If you lived in Niger instead of United States, you would:

Health

be 83.5% less likely to be obese

In United States, 41.0% of adults are obese as of 2024. In Niger, that number is 6.8% of people as of 2024.

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be 71.3% less likely to die by suicide

United States has a suicide rate of 15.6 per 100,000 people as of 2021. In Niger, it is 4.5 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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live 17.5 years less

In United States, the average life expectancy is 79 years (76 years for men, 81 years for women) as of 2024. In Niger, that number is 61 years (60 years for men, 62 years for women) as of 2024.

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see 99.4% less spent on your healthcare

United States spends $13,473 per person on healthcare as of 2023 (international dollars, adjusted for prices). Niger spends $76 as of 2023.

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have 99.0% fewer doctors per person

United States has 36.8 doctors per 10,000 people as of 2022. Niger has 0.4 as of 2023.

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have 59.3% less access to essential health services

United States scores 86 out of 100 on the universal health coverage index as of 2021. Niger scores 35 as of 2021.

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Economy

be 90.7% less likely to be unemployed

In United States, 4.2% of the labor force is unemployed as of 2025. In Niger, that number is 0.4% as of 2025.

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make 99.1% less money

United States has a GDP per capita of $90,027 as of 2025, while in Niger, the GDP per capita is $775 as of 2025.

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Life

have 3.9 times more children

In United States, there are approximately 10.6 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024. In Niger, there are 41.4 babies per 1,000 people as of 2024.

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be 20.6 times more likely to die during childbirth

In United States, approximately 17.0 women die from pregnancy or childbirth per 100,000 live births as of 2023. In Niger, 350.0 women do as of 2023.

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be 11.9 times more likely to die during infancy

In United States, approximately 5.5 children (per 1,000 live births) die before they reach the age of one as of 2024. In Niger, on the other hand, 65.6 children do as of 2024.

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Basic Needs

be 79.9% less likely to have access to electricity

In United States, approximately 100% of people have electricity access (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2023. In Niger, that number is 20% of people on average (67% in urban areas, and 10% in rural areas) as of 2023.

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be 83.6% less likely to have internet access

In United States, approximately 94.7% of the population has internet access as of 2024. In Niger, about 15.6% do as of 2024.

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be 46.6% less likely to have access to drinking water

In United States, approximately 100% of people have access to drinking water (100% in urban areas, and 100% in rural areas) as of 2024. In Niger, that number is 53% of people on average (87% in urban areas, and 46% in rural areas) as of 2024.

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Expenditures

spend 24.9% less on education

United States spends 5.4% of its total GDP on education as of 2021. Niger spends 4.1% of total GDP on education as of 2023.

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spend 75.7% less on healthcare

United States spends 16.7% of its total GDP on healthcare as of 2023. In Niger, that number is 4.0% of GDP as of 2023.

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Safety

be 75.4% more likely to die in a road accident

In United States, road accidents kill 14.2 people per 100,000 as of 2021. In Niger, they kill 24.9 per 100,000 as of 2021.

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Infrastructure

live with 60.9% less strain on fresh water

United States withdraws 28% of its available fresh water each year as of 2022. Niger withdraws 11% as of 2022.

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find 99.7% less home broadband

United States has 38.9 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people as of 2024. Niger has 0.1 as of 2024.

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use 99.5% less electricity

United States uses 12,839 kWh of electricity per person each year as of 2024. Niger uses 68 kWh as of 2023.

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Environment

emit 99.1% less CO2

United States emits 13.6 tonnes of CO2 per person each year as of 2024. Niger emits 0.1 tonnes as of 2024.

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be 6.6 times more likely to die from air pollution

In United States, air pollution causes 14.0 deaths per 100,000 people as of 2019. In Niger, it causes 93.0 as of 2019.

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Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024). How we calculate this

Niger: At a glance

Niger is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 1,266,700 sq km. Niger became independent from France in 1960 and experienced single-party and military rule until 1991, when Gen. Ali SAIBOU was forced by public pressure to allow multiparty elections, which resulted in a democratic government in 1993. Political infighting brought the government to a standstill and in 1996 led to a coup by Col. Ibrahim BARE. In 1999, BARE was killed in a counter coup by military officers who restored democratic rule and held elections that brought Mamadou TANDJA to power in December of that year. TANDJA was reelected in 2004 and in 2009 spearheaded a constitutional amendment that would allow him to extend his term as president. In February 2010, a military coup deposed TANDJA, immediately suspended the constitution, and dissolved the Cabinet. ISSOUFOU Mahamadou emerged victorious from a crowded field in the election following the coup and was inaugurated in April 2011. Niger is one of the poorest countries in the world with minimal government services and insufficient funds to develop its resource base. The largely agrarian and subsistence-based economy is frequently disrupted by extended droughts common to the Sahel region of Africa. The Nigerien Movement for Justice, a predominantly ethnic Tuareg rebel group, emerged in February 2007, and attacked several military targets in Niger's northern region throughout 2007 and 2008. Successful government offensives in 2009 ended the rebellion. Niger is facing increased security concerns on its borders from various external threats including insecurity in Libya, spillover from the conflict in Mali, and violent extremism in northeastern Nigeria.
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