Mali (Republic of Mali)

https://www.humantruth.info/mali.html

By Vexen Crabtree 2025

Mali Republic of Mali
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	161st best
Capital	Bamako
Land Area	1 220 190km²₁
Location	Africa
Population	19.1m₂
Life Expectancy	58.94yrs (2017)₃
GNI	$2 133 (2017)₄
ISO3166-1 Codes	ML, MLI, 466₅
Internet Domain	.ml₆
Currency	Franc (XOF)₇
Telephone	+223₈

1. Overview

“The Sudanese Republic and Senegal became independent of France in 1960 as the Mali Federation. When Senegal withdrew after only a few months, what formerly made up the Sudanese Republic was renamed Mali. Rule by dictatorship was brought to a close in 1991 by a military coup that ushered in a period of democratic rule. President Alpha KONARE won Mali's first two democratic presidential elections in 1992 and 1997. In keeping with Mali's two-term constitutional limit, he stepped down in 2002 and was succeeded by Amadou TOURE, who was elected to a second term in 2007 elections that were widely judged to be free and fair. Malian returnees from Libya in 2011 exacerbated tensions in northern Mali, and Tuareg ethnic militias started a rebellion in January 2012. Low-mid level soldiers, frustrated with the poor handling of the rebellion overthrew TOURE on 22 March. Intensive mediation efforts led by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) returned power to a civilian administration in April with the appointment of interim President Dioncounda TRAORE. The post-coup chaos led to rebels expelling the Malian military from the three northern regions of the country and allowed Islamic militants to set up strongholds. Hundreds of thousands of northern Malians fled the violence to southern Mali and neighboring countries, exacerbating regional food insecurity in host communities. A military intervention to retake the three northern regions began in January 2013 and within a month most of the north had been retaken. Democratic elections are scheduled for mid-2013.”
CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Like an exquisite sandcastle formed in a harsh desert landscape, Mali is blessed with an extraordinary amount of beauty, wonders, talents and knowledge. Few countries in Wesy Africa can boast such an array of sights, from fabled Timbuktu to riverside mosques that seem to spring from a child´s imagination. Yet for now, its landscapes, monuments, mosques and music bars are off-limits, sealed from tourists by a conflict that is threatening the culture of this remarkable country.
The beating heart of Mali is Bamako, where Ngoni and Kora musicians play to crowds of dancing Malians. Further west, Fula women strap their belongings to donkeys, forming caravans worthy of beauty pageants as they make their way across the hamada (dry, dusty scrubland). And in the northeast, the writings of venerable African civilisations remain locked in the beautiful libraries of Timbuktu.
Adding considerable depth to these attractions is Mali´s illustrious history, a story of ancient gold-rich empires along the Sahara´s southern fringe. And just as rich and deep is Mali´s world-famous musical soundtrack, a beguiling playlist of soulful desert blues, ancient griot tunes and frenetic dance rhythms.”
"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Mali National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better Value₁₁
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
183	Yemen	0.455
184	Burkina Faso	0.449
185	Mozambique	0.446
186	Mali	0.428
187	Burundi	0.426
188	Central African Rep.	0.404
189	Niger	0.400
190	Chad	0.394
	Africa Avg	0.56
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)₁₁
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $₁₁
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
173	Uganda	$2 181
174	Gambia	$2 172
175	Togo	$2 167
176	Mali	$2 133
177	Burkina Faso	$2 118
178	Guinea-Bissau	$1 908
179	Afghanistan	$1 824
180	Eritrea	$1 729
	Africa Avg	$5 339
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index₁₂
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₂
1	Denmark	26.9
2	Norway	29.1
3	Sweden	29.9
	...
158	Kiribati	114.4
159	Libya	114.7
160	Zambia	115.1
161	Mali	115.3
162	Ivory Coast	115.4
163	Djibouti	115.9
164	Congo, (Brazzaville)	116.0
165	Malawi	116.8
	Africa Avg	119.0
	World Avg	89.0
q=200.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Mali's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population Datasets:

Mali's population is predicted to rise to 26.78 million by 2030. These millions of extra people will all need space to live, food to eat, energy to consume, and will increase the burden on the planet's resources. This country has a fertility rate of 5.87. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population₂
Pos.		2018 Population₂
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
57	Sri Lanka	21.2m
58	Burkina Faso	19.8m
59	Romania	19.5m
60	Mali	19.1m
61	Chile	18.7m
62	Kazakhstan	18.3m
63	Malawi	18.1m
64	Zambia	17.4m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
183	Namibia	59.3
184	Zimbabwe	59.3
185	Congo, DR	59.2
186	Mali	58.9
187	Guinea	58.9
188	Ivory Coast	58.6
189	Swaziland	57.1
190	Somalia	55.3
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
200	Burundi	4.98
201	Nigeria	5.14
202	Angola	5.21
203	Mali	5.87
204	Central African Rep.	5.92
205	Congo, DR	6.11
206	Somalia	6.20
207	Chad	6.22
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better₁₆
Pos.		2016 Per 100₁₆
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
3=	Burkina Faso	04.7
5=	Sierra Leone	04.8
5=	Zambia	04.8
7=	Eritrea	04.9
7=	Gambia	04.9
9=	Angola	05.0
9=	Afghanistan	05.0
9=	Zimbabwe	05.0
12=	Nigeria	05.1
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants₁₇
Pos.		2017 %₁₇
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
125	Kenya	2.2%
126	Angola	2.1%
127	Liberia	2.1%
128	Mali	2.1%
129	Georgia	2.0%
130	Guyana	2.0%
131	Central African Rep.	1.9%
132	Romania	1.9%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants₁₈
Pos.		2010 %₁₈
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
80	Afghanistan	8.1%
81	Paraguay	7.9%
82	Russia	7.9%
83	Mali	7.6%
84	UK	7.5%
85	Honduras	7.5%
86	Austria	7.1%
87	Uzbekistan	7.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#equality #freedom #gender_equality #human_rights #mali #mali_human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)₁₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₁₉
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
115	Rwanda	102.5
116	Haiti	102.6
117	Marshall Islands	102.9
118	Mali	102.9
119	Gabon	103.1
120	Vietnam	103.4
	Africa Avg	110.04
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

Mali is very poor at ensuring human rights and freedom compared to the rest of the world, and it has cultural issues when it comes to tolerance and equality. Mali does worse than average when it comes to commentary in Human Rights Watch reports₂₀, supporting press freedom₂₁, supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₂, its average Freedom in the World rating and in LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₃. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 in the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₄ (one of the highest in Africa) and in opposing gender inequality₂₅. At times, Mali's conscription programme descends into simple slave labour₂₆ and both government and militia forces use child soldiers₂₇. "Government forces conducted counterterrorism operationsthat resulted in arbitrary arrests, summary executions, torture, and ill-treatment"₂₇Conflicts have caused "a rule of law and security vacuum, facilitating rampant banditry and displacement. In central Mali, Islamist armed group presence and intimidation of the population steadily increased [in 2017]"₂₇.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

Human Rights and Freedom in Mali

5. Mali's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mali #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Africa (2025)₂₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₈
1	Mauritius	71.1
2	Tunisia	75.3
3	Seychelles	77.4
	...
43	Ivory Coast	144.7
44	Niger	145.4
45	Chad	145.6
46	Mali	147.6
47	Nigeria	149.0
48	Mozambique	149.7
49	Guinea	150.5
50	Central African Rep.	152.2
51	Equatorial Guinea	155.3
	Africa Avg	111.13
q=54.

Health (2025)₂₈
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₂₈
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	37.3
	...
195	Ivory Coast	144.7
196	Niger	145.4
197	Chad	145.6
198	Mali	147.6
199	Nigeria	149.0
200	Mozambique	149.7
201	Guinea	150.5
202	Central African Rep.	152.2
	World Avg	97.57
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₂₉. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₂₉.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₂₉, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₂₉.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #health #life_expectancy #longevity #mali #obesity #overpopulation #smoking

Mali is a pretty unhealthy country. Mali comes in the best 20 for its smoking rate₃₀. It does better than average for the prevalence of overweight adults₃₁ and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₂. However Mali performs less well in most areas. It does worse than average in terms of its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₃, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₄ and in delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₅. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 in its average life expectancy₁₁, childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₆, its adolescent birth rate₃₇ (one of the highest in Africa) and in its fertility rate₁₅. The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% between 1976 and 2016. Life expectancy in Mali in 1990 was 46.6yrs, much lower than the global average of 64.6. It improved by +13yrs in the 30 years from then, much better than the global average of +7.9yrs. Mali's peak fertility rate was 7.33 in 1980.

Life Expectancy Higher is better₁₁
Pos.		2021 Years₁₁
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
183	Namibia	59.3
184	Zimbabwe	59.3
185	Congo, DR	59.2
186	Mali	58.9
187	Guinea	58.9
188	Ivory Coast	58.6
189	Swaziland	57.1
190	Somalia	55.3
	Africa Avg	62.79
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better₃₂
Pos.		2016 Per Capita₃₂
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
30	Papua New Guinea	1.2
31=	Eritrea	1.3
31=	Guinea	1.3
31=	Mali	1.3
34	Solomon Islands	1.4
35=	Tonga	1.5
35=	Lebanon	1.5
37	Chad	1.6
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best₁₅
Pos.		2022₁₅
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
200	Burundi	4.98
201	Nigeria	5.14
202	Angola	5.21
203	Mali	5.87
204	Central African Rep.	5.92
205	Congo, DR	6.11
206	Somalia	6.20
207	Chad	6.22
	Africa Avg	3.97
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better₃₀
Pos.		Total %₃₀
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
	...
13	Uganda	7.6%
14	Niger	7.7%
15	Sao Tome & Principe	7.9%
16	Mali	8.0%
17	Haiti	8.1%
18	Colombia	8.2%
19=	Liberia	8.3%
19=	Guinea-Bissau	8.3%
	Africa Avg	12.4%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₃
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
139	Ghana	139
140	Chad	140
141	Rwanda	141
142	Mali	142
143	Niger	143
144	Marshall Islands	144
145	Botswana	145
146	Samoa	146
	Africa Avg	117.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better₃₁
Pos.		1976 %₃₁
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
26=	Pakistan	8.5
27	Kenya	8.8
28=	Guinea-Bissau	8.9
28=	Mali	8.9
28=	Thailand	8.9
31	Tanzania	9.0
32=	Philippines	9.1
32=	Guinea	9.1
	Africa Avg	13.4
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better₃₈
Pos.		2022 %₃₈
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
30	Mozambique	8.8%
31	Zambia	9.4%
32	Benin	9.9%
33	Mali	10.0%
34	Guinea-Bissau	10.1%
35	Haiti	10.2%
36	Togo	10.4%
37	Angola	10.5%
	Africa Avg	13.7%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better₃₇
Pos.		2022 Per 1000₃₇
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
188	Tanzania	123.4
189	Chad	135.7
190	Angola	135.8
191	Equatorial Guinea	136.4
192	Mali	147.7
193	Central African Rep.	159.0
194	Mozambique	165.1
195	Niger	168.0
	Africa Avg	84.6
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better₃₅
Pos.		Total Avg %₃₅
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
168=	Philippines	81.3
168=	Indonesia	81.3
170	Argentina	79.4
171	Mali	79.3
172	Congo, (Brazzaville)	78.8
173	Honduras	77.9
174	Comoros	77.7
175	Paraguay	77.5
	Africa Avg	82.9
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better₃₄
Pos.		2015 Avg %₃₄
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
167	Congo, DR	76.5
168	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	76.5
169	Indonesia	76.4
170	Mali	76.0
171	India	75.1
172	Ethiopia	73.9
173	Pakistan	73.0
174	Liberia	72.6
	Africa Avg	81.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better₃₆
Pos.		Total Per 1000₃₆
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
185	Benin	98.27
186	Burkina Faso	103.67
187	Guinea	114.22
188	Mali	117.79
189	Nigeria	126.78
190	Niger	127.65
191	Chad	131.11
192	Sierra Leone	133.17
	Africa Avg	71.63
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Mali was 6th-worst amongst 49 countries in the 1990s who had an adolescent birth rate of over 100 (per 1000 girls aged 15-19), and things worsened slightly in the 2000s (become 3rd-worst in the world), perpetuating horrendous health and social problems.

6. Mali's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #environmentalism #food #internationalism #mali #meat #over-exploitation #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Africa (2025)₃₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₉
1	Morocco	46.5
2	Burundi	47.8
3	Mali	51.0
4	Madagascar	52.4
5	Nigeria	55.8
6	Rwanda	56.4
7	Uganda	57.8
8	Kenya	57.9
9	Mauritius	58.1
10	Ghana	58.6
11	Tunisia	60.1
12	Niger	61.3
13	Tanzania	61.6
	Africa Avg	80.07
q=53.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)₃₉
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₃₉
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
9	Philippines	49.6
10	Costa Rica	49.7
11	Denmark	50.4
12	Mali	51.0
13	Madagascar	52.4
14	Nigeria	55.8
15	Rwanda	56.4
16	Chile	56.4
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₀. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

"Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Mali comes 12th-best in the world with regard to its responsibility towards the environment (amongst the best in Africa). This is computed from 21 data sets. Mali comes in the best 20 for reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₁. It does better than average when it comes to the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₂, energy to GDP efficiency₄₃ and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₄. But, things still need to improve in Mali. Mali does worse than average in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment and in its environmental performance₄₅.

Forest Area Change 2000-2020 Higher is better₄₄
Pos.		Total₄₄
1	Guernsey	82.6%
2	Bahrain	75.2%
3	Iceland	64.7%
	...
106=	Monaco	0.0%
106=	Greenland	0.0%
106=	Falkland Islands	0.0%
106=	Mali	0.0%
106=	Gibraltar	0.0%
106=	St Barthelemy	0.0%
106=	Dominica	0.0%
106=	Pitcairn Islands	0.0%
	Africa Avg	-8.7%
	World Avg	-0.1%
q=234.

Environmental Performance Higher is better₄₅
Pos.		2018₄₅
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
144	Vanuatu	44.6
145	Uganda	44.3
146	Comoros	44.2
147	Mali	43.7
148	Rwanda	43.7
149	Zimbabwe	43.4
150	Cambodia	43.2
151	Solomon Islands	43.2
	Africa Avg	46.4
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better₄₃
Pos.		2022 Avg₄₃
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
52	Colombia	0.83
53	Lithuania	0.83
54	Italy	0.84
55	Mali	0.86
56	Morocco	0.86
57	Turkey	0.86
58	Senegal	0.87
59	Sao Tome & Principe	0.88
	Africa Avg	0.83
	World Avg	1.23
q=165. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
129	Barbados	54%
130	Congo, (Brazzaville)	53%
131	Jamaica	53%
132	Mali	53%
133	Burundi	53%
134	Iceland	53%
135	Samoa	52%
136	Zimbabwe	52%
	Africa Avg	56.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better₄₂
Pos.		2011 %₄₂
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
23	Uruguay	62.4%
24	Angola	62.4%
25	Bangladesh	61.5%
26	Mali	60.7%
27	Venezuela	60.1%
28	Morocco	60.0%
29	Malta	57.3%
30	Ecuador	57.2%
	Africa Avg	38.3%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better₄₁
Pos.		2021 kg₄₁
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
4	Madagascar	05.4
5	India	05.7
6	Nigeria	07.0
7	Ethiopia	07.1
8	Rwanda	07.6
9	Mali	07.8
10	Niger	08.1
11	Afghanistan	08.7
12	Uganda	09.4
	Africa Avg	24.9
	World Avg	52.5
q=185. Also scored for 2010s.

In the 2010s, meat consumption per person in Mali reduced by over 10kgs per year (only 17 countries managed the same), reducing strain on water supplies and the environment.₄₁

7. Mali's Modernity and Learning

#cameroon #education #intelligence #it_security #jamaica #mali #metric #modernity #niger #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2025)₄₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₆
1	S. Africa	58.2
2	Tunisia	63.4
3	Seychelles	64.9
	...
26	Benin	119.5
27	Burkina Faso	121.6
28	Madagascar	122.4
29	Mali	123.2
30	Equatorial Guinea	125.2
31	Tanzania	125.4
32	Lesotho	126.9
33	Central African Rep.	129.2
34	Namibia	129.8
	Africa Avg	119.28
q=54.

Modernity & Learning (2025)₄₆
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank₄₆
1	Vatican City	1.0
2	Finland	4.8
3	Belgium	8.5
	...
152	Bangladesh	120.0
153	Burkina Faso	121.6
154	Madagascar	122.4
155	Mali	123.2
156	Haiti	123.9
157	Equatorial Guinea	125.2
158	Tanzania	125.4
159	Bahamas	125.5
	World Avg	80.33
q=194.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are The Vatican City, Finland and Belgium₄₇. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₄₇. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₄₈.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”
Bill Emmott (2017)₄₉

23 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₄₇, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₄₇.

For more, see:

" Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.29₅₀
2	Israel	4.11₅₀
3	Japan	3.58₅₀
	...
48=	Tunisia	0.68₅₁
48=	Egypt	0.68₅₂
50	Belarus	0.67₅₂
51	Mali	0.66₅₃
52	Bulgaria	0.65₅₂
53	Ethiopia	0.61₅₂
54	Latvia	0.60₅₂
55=	Gabon	0.58₅₄
	Africa Avg	0.36
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₃
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
140	Syria	140
141	Mauritania	141
142	Nigeria	142
143	Mali	143
144	Congo, (Brazzaville)	144
145	Qatar	145
146	Philippines	146
147	Mozambique	147
	Africa Avg	106.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better₅₅
Pos.		2025 %₅₅
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
104=	Malawi	90
104=	Iran	90
104=	Haiti	90
104=	Mali	90
104=	Bahrain	90
104=	Maldives	90
104=	Guyana	90
104=	Gambia	90
	Africa Avg	90
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Mali officially adopted metric in 1960₅₆. Progression:

1960 (60%): French metric legacy; traditional units common.
1970 (75%): Commerce/education standardization.
1980 (85%): Metric dominant officially.
2000 (90%).
2025 (90%).

Religiosity Lower is better₅₇
Pos.		2018 %₅₇
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
99	Afghanistan	92
100=	Burkina Faso	93
100=	Tanzania	93
100=	Indonesia	93
103=	Mali	94
103=	Pakistan	94
105=	Ethiopia	98
105=	Senegal	98
	Africa Avg	87.0
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better₅₈
Pos.		2006₅₈
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
117=	Ivory Coast	69
117=	Malawi	69
117=	Niger	69
117=	Mali	69
117=	Burundi	69
117=	Nigeria	69
123=	Chad	68
123=	Burkina Faso	68
	Africa Avg	70.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education #mali #niger

In 1990-2, education in Mali was incredibly short - the average person could expect just over two years; only Niger done worse. It improved this by 2.3 years during the 1990s, although the rest of the world done much better. Things stalled in the 2010s, and by 2019 it had the fourth shortest education per person in the world, at 7.4 years.₅₉

Secondary Education Higher is better₆₀
Pos.		2018₆₀
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
159	Ethiopia	17.1%
160	Rwanda	16.3%
161	Tanzania	14.3%
162	Mali	13.1%
163	Papua New Guinea	12.5%
164	Bhutan	12.0%
165	Guinea	11.7%
166	Burundi	9.3%
	Africa Avg	34.4%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better₆₁
Pos.		2021 Years₆₁
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
186	Eritrea	8.1
187	Central African Rep.	8.0
188	Chad	8.0
189	Sudan	7.9
190	Djibouti	7.4
191	Mali	7.4
192	Niger	7.0
193	S. Sudan	5.5
	Africa Avg	11.0
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#cameroon #it_security #jamaica #mali #modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users Higher is better₆₂
Pos.		2016₆₂
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
168	Iraq	13%
169	Kiribati	13%
170	Rwanda	12%
171	Mali	12%
172	Haiti	12%
173=	Papua New Guinea	12%
173=	Djibouti	12%
175	Cambodia	11%
	Africa Avg	18.4%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IT Security Lower is better₆₃
Pos.		2013₆₃
1=	Ireland	0.11
1=	Luxembourg	0.11
1=	Belize	0.11
	...
45	Brazil	1.02
46	Indonesia	1.05
47	British Virgin Islands	1.08
48	Mali	1.12
49	France	1.13
50	Italy	1.15
51	Vietnam	1.15
52	Nigeria	1.18
	Africa Avg	1.07
	World Avg	0.98

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better₆₄
Pos.		2024₆₄
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
113	Uganda	26.9%
114	Tajikistan	25.9%
115	Zimbabwe	24.9%
116	Mali	24.9%
117	Ethiopia	23.7%
118	Cameroon	23.4%
119	Mozambique	21.4%
120	Congo, DR	18.5%
	Africa Avg	32.3%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

Of the 121 countries examined, Mali has the 3rd most expensive internet access (after Cameroon and Jamaica), even for the cheapest speeds₆₅.

8. Mali's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #internationalism #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

World Giving Index Higher is better₆₆
Pos.		2022 %₆₆
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
72=	Peru	39.0
73=	Uzbekistan	38.0
73=	Chile	38.0
73=	Mali	38.0
76=	Switzerland	37.0
76=	Finland	37.0
76=	Hong Kong	37.0
76=	Cameroon	37.0
	Africa Avg	38.2
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

Corruption Higher is better₆₇
Pos.		2022 Points₆₇
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
136	Gabon	29.0
137=	Paraguay	28.0
137=	Russia	28.0
137=	Mali	28.0
140=	Pakistan	27.0
140=	Kyrgyzstan	27.0
142=	Liberia	26.0
142=	Mozambique	26.0
	Africa Avg	32.31
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Happiness Higher is better₆₈
Pos.		2024 Score₆₈
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
120	Burkina Faso	4.4
121	Benin	4.4
122	Somalia	4.3
123	Mali	4.3
124	Cambodia	4.3
125	Ghana	4.3
126	Myanmar	4.3
127	Togo	4.3
	Africa Avg	4.42
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₃
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
131	Kazakhstan	131
132	Guinea	132
133	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	133
134	Mali	134
135	Chad	135
136	Saudi Arabia	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
138	Algeria	138
	Africa Avg	117.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better₆₉
Pos.		Total Q₆₉
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
151	Togo	56.2
152	Papua New Guinea	55.8
153	Equatorial Guinea	55.7
154=	Mali	54.5
154=	Niger	54.5
156=	Cambodia	53.7
156=	Vietnam	53.7
158	Guinea-Bissau	53.5
	Africa Avg	62.9
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₃
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
54	Rwanda	54
55	Swaziland	55
56	Luxembourg	56
57	Mali	57
58	El Salvador	58
59	Senegal	59
60	Kyrgyzstan	60
61	Qatar	61
	Africa Avg	96.7
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better₇₀
Pos.		2023 Score₇₀
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
150	Burkina Faso	2.87
151	Ethiopia	2.87
152	Central African Rep.	2.93
153	Mali	2.96
154	Iraq	3.01
155	Sudan	3.02
156	Somalia	3.04
157	Ukraine	3.04
	Africa Avg	2.29
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₃
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
152	Afghanistan	152
153	Lebanon	153
154	Liberia	154
155	Mali	155
156	Swaziland	156
157	Yemen	157
158	Iraq	158
159	Bahrain	159
	Africa Avg	83.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better₃₃
Pos.		2017 Rank₃₃
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
136	Trinidad & Tobago	136
137	Nigeria	137
138	Cambodia	138
139	Mali	139
140	Haiti	140
141	Mongolia	141
142	Syria	142
143	Mauritania	143
	Africa Avg	104.5
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better₇₁
Pos.		2019 Score₇₁
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
135	Turkey	6.53
136	Cameroon	6.62
137	Central African Rep.	6.62
138	Mali	6.65
139	Libya	6.77
140	Egypt	6.79
141	Congo, DR	7.04
142	Philippines	7.14
	Africa Avg	3.41
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Poverty (2020s) Lower is better₇₂
Pos.		Total %₇₂
1	Malaysia	0.01%
2	Bhutan	0.01%
3	Cyprus	0.02%
	...
89	Cameroon	26.69%
90	Benin	27.22%
91	Togo	34.42%
92	Mali	36.10%
93	Rwanda	38.55%
94	Ethiopia	38.64%
95	Chad	39.48%
96	Guinea-Bissau	39.86%
	Africa Avg	41.51%
	World Avg	11.40%
q=106. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

From the 1990s, Mali has seen astounding reductions in the numbers of those living in poverty, falling from 89% to 36% in the 2020s (including a recent uptick).

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better₇₃
Pos.		2019₇₃
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
176	Benin	34.90
177	Congo, DR	36.10
178	S. Sudan	36.20
179	Mali	36.70
180	Nigeria	37.10
181	Somalia	38.90
182	Sierra Leone	39.00
183	Central African Rep.	40.10
	Africa Avg	26.10
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better₇₄
Pos.		2023 %₇₄
1	Slovakia	24.1%₇₅
2	Slovenia	24.3%₇₅
3	Belarus	24.4%₇₆
	...
89	Marshall Islands	35.5%₇₇
90=	China	35.7%₇₅
90=	Sierra Leone	35.7%₇₈
90=	Mali	35.7%₇₅
93=	Vietnam	36.1%₇₉
93=	Indonesia	36.1%₈₀
95	Senegal	36.2%₇₅
96=	Lithuania	36.7%₇₅
	Africa Avg	40.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Mali - only for 5 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better₈₁
Pos.		2018 Severity₈₁
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
92	Burundi	.403
93	Mozambique	.411
94	Madagascar	.453
95	Mali	.457
96	Central African Rep.	.465
97	Ethiopia	.489
98	Burkina Faso	.519
99	Chad	.533
	Africa Avg	.264
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)₅₇
Pos.		Lower is better %₅₇
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
91=	Honduras	90
91=	Cameroon	90
91=	Rwanda	90
91=	Liberia	90
95=	Morocco	91
95=	Guinea-Bissau	91
95=	Philippines	91
95=	Zambia	91
99	Afghanistan	92
100=	Burkina Faso	93
100=	Tanzania	93
100=	Indonesia	93
103=	Mali	94
103=	Pakistan	94
105=	Ethiopia	98
105=	Senegal	98
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₂:

	2010	2020
Muslim	94%	94.1%
Christian	3.47%	2.57%
Unaffiliated	1.4%	2.53%
Other	1.1%	0.769%
Jewish	None	None
Hindu	None	None
Buddhist	None	None

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Muslim 94.8%, Christian 2.4%, Animist 2%, none 0.5%, unspecified 0.3% (2009 Census)₈₃.

Links: