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Niger

NE

West Africa

Niger is home to 6 documented ethnic groups in West Africa — led by Hausa Niger (~53%), Zarma Songhai (~21%), Tuareg Niger (~11%), Fulani Niger (~7%). This page blends their phenotype and demographic data into one weighted reference: skin tone, facial features, hair texture and build, drawn from published census and ancestry sources.

Demographic Composition

Composition weights are derived from self-identification in published census and demographic surveys. Each row links to the source ethnic-group atlas page.

Ethnic groupWeightSource
Hausa NigerHausa Niger53.0%Niger 2012 Census plus subsequent estimates; Hausa (~53%, ~14M+ of ~26M+ total). Cross-border with Nigerian Hausa (the largest Hausa population is in Nigeria, where Hausa with Fulani are the largest ethnic group)
Zarma SonghaiZarma Songhai21.0%Niger 2012 Census; Zarma / Songhai (~21%); Nilo-Saharan source population, predominantly southwestern Niger
Tuareg NigerTuareg Niger11.0%Niger 2012 Census; Tuareg (~11%); Berber source population, predominantly northern Niger. Cross-border with Algerian, Malian, Libyan, and Burkinabé Tuareg
Fulani NigerFulani Niger7.0%Niger 2012 Census; Fulani / Peulh (~7%); pastoral nomadic populations, cross-border
Kanuri NigerKanuri Niger6.0%Niger 2012 Census; Kanuri (~6%); cross-border with Nigerian, Chadian, and Cameroonian Kanuri
Niger OtherNiger Other2.0%Niger 2012 Census residual; includes Tubu / Toubou, plus Arab-Niger smaller groups

Niger Phenotype Profile

Niger has a Hausa-majority demographic structure (~53%) with substantial Zarma-Songhai (~21%), Tuareg (~11%), and other smaller groups. The country has experienced ongoing political instability including the July 2023 coup.

A descriptive view, not a claim about individuals

This page shows a weighted aggregate of phenotype observations across the Niger population, based on demographic composition from published census and ancestry sources. Phenotypes within any country are far more varied than the aggregate suggests; this is a descriptive reference, not a deterministic claim about any individual. For source-level detail on individual ethnic groups, see the constituent atlas pages linked below.

Methodology Notes

Composition weights derived from Niger 2012 Census plus subsequent estimates.

See full project methodology →

Primary Sources

  1. 1.Institut National de la Statistique Niger. RGPH 2012. Niamey: INS; 2014.
  2. 2.Decalo S. Historical Dictionary of Niger. 4th ed. Scarecrow; 2012.
  3. 3.Charlick RB. Niger: Personal Rule and Survival in the Sahel. Westview; 1991.
  4. 4.Tishkoff SA, Reed FA, Friedlaender FR, et al. The genetic structure and history of Africans and African Americans. Science. 2009;324(5930):1035-1044.
  5. 5.Cooper BM. Marriage in Maradi: Gender and Culture in a Hausa Society in Niger. Heinemann; 1997.

Other countries in West Africa

Aggregate phenotype references for neighbouring West Africa nations, weighted by demographic composition.

Browse all West Africaethnic groups & countries →