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E.g., 06/26/2026
Country Resource - Mali
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Mali

ML
  • Population..........................................................................21,990,607 (2024 est.)
  • Population growth rate ...............................................................2.9% (2024 est.)
  • Birth rate....................................................40 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
  • Death rate................................................8.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
  • Net migration rate............................-2.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
  • Ethnic groups..............................Bambara 33.3%, Fulani (Peuhl) 13.3%, Sarakole/Soninke/Marka 9.8%, Senufo/Manianka 9.6%, Malinke 8.8%, Dogon 8.7%, Sonrai 5.9%, Bobo 2.1%, Tuareg/Bella 1.7%, other Malian 6%, from members of Economic Community of West Africa 0.4%, other 0.3% (2018 est.)

CIA World Factbook

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Profile
September 1, 2004

Mali: Seeking Opportunity Abroad

Sally E. Findley of Columbia University examines Malians' age-old solution to their economic difficulties: migration.

Recent Activity

Women at a site for displaced people in Niger.
Feature
August 20, 2025
On Shifting Sands in Africa’s Sahel Region: Tensions between Security and Free Movement

Migration governance in Africa's Sahel region has been been pulled in different directions, torn between security-focused border restrictions and economic visions for free movement. New complexity was added after Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger withdrew from the regional ECOWAS bloc. This articles provides insight on the migration and policy trends in a dynamic region.

A mobile money agent in Uganda
Feature
June 22, 2023
The Uneven Path Toward Cheaper Digital Remittances

Digital remittances services tend to be cheaper than traditional banks or money transfer operators, and may be more convenient for many users. The COVID-19 pandemic helped speed up the digitization of remittances, but key hurdles remain. This article outlines the promise and challenges of these new platforms.

BurkinabeWomenGoldMine HeleneCaux UNHCR
Feature
April 7, 2016
Who Belongs? Statelessness and Nationality in West Africa

At least 10 million people worldwide are stateless, including 1 million in West Africa, though experts believe the true number may be much higher. West Africa's colonial heritage and nationality laws have increased the risk of statelessness, particularly for vulnerable social groups including migrants and their descendants, refugees, and children. Governments across the region have recently initiated action plans to eradicate statelessness, as this feature explores.

Feature
May 30, 2013
Tuareg Migration: A Critical Component of Crisis in the Sahel

The Tuareg, a nomadic group of Berber origin located in several countries across North and West Africa, have been enmeshed in a complicated struggle against the Malian state since January 2012. This article explores the unique role that migration plays in shaping Tuareg grievances in the context of this crisis.

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Profile
September 1, 2004
Mali: Seeking Opportunity Abroad

Sally E. Findley of Columbia University examines Malians' age-old solution to their economic difficulties: migration.
EU Migration Partnerships: A Work in Progress
Reports
December 2017

EU Migration Partnerships: A Work in Progress

In 2016, the European Union announced with fanfare a new Migration Partnership Framework to inform cooperation with countries of origin and transit. While the bloc has long recognized collaboration as key to achieving its migration-management aims, EU partnerships face persistent challenges, including looking beyond short-term enforcement goals and taking into account partner needs, capacity, and objectives.
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Books
September 2009

Closing the Distance: How Governments Strengthen Ties with Their Diasporas

This book explores how developing-country governments have institutionalized ties with emigrants and their descendents. It offers an unprecedented taxonomy of 45 diaspora-engaging institutions found in 30 developing countries, exploring their activities and objectives. It also provides important practitioner insights from Mali, Mexico, and the Philippines.