Quick facts
Mali population overview
Mali is the 19th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 25,563,610 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.9% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 1,995 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 991,868 births (38.8 per 1,000 people) and 209,622 deaths (8.2 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 51,127 people. The infant mortality rate is 57.9 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 5,402,550 in 1960 to 25,198,821 in 2025 — a change of +366.4%, or +2.4% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 15.9 years; life expectancy at birth is 61.1 years; women have on average 5.5 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 45.8% of residents are under 15 and 2.4% are 65 or older (2025); 32.2% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Bamako. Mali covers 1,240,190 km², giving a population density of about 21.1 people per km². GDP was $30.07B in 2025 — about $1,193 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Mali population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) #58 of 238 → | 26,146,774 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 25,563,610 |
| World rank | #58 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #19 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.3% |
| Annual growth rate #9 of 238 → | +2.9% |
| Births per year est. | 991,868 |
| Deaths per year est. | 209,622 |
| Net migration per year est. · #184 of 238 → | -51,127 |
| Birth rate #6 of 216 → | 38.8 per 1,000 |
| Death rate #71 of 216 → | 8.2 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality #9 of 238 → | 57.9 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio #48 of 238 → | 101.8 males per 100 females |
| Median age #234 of 238 → | 15.9 years |
| Life expectancy #210 of 216 → | 61.1 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 · #6 of 216 → | 5.5 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 · #189 of 216 → | 32.2% |
| Surface area 2023 · #23 of 215 → | 1,240,190 km² |
| Population density #180 of 215 → | 21.1 per km² |
| Capital | Bamako |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 · #115 of 212 → | $30.07B |
| GDP per capita 2025 · #190 of 212 → | $1,193 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Mali population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 26,146,774 | – | – |
| 2025 | 25,198,821 | +720,226 | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 24,478,595 | +709,468 | +3% |
| 2023 | 23,769,127 | +696,487 | +3% |
| 2022 | 23,072,640 | +684,010 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 22,388,630 | +674,794 | +3.1% |
| 2020 | 21,713,836 | +3,120,814 | +3.2% |
| 2015 | 18,593,022 | +2,647,824 | +3.1% |
| 2010 | 15,945,198 | +2,406,551 | +3.3% |
| 2005 | 13,538,647 | +1,979,357 | +3.2% |
| 2000 | 11,559,290 | +1,373,925 | +2.6% |
| 1995 | 10,185,365 | +1,006,535 | +2.1% |
| 1990 | 9,178,830 | +804,167 | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 8,374,663 | +844,148 | +2.1% |
| 1980 | 7,530,515 | +693,254 | +2% |
| 1975 | 6,837,261 | +560,789 | +1.7% |
| 1970 | 6,276,472 | +460,985 | +1.5% |
| 1965 | 5,815,487 | +412,937 | +1.5% |
| 1960 | 5,402,550 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
Largest cities in Mali
| # | City | Population | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bamako Capital | 4,227,569 | 16.2% |
| 2 | Sikasso | 349,324 | 1.3% |
| 3 | Koutiala | 218,031 | 0.8% |
| 4 | Ségou | 205,787 | 0.8% |
| 5 | Kayes | 194,716 | 0.7% |
| 6 | Mopti | 186,187 | 0.7% |
| 7 | Kalaban Koro | 148,247 | 0.6% |
| 8 | Gao | 133,110 | 0.5% |
Bamako is the largest city with 4,227,569 people and is also the capital. City figures are the latest official estimates for the city proper, so shares are approximate. Full list of Mali cities →
About Mali
Population over time
- From 5,402,550 in 1960 to 26,146,774 today — up 384%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3.1% per year.
- World rank: Population #58 of 238 · Population growth rate #9 of 238.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 60.7 years (2024), up 30.2 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 5.5 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
- World rank: Life expectancy #210 of 216 · Fertility rate #6 of 216.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 39.5 births vs 8.5 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 31 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
- World rank: Birth rate #6 of 216 · Death rate #71 of 216.
Age structure
- 45.8% of the population is under 15 and 2.4% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has shrunk from 2.7% in 1960 — the population is getting younger.
- World rank: Population under 15 #6 of 216 · Population aged 65+ #210 of 216 · Median age #234 of 238.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 7.41 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.3 t in 2024, vs 0.04 t in 1970.
- World rank: CO₂ emissions #122 of 203 · CO₂ emissions per capita #173 of 203.
Energy use & renewables
- Renewables supplied 71.1% of final energy in 2022 (-16.1 points since 1990).
- World rank: Renewable energy share #28 of 212.
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 10.9% of land area (2023).
- Cover has been essentially stable since 1990 (+0 points).
- World rank: Forest area #162 of 213.
Urban population (% of total)
- 32.2% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 7% in 1960 (+25.2 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
- World rank: Urban population #189 of 216.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 8.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,600 m³ in 2022, down 76.2% since 1961.
- World rank: Freshwater resources per capita #89 of 183 · Water stress #92 of 177.
Economy
- GDP: $30.07B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 93% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,193 per person.
- World rank: GDP #115 of 212 · GDP per capita #190 of 212.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.8% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.3% in 2025.
- World rank: Unemployment rate #152 of 186 · Inflation rate #91 of 191.
Internet & mobile
- 36.8% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 112.1 per 100 people (2022) — more subscriptions than people.
- World rank: Internet users #174 of 209 · Mobile subscriptions #116 of 210.
Mali in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Mali in 2026?
As of October 2026, Mali has an estimated population of 26,146,774. The United Nations estimated 25,563,610 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.9% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Mali growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.9% per year — roughly 1,995 more people every day. Each year there are about 991,868 births and 209,622 deaths, with net migration of -51,127.
What is the population density of Mali?
About 21.1 people per square kilometre: 26,146,774 people living on 1,240,190 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Mali?
The median age is 15.9 years, and life expectancy at birth is 61.1 years. 45.8% of the population is under 15 and 2.4% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Mali rank by population?
Mali is the 58th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 19th in Africa, with 0.3% of the global population.
How has the population of Mali changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 5,402,550; by 2025 it had grown to 25,198,821 (+366.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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AustraliaCite or link to this page
Glostats. (2026). Mali Population 2026 — Live Counter. Retrieved October 20, 2026, from https://glostats.com/country/mali/<a href="https://glostats.com/country/mali/">Mali Population 2026 — Live Counter</a> — GlostatsFigures on this page may be quoted, charted or republished as long as the page is credited with a link. Terms · Download the data as CSV · Embed a live counter.
Sources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.9%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-20. More about our data.