Mali

Located in the heart of West Africa, Mali occupies a pivotal position between Arab-Berber North Africa and sub-Saharan Africa. The security situation in the north of the country and the resulting multidimensional crisis have contributed significantly to the deterioration of social protection mechanisms. Health indicators are very poor in the regions and in rural areas. 47.6% of Malians are under the age of 15, the average annual growth rate is 3.6%, and the fertility rate is 6.3 children per woman, according to EDS VI. All these factors are putting considerable pressure on basic services, which are already under strain. The age at first marriage is 16.6 and the age at first childbirth 18.9, exposing young women to serious health risks, recurrent pregnancies and very high maternal, neonatal and infant mortality. Indeed, with 56 deaths per thousand children, Mali has one of the highest rates of the 9 countries in the project. In the Human Development Index, Mali ranks 179th out of 188 countries.