Country: Republic of Niger

Population: 16.1 million (UN, 2011 estimate)

Capital: Niamey

Area: 1,266,504 sq km (489,000 sq miles)

Main languages: French (official), Arabic, local languages (e.g. Hausa, Songhai)

Main religions: Islam, indigenous beliefs

Life expectancy: 56 (WHO, 2011)

Literacy Rate: Adult [15+] 29%, Youth [15-24] 37% (UNESCO, 2005)

Urban Population (% of total): 18.1% (UN, 2012)

Population under 18 years: 8.9 million (UNICEF, 2011)

Child mortality: 125 children in every 1,000 likely to die before 5 years (WHO, 2011)

Child nutrition: 39.9% of children below 5 years underweight (WHO, 2012)

Number of children (0-17) who have lost one/both parents: 970,000 (UNICEF, 2009)