LEARN::In Focus
Mali is a vast, semi-arid, landlocked country covering 1.2 million km 2, of which 60% is desert. It is a land of plains fed by two major rivers: the Senegal on its western edge and the great River Niger. The country is vulnerable to drought and risks further desertification.
Despite annual variability due to repeated shocks, Mali's economic growth has been broadly favorable in recent years, averaging 5.3% per year for the 2003-06 period, driven primarily by gold mining, and transport and telecommunications services. Mali's economy performed less well in 2007 due to adverse weather conditions and technical difficulties that affected gold production.
Despite favorable economic growth, Mali remains one of the world's poorest countries - rated 173 out of 177 countries (UNDP Human Development Index 2007-08). Mali's population of 13.5 million is predominantly rural with a growth rate of approximately 3% a year.
Between 2001 and 2006, it is estimated that the share of the population living in poverty fell nationally from 55.6% to 47.5%. Poverty remains a predominantly rural phenomenon.
The country will not be able to meet all the MDGs by 2015, particularly in the health area.
After successful presidential and legislative elections carried out in 2007, Prime Minister, Mr. Modibo Sidibe, was appointed on September 28, 2007; and a cabinet was formed in early October 2007, composed of parties supporting the President and technocrats.
CPIA rating (2007): 3.7. The Country Policy and Institutional Assessment (CPIA) rates countries against a set of 16 criteria grouped in four clusters: (a) economic management; (b) structural policies; (c) policies for social inclusion and equity; and (d) public sector management and institutions.
Doing Business ranking (2009): 166 out of 181 countries.
Information gotten directly from The World Bank's website. Learn more about Mali here.
Country Data Year 2006
Official development assistance and official aid (current US$) 825,410,000
Adolescent fertility rate (births per 1,000 women ages 15-19) 183
External debt, total (DOD, current US$) 1,436,402,000
Fertility rate, total (births per woman) 7
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$) 185000000
GDP (current US$) 5,866,095,616
Improved sanitation facilities, urban (% of urban population with access) 59
Improved water source (% of population with access) 60
Internet users (per 100 people) 1
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 54
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000) 217
Population, total 11968376
