Mali has experienced significant population growth over the past several decades. In 1960, the country's population was around 4.5 million, but by 2023 it had surged to approximately 23 million people. This rapid increase is driven by a high fertility rate, which remains among the highest in the world, averaging over five children per woman. Despite challenges such as political instability, poverty, and limited access to healthcare, Mali's population continues to grow at an annual rate of about 3%. This youthful demographic—where nearly half the population is under 15 years old—presents both opportunities and challenges for the country's development, particularly in terms of education, employment, and infrastructure needs.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3,687,654 | 3 |
| 1955 | 4,066,154 | 3.3 |
| 1960 | 4,483,501 | 3.7 |
| 1965 | 4,958,882 | 4.1 |
| 1970 | 5,518,370 | 4.5 |
| 1975 | 6,178,717 | 5.1 |
| 1980 | 6,866,766 | 5.6 |
| 1985 | 7,625,898 | 6.2 |
| 1990 | 8,531,420 | 7 |
| 1995 | 9,476,561 | 7.8 |
| 2000 | 10,843,590 | 8.9 |
| 2005 | 12,459,990 | 10.2 |
| 2010 | 14,514,077 | 11.9 |
| 2015 | 16,834,385 | 13.8 |
| 2020 | 19,552,681 | 16 |
| 2022 | 20,741,769 | 17 |
| 2023 | 21,359,722 | 17.5 |
| 2024 | 21,990,607 | 18 |
| 2025 | 22,634,423 | 18.5 |
| 2030 | 26,038,433 | 21.3 |
| 2035 | 29,679,103 | 24.3 |
| 2040 | 33,534,254 | 27.5 |
| 2045 | 37,534,404 | 30.8 |
| 2050 | 41,603,635 | 34.1 |
| 2055 | 45,615,633 | 37.4 |
| 2060 | 49,468,544 | 40.5 |
| 2065 | 53,116,722 | 43.5 |
| 2070 | 56,525,992 | 46.3 |
| 2075 | 59,661,161 | 48.9 |
| 2080 | 62,482,444 | 51.2 |
| 2085 | 64,947,694 | 53.2 |
| 2090 | 67,020,048 | 54.9 |
| 2095 | 68,676,760 | 56.3 |
| 2100 | 69,907,186 | 57.3 |
Data from US Census International Database