Mali/Society

Society in Mali

An overview of key social indicators. Select a category for detailed trends, charts, and insights.

Explore Social Domains

Demographics

Coming Soon
Population
23.8M(2023)
Population Growth
3%(2023)
Fertility Rate
5.61(2023)
Death Rate
8.6 per 1k(2023)
Net Migration
-46.9K(2024)

Public Health

Coming Soon
Life Expectancy
60.4 years(2023)
Under-5 Mortality
91.3 per 1k(2023)
Maternal Mortality
367 per 100k(2023)
Health Expenditure (as share of GDP)
3.7%(2022)

Education & Human Capital

Coming Soon
Literacy Rate
31%(2020)
Primary Enrollment
58.9%(2018)
Secondary Enrollment
39.9%(2023)
Tertiary Enrollment
4.7(2019)
Education Expenditure (as share of GDP)
4%(2022)

Living Standards & Connectivity

Coming Soon
Internet Users
35.1%(2023)
Access to Electricity
54.5%(2023)
Access to Basic Drinking Water
83.6%(2022)
Urban Population
11M(2023)
Rural Population
12.8M(2023)

Current Snapshot Overview

A summary of key social and demographic indicators for Mali

  • Mali has an estimated population of 23.8M
    2023
    The nation is experiencing rapid demographic expansion with an annual growth rate of 3.0%
    2023
    , indicative of a dynamic and youthful population structure and potential for a significant demographic dividend. The elevated fertility rate of 5.6 births per woman
    2023
    contributes to a young population, presenting both opportunities for future growth and demands on educational and health services. Net emigration of approximately 47K individuals annually (or 2.0 per 1,000 inhabitants)
    2024
    adds pressure to demographic transitions and workforce sustainability.
  • Regarding public health, The notably low life expectancy of 60.4 years
    2023
    underscores critical public health challenges that necessitate urgent and comprehensive interventions. Concurrently, Healthcare delivery faces significant systemic challenges, as evidenced by elevated child mortality (under 5 years) (91.3 per 1,000 live births
    2023
    and maternal mortality (367 per 100,000 live births
    2023
    ) rates, suggesting areas for critical intervention and resource allocation. These outcomes are supported by limited healthcare spending, at 3.7% of GDP
    2022
    , which may constrain comprehensive health system improvements and the attainment of higher health outcomes.
  • Critical educational challenges are highlighted by the low literacy rate of 31%
    2020
    , necessitating immediate and sustained interventions to improve foundational education. Complementing this, educational access remains notably limited with 59% primary enrollment
    2018
    , pointing to fundamental infrastructure, accessibility, and retention barriers across the educational system. This educational framework is supported by moderate public support, with 4.0% of GDP allocated to public educational expenditure
    2022
    , reflecting a balanced approach to funding.
  • In terms of infrastructure and connectivity, a still balanced urban-rural distribution (46% urban population
    2023
    ) creates diverse economic opportunities but necessitates coordinated infrastructure development to bridge potential disparities. Furthermore, critical infrastructure gaps are evident, with electricity access at 55%
    2023
    and internet penetration at 35%
    2023
    severely limiting economic potential, hindering social development, and impeding digital integration.

Key Development Insights

Population Dynamics

A youthful, rapidly growing population presents a "demographic dividend" opportunity if met with sufficient investment in jobs and services.

Public Health System

Addressing critical gaps in the healthcare system is essential to improve lagging indicators like life expectancy and maternal mortality.

Human Capital Formation

Improving foundational literacy and secondary school completion is a critical priority for unlocking future economic potential.

Infrastructure & Connectivity

Expanding access to basic infrastructure, particularly electricity, remains a key bottleneck for broad-based development.

More About This Country

Neighbors & Regional Peers

Note: The information on this page has been compiled from authoritative sources. While every effort is made to ensure accuracy, please note that some figures may not be current or entirely precise.