Capital of Niger: Niamey
The capital of Niger is Niamey. Niger sits in Africa, has a population of 26,207,977, and uses the XOF. Official languages include French.
Quick facts
- Capital: Niamey
- Continent: Africa
- Population: ~26,207,977
- Area: 1,267,000 km²
- Population density: 20.7 people per km²
- Official language: French
- Currency: XOF
- ISO code: NE
How big is Niger?
By population, Niger ranks 54th in the world, holding roughly 0.33% of all people on Earth. By land area it ranks 21st.
Those two numbers rarely match, and the gap between them is the interesting part. Niger has 20.7 people per square kilometre, which is about 2.9 times below the world average of 59.4. It is more spacious than its population alone would suggest.
Within Africa, Niger is the 18th most populous country of 54.
Countries of a similar size
The two countries closest to Niger in population are Australia (26,177,413) and North Korea (26,069,416).
By land area, its closest counterparts are Chad (1,284,000 km²) and Peru (1,285,216 km²).
Comparisons like these are worth more than raw figures when you are trying to remember them. A number on its own is hard to hold; a number next to a country you already have a feel for is much easier.
Language and currency
French is spoken officially in 30 countries in this dataset, including Belgium, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi and Cameroon, and 24 others.
The XOF is not unique to Niger — it is also used by Benin, Burkina Faso, Guinea-Bissau and Ivory Coast, and 3 others. Shared currencies usually mark a monetary union or a long-standing peg, and they are a useful shortcut in quizzes: get one country's currency and you often get several.
Niger in Africa
The largest countries by population sharing this continent are Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt and Democratic Republic of the Congo.
If you are learning capitals region by region — far more effective than working alphabetically — Africa is the block Niger belongs to, and its neighbours are the ones worth learning alongside it.
Try the Country to Capital Quiz, or the harder reverse direction. There is also a full country profile for Niger and a page on the flag of Niger.
Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Niger?
The capital of Niger is Niamey.
What is the population of Niger?
About 26,207,977, making it the 54th most populous country in the world.
How big is Niger?
1,267,000 square kilometres, ranking 21st by land area, at a density of 20.7 people per square kilometre.
What currency does Niger use?
The XOF, shared with 7 other countries.