Introduction
Background
Mali is named for the Mali Empire that at its peak in the 14th century covered an area about twice the size of modern-day France. In the late 19th century, France seized control of Mali. The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali.
Geography
Area
total: 1,240,192 sq km
land: 1,220,190 sq km
water: 20,002 sq km
Climate
subtropical to arid; hot and dry (February to June); rainy, humid, and mild (June to November); cool and dry (November to February)
Natural resources
gold, phosphates, kaolin, salt, limestone, uranium, gypsum, granite, hydropower, note, bauxite, iron ore, manganese, tin, and copper deposits are known but not exploited
People and Society
Population
21,359,722 (2023 est.)
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.)
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% (2018 est.)
Population growth rate
2.93% (2023 est.)
Government
Government type
semi-presidential republic
Capital
name: Bamako
Executive branch
chief of state: Transition President Assimi GOITA (since 7 June 2021); note - an August 2020 coup d'état deposed President Ibrahim Boubacar KEITA; on 21 September 2020, a group of 17 electors chosen by the Malian military junta, known as the National Committee for the Salvation of the People (CNSP) and led by Colonel Assimi GOITA, selected Bah NDAW as transition president; GOITA served as vice president of the transitional government which was inaugurated on 25 September 2020; Vice President GOITA seized power on 25 May 2021; NDAW resigned on 26 May 2021; on 6 June 2022, GOITA's government announced a transition period of 24 months with a planned return to civilian rule by March 2024
head of government: Transition Prime Minister Choguel MAIGA (appointed by Transitional President Assimi GOITA on 7 June 2021)
note: former transition Prime Minister Moctar OUANE was arrested and detained by the military on 24 May 2021 and resigned on 26 May 2021
Legislative branch
description: unicameral National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale (147 seats; members directly elected in single and multi-seat constituencies by absolute majority vote in 2 rounds if needed; 13 seats reserved for citizens living abroad; members serve 5-year terms)
note 1 - the National Assembly was dissolved on 18 August 2020 following a military coup and the resignation of President KEITA; the transition government created a National Transition Council (CNT) whose 121 members were selected by then-transition vice president Assimi GOITA; the CNT acts as the transition government's legislative body with Malick DIAW serving as the president; in February 2022, the CNT increased the number of seats to 147 but the additional seats have not yet been filled
note 2 - passage of a constitutional referendum held on 18 June 2023 calls for the creation of a "senate"
Economy
Economic overview
low-income Saharan economy; recession due to COVID-19 and political instability; extreme poverty; environmentally fragile; high public debt; agricultural and gold exporter; terrorism and warfare are common
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$46.452 billion (2021 est.)
$45.076 billion (2020 est.)
$45.64 billion (2019 est.)
Real GDP per capita
$2,100 (2021 est.)
$2,100 (2020 est.)
$2,200 (2019 est.)
Agricultural products
maize, rice, millet, sorghum, mangoes/guavas, cotton, watermelons, green onions/shallots, okra, sugar cane
Industries
food processing; construction; phosphate and gold mining
Remittances
5.71% of GDP (2020 est.)
5.62% of GDP (2019 est.)
5.99% of GDP (2018 est.)
Exports
$5.196 billion (2020 est.)
$4.442 billion (2019 est.)
$4.186 billion (2018 est.)
Exports - partners
United Arab Emirates 66%, Switzerland 26% (2019)
Exports - commodities
gold, cotton, sesame seeds, lumber, refined petroleum (2021)
Imports
$6.339 billion (2020 est.)
$6.559 billion (2019 est.)
$6.081 billion (2018 est.)
Imports - partners
Senegal 23%, Cote d'Ivoire 15%, China 11%, France 9% (2019)
Imports - commodities
refined petroleum, clothing and apparel, packaged medicines, cement, broadcasting equipment (2019)
Exchange rates
Communaute Financiere Africaine francs (XOF) per US dollar -
Exchange rates:
554.531 (2021 est.)
575.586 (2020 est.)
585.911 (2019 est.)
555.446 (2018 est.)
580.657 (2017 est.)
Page last updated: Tuesday, December 12, 2023
