Mali

The population of Mali is approximately 26M (2024).

The capital of Mali is Bamako.

Mali's GDP per capita is $1.2K (2024).

Life expectancy in Mali is 60.68 years (2024).

Mali covers 1,240,192 km² (478,841 sq mi).

Mali is sparsely populated, averaging 21 people per km², below the global average of 60.

Mali's population is growing rapidly at 2.9% per year — among the fastest in the world.

Based on GDP per capita, Mali falls in the lower-middle GDP-per-person tier at $1.2K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

The official language of Mali is French.

Mali uses the West African CFA franc (Fr) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Mali are January, February, November, December, based on climate data for the capital.

The latest estimates show that the GDP per capita in Mali is 1,207 USD, which ranks global 188 of 212 and regional (Africa) 33 of 54. While the economy grows at an annual rate of 4.99%, it remains largely dependent on agriculture and the export of natural resources like gold.

The adult literacy rate in Mali is currently 35.63%, a figure that ranks the country global 167 of 170. This low rate reflects long-standing challenges in educational infrastructure and access, particularly for nomadic populations and residents in the remote northern regions of the country.

Life expectancy at birth in Mali is 60.675 years, which ranks global 209 of 215 in the latest international health data. This figure is influenced by factors such as limited access to healthcare in rural areas, maternal health challenges, and the prevalence of infectious diseases across the country.

The vast majority of the Malian population is Muslim, accounting for approximately 93.9% of the people according to recent data. Christians represent about 2.8% of the population, while animist beliefs are held by 0.7%, reflecting a society with deep-seated religious traditions and a history of cultural tolerance.

Mali is rich in natural resources, with gold being its most significant export and a primary driver of the national economy. Other important resources include phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, and gypsum. The country also possesses hydropower potential and fertile land along the Niger and Senegal river basins.

The estimated 2026 population of Mali is 25,939,675 people. This figure is based on projections from the latest official 2024 data, which recorded the population at 24,478,595. The country continues to experience rapid growth, adding approximately 1,972 individuals to its total population every day through natural increase.

Mali currently holds a global population rank of 58 of 215 countries. Within its regional context, it is the 19th most populous nation in Africa and ranks 5th among the 16 countries located in the Western Africa subregion, making it a significant demographic center in the Sahel.

The population of Mali is growing at an annual rate of 2.94%. This high growth rate is driven by a crude birth rate of 39.532 per 1,000 people, which significantly exceeds the crude death rate of 8.51 per 1,000 people, resulting in a rapidly expanding young population.

Mali has an estimated 2026 population density of 21.2 people per km² (54.9 people per sq mi). This relatively low density, ranked 185th globally, is due to the country's large landmass, much of which is comprised of the Sahara Desert, where human settlement is extremely sparse.

The current fertility rate in Mali is 5.51 births per woman. This is one of the highest fertility rates in the world, ranking 6th globally. High fertility is a primary driver of the nation's 2.94% annual growth rate and contributes to the country's youthful demographic profile.

According to the latest available data, 31.6% of Mali's population lives in urban areas. While the capital city, Bamako, is growing rapidly, the majority of the population remains in rural areas, primarily engaged in agricultural and pastoral activities in the more fertile southern parts of the country.