Economy, jobs and prices in Tombouctou, Mali: official figures
62.8% of people aged 15 and over in Tombouctou were in work at the 2022 census (86.6% of men, 38.2% of women), 5th highest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) (Mali: 59.0%).
What is the unemployment rate in Tombouctou?
The census measured unemployment in Tombouctou at 3.8% of the labour force aged 15 and over in 2022, 8th highest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) (Mali: 4.8%); 5.8% for women.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyWhat work do people in Tombouctou do?
56.3% of working people in Tombouctou worked in farming, herding, fishing and other primary activities in 2022, 10th lowest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako); 34.9% worked in services and trade.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyHow many people in Tombouctou have a salaried job?
Only 2.4% of working people in Tombouctou were wage or salary employees in 2022 (1.8% permanent), against 8.7% across Mali; 85.7% worked for themselves and 9.8% 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 Tombouctou?
The national livestock directorate (DNPIA) estimated the herd in Tombouctou at 1,361,697 cattle in 2023, 10.0% of Mali's 13.63 million, along with 2.83 million sheep and 4.70 million goats; 3rd highest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) for cattle.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali · saved copyDo households in Tombouctou have electricity?
53.0% of households in Tombouctou had electric lighting in 2022 (grid, rural network, generator or solar panel), 8th lowest of Mali's 20 regions (counting Bamako) (Mali: 74.9%); 18.2% were on the national EDM grid and 32.3% relied on solar panels.
Source: Institut National de la Statistique (INSTAT), Mali and Bureau Central du Recensement · saved copyHow Tombouctou compares with other regions
Employment rate, people aged 15 and over (2022)
Tombouctou ranks 5 of 20, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Employment rate, people aged 15 and over |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | Ménaka | 65.9% |
| 3 | Douentza | 63.4% |
| 4 | Bougouni | 63.0% |
| 5 | Tombouctou | 62.8% |
| 6 | Mopti | 62.2% |
| 7 | Kidal | 61.3% |
| 8 | San | 59.8% |
Unemployment rate, people aged 15 and over (2022)
Tombouctou ranks 8 of 20, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unemployment rate, people aged 15 and over |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Koulikoro | 4.4% |
| 6 | Ségou | 4.3% |
| 7 | Gao | 4.1% |
| 8 | Tombouctou | 3.8% |
| 9 | Nara | 3.5% |
| 10 | Mopti | 3.1% |
| 11 | Kita | 3.0% |
Households with electric or solar lighting (2022)
Tombouctou ranks 13 of 20, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households with electric or solar lighting |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Kidal | 68.0% |
| 11 | Kita | 66.2% |
| 12 | Kayes | 64.3% |
| 13 | Tombouctou | 53.0% |
| 14 | Nioro | 48.2% |
| 15 | Douentza | 46.4% |
| 16 | Bandiagara | 43.4% |
More on Tombouctou: 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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