 est.)
Population distribution
A significant portion of the population resides in the southern region of the country, with higher density observed near the border with Burkina Faso, as illustrated in the population distribution map.
Life expectancy at birth
male
60.9 years
female
65.6 years
total population
63.2 years (2024 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
367 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved: rural
rural: 49.3% of population (2022 est.)
improved: total
total: 67.2% of population (2022 est.)
improved: urban
urban: 88.6% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: rural
rural: 50.7% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: total
total: 32.8% of population (2022 est.)
unimproved: urban
urban: 11.4% of population (2022 est.)
Alcohol consumption per capita
beer
0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine
0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
total
0.6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits
0.02 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols
0.49 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Major urban areas - population
2.929 million BAMAKO (capital) (2023)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate
8.6% (2016)
Mother's mean age at first birth
19.2 years (2018 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
79.2% (2018 est.)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
15% (2024 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
male
8 years (2017 est.)
total
7 years (2017 est.)
female
6 years (2017 est.)
Environment
Climate
ranging from subtropical to arid climates; characterized by hot and dry conditions from February to June; experiencing rainy, humid, and mild weather from June to November; and featuring cool and dry temperatures from November to February
Land use
other
55.8% (2023 est.)
forest
8.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land
35.5% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: arable land
arable land: 6.8% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent crops
permanent crops: 0.2% (2023 est.)
agricultural land: permanent pasture
permanent pasture: 28.4% (2023 est.)
Urbanization
urban population
46.2% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization
4.57% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually
1.937 million tons (2024 est.)
percent of municipal solid waste recycled
10.4% (2022 est.)
Environmental issues
deforestation; erosion of soil; desertification; reduction of pasture land; insufficient availability of drinking water
Total water withdrawal
municipal
107 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
industrial
4 million cubic meters (2022 est.)
agricultural
5.075 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
total emissions
6.858 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke
83 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids
6.858 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Particulate matter emissions
48.5 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources
120 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
International environmental agreements
party to
Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Ozone Layer Protection, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling
signed, but not ratified
Nuclear Test Ban
Government
Flag
description: three equal vertical stripes of green (on the left), yellow, and red
history: utilizes the colors associated with the Pan-African movement
Capital
name
Bamako
etymology
the name's origin is ambiguous, though it is derived from the Bambara language and can denote either a crocodile or an individual's name
time difference
UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
geographic coordinates
12 39 N, 8 00 W
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Citizenship
citizenship by birth
no
citizenship by descent only
at least one parent must be a citizen of Mali
dual citizenship recognized
yes
residency requirement for naturalization
5 years
Constitution
history
multiple previous drafts; the most recent was drafted on 13 October 2022 and presented to Transition President Assimi GOITA; the final version was completed on 1 March 2023; ratified by referendum on 18 June 2023; confirmed by the Constitutional Court on 22 July 2023
Country name
former
French Sudan, Sudanese Republic, Mali Federation
etymology
the name is linked to the Mali Empire that existed from the 13th to the 16th centuries A.D.; the term Mali may originate from a local ethnic group, the Malinke, whose designation is derived from the words ma, signifying "mother," and dink, meaning "child"—indicative of the matrilinear heritage of Malinke families
local long form
République de Mali
local short form
Mali
conventional long form
Republic of Mali
conventional short form
Mali
Independence
22 September 1960 (from France)
Legal system
a civil law system modeled on French civil law and influenced by customary law; the Constitutional Court oversees legislative measures
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Judicial branch
highest court(s)
Supreme Court or Cour Suprême (comprises 19 judges organized into judicial, administrative, and accounting divisions); Constitutional Court (composed of 9 judges)
subordinate courts
Court of Appeal; High Court of Justice (with jurisdiction limited to high treason or criminal acts by the president or ministers during their term); administrative courts (both first instance and appeal); commercial courts; magistrate courts; labor courts; juvenile courts; special court for state security
judge selection and term of office
judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the Ministry of Justice to serve terms of 5 years; judges of the Constitutional Court are selected - 3 each by the president, the National Assembly, and the Supreme Council of the Magistracy; members serve renewable single terms of 7 years
Executive branch
cabinet
Council of Ministers appointed by the prime minister
chief of state
Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021)
election results
2018: Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA reelected as president in the second round; vote percentages in the first round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA (RPM) 41.7%, Soumaila CISSE (URD) 17.8%, others 40.5%; vote percentages in the second round - Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA 67.2%, Soumaila CISSE 32.8%
head of government
Transition Prime Minister Abdoulaye MAIGA (since 22 November 2024)
most recent election date
29 July 2018, with runoff on 12 August 2018
election/appointment process
the president is directly elected through an absolute-majority popular vote across 2 rounds, if necessary, for a term of 5 years (eligible for one additional term); the prime minister is appointed by the president
National holiday
Independence Day, 22 September (1960)
National color(s)
green, yellow, red
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites
4 (3 cultural, 1 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales
Old Towns of Djenné (c); Timbuktu (c); Cliff of Bandiagara (Land of the Dogons) (m); Tomb of Askia (c)
Political parties
African Solidarity for Democracy and Independence or SADI
Alliance for Democracy and Progress or ADP-Maliba
Alliance for Democracy in Mali-Pan-African Party for Liberty, Solidarity, and Justice or ADEMA-PASJ
Alliance for the Solidarity of Mali-Convergence of Patriotic Forces or ASMA-CFP
Convergence for the Development of Mali or CODEM
Democratic Alliance for Peace or ADP-Maliba
Movement for Mali or MPM
Party for National Renewal (also known as Rebirth or Renaissance or PARENA)
Rally for Mali or RPM
Social Democratic Convention or CDS
Union for Democracy and Development or UDD
Union for Republic and Democracy or URD
Yéléma
Legislative branch
chamber name
Transitional National Council (Conseil national de transition)
number of seats
147 (all appointed)
electoral system
plurality/majority
legislature name
Transitional National Council (Conseil national de transition)
scope of elections
full renewal
legislative structure
unicameral
most recent election date
12/5/2020
expected date of next election
December 2030
percentage of women in chamber
30.1%
National anthem(s)
title
"Le Mali" (Mali)
history
adopted 1962
lyrics/music
Seydou Badian KOUYATE/Banzoumana SISSOKO
National symbol(s)
Great Mosque of Djenne
Administrative divisions
19 regions (régions, singular - région), and 1 district*; Bamako*, Bandiagara, Bougouni, Dioila, Douentza, Gao, Kayes, Kidal, Kita, Koulikoro, Koutiala, Menaka, Mopti, Nara, Nioro, San, Segou, Sikasso, Taoudenni, Tombouctou (Timbuktu)
Diplomatic representation in the US
FAX
[1] (202) 332-6603
chancery
2130 R Street NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone
[1] (202) 332-2249
chief of mission
Ambassador Sékou BERTHE (since 16 September 2022)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://www.maliembassy.us/
Diplomatic representation from the US
FAX
[223] 20-70-24-79
embassy
ACI 2000, Rue 243, (located off the Roi Bin Fahad Aziz Bridge west of the Bamako central district), Porte 297, Bamako
telephone
[223] 20-70-23-00
mailing address
2050 Bamako Place, Washington DC 20521-2050
chief of mission
Ambassador Rachna KORHONEN (since 16 March 2023)
email address and website
[email protected]
https://ml.usembassy.gov/
International organization participation
ACP, AfDB, AU (suspended), CD, EITI (compliant country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSCA, MONUSCO, NAM, OIC, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNDP, UNESCO, UNFPA, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNOPS, UN Women, UNWTO, UPU, WADB (regional), WAEMU, World Bank Group, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
International law organization participation
has not submitted a declaration of ICJ jurisdiction; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
Economy
Budget
revenues
$2.841 billion (2020 est.)
expenditures
$3.563 billion (2020 est.)
Exports
Exports 2021
$5.381 billion (2021 est.)
Exports 2022
$5.855 billion (2022 est.)
Exports 2023
$6.13 billion (2023 est.)
Imports
Imports 2021
$7.596 billion (2021 est.)
Imports 2022
$7.942 billion (2022 est.)
Imports 2023
$8.066 billion (2023 est.)
Industries
food processing; construction; mining of phosphate and gold
Labor force
9.126 million (2024 est.)
Public debt
Public debt 2016
36% of GDP (2016 est.)
Remittances
Remittances 2021
4.9% of GDP (2021 est.)
Remittances 2022
4.9% of GDP (2022 est.)
Remittances 2023
4.2% of GDP (2023 est.)
Exchange rates
Currency
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates 2020
575.586 (2020 est.)
Exchange rates 2021
554.531 (2021 est.)
Exchange rates 2022
623.76 (2022 est.)
Exchange rates 2023
606.57 (2023 est.)
Exchange rates 2024
606.345 (2024 est.)
Debt - external
Debt - external 2023
$4.085 billion (2023 est.)
Economic overview
economy of low-income Saharan region; economic downturn due to COVID-19 and political unrest; severe poverty; environmentally vulnerable; significant public debt; exporter of agricultural products and gold; prevalence of terrorism and conflict
Unemployment rate
Unemployment rate 2022
2.4% (2022 est.)
Unemployment rate 2023
3% (2023 est.)
Unemployment rate 2024
3.1% (2024 est.)
Exports - partners
UAE 73%, Switzerland 15%, Australia 5%, China 1%, Uganda 1% (2023)
Imports - partners
Cote d'Ivoire 25%, Senegal 19%, China 12%, France 5%, Burkina Faso 4% (2023)
Real GDP per capita
Real GDP per capita 2022
$2,800 (2022 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2023
$2,900 (2023 est.)
Real GDP per capita 2024
$2,900 (2024 est.)
Real GDP growth rate
Real GDP growth rate 2022
3.5% (2022 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2023
4.7% (2023 est.)
Real GDP growth rate 2024
5% (2024 est.)
Agricultural products
maize, rice, millet, sorghum, onions, okra, sugarcane, cotton, mangoes/guavas, sweet potatoes (2023)
Exports - commodities
gold, cotton, oil seeds, fertilizers, gum resins (2023)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, broadcasting equipment, cement, cotton fabric, plastic products (2023)
Current account balance
Current account balance 2021
-$1.469 billion (2021 est.)
Current account balance 2022
-$1.475 billion (2022 est.)
Current account balance 2023
-$1.61 billion (2023 est.)
Taxes and other revenues
12% (of GDP) (2020 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate)
$26.588 billion (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by end use
household consumption
71.9% (2024 est.)
government consumption
13.1% (2024 est.)
investment in inventories
-0.7% (2024 est.)
investment in fixed capital
21.6% (2024 est.)
exports of goods and services
22.5% (2024 est.)
imports of goods and services
-28.4% (2024 est.)
Population below poverty line
44.6% (2021 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022
9.6% (2022 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023
2.1% (2023 est.)
Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024
3.2% (2024 est.)
Industrial production growth rate
-2.4% (2024 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022
$64.8 billion (2022 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023
$67.857 billion (2023 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024
$71.253 billion (2024 est.)
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
male
4% (2024 est.)
total
4% (2024 est.)
female
3.9% (2024 est.)
GDP - composition, by sector of origin
industry
22.7% (2024 est.)
services
36.7% (2024 est.)
agriculture
33.4% (2024 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%
3.2% (2021 est.)
highest 10%
28.3% (2021 est.)
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2021
35.7 (2021 est.)
Energy
Coal
imports
36 metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
refined petroleum consumption
46,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
Electricity
exports
661.63 million kWh (2023 est.)
imports
880 million kWh (2023 est.)
consumption
4.261 billion kWh (2023 est.)
installed generating capacity
1.222 million kW (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses
320.616 million kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access
electrification - rural areas
18.3%
electrification - urban areas
99.7%
electrification - total population
53% (2022 est.)
Energy consumption per capita
Total energy consumption per capita 2023
4.307 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Electricity generation sources
solar
3.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
fossil fuels
57.3% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity
37.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste
1.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Communications
Internet users
percent of population
35% (2023 est.)
Broadcast media
a state-run public television network; 2 privately owned enterprises offer subscription access to international multi-channel television packages; a public radio service is complemented by numerous privately owned and community radio stations; broadcasts from various international networks can be received (2019)
Internet country code
.ml
Telephones - fixed lines
total subscriptions
307,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2022 est.)
Telephones - mobile cellular
total subscriptions
25.9 million (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
112 (2022 est.)
Broadband - fixed subscriptions
total
179,000 (2022 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants
1 (2022 est.)
Transportation
Airports
30 (2025)
Railways
total
593 km (2014)
narrow gauge
593 km (2014) 1.000-m gauge
Heliports
4 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TZ, TT
Military & Security
Military - note
The FAMa is tasked with safeguarding the nation's sovereignty and territorial integrity, while also undertaking certain domestic security responsibilities such as upholding public order and assisting law enforcement agencies. Additionally, it engages in socio-economic development initiatives. Historically, the military has held significant influence in the political landscape of Mali; it has intervened in the political sphere on at least five occasions since the nation achieved independence in 1960, specifically in the years 1968, 1976, 1978, 1991, and 2012, prior to the coup in August 2020 and the military takeover in May 2021.
The FAMa, alongside other security forces, is currently involved in military operations targeting various insurgent and terrorist factions linked to al-Qa'ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS), in addition to other armed rebel groups, local militias, and criminal organizations found throughout the country's central, northern, and southern regions. Estimates suggest that as much as 50% of the territory is beyond governmental control.
In 2012, the FAMa and other security forces disintegrated amid conflicts with Tuareg rebels and Islamic extremists, and subsequently began a rebuilding process in 2013 with international support from the EU and the UN. The UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) and the EU Training Mission in Mali (EUTM) concluded their operations in 2023 and 2024, respectively. France launched a military intervention in Mali in 2013 to assist in reclaiming the northern region from rebel and extremist factions, with French troops completing their withdrawal in 2022. Since 2021, Mali has strengthened its security cooperation with Russia, which has supplied equipment, training, and various forms of military assistance (2025).
Military expenditures
Military Expenditures 2020
3.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military Expenditures 2021
3.4% of GDP (2021 est.)
Military Expenditures 2022
3.5% of GDP (2022 est.)
Military Expenditures 2023
4% of GDP (2023 est.)
Military Expenditures 2024
4.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military and security forces
Malian Armed Forces (Forces Armées Maliennes or FAMa): Army (l’Armée de Terre), Air Force (l’Armée de l’Air); National Guard (la Garde Nationale du Mali); National Gendarmerie of Mali (Gendarmerie Nationale du Mali) (2025).
Military service age and obligation
Aged 18 years for both men and women for selective compulsory and voluntary military service; a compulsory service term of 24 months (2025).
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
The inventory of the FAMa primarily consists of Soviet-era arms and equipment, supplemented by a smaller amount of more contemporary materials sourced from various suppliers, including France, Russia, South Africa, Türkiye, and the UAE (2025).
Military and security service personnel strengths
Estimates vary; approximately 35-40,000 active personnel in the FAMa, Gendarmerie, and National Guard (2025).
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Ansar al-Dine; Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham in the Greater Sahara (ISIS-GS); Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal-Muslimin (JNIM); al-Mulathamun Battalion (al-Mourabitoun)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
IDPs
378,363 (2024 est.)
refugees
135,827 (2024 est.)
