Migrants 02

Niamey – Niger. At night, after separating objects that can be re-used from those to be burnt, youngsters set fire to the rubbish in the dumps of the capital. Amarou, aged 16, is a Malian lad who lives not far from the dump with other Nigerans. Amarou says he is ready to attempt the route to Europe, but without money he has no choice but to stay in Niamey. The high fertility rate in Niger, the highest in the world [7,2 children per woman] and recent progress made in the reduction of infant mortality [also the highest in the world], are causing serious social problems in the under-15 age-group. In Niger 49% of the population is currently under the age of 15.