Economy, jobs and prices in Gao, Mali: official figures
59.0% of people aged 15 and over in Gao were in work at the 2022 census (85.2% of men, 32.8% of women), 9th lowest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) (Mali: 59.0%).
What is the unemployment rate in Gao?
The census measured unemployment in Gao at 4.1% of the labour force aged 15 and over in 2022, 7th highest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) (Mali: 4.8%); 6.8% for women.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyWhat work do people in Gao do?
57.2% of working people in Gao worked in farming, herding, fishing and other primary activities in 2022, joint 9th highest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako); 33.2% worked in services and trade.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyHow many people in Gao have a salaried job?
Only 4.1% of working people in Gao were wage or salary employees in 2022 (3.1% permanent), against 8.7% across Mali; 88.2% worked for themselves and 5.1% helped in a family business or farm.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyHow many cattle are there in Gao?
The national livestock directorate (DNPIA) estimated the herd in Gao at 1,159,902 cattle in 2023, 8.5% of Mali's 13.63 million, along with 4.55 million sheep and 6.02 million goats; 4th highest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) for cattle.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali · saved copyDo households in Gao have electricity?
28.7% of households in Gao had electric lighting in 2022 (grid, rural network, generator or solar panel), 3rd lowest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) (Mali: 74.9%); 12.5% were on the national EDM grid and 14.2% relied on solar panels.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyHow Gao compares with other regions
Employment rate, people aged 15 and over (2022)
Gao ranks 12 of 20, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, people aged 15 and over |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Nioro | 59.5% |
| 10 | Koutiala | 59.2% |
| 11 | Kayes | 59.1% |
| 12 | Gao | 59.0% |
| 13 | Ségou | 58.8% |
| 14 | Dioïla | 58.7% |
| 15 | Sikasso | 58.4% |
Unemployment rate, people aged 15 and over (2022)
Gao ranks 7 of 20, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, people aged 15 and over |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Douentza | 4.8% |
| 5 | Koulikoro | 4.4% |
| 6 | Ségou | 4.3% |
| 7 | Gao | 4.1% |
| 8 | Tombouctou | 3.8% |
| 9 | Nara | 3.5% |
| 10 | Mopti | 3.1% |
Households with electric or solar lighting (2022)
Gao ranks 18 of 20, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with electric or solar lighting |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Nioro | 48.2% |
| 15 | Douentza | 46.4% |
| 16 | Bandiagara | 43.4% |
| 17 | Nara | 37.3% |
| 18 | Gao | 28.7% |
| 19 | Taoudenni | 27.0% |
| 20 | Ménaka | 6.6% |
More on Gao: overview · education and schools · poverty and living standards · Mali
Sources
- Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali: Annuaire statistique du Mali 2023 (Statistical Yearbook): Table 47, livestock by region (DNPIA report 2023), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 2519f7272dd9…)
- Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement: RGPH5 2022 thematic report: caractéristiques économiques de la population (Tables 4.5, 4.17, 4.28, 5.2), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4502014c1444…)
- Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement: RGPH5 2022 thematic report: caractéristiques des habitations et cadre de vie (Tables 3.3, 3.14, 3.23, 4.17, 5.2, 6.2, 6.6), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e71c382c55b0…)
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