Mali: housing

How much do building materials cost in Mali?

INSTAT's index of construction materials prices in Bamako was 141.8 in August 2026 (base 2000 = 100), 4.4% higher than a year earlier and 1.0% lower than in July, according to its construction materials price bulletin. A tonne of CPJ45 cement cost an average of 126,000 CFA francs in August 2026.

The index tracks average selling prices of materials for a building with a reinforced concrete slab roof, including cement, sand, gravel, timber and reinforcing steel. River sand cost 13,886 CFA francs per cubic metre. INSTAT publishes the bulletin monthly; it covers Bamako only.

Official sources: INSTAT: Construction materials prices and index, August 2026 (PDF)

How many people in Mali live in slums?

92.5% of Mali's urban population lived in slums, informal settlements or inadequate housing in 2022, according to World Bank data from UN-Habitat.

UN-Habitat counts a household as living in a slum if it lacks at least one of: improved water, improved sanitation, enough living space, durable housing or secure tenure. 47.8% of Mali's population used at least basic sanitation in 2024, according to the WHO/UNICEF data on the World Bank site. Employers pay a 1% housing tax on their wage bill to finance the National Housing Fund, according to the Directorate General of Taxes.

Official sources: World Bank: Population living in slums, Mali · World Bank: Basic sanitation, Mali · DGI Mali: Taxes payable

How many people in Mali live in cities?

32.2%: that is the share of people living in urban areas in Mali for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 37th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 44.9%. Worldwide: 166th of 193.

How common are informal settlements in Mali?

In 2022, the share of city dwellers living in slums in Mali was 92.5%, according to UN-Habitat. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2006. It is 2nd highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 48.7%. Of 170 countries with 2022 data, 2nd highest.

How many people in Mali have electricity?

According to the World Bank, the share of people with access to electricity in Mali was 49.5% in 2024. Its high point since 2005 was 2023, at 54.5%; its low point was 2006, at 16.6%. It is 35th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.8%. Worldwide: 179th of 193.

What is access to sanitation in Mali?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 20.0%. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 23.6%, and Mali placed 18th highest of 29. World rank, highest first: 118th of 134.

What share of homes in Mali cook with clean fuels?

The WHO puts the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Mali at 2.0% in 2024. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.0%; Mali is 38th highest of 48. Worldwide: 182nd of 192.